The number of auction items on the screen was fixed at a total of sixty, around half of which were treasures produced by the Crystal Elite Clan. Apart from the most eye-catching Heavenly Treasure Diamond, there were also weapon equipment crafted by the Crystal Elite Clan, none of which were below Superpower Two Stars.
Ji Xinghuo saw a bow called the "Black Constant Crystal Battle Bow," Superpower Three Stars.
Its starting bid was 40 Ether Crystals + 60 Eternal Merit, and the current bid had already exceeded the starting price by half, with someone raising the price every few minutes.
There was also a set of "Tantalum Silicon Battle Armor," also Superpower Three Stars, and priced even higher.
The treasures produced by the Crystal Elite Clan were all invaluable.
The other half of the auction items were likely consigned by other Races, the bids only requiring Ether Crystals or True Dragon Coins, not needing Eternal Merit. These items varied widely including weapon equipment, Alien Species, War Pets, exchanges of millions in True Dragon Coins for Ether Crystals, and hiring information, but all displayed items were priced much higher than regular goods, clearly having been selected.
Amazingly, Ji Xinghuo even saw an Apocalypse One Star auction item!
"Star Gun, quantity 1, starting bid: 1500 Ether Crystals, current bid: none, time remaining: 685 Star Time."
With such a long auction duration and still no bids, it was clearly being ignored.
Ji Xinghuo didn’t even know what a Star Gun was. But from the name, could it be a type of firearm usable in the Star Realm?
He wasn’t interested and couldn’t afford it anyway.
Suddenly, all the screens above refreshed, displaying a new auction item.
"Clone Twin, quantity 1, starting bid: 30 Ether Crystals + 60 Eternal Merit, current bid: none, time remaining: 100 Star Time."
The people in the auction hall let out a buzz and started gazing at the screens.
Ji Xinghuo’s eyes also widened.
So this Transcendent Species came from Eternal Day City; no wonder he had run into that "commoner" from Earth.
The fact that the starting bid for the Clone Twin required Eternal Merit indicated it was a product of the Crystal Elite Clan.
Around him, a few Alien Race members took out a Crystal Badge, quickly operating it as light and shadow flowed over the badge.
Suddenly, the price of the Clone Twin changed on the screen.
Someone bid 35 Ether Crystals + 60 Eternal Merit, but within seconds, the price rose again to 35 Ether Crystals, while the Eternal Merit increased to 65; thereafter, the bid changed every half minute or so, with fierce competition.
Several minutes later, the bidding slowed down, with the current price stabilizing around 50 Ether Crystals + 80 Eternal Merit.
Ji Xinghuo understood.
The bidding rules of the Qi Zhen Auction House allowed for raising the bid with either Ether Crystals or Eternal Merit, whichever was higher.
He saw that other people’s Crystal Badges were the same as his.
So, he also took his out to try.
"Why isn’t it working?"
Ji Xinghuo felt puzzled as his gaze moved beyond the surrounding crowd, seeing a row of crystal counters inside the auction hall, with a member of the Crystal Elite Clan standing at intervals, and various Race members lined up in front of them, seemingly waiting to conduct transactions.
"Do I need to activate it?" Ji Xinghuo walked over and randomly queued at the back of one of the lines.
There weren’t many people ahead.
When it was their turn, some followed the Crystal Elite Clan out of the auction hall and into a room shielded by electromagnetic fields, coming back moments later.
As Ji Xinghuo waited in line, he kept an eye on the auction information on the screen.
Soon, it was his turn.
"What service do you require?" the humanoid Crystal Elite asked emotionlessly.
Ji Xinghuo showed his Eternal Day Badge, "I’d like to know how to participate in the auction and the rules of the auction house."
The Crystal Elite replied, "Follow me."
Ji Xinghuo followed him into an airtight room, which hosted another Crystal Elite inside, but this one had the form of a Spider Demon, the lower half being a massive six-legged spider, and the upper half human-shaped, standing in the middle over three meters tall, like a large sculpture.
"Give me your badge." The crystal chip on the forehead of the spider-like Crystal Elite vibrated, emitting sound.
Ji Xinghuo passed the Eternal Day Badge over.
The Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan had four arms, two long and two short. The long right hand caught the Eternal Day Badge, and the moment it touched it, light flashed.
He expressed surprise, "Hui Zhu actually gave you a Purple Crystal Badge."
The Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan couldn’t help but look towards Ji Xinghuo, observing him a few times, and his crystal-like face showed a bit of confusion.
"Is there any difference?" Ji Xinghuo didn’t understand himself. The Eternal Day Badge looked the same as everyone else’s.
"The badges of Eternal Day City have four levels," the Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan said, "White Crystal, Blue Crystal, Purple Crystal, Black Crystal. Each level of badge possesses different privileges, especially in the auction house. The higher the level of the badge, the lower the processing fee."
This Crystal Elite Clan’s character was obviously different from his people, more talkative and expressive.
Ji Xinghuo guessed that was why the other was assigned to manage the Rare Treasures Auction House, so he asked, "How is the fee calculated?"
"Whether bidding or consigning, the White Crystal Badge has a 20% fee. Each level up reduces the fee by 5%," answered the Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan.
Ji Xinghuo’s expression did not change, but he cursed inwardly. "So black!"
Even with the Purple Crystal Badge, there was still a 10% fee. However, why did Hui Zhu give him a Purple Crystal Badge?
"Your badge is already linked to the auction house. As long as you are inside Eternal Day City, you can always view auction information and participate in the bidding," the Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan returned the badge to Ji Xinghuo, "This is also a function of the Purple Crystal Badge. White Crystal and Blue Crystal badges must be used at the auction house."
"Thank you," Ji Xinghuo took the badge.
He knew how to use it, infusing Star Power into the badge, which immediately activated a light screen, showing the information of the auction house and even allowed switching text.
"Please pay ten thousand True Dragon Coins," suddenly said the Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan.
Ji Xinghuo was stunned.
"Using the Purple Crystal Badge is not free; a usage fee must be paid, ten thousand True Dragon Coins a month. If you pay with Crystal Elements, you can have a 20% discount. The discount is even greater if you pay for several years at once." The Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan showed a familiar smile.
Ji Xinghuo had nothing to say. Why didn’t you say this earlier?
Ten thousand True Dragon Coins a month meant 180,000 for a Star Realm Year, roughly equivalent to four and a half Ether Crystals, about 80 million Ya Yuan.
Had he known the use fee for the Purple Crystal Badge was so expensive, he definitely wouldn’t have activated it.
It would be fine to get a White Crystal Badge.
He looked at the tall Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan; this guy was a Legendary warrior, not easy to provoke, and moreover, this was another person’s territory. He could only pay the ten thousand True Dragon Coins.
Ji Xinghuo took out the True Dragon Coins and handed them to the humanoid of the Crystal Elite Clan nearby.
"Thank you for supporting the Rare Treasures Auction House," the Spider Demon of the Crystal Elite Clan nodded, "My name is ’Xuan Ming’. You can consult me with any questions."
"What is Eternal Merit?" Ji Xinghuo asked.
Xuan Ming was not surprised by this question, knowing that Ji Xinghuo was in Eternal Day City for the first time, and immediately replied, "By passing our clan’s assessment and becoming an Eternal Day Guardian, going to the Earth Abyss Star, and killing enemies designated by our race, you can earn Eternal Merit."
To the Earth Abyss Star!
Ji Xinghuo was inwardly shocked. Wouldn’t that mean passing through the Star Gate in the middle of Light Peak? The Crystal Elite Clan actually dared allow outsiders to enter their Mother Star?
Moreover, according to Xuan Ming’s words, he would have to participate in battles on Earth Abyss Star.
Being so powerful, with Ether Technology so advanced, and established in the Star Realm for over seventy thousand years, what enemy could have invaded Earth Abyss Star and still not be dealt with until now?
"What are the requirements for the assessment?" Ji Xinghuo asked further.
"At least Fourth Rank," Xuan Ming sized up Ji Xinghuo and smiled, "With your strength, passing the assessment should be no problem, and I believe this is also why Hui Zhu gave you the Purple Crystal Badge."
Ji Xinghuo was not so confident, "Is the battle on Earth Abyss Star very dangerous?"
"It is very dangerous for the Crystal Elite Clan, but for the Alien Races, it’s manageable if cautious. You can survive and return," Xuan Ming obviously did not want to reveal too much, "Once you are on Earth Abyss Star, you will naturally know the situation."