They had no choice but to discuss it—this time, for some reason, the auction seemed far more grand than usual. Several representatives from well-known business alliances had already entered the venue in advance, and at least three Sword Saints had also gone in. But that wasn’t even the most terrifying part: not only had the Light Church and the Dark Church both sent people, but even several rival duchies had dispatched representatives. Judging by their manner, it seemed they were determined to make major gains at this auction.

Even the famous guilds—the Mercenaries’ Guild, the Mages’ Guild, the Thieves’ Guild, and the Assassins’ Guild—had all sent people to participate in this underground auction. Such a lineup was simply unimaginable.

Who could have imagined that the two great Churches would openly send representatives to an underground auction? If it were only the Dark Church, it might be believable, but even the Light Church had sent official representatives, which left everyone dumbfounded. And it wasn’t just the two Churches—even several duchy representatives had made their identities clear, attending the underground auction as official state envoys. It was almost laughable.

Since it was called an underground auction, naturally it wasn’t recognized by any nation. Yet these duchies completely disregarded that, sending people anyway. This already made it clear that there was something at this auction they were desperate to get their hands on.

Thinking along these lines, it was easy to understand why the major guilds—especially the Mercenaries’ Guild, which never acknowledged the underground mercenary organizations—would come to participate in this underground auction.

What was even more surprising was that the appearance of these organizations was nothing compared to what happened next. Besides the representative from the Mages’ Guild, more than a dozen mages with indistinct faces suddenly arrived. No one knew how powerful they were, but when these mages entered, with just a casual gesture, everyone could feel the suppressed, surging power—as if a mere flick of their fingers could reduce the entire venue to ashes.

Such a lineup, such a scale, left the two Greatsword Masters who had been temporarily assigned to guard the auction entrance utterly astonished. In fact, after seeing such an array of power, the two of them no longer felt the frustration of being overqualified for the job; all that remained was fear and curiosity.

“Top-tier foxwoman slave, unsold…”

“Top-tier catwoman slave, unsold…”

“Top-tier winged-woman slave, unsold…”

Three top-tier female slaves in a row went unsold, leaving the auctioneer both baffled and deeply surprised. Was there something wrong with today’s merchandise? But he had checked them carefully himself—they were three irresistible top-tier slaves. Yet, they still went unsold?

“Elven beauty, unsold…”

When yet another beauty went unsold, the auctioneer probably realized from the clients’ reactions that this time, the buyers weren’t interested in beautiful women. But that was fine—if they didn’t like beauties, there were even better things on offer this time.

“One iron mine, located at…” The auctioneer had just started to introduce the iron mine when someone below impatiently interrupted him.

“No one here cares about a measly iron mine. Don’t waste your breath or everyone’s time. Next!”

No one knew who said it, but it didn’t matter—everyone was in complete agreement. After consulting with the organizers backstage, the auctioneer moved the iron mine lot to the end.

“One mysterious treasure map…”

“No one cares about a treasure map. Next!”

……

“The exciting moment has arrived! Let us grandly present the highest-level magic core I have ever seen—this is the magic core of a true dragon, and not just any dragon, but a level-nine fire dragon…” The auctioneer had just worked himself up, announcing this in an impassioned tone, when someone coldly interrupted him.

“No one is interested in magic cores today. You’d better move on to the next item!”

No one cared about a measly iron mine—that was normal. Everyone here had a powerful background; an iron mine was beneath their notice. But if even a level-nine fire dragon’s magic core didn’t interest them, the auctioneer didn’t know whether to call himself unlucky or secretly curse these clients for not recognizing true value.

Still, the client’s wishes were the will of the gods. The organizers backstage seemed unprepared for this situation, but they still agreed to the clients’ demands. The auctioneer’s own excitement began to rise—the next item was a divine artifact. Not every auctioneer had the chance to encounter a divine artifact.

“Next, let us present the grand finale of this auction—a treasure that was once a god’s weapon…”

“That’s not the grand finale. At least not today. Bring out the real final item!” A cold, sharp voice came from the darkness of the client seats, leaving the auctioneer stunned.

If even a divine artifact wasn’t the grand finale, what could possibly be worthy of such attention? But when this experienced auctioneer saw the next item being brought out—a seemingly blank scroll—he suddenly held his breath. Staring at the emblem with the character “翰” inside a circle, the auctioneer couldn’t help but start trembling.

“My god, an eighth-level scroll base!” Seeing the introduction being brought up, the auctioneer couldn’t help but exclaim, “A work of Master Anthony, my god!”