Chapter 370, Trade Fair
[Concealment Cloak]
(Description: A cloak engraved with multiple runes, capable of concealing appearance, blocking special marks and detection.)
The Snake Emblem Consortium is indeed wealthy.
They could provide such magical items to everyone attending the auction.
The cloak conceals the wearer's appearance and physique, and can also block certain imprints and detection.
It's quite an impressive item.
Even outside, it's relatively rare.
Wu Heng's 'Illusion Veil' might not be able to deceive everyone, but the consortium providing such an item was certainly considerate.
"Is there anything else the guest would like to know?" the staff member continued.
Wu Heng thought for a moment and asked, "How long does the auction last?"
"The auction starts at midnight and ends around 4 or 5 in the morning. Guests will be transported back to their original city afterward," the staff member replied.
The duration was not too long.
It meant the night would pass, and it wouldn't interfere with the next day.
"Regarding safety, can it be guaranteed?" Wu Heng asked again.
The staff member's tone was filled with confidence, "Please rest assured, guest. Strong individuals have been arranged to oversee security on the ship, enough to handle any potential dangers. Additionally, external fleets are escorting us. The Snake Emblem Consortium has over 150 years of experience organizing auctions; there's no need to worry about safety."
After the two questions, Wu Heng smiled and nodded, "Thanks, I don't have any more questions."
"If you need anything, you may pull the bell here. When the ship nears the 'St. Senya' cruise liner, someone will come to inform you."
"Okay."
The staff member bowed again and then left the room.
...
In modern society, Wu Heng had never attended any auctions.
His only understanding came from television dramas or videos he had seen online.
The Snake Emblem Consortium's auction seemed to be somewhat different.
It placed greater emphasis on guests' safety and privacy.
Even though the auction procedure was similar, everyone wore cloaks, and no one knew who purchased what.
It provided a better customer experience than the guild.
"I wonder if I will find something I need."
Wu Heng was a bit excited about the auction.
After about two hours of travel.
There was a knock on the door, "Guest, we are approaching the 'St. Senya' cruise liner. Please gather your personal belongings and prepare to board."
"Understood," Wu Heng responded.
Footsteps faded away from the door.
Wu Heng removed his 'Illusion Veil' and donned the black cloak.
The way to wear it was different; instead of being worn like a cape, it resembled a raincoat that had to be pulled over the head, covering the entire body.
Wu Heng glanced at 'Keramu,' who was also dressed in the cloak.
His entire body was covered by the black robe, and even his face appeared blurry.
His appearance was entirely concealed.
"This item is actually pretty useful."
After everything was ready, he opened the door and walked out.
In the ship's corridor, many others were waiting to disembark.
Most of them wore cloaks to cover their faces, while others wore them without covering their heads, revealing their real faces.
It seemed they were not worried about being seen.
Ahead of Wu Heng were two figures in cloaks, leaning tightly against each other.
"Finally on board. Now we don't need to worry about being found," one of them whispered while holding the other's waist tightly.
The other shrugged their shoulders, and a female voice softly replied, "Sneaking around like this, it's hardly manly."
"Who says so? If you agree, I'll challenge your husband to a duel as soon as we disembark and take you away."
"He could split you in two."
"We agreed to be happy today, okay? Don't be mad. Later, I'll take you to the casino. With you around, I'm sure my luck will be great."
"Stop it, don't grope me, there are so many people."
"No one knows who we are, what's there to fear?"
While waiting in line, Wu Heng listened to their gossip.
Others came with money to participate in the auction, but these two came here to use the cloaks to rendezvous.
He also noted that the cloak couldn't alter voices.
As they stepped onto the deck.
A huge, luxurious cruise liner could be seen to one side, labeled 'St. Senya.'
Besides the surrounding escort ships.
Other passenger ships carrying guests were also approaching the cruise liner.
...
Soon, the passenger ship docked with the cruise liner.
The connection ramp was secured, and many passengers boarded the cruise liner.
The St. Senya was a large cruise liner with a polished deck. Guests who arrived earlier held wine glasses and leaned on the railings, watching others board.
After boarding, Wu Heng looked around the deck.
About sixty percent of the guests had their faces fully hidden by cloaks, while many others simply wore the cloak without the hood.
Wu Heng suspected that the cloak was being used to distinguish guests from staff.
The auction would start at midnight, and Wu Heng had no particular aim, so he joined the crowd and entered the ship's cabin.
He visited the casino and the music hall in turn.
He glanced at a dance performance in the theater where women from various races performed without clothes.
Then he walked out.
He stopped a staff member and asked, "Where is the trade fair?"
"In Hall 5 inside the cabin."
Wu Heng nodded and headed directly to Hall 5.
The so-called trade fair was actually not much different from black markets in various regions.
The Snake Emblem Consortium provided the venue, where others could set up booths to sell items or exchange things they needed.
Among those boarding, quite a few came specifically for the trade fair.
There was ample time for trading before the auction began.
Moreover, the Snake Emblem Consortium was quite adept at organizing such events.
Each time, many people participated.
Entering Hall 5.
The trade fair was bustling.
But it was somewhat different from what he had imagined.
The entire venue was circular in layout, with people in black robes sitting in rings around a central wooden platform.
Someone stood on the platform, introducing the items they held.
Wu Heng stepped inside.
A stout figure stood on the platform, holding a wooden box, inside which was a root shaped like ginseng.
"Treasure Root Ginseng, I'm sure everyone knows its effects. If a relative or friend has any unspeakable trouble, buy it, guaranteed to work. 120 silver coins," the figure said loudly.
Treasure Root Ginseng, Wu Heng had one himself.
It was given to him by the orc owner of the armor shop back in 'Rentam City.'
Its function was to enhance a man's ability in bed.
In Rentam City, it wasn't valued that highly, but here it could fetch a price of 150 silver coins.
Unfortunately, the one he had was still sitting in his study.
"155, I'll take it," someone called out.
"160 silver coins," another bid.
Finally, when the price reached 182, someone bought it.
Then another person quickly stepped onto the platform, taking a long-handled warhammer from a spatial ring and said, "Thunder Warhammer, engraved with lightning effects, two gold coins, or exchange for equivalent items."
Magical weapons and armor were relatively rare on the market.
But a long-handled warhammer required considerable strength.
Even though the lightning effect was decent, it was considered a niche weapon.
Wu Heng's gaze fell on the long-handled warhammer, which was crafted exquisitely, with visible runes engraved on it.
The warhammer that Crushed Skull held wasn't even a magical item.
This one could definitely be used by him.
"What do you need in exchange for the item?" someone spoke up first.
The person on stage said, "Two defensive items, or an oddity will do."
"Long-handled warhammers are already rare enough, and you still want an oddity? You must be out of your mind!" someone commented.
"If you don't need it, you don't have to buy it," the person on stage replied.
Seeing that things were getting tense.
Wu Heng spoke, "Two gold coins, I'll take it."
The person on stage saw that no one else was bidding and said, "Alright, it's yours."
On the way down, he even glanced at the one who had tried to bargain and openly said, "Uncultured."
Wu Heng took out a pouch, and the person handed over the long-handled warhammer.
[Thunder Warhammer]
(Description: A weapon engraved with lightning runes that can produce a lightning effect on the target.)
The attributes appeared, and the effect seemed pretty good.
The other person counted the silver coins, nodded towards Wu Heng, then returned to their seat.
"Evil Soul Grass, can induce a death-like state..."
"White Red Sand, forging material..."
Several people took the stage consecutively, offering herbs or forging materials.
They weren't of much use to Wu Heng, so he didn't pay attention.
Yet, each item was traded successfully, indicating that there was demand.
Then the next person took the stage.
"I have 20 sharp swords, all imbued with sharpness effects, selling as a set for 5,000 silver coins or equivalent items."