Chapter 148: The Imperial Capital Auction!
"However, your situation is a little complicated. Fourth-grade materials are a bit beyond your current capabilities. If it weren't for the assistance of the Qing Xuan Qiankun Cauldron, you'd find it difficult to refine the fourth-grade materials just based on your Dou Qi quality alone."
"But this Xuan Artifact of yours is definitely real." Hulei had seen Jiang Lin's Scarlet Scaled Gauntlets, assuming Jiang Lin had made another set, as he happened to have the material for another set of gauntlets. The material had reached the Xuan Artifact standard, but the Dou Qi lines and overall effectiveness didn't meet the fourth-grade Xuan Artifact level.
"Forget it, I'll let you count it as done." Hulei tossed Jiang Lin a golden, four-star Xuan Artifact Master medallion. This had been prepared earlier, initially meant for Yuan Bao so he could hand it to Jiang Lin when Hulei wasn't around. But Jiang Lin always seemed to surprise him with new things.
"Alright, the auction is starting." Hulei laughed and shook his head, turning to look at the auction outside the window. Jiang Lin also glanced over.
At that moment, the voice of the host from the Mitel family rang out:
"Now, I announce that the Mitel Imperial Capital Auction officially begins!"
"Please welcome our first item, a special flight Dou Qi tool, the Third-Grade Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings!"
"Everyone must have heard of the aerial battle over the Imperial Capital a few months ago? The one where the Dou Ling Refining Master fought against a Dou Wang in mid-air, using a Fourth-Grade Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wing!"
The host's voice instantly lit up the crowd. Of course, they all knew about the aerial battle that happened above the Imperial Capital, and they also knew that the Refining Guild had been working hard to craft the first-grade Black Gold Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings. Most of them had already been bought by the imperial army, with a few flowing out through the Mitel Chamber of Commerce to the outside world.
"I didn't expect someone would start customizing Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings so soon?" Jiang Lin, sitting in the VIP room, looked down as someone took the wings out from the backstage and demonstrated the flight capability in front of everyone, looking a little surprised.
"Some people just like to pay big money, haha," Hulei chuckled.
The blueprints for the Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings were made available to all Refining Masters in the Guild, but the Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings were not. Moreover, the difficulty of making the Four-Leaf version was high, and at least a third-grade Refining Master was needed to forge it.
The Mitel family host continued, "Anyone who purchases the Feather Sheath Wing flight Dou Qi tool will receive a free flight Dou Technique, the Feather Sheath."
Immediately, someone in the crowd jeered, "Your Feather Sheath technique is no longer a rare thing. It's being handed out everywhere now."
The Mitel host just laughed, "It's still the control manual for the Feather Sheath Wings. For everyone's safety, we are obligated to offer the Feather Sheath flight Dou Technique for free."
"I've heard that now everyone's in the business of selling exclusive titles. Today, I want to ask, aside from being unattractive, what effect does this have?" A dissatisfied voice rose from the crowd. His comment struck a chord with many, and more people began to join in, though others looked at the jeering individuals with meaningful glances.
The Mitel host responded with a standard smile, "The Refining Guild has given the following answer: First, the Feather Sheath Wings are your personal flight Dou Qi tool. Second, they reduce the risk of malicious theft. Third, a stable supply and demand will slowly lower the price of the Feather Sheath Wings. If anyone is unhappy with these answers, feel free to create trouble with the Refining Guild, and make enemies with the entire Gama Empire."
The Mitel host's explanation quickly silenced the crowd. People began to cheer, as most of them realized the benefits of having a personal Feather Sheath Wing. Moreover, the Refining Guild had also stated that the price of the wings would decrease over time, as the current high price was due to the rush.
In fact, Jiang Lin had a method that could rapidly increase production, but he didn't say anything. At least, after Jiang Lin reaches Dou Wang or Dou Huang, when he has the ability to stand independently, he could then implement the assembly line system for mass production and truly profit.
Moreover, Jiang Lin felt that the current production capability of the Refining Guild was already sufficient. There was no need for further improvements, so he planned to reserve the assembly line system for his spatial ring.
If Jiang Lin could get a super spatial ring, the kind that could hold puppets, he would definitely set up a portable refining factory.
"The auction begins now. Starting price: 300,000 gold coins!"
"400,000!"
"500,000!"
"…"
"Do people from the Imperial Capital have this much money?" Jiang Lin's face twitched slightly as he watched the bidding start at 300,000 or 400,000 gold coins.
If he wasn't mistaken, the material cost for the first-grade Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings was about 2,000, and when it was first presented in Uhtan City, it sold for over 300,000. Ah, indeed, the tech industry is incredibly profitable.
The material cost for the third-grade Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings was less than 50,000, with labor costs possibly a little higher. Even with a cost of 100,000, the wings' price was starting to return to a reasonable range, which was normal, since the Refining Guild had already started mass production. The reason the Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings caused a stir was because they were much rarer than the more common Dual-Leaf version.
In the end, a family bought the rare Four-Leaf Feather Sheath Wing for one million gold coins. This price was the limit, as no one would bid higher. After all, the Refining Guild had already begun stabilizing production, and people would have the chance to buy the Four-Leaf version for hundreds of thousands.
Hulei smiled, "I don't know if people in the Imperial Capital are rich, but you, little buddy, will definitely be very rich in the future. Just by watching this auction, you've already earned almost 40,000 gold coins after deducting costs."
Jiang Lin shrugged helplessly, "That's just the early stage. Later on, we'll see all sorts of wandering Refining Masters popping up."
Hulei laughed, "Actually, of the 40% commission from the Refining Guild, the Guild and you together only get 10%, while the remaining 30% goes to the Refining Masters. This means the Refining Masters only get one-third of the profit. But considering that the techniques and materials are provided for free, and the Refining Masters only need to participate in the refining process without worrying about the sale of the weapons, it's a pretty good deal for most first and second-grade Refining Masters."
"The main sales are still the Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings. The Four-Leaf versions are more for custom orders. The one sold at this auction was commissioned by others, so we get a share of the money, but for custom orders, we don't get any. But it's no problem. The Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings are the core of the Guild, and this weapon will help improve the reputation of the Refining Masters. More talented people will join the Refining Master industry in the future."
One must know their limits. The Dual-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings were Jiang Lin's true foundation.
(END CHAPTER)
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