The Crown Prince, Wang-Wei, watched everything closely from his seat. A smile slowly formed on his face as his gaze shifted toward the VIP room where White Mask stood.
At such a young age... an Eleventh-Level Summoner, he thought.
And now Spirit Weapons?
How many times are you going to surprise me? And how many secrets are you still hiding?
Princess Cai-Hang leaned closer and whispered, "Brother... is White Mask truly such a genius?"
"He is more than that," Wang-Wei replied calmly. "Master White Mask is a great and courageous warrior. You should show him respect."
"I understand, Brother."
One of the Black Market masters stepped forward and announced loudly,
"Your Majesty, this is Master White Mask, the one who tamed a Legendary Fire Phoenix. He is an Eleventh-Level Summoner."
Emperor Xing-Jiang-Lin turned his gaze toward White Mask.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
His heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one red—locked onto her. Though his expression remained calm, something stirred deep within him.
Strange...
I have never met him before...
Yet his heart felt an inexplicable familiarity—like a forgotten memory resurfacing.
But he said nothing.
The true auction began.
"This is the Snow-White Wild Cat Bracelet," the auction master announced.
"It is suitable for Third-Level Summoners."
"A Third-Level Summoner who wears this bracelet can temporarily increase their beast's strength and cultivation by thirty percent."
Gasps echoed.
"It also grants access to a high-level technique—Ice Snow Wall. However, the technique consumes nearly all of the user's spirit energy and physical strength, rendering them exhausted for a short time afterward."
Hai-Rang immediately turned to her father.
"Father, this is perfect for Elder Sister Ya-Ting. We must obtain it. It will greatly increase her strength and bring honor to the Ning family."
Her father, Chang-Pu, nodded.
"You are right. No matter the cost, take it for your elder sister."
Hai-Rang's eyes shone as she raised her bidding token.
"Nine hundred million gold coins—Ning Family!"
"One billion—Noble Family!"
"Two billion!" Hai-Rang called out without hesitation.
The bids rose rapidly.
"Four billion!"
"Ten billion!"
"Thirty billion!"
Soon, the price reached fifty billion gold coins.
Many bidders possessed Ice-attribute spirit energy and desperately wanted the bracelet. Others simply wished to suppress the Ning family.
When Bai-Xue heard the name Ning Family, her gaze finally shifted toward them.
"Ning family..." she murmured softly.
Had I known they would attend, I would have prepared something special for them.
She beckoned to a nearby staff member.
"Any weapon the Ning family purchases—I will personally inspect it."
"Yes, Master White Mask."
At last—
"Fifty-one billion gold coins!"
"Sold—to the Ning Family!"
Hai-Rang exhaled in relief and smiled happily as she sat down.
The next item was unveiled.
"This sword is forged from the feathers of a Fire Flying Tiger," the auction master announced.
"It is suitable for a Seventh-Level Summoner."
The sword gleamed with terrifying power.
"The starting bid is two hundred one billion gold coins. You will only have one chance to claim it."
Hai-Rang's eyes lit up once more.
"Two hundred fifty billion!"
Princess Yin-Yu turned toward Hai-Rang with a smile.
"Sister Hai-Rang, I wish to obtain this sword. Surely you will not compete with me?"
Hai-Rang lowered her head respectfully.
"Second Princess, how could I dare? I do not have the standing to compete with you. The sword is yours."
"Oh, thank you," Yin-Yu replied sweetly.
She raised her bid.
"Three hundred billion!"
Suddenly—
"Three hundred fifty billion," Cai-Hang said calmly as she stood.
She looked down at Yin-Yu and Hai-Rang, smiling mockingly.
"Do you truly believe you deserve this weapon?" she said softly.
"Or do you believe you are qualified to stand before pure royal blood?"
Her smile widened.
"Let me remind you—both of you are daughters of concubines."
White Mask watched from above, her lips curving slightly.
Interesting...
This princess is truly amusing.
Yin-Yu's face flushed with rage, but her mother restrained her. Still, Yin-Yu shouted—
"Four hundred billion!"
"Six hundred billion," Cai-Hang replied lazily.
Wang-Wei frowned.
"Cai-Hang, what are you doing? This sword doesn't even match your spirit energy."
"So what?" she replied playfully. "Can't I have what I like?"
She pouted dramatically.
"Fine, fine... take it," Wang-Wei sighed.
"Six hundred fifty billion!" Yin-Yu cried.
"Eight hundred billion," Cai-Hang said coldly.
Silence followed.
Unable to bid further, Yin-Yu clenched her fists in humiliation.
"Sold—to Princess Cai-Hang!"
Cai-Hang smiled proudly at Yin-Yu before sitting beside her brother.
"Satisfied now?" Wang-Wei asked.
"Very," she replied with a mischievous grin.
After numerous Silver-Rank, Gold-Rank, and Summoner-Level weapons, the hall finally reached the last item.
The auction master revealed it carefully.
"This Spirit Weapon is crafted from Soft-Born Rabbit Fur and Phoenix Feathers."
An elegant hand fan shimmered with divine radiance.
"It is a Godly-Rank Spirit Weapon."
"It enhances both power and beauty."
The entire hall held its breath.
"The bidding for this Godly-Rank Hand Fan begins at—
Nine hundred billion gold coins."
The most dangerous auction... had begun.
Every individual seated in the auction hall was prepared to fight for the Godly-Rank Spirit Weapon.
Such an artifact could elevate one's cultivation, change one's fate, and even determine the rise or fall of entire clans. But before anyone could raise another bid—
A calm, authoritative voice echoed through the hall.
"Two trillion gold coins."
Silence fell instantly.
The words struck like thunder.
The bidder was none other than Crown Prince Wang-Wei.
No one dared to challenge such an astronomical price. Even the wealthiest nobles swallowed hard, their ambitions crushed beneath the sheer weight of the bid.
From her VIP room, Bai-Xue observed quietly.
Strange...
The Crown Prince's spirit energy doesn't match this Godly-Rank Hand Fan at all.
Then why spend such an outrageous sum? What does he intend to do with it?
Princess Cai-Hang leaned toward her brother, confusion evident on her face.
"Brother, why are you bidding for this? Your spirit attribute is Dark Thunder—this fan doesn't suit you at all."
Wang-Wei smiled faintly.
"It isn't for me," he said calmly. "It's a gift—for someone else."
Cai-Hang's eyes widened slightly before she smiled as well.
"Oh... I see."
The siblings exchanged a knowing look.
The gavel fell.
"Sold—for two trillion gold coins!"