The auction master raised his hand, signaling for silence.
"Esteemed guests, what comes next are not mere weapons," he announced solemnly.
"These are true treasures of the world—items you may have heard of, yet never seen."
"To obtain these treasures, countless cultivators have sacrificed their entire lives."
A hush swept across the hall.
"The first of these is our most precious treasure."
The attendants brought forth a delicate velvet case.
"Long ago, the Elves disappeared from this world. Whether they still exist remains unknown. Elves were the purest and most beautiful beings to ever walk this land."
The case opened.
"This is the Ear Cuff of the Nature Elf Queen."
A collective gasp erupted.
The jewelry radiated gentle emerald light. Green diamonds were set within it, shaped like two living leaves, pulsing faintly with life energy.
"With this artifact," the auction master declared, "one can revive withered trees that have been dead for hundreds of years."
Such power was beyond imagination.
Suddenly—
Emperor Jiang-Jin clenched his fist tightly.
"Stop this auction," he ordered coldly.
One of his protectors stepped forward instantly.
"This treasure is claimed by His Majesty."
No one dared protest.
The emperor's expression was dark and intense, as though this treasure was not merely valuable—but deeply connected to him.
Moments later, another treasure was brought onto the stage.
It was covered with a deep red cloth, yet even without being revealed, an unsettling aura filled the hall.
Cultivators shuddered unconsciously.
"This treasure," the auction master said slowly, "has claimed the lives of countless great warriors."
"It is one of a kind in this world."
His voice dropped.
"It has the power to grant life to the dead... and steal life from the living."
The hall erupted into chaos.
Such an artifact defied the natural order.
Even without seeing it, everyone felt its pull—its fragrance, its soul-stirring aura, drawing them closer like moths to flame.
Inside Bai-Xue's spirit space—
Dark Moon suddenly appeared.
Her face drained of color.
"This... this treasure..."
Her body trembled violently.
Fear, grief, and shock flooded her eyes. She seemed to recognize it—yet could not speak.
The auction master reached for the cloth.
"The name of this treasure is—"
He pulled the fabric away.
"The Bloody Red Crystal Tree."
The hall froze.
A crystalline tree shimmered under the light, its branches glowing like blood-solidified gemstones.
Dark Moon's knees nearly buckled.
Tears streamed down her face.
"M-My... my mother's..."
Bai-Xue's eyes widened.
"Darky... what are you saying?"
Her voice trembled.
"I don't understand—please speak clearly!"
Dark Moon sobbed softly.
"This crystal tree... is my mother's heart essence. The treasure she left behind when she died."
Her voice cracked.
"When a spirit beast dies, it leaves behind a crystallization of its heart and soul—a treasure that contains its entire power and existence."
Bai-Xue's gaze turned icy.
"Your mother's... then this belongs to you."
She clenched her fist.
"I will take it for you."
Turning inward, she said firmly, "Lend me your power, Darky. We must act—now."
Dark Moon's energy surged into Bai-Xue.
In the next instant, Bai-Xue's spiritual will invaded the auction master's mind.
Stop the auction. I want that treasure.
At the same time—
Emperor Jiang-Jin stood up.
"Take it," he ordered coldly.
His protectors moved instantly toward the stage.
The Bloody Red Crystal Tree—
became the center of an imminent collision between two terrifying powers.
Se-Yung stepped forward, his voice ringing across the hall.
"Stop the bidding. His Majesty desires this treasure."
The auctioneer froze.
On one side stood Emperor Jiang-Jin of Xing-Heavenlyland, ruler of the most feared empire on the continent.
On the other stood White Mask, the mysterious summoner whose name had shaken the entire Wang-Jin Kingdom.
Sweat drenched the auctioneer's back. He immediately transmitted the situation to the highest authorities of the Hell Black Market.
Within moments, all the Head Masters of the Hell Black Market rushed forward. They stood before White Mask and knelt, bowing deeply.
"Master White Mask," they pleaded, "please forgive us. This treasure has also been claimed by Emperor Jiang-Jin—"
Before the words could finish—
A terrifying spiritual pressure descended.
"Enough."
White Mask's voice was calm—yet it crushed the air itself.
"So," she said coldly, "you are telling me to abandon this treasure?"
Her aura erupted.
Invisible waves of spirit pressure swept through the auction hall. Cultivators staggered. Ordinary people collapsed instantly, clutching their throats, gasping for breath.
"Ah—!"
"My chest—!"
"Save us—!"
The hall turned into chaos.
Only Emperor Jiang-Jin and Crown Prince Wang-Wei remained standing, though even they felt the terrifying weight pressing down on them.
Princess Cai-Hang's face turned pale. Wang-Wei quickly caught her and seated her, shielding her with his own spirit energy.
Se-Yung stepped forward, forcing himself to remain upright.
"Forgive me, Master White Mask," he said through clenched teeth. "But His Majesty commands this treasure."
White Mask's gaze turned ice-cold.
"So now you are ordering me?"
Her aura surged again—heavier, darker.
"You people truly do not value your lives."
More people collapsed, blood seeping from their lips.
"Master White Mask—!"
"Please—mercy—!"
At last, Emperor Jiang-Jin stepped out of his VIP chamber.
He lifted his gaze toward the second floor, where White Mask stood at the window.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to vanish.
A strange force gripped Jiang-Jin's heart—pulling him forward, commanding his gaze to remain fixed on that masked figure. Cold wind swept through the hall, and every instinct screamed at him to look, to remember.
Why...
Why does my heart respond to him?
It made no sense. He had never met this boy.
Suppressing the turmoil in his chest, Jiang-Jin finally spoke.
"Master White Mask," he said evenly, "with only a fraction of your anger, we can already feel your power."
"But do you not think this should end here?" he continued. "If this continues, everyone here will suffer irreversible harm."
White Mask's eyes narrowed.
"Your Majesty Jiang-Jin," she replied coolly,
"I had heard the Emperor of Xing-Heavenlyland was ruthless and cold-blooded."
She let out a faint, disappointed laugh.
"It seems those rumors were lies. I am... deeply disappointed."
Their gazes clashed like drawn blades.
At that moment, Crown Prince Wang-Wei stepped forward. He bowed deeply.
"Master White Mask," he said respectfully, "I humbly ask you to withdraw your aura."
One by one, everyone still conscious followed suit, bowing desperately.
Only then did White Mask slowly retract her spiritual pressure.
The hall gasped as air returned to lungs.
Jiang-Jin watched her silently for a long moment—then spoke.
"The Bloody Red Crystal Tree... is yours."
The words stunned everyone.
"I no longer desire it," he continued calmly.
"Consider it a token of gratitude."
Without another word, Jiang-Jin turned and left with his protectors.
Crown Prince Wang-Wei stepped forward and bowed deeply toward White Mask.
"Thank you, Master White Mask."
The Head Master of the Hell Black Market hurried over, holding a golden token.
"Master White Mask," he said reverently, "this contains the full amount—sixteen point eight five trillion gold coins."
"And this is your treasure."
White Mask accepted it with a slight nod and turned to leave.
"Master White Mask," the Head Master called again, presenting a black token.
"This is our highest membership token. Only two people in the world possess it—now, you are the third."
"Please accept this as our apology."
She accepted the token and departed.
Outside the auction hall
Crown Prince Wang-Wei caught up with her.
"Master White Mask—"
Before he could continue, White Mask vanished into the crowd.
Inside his carriage, Emperor Jiang-Jin sat silently.
Se-Yung finally spoke.
"Your Majesty... that treasure was extremely important. Why did you give it up so easily?"
Jiang-Jin's gaze turned icy.
He looked out through the carriage window.
Outside, the Crown Prince and White Mask stood briefly in view.
"Se-Yung," Jiang-Jin said coldly,
"I want everything about White Mask."
"Every detail. Every rumor. Every secret."
His eyes narrowed.
"Leave nothing undiscovered."