Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
The Core Formation man's face had gone pale.
"…you're insane," he muttered.
Even the woman's calm expression cracked slightly, her brows tightening as she stared at the stage.
But the old man—
The Nascent Soul cultivator—
Didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He simply looked at the ring.
Then… at the empty throne.
"…interesting," he said quietly.
---
Ren Kairo watched from the shadows, his expression unreadable.
Now comes the decision.
Fear…
Or desire.
---
"Two hundred thousand spirit stones," the old man repeated slowly.
"And my right arm…"
He lifted his sleeve slightly, revealing a steady, unshaking hand.
"…in exchange for that ring."
The other two sucked in a breath.
"You can't be serious!" the Core Formation man snapped. "That's your cultivation arm—your meridians—your—"
"I am aware," the old man said calmly.
His gaze never left the ring.
---
Ren leaned forward slightly.
He understands.
That was the difference.
The weak saw the price.
The strong saw the value.
---
"Very well," Ren said.
"Your bid… is accepted."
---
The moment the words fell—
The market reacted.
Dark symbols ignited across the floor.
The air twisted.
And before anyone could react—
A blade of pure shadow appeared.
---
The Core Formation man stumbled back.
"What the hell—?!"
---
The blade moved instantly.
Clean.
Silent.
The old man's right arm fell.
---
No blood spilled.
Only a faint wisp of spiritual energy drifted from the severed limb—like something had already claimed it.
The arm dissolved before it hit the ground.
Gone.
---
A small ripple passed through the hall.
Satisfied.
---
The old man didn't scream.
Didn't flinch.
His breathing remained steady, though his face had grown slightly pale.
---
Then—
The ring vanished from the stage.
And appeared in his remaining hand.
---
The transaction was complete.
---
[Transaction Successful]
[Value Absorbed]
[Market Energy Increased]
[Host Cultivation Advancing…]
---
Ren's body trembled.
A surge of energy flooded through him—violent, overwhelming, raw.
His meridians burned as something foreign forced its way inside.
Qi.
Pure.
Dense.
Far beyond anything he had ever touched.
---
"—!"
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay silent.
Not a single sound escaped him.
Not in front of them.
---
Below—
The Core Formation man stared in horror.
"…you really did it…"
The woman's gaze had changed completely now.
Gone was the calm curiosity.
In its place—
Caution.
Respect.
Fear.
---
The old man closed his fingers around the ring.
For a brief moment—
A dark pulse ran through his body.
His aura… shifted.
Deeper.
Hungrier.
---
"…worth it," he said quietly.
---
Ren exhaled slowly, steadying himself as the surge of power settled.
So this is how it works…
Every transaction—
Every exchange of value—
Made him stronger.
---
He lifted his gaze again.
Calm.
In control.
As if nothing had happened.
---
"The first item has been sold," he said.
"Do you wish to continue?"
---
Neither of them answered immediately.
Because now—
They understood something terrifying.
---
This place wasn't just a market.
It was a system of laws.
A place where value was absolute.
And once you agreed—
There was no escape.
---
"…what else do you have?" the woman finally asked.
Her voice was quieter now.
Careful.
---
Ren smiled faintly.
Hooked.
---
Without a word—
The stage shifted again.
Another item appeared.
---
A vial.
Filled with dark crimson liquid.
It pulsed slowly… like a heartbeat.
---
"Blood Essence of a Fallen Beast King."
---
The Core Formation man's eyes widened.
"…that's impossible."
---
Ren's voice echoed softly.
"Enhances physical strength. Accelerates body cultivation."
He paused.
Then added—
"…risk of losing control."
---
The woman stepped forward this time.
"How much?"
---
Ren leaned back.
Watching.
Calculating.
---
"The price," he said,
"depends on how much you are willing to lose."
---
The hall fell silent once more.
---
And in that silence—
Something shifted.
---
Not in the market.
But in them.
---
Because now—
They weren't just guests.
They were participants.
Addicted.
Curious.
Tempted.
---
And Ren Kairo—
Sat above it all.
Watching.
Learning.
Growing stronger with every choice they made.
---
Far above the city—
Storm clouds began to gather.
Unseen.
Unnoticed.
---
Because something had changed tonight.
Something dangerous had awakened.
---
And it wasn't just the market.
---
It was the one who ruled it.