“Wait, you fool!” Zelaf barked, his arm snapping out in a futile attempt to halt his man.But the spear had already been hurled, its martial aura carving a violent ripple through the air.!!!Zane blurred.In an instant he was gone from where he’d stood, the world struggling to catch up with his movement.He reappeared before the spear-wielder, his figure sharpened into the outline of a predator mid-pounce.His right hand was no longer human—it had twisted into a claw, violet mana swirling across it like writhing flames, talons gleaming like razors in the sun.The man’s pupils contracted, his lips parted, and a single word escaped his throat. “Huh—”Shhk!!!The claw carved diagonally through his jaw and throat with surgical brutality. Blood mist sprayed into the air like a crimson fan, his gullet shredded apart.The force of Zane’s swing continued forward unchecked, cleaving through the trees behind him—towering trunks collapsing in the same direction, as if a giant had swept a blade

“What is this… who is this person?” Oasis thought.For that brief moment, his calm, unshakable composure faltered. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, betraying what lay beneath.What he was seeing was not what others were seeing.To the masses, she was nothing less than perfection incarnate. Most gazed upon her with eyes clouded by lust, enthralled by the beauty that seemed almost divine.Others burned with envy, wishing with all their hearts that they could possess even a fraction of her grace.But Oasis’s perception cut deeper.His Eyes of the Serpent’s Truth pierced through the surface and revealed the reality hidden behind appearances.What stood before him was not merely a woman of beauty—what he saw was an aura of terrifying strength, a power that dwarfed anything he had ever encountered.His heart whispered a truth too sharp to ignore:“Without a doubt… this woman is stronger than Master Conri.”The thought alone shook him.Yet, with discipline honed through countless tria

At the same time, inside Major VIP Room A5, Oasis leaned back in his chair, his azure eyes narrowing slightly as he reflected on what had just transpired.“So people can just jump into purchasing something without analyzing first whether it will be effective to them or not,” he thought, his fingers idly tapping the armrest.His gaze flicked toward the sealed glass as the glowing dagger was carried away. “I bet none of those who were bidding even have fiery affinity mana.And she herself said if wielded properly—meaning only those who align with the fire path can draw out its full potential.To the rest, it’s nothing but a gilded waste of fortune.”His lips curved ever so faintly, though it wasn’t amusement—rather, a cold kind of curiosity.“But I must admit,” he continued inwardly, “that was a masterpiece. This Master Deyton Juda… he must be an exceptional artificer and refiner, perhaps even greater than Master Adric himself. Without a doubt.”His eyes, sharp and contemplative, return

Murmurs erupted across the hall, rippling like waves over the assembled crowd.Just moments ago, the initial 400,000 gold coin bid from A9—Grand Elder Macarov Denzai—had shocked many, but now, a voice belonging to a boy, calm yet resolute, rang out from A5, sending shockwaves through every tier of the auction.In the general area, cultivators, merchants and minor nobles exchanged incredulous glances, jaws slack and hands unconsciously clutching their empty purses.“Did… did that boy just bid against the Grand Elder?” one young merchant who recognized Grand elder's voice muttered, eyes wide, his voice barely audible over the surrounding murmurs.“How can a child even have that much gold?!” another exclaimed, slamming his palm against the edge of the railing.“They’re probably born into a top-tier family… there’s no other explanation,” a third whispered, envy sharp in his tone, his fingers tightening around a coin pouch that now seemed pitifully small in comparison.Minor VIP rooms quiv

Major VIP Room A3“This brat is done for. Let’s see how arrogant he acts now—my master is here.” Iren muttered, chest puffed with a mix of relief and pride, as if his fate were already sealed by the mere presence of his patron.His voice trembled with a cruel certainty.Major VIP Room A2“Father, without a doubt the one who spoke is Elder Ghecho of the Sipping Carp,” Nova said softly to her father, Jupiter Sparrow.Her eyes narrowed, recognition and worry flickering across her face.“Mmh—seems it will no longer be necessary for me to apologize to that brat. The kid has swallowed more than he can chew,” Duwe muttered nearby, tone smug and relieved.Jupiter watched the stage and then returned his gaze to his daughter.“That cruel old man is about to torment the young. At this point, if the Sipping Carp sect get involved, even the Woods family won’t be able to protect him.Nova, it seems you regard that boy highly—you have never been one to be concerned about boys,” Jupiter said, voice l