Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 1963: Surprise at the auction (3)

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Previously on Apocalypse Gachapon...
White Robe unveiled the Red Condensation-grade combat blade crafted by the Taros Red Dwarves, highlighting its unparalleled sharpness and toughness from Geruiyas active metal, along with abilities to induce visual errors in foes, absorb energy through tremors to double its power, self-repair damage, and potential upgrade to Raini grade. The auction began at thirty thousand Moonspan Gold, drawing fervent bids that swiftly climbed to forty thousand from a Bai'e Jie bidder. As the competition heated up, an attendee suddenly stood and proposed halting the bids to consider an idea before proceeding.
White Robe narrowed his eyes. Though he had striven all day to suppress the combative urges within him, the sight of this individual stirred an overwhelming impulse to smash the weapon in his grasp straight into the man's face. If one were to identify the one race the Star-Eye Clan detested above all others in Dark Strip City, it was undoubtedly this man's people: the Huitang Race. This race relied on two inherent gifts for survival in the vastness of the universe—their razor-sharp sensory perception and an unparalleled ability for bodily recovery. It had been remarked before that the sensing prowess of the Huitang was akin to the skill set of a Grandmaster. In the annals of cosmic history, only the supreme leaders or elders of the most dominant races ever achieved the rank of Grandmaster; they were few and far between. The fact that an entire race possessed this attribute as a natural trait spoke volumes about the terrifying acuity of their perception. Legend held that the most gifted among them could even perceive, and draw energy from, hidden microscopic dimensions. However, such genius had been absent for generations, causing them to slip from the potential of a super-major race down to the brink of obscurity—a regression far mirroring that of the Star-Eye Clan. Their second asset, physical regeneration, was equally legendary. Every part of a Huitang, from bone to organ, could knit itself back together so long as the circulation of blood provided the necessary nutrients. A famous, albeit gruesome, anecdote illustrated this: it was claimed that if you were to shatter a Huitang warrior into a broken mess, decapitate them, and seal the wound, you would eventually see the body repair itself, sans the head, of course. While likely exaggerated, it underscored just how formidable their recovery truly was. Possessing these two traits made them the natural antithesis of the Star-Eye Clan. The Star-Eye specialized in stealth, assassination, and the art of the ambush. Yet, an ambush loses its potency the moment the target detects your presence. By their very nature, the Huitang were the perfect counter. Even when Star-Eye experts employed specialized gear or techniques to remain hidden, if the initial strike failed to kill, the Huitang proved as difficult to eradicate as a swarm of cockroaches. A flawless assassination required a perfect, one-hit kill. A failure on the first strike meant a swift reduction in the assassin's effectiveness, making a follow-up kill nearly impossible against such a resilient foe. While they might have ignored one another, the Huitang had begun specifically hunting the Star-Eye Clan as they both declined. They shamelessly exploited their counter-abilities, soliciting themselves to the enemies of the Star-Eye as bodybuilders. In every scenario, mission, or transaction involving the Star-Eye Clan, the Huitang were there to obstruct them. This ongoing rivalry had turned into a parasitic relationship where the Huitang thrived by bleeding the Star-Eye dry, exacerbating the decline of both. White Robe had clashed with them frequently, fueling a bitter and long-standing hatred. When the Star-Eye Clan invited the Huitang out of deference to the city's power structures, they never expected the leader of the third branch to seize the stage. White Robe knew this man wasn't present to offer well-wishes; he was here to incite chaos. The man opened his mouth, and with his first words, he struck a nerve that threatened to push the entire clan toward a boiling point. We are well-aware of the source of this Red Condensation grade weapon, but you should know it is part of a set of seven. To unveil only one is a deceptive tactic; what exactly are you planning? Ye Zhongming, watching from above, nearly felt compelled to intervene but paused as his eyes sharpened. While all seven pieces shared the same base material of Geruiyas active metal, they were hardly an interconnected set in the way the man implied. You intend to drip-feed us with a helmet next, or perhaps armor later, all while bleeding us dry of our Moonspan Gold! Everyone, pay attention! he shouted, climbing onto his chair to address the crowd. The Star-Eye Clan is acting with malice! They want to drain your wealth and drive you to turn against one another. Such expensive artifacts were never meant for a single buyer, yet the equipment's value peaks only when the set is complete. If multiple parties fight over individual pieces, conflict is inevitable! This auction is a malicious trap! Though many recognized the man's logic for the transparent ploy it was, it served their interests well to agree. The crowd roared in support, drowning out White Robe, leaving the lone leader of the Silver Order unable to find room to counter the mounting accusations. What is it that you truly desire? White Robe's knuckles turned white as he gripped his weapon, staring daggers at the man. Trailing a smug, victorious grin, the Huitang clansman finally laid his true goal bare.