A five minute recess had been gifted to the auction guests, each of whom would spend the break engraving the fact they shouldn’t mess around in the auction within their hearts and mind.

‘So, that’s how strong the Auction House is,’ Mika thought. Even the Patriarch of a great family could only be a boy before the Auction Elder, who so openly aggravated the Tiger Fist family. ‘It was one thing to mess around with a Patriarch, but to openly call for the Great Elder of a family…’

It was no doubt strong, strong enough to face against one of the families, but it wasn’t just that it was strong. It was just too valuable. The Auction House provided a great service, one that needed to be passed to a neutral third party, and one outside of the governments influence. The Auction House was technically neutral, but if it was in trouble, the other families would no doubt act. If they didn’t it would mean that whichever families did end up helping the Auction House, they would gain far more influence over it.

‘We need to gain as much influence as an Auction House does,’ Mika thought. The Auction House held many great warriors, though not quite as many as the other great families. However, the defenders had the advantage when it came to an all our brawl, and there was no way that a war of attrition would be allowed to pass in the City Lord’s domain.

‘We should change the Alchemist Guild into a fort, with our own formations to protect us. We will need a great warrior though, someone in at least the Base Bronze realm. The Patriarchs were all in such a realm, which would mean that the Great Elders of their families were probably Established Bronze.

Mika’s eyes fell to Elder Yan, who was acting as though he was still Base Steel. His cultivation had been stuck there ever since his injuries, and Jon had been unable to progress due to his depression, though Mika had helped.

‘Right, we need an army.’

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” Kayla, the Young Head, said, placing her hands together apologetically. “Will you forgive this little Young Head?”

Patriarch Lion Roar’s laughter filled the auction. “How could we blame you when it is just in the Tiger Fist’s nature!” He continued to howl, unable to contain himself.

“It is beneath you to speak so poorly behind their back,” the City Lord reprimanded.

“I’d say it to his damn face too, and you know that, City Lord,” Lion Roar grinned like a beast. “If he has a prob-,” The pressure against his shoulders caused him to shut up, and he looked up towards the Auction Elder. ‘Ah, right. That old man’s a little mad, isn’t he?’ “I believe I was currently the highest bidder, wasn’t I?”

“Two million and two hundred thousand,” Kayla confirmed. “Will anyone dare to face the mighty Lion Roars in battle?”

“I will withdraw from this round,” Sun Sword said. The other families had yet to formally withdraw, which meant that, though the Lion Roar family was winning, the others were still in the battle, even if they were silent.

“Two million and three hundred thousand,” Expert Beaux said.

“I guess I’ll withdraw too,” Lion Roar said, grinning wide. He had wanted to see if the Alchemist was going to fight for it, but he was happy to watch and see the blood bath now that he knew they were desperate for it.

Mika got up from his seat and rushed over to the City Lord. Two of his allies had already been formed within his mind, and the City Lord was one of them. The City Lord nodded to the guard, and allowed Mika to enter his bubble.

“Are you alright, young Page?” the City Lord asked.

“I thank the City Lord for his care, this little Page is well,” Mika said, coughing into his elbow. “The Elder Alchemist has a gift for the City Lord.” Mika stressed the word gift to imply it was not in fact a gift.

The City Lord slowly bowed his head, allowing Mika to continue.

“The Elder Alchemist hopes that the elixirs fall into hands worthy of them,” Mika said, raising his brows towards the City Lord, emphasising the point childishly, as though to ask if the City Lord knew what he meant.

“I do not know if my hands are worthy,” the City Lord said, as Mika presented him a box with both hands. He opened up the box, peeking inside for only a moment, before shutting it. ‘Are you that desperate to not allow our Alchemist Guild to procure the elixir?’ Then a thought crossed his mind.

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“The Elder understands it would put the City Lord in an awkward position, but he would certainly appreciate it, and hopes to speak with the City Lord after the auction,” Mika said, before bowing his head.

The City Lord allowed Mika to retreat, but watched as he passed the Elder Alchemist on his way back, and went right to the Viper Fist family, even though he could have just continued the same way he had originally gone. ‘Is he making a show of it?’

Mika wasn’t sure which family he wanted to be the third ally, but he had eventually come to the Viper Fist family, whose Patriarch seemed to be well mannered, and didn’t seem to hold a rivalry with any of the other families.

“Little Page, how do you fare?”

“This little Page thanks the Patriarch for his care, this little one is well,” Mika said, coughing into his other elbow. “I have brought a gift from the Elder Alchemist, who hopes the elixirs fall into worthy hands. The Elder Alchemist hopes he will be able to speak with the Patriarch after the auction.”

Patriarch Viper Fist remained silent. ‘What did he just say?’ He took a peek within the box, before slowly bowing his head. He would need to find a reason to explain this to his wife, but a Low Mystical grade pill was quite the gift, especially if he could also meet with an Elder Alchemist after the auction. Truthfully, meeting the Elder Alchemist was worth far more, since there was a chance they could talk about that.

Mika wanted to speak with the last family he wanted to ally with, but chose against it, since it wouldn’t be needed if those two families took action instead. Of course, if they were to fail, he’d need to step up somehow. He just hoped that he wouldn’t need to act, since it would be awkward for many of the factions involved if he messed with the delicate balance of politics.

“Five hundred thousand,” the City Lord called.

“City Lord, do you really wish to procure this elixir?” Expert Beaux asked.

“Why else would I bid on the elixir?”

“Six hundred thousand,” Expert Beaux bid, trying not to bite her lower lip in anger.

“Three million,” Viper Fist called, causing the other families to glance his way. Viper Fist never acted like this. Their eyes then fell to Mika and the Elder Alchemist, wondering what they had talked about for the Viper Fist to open his maw so brazenly.

Lion Roar grit his teeth, doing his best not to burst out in laughter. ‘Those Alchemists…’ He continued to keep his laughter at bay. ‘Damn it! Why did I drop out? I’ll have to fight harder in the next round!’

The other families dropped out one by one until only the City Lord, City Alchemist, and Viper Fists were left.

“The City Alchemists will drop out,” from this round,” Expert Beaux said, crossing her arms in annoyance. ‘Damn it! I’ll just have to see what’s next…’

“I will drop out,” the City Lord said, calmly.

The next item was brought out, and the City Lord and Viper Fist family exchanged glances. They had both been struck by the words of the young Page, who had revealed the fact there had been more than one elixir. They had all but given their word to procure the elixirs themselves, though they heard news from the guard beside them that it was alright to give up the elixir to the other families.

Mika wanted one family as one of his three allies, but there was a fourth he was interested in. He wondered if he should bring the fourth family instead, since it was the family which made the most sense.

The second elixir on offer was a similar elixir, though instead of a tiger, it was a wolf, which meant that it was best to be used by multiple people, and once more, it was white.

“Shall we begin at one million once more?” Kayla asked, smiling innocently.

‘Did we really have to sell each one?’ the Auction Elder thought, sighing, but he had given into his granddaughter, as he always did. It wasn’t just that she wanted to sell them for a lot, she also wanted the joy of watching the battle of gold.

“Three million,” Lion Roar said, his arms crossed, his face tensing with near fury. He had dropped out too early last time, and it had annoyed him to his very core, so he decided against fighting mercifully this round.

“You shouldn’t have too much fun by yourself,” Sun Sword said. “One hundred thousand.”

“Two,” both City Lord and Viper Fist called at the same time. The pair glanced between one another, and Viper Fist bowed his head, allowing the City Lord to claim this one.

“Three hundred!” Expert Beaux nearly exclaimed. ‘I can’t let this one slip through too!’

“Fo-,” Viper Fist began.

“Five hundred thousand!” Lion Roar exclaimed. “Come on, Viper Fist, where are those fangs of yours from the previous round? Did you think I started at three million to prance around?”

Patriarch Viper Fist sighed, wondering how an idiot like him had managed to become the Patriarch of the Lion Roar family. For a moment he thought about sending word to his wife to call for the Matriarch of the Lion Roar family to deal with him.

“Come on!” Lion Roar shouted. “Who else wants to fight?”

“Four million,” Matriarch Storm Palm called. This elixir was perfect for her.

Lion Roar grinned wildly towards the Matriarch. “Right! You’re always the most fun, you old bat!” He felt the pressure of the Auction Elder on his shoulders once more. “Two-,”

“Five hundred thousand,” Matriarch Storm Palm interrupted the Patriarch.

“Eigh-,”

“Five million,” Storm Palm interrupted once more.

“Kahahaha!” Lion Roar laughed, unable to contain himself. “That’s more like it! You’re definitely the best!”

Once everyone else had dropped out, the City Lord and Viper Fists dropping out to leave only those two to fight. It was a lost cause when the pair of them were to fight. They wondered if it would reach eight digits.

Mika watched Lion Roar, who remained silent. ‘Will you give up so soon, Lion Roar?’ Mika wondered if he’d fight this hard for the next item.

Lion Roar inhaled deeply. “Six million.”

“Seven million.”

“Ei-,” Lion Roar began, before the guard behind him cleared his throat. Lion Roar shut his mouth, his face contorting with rage as he tried to contain himself. The guard had been ordered by the Patriarch to stop him if the bid went high enough to threaten his life. “I will surrender, Matriarch Storm Palm.”

“It was a pleasure, Patriarch Lion Roar.”