Viola froze, her heart skipping a beat. A trap? What did he mean?
She looked at Reyn in bewilderment, but after a second's hesitation, decided to trust him and stayed put.
Reyn had wanted to say outright: "Fake!" but couldn't explain how he'd discerned the giant's soul's authenticity from such a distance.
The moment the ice sorcerer mentioned "Earth Pulse," Reyn immediately scrutinized the soul stone in his hands.
This Demonic Soul was indeed extraordinary, high-level, and contained four elements!
Besides the one resembling "Earth Pulse," the other three were "Shockwave," "Stone Burst," and enhanced "Strength."
Such a combination of elements with characteristic traits could convince anyone it was a mountain giant's Demonic Soul.
But it wasn't!
What aroused Reyn's suspicions most was precisely the element presented as "Earth Pulse." Upon close examination, he found it indeed tied to earth, but it wasn't genuine "Earth Pulse"—it granted none of its mighty abilities.
This element allowed sensing ground vibrations, thus detecting nearby objects' movements.
In other words, it was merely one of the many abilities bestowed by "Earth Pulse," and the weakest at that.
By a remarkable coincidence, this element's rune was nearly identical to that of "Earth Pulse," differing only in the tiniest, barely perceptible details. Without being a soul appraiser intimately familiar with "Earth Pulse," distinguishing them would be impossible.
But how many had actually seen the "Earth Pulse" element rune?
Records in the "Book of a Thousand Souls" weren't as reliable as seeing it with one's own eyes, and few remembered every detail of each element.
Reyn didn't know this element's name, but he was certain—it wasn't "Earth Pulse."
Though also a rare element, its value was more than ten times less than genuine "Earth Pulse." The entire Demonic Soul's worth didn't exceed two thousand gold shields.
And most importantly—it wasn't a mountain giant's Demonic Soul.
Carefully analyzing his sensations, Reyn concluded the creature this Demonic Soul belonged to had been enormous in life, over four meters tall, and likely blood-related to mountain giants. Most probably, it was a mutated highland ogre.
Highland ogres often settled near mountain giants, and the two tribes were close.
Mountain giants weren't highly intelligent, and during mating season, they sometimes "mixed things up" and produced offspring with ogres. It did happen.
Quite possibly, the mutated ogre had inherited a fragment of the "Earth Pulse" element.
He couldn't help sighing: this Demonic Soul truly mimicked a mountain giant's soul astonishingly well— a genuine art of deception; even the most experienced soul appraiser might fall for it.
Reyn's thoughts raced. This had to be a scam!
He examined the ice sorcerer with the Eye of the Soul. Outwardly calm with a cold expression, but his soul's color betrayed his true emotions—he was extremely nervous.
"Does he want to deceitfully claim the Frost Flame Ring or just swindle money?"
Reyn first suspected the sorcerer was after the ring, but quickly realized otherwise.
Whoever the ice sorcerer was trying to fool, he'd have to pass the "Violet House"'s inspection. If Levinster failed to spot the fake and the deal went through—whether trade or cash sale—"Violet House" would face massive compensation after exposure, and the auction's reputation would be ruined.
"Highly likely he's targeting the auction itself."
"We can't let Levinster appraise it, or he'll take responsibility."
Reyn decided instantly. Glancing around, he didn't see Levinster—the man likely hadn't heard yet and was resting in a deal room.
He leaned to Viola's ear and whispered softly:
"Under no circumstances interfere until I return, and don't let Levinster appraise any Demonic Souls."
Viola felt a slight tickle at her ear but held back and gave a barely perceptible nod, signaling she understood.
Reyn slipped from the crowd. Everyone was engrossed in watching Phyllis haggle with the sorcerer; no one noticed his departure.
He quickly found Levinster in the deal room and said directly:
"Mr. Levinster, Lady Viola asked me to tell you not to leave this room under any circumstances, and especially not to appraise any Demonic Souls until she comes for you personally."
"Huh? Why?" White-haired Levinster looked utterly bewildered.
As he spoke, Reyn simultaneously examined Levinster's soul.
He suspected accomplices in this scam. The "Violet House" appraiser was key, and if Levinster was bribed, his soul would now show agitation.
Fortunately, it didn't.
Levinster's soul color remained unchanged, clearly indicating his ignorance.
Reyn didn't explain, merely emphasizing several times that it was Viola's will.
Levinster recognized Reyn and knew of his close ties to the mistress. As a good-natured old mage, the request didn't seem excessive, so he agreed.
After all, just sitting and resting in the deal room was no great loss.
Reyn returned to the hall and stood behind Viola. The ice sorcerer was still bargaining with Phyllis, and they hadn't agreed yet.
Phyllis clearly desperately wanted the mountain giant's Demonic Soul.
"Earth Pulse" belonged to unusual ability elements activatable by either spiritual power or physical stamina, without restrictions. Thus, it could be extracted, made into a magic seal, and integrated into a seal mage's soul.
Of course, "Earth Pulse" suited close-combat Superhumans best, but it was extraordinarily useful for mages too.
Reduced fatigue, rapid recovery, prolonged endurance, boosted strength and defense—all compensated for mages' melee weaknesses.
Not to mention the earth element affinity, heightened resistance, and amplified spell power—it was ideal for an elementalist.
If Phyllis integrated "Earth Pulse" into her soul, her power would more than double!
That was the might of Supremacy elements.
Phyllis was too hasty, too openly showing her desire. The ice sorcerer noticed and began inflating the price, demanding ever more gold shields atop the Frost Flame Ring.
First two thousand gold, then three, then it jumped to five thousand.
Phyllis wasn't a fool. No matter how much money she had, she wouldn't hand it over easily.
Thus they reached a deadlock.
Logically, mistress Viola should intervene, but heeding Reyn's warning, she too suspected foul play and merely observed.
She scrutinized the soul stone closely, but without holding it, saw nothing suspicious.
Viola turned and gave Reyn a look plainly asking: "What's wrong?"
Reyn didn't know how to explain either. After thinking, he barely audibly whispered:
"He's a blood sorcerer. Why not integrate this Demonic Soul himself?"
As a spellcasting sorcerer, "Earth Pulse" would suit him perfectly, becoming a supreme earth bloodline far more valuable than a supremely enchanted ring.
Even as an ice sorcerer, he could still acquire a second element, and a dual ice-earth bloodline was highly prized.
"Not enough blood?" Viola guessed.
Blood sorcerers' peculiarity was needing to consume the creature's blood alongside the Demonic Soul for full bloodline and abilities.
"Do you really think so?" Reyn didn't believe that reason at all. A Superhuman who killed a mountain giant and claimed its Demonic Soul wouldn't forget to collect some blood. It was basic.
Viola said no more. She already trusted Reyn's words.
"You've arranged it with Levinster, right?"
Receiving Reyn's confirmation, she subtly scanned the attendees, as if studying their slightest reactions.
Reyn secretly admired her: Viola was incredibly sharp. She'd already guessed this might be a scam against her and was covertly hunting the ice sorcerer's accomplices.
"Who is this sorcerer?" he quietly asked.
"Helinni," Viola whispered back. "Arrived from Modu a few months ago. Frequent guest here."
Modu, on the Empire's east coast, alongside capital Nortril, was one of the Empire's two largest cities and one of the world's most economically thriving, densely populated trade hubs.
Reyn nodded and said nothing more.
A newcomer to Longsand could vanish anytime after a successful scam. Suspicions against this sorcerer only grew.
He activated the Eye of the Soul and cautiously scanned the crowd, confirming no legendary mage watching the auction was present, then boldly sought his target.
Soul color revealed true emotions.
He first ruled out Phyllis.
This woman barely hid her thoughts: her soul blazed orange, indicating intense excitement and arousal—she desperately wanted the mountain giant's Demonic Soul.
If she were Hellenni's accomplice, he wouldn't have haggled so long and would've agreed long ago.
Reyn examined the others. Most guests' souls were calm, mostly green, signaling relaxed curiosity—they were just watching the show.
Only one stood out: his soul color shifted rapidly, emotions roiling.
"Galloweyna? Viola's uncle?"
Reyn was stunned. Galloweyna was also watching, occasionally whispering with friends, sipping red wine and smoking a cigar, exuding serenity.
Without the Eye of the Soul, no one would suspect Galloweyna's mood was a raging sea: his soul colors—green, orange, red, black—cycled kaleidoscopically, reflecting joy, anticipation, malice, disgust, tension—a whirlwind of conflicting feelings.
Moreover, Reyn noticed Galloweyna stealthily glancing at Viola.
Before he could warn her, Galloweyna couldn't hold back and approached her, smiling:
"Viola, why not help them close the deal? Such large sums don't come often."
"I want to wait until they agree first."
Viola subtly frowned. Reyn realized—she now suspected her own uncle.
"You can't miss such a chance; you must seize it," Galloweyna's tone grew serious, lecturing her from his superior position.
At that moment, Hellenni, as if receiving a signal, coldly said:
"Fine, I'll yield. Frost Flame Ring plus four thousand gold, and this Demonic Soul is yours."
Phyllis's face lit up, and she agreed instantly:
"Deal!"
Hellenni looked at Viola and said:
"Lady, please appraise this Demonic Soul. Kindly summon Mr. Levinster."
In Reyn's Eye of the Soul, Hellenni's and Galloweyna's soul colors shifted almost simultaneously to dark blue—they were both extremely tense.
This convinced him utterly: they were in cahoots.
Viola wanted to refuse Hellenni, but noticing Phyllis's displeasure, quickly devised a plan.
"Very well," she agreed, summoning a maidservant and quietly issuing instructions. The maidservant promptly left.
It appeared Viola had sent the maid for the soul appraiser.
But Reyn clearly heard she'd actually ordered the maid to tell Levinster to stay in the deal room and not emerge under any circumstances.
Having given the order, Viola approached Phyllis with a smile:
"Congratulations, Lady Phyllis, on acquiring the mountain giant's Demonic Soul! This shows trust in our auction and great support."
Hearing this, Reyn barely suppressed a laugh.
What congratulations—these were blatant provocation, meant to sting Phyllis.
Indeed, Phyllis's face darkened instantly, her anticipation of "Earth Pulse" joy evaporating.
She'd come to shine and cause a scene, not pay Viola money.
If the deal closed, she and Hellenni would owe commission—at least a thousand gold shields by conservative estimate!
Gazing at Viola's beaming smile, Phyllis wanted to hurl a fireball at that face she envied so bitterly.
Gritting her teeth, she finally snapped:
"No need for your appraisal; I'll handle it myself!"
Her words exploded like a bomb. The hall fell silent; many paled.
Reyn, covertly watching Galloweyna and Hellenni, saw their faces twist before they composed themselves.
If "Violet House" stayed uninvolved and unappraising, it bore no responsibility regardless of outcomes.
This clearly wasn't Galloweyna's plan.
Reyn was now absolutely certain: this scam targeted Viola specifically, with Galloweyna as the behind-the-scenes puppeteer.
"No!" Hellenni objected sharply, displeased. "Lady Phyllis, that's hardly fair. We're all Lady Viola's friends, and trading in her establishment means paying commission."
"Besides, you're no professional soul appraiser. Without appraisal, I won't sell…"
Phyllis cut him off:
"Who says I'm not a soul appraiser? I've seen more Demonic Souls than you've lived days!"
She suddenly extended her hand, and the soul stone flew from Hellenni's grasp. He flinched instinctively to catch it, but the stone, as if sentient, dodged, passing millimeters from his fingers.
"What masterful Telekinetic Hand!" some knowledgeable guests recognized the spell.
Phyllis triumphantly caught the soul stone, brought it to her face, and examined it intently.
"You…" Hellenni was furious and frustrated but dared not interfere with Phyllis's appraisal. It would look too suspicious, and if the Demonic Soul proved fake, he might lose his life here.
Galloweyna, in the crowd, fidgeted with impatience but couldn't intervene.
While they tensely awaited, Phyllis finished appraising and smiled satisfiedly:
"Indeed, 'Earth Pulse'!"
Then, before everyone's eyes, the soul stone vanished from her hand, replaced by four elegant gold banknotes.
"Spatial equipment!" someone exclaimed.
People gasped involuntarily: mages from the floating city Pallas were truly wealthy! Phyllis carried spatial gear—a rare, valuable item comparable to an epic artifact.
The four gold banknotes, enveloping the Frost Flame Ring, smoothly descended into stunned Hellenni's hands.
Phyllis smugly declared:
"These are Imperial Bank gold notes, each worth a thousand gold shields. Redeemable at any bank. Frost Flame Ring's yours too. Check it."
With that, she challengingly eyed Viola.
Viola feigned outrage but, maintaining dignity, said nothing.
Reyn decided to fan the flames. Stepping forward, he pointed at Phyllis and deliberately said loudly:
"Lady Phyllis, since you refuse commission, this deal has nothing to do with 'Violet House,' and we offer no guarantees."
"My deals are my business; it doesn't concern you!"
Having secured "Earth Pulse," saved over a thousand gold, and slighted Viola, Phyllis was ecstatic. Her behavior grew increasingly brazen; she abandoned basic decorum, openly showing disdain and blurting whatever came to mind.
Viola's face darkened further, though inwardly she rejoiced.
These were exactly the words from Phyllis she'd hoped for. If issues arose later, reminding her of this statement absolved "Violet House" of responsibility.
So many had heard; Phyllis couldn't deny it, nor use the incident to tarnish "Violet House"'s reputation.
"Reyn reacted so quickly, grasped my intent, and played along perfectly," Viola thought.
Had she provoked Phyllis herself, it would've seemed contrived, as if deliberately trapping her, inviting future suspicions of orchestrating the scam.
At that moment, eyeing handsome Reyn, Phyllis felt a sudden surge of burning jealousy.
She sneered contemptuously and spat:
"And who are you? A parasite living off others! Scram!"
The hall buzzed. Guests' gazes shifted between Reyn and Viola, faces sporting knowing smirks. Some eyed Reyn with open envy, others with undisguised hostility.
Viola offered no explanation, merely pointing to the door:
"You're not welcome here. Please leave the premises.
Phyllis snorted and, waving her hand, activated the stream of spiritual power. In a few seconds, a portal of Flickering Gates opened in front of her. She stepped into it and disappeared, leaving the stunned spectators exchanging glances.
In the crowd, Helinni, clutching the Ring of Frost Flame and gold banknotes in his hands, trembled. His face became deathly pale, and there was not a shadow of joy from the concluded deal.
Nearby, Galloweyna stood with a face distorted in anger, like a thundercloud.