David sat in the lounge, feeling unsettled. When he had shed that drop of blood, a fierce, instinctual urge to eliminate every witness had surged within him—an impulse he had barely restrained. He hadn't meant to let that sliver of killing intent show, but it had leaked out.
He could feel the blood in his veins now, powerful and strange, carrying its own latent restrictions he did not understand. Yet, its presence felt protective, not hostile. For now, that was enough.
Butler Gerth emerged from the staff room with the new identification card. They returned to the car.
"David, shall we proceed to the estate?" Liam asked.
David gazed out the window. "Take us to the Universe Bank first."
The journey was brief. The bank, a monument of gleaming alloy and light, was one of the five pillars of human economic power. Inside, David requested a VIP room for privacy. Liam and even Gerth respectfully remained outside—some matters were best kept discreet.
In the soundproofed chamber, David placed three anonymous bank cards and his new ID on the table.
"I wish to open an account and transfer all funds from these cards to it."
The bank associate, a poised woman, recognized the significance. She took the cards, scanned the ID for verification, and initiated the transfers.
Three soft chimes sounded in succession from her device.
"One billion Universal Credits credited."
"Three billion Universal Credits credited."
"Ten billion Universal Credits credited."
David wasn't surprised. These cards had belonged to powerful entities; such sums were necessary for operations requiring absolute anonymity.
Liam, however, was mildly stunned. He knew David was well-off, but carrying fourteen billion casually was at the level of major family scions.
The associate smiled professionally. "Sir, your balance qualifies you for Two-Star VIP status, which includes several privileges. Our branch holds a grand auction every three years. The next is in fifteen days. You are most welcome to attend."
David had heard of these auctions but could never have participated before. "I will attend."
"Excellent. The invitation will be sent to your virtual account."
David paused. "Please send it to his account instead," he said, gesturing to Liam. "I don't have a virtual ID set up yet."
After Liam provided his details, they completed the process. David then acquired a personal virtual network helmet—a device that connected users across the universe, allowing communication, information access, and even virtual combat. It was similar to his artifact's arena, but with a far broader reach. He didn't activate it immediately, saving it for later.
The car then proceeded to the Myers family estate—a sprawling palace complex covering three square kilometers. Security was pervasive; every guard and staff member David glimpsed was at least at the Domain Realm.
Dinner was a gracious affair. Afterward, David took his leave. "We'll meet again soon. Thank you for your hospitality."
He departed alone, his purpose clear.
His first stop was the Human Military Coordination Office, the gateway to the battlefields. All entrants were rigorously vetted to prevent infiltration by traitors or spies. David submitted his application, scheduling his departure for after the auction.
Next, he visited a real estate office to secure a permanent residence. He would be using the Galactic Capital as a base for a long time, and having his own space was essential.
The office was bustling. A young saleswoman approached him. "How may I assist you, sir?"
"I need a villa with a dedicated training facility."
She pulled up listings. "We have three properties that match. Type One: three floors, a 500-square-meter basement training room, garden, and pool. Type Two: similar, but the training room can withstand peak World Master impacts; 600 square meters total. Type Three: five floors, training room reinforced against Immortal-level force, 700 square meters, includes a geothermal steam room on the fourth floor. It is the most premium—and expensive—option."
David examined the virtual renderings. "Type Three. I need to move in today."
The saleswoman brightened. "Absolutely, sir. We can complete the transaction immediately."
Fifty million credits transferred, and twenty minutes later, David held the access key—a card that would sync with the mansion's AI upon first use.
His final errand was a vehicle showroom. For getting around the planet's vast capital, a personal car was necessary. He selected a sleek, sporty model with an advanced AI driver, spending another fifteen million credits without a second thought.
He drove to his new home. It was indeed a small palace. The main building stood five stories tall, with several smaller servant quarters flanking it—which he ignored, preferring solitude.
Inside, he activated the mansion's AI with his keycard. Too weary from the day's events to explore, he headed straight to the master bedroom and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, after breakfast, David fell into his new routine: cultivation and training. It was the only practice that brought him a sense of stability.
Fifteen days passed quietly, mostly within his new home. When Liam called to check in, David invited both him and Emma over. Their visit was a welcome respite. Over meals, they shared news: the upcoming Universe Bank auction was rumored to feature extraordinary items, even treasures useful to Immortals. The announcement had drawn powerful figures from across the frontlines; Liam's own father was returning from the battlefield to attend.
Hearing this, David felt a spark of anticipation. What he sought most was the blood of powerful monsters—a rare commodity that would fuel his body and soul refinement. This auction might just hold the key to his next leap in strength.