The words “five billion” reverberated through the vast, silent hall, lingering in the air like a thunderclap.
Everyone was stunned. The mocking sneers and dismissive expressions from mere moments ago froze on their faces.
Cyrus Nightbane’s confident, victorious demeanor shifted. His expression darkened, twisted with shock, frustration, and disbelief.
The bidder wasn’t just anyone-it was him again. It was that man.
Yes, it was Kayden. Once more, he was the one who placed the bid. Five billion dollars. From twenty million, he had leapt straight to five billion! He didn’t stop at fifty million or even one hundred million. No, he had jumped directly to five billion, a staggering four billion, nine hundred and eighty million more than the previous bid!
No one could tell if he was insane or simply reckless. Either way, the entire room was left speechless by his audacity.
It was just a fish-a simple fish. And yet, he bid five billion dollars for it.
Madness. Pure madness.
First, Kayden bidding five billion dollars for a fish was the act of a lunatic. Second, openly challenging Cyrus Nightbane by snatching away three prized treasures right in front of him was equally deranged.
Nobody could fathom what was going through his mind-not even Wood Faulkner, who stood by his side.
“Mr. Scott,” Wood Faulkner finally snapped out of his daze and whispered, “why would you spend so much money?”
Kayden’s lips curved into a faint smile. He didn’t answer. Instead, he let out a cold chuckle.
It wasn’t that Kayden hadn’t intended to bid earlier; he had simply been calculating how much he was willing to spend on the so-called Merrow Princess.
Was it really a Merrow Princess? He didn’t know. The tale told by Liam Rocco hadn’t interested him in the slightest.
When he first saw the fish, he felt nothing-no excitement, no sense of awe. His Ninefold Dragon-Chi remained unshaken, and he didn’t believe for a second that it was a true Merrow.
Wood Faulkner, watching Kayden’s enigmatic expression, couldn’t help but continue, “Even if you wanted to suppress Cyrus Nightbane, you shouldn’t waste so much money. You could’ve secured it for fifty million. Didn’t you notice? No one else was even bidding.”
At that moment, Wood Faulkner resembled a thrifty homemaker fretting over household expenses.
Kayden took a deep breath and said calmly, “Relax. I know what I’m doing.”
On stage, Liam Rocco looked ecstatic. He cried out in disbelief, “Five billion! Five billion! This is an unprecedented price! In the history of the Rocco family auctions, we’ve never seen such a figure.”
“This young man is truly remarkable-wealthy, dignified, and extraordinary in temperament!”
“Does anyone else wish to bid? Is there anyone willing to offer more than five billion?” Liam Rocco’s voice rang out.
Finally, Cyrus Nightbane could no longer contain himself. Slowly, he stood up. His face, once filled with arrogant certainty, now radiated with murderous intent. A chilling aura of death spread throughout the auction hall.
The cultivators in the room felt the icy pressure settle over their skin. Everyone knew-Cyrus Nightbane was furious.
And when Cyrus Nightbane got angry, things became uncontrollable.
Everyone knew who he was. Everyone understood what Hellblazer represented.
The crowd couldn’t help but pity Kayden.
Sure, he had money. He seemed untouchable, flaunting his wealth and challenging Cyrus Nightbane at every turn. But he clearly didn’t understand who he was dealing with.
Cyrus Nightbane was merciless, a man who despised injustice and killed without hesitation. Kayden likely didn’t even realize he was courting death.
“You,” Cyrus Nightbane said in a low, venomous tone, his face brimming with hostility. “Are you deliberately provoking me?”
Kayden didn’t respond. He didn’t even glance in Cyrus’s direction. His defiant posture and nonchalant air made it clear he had no respect for Cyrus Nightbane-no regard for his authority or presence.
Yes, Kayden was wealthy. But money didn’t equate to power. Did he truly believe his wealth would let him stand against Cyrus Nightbane?
Foolish. Utterly foolish.
Some in the crowd were already wishing for Cyrus Nightbane to kill him.
The more arrogant Kayden seemed now, the more pitiful his fate would be.
On stage, Liam Rocco sighed and called out to Cyrus, “Cyrus, what are you doing? The Rocco family has rules, and I expect you to abide by them. Once you step outside these doors, you can do as you please. But during the Rocco family auction, I won’t tolerate any disruptions.”
“This is just a simple auction. It’s not even over yet! He bid five billion for my Merrow Princess. If you want it, you can bid six billion, seven billion, or even ten billion!”
This was the Rocco family. Liam Rocco had no fear of Cyrus Nightbane.
Cyrus’s eyes burned with fury as he glared at Liam Rocco, who stared back unflinchingly.
After a few tense seconds, Liam broke the stare and turned back to the crowd. “Five billion, going once!”
“Five billion, going twice!”
He paused, then looked directly at Cyrus Nightbane with a sly smile, his tone almost taunting. “Five billion. Does anyone want to offer more?”
Cyrus clenched his teeth and sneered. “Who would spend five billion on a fish? Only a fool would do that.”
Liam Rocco slammed the gavel down. “Since no one else is bidding, the Merrow Princess belongs to this young man!”
“Five billion, sold! Congratulations to this young man for acquiring three of the Rocco family’s most prized treasures!”
The room remained silent. No one clapped or congratulated Kayden. The tension in the air was palpable.
Cyrus Nightbane stood tall, a lone figure exuding menace. He turned to Liam Rocco and asked coldly, “The final item has been auctioned. Now, can I handle my business?”
Liam Rocco laughed. “Not here. Handling your affairs within the Rocco family is out of the question. Once you leave, do as you wish. But not under my roof.”
Liam didn’t back down, his demeanor smug and unapologetic.
Cyrus didn’t argue. Instead, he replied evenly, “This isn’t up to you. Asher Voss arranged this. If you have an issue, take it up with him. I’m just following orders.”
With that, he clasped his hands in a mock gesture of respect toward Liam, then turned his gaze to Kayden.
“You’ve been looking for me, haven’t you?” he asked, his tone almost conversational.
Kayden finally turned to meet Cyrus’s gaze. He nodded slightly and said, “Yes, you’re not easy to find. If I hadn’t known you’d be here, I wouldn’t have tracked you down.”
Cyrus laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “Good. So, what do you want from me?”
The room seemed to freeze as Kayden’s voice cut through the silence.
“To kill you.”