Fifteen Days Later — Shank Empire, 4:00 PM
The skies above the Shank Empire
shimmered faintly, heavy with spiritual
pressure and ambition.
El-Mond moved through the city
like a shadow drifting between tides.
From pavilion to pavilion, market to market,
he exchanged vast quantities of
sea creature cores and preserved bodies,
each one radiating residual Emperor-rank energy.
With every transaction, Evolver Stones filled
his spatial ring—quiet, controlled, methodical.
Beside him, Eldred followed in silence.
A calm but questioning voice echoed
directly into El-Mond's mind.
"Master… why go through all this trouble?"
Eldred's telepathic tone carried confusion.
"We could have gone straight to the
Blue Steel Pavilion.
The largest merchant pavilion in the Shank Empire.
They would have bought everything at once."
El-Mond's steps never slowed.
His eyes—cold, deep, ancient.
Reflected the ever-changing world around him.
"The world has changed."
His voice echoed in Eldred's mind like distant thunder.
"Everyone now dreams of godhood.
Every sect, clan, and rogue Evolver is
sharpening their fangs."
Images flashed through Eldred's mind—countless cultivators, greedy gazes burning.
"Three hundred thousand low-to-peak
Emperor-rank creatures…"
A brief pause.
"That is enough to attract even established
sects."
The pressure in El-Mond's words deepened.
"Handling a few Emperor Evolvers or half-step
Mortal-God clans is nothing.
But attracting too much attention…"
His eyes narrowed.
"Means being tagged.
Hunted."
A chill ran through Eldred.
"And that would ruin my plan… and slow my growth."
The city noise felt distant now.
"Now that we have sufficient funds,
we can visit Blue Steel properly—
like ordinary Evolvers."
Eldred's presence straightened with reverence.
"The Master is wise."
El-Mond suddenly halted.
His keen hearing pierced through the crowd, catching a whispered voice.
"Is that them?
Those two figures with endless evolved beast cores?"
Without hesitation, El-Mond turned sharply into a narrow alley.
The wind stirred.
And they vanished.
Moments later—
In another city within the Shank Empire.
They stepped out of a clothing store.
El-Mond was transformed.
A long black leather hanfu coat flowed
behind him, layered over an inner black
Tang-style suit.
His white hair, clear as drifting clouds,
framed a face carved with cold elegance.
Blue eyes sparkled, sharp and regal—
like a sovereign walking among mortals.
The street slowed.
Women froze.
Whispers erupted like ripples in water.
"Oh my… what a man."
"Is he single?"
"I don't care if he isn't."
"Being a concubine doesn't sound so bad…"
Soft laughter followed him.
Side glances.
Blushing cheeks.
Eldred walked behind him,
clad in strapped black Tang robes,
teeth clenched.
"These women… shameless."
His gaze darkened.
"Am I not also a man?"
El-Mond chuckled withing as they head off.
Two Hours Later — 6:00 PM
The Blue Steel Pavilion rose before them.
Eight towering floors of blue and black steel shimmered with formation lights,
spiritual runes pulsing like a living beast.
They entered.
A curvy servant girl with flowing black hair
greeted them, dressed in a blue skirt-style
hanfu.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw El-Mond.
"Welcome to the Blue Steel Pavilion, Young Master."
Her voice softened unconsciously.
"Whatever you need… we surely have it."
El-Mond's voice was calm.
"Soul-nourishing herbs."
Her breath hitched.
"You're lucky, Young Master."
Excitement sparkled in her eyes.
"Six months ago, Blue Steel began auctioning them every two months.
Today marks the third auction."
She smiled brightly.
"I can register you now."
El-Mond nodded.
"Lead the way."
Behind the counter, another woman stared openly,
heart racing.
"What a beautiful man…"
"Nina," the servant girl said,
"this Young Master wishes to register."
Nina snapped upright.
"Of course! Please take this card."
She hurriedly handed over a golden card engraved with the number 4.
The servant girl blinked.
"Nina… aren't you forgetting something?"
Nina froze.
"…Ah."
Her face flushed crimson.
"Ahahaha—sorry—hot mas—NO!
Sorry! Young Master!"
She bowed quickly.
"The registration fee is ten thousand Evolver Stones."
El-Mond chuckled silently.
Eldred stood behind him, completely ignored.
Invisible.
Again.
El-Mond waved a hand casually and paid.
A Wind-element elevator lifted them upward, currents swirling softly beneath their feet.
Seventh Floor.
The servant girl opened the door to a private auction viewing room.
"The auction will begin shortly."
She bowed deeply.
"This room is soundproof.
Unless one is a mid-rank Mortal-God, no one can identify you."
She smiled shyly.
"Please enjoy your visit."
The door closed.
Outside, she leaned against the wall, breathless.
"He's… beautiful."
Her cheeks burned.
"I almost embarrassed myself like Nina…"
Sweat dampened her brow.
Inside the room, El-Mond's gaze lifted toward
the auction hall below.
Blue Steel's lights reflected in his eyes—
Calm.
Calculating.
Hungry.
To Be Continued.