CHAPTER 799: CHAPTER 491: PLANET HUMAN MINE_2

Next to each planet, rows of data appeared, detailing the size of the planet, the presence of an atmosphere, geological analysis, and more;

Next to the first planet that appeared were also the depictions of a few alien species.

They were a sub-human race, with an average height of around 1.6 meters, with two genders, and the information also included the population, civilization, national divisions, genetic analysis, and potential for ability of this race, nearly fully deciphering them.

The information was extremely detailed.

A stir spread through the auction house.

Ji Xinghuo felt a shock in his heart, the first auction item was a big deal, and he also felt sorrow for this planet and its race.

It hurts to see one’s own kind suffer.

From the introduction, their civilization seemed to be at a level comparable to Earth’s 15th century, with a global population close to one billion. Although the race’s inherent abilities were not particularly outstanding, they had several advantages: good endurance, high tolerance for hardship, strong will, and a high degree of collective consciousness, making them an exceptionally good enslaved race.

With some investment in their development, a huge mutant legion could be built within three to four hundred years.

For the best among them to ascend to the status of Heavenly King should pose no problem.

The value of the natural minerals on this planet, as well as the other planets in this star system, could yield extremely high economic value.

However, the most valuable mine is the race itself.

They are a "human mine".

This mine can be used to extract ether crystals.

Most of the ether crystals in the world are man-made, and the production process of ether crystals must be led by mutants.

The production and manufacturing of ether crystals require the consumption of an immense amount of energy, typically built in a planet’s near-orbit using solar energy to power the production line. It then requires at least a fourth-rank mutant to control and guide, harnessing ether energy, compressing and refining it, to eventually produce ether crystals.

Of course, there are manufacturing methods that do not involve mutants.

However, whether in terms of production efficiency or cost, nothing compares to involving mutants in the manufacturing process.

Guiding the production of ether crystals is similar to the Star Gland Cultivation Method, incredibly tedious and spirit-crushing. The most terrifying part is that those manufacturing ether crystals cannot cultivate further; their star power will never increase and instead will regress.

Mutants who manufacture ether crystals become part of the production machinery.

They are enslaved, exploited, branded with Thought Steel Seals, unable to escape or resist, living a life worse than death.

Until the day their life burns out.

There is a specific term for them, known as "ether slaves".

Due to the cruelty, the True Dragon Dynasty outlawed ether slaves tens of thousands of years ago, but the practice continues unabated in secret. For alien species whose Star Gate has been activated and is located within the Dynasty’s territory, no one dares enslave them.

But for those located outside the Dynasty’s territory and for whom the Star Gate has not been activated, that’s beyond jurisdiction.

This planet was one such case.

Their Star Gate lies in the Sea Abyss, and it had not yet been activated.

Mutants of seventh rank or higher, holding powerful spiritual energy and space-related capabilities as Spiritual Power Stringers, can open Star Gates in advance with the coordinates alone.

Unfortunately for this planet, it was discovered. The future that awaits this race is grim; unless there is an unexpected turn, they will be enslaved until their extinction, with almost no chance of liberation.

As the crowd beheld this planet, some shook their heads and sighed, some felt compassion, but others displayed greed.

With proper management, the profits from this planet could be immeasurable.

Of course, no one spoke directly of mining.

After Cang Hao finished presenting the information, he spoke loudly, "The starting bid for this ’Naraki Star’ is 4 million dragon crystals, with each bid raising the price by at least 200,000 dragon crystals, please begin."

As soon as his words ended, several placards were raised in the VIP seats.

"Priority goes to Guest No. 7..."

Before Cang Hao could finish, someone immediately put down their placard and then raised it again, shouting, "5 million."

"Guest No. 24 bids 5 million dragon crystals."

All eyes turned to that guest, a Shepherd Star Saint from the VIP section, many recognized this powerful alien, who was not affiliated with any True Dragon Family and ruled a large island in the Bibo Dragon Domain with strong power.

The bidding was fierce, with several more raising their placards, quickly surpassing 6 million dragon crystals.

"Dragon crystal" is another term for ether crystal.

Mutants typically carry ether crystals on their persons for immediate transactions, but for large quantities inconvenient to carry, they can deposit them in the Dynasty Bank in exchange for Dragon Crystal Currency, which comes in denominations from 100 to 1,000,000, for large transactions.

In any bank within a Dragon Territory in the Dynasty, they can be exchanged for ether crystals.

Many countries in the Star Realm have similar currencies.

Dragon Crystal is the term used by the True Dragon Dynasty, but it is also called "Crystal Element," "Eternal Token," "Digital Ether Coin," "Crystal Coins," anyway, they are all Ether Crystal.

Generally, Mutants don’t have that many Ether Crystals, so they don’t need them; the powerful beings who possess a large amount of Ether Crystals rarely exchange them for Dragon Crystals, so they are not often seen, but they are commonly used in such large-scale auctions.

"Bidder number 15 offers 8.2 million Dragon Crystals," Cang Hao announced loudly.

The bidding had slowed down after this raise of the paddle.

Cang Hao surveyed the entire hall, his sharp gaze sweeping over each Mutant, not missing any raise of the paddle, "8.2 million, is there any higher bid?"

He looked to the few Shepherd Star Saints who were bidding earlier.

There were also bids from Mutants below Seventh Rank; they usually represented the True Dragon Families, but now they had all dropped out.

Finally, another bid was placed.

Cang Hao said, "Bidder number 24 offers 8.4 million!"

Ji Xinghuo observed the bidder number 24, an individual from an alien species resembling a sub-human race, slender and tall with wrinkled, ashen-gray skin like a corpse, bald-headed with huge eyes, and a third eye in the middle of the forehead that occasionally opened to release a terrifying gaze.

Cang Ya had just introduced him.

This person’s name was "Sha Taiqi."

He was a Seventh Rank Second Dan Shepherd Star Saint, an Ultimate Profession "Conqueror," specializing in psychic powers and command.

Sha Taiqi had a bad reputation in the Bibo Dragon Domain, even described as brutal. His purpose for bidding on this planet was self-evident.

However, 8.4 million Dragon Crystals was not a small sum, even for Sha Taiqi.

Opening a Star Gate, nurturing a population of Mutants, developing technology, establishing an Ether Crystal production line, enslaving races – all these required high costs, hiring personnel to carry out the tasks, and the investment cycle was extremely long, with at least a hundred Star Realm Years before seeing effects.

Breaking even would take even longer, two hundred Star Realm Years or more.

One must also protect the Star Gate to avoid invasions.

The profit from enslaving a planet was very high, but so were the risks, and one could not easily stray too far from the Star Gate during this period.

Sha Taiqi had a very poor reputation, and he had several strong enemies just within the Bibo Dragon Domain. Knowing that he owned this planet, they would surely covet it in secret. Even if they couldn’t take it over, causing destruction would suffice.

In short, high returns were accompanied by high risks.

Suddenly, someone raised their paddle again.

The crowd looked over; it was this person’s first bid. Cang Hao immediately announced loudly, "Bidder number 10 offers 8.6 million." Bidder number 10 was a very young-looking True Dragon person, with a pretty face, like a teenager.

Sha Taiqi’s expression shifted slightly, "Zhe Jingqing, what do you mean by this?"

Zhe Jingqing was a Dragon Lord of the Zhe Dragon Family; after raising his paddle, he slowly put it down, not responding to Sha Taiqi’s question.

Seeing this scene, everyone understood that there was a grudge between these two Shepherd Star Saints, and it was no small matter. Others might fear Sha Taiqi’s ferocious reputation, but for a True Dragon Family that owned a Dragon Domain, it was not intimidating enough.

Sha Taiqi pondered for a few moments, then raised his paddle again.

Cang Hao shouted, "Bidder number 24 offers 8.8 million."

Zhe Jingqing immediately raised his paddle again to bid higher.

"9 million."

The two alternated raising their paddles, each bid like a challenge, neither willing to lose the bidding in front of many Mutants.

After a few rounds, Sha Taiqi directly shouted, "10 million!"

A smile appeared on Cang Hao’s face as this price had greatly exceeded the pre-determined closing price. He looked toward Zhe Jingqing, but the Dragon Lord no longer raised his paddle and instead shook his head to indicate his withdrawal from this bid.

Sha Taiqi, with a dark look on his face, knew he had been blindsided, but there was nothing he could do. Zhe Jingqing had seen his determination to win this planet at any cost.

"10 million Dragon Crystals, is there anyone else who wishes to bid?"

Cang Hao’s voice carried across the whole venue.

After scanning the audience several times and after confirming no one else was raising their paddle, he finally brought down the hammer.

A large copper drum appeared in the empty space above the auction, dozens of meters in diameter. A Water Hammer struck it heavily, causing a thunderous sound that reverberated to the heavens.

"Sold for 10 million Dragon Crystals, congratulations to bidder number 24," Cang Hao announced loudly.

Whir...

The entire auction was buzzing with excitement.

It was only the first item auctioned, but the closing price reached 10 million Dragon Crystals, already comparable to an Eclipse Species or a treasure from the Apocalypse with Four Stars.