Rising Heat Beneath Calm Faces

So soon, people began to bid.

The moment the first voice rang out, the quiet tension in the Glass Villa shifted into motion. It wasn’t loud, not chaotic—but it was alive now. Like a still lake disturbed by a single pebble, ripples began spreading across the hall.

"I’ll bid five and a half million."

The bidder spoke casually, barely lifting his hand. To him, the number meant little. It was more curiosity than desire.

"Then I’ll go six million."

Another voice followed almost immediately, smooth and measured. No hesitation. No emotion.

The lion Gem statue sat under the spotlight, pale and silent. Its carved eyes seemed almost aware, watching the humans beneath it fight over its worth.

Hearing these bids, Lucas, feeling a surge of excitement, didn’t rush to bid.

He leaned back slightly in his seat, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest in a slow rhythm. His eyes were fixed on the lion Gem statue—not with curiosity, but with certainty.

Either he wouldn’t bid, or he’d make a decisive offer.

His lips curved faintly.

Today, he was determined to get this lion Gem statue!

Inside him, something stirred—not greed, but hunger.

Once he got the lion Gem statue, he would immediately take the elixir!

That thought alone made his breathing subtly deepen.

This Nine way cleansing exilir was extremely effective, showing results in just three minutes!

His fingers tightened slightly.

After reaching the peak of the Silver Realm, the beatings he’d taken in recent days made him feel like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

The memory flashed through his mind—pain, humiliation, resistance he hadn’t expected.

His jaw clenched.

With this Nine way cleansing exilir, breaking through would be as natural as when the water reaches, the channel forms!

A faint heat flickered in his chest.

After the breakthrough!

The air around him seemed to grow heavier.

The first thing would be to disguise himself and assassinate that Julian D’Aurelius!

His gaze darkened slightly, just for a moment.

When the price reached nine million, no one continued to bid.

The momentum slowed. Voices faded. Hands lowered.

The crowd, which had been lively seconds ago, suddenly became still again.

They thought it looked nice and wanted to take it back for their collection.

But an overpriced collection wasn’t necessary.

Having money didn’t mean being brainless, throwing money away for fun.

A few people exchanged glances, silently agreeing.

Nine million was the limit.

The lion Gem statue returned to stillness—waiting.

"Nine million, going once, nine million, going twice..."

The little old man on stage lifted the small wooden hammer, his voice steady but expectant.

Just as the final word was about to fall—

Lucus finally spoke up, "Nine million and one hundred thousand!"

The voice cut cleanly through the air.

Calm.

Controlled.

But unmistakably firm.

Several heads turned instantly.

He realized this was the psychological limit for these people.

So, he only added a hundred thousand more; anything more would be a waste.

His eyes flickered with calculation.

Precision.

Efficiency.

As soon as he bid, everyone turned to look at him.

Curious.

Evaluating.

Some recognized him. Others didn’t. But all of them sensed something—

This wasn’t just another casual bidder.

"Sir, the minimum bid increment is ten million, please bid again."

The little old man on stage felt a bit awkward.

A faint ripple of suppressed laughter moved through the crowd.

Lucas’s expression stiffened for the briefest second.

Lucus frowned, a bit displeased, and corrected himself, "Then nine million and ten thousand."

His tone cooled slightly.

The person who had bid nine million before rolled his eyes but said nothing, giving up on continuing to bid.

It wasn’t worth it.

The air paused again—

Then—

"Ten million."

Julian D’Aurelius suddenly called out.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. Calm. Lazy. Almost indifferent.

Yet the effect—

Immediate.

As soon as he spoke, Lucas immediately looked over at Julian D’Aurelius, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

It wasn’t visible to ordinary people.

But it was there.

Sharp.

Cold.

This guy...

is he naturally at odds with me?

The thought rose like a blade.

Both times he’d been humiliated since returning to Valemont were related to him.

And now, even at an auction, he wanted to compete with him?

A faint pressure built in his chest.

"Ten million, going once."

The little old man on stage was also a bit surprised; he knew this item was sent by Julian D’Aurelius.

Bidding on his own item, what was he trying to do?

But he didn’t mind; they took a commission based on the sale price, as long as they got the money.

Business was business.

"Eleven million."

Reluctantly, Lucas had to continue bidding; he absolutely couldn’t let the lion Gem statue fall into Julian D’Aurelius’s hands.

His voice sharpened slightly.

His eyes were filled with apprehension.

Could it be that this kid also discovered the secret within the lion Gem statue?

That possibility made his heartbeat quicken.

Yana Tyson, sitting beside him, felt the shift.

She didn’t look at him directly—but she noticed.

The tension.

The impatience.

The anger hiding beneath control.

Her fingers tightened subtly on her lap.

Meanwhile—

Julian leaned back, as relaxed as ever.

(Oh... now it’s getting interesting.)

A faint smile played on his lips.

"Twenty million."

His voice came again—this time without pause.

Like tossing a stone into calm water.

"Twenty-one million."

Lucas followed immediately, his tone no longer as calm as before.

There was urgency now.

A chase had begun.

"Fifty million."

When Julian D’Aurelius shouted out fifty million, the entire crowd was in an uproar.

The number exploded across the hall like thunder.

People leaned forward.

Some even stood slightly.

Murmurs broke out everywhere.

"Did he just say fifty?"

"Is he serious?"

"Is that thing really worth that much?"

Young Master Julian, isn’t this a bit too extravagant?

Spending so much money on a useless lion Gem statue?

Even seasoned collectors frowned.

Even wealthy elites hesitated.

But Julian?

He looked bored.

As if he’d just raised the price by a few coins.

Seeing Julian D’Aurelius bidding so crazily, Lucas was certain that Julian must have discovered the secret within the lion Gem statue.

His eyes turned red.

The calm facade cracked.

His breathing grew heavier.

The opportunity he had his eyes on, how dare you try to snatch it?