Chapter 456: Beyond the Finale

Chapter 456: Beyond the Finale

“What is that thing?” Augusta, who had not been very interested in the items at the auction, narrowed his eyes slightly as he saw a new auction item appear after his Dragon Scale. It was a mass of something with chaotic, intertwining lines, looking like a… well, a ball of yarn?

A weird ball of yarn. This thing was a special item after the finale, not really part of the auction, but if someone could produce something of equivalent value, they could take it away.

“Another form of a Space Fragment.” Irene pondered for a moment before saying, “I’m afraid no one can afford this thing.”

“Huh?” Zheng Yichen was even more confused. Space Fragments themselves were extremely rare. Apart from using a World Barrier Fragment like the one he possessed, there were hardly any other methods to preserve them. Yet, that black ball of yarn was simply contained in a transparent container of unclear material without damaging the carrier.

“It’s something more stable than a Space Fragment. However, because it’s too stable, it’s difficult to directly utilize and transform it into a Personal Space like a Space Fragment. Of course, due to this same stability, even though this thing can remain indefinitely without disappearing, it’s impossible to explore the space inside…”

“Then what’s the use of this thing?”

“Creating space-type artifacts. A piece this large could probably make about ten large Storage Artifacts. Don’t overthink it. Its stability comes from its inherent material properties, which allows it to be this way. Therefore, if cut too finely during processing, this material—rarer than Space Fragments—would just crumble. Ten portions is its limit.”

Zheng Yichen nodded. Irene had explained it so clearly; how could he not understand? The implication here was pretty much: just look at it, taking it away is impossible.

After people who understood realized the item’s effect, the auction’s finale item immediately became rather dull in comparison. The finale item was the quite rare Water of Life. Dragon Scales were good, but they couldn’t increase lifespan, while the Water of Life genuinely could extend life, with no side effects and many benefits.

Comparing the value of the two was obvious. Was it better to make a powerful piece of equipment from the Dragon Scale to pass down, or to live a long life oneself? Was there even a comparison? The vast majority would choose the latter. Even among the minority, some might think, why not both live long and have long-lasting equipment?

“Hiss~ This thing… I think I’ve heard Mother mention it…” While Irene was explaining to Zheng Yichen, Augusta also realized what this thing actually was. He couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. His gaze towards that ball of yarn grew intense, the greed evident even through the Alchemical Puppet he was using. But after struggling with himself for a while, he pursed his lips slightly and snapped out of his lapse. He already had a high-capacity Storage Artifact; there was no need to court death over this item.

The Purple Vine Guild dared to bring out such a treasure here, surely with complete preparations. Just as he was grumbling to himself, a black shadow quietly moved towards the auction stage. The shadow moved extremely fast, almost like teleporting, reaching the stage in the blink of an eye. Just as some people were about to gasp in surprise, the shadow froze… no, not froze, but its entire speed slowed to an extreme limit, only able to move its eyes helplessly.

“This…” Oss saw this scene and involuntarily activated his fourth-stage Kaleidoscope vision. Since setting his career development goal, whenever he encountered special situations, he would instantly activate his Kaleidoscope state to observe. For no other reason than to first look at and memorize any special energy flows he could detect!

This time, he saw an extremely peculiar situation. The shadowy figure was enveloped by a rapidly flowing ‘stream’ of ‘water’. The color of this ‘water’ was almost completely transparent, with very distinct lines. Water Magic? This Magic, which could almost completely halt an Infiltrator capable of evading most people present, was extraordinarily powerful.

Looking at his almost non-existent movement, Oss thought of his own awkward state when his eyes were at the third stage—also almost completely immobile… though once he started moving, to outsiders his speed appeared extremely fast, at the cost of severe bodily damage.

Furthermore, Oss saw other pre-set Magic traces. This shadowy Infiltrator had only triggered the outermost one, but with just that one, even a few more of him couldn’t break through. However, the fact that this Infiltrator seemed to ignore his surroundings and act almost irrationally already showed the importance of that item on the auction stage. That thing was definitely not just any ordinary valuable!

Oss didn’t know what that thing was, and he didn’t want to know now. He worried that if he knew, he might also be unable to suppress greedy thoughts. Before anyone else could act, several more figures quickly sprang into action. It was unclear where these people had been hiding before.

But the fates of those who acted later were worse. One triggered an extremely dangerous spell. A flash of red light, and under the attack of powerful Fire Element, the target’s body didn’t even burn—it turned directly to ashes. Another was sliced in half by rapidly flashing wind blades. The remaining three were caught in a chain lightning strike, all taken out at once. The initial Infiltrator, though immobile, clearly saw the fates of those who probably had the same idea as him.

He decisively gave up any thought of continuing to struggle or resist. Being caught was one thing; losing his life was the real important matter. He had indeed been too overconfident and inflated. How could the Purple Vine Guild not have corresponding countermeasures? Some anti-magic items he carried didn’t work at all upon contact with this spell, directly deactivated. Clearly, there was something even more formidable here at the auction.

With the miserable demonstrations from those few who tried to snatch it by force, people with ideas in their hearts completely extinguished those inappropriate thoughts. Better to just watch honestly. Those few were dealt with so easily; who knew what other defensive Magic specifically for sudden attacks existed in this seemingly luxurious auction hall?

As for buying… After the people present understood the item’s value, they decisively gave up unrealistic ideas. As for trying to bid and get a bargain, the Purple Vine Guild had clearly stated this wasn’t an auction item but a special prop beyond the finale.

From the meaning in the person in charge’s words, if someone produced a suitable equivalent item, they indeed could take it. This was mainly because the Purple Vine Guild lacked the ability to process this thing. Without processing and refining, it was just an ordinary ‘stone crystal’; no matter how vast the space inside, it couldn’t be used. This made many people think again. The Purple Vine Guild actually couldn’t handle this item? So, if they could find someone capable, did that mean their side could get a share from the Purple Vine Guild?

This thing could only be divided into ten portions at most. Unlike Space Fragments, which, if one didn’t consider storage size, could be divided into dozens, though the internal space would be damaged to less than one-tenth or even one-hundredth of the original!

This special space crystal was different. Even after cutting and processing, the loss rate of the internal storage space wouldn’t exceed ten percent. Of course, the space inside this thing also couldn’t be as universally large as that inside Space Fragments!

On one hand, showing their own foundation, on the other, trying to attract talents capable of handling this item—this was likely the Purple Vine Guild’s plan.

Understanding this, some people’s minds cooled down. Before processing, even though its value was great, it wouldn’t be easy to offload… Snatching it didn’t mean you could exchange it for vast wealth based on it. First, getting past the Purple Vine Guild would be very difficult, not to mention other forces watching this thing. Holding it would only invite disaster!

At this moment, Irene waved at a female attendant nearby and whispered something in her ear. The attendant appropriately showed a bit of surprise, then hurriedly left. This made many people look at Irene with some added thoughtfulness. She must have said something very important to that attendant. The smart ones realized her reaction at this moment must be related to the space crystal on the auction stage.

Irene was a powerful Spellcaster. She had appeared in Kaja not long ago… specifically around the time the Undying Witch caused trouble. She was probably a strong individual alerted by that. After the Undying Witch incident was resolved, she stayed in Kaja, not continuing to ‘seclude’ herself. Many had tried to recruit Irene, but all failed.

As for using other means… How could Irene, who could easily impress most Spellcasters, be dealt with by petty tricks? It might backfire. Her name?

Oh, it’s Lorelei…

In any case, in the understanding of the various forces in Kaja, she was a very powerful Spellcaster. At least, the powerful Spellcasters belonging to their respective factions, after interacting with her, had expressed things like ‘can’t compare, can’t compare’. For Spellcasters who had reached their level and were confident in their own strength, this was simply unbelievable, yet it happened.

“What the heck?” The Red Dragon Augusta widened his eyes looking at Irene. Although her voice had been low just now, he had tried to listen. He didn’t catch everything, but he heard some of it: that Space Crystal—she could handle it!

Under Irene’s silent gaze, Augusta awkwardly held back the words that almost burst out. His dragon instinct told him not to offend this woman. Tsk! Humans… Occasionally, monsters would appear that even other powerful beings feared…