The Return Of The Exiled Villain

Gray settled comfortably into his seat.

The attendant returned with two senior appraisers, carrying a special black case.

Gray opened his storage and took out the crystals.

The moment they appeared, the expressions of the two appraisers changed.

Each crystal was roughly the size of a man’s fist, with a clear blue surface and a brilliant white core.

Their light was steady and pure, without the slightest red or black tint associated with Demonic Energy.

Even from a distance, several experienced demons felt the difference.

One of the appraisers carefully lifted a crystal with a pair of silver tongs and placed it above a circular formation.

The formation activated.

Swoosh...

A soft, white light spread across its surface, causing the formation to produce a series of glowing symbols.

The appraiser stared at the results.

He adjusted the formation and repeated the test.

The same result appeared.

He examined the second crystal.

Again, the readings remained unchanged.

After nearly a minute, the appraiser looked toward the auctioneer.

”Both crystals are genuine High-Grade Mana Crystals. Their purity is exceptional, and our formation detects no Demonic Energy contamination.”

He paused.

”These are precisely what the guest claims them to be.”

A murmur spread across the hall.

The auctioneer swallowed hard.

Then he looked toward Gray.

”Honored guest, the Crimson Vault accepts your offer. Two High-Grade Uncorrupted Mana Crystals for the Pure-Origin Heartseed.”

”Agreed.” Gray nodded.

The auctioneer took one final glance at the appraisal report.

Then he raised his hammer.

”Two High-Grade Uncorrupted Mana Crystals, offered by our guest in exchange for the Pure-Origin Heartseed. Do any other guests wish to challenge this offer?”

Silence.

No one moved.

Nobody was willing to offer something comparable for a material that was difficult for most Underworld cultivators to refine.

More importantly, even those who understood the value of pure Mana had no guarantee that they possessed the exact kind of resources Gray had offered.

The auctioneer lifted his hammer again.

”Going once...”

He waited.

No one spoke.

”Going twice...”

The hall remained silent.

”Sold!”

BANG!

The hammer struck the table.

”The Pure-Origin Heartseed has been sold to our honored guest!”

Gray leaned back with a satisfied smile.

’Finally. Something worth buying.’

The auction attendants immediately began preparing the transfer, while the two appraisers carefully sealed the Mana Crystals inside their protective case.

Gray watched them work with obvious satisfaction.

He had spent a considerable amount, but he had no regrets.

Those crystals were valuable.

The Heartseed was more valuable to him.

It was as simple as that.

Beside him, the Crimson Moon Princess was still staring at him curiously.

”You spent two High-Grade Uncorrupted Mana Crystals without even blinking. I thought you were exaggerating when you said you needed a lot of resources, but now I’m beginning to wonder whether you have any idea how expensive your cultivation is going to become.”

”I have a fairly good idea.” Gray smiled faintly.

Elira rested her chin on her hand, watching him with renewed interest.

”I was under the impression you were an Incubus who enjoyed making money. Now you’ve spent a fortune on a treasure most people wouldn’t even know how to use.”

Gray turned toward her.

”Both things are true.”

She laughed softly.

”You are much harder to understand than I expected.”

The Crimson Moon Princess glanced at the Heartseed being carried toward Gray.

Then she looked at him again.

”You’d better make good use of it. If you waste a treasure like that, I’ll personally drag you back to this auction house and make you explain why.”

Gray chuckled.

”How thoughtful of you.”

”I’m serious.”

”I know.”

The Heartseed arrived a moment later, sealed inside a small jade case.

Gray accepted it and examined the formations protecting the seed. He could already feel the faint pulse of pure Mana inside it.

’Perfect...’

He stored the case in his Dimensional Storage and leaned back in his seat, satisfied with his purchase.

At least one thing had gone according to plan.

Unfortunately, the auction was far from over.

”Honored guests, I hope you’ve enjoyed the opening lots. We will now proceed to the more exclusive treasures reserved for today’s auction, beginning with several items obtained from ancient ruins and territories rarely visited by ordinary merchants.”

The auctioneer’s voice brought everyone’s attention back to the stage.

”First, we have the Blood of the Nine-Headed Nether Hydra, a remarkably preserved specimen extracted from a creature believed to have reached the late Great Ruler stage before its death. Although the bloodline has weakened over time, the remaining essence is sufficiently concentrated to assist those cultivating related bloodlines, body-refinement techniques, or certain poison-based arts.”

A large red vial appeared above the stage.

Even through its protective formation, the blood inside gave off a heavy pressure. Nine faint silhouettes seemed to twist within the liquid whenever the light touched its surface.

Gray looked at it briefly.

’Interesting, but not what I need.’

The Crimson Moon Princess, however, immediately straightened.

”That is useful.”

Elira glanced at her.

”For you?”

”Not directly. One of my family’s bloodline researchers has been trying to reconstruct an old cultivation method that requires the essence of a multi-headed beast. This specimen might help him make progress.”

”So you’re thinking of buying it for someone else?”

The Crimson Moon Princess looked at her as if the answer should have been obvious.

”Unlike certain people, I occasionally remember that a royal family consists of more than one person.”

Elira smiled sweetly.

”And unlike certain people, I don’t spend my entire allowance buying materials for people who probably won’t finish their research before the next century.”

The Crimson Moon Princess turned toward her.

”Would you prefer it if I spent the money on jewelry instead? Perhaps then I could spend several hours admiring myself in front of a mirror, as you apparently do every morning.”

Elira’s smile remained perfectly composed.

”At least I would be looking at something pleasant. If I spent as much time staring at your face as you seem to spend staring at mine, I might need a physician.”

”Pfft...” Gray lowered his head and quietly laughed.

The Crimson Moon Princess gave him a sideways look.

”Don’t encourage her.”

”I haven’t said anything.”

”You don’t need to. Your shoulders are shaking.”

Gray immediately straightened.

”Perhaps I’m cold.”

”In this room?”

”The air is strange.”

Elira laughed.

”Leave him alone. He is still recovering from the terrible burden of being surrounded by two beautiful princesses.”

”One of us is clearly more beautiful than the other.”

”Yes, and we both know which one.”

Gray covered his mouth.

’I’m going to need stronger medicine.’

Meanwhile, the bidding had begun.

Several noble houses showed interest in the Hydra blood, but the Crimson Moon Princess quickly took the lead.

A wealthy young demon from House Zareth attempted to compete, apparently hoping to secure the vial for his family’s researchers.

”One hundred and twenty Demon Gold,” the young noble announced.

The princess raised her hand.

”One hundred and fifty. If your family needs it for research, Lord Zareth, I suggest you consider whether you have another specimen available. This one is more useful to my family.”

The young noble frowned.

”With respect, Your Highness, my family’s research has been underway for twelve years. I would rather not return empty-handed when an opportunity like this presents itself.”

”Then you should have arrived with a larger budget.”

Several people nearby lowered their heads.

The young noble’s expression stiffened, but he raised his hand again.

”One hundred and seventy.”

”Two hundred.”

The man hesitated.

Gray glanced toward the Crimson Moon Princess.

She sat comfortably, apparently prepared to continue bidding for as long as necessary.

After several seconds, the young noble lowered his hand.

”House Zareth withdraws.”

The auctioneer’s hammer fell.

”Sold to Her Highness of the Crimson Moon Family for two hundred Demon Gold!”

The princess nodded with satisfaction and turned toward Gray.

”See? Sometimes you have to pay what an item is worth instead of standing around wondering whether somebody else might want it.”

Gray smiled.

”Are you giving me financial advice?”

”I’m giving you common sense. There’s a difference.”

Elira leaned forward.

”I must agree with her on this occasion. Although, to be fair, she has an advantage. Most people are too afraid of offending her to compete seriously.”

The Crimson Moon Princess looked at her.

”Would you like to try?”

”No, thank you. I prefer purchasing my treasures without threatening the other bidders.”

”I didn’t threaten anyone.”

”You told Lord Zareth to bring more money.”

”That was advice.”

”Very good advice, actually...” Gray nodded thoughtfully.

Both princesses looked at him.

”I think I understand why she’s been keeping you around. You agree with whoever is speaking as long as there’s something amusing in it for you.”

”That’s not true.”

”Then whose side are you on?”

Gray looked from one princess to the other.

”Mine.”

For once, neither had an immediate response.

The auction continued.

Several items passed without attracting much attention from Gray, but the quality of the treasures gradually improved.

An ancient defensive formation plate sold to a merchant clan for nearly four hundred Demon Gold.

A pair of ruler-grade daggers attracted bids from three different houses before a weapons collector finally secured them.

Then a small purple orb appeared on the stage.

The moment the auctioneer introduced it as a Violet Dream Pearl, Elira’s expression changed.

Unlike the previous items, this one appeared almost ordinary. It was no larger than a plum, with a smooth surface that reflected the room around it in faint, distorted images.

However, Gray noticed that the images did not always match reality.

Sometimes they showed the room as it had been a moment earlier.

Sometimes they showed people who were no longer standing where the pearl suggested they were.

And sometimes the reflections showed things that were not present at all.

The auctioneer explained its properties.

”This pearl was extracted from the spiritual core of a rare Dreamweaver Beast. It retains traces of its original abilities, allowing a skilled cultivator to strengthen illusion techniques, train their spiritual senses, and improve resistance against certain forms of mental interference.”

Elira sat forward.

”That is the one I’ve been looking for.”

The Crimson Moon Princess glanced at her.

”Then I suppose you’ll finally stop bidding on things you don’t need.”

Elira ignored her.

”How much is the starting price?”

”One hundred and eighty Demon Gold.”

Elira raised her hand.

”Two hundred.”

A noblewoman in the neighboring section immediately followed.

”Two hundred and twenty.”

Elira turned toward her.

”Lady Seryn, I didn’t expect you to be interested in this particular item.”

The other woman smiled politely.

”My family has been developing a new illusion technique. A Dreamweaver Pearl would save us considerable time, and I would rather not let such an opportunity pass.”

”I understand. Unfortunately, I need it too.”

”Then I suppose we’ll have to see which of us needs it more.”

The bidding continued.

Two hundred and fifty.

Three hundred.

Three hundred and fifty.

By the time the price reached four hundred Demon Gold, several other nobles had withdrawn.

Elira did not.

She sat with her chin resting against one hand, looking almost bored as she raised her bid again.

”Four hundred and fifty.”

Lady Seryn hesitated.

Her eyes moved toward the pearl, then toward Elira.

Finally, she shook her head.

”My apologies, Your Highness. I cannot justify spending any more than that.”

Elira gave her a polite nod.

”I understand. Thank you for competing fairly.”

The auctioneer’s hammer fell.

”Sold to Her Highness of the Violet Moon Family for four hundred and fifty Demon Gold!”

Elira looked satisfied.

The Crimson Moon Princess, however, was not impressed.

”Four hundred and fifty for a little purple ball. I hope your new technique is worth it.”

Elira turned toward her.

”It will be. Unlike you, I know how to invest in my own abilities.”

”Your illusions are already annoying enough. Do you intend to become even more unbearable?”

”That’s the idea.”

The Crimson Moon Princess rolled her eyes.

Gray glanced at the pearl as it was carried away.

’Not bad. If she masters its properties, her mental techniques will become harder to resist.’

He filed the information away.

He had no intention of competing for every rare treasure he saw.

The point of an auction was not to buy everything. It was to identify the few items that offered the greatest return and ignore the rest.

And so far, he was doing rather well.

Until the auctioneer announced the next lot.

”Our next item is a material of considerable interest to weaponsmiths, especially those who work with high-grade artifacts.”

Gray’s attention immediately returned to the stage.

An attendant brought out a long rectangular case. It was noticeably heavier than the previous boxes, requiring two guards to carry it.

The case was placed on a reinforced pedestal.

The auctioneer opened it.

Inside lay a piece of silvery metal, roughly the length of a forearm.

It was thin and irregularly shaped, with countless strands flowing across its surface like strands of silk suspended underwater.

The strands moved despite the metal remaining completely still.

Every few seconds, a faint silver flash traveled from one end to the other.

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

’...Heavenly Silk Alien Metal?’

For the first time since entering the private viewing room, he sat fully upright.