The third day of the auction began with the same grandeur and extravagance that had marked the previous days.
The grand hall was buzzing with excitement as rare artifacts, legendary items, and impossible treasures were paraded across the stage. Yet, amidst the fervor, I found myself in a far different mood.
For the first time since my arrival, I sat back in my private booth, silent and unmoving, watching the proceedings with an air of detachment.
Yin Xie lounged beside me, sipping tea, her sharp gaze occasionally flickering toward the stage. "Not bidding on anything today?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with curiosity.
I shook my head. "No. I've got enough on my plate. Today's not the day for fun."
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting the silence stretch between us.
Below, the auctioneer's voice rang out, introducing the next item—a massive crystalline sword imbued with cosmic energy.
It shimmered under the spotlight, drawing gasps and whispers from the crowd. The bidding war that followed was nothing short of vicious, with sums of gold and favors escalating to obscene heights.
I leaned forward slightly, but not out of interest—just to remind myself of the stakes.
Each bid, each artifact was a reminder of the world I had chosen to step into, a world where power and wealth walked hand in hand, and where even the slightest misstep could mean ruin.
"You're unusually quiet," Milim's voice cut through my thoughts as she entered the booth unceremoniously, her carefree grin in place. "Let me guess—you're plotting something big."
I smirked, shaking my head. "Not today. Just observing."
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, that's boring. You sure you don't want to throw in a bid or two? There's some good stuff out there."
"I've already got what I need," I said firmly, my gaze fixed on the stage. "Anything more is just a distraction."
Milim pouted but didn't push further. Instead, she flopped onto the sofa across from me, stealing one of Yin Xie's teacakes without hesitation.
The day dragged on with more remarkable items—an enchanted crown said to grant visions of the future, a phoenix egg still warm to the touch, and even a map to a lost city hidden beneath a desert of endless storms.
Each item brought with it a storm of bidders, their voices filling the hall with fervor.
And yet, I remained silent.
By midday, Yin Xie finally spoke up again. "You're being cautious," she said, her tone neutral but understanding. "Smart, but also risky. You don't want to seem too detached in a place like this."
"I'm not here to win over anyone," I replied. "I'm here to make sure I don't lose what I've already got."
Her lips quirked upward slightly, but she didn't argue.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the final auction of the day was announced—a sealed black chest said to contain the heart of a fallen star.
The room fell into a hushed anticipation, the tension thick as the bidding began.
For a brief moment, I considered joining in, just for the thrill of it. But I caught myself, leaning back and folding my arms instead.
"Not even tempted?" Yin Xie asked, her voice teasing.
"Not today," I replied.
By the time the auction closed, I felt an odd sense of relief.
As we left the grand hall, Yin Xie matched my pace, her gaze unreadable. "You're playing the long game," she said, more a statement than a question.
I nodded. "With everything that's happening, I don't have much choice."
She smirked, a glint of approval in her eyes. "Good. Just remember, even the long game has its moments of risk."
I glanced at her, my thoughts drifting to the Globe of Existence sitting safely in the system multiplying. "I know. And I'm ready."
Day four arrived, and the auction hall was ablaze with energy, each passing day seeming to intensify the fervor.
Outside the private dealings, the auction continued its grand display, offering treasures that could shape destinies. But for me, the day wasn't about what was on the stage—it was about the quiet exchanges that happened in the shadows.
---
Inventory Update:
Dragon Heart: 1,019,655 units
Advanced Storage Ring: 4 units
Phoenix Feather: 4 units
Boundless Wealth Talent:
Slot 1: Phoenix Blood Vials (1,227 units | +613 units tomorrow)
Slot 2: Globe of Existence (4 units | +4 units tomorrow)
The exchange of the Titan Core and the Globe of Existence had been scheduled with precision.
Yin Xie walked beside me silently as we arrived at the secluded chamber where Lord Valtor awaited. Brandi, Milim, and Yu Zhong accompanied us, forming an entourage that gave weight to the interaction.
The air was tense, each step echoing in the chamber like a countdown to the inevitable trade.
Valtor stood in his imposing draconic form, his eyes gleaming with intrigue and satisfaction.
He had likely been anticipating this moment since our deal was struck.
The Titan Core was already displayed on a pedestal beside him, a glowing, pulsating orb of deep amber energy. It was undeniably rare—a fragment of primordial creation—but in my eyes, it was just another piece on the board.
Yin Xie remained quiet throughout the entire process, her expression unreadable, but her presence a steadying force.
Milim, on the other hand, crossed her arms and watched Valtor intently, while Brandi whispered softly to Yu Zhong, likely analyzing the situation for any signs of deceit.
Valtor inspected the duplicate Globe of Existence with reverence, his claws delicately brushing against the miniature world encased in crystal. "A marvel," he mused, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and greed. "You did good by making this deal.. I would have taken your head had you refused."
I shrugged, keeping my tone nonchalant. "A deal's a deal. The Titan Core is yours to deliver."
He nodded, stepping back to let his attendants transfer the core into one of my storage rings. "This has been... profitable. I trust you know the implications of possessing such artifacts. The wrong move, and even the dragons with you may not be able to protect you."
I gave him a wry smile. "I don't need protection. I need results."
The exchange was complete. Though the Titan Core was valuable, it lacked the singularity of the original Globe of Existence.
My thoughts were already moving ahead—if I mass-produced the globes, their rarity would drop, and so would their value.
I had no intention of flooding the market but holding onto their exclusivity would require careful strategy.
As the meeting concluded, I noted the growing tension among my group. Milim and Yu Zhong seemed ready for a fight at a moment's notice, while Brandi kept a watchful eye on the attendants.
The mood was thick, and I decided it was time to leave. "Let's head back," I said, breaking the silence. No one objected.
Back in the auction hall, the atmosphere was electric.
The fourth day was in full swing, and the stage was now dominated by treasures that had drawn lords, dragons, and powerful factions from across the lands.
The day's items included an Eternal Flame Core, said to burn endlessly and power entire cities; an Ancient Rune Codex, rumored to hold lost spells; and an Orb of True Sight, which promised clarity beyond mortal perception. Each item set off bidding wars that escalated into near-frenzies.
As I observed from my booth, a familiar presence approached. A human lord I had encountered on the first day entered with an air of casual confidence.
This time, however, he wasn't alone. A striking dragon girl trailed behind him, her fiery red eyes and silver hair marking her as one of high status.
She carried herself with an air of both nobility and restrained ferocity.
The human lord, dressed in finery that practically dripped with wealth, offered me a smile as he gestured to the ancient space ring on his finger.
"A relic of the old world," he said, his voice smooth. "I thought you'd appreciate a closer look."
I glanced at the ring, its intricate carvings glowing faintly with spatial energy.
"Impressive," I said noncommittally. "But I assume you didn't come just to show it off."
The dragon girl's gaze locked onto mine, her expression unreadable but her presence unmistakably predatory. The lord chuckled. "Straight to business huh. Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on your... acquisitions. Perhaps there's room for collaboration."
"Collaboration?" Yin Xie's voice cut through the air like a blade, her posture suddenly more alert. "Or leverage?"
The lord's smile widened, but he didn't answer directly. Instead, he took a step closer. "Think about it. You have the vision, and I have the means. Together, we could shape more than just this auction."
I leaned back in my chair, my gaze never leaving his. "I'll think about it."
He inclined his head, leaving as smoothly as he had arrived. The dragon girl lingered for a moment longer before following him, her presence like a storm on the horizon.
***
Dragon heart: 1,019,655 units.
Advanced storage ring: 4 units.
Phoenix feather: 4 units.
Boundless Wealth:
Slot 1: Phoenix blood vials
(1,227 unit. ) | [+613 unit the next day. ]
Slot 2: Globe of Existence
(3 unit. ) [+3 unit the next day. ]