Ragnar’s jaw ticked, suddenly self-conscious, heat crawling up the back of his neck. His fiasco with Red Earth and their affiliate Shadowbound must have reached the ears of the major powers dealing heavily in the jade business. The whispers were already out, venomous and fast. Someone like him was a massive threat to their interests. With his ability to select high-quality jades and point out fakes with a glance, where would their profit come from? He was a crack in their gilded empire. Worse, he was from the prestigious Storm family. Did that mean the Storm family wanted to break into the jade market and become a formidable competition? A war disguised as business. For a wild golden card like this which could not be controlled, eliminating it was considered the best solution. Clean, efficient and final. Excluding powers who felt threatened by his presence, there were still the curious and greedy ones, who would want to take him back and study him obsessively like a fine speci

The assistant offered the general a brochure for the auction. The brochure was a small electronic device with a blue screen that detailed the items being sold. Nowadays, people rarely use paper magazines. In a magitech civilization such as the current world, lots of things in the ancient earth are now considered outdated. Despite Vaelon's desperate efforts to maintain traces of their roots. The general scrolled past a few pages, and gave it back. Ragnar's eyelid twitched and he coughed subtly. “General, can I get a look at the items?”“Sure.” The general signalled to the assistant who offered the electronic brochure to Ragnar. Ragnar inhaled deeply and began to scroll through. His heart skipped multiple beats. Blood moon dragon lotus? It was one of the core items needed for the reversal. He had searched high and low for where it could be found. Unexpectedly, he stumbled into it here. His hands shook from excitement. It was so rare that he didn't dare to dream of obtaining it casu

“General, you’re here.” A man dressed in an expensive lotus-silk fusion-style suit rushed forward, the spirit gems on his clothes shining brighter than the stars, casting prismatic light across the marble floor. On his face was a huge sycophantic smile, hurrying to welcome the general who had just stepped out. Eager, obsequious, desperate. Although dressed in casual clothes, everyone still recognized the general and acknowledged him with bowed heads and hushed reverence. Power couldn’t be hidden. It hung in the air like thunder before a storm. The general didn’t smile back, his expression carved from stone, but the man didn’t seem offended. He appeared to be a higher-ranking member of the Soul Ascension Court, used to cold shoulders, and the rigours of socializing with higher powers. Ragnar scoffed internally as he watched. Even the so-called number one in Eadom did have someone who could make their tails wag like an over-eager dog, tailing power with their spine bent. “It’s t

Ragnar’s eyes narrowed, suspicion darkening his gaze. Women making requests always set off alarm bells in his mind. For someone as powerful as the one before him, it was almost certain she wouldn’t ask for material items. It would be something that would cost him a sizable sacrifice.“What do you need?”She smiled like a tiger, eyes glinting with amusement. “I haven’t decided yet. You’ll owe me a favor. And in the future, whenever I cash it in, you can’t refuse.”Ragnar inhaled deeply and nodded. “As long as you don’t ask for something against morality and humanity, or ask me to harm others, that’s acceptable.”Vireille rolled her eyes. “All these conditions you’re adding make it boring. How then could my sacrifice be worth it?”Ragnar nearly bit back a retort, but he pressed his lips together tightly, holding it in while his mind tore into her. ‘Entitled spoiled brat. I’m already the one buying it and will deliver it free of charge. What sacrifice have you made?’Vireille signaled

Emerald lake lodgeRagnar’s eyes were fixed on the computer screen. He nodded, satisfied. Most of the stocks he bought were still rising, while some have reached their peak. Ragnar quickly sold off the ones that have reached their peak. “Five billion vaelons in liquid funds, more coming.” He rubbed his jaw, staring intently at the screen which displayed various industry options he could buy out and start his empire. His gaze zeroed in on agriculture, and he leaned closer. “Within three to five years, the world will encounter food and spirit energy scarcity. I can't let the hunger from the last time which consumed the lower tier happen again. Although it ushered in a new wave of revolution and increased the urgency to explore outer galaxies and find newer resource planets, I shouldn't let things get that bad.”Ragnar wasn't playing hero by choosing to start with agriculture. He had his own selfish motives. Once food became scarce, demand will skyrocket. If he could maintain monopoly