"Professor, how do I look in this dress?"
Inside the clothing store, Hermione stood admiring herself in the mirror, wearing a purple embroidered brocade robe that perfectly outlined her seductive curves. Her slender legs were wrapped in sheer white filament stockings, revealing just a hint of snow-white skin.
The sight was enough to evoke the allure of a mysterious and forbidden charm.
It was Hermione's first time trying out such a provocative outfit, but the effect was undeniably perfect. Kain, seeing her, nodded approvingly—there was nothing he could criticize.
"This guest suits this dress perfectly—it was practically woven for her,"
the shop assistant said enviously to Kain and Hermione, not only admiring Hermione's exotic beauty but also the gown itself. It was made from the silk of a third-tier magical beast, the Xuehan silkworm. One piece cost over three thousand gold coins.
This was their flagship garment—not only elegant but also boasting impressive defensive capabilities.
"It feels similar to my old clothes in a way," Hermione murmured, examining herself again. "But not bad for a first try. And the quality is definitely better."
At that moment, Tsunade stepped out from the changing room, having chosen her outfit as well. What first caught the eye was her snow-white, voluptuous figure that never failed to captivate Kain. However, knowing that battles were likely ahead, she had chosen more practical clothing—something casual and easier to move in. Yet, it still showcased her heroic presence.
Kain nodded in approval.
"Not bad. Both of you look great. Wrap up everything you just tried on. You accept gold here, right?"
"Of course, honored guest," the store manager replied with a smile.
"A catty of gold can be exchanged for 2,500 gold coins."
Though gold cards were common on the Dou Qi Continent, some still preferred direct gold transactions, and the store gladly accepted it.
After handing over some gold, Kain took Hermione and Tsunade and left the clothing store, heading toward the auction house. They still had three days before the world coordinates were released. If that didn't work out, Kain planned to find a safe location to set up the projection of the World Holy Grail.
This eighth world was the Dou Qi Continent—a land filled with danger, but also rich in opportunity. The resources here far surpassed those found in other worlds.
Still, Kain wasn't too fond of the world's kung fu style. Although the Genetic Warrior Kung Fu he acquired in the Desert world wasn't top-tier, it allowed his body to reach a strength level of 120 to 150 times that of an ordinary person.
Furthermore, Genetic Warrior Kung Fu allowed users to absorb cosmic energy to enhance themselves. In contrast, the flashy fighting techniques of the Dou Qi Continent, while visually impressive, lacked the raw power and effectiveness of his own system.
They simply paled in comparison.
As they walked, Hermione noticed many passersby sneaking glances at her, which only made her walk more proudly, clinging closer to Kain. Since her body had been genetically enhanced, she now had a stunning face, a flawless figure, and formidable strength. As Kain's first goddaughter, she had not only learned his self-created Magic Spin technique but also inherited the power of the Magnetic Fruit.
She could now be considered as someone who had inherited half of Kain's strength.
"Professor, are we going to start a Chamber of Commerce here?" Hermione asked.
Kain thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Not here. At most, this place could serve as a temporary base. The capital of the Jia Ma Empire might be populous, but the resources here aren't top-tier. We still need to study what's most beneficial for us."
His ideal location was naturally Zhongzhou, the central region with the richest resources. However, that area was also filled with powerful individuals. If the Kain Chamber of Commerce tried to expand there recklessly, it could attract unwanted attention and trouble.
The second option was the Black-Corner Region. Though chaotic, it offered excellent products, and the power ceiling there wasn't very high—the strongest beings were only around the Dou Zong level.
But before making a decision, Kain needed to assess the current strength of the three of them and determine how they ranked on the Dou Qi Continent.
If measuring against human cultivators was too difficult, they could always head into the Magical Beast Mountain Range and test themselves against magical beasts.
"Let's gather enough intel before deciding where to establish the Kain Chamber of Commerce. The good news is, in this world, aside from a few rare items, most things can be bought with gold coins..."
Hermione's eyes sparkled.
"Gold coins? Then the Kain Chamber of Commerce can skip the early startup phase."
They might lack many things in this world—but gold was not one of them.
Back in the wizarding world alone, Hermione had access to thousands of tons of gold at her disposal. And she knew that in the other worlds Kain controlled, there were hundreds of thousands of tons more.
Tsunade tilted her head.
"Are there really that many powerful people in this world?"
"A lot," Kain replied. "Some of the strongest can tear through space effortlessly. If things get serious, I might need to call Kushina..."
After a moment's pause, Kain spoke to Tsunade.
Tsunade gave a sly smile and teased,
"If you call Kushina, her little vinegar jar won't be so easy to calm~"
Kain chuckled.
"I've already dealt with the bigger jars of jealousy. Kushina's nothing."
At the mention of the "big jars," Tsunade knew exactly what he meant—her.
She shot Kain a glare. A few days ago, she had been utterly humiliated in bed, agreeing to all kinds of unequal terms while in a daze—and the bastard had even recorded it! Since then, Tsunade had vowed to get her revenge.
She wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.
The three of them chatted while walking toward Mittel's Auction House. Their timing was perfect—just in time for the prestigious Sky-Level Auction being held that day.
However, their presence on the way there drew quite a bit of attention.
After all, whether it was Kain, Hermione, or Tsunade, all three had impeccable appearances and commanding temperaments. Kain, in particular, carried a rare, almost mythical charm—the kind of "unicorn temperament" that effortlessly attracted women. Whether noble ladies or commoners, most women would stare at him involuntarily, their cheeks gradually flushing red.
Hermione and Tsunade noticed this quickly. Hermione proudly clung to Kain's arm—her godfather and the one who had changed her life the most.
Tsunade, on the other hand, was irritated. A little angry and a lot displeased, she felt the urge to wrap a black cloth around Kain's face. That face alone—who knows how many girls he might reel in!
Upon arriving at Mittel's Auction House, the area was already bustling. Luxurious carriages arrived one after another. Most of the guests were from noble families and powerful factions within the Jia Ma Empire, and even some prominent families from other cities had made the journey.
After all, Sky-Level Auctions were rare events—and if you were lucky, you might even come across a valuable Earth-Tier Dou Technique.
"Three honored guests—are you here to participate in today's Sky-Level Auction?"
A receptionist from the auction house stepped forward, smiling as he addressed them.
Keen eyesight was crucial in this business, and this member of the Mittel family had sharp intuition. From among the crowd, the trio before him stood out the most. Their aura and appearance ranked them among the top clients he had ever seen—if not the very top. He was certain they were VIPs, so he didn't hesitate to greet them personally.
Kain returned a polite smile.
"Naturally. We heard about the auction shortly after arriving in the capital. Could you tell me when it begins?"
"Ah, so you're guests from afar. Please, come inside."
The middle-aged receptionist continued with a respectful smile.
"As it happens, the Sky-Level Auction is scheduled for this afternoon. However, aside from the rooms already reserved, not many private boxes remain. If you had come any later, you'd have had to settle for the main lobby seats..."
He added, somewhat apologetically,
"That said, to access a private room, guests must have at least a net worth of five million gold coins or possess a strong enough Dou Qi cultivation base. I'm sorry, but that's a standard rule of the auction house—it's not something we can easily bend."
Kain nodded nonchalantly. Five million was nothing to him. In fact, considering the gold he carried, he'd likely need a much larger space.
Just then, his gaze fell on the crystal display cabinets spread throughout the auction hall. A thought struck him.
"How many crystal cabinets are there in this hall?" he asked suddenly.
The receptionist was briefly caught off guard but answered professionally,
"There are six hundred crystal cabinets in the first-floor lobby, though they typically hold common items—"
"I want them all," Kain cut in.
"Clear them out for me and prepare a larger space. Otherwise, you won't have room to store all the money I'm about to spend."
"...What?"
The receptionist froze, not sure he'd heard correctly.
"Guest, did you just say... you want everything?"
"That's right. I want every item displayed on the first floor. Please begin packing them up."
The receptionist looked at Kain, trying to determine whether this was a prank—but there wasn't even a hint of jest in Kain's expression. Still, the sheer magnitude of such a purchase was staggering.
"Guest, if you plan to purchase everything in the lobby, the total value might range from twenty-five to thirty million gold coins..."
People nearby overheard the conversation and turned to look in astonishment. Even the elite families of the imperial capital couldn't always mobilize that much gold at once. Whispers and curious glances followed the trio.
"If you can't make that call," Kain said calmly, "then get someone who can. Stop questioning me. The Kain Chamber of Commerce may not be well-known yet, but I don't joke about these things."
—The Kain Chamber of Commerce—
The surrounding crowd murmured. The name was unfamiliar, and even after whispering among themselves, no one could recall hearing of such a group. But that only made Kain's actions more intriguing.
Was this a power move? Was he here to make a name for himself? Or was this a signal for partnership with Mittel's Auction House?
After a moment's hesitation, the receptionist bowed and said,
"Please wait a moment, honored guests. I'll report this matter to one of the elders."
This level of business was far beyond what a regular staff member could manage. Even though he technically had the authority to sell all the items on the first floor, doing so in one go... it was better to let a senior handle it.
Soon after, the receptionist returned—this time accompanied by a man in luxurious robes.
Kain sensed the newcomer's energy right away. His life force was strong, far surpassing everyone else present—though still not close to Tsunade's level.
"This distinguished guest is Mittel Tengshan, patriarch of the Mittel family," the receptionist announced.
"Regarding your earlier request, please follow us into a private room to discuss further."
Gasps spread through the crowd. Even Mittel Tengshan himself had come out personally?
The leader of the Mittel family and a renowned figure in the imperial capital—it seemed this auction was about to get very interesting.
And he was also a Dou Fighter, just like Wang Qiang.
"Then let's talk inside, Patriarch Mittel," Kain said calmly.
He followed Mittel Tengshan into a private lounge. It seemed that the patriarch had taken his words seriously and arranged a larger, more spacious room.
Kain's decision to buy everything in the hall wasn't an impulsive one. With just a sweep of his spiritual sense, he had detected that 30% of the items in the crystal cabinets were made from magical beast materials, 20% consisted of medicinal herbs essential for alchemy, and the rest included low-grade pills, metal ores, and other useful resources.
In the Dou Qi Continent, Alchemists (Yakushi) were among the most sought-after professions. However, the requirements to become a skilled alchemist were high, making them incredibly rare.
But to Kain, refining pills was no challenge at all. No matter how complex a recipe might be, it was still simpler than manipulating particle-level structures. Once the data was recorded, he could mass-produce any elixir with ease.
With the Red Queen assisting him, even the minutiae of alchemy—such as flame control, time, and herb maturity—were handled with terrifying precision. For instance, she could determine exactly how long a ten-year-old herb should be refined under flame, and what temperature and time would be optimal for an eleven-year-old herb. She could even narrow it down to the day, degree, and second.
In short, artisans were destined to be surpassed by industrialization—at least when it came to low-grade pills.
According to Kain's estimates, up to Tier 7 or 8 elixirs, industrialized pill production should be completely viable.
Moreover, he could cultivate vast quantities of herbs himself. The Muyajing seeds he brought back from the desert world had already been planted, and he had even managed to accelerate their growth using the Time Gem'slaws.
Once full-scale industrial alchemy was in place, even three traditional alchemy towers would be rendered obsolete.
In the future, gold coins would handle low-tier transactions, while elixirs would become the true high-value currency for elite exchanges.
But all of this hinged on one critical step—feeding enough data into the Red Queen to give her a comprehensive understanding of the Dou Qi Continent's ingredients, processes, and local conditions.
As Kain mulled over these thoughts, he was simultaneously negotiating with Mittel Tengshan regarding the full purchase of all items displayed on the first floor.
Naturally, Mittel Tengshan had no reason to refuse. Not only was Kain offering to pay an enormous sum on the spot, but his strength and background were both unknown. Tengshan knew better than to offend such a potentially powerful man.
The transaction was finalized quickly.
A list of all 600 items in the hall was handed to Kain. The total came to 27.85 million gold coins—though Kain had assumed 25 million would be sufficient.
Still, the Mittel family made a tidy profit from the sale—and more importantly, they gained the favor of a mysterious new chamber of commerce.
Then, without warning, Kain poured a literal mountain of gold from his spatial bag, stunning Mittel Tengshan.
In an age where Zijin Cards were the standard for large transactions, few people dealt in raw gold anymore. It wasn't unheard of, but it was cumbersome. Fortunately, the Mittel family had the means to convert it at their affiliated money house.
However, what shocked Mittel Tengshan was the sheer quantity—far more than 25 million. A quick mental calculation told him that Kain had easily produced over 100 million gold coins' worth of pure gold.
Mittel Tengshan smiled and said,
"Chairman Kain, if you trust the Mittel family, we'll handle the rest here. I'll send the excess gold and your purchased items directly to your private box."
"Of course. I have complete faith in the reputation of Mittel's Auction House. I'll leave it to you then, Patriarch Mittel," Kain replied with a nod and a smile.
With the arrangements complete, Kain was led by the receptionist to the VIP viewing box for the upcoming Heavenly Auction.