Eldritch Assassin: Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Devouring System-Chapter 136: Preparations I

Kael walked through the inner eastern capital with lazy steps. His blue hair caught occasional glances and his black eyes missed nothing. But no one looked twice, thinking he was just another cultivator among millions.

His mind worked through the situation though, analyzing and planning.

"The Clearstar Estate’s Young Duke still isn’t giving up," he muttered under his breath, quiet enough that no one nearby could hear. "He’s even putting out warrants in cooperation with other clans in the capital. How did he know that I would attend the auction, though?"

The question bothered him. It nagged at him like an itch he couldn’t scratch.

His heart was filled with solemness and seriousness. This wasn’t just some spoiled young master throwing a tantrum anymore, this was coordinated and organized. Multiple clans working together meant resources were being pooled and information being shared.

Someone had told them he’d be at the auction. Or they’d guessed based on his earlier visit to the Azure Sky Pavilion. Either way, it complicated things.

After entering the inner eastern capital safely, Kael didn’t make any rash actions. He didn’t make any sudden moves that drew unnecessary attention as he needed to think and plan.

Walking through the district, he passed several smaller auction houses. Signs advertised their services as cultivators came and went carrying various items. The trade district was busy even in mid-afternoon.

An idea formed in his mind.

Kael decided to sell some of the items clogging his inventory. Things he didn’t need like weapons taken from enemies, pills he’d never use, and materials with no immediate purpose.

Although the Azure Sky Pavilion auctioneers would take a five percent commission, it would save him considerable trouble. As he’d have no need to find individual buyers or haggling for pricing with the risk of being cheated.

There were many powerful auction houses in the inner capital, dozens of them. But one stood above the rest in reputation and mystery.

The Rising Dragon Auction.

Kael had heard rumors about it and stories from other cultivators in the common room of his inn. It was supposedly connected to the Azure Sky Pavilion somehow, an extension of sorts like a secret branch. But only the elite knew the exact relationship.

As an extension of the Azure Sky Pavilion—a fact that only the truly powerful understood—the Rising Dragon Auction extended its reach across the entire Endless Plains continent. Some said it operated in other parts of the Azure World too. That its network was vast and resources nearly unlimited.

Kael found the building after asking for directions once. It was massive. Five stories tall and built from white marble and dark wood. Depiction of Dragons were carved into the walls. Not decorative dragons, but detailed ones. So realistic they seemed ready to leap from the stone.

Guards stood at the entrance, Level 7 Primal Adept minimum. Their eyes tracked everyone approaching, assessing threats and reading cultivation levels.

Kael walked up calmly. His disguise held true and his aura was controlled. He looked like any other rogue cultivator hoping to make some sales.

Inside, the atmosphere changed immediately, turning quiet and professional. The smell of incense hung in the air, not in a overpowering way, but just pleasant and calming.

A young woman approached him. She wore elegant robes. Her cultivation was decent at Level 5 Primal Adept. Her smile was practiced, perfect. "Welcome to the Rising Dragon Auction. How may we serve you today?"

"I have items to sell," Kael said simply. "For tonight’s auction if possible."

Her eyebrows raised slightly. "Tonight’s auction has very high standards. May I ask what you’re offering?"

Kael pulled dozens of items from his inventory. He brought weapons first—peak Refined-grade swords taken from the Clearstar guards and bandits. Mystic-grade weapons from some bandit leader and assassins he killed in the mountains. Five Mystic-grade daggers of varying durability.

The woman’s eyes sharpened. These weren’t trash items a normal person could possess. These were valuable.

"I have more," Kael added. He produced bottles of pills. Healing pills, Energy restoration pills, and some cultivation aids, all in the profound grade. Then materials like Spirit herbs, Beast cores, and Ore samples.

The woman’s professional mask slipped. Genuine interest showed. "Please wait here. I’ll fetch an appraiser."

She hurried away. Returned minutes later with an older man with gray hair and sharp eyes. His cultivation was hidden but Kael’s Enhanced Predator’s Instinct read it anyway. Peak Level 9 Primal Adept. Nearly at the threshold of Primal Master Realm.

The appraiser examined each item carefully. Turning the weapons over to check balance and testing the edges with spiritual energy. He opened the pill bottles, carefully sniffed the contents and checked the colors. He also inspected the materials under a magnifying glass.

Finally, he nodded. "These are acceptable. Peak Refined-grade and Mystic-grade weapons. Refined-grade and Profound-grade pills. Mystic-grade materials." He named a price. "We can offer this amount. After our five percent commission."

The number was substantial. Kael had expected less. But he kept his expression neutral. "Acceptable."

The transaction completed smoothly. The items transferred to the auction house. Primal stones transferred to Kael in Low-grade stones, one hundred and eighty million of them.

Low-Grade Primal Stones were the standard currency for events like this.

The woman smiled again, more genuinely this time. "You’re welcome to attend tonight’s auction. We’ll be featuring your items alongside others of similar and higher quality."

"I plan to," Kael said.

As he turned to leave, she spoke again. "One moment please." She glanced around to make sure no one else was listening closely, then leaned in slightly. "You can relax. The Rising Dragon Auction has no connections with the Royals or the Ducal Families." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Her words were quiet, deliberate and meaningful.

Kael met her eyes. Understanding passed between them. As expected, they knew who he was. Master Feng had probably given the order. But they were a neutral party and wouldn’t disclose his name or interfere in his dispute with the young duke.

"That’s good," he said simply.

Relief washed through him, though not complete. Just a substantial relief. The auction house was neutral ground and was safe. At least while he was inside their walls.

The woman bowed slightly, a professional courtesy. "We look forward to serving you this evening."

Kael left the Rising Dragon Auction building and returned to the streets. More information swirled in his head now. Things he’d learned from the woman and appraiser during small talk.

According to what they’d told him, the Rising Dragon Auction happened once a month. A regular schedule. The next one was tonight.

Apparently there would be many Spirit grade items appearing. Weapons. Artifacts. Pills. And more interesting things too. Incomplete maps that led to Hidden Realms or Ancient Ruins filled with treasures. Master Tier techniques, arts, and methods. All with high collective value.

Even some of the upper echelons from the Mei Kingdom Royals would participate. Princes. Princesses. Maybe even the Queen herself.

Kael was filled with anticipation. His heart beat faster thinking about the possibilities.

He carried something valuable and rare. One of eighteen broken Ancient Seal Fragments that held a map to an Ancient Ruin. He’d gotten it from the Gatekeeper after clearing the Trial of Morality in the Eternal Ascension Pagoda.

The fragment was incomplete and useless alone. But if he could find even one more piece, the value would multiply. Two or four fragments together might reveal partial information on the other fragments. Five or ten might show him the real locations of the fragments.