Plane Debris (1)

'With funds available to procure various materials, I can finally create the alchemy tools I've coveted for a long time. Theoretical studies can now transition into the experimental phase.'

In the ensuing days, Anping entered a genuinely busy period. Having already designed production drawings for numerous items, the only variable was the materials.

Upon acquiring a substantial quantity of materials, Anping focused on perfecting his alchemy laboratory. He successfully crafted various alchemical equipment like energy analyzers, stabilizers, and converters.

For an entire semester, Gu Yuena seldom saw Anping, except during meal times.

Returning to her residence after noon classes one day, Gu Yuena found Anping leisurely sipping tea on the balcony. She sat opposite him, poured herself a cup, and curiously remarked, "You have time to sit here and drink tea. Does this mean you're done?"

Anping nodded, saying, "For now, yes. There's an auction tonight at the Sun and Moon Auction House. They sent an invitation. I plan to attend. Want to join?"

As Anping had been a VIP customer, receiving materials from the auction house, he frequently received invitations to their auctions.

"An auction? Alright, I'll change clothes." She got up and headed to her room after saying this.

Observing Gu Yuena's eagerness, Anping shook his head, remarking, "The auction won't start until eight in the evening. You can go after dinner. No need to rush."

"It's rare that you have nothing to do today. Let's go for a walk. We haven't gone shopping together in a long time." Gu Yuena turned around, smiling.

Upon hearing "shopping," Anping couldn't help but recall the challenging half-month period when he first arrived at Sun Moon academy. His hand holding the teacup trembled, but he didn't decline.

Noticing Anping's reaction, Gu Yuena chuckled, her movements a bit more spirited.

Gu Yuena took Anping on an afternoon stroll around the commercial street near the auction house. After dinner, the two hurried to the Sun and Moon Auction House.

After presenting the invitation letter, the reception staff led them to a VIP box. Once seated, the receptionist produced the auction manual from the space soul guide and handed it to them.

"This is the auction manual for this event. The auction will commence promptly at eight o'clock. The distinguished guests can peruse it to see if there's anything of interest." With that, the receptionist respectfully exited the box.

Taking the album, they flipped through its pages. When they reached the section on materials, Anping paused upon seeing the starting price for space energy crystal fragments, set at 10 million federal coins.

This was the first time Anping had encountered materials with spatial properties. Whether for enhancing weapons or expanding his alchemy laboratory, it presented an excellent opportunity. However, considering his bank card balance, Anping shook his head slightly. It likely wouldn't be sufficient to bid on the space energy crystal fragment. Given its attributes, it was a top-quality material for crafting soul tools and battle armors. Obtaining it at a meager cost seemed improbable.

As eight o'clock approached, the lights in the auction house dimmed. A woman in a red dress walked onto the stage, announcing, "I am the auctioneer for this event. On behalf of the Sun and Moon Auction House, I extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests. The auction has officially commenced. Please review our first auction item below."

With these words, she pressed a remote control, and a soul guide cart covered in red cloth autonomously rolled out from the backstage aisle. The woman in the red dress stepped forward, unveiling the item as its image appeared on the big screen.

"Our first auction item today is..." After revealing the item, the woman began passionately introducing it, her beautiful and gentle voice resonating throughout the hall.

Following the description of the auction item's function, the woman paused briefly, allowing participants time to contemplate. She continued, "The starting price for this lot is two million federal coins, and each subsequent bid must be no less than one hundred thousand federal coins. Bidding starts now."

As her pleasant voice concluded, the auction officially commenced. The previously serene auction house transformed into a lively scene, filled with the continuous sounds of bidding. Anping also successfully secured several rare materials he needed.

"Now, please direct your attention to our next lot, which happens to be the sixteenth item for today."

As the soul guidance cart approached the front desk, Anping detected an unusual spatial fluctuation. While he had encountered other materials with spatial properties, Anping sensed a slight variance in this spatial fluctuation compared to what he had encountered before. Without Anping's background research in the field of space systems, distinguishing this difference would have been challenging.

The woman in the red dress opened the red cloth and began to speak slowly: "This auction item is a fragment of a space energy crystal. As we all know, with the advancement of science and technology, materials with spatial properties find increasing use, be it in the realm of soul guides or machinery. The demand for space attribute materials in the armor field and even the battle armor field is growing day by day. Due to its pure energy, space energy crystals are considered the best among space attribute materials. Although this auction features only a fragment, its rarity is second only to complete space energy crystallization."

As the red cloth was lifted, Anping finally laid eyes on the real thing. More than a dozen fragments on the tray emitted a dull silver glow through the glass cover. Anping finally understood why he had sensed something peculiar.

Anping's gaze remained fixed on the shimmering silver fragments, even neglecting the auctioneer's introduction.

Observing Anping's focused attention on the stage, Gu Yuena smiled and asked, "Is it appealing?"

"Appealing," Anping replied subconsciously without turning his head.

Feeling Gu Yuena pinch his arm, Anping hastily added, "I mean the auction item."

"I'm also referring to space energy crystal fragments; what else do you think I'm talking about?" Gu Yuena teased.

Anping eventually caught onto Gu Yuena's playful banter and responded annoyed, "I figured."

"Alright, no more teasing." Pausing, she curiously added, "Are those just a few space energy crystal fragments? Why are you staring at them so intently? Don't tell me you're short on funds. Brother, I can lend you some, just ask..."

Gu Yuena intended to offer help in acquiring the space energy crystals for Anping. However, before she could finish her sentence, Anping interjected, "Sister, please, I can't thank you enough, I can't thank you enough."

Sensing the urgency in Anping's tone, Gu Yuena expressed doubt, "It's just a few space energy crystal fragments. While they are rare, you're not normally this eager. This isn't like you."

Gu Yuena typically teased Anping, and although he occasionally played along, he was never as urgently serious as he seemed now.

"It's not just a space energy crystal fragment!" Anping declared firmly.

"No? What is it then? Such obvious spatial fluctuations can be sensed from quite a distance." Gu Yuena became even more perplexed upon hearing Anping's response.

Anping stated seriously, "Plane debris."