books44 Chapter 401 [Empire] The Ultimate End of Desire
Chapter 401 [Empire] The Ultimate End of Desire
The auctioneer's voice grew more passionate, almost reverent. "Ladies and gentlemen, this item is undoubtedly the ultimate highlight of this evening! It is an ancient door, whose secrets remain unsolved. Its history dates back thousands of years. Legend has it that it was forged by a vanished civilization, engraved with indestructible runes and forbidden powers. This door may seem ordinary, but countless mysteries lie hidden within. Everyone who has attempted to touch it, no matter how powerful, has ultimately failed to retrieve the treasure within. It represents not only material wealth, but also the power of an ancient civilization hidden deep within!"
The image on the screen gradually zoomed in, the outline of the door becoming clearer. It wasn't ornate or complex, simply an ancient door adorned with dark golden metal and mysterious runes. A deep crack ran through the center of the door, seemingly unable to close, emitting an indescribable sense of oppression. On either side of the crack, densely packed runes and lines intertwined to form a complex pattern. While seemingly simple, it made one hesitate to touch it.
"To date, all adventurers who have attempted to unlock this door have lost their lives or sanity in the process. No matter how powerful their force or how superior their wisdom, they cannot uncover the secrets behind this door. It is more than just an object; it is a symbol of strength and power." The auctioneer's tone was almost tangible, revealing a sense of mystery. "Some say it hides a technology far beyond common comprehension. Some say it leads to another galaxy, or even holds the seal of an ancient deity."
A dead silence enveloped the entire auction hall. Everyone was captivated by this mysterious allure; even I couldn't help but feel my heart racing. Even if such a treasure couldn't be obtained immediately, the mere possibility of possessing it was enough to drive everyone crazy. It represented not only wealth, but perhaps even a key to an unknown world. Of course, it could also just be a gimmick.
However, I noticed that Shan Qi's gaze was even more focused than before. His gaze no longer wandered, but was fixed firmly on the image of the ancient door. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and his eyes gleamed with a light unlike any other. I could sense his excitement, even a hint of madness—this was no longer a simple auction; it seemed that for him, this door held something far more profound than money and power.
The auctioneer's voice rang out once more, with an almost religious excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, the very existence of this door is a mystery. Whoever can unlock the secrets of this door will gain unparalleled power and knowledge! Gain the full power of an entire mysterious ancient civilization! Its starting price is 30 million star coins. Bidding begins now!"
"Thirty million star coins?" I subconsciously exclaimed in a low voice. Although I already knew that the price of this auction would not be low, I was still a little shocked by such a huge starting price.
But I also understand that this isn't just a superficial exchange of money and goods; it's more about a desire for the unknown and a longing for greater power. No, to be more precise, it's a desire to reach the ultimate limit of one's own imagined desires. Even more extreme, it's a desire to swallow up an entire starfield, or even the entire spacetime starfield.
In short, people are crazy and in different mental states.
Shan Qi did not show much surprise. He just smiled and whispered, "This is a very interesting puzzle." The ease and excitement in his tone surprised me a little - he did not seem to be intimidated by the astronomical price. On the contrary, his eyes seemed more eager and determined.
I couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to bid on this door?"
He glanced at me, his eyes penetrating, as if he were lost in thought. "Not everyone can understand its significance, especially when you stand before it. Can you sense that it's more than just an object? There's a deeper power behind it." Shan Qi's tone was calm, but I could sense the weight of his words.
My heart sank slightly. This auction wasn't just a scramble for wealth and items; it hid a secret beyond imagination. And Shan Qi had clearly developed a deep interest in this door, perhaps even a fascination. I wasn't sure if this was a good sign.
The atmosphere at the auction hall grew tense once again. Bidding began. The initial bidders didn't raise the price quickly; everyone seemed to be waiting for the real bidder to appear. After several rounds, the price finally broke through 50 million star coins, and even in the following minutes, it continued to rise.
I stole a glance at Shan Qi. His expression remained calm, but I could sense the tension building within him. He was clearly waiting for the moment when he could strike.
Finally, the moment arrived. Shan Qi adjusted his sitting position slightly and said softly, "One hundred million star coins."
This bid was like the final straw that broke the camel's back. The entire venue fell into a dead silence, and all eyes instantly focused on Shan Qi. This bid was not only a competition for money, but also a challenge to the true ownership of the "Unknown Gate."
The auctioneer's tone instantly became more excited: "One hundred million star coins! This bidder really has good taste, bidding one hundred million star coins! Everyone, is there anyone willing to continue bidding?"
I could feel the tension in the air, even my breathing quickened. I couldn't help but turn to look at Shan Qi. His expression remained calm, but I could feel his heartbeat surging just as fast as the price of 100 million star coins.
I stared at Shan Qi, and an inexplicable wave of emotion arose in my heart.
His gaze became unusually profound, as if it pierced through the bustling auction house and reached straight to the ancient door. The light in his eyes was brighter than any symbol of money, power, or status, and even revealed an indescribable enthusiasm. That feeling was more alluring than any object, as if he had seen some distant goal that was out of reach, and no obstacles could change his pace.
My heartbeat quickened, and my eyes followed his movements, as if every glance from him could trigger a reaction in me. I suddenly realized that he was completely different from the calm, rational, and almost omniscient Shan Qi I was familiar with.
Today, at this auction, his presence seemed completely ignited by this unknown treasure, unleashing an unstoppable desire and passion. His eyes held a fixed, focused gaze, a frenzy that nearly overwhelmed me. I began to feel a surge of excitement—driven by his emotions, as if I too could touch that mysterious power, perhaps even something beyond all possibility.
I couldn't help but feel confused. Could it be that the secret behind this door really held such a huge allure for him? What exactly was hidden within it?
In other words, to what extent did Shan Qi imagine it?
The bidding continued, and Shan Qi's bid had already made the other bidders hesitate. The auctioneer's voice grew faster and faster, as if experiencing a climax that could not be missed: "One hundred million star coins once! One hundred million star coins twice! Is there anyone who can continue bidding? Behind this door, there is more than just a treasure—it may be a key that can open a whole new world!"
At that moment, everyone in the auction hall could sense the sudden change in the atmosphere. Shan Qi didn't bid again, but instead seemed to be waiting for a chance, as if he had already decided that the door belonged to him and would not be taken away by anyone else.
His composure, however, became his sharpest weapon at this moment. There was no trace of panic, only precise calculation and control, as if he was scrutinizing every second on the court, fully aware of his goal and his ultimate success.
I tried to read more into his eyes, but no matter how hard I tried, that vibrant light remained elusive. I began to realize that Shan Qi's desire for this auction went far beyond the financial stakes. There was a hidden longing in his eyes, a deep-seated urge—perhaps not just to possess the door, but to open it, uncover its secrets, and discover its deeper meaning. The meaning in his heart.
"Sold," the auctioneer finally announced, his voice filled with excitement and awe. "Congratulations to this bidder! You have acquired ownership of this ancient door! Please note, this is not just an ordinary item; it is a door to the unknown!"
Everyone was instantly excited. Despite the intense tension, everyone's eyes flickered with a different light. Some were after wealth, some for power, and Shan Qi clearly had more hidden motives. His smile was a bit indifferent, yet concealed an irrepressible excitement.
He finally turned his head, his eyes calm and penetrating. "You know what?" he whispered softly, his tone not directly addressing the auction results, but rather a playful tone unrelated to the auction itself. "Sometimes, the most fascinating things are precisely those you can never touch. It's these mysteries that make our lives more real."
My heart trembled, as if I understood the deeper meaning of his words, yet it seemed as if I had merely darted before the door of truth. Shan Qi wasn't simply vying for an object. Perhaps in his eyes, this door represented not only power and wealth, but also an unknown journey, an unforeseeable future. And perhaps, at this moment, it was precisely this desire for the unknown that isolated him from the chaos of the world, completely immersing himself in the impact of this competition.
"What are you going to do?" I couldn't help but ask, my heart full of questions.
Shan Qi's smile deepened. "Open it." His tone was calm, yet it seemed to reveal a hint of irrepressible passion. "Every puzzle is a door. And I am about to walk in."
I don't know what he's thinking, and I can't even imagine what he'll do next. But what's certain is that tonight's auction has brought him to a new starting point, or at least what he thinks is his starting point. And I, too, may play an unforeseen role in this uncharted journey.
It affects the fish in the pond.
Really, I was drawn into it...