The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Kolu pressed a button on his watch, and a glass container appeared from the ground. Inside the glass lay three pairs of ancient blood-red manacles forged from Soulsteel, etched with writhing runes.

Although they were inside a glass container, Klaus could see a faint aura of the soul emanating from them.

When everyone saw these manacles, they all widened their eyes in surprise. Of course, they recognised them. After all, 200 weeks ago, the Soul Emperor was killed in a surprise attack while on his way to the demon universe.

These manacles were his creation, and from what many knew, they were used to enslave thousands of warriors

”These manacles are designed not to restrain the body, but to enslave the soul.

Once locked onto a target, the manacles brand the victim’s soul with a Crimson Mark, forcibly binding their will to the bearer.

Cultivation techniques, bloodlines, and even divine blessings can be suppressed or redirected at the owner’s command. Escape is nearly impossible since breaking free tears chunks of the soul apart.

Unless the owner wills it, the one branded, using even a bit of their power, is impossible.”

Klaus raised his brow, intrigued. Of course, he had no plans on buying such an item. With the Star Seal at its disposal, using items like this would just be a waste.

”The starting bid is 4 million Heaven Crystals.”

”5 million.” Almost instantly, a man wearing a black mask raised the bid by a million Heaven Crystals.

However, he was outbid the next second.

”6 million”

”7 million”

The bid soon jumped to 10 million Heaven Crystals, and it continued to rise.

As criminals, they knew that having such treasures would, without a doubt, come in handy. Having the ability to enslave the soul of just anyone is worth any price.

However, with 14 rich crime bosses bidding for the same item, there is bound to be some heated rivalry.

Klaus, of course, remained relaxed in his seat, watching them bid over an item that, with enough soul power, can be broken.

Of course, it is meant to enslave the soul. However, when it comes to its potency, with enough soul strength, breaking it is as simple as shattering a pair of shackles.

Klaus had already cultivated the [Soul Pagoda] to level 7. Although he had yet to reach the 9th level, where his soul technique would transcend and reach the Soul Tower form, with the lives that he had lived, his soul is nine times stronger than that of an ordinary warrior.

So such shackles won’t work on him. However, even an Immortal King with a weak soul can be shackled and forever be at the mercy of the owner.

These three pairs would undoubtedly be of use to anyone who seeks to enslave barbarians.

’I have to say, the one who designed these manacles was an evil genius. The runes carved into them not only shackle the soul but also steal the victim’s soul essence.

With this, all he had to do was slap all three into the souls of Immortals, and he wouldn’t have to worry about running out of soul essence.’

[There are many warriors out there with deadly treasures at their disposal. This is always a reason for the master to be careful when out there.]

’Understood, Icon. I will be extra careful.’

The auction continued for 20 minutes before, out of nowhere, one of the 14 criminals who had been quiet throughout raised the bid to an all-time sky-high.

”100 million”

”_”

”_”

Everyone turned in his direction, Klaus included.

The bid was struggling in the 50 million range, only for him to raise it all the way to 100 million in Heaven Crystals.

That is equivalent to a trillion Universe coins, all spent on a bunch of shackles.

[His name is Jay, head of Planet Rox. At least, that is how he is known to the rest of the universe. However, to the underworld, he is one of the resourceful slave masters.

His underworld market sells only lady slaves who are sold to be used as playthings. They call him the Maiden Slave Master.]

’Oh, so he is scum.’ Klaus furrowed his brow. ’Add him to the kill list, Icon.’

[Way ahead of you, master. Additionally, it appears he has an 800 billion Universe coin bounty on his head. Killing him comes with some add-ons.]

”Even better.”

Klaus smiled inwardly, but he made no attempt to reveal his disdain toward Jay. For now, he will bide his time and wait for when he gets his hands on him.

’Prepare a profile on all 14 of them for me. Afterwards, prepare another identity for me. I think it is time I start selling information.’

[Okay, Master]

”Well, that was unexpected,” Kolu said with a small smile on his face. He didn’t expect the first item to sell for that much.

However, with the bid now at an all-time high, he knew no one would bid again. After all, 100 million Heavens Crystals are just too much for a pair of Manacles.

”Since we have no more bids, the Crimson Soulbrand Manacles go to Number 4.”

The item was taken away by a Real Immortal and handed to Jay, who paid by scanning a code given to him.

Once the first item was auctioned, the second item was brought to the stand.

This one is a core oozing with blood energy. Even through the glass, Klaus sensed it, causing his eyes to turn crimson as cold oozed from deep within his third and seventh cores.

The blood energy emanating from the core seemed to be resonating with him.

He was the Asura God in his third incarnation and the Vampire Monarch in his seventh incarnation, so the blood resonated with the cores associated with those incarnations.

He wielded the power over blood in both lives.

[The master must get this core. There is a chance it will strengthen your seventh bloodline and even take you to the peak of the Empyrean stage, thereby elevating your chance to become an Immortal after taking the Thunder Jade Essence Ore.]

Klaus had already made up his mind to get it.

He came for the Thunder Jade Essence Ore, but this item is equally important. With it, his bloodline will take a leap forward.

”This is a core from a True Calamity Level Blood Berserker Hound. It was killed by a group of adventurers who ventured into the Old Monarch Cave.

From what we know, the Bloodhound had even formed its first Immortal Ring before it was killed.”

Hearing Kolu’s words, everyone shifted again in their seats.

Forget the rank of the core or its bloodthirsty nature—hearing that there might be an Immortal Ring in the core made them all giddy.

”The bid is set at 30 million Heaven Crystals.”

”40 million”

”60 million”