The Azure City Grand Auction House was a masterpiece of spiritual architecture, a shimmering dome of obsidian and dragon-glass that could hold five thousand people. Tonight, the air around it was thick with the scent of wealth and the low, primal growls of high-star beasts.
Every major power had arrived. The Blue-Dragon Tamer Union, the Hidden Petal Sect, and even a representative from the Imperial Capital sat in the gilded VIP boxes. In the center of the room, looking haggard but wearing a mask of forced arrogance, sat Zhao Kun. Around him, hidden in the shadows of his entourage, were men with hollow eyes and rhythmic, unnerving breathing—the mercenaries of the Calamity Cult.
When the lights dimmed, a single spotlight hit the stage. Lin Yue stepped out, dressed in a gown of shimmering lunar-silk that seemed to capture the light of the stars. She looked like a goddess of the moon, her presence alone silencing the murmurs of the crowd.
"Welcome," she said, her voice amplified by a wind-attribute array. "Tonight, the Lin Family—now the Sovereign Sect—offers not just a product, but a new horizon for all Beast Tamers. We present: The Lunar-Silk Elixir."
The first vial was brought out. Even from the back of the hall, the Tamers could feel the vibrant life-force radiating from the glass.
"The bidding starts at 100,000 credits," Lin Yue announced.
"200,000!" shouted a clan leader from the front row.
"500,000!"
"One million!"
The price skyrocketed in seconds. Zhao Kun's face turned a sickly shade of grey. He signaled to one of the cloaked men beside him.
The Plague Unleashed
Suddenly, a muffled thud echoed from the ventilation shafts. A thick, crimson mist began to pour into the hall.
"What is that?" someone screamed.
"My beast! It's going berserk!"
The Crimson Mist was the Rage-Plague. Within seconds, several low-star beasts in the audience turned on their masters, their eyes glowing with a murderous, bloody light. The hall descended into chaos. The Royal Representative stood up, his hand on his sword, as his own Golden Griffin began to shriek in agony, struggling against the madness.
Zhao Kun stood up, pointing a trembling finger at the stage. "It's the Elixir! The Lin family's medicine is a curse! It's poisoning the air!"
But Lin Xuan didn't move. He sat in the Sovereign Sect's box, leaning back with a cold, bored expression.
"Xiao Yue," he whispered. "Show them the difference between a corporation and a Sovereign."
The Moon-Glow Larva on his shoulder stood up. It didn't release a mist; it released a song. A high-frequency spiritual vibration rippled out from the larva, visible as silver rings of light.
[Skill Activated: Lunar Requiem — Purity Field.]
As the silver rings passed through the red mist, the crimson vapor didn't just dissipate—it was vaporized. The berserk beasts froze, the madness drained from their eyes instantly. The Golden Griffin let out a peaceful coo, its fur returning to its regal shine.
The hall went silent. The "plague" that was supposed to last for days had been cured in three seconds.
The Shadow's Verdict
"Manager Zhao," Lin Xuan's voice carried through the silent hall, cold and sharp as a guillotine. "You seem surprised that your 'mercenaries' failed."
Lin Xuan stood up and walked to the edge of the VIP box. On his left shoulder, the Abyssal Shadow-Slayer flickered, its obsidian wings humming.
"I have something else for the auction tonight," Lin Xuan said, snapping his fingers.
High above the stage, the massive dragon-glass screens flickered to life. They didn't show beasts; they showed documents. Ledgers, recorded conversations, and bank transfers linking the Iron-Claw Corporation directly to the Calamity Cult.
The crowd gasped. The Royal Representative's face turned thunderous. Supporting the Calamity Cult was high treason, punishable by the extermination of the entire clan.
"No! That's a forgery!" Zhao Kun screamed, backing away toward the exit. "Guards! Kill him! Kill them all!"
The mercenaries moved, pulling jagged, bone-crafted daggers from their robes. But before they could take a single step, the shadows beneath their feet rose up like spears.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Assassination — Multi-Target.]
The Abyssal Shadow-Slayer vanished from Lin Xuan's shoulder. In a heartbeat, six mercenaries fell to the floor, their spiritual seas shattered before they even knew they were being attacked. The ant reappeared on Zhao Kun's chest, its obsidian mandibles resting right against his windpipe.
Zhao Kun froze, his breath hitching. He looked up into the VIP box, meeting Lin Xuan's violet eyes.
"The auction is over, Zhao Kun," Lin Xuan said, his voice echoing with absolute finality. "And so is the Iron-Claw Corporation. From this moment forward, Azure City belongs to the Sovereign."
The Royal Representative stepped forward, bowing deeply toward Lin Xuan. "Master Lin, the Empire thanks you for exposing this rot. The Iron-Claw assets are hereby frozen... and transferred to the Sovereign Sect as a reward for your service."
The Night of the New King
Later that night, the Lin Manor was quiet, though the city outside was in an uproar. The three sisters found Lin Xuan in the garden, standing under the full moon.
Lin Feng walked up to him, her leather armor scuffed from rounding up the remaining Iron-Claw lackeys. She didn't say a word; she simply grabbed his collar and kissed him, a fierce, hungry kiss that tasted of victory. "You did it, you crazy bastard," she whispered against his lips.
Lin Yue and Lin Chen joined them, the four of them standing together in the moonlight. The family business was gone; in its place was an empire.
"What's next, Sovereign?" Lin Chen asked, her eyes shining with adoration.
Lin Xuan looked at the Moon-Glow Larva and the Abyssal Shadow-Slayer. He could feel the system buzzing, ready to unlock the Path of the 500 Forbidden Beasts.
"Azure City was just the laboratory," Lin Xuan said, his gaze fixed on the horizon toward the Imperial Capital. "Now, we take the rest of the world."