Chapter Twenty-Two: The Post-War Auction

"Four-star rating, not bad!"
Generally, a score below 50 is a one-star rating.
A score between 50 and 100 is a two-star rating.
Scores from 100 to 200 are three-star.
Scores from 200 to 300 earn four stars.
Above 300, it's a five-star rating.
With 249 points, it was a four-star rating, which was quite decent among them.
Chu Cheng glanced at the score; the most significant contributor was the elimination of ordinary pirates. He alone had shot down 266 ordinary pirates, an astonishing feat.
This was something few could achieve, especially since it was a timed kill. Even his teammates like Wang Weilong couldn’t manage it.
Many elites from both Class One and Class Two had greater strength than Wang Weilong, but none could clear over two hundred minor foes as Chu Cheng did.
So, in this round, Wang Weilong and the others likely received three-star ratings, leaving Chu Cheng as the only one with four stars.
"If that's the case, maybe next time in Brad Town I can use this method to earn a five-star rating?"
He received 2 free attribute points and 4 skill points.
The free attribute points weren't many, but they were extra and could be accumulated.
The 4 skill points should be enough to upgrade Thunder Strike by one level.
However, he hadn’t decided whether to upgrade; after all, LV2 wasn’t a qualitative improvement over LV1.
Five thousand kill experience was abundant, but he had just reached level 12, so it wasn’t enough to advance to level 13.
The greatest reward was the blue chest, and judging by its quality, it wouldn’t be inferior to the one dropped by the pirate boss. It should yield something good.
They returned to the castle, gathered around a stone table, and Zhang Chunlei couldn't help but ask eagerly,
"How much did we get this time?"
Wang Weilong took out the loot chests one by one and placed them on the table—three wooden chests, two green chests, and one blue chest.
"Anyone here feels lucky? You open them. I’m not particularly lucky."
The others looked at Chu Cheng, who shook his head,
"I’m average as well."
"So am I."
"Then let the captain open them."
"Alright."
"Then I won't be shy."
Wang Weilong, without hesitation, opened a wooden chest, pulled out a flintlock, and smiled,
"Another green item."
Everyone smiled knowingly, watching Wang Weilong as he opened the remaining chests one by one. When the blue chest was finally opened and they saw the deep blue inside, a collective sigh escaped them.
No red, meaning there was no rare, exceptional gear, which was a bit disappointing.
"Six chests in all, five pieces of equipment or items besides the money pouches."
Wang Weilong arranged the items by value and said calmly,
"As per our previous agreement, let’s auction them—highest bidder wins. How does that sound?"
"Agreed."

Wang Weilong opened all the money pouches and counted the coins inside,
"A total of 21 silver and 55 copper. We’ll divide it later."
He picked up a flintlock and said,
"Green-quality flintlock, 45 piercing damage, extra attribute +5 piercing damage, starting bid 1 silver. Who wants it?"
The group exchanged glances. Wang Weilong raised his hand,
"1 silver, 10 copper."
Zhang Chunlei chuckled and bid,
"1 silver, 20 copper."
"1 silver, 30 copper."
Chu Cheng raised his hand,
"1 silver, 50 copper."
"2 silver."
"2 silver, 20 copper."
"2 silver, 50 copper."
Everyone looked at Cheng Mingyue, the bidder. Wang Weilong shrugged and withdrew, as did the others.
Chu Cheng also stopped bidding; 2 silver, 50 copper was about market price, anything higher wasn’t worthwhile.
He only bid to replace his basic flintlock, but he wasn't insistent since his main attack wasn’t reliant on it.
With the deal done, Wang Weilong pulled out the second item—a green belt.
"Base defense 2, extra attribute +1 Constitution, four slots, starting bid 1 silver."
"2 silver."
"2 silver, 50 copper."
"2 silver, 60 copper."
"2 silver, 80 copper."
"3 silver!"
"Sold!"
Chu Cheng won the belt. He was still using basic gear, whereas the others had much wealth and better equipment.
"Combo skill book, 75% damage triple attack, requires 15 Agility and melee physical profession, starting bid 3 silver."
"4 silver."
"5 silver."
"6 silver."
"Sold."
"Cooking recipe: Delicious Mouse-tail Fish, restores 600 health and stamina in 15 seconds, full consumption grants temporary buff: +5 Constitution, +5 Strength, lasts 30 minutes, starting bid 2 silver."
"Never expected this to appear."
Even Wang Weilong was surprised, then said,
"I’ll start with 2 silver."
"3 silver."

"3 silver, 50 copper."
"4 silver."
Only Wang Weilong and Zhang Chunlei bid; the others, including Chu Cheng, did not.
Although Chu Cheng had learned the cooking profession, he hadn’t advanced it, nor did he have many recipes.
Energy and resources were limited, so he couldn’t master every life profession; he planned to focus on fishing, the cheapest one.
If the chance arose, he could also improve First Aid.
Wang Weilong and Zhang Chunlei were likely focused on cooking or simply wanted the recipe to sell it.
The bidding went back and forth quickly at first, slowing at 5 silver, and finally settled at 6 silver, with Wang Weilong winning.
After storing the items, Wang Weilong produced the next item, glanced at Chu Cheng, and said,
"You’ll definitely find this useful."
"Silver Scale Heavy Armor, blue item, check the stats yourself."
He shared the equipment's attributes with everyone.
Silver Scale Heavy Armor (Excellent/Blue)
Type: Heavy Armor
Requirement: Level 15, 25 Constitution, 25 Strength
Base Attribute: Defense +12
Extra Attribute: Slash/Pierce -14
Extra Attribute: Magic Resistance +20%
Description: Excellently crafted heavy armor, possesses extremely powerful defense.
"An exceptionally good heavy armor, starting bid 5 silver."
Chu Cheng immediately bid,
"6 silver."
Wang Weilong raised his hand,
"7 silver."
He explained,
"Don’t misunderstand, I’m not raising the price just to compete. Even though mine is better, this armor would easily sell for over ten silver."
Chu Cheng laughed,
"I understand, gold group, gold rules. 8 silver."
It was perfectly normal; even though Wang Weilong and Cheng Mingyue had better gear, they wouldn’t let him have it for cheap.
They could just auction it and sell it outside for a few silver profit.
This was common practice in gold groups. Although Chu Cheng had never joined one, he had heard about it.
The bidding went back and forth, and finally, when Chu Cheng bid 18 silver, Wang Weilong stopped, letting him win.
The price was below market, so Chu Cheng got a bargain, and Wang Weilong wasn’t at a loss—everyone was satisfied.
"Next is the final item in this auction, a special item—Military Token. Check the attributes for yourselves."