After a few items, Mistress Candy’s voice rose again. This time, with a subtle shift in tone.

  “And now, dear guest, we approach the second tier of our event this evening. Please direct your attention to the screen as we begin our Silver Star presentations. These items are rare, refined, and meant for those with a discerning eye.”

  The lights above dimmed just slightly, and a silvery-blue accent washed over the edges of the stage. The screen shimmered, and its border transformed - the bronzed trim replaced by a gleaming silver outline.

  A hush fell over the crowd, and excitement sparked anew.

  Aston straightened his back in his seat.

  Mistress Candy stepped forward as the lights around the stage deepened, casting a sheen of silvery light over her silhouette.

  “For our first Silver Star lot this afternoon,” she began announcing with her voice carrying an edge of reverence, “we present a spirit beast born under unique geomantic conditions. It was discovered in the volcanic strata bordering the Blackgrass Ridge. A creature that developed not only under immense pressure, but in constant proximity to mineral-rich spirit veins.”

  The audience leaned in.

  A reinforced pedestal was rolled forward and on it stood a sleek, armored quadruped encased in a half-sphere of translucent crystal for safety. Its hide simmered in dark grays and ink-black tones, with veins of pulsing amber running beneath its surface like molten metal. Glowing slits marked its eyes.

  The overhead screen updated.

  —

  [Silver Star Lot # 01: Onyx Shell Vulpine]

  [Grade: Spirit Beast]

  [Description: A rare earth-type vulpine spirit beast with naturally formed onyx plating. Durable, defensive, and innately resistant to piercing and cutting techniques. Its Obsidian Core potential allows it to evolve along hardened elemental paths, including crystal, metal, and magma sub-branches. Current rank: 3-star. Estimated Potential: Obsidian Core.]

  [Starting bid: 50 dragon gold]

  [Bid increment: 5 dragon gold]

  —

  Gasps and murmurs broke out among the attendees.

  “Fifty dragon gold,” a deep voice rang from the balcony.

  “Sixty,” called another without hesitation.

  “Seventy five,” came a third one, voicing his sharp and confident intentions.

  Aston watched, his interest piqued, but his heart still lingered on the Glasswing Owl. He didn’t raise his paddle this time. He can only contract another one and does not have the spare resources to contract another.

  The Onyx Shell Vulpine finally sold at 110 dragon gold, to an older man in an obsidian robe, possibly a geomancer or an armor craftsman.

  Mistress Candy gave a graceful nod. “Congratulations to our winner. This spirit beast shall be transported under high-grade shielding as requested.”

  She let the moment settle before speaking again.

  “The second lot for the silver-starred items is not a beast, but something that can change the fate of one.”

  A slim wooden box was brought forward, set atop a pedestal inlaid with golden vines.

  Mistress Candy opened it slowly, revealing a translucent vial cradled in soft moss. Inside the vial swirled liquid that glowed with vibrant green and soft yellow hues.

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  —

  [Silver Star Lot # 02: Verdant Bloom Elixir]

  [Grade: High Grade Alchemical Potion]

  [Description: An evolution catalyst refined from the sap of the ancient Worldroot Tree and infused with growth-based essence powder. The elixir triggers an evolution state in plant-type spirit beasts ranked 6-star or below. Enhances affinity toward photosynthetic and regenerative paths. Best used for spirit beasts with limited potentials.]

  [Starting bid: 30 dragon gold]

  [Bid increment: 3 dragon gold]

  —

  “This elixir is sought after by spirit farmers, combat botanists, and anyone partnered with plant-aligned companions. Its ingredients are completely rare.”

  Bidding resumed quickly, this time from a different cluster of buyers.

  A young woman in green robes shouted, “Thirty!”

  A man with vine tattoos along his arms immediately countered, “Thirty three.”

  “Thirty six.”

  The back-and-forth continued until it finally sold at 48 dragon gold, to the woman in green.

  Mistress Candy let the applause subside before closing the box gently and gesturing to the next lot.

  —

  [Silver Star Lot # 03: Spatial Ring]

  [Grade: Spatial Artifact]

  [Description: A ring that can store a cubic meter of storage. Cannot store live beasts.]

  [Starting bid: 40 dragon gold]

  [Bid increment: 4 dragon gold]

  —

  A wave of audible excitement rippled through the auction hall.

  “A spatial ring!” someone near the front gasped.

  “Perfect for solo travel,” whispered another. “No more dragging carts around.”

  Several attendees leaned forward in their seats, faces suddenly intent.

  “Forty!” a voice barked from the right side.

  “Forty five!”

  “Forty nine!”

  “Fifty five!”

  The bidding ignited in a frenzy. Numbers flew upward like sparks.

  “Sixty!”

  “Sixty four!”

  “Seventy two!”

  The screen couldn’t update fast enough to keep up with the bids pouring in from every section. Even minor clans and smaller sect representatives join the chaos. Spatial artifacts - no matter how modest - was invaluable, especially for adventurers and low-tier cultivators who couldn’t afford larger vaults.

  In the midst of it, Aston remained still.

  He blinked slowly and exhaled through his nose.

  A single cubic meter…

  His gaze dipped to the small pendant hanging from a chain around his neck - his dragon pendant. Inside, however, was his own personal spatial vault - 30 cubic meters of high-stability space.

  Due to the bidding, Aston was reminded of the value of his pendant. And, mind you, its space grows every time his strength grows.

  The bidding finally climaxed at 92 dragon gold, taken by a red-robed merchant whose face was flushed with triumph.

  Mistress Candy gave her customary nod. “Congratulations to our bidder. I’m sure the spatial ring will be fully utilized.”

  The applause rang out again, and the spatial ring was sealed away with reverence. The auction continued.

  —

  [Silver Star Lot # 04: Crimson Genesis Elixir]

  [Grade: High Grade Alchemical Potion]

  [Description: An elixir that stimulates potential, allowing clear potentials to awaken to a red potential, in exchange for one’s lifespan.]

  [Starting bid: 8 dragon gold]

  [Bid increment: 1 dragon gold]

  —

  The audience murmured - a blend of awe and tension settling over the room.

  “That’s… dangerous,” someone whispered near the back.

  “Only those with no path left would drink that…”

  “It’s banned in most central cities. But in the frontier…”

  Aston’s body tensed the moment the words Crimson Genesis Elixir appeared on the screen. His heart gave a slow, hard thud in his chest. He sat upright, every muscle tight with focus. His eyes locked on the vial like it was the only thing in the room.

  There it is, the only reason I came today…