After throwing out those decapitation-worthy contraband items like military-grade crossbows and magitech armor, the auction's tension had officially hit its climax.

Many of those who had lost out in earlier bidding rounds now stared red-eyed at Miss Pixie on stage—like beasts in heat, burning with the need to reclaim their dignity in the next round.

Seeing this, the smile at the corner of Miss Pixie’s lips became even more sultry. She clapped her hands lightly, and the next item was brought out.

But this time, the one delivering it wasn’t another scantily clad, seductive girl—it was a burly man clad in pitch-black heavy armor.

In his hands, he carried a cylindrical metal container, densely inscribed with arcane runes—like it was sealing something inside.

"Ladies and gentlemen, next up is one of tonight’s main events—"

Miss Pixie’s slender fingers traced lightly across the surface of the metal container. The runes glowed faintly, and a mechanical grinding sound followed.

The container slowly began to open, revealing a narrow, pitch-black seam.

In that instant, everyone in the room felt an overwhelming pressure—like a monstrous, ferocious beast had broken free from within, roaring down upon them all.

"What is that...?"

In his private box, Muen was also hit by the suffocating pressure, his entire body instinctively sinking back into the sofa. Cold sweat quickly beaded on his forehead.

Through the glass, it felt like that monster was casting down a gaze upon him—one that looked at him like he was nothing more than an insect.

But in the next breath, he realized—there was no monster.

Only the unremarkable metal container slowly opening... revealing a crystal, glittering and artificially cut.

Inside the crystal, a red liquid swirled, like amber shimmering under the sunlight—so breathtaking it hurt to look at.

"What is it? I’m sure many of you who’ve seen the world already recognize it at a glance, so I won’t waste words."

Miss Pixie smiled faintly at the stunned expressions of the crowd.

When her boss first brought this item out, she’d reacted just as they did now.

"—Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood. Ten drops. Starting bid: one million. The auction begins now!" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

As her voice fell, the auction house fell deathly silent for a single beat.

Like the calm before a storm.

And then—lightning struck!

"One-point-one million!"

"One-point-two!"

"One-point-three!"

"Two million!"

Frenzied, impatient bids exploded like a barrage, almost shaking the roof off. The numbers surged upward like they had explosive magic cast on them—whooshing up in a flash.

"There really is Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood?"

Staring at the crimson liquid swirling inside the crystal, Muen’s eyes gleamed sharply.

Who said I had bad luck?

Isn’t this great luck arriving right now?

Still, Muen didn’t rush to bid. He knew that those shouting out prices right now were probably swept up in the atmosphere—and in the allure of how precious the Lifeblood truly was.

The ones who really had the power to compete weren’t even moving yet.

No rush.

Muen swirled his wine glass, sipping from an expensive vintage, quietly waiting for the storm to pass.

Once the storm settled—those truly qualified to reach the other side would emerge.

...

...

"A-Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood?"

Ariel nearly spit out the cheap instant coffee she’d grabbed for free when she saw the brilliant liquid in the crystal.

What the hell?

Ancient what? Dragon what? Heart what? Blood what?

Did I hear that right? This kind of thing is actually appearing in an auction of this level?

Just a moment ago we were still bidding on dumb contraband junk—and now the scene cuts to a god-tier treasure? Isn’t that tonal whiplash?

"Buy it. You must buy it!"

Her Master’s voice rang out, excited:

"Ariel, if you get this, you’ll not only break through to Third Rank in the martial path—your physical body will be massively enhanced as well!"

"I get that... but..."

Ariel’s face twitched as she listened to the price spike instantly past three million, her expression turning hopeless.

"But where the hell am I supposed to get that kind of money?"

"......"

Her Master was silent for a few seconds.

"Maybe... sell your Heavenly Fire Greatsword?"

"......Go to hell."

...

"Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood?"

In a corner seat of the hall, even the ample curves hidden beneath a billowing black cloak couldn’t be disguised. The woman played with her number fifty paddle, muttering to herself.

"My, my. Something smells fishy."

"If they had a treasure on this level, why didn’t they advertise it ahead of time to reel in some big fish?"

"Just the news of this would’ve brought in some serious money and power players. There’s no way they’d sit this out."

Her eyes swept the room. Thanks to deliberate manipulation, the heat of the storm had risen fast—and was dying even faster. Once the price hit around three million, most bidders dropped out.

After all, in this crowd, there weren’t many who were truly rich.

"Does the auction house’s boss seriously think some poor bastard who couldn’t even afford a gemstone earlier is going to suddenly reveal themselves as a golden goose?"

"Or... is there some other purpose behind this auction entirely?"

...

...

"What the hell is going on!"

In another hidden VIP box, a vicious-looking man roared at a servant.

"Didn’t your boss promise to deliver the Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood to us—the Red Flame Gang? Why the hell is he putting it up for auction? That’s a breach of contract! A blatant breach!"

"The boss says he hasn’t broken any contract."

Even with saliva sprayed all over his face, the servant remained perfectly polite as he explained:

"The Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood does indeed belong to you. The boss has no objection to that. But because it’s such a rare and dangerous item, trading it through normal channels would attract too much attention. It’s a special period—oversight from above is strict. So the boss had to use this method to deliver it to you."

"So your so-called delivery method is to just put the damn thing on display and make us win it ourselves at auction?"

Lorenzo laughed in fury.

"Then what ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) was the point of me paying such a high price to your boss before? What was the point of all the favors I gave him?"

"Everything has its purpose."

The servant remained unfazed—like he wore a mask of ice.

"Before this auction began, we released no information about the Ancient Dragon’s Lifeblood. So everyone here assumed it was just another typical black market auction—selling the usual contraband that’s hard to move through official channels.

Because of that, no one came prepared specifically to fight over the Lifeblood.

No one except you—who came with money, specifically to buy it."