Velen immediately declared, "If a million mana stones are too few, then let's multiply that by a hundred—one billion each!"
The system did not issue any warnings, which clearly meant it was an acceptable move!
Seeing this, Velen swept his gaze across William and the others, smiling as he said:
"Five senators, I didn't come prepared today. Here are five billion mana stones—one billion each. Consider it a token of my appreciation. Please, accept it!"
With that, Velen took out five storage pouches and handed them to William and the others.
William and the other four exchanged glances, all with stunned expressions, unable to believe what they had just heard.
One billion mana stones per person!
Could this really come from Velen, an Apprentice Rank Lv9 awakener?
Anthony, who was familiar with Velen, had already widened his eyes in disbelief. Since Velen had spoken, it must mean he could actually produce five billion mana stones!
The sheer number of mana stones Velen could casually give away left Anthony wondering—how many mana stones did Velen actually possess?
Even the renowned Ducal Manor of Titan Galaxy could only mobilize about one billion mana stones at most. Mobilizing five billion would require approval from the family council!
But Velen, without hesitation, handed out five billion mana stones as if it were nothing. This was simply unbelievable!
William and the others quickly examined the storage pouches. Their earlier skepticism was replaced entirely with astonishment.
Five billion mana stones!
That was enough to purchase an entire planet!
Velen… was too rich!
"Oh, by the way, five senators, here are five SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. They can enhance skill proficiency. Didn't you mention being stuck at bottlenecks before? Perhaps these can help you."
SSS Tome of Skill Experience?
William and the others looked puzzled. They had never heard of such a thing.
However, since Anthony had handed them over, they decided to give it a try, channeling their mana into the books.
At their level, most items and treasures had little effect on them. If these could really enhance skill proficiency, it would significantly improve their combat strength!
Soon, as they absorbed the unique energy within the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, vibrant, rainbow-colored light began to emanate from their bodies.
Complex mana fluctuations spread from them, and their auras gradually grew stronger.
Moments later, William and the others simultaneously opened their eyes, staring at Anthony with shock written all over their faces!
The SSS Tome of Skill Experience had indeed helped them enhance their skill proficiency!
This item was too miraculous!
"Anthony, how many more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience do you have? Bring them all over! These are immensely valuable to us. This time, you've done a great service!"
Anthony coughed lightly, glanced at Velen, and chuckled, "The SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were given to me by Velen. He has quite a few left, but he's planning to use them on his rabbit."
Having been betrayed outright by Anthony, Velen's smile froze. "Duke, is this how you betray your own people?"
Anthony replied, "The main issue is that your behavior is too extravagant. You won't sell them to me, you won't save them for yourself, and you're planning to use them on a rabbit. Such tycoon-like behavior must be corrected early!"
Velen shook his head repeatedly. "As a tycoon, I'm simply being a little extravagant. What's wrong with that?"
William and the others stared at Velen in disbelief.
"Velen, are you seriously planning to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on a rabbit?"
"Not to criticize, but while these are yours to do with as you please, they're far too rare and precious!"
"Exactly! If these were auctioned, the entire Titan Galaxy would be shaken!"
Seeing the earnest advice from William and the others, Velen pondered for a moment and said:
"How about this? I'll keep thirty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience for myself, and the remaining sixty will go to my rabbit!"
??
William and the others turned red with frustration.
After all their persuasion, Velen was still determined to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on his rabbit?!
Unable to vent their anger on Velen, they turned their glares toward Anthony.
"Anthony, you must curb such extravagance in the Ducal Manor. Everyone here should cultivate the habit of thrift and frugality!"
Anthony helplessly nodded. "Everyone else in the Ducal Manor is indeed very frugal. The only exception is Velen—his extravagance knows no bounds. You wouldn't believe it."
"The Afterlife Flower? He burned it as incense. And the Eye of Hell fragment? Thrown to the rabbit…"
Hearing Anthony's words, William and the others were completely dumbfounded.
The Afterlife Flower was an incredibly rare treasure, even in the Singularity Battlefield. It was extraordinarily valuable.
And Velen burned it as incense?
As for the Eye of Hell fragment—the Eye of Hell itself was a terrifying artifact capable of destroying entire planes.
And Velen gave it to a rabbit?
They were utterly stunned, staring at the calm expression on Velen's face. They couldn't help but feel as though they were too old to understand Velen's ways.
Meanwhile, Velen looked at William and the others with a slightly complicated expression, realizing how much other novels had misled him.
The Ducal Manor treated him well. They hadn't exploited him despite his vast wealth of treasures.
Instead, they had shown him kindness.
For instance, Miss Anastasia, though she claimed indifference, had not only provided him with a scroll for self-defense but had also later secured a Fortifying Potion for him at auction.
Her protector, Kevin, though elderly, was optimistic and treated him kindly.
Anthony and the others in the Ducal Manor had shown no hostility either. The entire atmosphere felt like one big family.
This sense of belonging allowed Velen to flaunt his wealth without a care in the world.
"As a tycoon, I'll live a carefree life and let them shoulder the burdens for me!"
Velen smiled, his resolve to embrace this lifestyle growing stronger.
After a brief silence, Anthony spoke in a negotiating tone:
"Velen, given how precious the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are, using them on a rabbit is wasteful. Why not just keep them for future use?"
Anthony genuinely liked Velen. With his exceptional talent and kind nature, he was someone worth nurturing.
If Velen grew stronger and maintained good relations with the Ducal Manor, it would greatly benefit them.
Velen glanced at Anthony and nodded. "Alright then. I'll give sixty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to the Ducal Manor and keep thirty for my rabbit!"
Anthony and the others, seeing Velen's decision, could only gratefully accept without further comment.
William and the other senators also gazed at Velen with increasingly kind expressions.
Having just used the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to break through their bottlenecks, they now had confidence in advancing further with more tomes!
"Anthony, Velen has done a great service to the Ducal Manor. According to our rules, meritorious individuals must be rewarded generously and not left feeling unappreciated."
"Exactly! Velen has made a significant contribution to the Ducal Manor. As long as he doesn't violate our ironclad rules, he can do as he pleases! If we five old men approve, no one has the right to punish him!"
The five senators solemnly addressed Anthony.
Anthony nodded seriously. He understood that the mana stones and SSS Tomes of Skill Experience provided by Velen were monumental contributions to the Ducal Manor.
Moreover, Velen was like a walking god of wealth. Even without the senators' orders, he would ensure Velen's safety and well-being.
As the others fell silent, Velen stored the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience in a storage pouch and handed it to Anthony.
At that moment, a dazzling light flashed, and a brilliant stone fell from Velen's body—it was a Starry Stone.
"Why did this dumb stone fall out?" Velen muttered, shaking his head as he picked it up and placed it back into his storage pouch.
As a top-tier tycoon, it was only natural to carry items that would make others envious.
Otherwise, how could he show off his wealth?
"Velen, I knew you had a Starry Stone!" Anthony said, his eyes filled with fervent admiration.