The Veridia City Martial Guild''s auction venue gleamed like a jewel in the setting sun. From my vantage point atop the adjacent building, I had a perfect view of the proceedings. Security guards in ck and gold uniforms lined the perimeter, their faces stern and vignt. This wasn''t just any auction—it was a desperate attempt by the Guild to recoup capital and disy strength after recent setbacks.


    I counted at least thirty elite guards at the main entrance alone. Among them stood Julian Radford, his remaining arm resting on his sword hilt. The loss of his other arm during ourst encounter had clearly done nothing to dampen his hatred. His eyes scanned the arriving crowds with predatory intensity.


    Behind him loomed three figures in ck-gold robes, their faces obscured by ceremonial masks. Guild Enforcers. Each powerful enough to level a small vige single-handedly.


    "Quite the weingmittee," I muttered to myself.


    The city''s elite were arriving in droves. Ornate carriages and gilded pnquins deposited Veridia''s most powerful families at the Guild''s doorstep. I recognized several faces—business rivals of the Sterling family, nobles who had sneered at me during my time as a live-in son-inw, and power yers whose names were whispered with fear throughout the city.


    Then came a familiar figure that made me straighten my back. Mariana Valerius, Pavilion Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild, stepped from her carriage with characteristic grace. Her silver-streaked hair was gathered in an elegant knot, and her emerald robes rippled like water as she moved. By her side walked Sofia Carrera, her trusted second-inmand.


    I hadn''t expected Mariana to attend in person. Her presenceplicated things. She had been one of my earliest supporters, risking her position to help me when I had nothing. Thest thing I wanted was to put her in danger.


    As I watched, representatives from all the major families filed in—Ashworths, ckthornes, Bradfords. The stakes of tonight''s event were clearly higher than I''d anticipated.


    I checked my gear one final time. The ck mask covering the lower half of my face. The smoke bombs from The Man with the Mustache. The array tokens hidden in my sleeves. Everything was in ce.


    The scale of this auction meant security would be tighter than I''d nned for, but it also meant the items would be more valuable. Including the one I needed—the mask that would allow me to control the Guardian Corpse.


    "This is going to be messy," I whispered to myself.


    Below, thest of the guests were entering the hall. It was time for me to move. I leapt silently across to the Guild''s roof, using the growing shadows for cover.


    Tonight, I would either gain the power I needed to save Isabelle, or die trying.


    --- <dfn ss="phantom-imprint">F*ir.s^t& p*ubl*ishe+d on *^.</dfn>


    Inside the opulent auction hall, Mariana Valerius kept her expression neutral as she surveyed the gathered crowd. The cream of Veridia City''s elite mingled before her—trading false pleasantries and veiled threats with practiced ease.


    "Pavilion Master Valerius. What an unexpected pleasure."


    She didn''t need to turn to recognize that voice. Marcus Ashworth, nephew of Corbin and cousin to Dominic, stood behind her, a ss of wine held loosely in his manicured fingers.


    "Marcus," she acknowledged coolly. "I wasn''t aware the Ashworths were sending their second-string to such an important event."


    His smile tightened. "Oh, we''re all attending tonight. Uncle Corbin and Dominic will be arriving shortly. Such an important auction deserves our full attention."


    Sofia Carrera shifted slightly closer to Mariana, her hand casually resting near the concealed dagger at her waist.


    Marcus noticed the movement and chuckled. "So defensive, Pavilion Master. One might think you feel threatened."


    "Merely cautious," Mariana replied evenly. "These days, it''s hard to know who remains honorable in Veridia City."


    "Indeed." His eyes hardened. "Speaking of honor, how is your protégé these days? The one who made such a spectacle at my cousin''s wedding? Liam Knight, wasn''t it?"


    Mariana''s expression remained impassive. "I have many apprentices, Marcus. I can hardly keep track of all their activities."


    "Come now." Marcus leaned closer. "We both know your special interest in that particr upstart. Your support for him hasn''t gone unnoticed by my family."


    "Is that a threat?"


    "A reminder," he corrected smoothly. "The Ashworths have long memories. And we don''t take kindly to those who ally themselves with our enemies."


    Mariana met his gaze directly. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild has existed for centuries, Marcus. We''ve weathered far worse than Ashworth displeasure."


    "Have you?" He smiled thinly. "Times change. Powers shift." He nced around the room meaningfully. "Even your vaunted position isn''t as secure as it once was, is it?"


    Before Mariana could respond, a gong sounded, signaling the start of the auction. Marcus inclined his head in a mocking bow.


    "Enjoy the auction, Pavilion Master. I hear there are some exceptional items on offer tonight."


    As he walked away, Sofia moved closer. "That was unexpected. The Ashworths rarely show their cards so openly."


    "They''re getting bolder," Mariana murmured. "Corbin must feel his position is secure enough to make direct threats."


    Sofia lowered her voice. "Do you think they know why we''re here?"


    "Impossible. Only the inner circle knows about the Seven-Colored ze and what it means for our research." Mariana''s eyes followed Marcus as he joined a group of nobles. "But they''re clearly watching us closely."


    "Should we abort?"


    Mariana shook her head firmly. "We need that ze. Without it, our breakthrough stalls, and all hope of helping Isabelle fades." She straightened her robes. "Take your position. Remember the n."


    As the crowd began to settle into their seats, Marianaposed herself. Tonight was too important to let Ashworth intimidation derail her. The Seven-Colored ze was the keyponent she needed toplete her research—research that might be Isabelle''s only hope.


    And she would not leave without it.


    ---


    From my hidden position in the rafters, I had a perfect view of the auction floor. The Guild had spared no expense in transforming their main hall into a showcase of wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbow light over the assembled guests, while silk banners bearing the Guild''s emblem hung from every column.


    At the center stood an elevated tform where a senior Guild member served as auctioneer. Behind him, disy cases held treasures that would make most cultivators sell their own grandmothers.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, his voice magically amplified to reach every corner of the hall. "Wee to the Veridia City Martial Guild''s Celestial Treasures Auction. We are honored by your presence and eager to present rare artifacts of exceptional quality."


    I scanned the crowd, noting positions of guards and potential escape routes. My gaze lingered on Mariana Valerius, seated in the third row. Her presence troubled me. What item could be important enough to bring the Pavilion Master herself to an enemy''s territory?


    "Our first item," continued the auctioneer, "a set of Spirit-Gathering Stones from the Northern Peaks, naturally formed over ten thousand years."


    A servant carried a velvet cushion bearing five luminous blue stones to the center of the tform. Even from my position, I could sense the dense spiritual energy radiating from them.


    "Bidding starts at ten million spirit stones."


    The auction moved quickly after that. Ancient scrolls containing lost techniques. Weapons imbued with elemental powers. Medicines refined from extinct nts. Each item fetched a higher price than thest, revealing just how desperate the Guild was to impress.


    I waited patiently, watching for the specific item I needed. The Man with the Mustache had been certain it would be here—the Seventh Dynasty burial mask, capable of controlling the Guardian Corpse now hidden in hisir.


    "Next, we present an artifact of exceptional rarity: the Seven-Colored ze."


    My attention snapped back to the tform. A small jade box was brought forward, opened to reveal what looked like a chunk of colorful mineral.


    To my surprise, Mariana Valerius leaned forward in her seat, her normallyposed face showing the first signs of genuine interest I''d seen all evening.


    "This ze," exined the auctioneer, "was formed in the collision of seven elemental veins during the Cmity Era. It possesses unique properties for alchemy and cultivation. Bidding starts at three hundred million spirit stones."


    A murmur ran through the crowd. Even for these wealthy elites, such a starting price was extraordinary.


    Without hesitation, Mariana raised her hand. "Four hundred million."


    Eyebrows raised throughout the hall. The Celestial Apothecary Guild was wealthy, but such an immediate increase suggested desperate need rather than casual interest.


    "Four hundred fifty million," called another voice—a representative from the ckthorne family.


    Mariana''s expression hardened slightly. "Five hundred million."


    The auctioneer''s eyes widened. "Five hundred million from Pavilion Master Valerius! Do I hear—"


    "Eight hundred million."


    The voice cut through the hall like a knife. Marcus Ashworth stood, a half-smile ying on his lips as he stared directly at Mariana Valerius.


    The room fell silent. Even the auctioneer seemed momentarily stunned by the aggressive bid.


    Mariana''s face remained impassive, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. This wasn''t just about the ze anymore—it was a public challenge, a deliberate move to undermine her in front of Veridia City''s elite.


    And as I watched this power y unfold beneath me, I realized that my already dangerous n had just be infinitely moreplicated.