The crimson vial hovered above the stage, pulsing like a living heart.
Each beat echoed faintly through the hall.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
---
The Core Formation man swallowed hard.
"…a Beast King's blood essence…"
His eyes burned with desire.
For body cultivators, this was no ordinary treasure.
It was a shortcut.
A dangerous one.
---
The woman didn't move immediately this time.
Her gaze remained steady, locked onto the vial—but her mind was clearly working.
Calculating.
Risk… reward… cost…
---
Ren Kairo observed everything.
Every breath.
Every hesitation.
Every flicker of greed.
They're learning, he thought.
And that made things more interesting.
---
"Begin," Ren said softly.
---
"…thirty thousand," the Core Formation man said quickly.
His voice was tight, controlled—but his urgency betrayed him.
---
The woman didn't even glance at him.
"Eighty thousand."
---
The Core Formation man clenched his fists.
"—one hundred thousand!"
---
Silence.
The woman's lips curved slightly.
But she didn't raise the bid.
---
Ren noticed.
She's holding back.
Not because she lacked resources—
But because she didn't fully trust the item.
Or the market.
---
Good.
That meant he could push further.
---
"The value of this item," Ren said calmly,
"is not limited to physical strength."
Both of them looked up.
---
"It contains the will of a Beast King."
A pause.
Then—
"Those who withstand it…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"…may inherit something greater."
---
The Core Formation man's eyes widened.
"Inherit…?"
---
The woman's expression sharpened.
"…you're saying there's a chance at a bloodline awakening."
---
Ren didn't confirm.
Didn't deny.
He simply remained silent.
---
And that silence—
Was answer enough.
---
"One hundred fifty thousand," the woman said immediately.
---
The Core Formation man hesitated.
This was no longer just a gamble.
This was a risk of losing control… or gaining something extraordinary.
---
"…one hundred eighty thousand!" he forced out.
---
Again—
Silence.
---
Then—
A new voice spoke.
---
"…three hundred thousand."
---
All three froze.
---
Another ripple tore through the hall.
Heavier than before.
Colder.
---
A fourth figure stepped in.
---
Tall.
Thin.
Wrapped in dark robes that seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
His face was hidden.
But his presence—
Was suffocating.
---
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
[Warning: Uninvited Presence Detected]
---
Uninvited?
---
The system flickered briefly.
[Intrusion Attempt Detected…]
[Override Failed…]
[Entity Forced Entry]
---
Ren's expression didn't change.
But inside—
His thoughts sharpened instantly.
Someone broke in.
---
Below—
The Nascent Soul elder frowned.
"…you weren't invited."
---
The newcomer chuckled softly.
"I don't need invitations."
---
The Core Formation man stepped back instinctively.
Even the woman's posture shifted—ready.
---
Ren leaned forward slightly in the shadows.
Dangerous.
This one… wasn't like the others.
---
"Three hundred thousand," the newcomer repeated calmly.
"And…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…a living Nascent Soul."
---
The entire hall went still.
---
The old man's aura flared.
"You dare—"
---
But before he could move—
The pressure returned.
Heavier.
Deeper.
---
[Market Authority Enforced]
---
Everyone froze.
Even the newcomer.
---
"This is my market."
Ren's voice echoed.
Calm.
Cold.
Absolute.
---
The air itself seemed to listen.
---
"No one offers what is not theirs."
---
A long silence followed.
---
Then—
The newcomer laughed.
Low.
Amused.
"…so the owner finally speaks."
---
Ren didn't respond.
---
The man raised his hands slightly.
"Very well."
A pause.
Then—
"Three hundred thousand spirit stones."
---
The tension didn't fade.
But it stabilized.
---
Ren watched carefully.
He tested the rules.
And now—
He understood them.
---
Good.
---
"The bid stands," Ren said.
"Three hundred thousand."
---
Neither the woman nor the Core Formation man spoke.
Not anymore.
---
Because now—
This wasn't their level.
---
The vial pulsed once more.
---
"Sold," Ren said.
---
The crimson essence vanished—
And appeared before the newcomer.
---
For a brief moment—
Nothing happened.
---
Then—
The man grabbed it.
And drank.
---
The reaction was immediate.
---
His body trembled violently.
A low, inhuman growl escaped his throat.
Dark veins spread across his neck.
His aura surged—
Then twisted.
---
"—HAHAHA—!"
His laughter echoed, distorted.
Wild.
Unstable.
---
The woman stepped back.
"…he's losing control."
---
The Core Formation man turned pale.
---
Even the Nascent Soul elder frowned deeply.
---
But Ren—
Watched silently.
---
Because this…
Was part of the market.
---
The man's body convulsed once more—
Then—
Suddenly—
It stopped.
---
Silence.
---
Slowly…
He straightened.
---
His aura had changed.
Sharper.
Heavier.
More… savage.
---
"…worth it," he whispered.
---
Ren's eyes flickered slightly.
He survived.
---
[Transaction Successful]
[Market Energy Increased]
[New Trait Observed: Beast Resonance]
---
Another surge of power flowed into Ren.
Stronger than before.
Faster.
More violent.
---
His cultivation—
Rose again.
---
Below—
No one spoke.
---
Because now—
They understood something even more terrifying.
---
Not every item killed you.
Not every risk failed.
---
Sometimes—
It made you stronger.
---
And that made the market…
Even more addictive.
---
Ren Kairo leaned back into the shadows.
A faint smile forming once more.
---
"Next item," he said softly.
---
And this time—
No one hesitated.
---
Because they all knew—
They wouldn't be leaving empty-handed.
---
No matter the cost.