Chapter 165
Chapter 165
{A/N : If you want to support me or read more chapters in advanced consider becoming a patreón: patreón.com/keetarp and if you want to join the discord server: https://discord.gg/5TjDmwUWuG}
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After the second day auction ended, Leylin, Azure Mountain King and Blood Duchess Emma met together as the Azure mountain king reprimanded them for their involvement but it’s just a cover up for his fake discontent against the Ouroboros clan as he would be teaming up with others on Leylin orders after the Ouroboros Clan become vulnerable.
Leylin involvement has so far taken both the Oakheart family and Demon Hunter Cyril out of the picture against the clan. In actuality, these two would have hold the most grudge except for Jupiter Lightning, Their insisting and active involvement was the main cause of distress for the Ouroboros clan but after Cyril death becomes apparent as time passes, his nefarious city would become a tasty piece of meat which would most definitely be ravaged without restrain.
Leylin wanted to not be involved with the clan matters he doesn’t want to expose his strength and acting like a weakling for no reason isn’t his style hence, he would just act as a victim who is corned unable to reach the headquarters, and since his relationship in the clan isn’t very good no one would save him after the elders leave.
Azure mountain king is Leylin agent as well as his chess piece to make a lot of things easy and more convenient. Leylin could focus on his experimentation and construction of his new magus tower.
After deciding to leave, Emma and Leylin also met as they exchanged pleasantries, Emma had no recollection of this mysterious masked person but the aura from Leylin body made her feel uncomfortable and restricted, this baffled her because this isn’t the case with even the first elder of the Ouroboros clan who is also the strongest!
At first she just had a hunch that she should show him face in the betting but now, she can see for herself that the gap between them is very high. This raised her guard and made her feel uncomfortable, appearance of such an individual isn’t a very comforting thing to know.
Emma had a suspicion that he is probably a Warlock, Leylin held every characteristics of being one. Although she hasn’t seen anyone quite like him before so she tried to probe unsuccessfully because Warlock have a good relationship courtesy of the Warlock Organization. Of course this is just a front as there are various teams and group distributed among them as well. After seeing how Leylin had no intention to reveal himself they just share greetings and set off, both of them left since, it wasn’t fair to others.
Leylin knew there isn’t anything much interesting to him so, he gave Lita huge amount of money to buy whatever she wanted and decided to return. Leylin also advised her to go to the barter later so, she can reap some treasure there as well.
Leylin lost all intrest in the auction as he genuinely wanted to reevaluate his strength and gain mastery over his power, he has to also experiment on his point mass and understand the boundaries of his sentient force.
Leylin can make use of his other bloodline to use different bloodline transformation, the reason why this isn’t a problem is because he has the A. I. Chip to gain absolute efficiency in them. Magi has been integrating different world power system among themselves to improve, innovate, upgrade, uplift and breakthrough since time immemorial so, Leylin used this logic but in his case he did the reverse since he wanted to camouflage his identify.
To Leylin this much accomplishment is just the beginning, he has barely scratched the tip of the iceberg. There is much he has planned and there is much more he wants to do.
Leylin always thought that he would feel comfortable and relaxed when he reaches morning star but he was wrong. As he has now tasted the mysteries of the world at the higher level, his hungry only flared.
For Leylin there are various task which are pending. There is also the treatment of Lancy, she is the person with most contribution among all of his slaves and he would not let her be wasted. Lancy has been suffering for a long time and Leylin doesn’t want her to receive this kind of treatment after her servitude towards him. Currently Leylin has some confidence into reinstating her previous conditions and even supplement her in her path.
Leylin creation, sustaintion and destruction power combined with the sentient force and Leylin could use it release the sentient energy outside. If he could wield this power there is endless possibilities to the things he could do.
Although he hasn’t tested the limits of his ability yet he still have some confidence in helping her.
..
The third day of the auction commenced with much flair. The lower ranked Magi had been suppressing their enthusiasm and saving their magic crystals to the best extent of their abilities, hence once the pressure was diffused they had exploded into action.
Every item was sold for a high price, so much so that Lita was quite surprised by the number of wealthy Magi that had emerged. She was in the VIP lounge as a representative of Leylin. No one knew her identify except for Azure Mountain King and he noticed how well Leylin take care of his people hence, he made some arrangements for her.
Among those who bid, some were in the VIP lounges, but there were others amongst the crowd. Lita herself wasn’t scared either, she has plenty of money and she could be considered as the one of top people with highest purchasing power.
Lita witnessed one of the Magi in the crowd buy a treasure for more than 100 million magic crystals nonchalantly. And the cause for this transaction was the ever-so-common jealousy of a love rival!
Lita learnt that this young kid was the direct descendant of a Morning Star Magus who possessed a lot of resources and influence. It was naturally for there to be a lot of magic crystals at his disposal.
However, he hadn’t dared to be arrogant in the face of the Morning Star Magi present before, and had hence only revealed himself now. No one is crazy like Lita and also someone who had a Morning star magus full support.
Lita also saw Vance, the patriarch of the Rolithe Family, who competed against her to buy a spell formation that was optimized to increase the chance of advancing to the Crystal Phase by 20%. Lita knew his intention and also knew she can track him with stardust bugs and extort him later so she didn’t bother to fight against him after his constant persistence.
Initially she wanted to bet higher and win but Vance was very persistent which angered her so she gave up and let him buy the necessary spell formation and at the same time, lots of other supplementary materials for the process.
Lita looked coldly at the party and decided to send Cold and Roderick later to retrieve the items later. Although this behavior is too overbearing, in front of benefit it doesn’t matter. Lita also knew how Leylin said previously they may have something useful so she was also a bit interested.
Leylin knew exactly what Vance had but he didn’t tell that to Lita, he let her make a decision herself. The thing is : For how long would he be able to make use of his information? he want capable people under his command and hence, he would usually leave these decision at their discretion.
The last great treasure up for auction was top-grade magic equipment— the Tri-Python Ring!
It was rumoured that the bodies and souls of three ancient cold pythons were extracted to cast this piece of magic equipment. Not only was its spatial storage boundless, it could even withstand three full attacks of a Morning Star Magus!
A full-power attack from an ancient Morning Star Maguse was known to be able to kill anything under that level. Such spells had the ability to blot out all light; they could crush mountains and destroy rivers!
To possess the ability to withstand up to three such attacks, this Tri-Python Ring was undoubtedly the most precious treasure up for auction this time.
Even Morning Star Magi would be envious of its ability. This piece of top-grade magic equipment would be a great advantage in a battle between Magi of the same rank. It could flip the heavens and the earth for its user’s sake.
Its value climbed up steadily upto the last bid of 900 million by Lita herself.
The competition was fierce but she achieved success, more importantly Azure Mountain King won’t let anyone make a scene so she wasn’t worried about her safety even after Leylin left.
In spite of the hiccups along the way, this Azure Mountain auction had concluded successfully. The emergence of the Tri-Python Ring had created strong waves that continuously spread, even to the surrounding areas.
Some lower ranked Magi began to leave the city, heading back home to continue with their own research or embarking on another journey. With the decreasing number of Magi, the city seemed to have regained some order. The original chaos had considerably eased up, and the situation became peaceful.
Lita and some other high ranked Magi, on the other hand, were waiting in silence.
To them, this auction was similar to an appetizer. The actual main course was yet to be presented.
On the surface, it looked like the Oakheart Clan had recalled their elite patrol. However, the actual fact was that the level of caution had increased threefold. It was only that the security concerns were now internal.
Everything was set up for the anonymous barter. The anonymity of the event meant that many Magi were now disposing of stolen goods. Hence, there were going to be many precious high-quality treasures offered for an attractively low price.
The Oakheart Clan would guarantee safety and confidentiality of both parties. On the other hand, they would not be held responsible for the consequences and disputes that would arise after a successful transaction.
In a room in a small hotel, Lita who was in the taking a bath quickly came out as a flower-shaped secret imprint emerged from her contact book, bringing with it the voice of the person assigned to her from the Oakheart clan. “Madam Raiz! The anonymous barter will take place tonight. As for the venue…”
When night fell, Lita changed her outward appearance once again. Following the directions she was given, she arrived with Cole and Roderick at a spot outside Azure Mountain City.
Unexpected incidences were not rare at such private events. Even under the watchful eyes of the Azure Mountain King, the Oakheart Clan did not dare to hold the event within the city, choosing an outside venue instead.
As such, even if anything were to happen, the damages would be reduced to a minimum.
‘Leylin told me to buy a certain items here as well.’ After her arrival, Lita noticed another Magus who had also just arrived a step ahead of her, walking towards an unremarkable cave.
“Welcome!” Two old men wearing the Oakheart Clan uniform emerged. Without any questions, they handed over a black mask.
The Magus nodded his head without replying, accepted the mask, and headed in.
Without the need for a number, command, or even an invitation card, as long as any Magus knew of this entrance, they would be granted access. In addition, they would be given items to help conceal their identities. It was this persistent and tight secrecy that allowed the anonymous barter to be successful for so long.
The entire location had been masked by a cover-up spell formation. With these matching face masks and their own identity concealment, even their genders were difficult to make out. Even Morning Star Magi could not see through these disguises.
“What a scheming family, with their stardust bug, nothing is hidden. If it weren’t for Leylin advice I wouldn’t have even known about this inspite of owning the A. I. Chip, I am not too flexible with usage and my experience is too shallow, there is much to learn.” Lita sighed, and stepped over to take the mask from the old man before proceeding to head inside. Cole and Roderick proceeded to follow her.
Both these old men were at the Crystal Phase, and yet were stationed to guard the entrance. The Oakheart Clan indeed had invested heavily into this event.
‘A.I. Chip! Mobilize the atomic microscope and begin scanning!’ Lita commanded in silence.
[Beginning Scanning! Microscope engaged… *Beep!* Abnormality detected!]
The reply from the A.I. Chip was swift. Lita noticed within her line of sight that on the black mask were innumerable ladybugs flooding the surface. These were the same creatures that she seen at the auction today, this caused repulsion and anger to stir inside her but she controlled herself.
‘I must not be hasty, Among all of Leylin people’s, I am the one with least contribution yet I get the most biggest awards. I must prove myself! I want to be special because of my ability and contribution not just because Leylin favour me more.’ Lita eyes turned firm and cold as she looked at the mask.
The numbers of bug far exceeded what she had seen previously. They were even cautiously entering her body.
‘So shameless!’
The spell formation enveloping the entire barter was genuine. The concealment runes on the mask were also genuine. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have by-passed the inspection of the many Magi. However, the Oakheart Clan had secretly planted these ladybugs all over the event area, including on all the masks.
They hadn’t dared to tamper with the spell formation for fear of being discovered by Morning Star Magi. However, with these ladybug spies, which were ten thousand times smaller than a speck of dust, everything that every Magus did, and all other matters regardless of import would ultimately be known by them.
Lita sighed, and a layer of fine black powder appeared on her hand. Originally Azure Mountain King would have offered her entry without this but since, leylin is already gone he has no interest in currying favours to mere ant, he would just casually order his subordinates to not annoy her once spotted.
Azure mountain king didn’t knew that Lita has some method to actually deal with the stardust bug. Let alone that he didn’t even knew if she knew about the stardust existence. Being Leylin staff they may be informed but it’s not for sure. To him trying to collect the material for Leylin is a huge headache so he cannot be bothered to think about small stuff.
As if drawn by some unknown attractive force, the ladybugs advanced in the direction of the powder, and soon lumped together into a ball.
‘A.I. Chip! Begin imitation of the organism’s energy signature, issuing misleading information!’
The A.I. Chip’s feedback was immediate.
[Mission received. Beginning…]
Lita made use of the A.I. Chip’s abilities to continuously scan and collate data about these bugs, learning all there was to know.
Knowing the tendencies of large organisations, if they’d rigged the auction to their advantage, there was no chance they wouldn’t do the same with the anonymous barter. In fact, the surveillance would even be much stricter.
After the powder took effect, Lita could see through the microscopes that the ladybugs had slowed to a languid crawl. Soon, they all moved back to the mask.
Lita was pleased and smiled. Walking in, she slid the mask on. At the same time, a mysterious current and fine undulations emitted from her body. Cole and Roderick repeated the process as they followed her closely.
At the huge barter event, in the centre of a hidden area.”Reporting to Grandfather! According to feedback from the stardust bugs, everything is working normally!” The present chief of Oakheart reported respectfully to a middle-aged Magus with blue hair.
“Hmm! There are rumors about some convicts from the north heading towards us here. They had stolen some local treasure with intentions to trade and dispose of their stash. Be alert and pay special attention! Also there is a trio of three, one woman and two men who may join so, keep the stardust bug inactive on them.” The blue haired Magus spoke indifferently, without the slightest degree of power and influence, yet it made the chief of Oakheart nod his head ceremoniously.
“I would be mindful, as for the others there is no need to worry, under the strict surveillance of the stardust bugs, nothing can stay hidden, regardless of the methods they use!” There was a reason for the chief’s confidence.
This species of stardust bug was a unique find from another plane. The Azure Mountain King had stumbled upon it during one of his interplanar experiments.
Thereafter, through intensive research, not only had he successfully tamed this organism, he had also given it the ability to work as a probe, becoming the secret trump card of the Oakheart Clan. In the entire clan, only the Azure Mountain King and the current elders knew of this.
Given their minuscule size, their energy undulations could not be detected without a special instrument. Thus, even Morning Star Magi couldn’t find out about them as they were spread everywhere undetected.
The knowledge that these presumptuous Morning Star Magi had the impression that their concealment skill was flawless, not knowing that everything was being exposed, made the chief smile heartily.
Of course, armed with such stardust bugs, he had even used them for his own benefits, to peek into the naked body of female Magi and even kept the images. However, he was careful not to reveal such details for risk of angering the other Morning Star Magi, and having them turn on the Oakheart Clan and razing the entire clan to the ground.