The auctioneer cleared his throat, his tone noticeably lacking confidence:
"According to appraisal, this artifact is ancient... at least three thousand years old. It is speculated—that it might be an alchemy cauldron."
"Might be?"
"Are you joking?"
"You're not even sure what it is, and you dare to auction it?"
"Even if it is an alchemy cauldron, what use is it to us? We don't know alchemy!"
Mocking laughter rose and fell, the atmosphere turning awkward.
Someone even sneered, "Looks more like an incense burner to me."
In the shadows, Selene's expression shifted slightly.
—Trouble.
The Sixfold Trade Guild had never had an item go unsold. If this one failed, it would be a blow to their reputation.
Just as the auctioneer was about to announce the item's withdrawal—
A low voice cut through the silence:
"—One million."
The hall exploded!
The Imperial VIP room!
It was him who had spoken!
Countless eyes instantly converged, filled with shock, curiosity, and fervor.
That small bronze cauldron they had just been mocking...
Had actually caught the eye of the one from the Imperial room?
Selene was slightly startled, a thought crossing her mind.
Could it be... he recognizes the cauldron's true origins?
The auctioneer on stage perked up immediately, excitement evident as he shouted:
"Everyone! The esteemed figure from the Imperial VIP room has placed a bid! This confirms that this bronze cauldron is no ordinary item! Perhaps a heavenly opportunity lies right before your eyes!"
His voice was highly persuasive.
But no one in the audience spoke up.
A heavenly opportunity seemed too distant, while immediate trouble felt too real—
Who would dare compete with him?
However—
"—Two million!"
The entire hall was stunned.
All eyes swiveled towards the bidder, faces full of disbelief.
It was actually—Erskine!
"Is he insane?"
"That's the person from the Imperial VIP room!"
Erskine sneered coldly.
Others might fear Eren, but he did not.
In his eyes, Eren was just a poor university graduate.
Trying to snatch something he, Erskine, had his eye on? Dream on.
A flicker of killing intent passed through Eren's narrowed eyes.
"—Ten million."
Erskine snorted.
"—Twenty million."
The crowd understood now—
These two were locking horns.
Watching Erskine's actions, Selene couldn't help but sneer.
"How presumptuous, this Vale family member."
Still, she was happy to see it happen.
The higher the bids, the better for the Sixfold Trade Guild.
"One hundred million." Eren's voice held a clear note of impatience.
"Two hundred million." Erskine gritted his teeth as he raised the bid, gloating inwardly.
"Brat, you think you can challenge me? You're still too green."*
"One billion!" Eren's voice suddenly rose, anger unmistakable.
"Two billion!" Erskine practically roared it out.
Inside the VIP room, the air froze solid.
Darius jumped in fright and hurriedly said, "Overlord, don't worry about the money! Over the years, I, Darius, have saved up a bit. Within ten billion, feel free to bid!"
But Eren only offered a cold smile.
"Unnecessary. If he wishes to spend two billion to help me buy it, how could I possibly refuse his... kindness?"
The smile carried a chilling cruelty.
"Two billion, once! Two billion, twice! Two billion, thrice!—Sold!"
The auctioneer, immensely relieved, called out the three counts rapidly and slammed the gavel.
Erskine's face instantly turned darker than a burnt pot.
"A heavenly opportunity? Was I out of my mind... Two billion for a piece of junk? How will I explain this to the Young Master?"
Regret and hatred warred within him, yet he could only climb the stage and finish the transaction.
After all, this was something he had bought for two billion—
What if there really was an opportunity?
The crowd watched with expressions of people enjoying a good show.
No one believed the masked man would let this slide.
For someone of his status—no, even for an ordinary Adept-tier Warrior—such a provocation would not be tolerated.
It seemed, once the auction concluded—a spectacle was inevitable.
The next few items fetched even higher prices, but Eren had lost interest.
Finally, an attendant brought out the last item—
A small gourd, no larger than a palm.
Eren's eyes suddenly blazed with intensity.
The flame of destiny would finally reignite from the ashes—
and this time, the world would burn with it.
---
The final item presented was a small, unremarkable yellow gourd.
It was slightly smaller than average, its skin covered in fine cracks, with only its mottled, ancient patina silently testifying to the possibility that it had endured tens of thousands of years.
The moment Eren's Psionic Awareness touched it, sharp, razor-like Sword Intent made him shudder—
A Swordborne Gourd!
An uncontrollable excitement surged within Eren—he had to possess this item.
The auctioneer spoke, sounding slightly embarrassed. "Esteemed guests, this is a last-minute addition. As you can see... it's a gourd."
Snide remarks erupted immediately: "No kidding! You think we're blind?"
The hall filled with mocking laughter.
The auctioneer broke out in a cold sweat; he truly didn't know how to describe it. Even the consignor couldn't explain the gourd's origins.
"Ahem... While its origins are unknown, the Guild guarantees its value is no less than the previous bronze cauldron. The starting bid is two million. Please begin!"
Boos and jeers rose from the crowd: Who are you trying to fool? You could buy ten of these for a few coins at the market!
Meanwhile, in another Imperial VIP room, a silver-haired old woman's face fell in disappointment. She was the one who had consigned the gourd.
Ten years ago, she discovered an ancient forbidden zone, suspected to be an immortal's abode. She invited fellow cultivators to explore it, but the cavern was filled with deadly traps. All her companions perished; only she managed to reach the inner sanctum.
Yet, the abode was empty save for this single gourd.
She knew it was no ordinary object, but despite a decade of research, she failed to unravel its mystery. Hoping to find someone who recognized its worth, she finally put it up for auction.
"Alas, it seems this treasure was never meant for me..." She was sighing inwardly when a voice suddenly rang out.
"Two million." Eren had spoken.
Darius, beside him, nearly bit his tongue. "Overlord, are you... Is that gourd really a treasure?" He had meant to say, 'Are you seeing things?' but changed his words at the last moment.
Eren glanced at him dismissively. "We came to an auction; can we leave empty-handed? It's the last item. Let's just have some fun."
Darius stared, speechless, thinking: You're far too capricious.
"Two million trying to snatch a bargain? I bid ten million!" No sooner had Eren's voice faded than Erskine's scornful laugh cut through the air. Still stinging from Eren's earlier trick, he was desperate for payback.
The entire hall erupted in astonishment! These two prominent figures were both interested in this worthless gourd? Could it actually be a treasure?
"Twenty million," Eren's voice remained calm.
"One hundred million!" Erskine shot to his feet, his voice booming like a great bell.
"I am certain a heaven-defying opportunity lies within this object! The Vale family will have it! If anyone disagrees, feel free to challenge us! The Vale family never lacks funds!"
Instantly, all eyes locked onto the insignificant gourd. Doubt and speculation ran wild—had they been blind to its true nature?
The silver-haired old woman began to tremble with overwhelming excitement, her gaze piercing through the one-way glass, fixed intensely on Erskine.
"Finally... Finally, someone recognizes its worth! Whoever you are, this old woman thanks you!"
"Ten years... ten long years! This windfall fortune has finally come to me!" She was so exhilarated she almost danced on the spot.
Erskine cast a provocative glance at Eren's booth, inwardly sneering. "Eren, bid again! Just say the word, and I'll toss this worthless thing at you.!"
Inside his booth, a flicker of surprise crossed Eren's eyes, but he instantly understood—the other man wasn't competing for a treasure; he was courting death.
A mocking curve touched Eren's lips.
"Since you're so convinced this is a grand opportunity, I'll yield to you. Spending a hundred million to play the fool... it seems you've developed a taste for it?"
Roaring laughter instantly swept the hall. Erskine's face turned purple with rage; he never imagined Eren would refuse to take the bait!
"Hmph, your ignorance is your loss. This opportunity rightfully belongs to the Vale family!" He clung to his pride, still trying to provoke Eren.
But Eren couldn't be bothered anymore, thinking coldly, "I'll just take it. Why waste money?"
In the other booth, the silver-haired old woman chuckled with glee. "Hehehe... As expected, that young man recognizes the treasure!"
She suppressed the urge to immediately seize Erskine and interrogate him—this was, after all, the territory of the Sixfold Trade Guild. She still needed to show some restraint.
"One hundred million, once! One hundred million, twice! One hundred million, thrice! Sold!"
The auctioneer's gavel fell, his tone carrying a barely concealed note of mockery.
Erskine had no choice but to swallow his bitterness, forcing a look of joy as he made the payment, while inwardly cursing Eren and all his ancestors.