Chapter 378: Starmark

Soon, Long Ming found an auction house called Star Trace.

This auction house was established by the Chris Clan, the foremost noble clan of the Twelve Universes. Its power and reputation were beyond question.

Long Ming immediately headed toward the Star Trace Auction house.

「Half an hour later.」

Long Ming arrived at the entrance of a shell-shaped building that stood a hundred meters tall. Its exterior was covered in iridescent glass, shimmering with an interwoven silver and blue glow.

“Hello, sir. My name is Xiaonan. How may I help you?”

A tall, beautiful woman in a low-cut, wine-red formal dress and red high heels asked respectfully.

“I’d like to get a membership card.”

Long Ming stated his purpose directly to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

The Star Trace Auction’s background was likely second to none in the entire Star Alliance.

“Please follow me.”

Xiaonan immediately led Long Ming into the main hall, then turned right into a luxurious reception room.

“Please have a seat, sir.”

Xiaonan said respectfully to Long Ming.

Long Ming then sat on the soft sofa.

Xiaonan took out a document and knelt before Long Ming, respectfully explaining.

“Sir, the fee for a membership card here is 100,000 Star Coins. The initial level is Bronze, and as your spending increases, your membership level will rise, allowing you to enjoy various benefits and privileges…”

“No need for the full introduction. Just sign me up.”

Long Ming replied calmly.

“Of course!”

Xiaonan answered with delight.

Although their auction house was top-tier, its fees were also the most expensive. 100,000 Star Coins was no small sum.

Long Ming sat patiently on the sofa, watching Xiaonan process his application.

Soon, Xiaonan was finished. She handed a cyan-colored membership card to Long Ming.

“Here you are, sir!”

“Thank you.”

“Sir, our auction house is currently holding a pre-auction exhibition. You might want to take a look.”

“A pre-auction exhibition?”

“Yes. Next month, our auction house will be auctioning many top-tier items, and all of them are being displayed in advance. VIPs holding a membership card can view them ahead of time.”

Xiaonan explained to Long Ming.

“Alright.”

Long Ming’s interest was suddenly piqued, and he immediately stood up.

“I’ll take you to the back hall.”

Xiaonan immediately led Long Ming out of the reception room and into the exhibition hall in the back.

The exhibition hall was quite lively, filled with men in sharp suits who carried themselves with extraordinary airs, as well as elegantly mannered young ladies and noblewomen in luxurious gowns, adorned with all sorts of expensive jewelry.

“You don’t need to follow me anymore. You’re dismissed.”

Long Ming said to Xiaonan.

“Yes, sir!”

Xiaonan bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Long Ming strolled through the exhibition hall. Around the room were holographic projection pillars, each displaying a virtual image of a different pre-auction item.

Long Ming glanced with interest at the nearest projection pillar. It was displaying a cool-looking red Third Generation Mechanical God.

“Third Generation Advanced Custom Mechanical God: Blazing Flame.”

‘If this thing is placed at the entrance, how good must the items deeper inside be?’ Long Ming was a little surprised.

Just then, a commotion rippled through the crowd.

Long Ming subconsciously turned to look.

He saw Affates accompanying a handsome young man with a high-bridged nose and an arrogant expression, dressed in a white shirt and a blue high-fashion suit.

They walked straight toward the center of the exhibition hall.

“Who is that? To have Affates himself escorting him?”

“You must be new here. That’s Young Master Gentan of the Sena Clan—the sixth-ranked noble clan of the Twelve Universes. He’s also Affates’s grandson.”

“No way, a young master from a noble clan of the universes is actually here for an auction?”

“Come on, let’s go see what he’s interested in.”

…

The crowd drew closer, full of curiosity.

Seeing this, Long Ming also followed, a little curious himself.

He saw Affates and Gentan walk up to a display stand.

On the stand was a projection of a vial of Genetic Potion, labeled: Type III Genetic Potion – SXI Omni-Gene Syringe.

“Whoa, so he’s after the Type III Omni-Genetic Potion!”

“I can’t believe even a Type III Omni-Genetic Potion is among the items for next month’s auction.”

“That’s incredible.”

…

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

Seeing this, Long Ming’s eyes lit up, and an expression of immense joy spread across his face. ‘I can’t believe my luck is this good!’

At that moment, Affates smiled at Gentan and said.

“You’ve taken a liking to this one?”

“Mhm.”

Gentan replied arrogantly.

“Don’t worry. When the auction starts next month, I’ll definitely get it for you.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

“No need to thank me.”

Affates said with a smile.

Just then, the onlookers nearby began to speculate curiously.

“That’s strange. Isn’t Gentan a young master from a noble clan of the Twelve Universes?”

“He is.”

“Then why is he even looking at a Type III Genetic Potion?”

“Because this is an Omni-type, not a regular Genetic Potion. If it were a regular one, he could get it anytime. There’s a world of difference between Omni-type and regular Genetic Potions. The Omni-type doesn’t just have high growth values; it enhances all attributes.”

“I know that, but even if it’s an Omni-type, don’t the noble clans of the Twelve Universes have them?”

“Of course they do, but the supply is limited. You have to get in line! But whether he’ll ever get to the front of the line is another story.”

“Why? Isn’t he the Clan Leader’s son?”

“Heh heh, let me tell you, the leader of the Sena Clan has eighty wives, if not a hundred. How could he possibly dote on all of them? And Gentan wasn’t born to the first wife.”

“Ohh, so that’s how it is!”

“Shh! Are you two tired of living, bad-mouthing him here? No matter how unfavored he is, he’s still a young master of a noble clan. Crushing you would be easy for him.”

“Right, right, let’s stop talking.”

…

Listening to the crowd’s discussion, Long Ming’s brow furrowed tightly.

‘If this young master named Gentan really has his sights set on this Type III Omni-Genetic Potion, this is going to be trouble.’

After looking for a while, Affates and Gentan turned and left to see other exhibits.

Seeing them leave, Long Ming stepped forward to get a closer look at the Type III Omni-Genetic Potion.

Not far away, Helorin, dressed in a blue lace gown, was standing with a group of young noble men and women.

She inadvertently caught sight of Long Ming standing before the central display, a hint of surprise on her face as she murmured to herself under her breath.

“What is he doing here?”

‘Long Ming comes from a low-level civilization, so logically, he shouldn’t have much wealth. But the entry-level membership for this Star Trace Auction house is 100,000 Star Coins!’

‘That’s not a small sum of money. And even if Long Ming did manage to scrape together 100,000 Star Coins…’

‘Who would spend their entire fortune of 100,000 Star Coins just to come in and look? Normally, only people who have a real need for something here would get a membership card.’

“Miss Helorin, may I invite you to browse the exhibition with me?”

A man in a black suit with a buck-toothed face stepped forward to ask.

“No, thank you. I’ve already made plans with a friend. Please excuse me!”

Helorin politely declined, then walked toward Long Ming.