Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from the Elden Ring

Even in the "Well of Oblivion" at the bottom of the ice cellar of Kassel College, there are display cases for Angers' collection. However, each piece there is not simply priceless; rather, they are constantly suppressed by an extremely powerful alchemical domain. That is the "Word of Power Array" designed by the mentor Flamel, a miracle of alchemy, a domain created from symbols and elements, circulating continuously.

The person who snapped up the bowl was a young man. He was sweating with excitement and talking quietly with a girl next to him. He had the magnanimity of a victor on his face, and his smug look made the girl blush. Her eyes shone like stars when she looked at him.

He was indeed the victor, defeating all his enemies in this brief competition.

$10 is enough for an average person to eat barbecue every day for over twenty years, but here it's not even a fraction of what a young man needs to win the favor of a beautiful woman.

The mixed-race individuals in the VIP seats remained silent during the auction. They were all envoys from powerful families, and like Lu Mingfei, their motives for attending the concert were not pure; they had no interest in such trivial matters. A number of people maintained their attention to Lu Mingfei, yet dared not scrutinize him too directly.

In their eyes, Lu Mingfei represented not only Kassel College, but also the legendary dragon slayer. That spot was Angers's spot; usually, the old man would appear in a sharp black suit with a red rose tucked into his lap.

Chapter 116 Alchemy Swords

Several more auction items were brought up to the stage, mostly related to alchemy or the history of dragons. These items were guaranteed to sell, and the hybrids' obsession with these precious "collectibles" far surpassed that of the wealthy among ordinary humans.

The auctioneer couldn't suppress his smile. This specially arranged targeted auction was surprisingly successful, with almost every item being driven up to exorbitant prices. He was also feeling a bit feverish. The venue was heated, but his fever was like boiling dragon blood, giving him the illusion that he was a keeper feeding bloody, fresh meat to wild beasts, each piece of meat tossed down causing a scramble and tearing.

"The next item is somewhat special. It's a walking stick made with modern craftsmanship, yet it possesses a mysterious alchemical field. Unfortunately, our alchemists were unable to identify the function and principle of this alchemical field. However, through CT scans, we discovered an inner structure, which seems to be another walking stick." The auctioneer slowly surveyed the crowd. "It might just be some kind of core material... or it might be a genuine ancient artifact that a modern craftsman has encased in a shell."

"Since the seller insisted on selling the cane intact, we did not damage the casing, making this a true blind box item, its value entirely up to your judgment." The auctioneer smiled. "Starting bid: $20. Please begin bidding."

Previously, this segment was called "Unexpected Encounters." After the main auction, as a bonus, some unusual items would be offered. They were usually small trinkets, but occasionally, exceptional pieces would fetch astronomical prices, and sometimes buyers could acquire something with potential for great value at a very low price.

Now this intriguing walking stick has appeared in the regular auction process, making one wonder just how peculiar the truly "unexpected encounter" item in this auction really is.

One by one, people started making bids.

"Did you get a response for 20? Okay, we got 20."

"21."

"21."

"25, any higher bids?"

"Is there any more at 25...? The lady behind me offered 30."

"32."

"40."

……

"170 million, the hammer is about to fall, any higher bids?"

"170 million per time."

"170 million twice."

"The gavel is about to fall for this gentleman. This is the last time." The auctioneer raised the gavel and looked around the room.

He was slightly disappointed. This item was a rare find, possessing a self-circulating alchemical domain, but unfortunately, no one could understand its function. All they knew was that it had no effect on those within the domain and was not offensive. If the domain's function could be determined, it could have sold for much more.

Perhaps it was psychological, but the auctioneer's hammer took an unusually long time to fall.

"200 million." Lu Mingfei raised his placard.

Meanwhile, he curiously watched to see how Zhuge Mingjue would evaluate the blind box item. Zhuge Mingjue slowly wrote two words: Unknown.

Okay, that makes sense.

Lu Mingfei turned around and found that the atmosphere in the room was a bit cold. There were far fewer whispers, and only the auctioneer's voice echoed in the hall.

"Two million once, two million twice..."

With a crisp sound of the gavel striking the ground, the auctioneer announced with a hint of regret, "200 million, number 26!"

The glass display case containing the cane was carried backstage by the assistants. Lu Mingfei could only take it away after the auction ended and he paid the bill.

After that, Lu Mingfei didn't see anything that interested him.

As the remaining items were brought to the stage, the atmosphere heated up once again. After all the items in the catalog had been auctioned, the auctioneer smiled and bowed, "Next up is the special segment of the day, as always, 'An Unexpected Encounter'."

A huge black hard-shell box was pushed up on a trolley by the auctioneer's assistant. The auctioneer held the lid down with his white-gloved hand, smiled and looked around the room, but was in no hurry to open it. It was similar to the old days when people sold miracle drugs on the street, and they had to make a boast before they performed the feat of breaking a boulder on their chest to whet people's appetites.

"This is an extraordinary item; all the auctioneers were astonished when they saw it. It is exceptionally beautiful, a pinnacle of craftsmanship, but unfortunately, we know not its provenance, or even its age, so we cannot set a suitable starting price. With the seller's permission, this will be a rare zero-starting-price auction, with each bid increment being one dollar." The auctioneer held up one finger. "Don't miss this rare opportunity, for just... one dollar!"

There was a slight commotion in the room; it was something new and had piqued everyone's curiosity. The auctioneer was very satisfied with the atmosphere; the first step of the marketing was a success.

Lu Mingfei perked up; the alchemical weapon Su Enxi had mentioned had arrived. He not only wanted to buy the weapon, but also to ensure his secretary recouped her investment as much as possible.

The auctioneer pulled up a hidden clasp, and with a clear, melodious chime, the internal mechanism slid out, revealing seven completely different swords. The dark gold blades displayed patterns of ice silk, pine needles, flowing clouds, and flames under the light.

"Exquisite craftsmanship, perfectly preserved, the blades are as sharp as new. The designs imitate Chinese swords such as the Zhanmadao (horse-slaying sword), Tang sword, Japanese samurai sword, wakizashi, and Damascus steel sword, etc., all stored in the same box with a hidden clasp to open..." The auctioneer spoke eloquently.

Meanwhile, assistants on stage were demonstrating their skills by slicing cucumbers with a sharp knife, chopping rolled-up bamboo mats, cutting iron nails and pieces of iron, etc. The auction house was probably struggling to explain the origin of the item and could only show its sharpness.

"$1!" someone held up a sign.

"Two dollars!" someone immediately followed suit, and the guests all smiled generously.

"$3!"

"$4!"

The auctioneer looked somewhat embarrassed; this was the teasing from the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, even a set of Damascus steel kitchen knives would cost several hundred dollars. Can any of you offer a competitive price?" He spread his hands and smiled helplessly.

"$10!" Someone raised the bid for the VIP seats, clearly a serious price.

"Okay, 10 for this gentleman! Anyone else bidding higher?"

"11." A few seconds later, someone else raised the price.

"20 million." Lu Mingfei raised his placard.

Several people simultaneously turned their gazes toward him. In Lu Mingfei's perception, some hesitated and then relaxed, leaning back in their chairs, seemingly giving up in advance. But others turned their gazes and stared intently at the set of swords.

During the last bidding, many people who didn't know Lu Mingfei noticed the young man who was representing Angers, who was an expert in these targeted auctions. They naturally assumed that this excessively young man was Angers' "proxy," someone who was remotely representing the real buyer at the auction.

Normally, auctions have designated seats for such individuals.

"30." Some people started to concentrate, and the price jumped as high as Lu Mingfei's.

"30! Any higher bids?" the auctioneer exclaimed.

Chapter 117

Zhao Menghua was in a real predicament; he hadn't gone home for winter break.

Ever since he woke up from that nightmare that night, his mind was filled with Lu Mingfei's terrifying image and the sudden, overwhelming fear of death. It was true death, like being swallowed by a black tide, gradually losing all traces of being in the world, his blood gradually cooling down, and he could no longer make a sound.

So he told his father that he was sick and would stay in Beijing for a while.

Moreover, he didn't want to go back and see Chen Wenwen. Before, when he watched her from afar, Chen Wenwen was always quietly reading a book, without a speck of dust on her face, with her eyes lowered, looking absolutely beautiful. But after he got her, he realized that the more artistic she was, the more annoying she was. She was overly sensitive all the time, sometimes acting melancholy, sometimes pitiful, and sometimes incredibly domineering, as if the whole world had to revolve around her.

He sat on the subway seat, staring blankly at the ground.

After staring at it for a while, the floor seemed to transform into Lu Mingfei's face. He actually went to see a doctor, who said it was caused by mental stress and anxiety, and gave him a physical examination to confirm that there were no physiological problems. Some inflammatory conditions can also cause people to have frequent nightmares.

The result was that Zhao Menghua was healthy, had no academic pressure, and his family had connections, so he was already on the list of students selected for the Yale University exchange program in his junior and senior years. He had nothing to worry about. Moreover, he lived off-campus in a hotel-style apartment that cost 12,000 yuan a month, so there was no issue with his sleeping environment.

The doctor concluded that the person he dreamed of was someone he missed dearly or had a strong attachment to.

But that doesn't make sense... Back when he first graduated, Lu Mingfei might have genuinely caused him some trouble, but now he's long since moved on, achieving success in both his studies and career, and his family's company has even gone public. So what if Lu Mingfei receives a scholarship of 30 yuan a year? The two are no longer in the same league. No matter how prestigious Kassel College is, Lu Mingfei will only end up as an intern at a large company, while he is the heir to a listed company.

"Boqian, have you spotted anything?" the boy asked in a low voice.

The girl shook her head: "There are a few people with that bloodline, but the proportion should be very low. I didn't detect anyone releasing a domain. Is this really useful?"

Zhao Menghua suddenly heard strange mutterings. He looked up and saw a black backpack with a circular badge printed on it—"The Half-Decaied World Tree".

That was the emblem of Kassel College. The two young men and women standing side by side in front must have come from that mysterious college. Zhao Menghua tried searching online for information about Kassel College, but to no avail. On the surface, it seemed to be a private, elite high school, but when you tried to learn more, you would find that it was shrouded in a transparent shell, making it impossible to get close enough to see for yourself.

Most importantly, Lu Mingfei was a student at that college.

"The next stop is Zhongguancun Station," the announcement came over the loudspeaker.

“Let’s go,” the girl said, “Let’s switch to Line 4 and keep scanning.”

Zhao Menghua's heart skipped a beat, and he quietly followed behind them. He felt that this group of people were acting suspiciously and wanted to know what they were doing.

……

"300 million, any higher bids?" The auctioneer had excellent eyesight; his Word of Power was designed to enhance his vision, allowing him to clearly see all the bidding paddles raised in the vast venue.

Prices rose alternately, the air grew scorching, and the gentlemen bidding loosened their ties to get some fresh air; a price was refreshed almost every second it appeared.

"310 million." Lu Mingfei raised his paddle, glancing indifferently at the young man who had previously made the bid.

"Master Zhuge, is your 'sect' considered a mixed-race family?" He asked Zhuge Mingjue while making his offer.

"It can't be called a family... more like your academy, except we practice scriptures every day." Zhuge Mingjue was more like an observer at this auction. Now that the auction was coming to an end, he was happy to chat with Lu Mingfei since he had nothing else to do.

"Mixed-race people believe in God?"

"Freedom of religion".

“560 million.” Lu Mingfei held up the sign. “But you will also come down the mountain to participate in these worldly affairs.”

“Yes, it would be great if we could auction online, then I wouldn’t have to come down the mountain. Because of their bloodline, mixed-race people age more slowly than normal people, and their aesthetic sense and concepts are outdated. Many elderly people here don’t use electronic products,” Zhuge Mingjue said casually. “Unlike your academy.”

"It sounds like you belong to the liberal faction?" Lu Mingfei followed up on his words.

"I don't think so... My master was a hardware engineer before he came up the mountain. He installed all of the dozen or so computers in our Taoist temple."

“730 million.” Lu Mingfei raised his sign again. “I thought you were ascetics.”

"You can think of it as a normal school, where the curriculum is Taoist, except that in addition to morning and evening classes, we sometimes have to stand guard in the temple."

"But you're still half-bloods, and you're just studying philosophy on the mountain? Aren't you 'overseers'?"

“Young friend, you are very knowledgeable, you even know my duties.” Zhuge Mingjue said in surprise, “However, what you said is not entirely correct. We do have some knowledge of Taoist philosophy, but we study Taoist theology more. If your school is a science and engineering college, then we are, in a sense, a modern theological seminary.”

"1270."

The price of alchemical swords has reached an daunting level, with only wealthy and powerful families still bidding. After all, this was just an "accidental encounter," and even the era and lineage of the swords are unknown.

Among those still bidding was the young man whom Lu Mingfei had been repeatedly provoking. Every time he made a bid, Lu Mingfei would immediately raise the bid by 10. Even the auctioneer could see the tension between the two.

"1270 million per time! Any higher offers?"

"2000 million!" The young man raised his paddle, his voice echoing throughout the room. The room fell silent; the price increase had already exceeded the total amount of money many people had in their pockets.

He took a deep breath and exhaled gently, his face flushed slightly with excitement, and his body steaming with heat. He looked at Lu Mingfei, but Lu Mingfei didn't turn his head, only focused on chatting with the Taoist priest beside him.