Chapter 285: Buying Spree

Chapter 285: Buying Spree

Humans possess many possibilities, yet they are fragile. Even a tiny bit of ‘stimulating’ power could hurt them. The gentlest elemental power, if touched by an ordinary person, would feel like scalding hot water—even though this power was the easiest to grasp…

Likewise, because these were expendable magic potions and not extremely rare ones, since twenty bottles were brought out at once… plus the accompanying Paralysis Potions, that made forty bottles. This implied that while the effect of these potions was special, they weren’t one-of-a-kind. There was a production method. It’s safe to say if the formula were auctioned, it could fetch over a thousand times its value!

Of course, even so, the Fixation Potions still sparked fierce competition. With the Sanctuary Church’s credibility guarantee, there wasn’t much to doubt. Even if people guessed these would appear again later, no one knew exactly when that would happen. Getting them early meant gaining an advantage.

Especially for those preparing to do certain things.

However, what shocked many people was that the Sanctuary Church itself joined the bidding. The outcome went without saying—the Sanctuary Church won the bid. Zheng Yichen didn’t see any problem with that. Who cares who buys it? As long as they pay! Cracking the formula? If magic potions were that easy to crack, what would be the point of formulas?

Though the Sanctuary Church’s intervention annoyed many, they competed fairly, without any dirty tricks. Dissatisfied as they were, people could only swallow it.

“Hm? What’s that? A bone?” Zheng Yichen narrowed his eyes slightly at the section of bone on the auction stage. It was rather thick, somewhat resembling a thigh bone, but much thicker. And being just one section, it was hard to tell what kind of creature it came from.

This was the grand finale item!

Something featured in the final slot surely held extraordinary significance, even if it seemed like a joke. The provider’s identity was kept secret, possibly just some lucky finder.

“Hm~ Such a strange thing.” Dan Marina’s eyes flashed with faint ripples, quickly overlain by a layer of murky gray. Pinpricks of starlight flickered faintly within this murkiness, exceptionally bright. Soon, the gray vanished from her eyes. Dan Marina smiled at a young girl watching her from afar.

If she didn’t use her ability, it would be fine. But here, if she used it, certain people were bound to notice. That Sanctuary Church member definitely wouldn’t miss it. Of course, it had been quite some time since she escaped Sanctuary Church control. They wouldn’t just immediately attack her upon seeing her here now.

At least not without absolute confidence. Deya stared at the smiling Dan Marina, her expression sour. She came here initially for one thing, but subsequent events had her lingering in Kaja.

Especially after learning Dan Marina seemed to be living in Kaja, Deya stationed herself there. That woman’s trail was extremely hard to pick up. Just knowing she was here didn’t mean she could be caught. Sanctuary Church couldn’t just lock all resources onto her either. So, since Dan Marina sought relative ‘peace’, the Church let their Saintess stationed nearby stay in Kaja.

If trouble broke out elsewhere needing a Saintess, a Transfer Magic Array would suffice. Distance wasn’t much of an issue.

Staring at Dan Marina for a while and seeing the woman continue brazenly ignoring her gaze, Deya couldn’t help but look at the young man beside her. She felt a slight surprise. This was the young man she had seen not long ago. He was actually here too, right next to Dan Marina. Coincidence? Obviously not!

That meant… he must be special in some way… Deya decided to seize a chance to approach him after the auction.

“What’s so strange about it?”

“I’m having trouble Tracing its origin, though touching it might yield some clues.” Dan Marina gave this answer but offered nothing more.

“Oy, woman, you aren’t planning a robbery later, are you?” Zheng Yichen couldn’t help asking.

Dan Marina rolled her eyes. “Do I look that sort!?”

“You’d probably do worse.”

“Is it so wrong to just sit at home waiting for it to drop at my feet?”

“That’s not over-the-top?!”

“Depends who buys it,” Dan Marina shrugged dismissively. “Sanctuary Church has a high chance of being the one.”

As Dan Marina predicted, the strange bone was indeed contested, though its exact origin and effects remained vague. But because it came from the Forbidden Zone, and appraisals confirmed some magical properties (though due to time constraints its full effect wasn’t pinpointed), this was established: any power channeled through the bone would be stabilized—even conflicting forces.

Not fused per se, but capable of close contact like half-fire, half-water.

These tentative findings were enough to place it last. Few were willing to gamble beyond its perceived worth. Thus, what looked like fierce competition actually saw very slow price escalation.

Naturally, if its full power were confirmed and was truly impressive, things wouldn’t be this lukewarm. Sole properties like conducting all energy and preventing conflicting energy explosions? Great value to researchers perhaps, but limited elsewhere. Conduct all energy?

Sounds amazing, but how many truly need it? Conducting Mana is plenty for most! Why complicate with multi-energy? How many keep multiple conflicting energies inside themselves?

Not only would they interfere, they’d drain focus. And it’s bone—not particularly tough or special material. Hardly suitable for crafting much; adding it as an ingredient risks compromising strength.

“Conducts all energy, neutralizes energy clashes… Tsk, shame it’s not conversion,” Zheng Yichen clicked his tongue regretfully. Conversion would’ve multiplied its worth tenfold. Simple conduction didn’t impress him much, even for Alchemical Puppets. As for neutralizing… literally just keeps contact from exploding; fusion impossible.

Energy conduction an issue? Hardly—add one or two conducting pipes! Neutralizing? More redundant—Zheng Yichen’s own abilities suffice for some level.

“Sounding so lukewarm… I’ll join in,” Dan Marina startled Zheng Yichen by bidding. Her entry unexpectedly heated up the slow bidding war.

Dan Marina seemed to stir trouble. Yet one or two seemed genuinely interested, including Sanctuary Church. This time, the Church faced a rival. Zheng Yichen listened to the jaw-dropping bids—Dan Marina wasn’t just rich; she was extraordinarily rich!

“Money’s no big deal,” Dan Marina waved airily. “Just locate treasure from an Ancient Era kingdom’s buried stash occasionally.” Zheng Yichen’s lip twitched. If those ancient kings knew from their underworld… they’d be pretty pissed off.

Prices rocketed up until passing a key hurdle eliminated most competitors. Some quit upon identifying primary bidders. Dan Marina’s name entered the fray? Her bidding for an item basically said, “Folks, save me this face?”

Refuse? No problem! But if you can’t defy her and incur her attention? Prepare for bad luck. Fact was, few here dared cross her. Face—give or not?

Sanctuary Church wouldn’t yield face. But Dan Marina’s reckless spending spree pressured Kaja’s branch—limited funds came from HQ for this auction, not unlimited!

“Hey, do you have that much cash?”

“Plenty. Mainly, its true value is unknown. Five minutes ago, the price hit most gamblers’ limits. Now vastly exceeded. If its value is justified? Even so, recouping investment would be hard, taking ages unless super unique.”

“So why bid it higher?”

Dan Marina blinked, then chuckled. “I’m buying it for you, silly.”

“…” Despite using an alchemical avatar, Zheng Yichen felt his (distant main body’s) face spasm uncontrollably.

“Stop fooling…”

“Heh, I’m serious.”

“I can’t repay you.” Zheng Yichen stared, stunned, then spoke helplessly.

“No rush. Pay slowly. I’ll wait. Leave this to me,” Dan Marina murmured with a low laugh. Under her financial assault—ultimately she snagged the Forbidden Zone bone. “Not bad. Far below expectations.”

As she spoke, she shot a glance at Saintess Deya looking over again. Her extravagant bidding clearly drew extra Church attention. Fine—let them notice! She wouldn’t have bothered without sensing something unusual.

Zheng Yichen also glanced at her. What? Sad because you spent too little?

Although the finale disappointed some, many found great gains at this Auction. Of course, others felt sour—Sanctuary Church winning all those Fixation Potions, for instance!

Zheng Yichen decided: advertise the Fixation Potions in three days. While Sanctuary Church benefited the world, due to personal stance, it offered Zheng Yichen no direct benefit. Toppling them? Impossible. Mild annoyance? Very possible.

After the Auction —

“…” Qin watched the two seated women at a Booth Area, her face darkening. If hidden action weren’t key, she’d have kicked them out by force!

Why discuss things here?! Must it always be here?!

Dan Marina and Deya faced each other. The former smiled lightly; the latter demanded: “You shouldn’t have intervened.”

“What’s wrong with buying peace of mind?” Dan Marina tilted her head dismissively. “You want to lure that Sorceress out with this? Why should I let you? She’s an esteemed elder among our kind! Deep respect!”

Deya frowned slightly. No surprise Dan Marina noted Church movements. Key was—living in Kaja; rumors of another Sorceress nearby? She knew ages ago. But this woman long escaped Church control. Frustrating? Yes. Unbound, Dan Marina did as she pleased.

“…Fine. Even free, best not go too far.” Deya conceded. A specific item only might lure that Sorceress—low odds from the start. Dan Marina’s meddling? She won it openly. Nothing to fault.

“I follow the rules,” Dan Marina smiled. Securing Deya’s half-agreement meant little post-bone worries. If she acted, no traceable flaws remained. Had the finale lacked deeper purpose? She’d find subtler routes. Brutal bidding sufficed.

“You do,” Deya stood, shaking her head. Dan Marina did keep rules—while controlled, after escape alike. Kept rules? Yes. But loved toeing lines to rouse trouble; loved yanking those just inside across the line with a swift kick!

“But back to Sorceresses… that young man? What are you doing?”

“Oh? You like him?” Dan Marina examined Deya with theatrical surprise. “Want me to set you up?”

“I’ll handle it myself.” Deya shook her head. Curiosity stemmed simply from how long Dan Marina stayed near Zheng Yichen. Her style saw most ‘playthings’ discarded after days. Yet him? About a month. Something hidden? Especially valuable if he mattered to this particular Sorceress…