After returning to the lord's manor, Kael arranged food for Thunderclap. Watching the giant devour over a dozen loaves in one sitting, even Kael had to marvel at his terrifying appetite.
This guy's stomach is a bottomless pit. Keeping him fed would bankrupt most people!
Later, during their conversation, Kael confirmed Thunderclap knew nothing of his origins—let alone his Titan bloodline. Resigned, Kael abandoned further inquiry and retreated to the Tower of Hope to cultivate.
Power remained his top priority.
Yet after days of relentless training, his progress stagnated. The eleventh-tier bottleneck was no trifling barrier. Breaking through would mean a qualitative leap—into the realm just below legendary status. Even across the continent, eleventh-tier mages were rare.
Just as frustration set in, Amelia offered a timely solution: "Kael, why not visit the Myriad Exchange's auction? Rumor says their upcoming event will be the grandest in the Eastern Continent—and they're auctioning a 'Wind Spirit Crystal.'"
"Wind Spirit Crystal?" Kael's eyes blazed. This was the opportunity he needed! With it, he could shatter the bottleneck and ascend to the eleventh tier!
Without delay, Kael set off with Lone Wolf and Thunderclap in tow.
The auction was conveniently held near Raife City, leveraging its strategic border location between two major nations. Lone Wolf navigated effortlessly, and soon, the trio arrived at the Myriad Exchange.
The scene overwhelmed them. A sea of people surged outside, with thousands more already packed inside.
"By the gods! So many!" Thunderclap gaped, unaccustomed to such crowds.
Kael's sweeping gaze confirmed it—no fewer than several thousand attendees, with countless others barred for lacking credentials. His status, however, granted instant access. As a continental marquis and territorial lord, his name alone commanded awe.
Upon discreetly revealing his identity, the Myriad Exchange ushered him into the VIP gallery.
The auction hadn't yet begun.
Scanning the assembly, Kael noted with quiet surprise: Nearly every attendee radiated ninth-tier energy or higher. This truly was no ordinary event.
Kael had only brought Lone Wolf and Thunderclap along. The latter gawked left and right, clearly experiencing such a grand event for the first time, utterly fascinated by the novelty.
As for Lone Wolf, he maintained his usual vigilance, carefully scanning the surroundings for potential threats.
"Esteemed guests—heroes from across the three continents! Today, the Myriad Exchange has gathered rare treasures for your appraisal. Let us witness this moment together!" A graceful woman with striking features stepped forward—the auction's host.
Kael raised an eyebrow in surprise. This hostess was actually a ninth-tier expert.
"The Myriad Exchange truly lives up to its reputation," Lone Wolf muttered, noting her strength surpassed even his own. He shook his head wryly.
With measured steps and a radiant smile, the hostess announced, "Our first item: three vials of Instant Mana Recovery Potion!"
"What?! Instant Mana Recovery?!"
"Damn, that's the real deal—but my pockets aren't deep enough!"
Exclamations erupted. Instant Mana Recovery Potions were indeed priceless. Every mage faced moments of depleted mana, and such a potion could mean the difference between life and death.
However, Kael remained utterly uninterested. As a Grandmaster Alchemist, brewing these potions was child's play. His spatial ring already held over a dozen vials.
Still, for others, they were treasures. After fierce bidding, the potions sold for 120,000 gold coins.
The auction continued with other rarities—fragments of magic crystals, top-tier elemental gems, and more.
"150,000 gold!" A cold voice rang out from a VIP booth, placing a bid on a premium wind-attuned gem.
The moment the voice sounded, Lone Wolf stiffened, his body trembling slightly, eyes flashing with hatred.
"What's wrong?" Kael immediately noticed the shift in his demeanor.
Lone Wolf suppressed his emotions and growled, "That voice... It's the Crown Prince of the Maider Kingdom!"
The Crown Prince of the Maider Kingdom!
Kael immediately understood—Lone Wolf's blood feud with the Maider Kingdom's royal family ran deep, and the crown prince was likely a key perpetrator. Judging by Lone Wolf's reaction, there was no mistake.
"Years ago, when my family was slaughtered, the crown prince led the massacre himself. The Renault family was also involved—they've long been his staunch allies,"Lone Wolf hissed through clenched fists, his voice barely audible.
"I'd recognize that voice anywhere. It's him—no doubt!"
Kael followed the sound to VIP Booth No. 3, where the bid had originated.
"Don't worry, my lord. I know how to control my hatred." After a tense silence, Lone Wolf spoke again, his composure regained. He understood all too well—the crown prince's status made revenge a matter of patience, not impulse.
Kael gripped his shoulder. "I'll give you that chance. When the time comes, you'll have your vengeance." His growing strength lent unwavering conviction to the promise.
A flicker of emotion flashed in Lone Wolf's eyes before he masked it, nodding firmly. "Yes. Thank you, my lord." His gratitude toward Kael was boundless.
As they spoke, the crown prince secured the premium wind-attuned gem.
"Our next item is the long-awaited treasure many of you have been anticipating—the Wind Spirit Crystal, a pinnacle wind-elemental artifact!" The hostess unveiled the crystal with a flourish.
The fist-sized azure stone pulsed with swirling currents of concentrated wind energy, its radiance making Kael's eyes gleam.
"Such dense elemental power. This is exactly what I need—I won't let it slip away."
"Starting bid: 500,000 gold coins!"
"510,000!"
"515,000!" The price climbed rapidly as bids flooded in.
This crystal was Kael's key to breaking through the tenth tier. He wouldn't hold back.
"600,000."
His calm declaration echoed across the auction hall, silencing the crowd momentarily.
The auction hall fell into a brief, instinctive hush. Many gasped at Kael's bold bid—a near 100,000-gold leap signaled his determination to secure the Wind Spirit Crystal.
Kael's coffers overflowed. Between Raife City's taxes and his amassed wealth, he could mobilize millions of gold without breaking a sweat. By now, his riches rivaled small nations.
"650,000 gold!" A cold snort came from VIP Booth No. 3. The bidder—a man in his thirties draped in opulent robes—exuded aristocratic poise, though his expression was dark. The Crown Prince of the Maider Kingdom.
Narrowing his eyes, the prince muttered, "That crystal is mine. How dare someone challenge me?"
Behind him stood a black-robed elder, who bowed slightly. "Your Highness, our funds exceed several million. He cannot outbid you."
"So the crown prince wants it too?" Kael's gaze flicked toward the booth. No retreat here.
"750,000!"
He didn't hesitate. The crystal's true worth surpassed a million—a rare wind-elemental spirit essence.
"800,000!" The prince's voice turned icy.
Their duel sent bids skyrocketing past 1.2 million in moments.
To Kael, the crystal's value was undeniable. It might just crack his bottleneck.
"1.3 million!" Another 100,000-gold surge.
At this price, most contenders withdrew. Even tenth-tier mages rarely hoarded such sums—powerful magic demanded ruinous expenditures, leaving many masters paradoxically "poor."
The crown prince gritted his teeth. "1.4 million!" This was his absolute limit—spending more would jeopardize his bids for subsequent treasures.
"1.5 million." Kael's tone was effortless, as if announcing the weather.
The figure drained the color from the prince's face. He fell silent, unable to counter.
"1.5 million—any higher bids?" The hostess beamed, pausing for effect. When only stillness answered, her gavel struck. "Sold!"
The Wind Spirit Crystal belonged to Kael.
"Hmph!" A vein bulged on the prince's forehead as he slammed the table, the crack of wood echoing his fury. "Find out who dared challenge me for that crystal!"
"At once!" The black-robed elder scurried out, wiping sweat from his brow. Poor fool, he thought. Of all people to cross—why the crown prince?