Wen Qi quickly blended into the crowd, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Before long, he reappeared in front of another stall.
Now wearing a different mask and a completely new set of clothes, everything about him had changed except for the Venonat by his side.
Fortunately, in this black market, Venonat wasn’t a rare Pokémon; plenty of people had one with them.
So, this didn’t exactly give away his identity.
Still, Wen Qi silently decided that if he ever came to the black market again, he’d need to prepare a few more Pokémon—at least some he could swap out.
If he’d known this would happen, he would’ve brought Bellossom instead. At least it wasn’t like the others—either too weak to protect itself or too strong, drawing unwanted attention.
Wen Qi wandered aimlessly, and before he knew it, the time he’d agreed to meet Li Xiang had arrived.
He headed to the auction house entrance, where the place was already bustling with activity. Some were there for the auction, others just to watch the spectacle.
As soon as Wen Qi reached the door, he spotted the Charmeleon beside Li Xiang.
Even though Wen Qi had changed his outfit, the Charmeleon recognized his scent and showed no reaction. So, Wen Qi walked straight up to Li Xiang.
Li Xiang, seeing a strangely dressed person approaching, thought something was up.
But when he noticed the Venonat beside Wen Qi and saw that his own Charmeleon remained calm, he realized it was Wen Qi.
“Why the change of clothes? Did someone tail you? Need my help?”
Li Xiang asked urgently.
Hearing Li Xiang’s concern, Wen Qi replied, “It’s nothing. I just sold some stuff in the black market earlier. To be safe, I figured I’d switch things up. Better to be cautious, right?”
Li Xiang relaxed. Seeing that the auction was about to start, he led Wen Qi to the entrance, handed over an invitation, and brought him inside.
The moment Wen Qi stepped into the black market auction, his heart swelled with anticipation and curiosity.
This was his first time venturing into this mysterious and fantastical world, and the black market auction made him feel both nervous and excited.
The auction hall was spacious and opulent. From the high ceiling hung exquisite chandeliers, casting a soft glow over everything.
The walls were adorned with lifelike paintings of various Pokémon, so vivid they seemed ready to leap out of their frames at any moment.
The hall was already packed with people. Some chatted in low voices, others looked around eagerly, their faces all reflecting the excitement for the upcoming auction.
Guided by an attendant, Wen Qi and Li Xiang wove through the bustling crowd and made their way to a private box upstairs.
The box was elegantly and comfortably furnished. Through the window, they had a panoramic view of the entire hall. Wen Qi sank into the soft sofa, marveling at the wonder and beauty of this world.
Looking around, Wen Qi noticed other guests in the boxes on this floor.
Some sat alone, quietly savoring tea; others whispered with companions about the items up for auction.
Wen Qi’s curiosity was instantly piqued, and he couldn’t help asking Li Xiang for all the details about the auction.
Li Xiang explained the features and rules of the black market auction in the Pokémon world.
The variety of items here was vast—from rare Pokémon to precious items, almost anything imaginable. And because of the black market’s unique nature, many items were treasures rarely seen elsewhere.
Wen Qi listened intently, his curiosity about the auction growing stronger.
He fantasized about using his system to find some valuable Pokémon here or snagging items that could help him survive better in this world.
As time passed, the auction was about to begin. The hall’s lights gradually dimmed, and the chatter died down.
Wen Qi knew this auction would be a fierce competition.
Just then, Li Xiang said, “Wen Qi, is there anything you want to bid on? Tell me, and I’ll help you think it over.”
Wen Qi replied, “I’m not sure yet. Let’s see first. If something catches my interest, I’ll buy it.”
In the dim light, a beautiful auctioneer gracefully stepped onto the stage.
She wore a stunning gown, a professional smile on her face, but her eyes held an elusive glint.
This auctioneer was named Wu Li, a shining star in the underground black market auction scene.
Wu Li was as beautiful as a blooming peony, her eyes deep as the night sky, sparkling with intelligence.
Her voice was sweet and magnetic, captivating everyone’s attention every time she spoke.
Wu Li wasn’t just stunning; she was an exceptionally skilled auctioneer.
She had an encyclopedic knowledge of Pokémon rarity, combat strength, and market value, able to accurately assess each Pokémon’s potential.
Under her direction, the auction was always tense and thrilling, each hammer strike drawing gasps of excitement.
Wu Li’s charm lay not only in her beauty but also in her passion and dedication to the auction.
She listened carefully to every participant’s needs, using her wit and skill to drive prices higher, turning each auction into an unforgettable spectacle.
In this underground world, Wu Li’s name had become synonymous with the black market auction. Her beauty and ability inspired awe and anticipation in everyone.
At that moment, Li Xiang was also telling Wen Qi about Wu Li’s extraordinary qualities.
Wen Qi hadn’t expected this seemingly decorative woman to be so capable.
Just then, Wu Li’s clear, melodious voice rang out, signaling the start of the auction. She called for the first item.
The first item was a green-tier Charmander.
Its image was projected onto a massive screen, its flame-like tail glowing fiercely in the darkness, as if ready to ignite the entire venue.
Wu Li stood on stage, holding a golden gavel, her voice loud and captivating:
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s first item—a green-tier Charmander. Starting bid: two million!”
As soon as she spoke, the crowd on the first floor began bidding.
Voices rose and fell, some high and passionate, as if trying to pierce the sky; others low and steady, like solid rocks. Everyone wanted to claim this promising Charmander. The price quickly climbed, soon surpassing three million.
But just as everyone thought the price would keep soaring, someone from the second-floor boxes finally spoke up.
Their voices weren’t loud, but they carried an undeniable authority. Every time someone from the second floor bid, the price jumped significantly.
“Four million!” a crisp female voice came from the second floor.
“Four million five hundred thousand!” a deep male voice followed.
The price kept rising, and the first-floor crowd began to feel outmatched.
Though they longed for the Charmander, faced with the deep pockets of the second-floor box buyers, they could only sigh in helpless frustration.
Just then, a middle-aged man in Box 8 spoke up. Raising his paddle, he said calmly, “Six million.”
This bid plunged the entire venue into a brief silence.
The first-floor crowd murmured among themselves. They knew this price was far beyond their reach, leaving them to watch helplessly as the Charmander was taken by a second-floor buyer.
Wu Li also looked surprised. She glanced at the middle-aged man in Box 8, then at the other second-floor bidders, as if weighing the situation.
Finally, she raised her gavel and announced loudly, “Six million once, six million twice, six million three times! Congratulations to the guest in Box 8 for successfully winning the green-tier Charmander!”
As the gavel fell, the venue erupted in applause and cheers.
The middle-aged man in Box 8 smiled faintly, while the first-floor crowd could only watch with regret and envy, turning their attention to the next item.
Wen Qi felt a pang of disappointment as he watched the Charmander go to the man in Box 8.
He’d wanted to bid too, but seeing the price so high, he ultimately gave up. He sighed helplessly, shaking his head, lamenting how poor he still was.