Dragon Blood!
There had always been a legend about a dragon residing at the summit of Aspen Heights, hidden within the bottomless spring. For years, the cultivators of Aspen Heights had suppressed its existence. The spring, said to contain profound mysteries, remained a source of speculation-its truth or falsity unknown.
Some dared to venture to the spring to uncover its secrets, but none ever returned. And so, the legend persisted. Whether dragons truly existed in this world was a question that baffled many. Even the most experienced cultivators were uncertain.
But now, whispers of the Rocco family possessing Dragon Blood sent shockwaves through the gathering.
“A dragon is a sacred being. Such Dragon Blood is a rarity of the ages!” Liam Rocco declared, holding up a bottle of crimson liquid. “Starting bid: one hundred million dollars!”
“Two hundred million!”
“Five hundred million!”
“One billion!”
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, with countless cultivators vying for the treasure. None dared to snatch it by force, but they were willing to fight with their wealth.
As the bids climbed higher, a cold, commanding voice broke through the chaos.
“Five billion.”
The room fell silent. Cyrus Nightbane had spoken.
The audience collectively sighed. Whenever Cyrus Nightbane made a bid, all hope was extinguished. His dominance was absolute. Many despised him for his arrogance and ruthlessness, but none dared to challenge him. This was a world where the strong reigned supreme, and Cyrus Nightbane was one of the strongest.
But just when despair loomed over the crowd, another voice pierced through the silence-clear, sharp, and unyielding.
“Ten billion.”
All eyes turned in shock. It was him again. Kayden.
This man, unfazed by Cyrus Nightbane’s presence, delivered his bid with unwavering determination. Who was this person? Was he truly going to challenge Cyrus Nightbane?
While the others murmured in confusion, Kayden’s intent was clear. He had come to the Rocco family auction for two reasons: to eliminate Cyrus Nightbane and to acquire something valuable for Wood Faulkner. The Dragon Blood, with its ability to elevate someone directly to the Grand Level, was precisely what he needed.
Liam Rocco’s gaze rested on Kayden, filled with both gratitude and admiration. To the Rocco family, Kayden was the dark horse of this auction.
“Ten billion! Does anyone wish to bid higher? This is a one-of-a-kind treasure, obtained at the cost of countless dragon hunters’ lives. For most cultivators, it’s priceless!”
“Ten billion going once! Ten billion going twice…”
Before Liam could finish, Cyrus Nightbane’s voice cut through the air once more.
“Fifteen billion.”
The crowd gasped. Liam Rocco’s expression shifted to one of astonishment.
Cyrus Nightbane locked eyes with Kayden, his gaze no longer dismissive but filled with cold fury. Kayden met his stare, unflinching. The tension between them was palpable, a chilling aura spreading throughout the auction hall.
“Stop bidding,” Cyrus Nightbane warned, his voice icy. “Even if you outbid me, it will only be for my benefit. Don’t waste your time. Perhaps if you show restraint, I might spare your life.”
Kayden’s eyes remained fixed on Cyrus Nightbane. Slowly, he raised his hand and shouted, “Twenty billion.”
The room fell deathly silent.
Twenty billion.
The sheer scale of the bid left everyone stunned. Most of the attendees couldn’t even fathom such wealth. Who was this man, willing to go to such lengths to defy Cyrus Nightbane?
Kayden’s calm defiance silenced any further threats from Cyrus. He didn’t engage in a war of words; instead, he let his actions speak for themselves.
Cyrus Nightbane’s face darkened. His eyes burned with murderous intent as he glared at Kayden, his fury barely contained.
“Twenty billion going once! Twenty billion going twice! Twenty billion… sold!”
Liam Rocco’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Congratulations to this young friend for acquiring the Dragon Blood!”
The room remained eerily quiet. No one applauded. Instead, all eyes were on Kayden, their curiosity growing. Who was this man who had so boldly disrupted an auction dominated by Cyrus Nightbane for years?
Liam Rocco cleared his throat and turned back to the crowd. “And now, we come to the final item of the evening-the piece de resistance. What could it be? You’re about to find out!”
Two burly men wheeled a large iron cage onto the stage, its contents concealed beneath a black cloth. The air grew thick with anticipation.
Kayden glanced at Wood Faulkner and murmured, “The Rocco family is full of surprises.”
Indeed, the Rocco family, one of the Four Great Families, was renowned for their treasures. Unlike the Scott family in the East, who focused on economic development, the Rocco family thrived by trading rare artifacts and forging alliances with powerful cultivators.
Kayden had witnessed their strength firsthand. The treasures showcased earlier, from the Spirit Fox to the Dragon Blood, were beyond extraordinary. And now, this final item promised to be even more remarkable.
Even Cyrus Nightbane’s attention was fixed on the cage, his mind racing. If he failed to secure this last item, he would leave empty-handed tonight-a humiliation he could not afford.
The tension in the room reached its peak as Liam Rocco grabbed the corner of the black cloth.
“And now, the final item of the night…” he announced, his voice booming.
He paused dramatically, heightening the suspense. Then, with a swift motion, he yanked the cloth away.
The crowd gasped.
“Merrow Princess!”