Three days later, night fell.
Jasper and Hunter, dressed in inconspicuous black cloaks and wearing metal masks that blocked spiritual probing, silently left the city and arrived at the "Shadow Market," located deep within an abandoned mining area outside the city.
This was a true no-man's-land. The air was filled with a strange mixture of sulfur, blood, and alcohol. Bizarrely shaped Extraordinary Ones, desperados, and even some non-human merchants moved through the underground caverns, which were illuminated by phosphorescent stones. Every corner was filled with an atmosphere of vigilance, greed, and danger. Here, weakness was the original sin; wealth and strength were the only passports.
Hunter was clearly no stranger to this place. He skillfully led Jasper through the chaotic outer market to an auction house guarded by two Sequence 8 'Guardian' Pathway Extraordinary Ones. Only after paying an entrance fee of two mid-grade magic stones, which contained pure spiritual energy, were they allowed to enter.
Inside, the venue was a massive natural cavern. Hundreds of seats were filled to capacity, and everyone present was a prominent figure in Yangcheng's underworld. Jasper even saw a few powerful-looking students in the uniforms of other schools.
Jasper and Hunter found an inconspicuous corner and sat down, waiting quietly. Jasper could feel at least a dozen hidden yet powerful auras coming from various corners of the hall. A few of them even made him tremble instinctively. They were definitely beings beyond Sequence 8.
"Don't look around, and don't release your spiritual energy," Hunter reminded him in a very low voice. "The people here are extremely sensitive to any form of probing. Any unnecessary action could be seen as a provocation."
Jasper nodded, retracting his aura to the absolute minimum. He just silently observed this bizarre and motley underground world with his eyes.
Soon, the auction began.
An alluring Extraordinary One from the 'Witch' Pathway, dressed in revealing clothes, walked onto the stage and, in a seductive voice, introduced a series of strange and rare items.
"One formula for the Sequence 8 'Arsonist' potion! Starting bid, $30,000!"
"One sealed resentful spirit, can be used to create powerful cursed items! Starting bid, $50,000!"
"One extraordinary trait of a 'Sleepless' from a defector of the 'Church of the Evernight'! Starting bid, $100,000!"
Each item caused a stir and fierce bidding. Jasper's heart pounded as he watched. It was the first time he had so directly witnessed the cruelty and reality of the extraordinary world. Here, power, knowledge, and even a person's extraordinary traits could be bought and sold with a clear price tag.
Finally, after a dozen or so items had been auctioned, the female auctioneer's voice grew even more excited.
"And now, for one of our grand finales tonight—a single drop of 'Heartwood of the Tree of Life,' personally cultivated by the Archdruid of the 'Church of Harvest and Life'!"
A crystal vial, protected by heavy layers of runes, was brought out. The rich life force emanating from the emerald-green liquid within sent a jolt through the entire hall. Jasper could even feel a faint, longing pulse from the sleeping Nidhogg in his coat!
"Its effects, I believe, need no further introduction, do they?" the female auctioneer said with a charming smile. "Whether it's healing a dying Extraordinary One or nurturing a precious contract beast, it is a priceless treasure! The starting bid is $200,000! Each increment must be no less than $10,000!"
$200,000!
The number made even Hunter's face turn slightly pale. The money he had prepared didn't even meet the starting bid.
"$210,000!" a hoarse voice called from the front row.
"$230,000!" someone in a black robe in another corner raised their paddle.
In just one minute, the price had been driven up to $350,000.
Just as Hunter was about to give up and think of another way, a voice they least wanted to hear, full of arrogance and mockery, drawled from the VIP section of the hall.
"$500,000."
Jasper and Hunter snapped their heads up. In a private box on the second floor, Ryan was leaning against the railing, looking down on them. Beside him stood a gaunt old man with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. The aura emanating from that man made Jasper feel a sense of suffocation.
That was definitely a Sequence 7 powerhouse!
Ryan took off his mask, revealing a face twisted with glee. He looked at Jasper and silently mouthed a sentence.
"Loser, what do you have to compete with me?"