81: Auction starts

After completing the transaction, Li Ke got up, preparing to leave.

“Interested in another deal?” Morgana’s voice, imbued with a hint of lazy allure, floated lightly from behind her.

“I have some intelligence on the Claus Family here; you might find it interesting.”

Li Ke paused, then slowly turned around.

“The Claus Family, a thousand-year true-blood noble Family of Oak Tree Territory, seems to have nothing to do with me, does it?”

“Really?” Morgana’s voice rose slightly at the end, with a deliberately feigned surprise.

“But as far as I know, the Claus Family seems to be very interested in Xilin Town, oh.”

She said with a smile, a faint glow flashed in her hand, and a white envelope appeared out of nowhere.

“This intelligence isn’t expensive, only ten gold crowns.”

“I guarantee it’s absolutely worth it.”

Li Ke was silent for a moment, then gave her a deep look.

“Why are you doing this? There doesn’t seem to be any reason, does there?”

Morgana chuckled, covering her lips, her voice becoming even more enchanting: “There is a reason, I hate the Claus Family…”

…

By the time Li Ke’s figure disappeared into the grey Mist of the compartment, the charming smile on Morgana’s face slowly faded, replaced by a deep coldness.

She elegantly drained the red wine in her glass, stood up, and straightened her dress, then exited the private room and walked up the long corridor.

Soon, she entered another private room.

Room 316.

This was the private room of the Grey Rock Family.

Another thousand-year true-blood Family of Oak Tree Territory, their conflict with the Claus Family was already an open secret.

Inside the private room, an exceptionally tall and robust figure sat upright.

Even though he was also shrouded in the unique grey Mist of the Mist Hall, his colossal physique, far exceeding that of an ordinary person, was still discernible, Li Ke a silent small mountain, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.

“Lord Roderick.” Morgana bowed slightly, her tone very respectful.

“As per your instructions, I have persuaded several minor nobles to cause some trouble for Klaus at this auction.”

“As for one young man among them, I additionally revealed some extra intelligence.”

“Perhaps he can bring us some unexpected surprises.”

“Young man?” Roderick Greyrock’s voice was muffled, as if coming from his chest.

“Is it the one from Xilin Town?”

“Yes, Lord.” Morgana said submissively.

“That seems to be a very capable young man, with some exploitable value.”

“Hmm…” Roderick Greyrock made an noncommittal sound.

“To be able to destroy the Ironwood Family, he must have some ability.”

“I hope he can bring me some surprises.”

“By the way, how is the Trout Whisper contract on you?” Roderick Greyrock suddenly asked.

Morgana’s body stiffened slightly, then quickly returned to normal.

“Thank you for your concern, Lord, it can still be suppressed for now.”

“It’s just that there isn’t enough bait for next month…”

From her ring, she took out a small crystal fish tank, inside which a strange, entirely green trout swam, its mouth constantly opening and closing, as if whispering.

“As long as you work diligently, you won’t lack bait.” Roderick Greyrock’s gaze lingered on the fish tank for a moment, then he said indifferently, “The day the Claus Family is destroyed will be the day of your liberation.”

“Rest assured, Lord.” A bone-deep resentment emanated from Morgana’s voice.

“Destroying the Claus Family is my greatest wish in this life.”

“Very good, go now, don’t let Kapa detect anything unusual.”

“Yes.” Morgana bowed and quietly withdrew.

…

On the other side, Li Ke had already returned to his private room 207.

He opened the white envelope in his hand; inside, it clearly listed several items that the Claus Family was determined to win at this auction, along with the maximum budget prepared for each item.

At the end of the letter, it even specifically noted the personnel from the Claus Family participating in the auction, their Stationed location in Oak Tree City, and the configuration of their accompanying guards…

“Is this an attempt to kill with a borrowed knife?”

“Heh heh, treating me as a chess piece.” Li Ke chuckled twice.

After memorizing the contents of the letter, he flicked his finger, and the entire envelope suddenly ignited, quickly turning into ashes.

Not long after, the music in the hall gradually ceased, and the auction officially began.

All the lights suddenly converged on the raised circular auction stage in the center.

A dense grey Mist abruptly appeared, and a figure slowly walked out from within it.

It was a man in a checkered tailcoat, wearing a black top hat, with two exquisite handlebar mustaches on his lips.

He was about thirty years old, and every gesture exuded a unique temperament that combined elegance with a touch of flamboyant showiness.

“Respected guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.”

“Welcome to the Mist Auction.”

“I am your host tonight, Lalmo.”

His voice carried a unique rhythm, Li Ke an aria, easily stirring up the atmosphere in the venue.

“Now, allow me to unveil tonight’s first item!”

Lalmo suddenly waved his hand.

On the high platform, a square display stand covered with red silk slowly rose.

Lalmo mysteriously pinched a corner of the silk and yanked it sharply!

The entire red silk was instantly torn off, disappearing into a wisp of grey Mist, revealing the item beneath.

It was an ancient ring, entirely dark gold in color, with countless intricate silver patterns carved on its surface, exuding a mysterious aura.

“An Arcane treasure from the overseas Arcanist organization, the Silent Ring!” Lalmo’s voice suddenly rose, full of allure.

“The ‘ring of silence’!”

“Wearing this ring, the user can briefly create an area of absolute silence of extraordinary power within a three-meter radius around them!”

“It can be activated once a day, each time lasting fifteen seconds.”

“During this period, whether it’s powerful Spells or strange curses, they will temporarily become ineffective within this area!”

“It will become an important secret treasure for your self-defense and preservation!”

“Starting bid, five hundred gold crowns! Each bid increment must not be less than ten gold crowns!”

“Ah, life is so precious! Ladies and gentlemen, please begin your decisions!” Lalmo announced loudly in his signature aria.

The first item of the auction was surprisingly this very significant Arcane treasure.

Li Ke’s mind quickly retrieved the relevant information about the “Silent Ring.”

This was an ancient Arcanist force primarily active on the overseas islands, mainly researching a rather special “Silent Arcane,” which possessed the unique ability to silence the extraordinary.

However, in the Holy Radiance Empire, Arcanists were quite rare; the three great divine courts didn’t particularly Li Ke these academic fanatics who disrespected the gods.

Therefore, organizations of Arcanists Li Ke the Silent Ring, the Seven-Ringed Tower, and the Emerald Swamp mostly had their main bases on the overseas islands.

Only the Golden Finch Dynasty to the east, due to its long coastline, had always been the most active country for Arcanists.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the auction hall had already become lively, with continuous bidding sounds coming from the surrounding compartments.

“Five hundred and fifty gold crowns!”

“I bid six hundred!”

“Six hundred and thirty!”

“…”

Among them, compartment 303 was particularly active in bidding, and several other voices closely followed, causing the price to climb steadily.

When it reached over seven hundred gold crowns, most people had already dropped out, and only a few people remained bidding.

Ultimately, this Arcane treasure was sold for the high price of eight hundred and twenty gold crowns to compartment 303.