Conquest Sea, Moncarlo's surrounding waters.
Under the dim moonlight, upon the vast sea surface, several figures were standing at this moment. A man wearing a black suit, with neatly combed hair, yellowish-brown skin, and a snake-shaped ring, possessing the facial features of a Conquest Sea islander, was standing on the water, hands clasped behind his back, gazing towards the distant Moncarlo Main Island. Accompanying him were two attendants, one North Wu and one Main Continent white man, who also stood on the sea surface.
"Sword Scale, how are things on Edward's side? The transaction was successful, doesn't he plan to let Tonic come back yet?" A North Wu-looking attendant asked the man gazing ahead. The man, whom he called Sword Scale, slowly opened his mouth after continuing to stare into the distance for a moment.
"Edward detained Tonic. He just said that the Fountain of Youth we gave him is fake, and we didn't fulfill our promise..."
"How is that possible! I clearly already gave the Fountain of Youth to the auction house. As long as that old guy bids for it, he can't get a fake!" As soon as Sword Scale finished speaking, on the other side behind him, the white-looking attendant immediately spoke up.
"I'm not clear on the specific situation over there right now... While I was talking to him, his son burst in and said something was wrong with their auction house staff, their consciousness controlled by somnambulism. The Fountain of Youth water we gave the auction house... might have been swapped." Continuing to stand with his hands behind his back, Sword Scale spoke without changing his expression. His North Wu attendant, upon hearing these words, couldn't help but frown and say.
"Somnambulism... Could it be someone from Black Dream? Black Dream found out about our transaction and intercepted it halfway? Where did they get the information?"
"Sword Scale, if the Fountain of Youth water was really intercepted halfway and didn't reach Edward, our transaction this time isn't considered successful... Should we go back and help him retrieve the spring water!"
At this moment, the white attendant continued to ask Sword Scale. Sword Scale did not immediately answer after hearing this suggestion, but continued to speak after some thought.
"Not necessary for now... What I've heard are just the words of Edward and his son. Heaven knows what the actual situation is over there. What if he's setting a trap for us? If we go back, we'll be walking into a net. Don't forget, we designed this transaction method and left early precisely because we didn't want to give him an opportunity..."
Sword Scale said this. Although he was here to trade with Edward, he was a hundred times wary of Edward, the great traitor of the Sea Abyss Church, and absolutely would not give the other party a chance to double-cross him after receiving the goods. After depositing the Fountain of Youth water at the auction house under the name of a court crystal bottle, Sword Scale left the scene directly, quickly moving away from Moncarlo Main Island with his attendants, far from the area of Edward's influence. Only at the last moment did he use his subordinate Tonic to inform Edward of the transaction method, telling him to bid for that seemingly inconspicuous crystal bottle.
At this time, even if Edward wanted to double-cross him, he couldn't find anyone. As a Scarlet of the Sea Abyss Church, Sword Scale could move at extremely high speed on the sea, able to get away from Moncarlo in a very short time.
Now that Vanya's Seed of Corruption has been planted and Edward has a handle on the Sea Abyss Church, Sword Scale's main objective has been achieved. At this point, there is absolutely no need for him to take the huge risk of returning to Moncarlo to help Edward. He only needs to observe the situation from a distance. Whether the Fountain of Youth water was swapped or not, he has no need to go back.
...
Upon Moncarlo Main Island, at Huannlang Theater.
The second half of the Moncarlo auction had been going on for some time now. So far, several items had been successfully auctioned off.
Although the number of participants on site was significantly different from the first half, the intensity of the bidding was no less than the first half, and the prices achieved were countless times higher than the first half. After just a few auction items, the total transaction amount of the second half had already surpassed the total transaction amount of the first half.
"124,000 Liel once, 124,000 Liel twice, 124,000 Liel three times... Congratulations to the guest in Box Nine for winning item number twenty-three, the Epidemic Dispelling Gloves, at a price of 124,000 Liel... Now let's take a look at item number twenty-four."
As the female host on stage read in a lukewarm tone, the elevator on the stage slowly descended, lowering the previously sold item. Shortly after, with mechanical sounds, the elevator rose again, and the new auction item was brought up. On the display stand, a small black jade fragment was placed. It looked like a piece broken off from a Shaman's disc, with intricate circular carvings on it.
"In this world, there are many mysterious domains yet to be explored, and the Lost Sea in the east of the continent is the widest and most mysterious among them. On this chaotic sea where no navigation equipment works and no Extraordinary guidance is effective, dangers abound, profound and strange. Countless treasures and dangers from unknown origins always appear and disappear inexplicably and without pattern. Only the most experienced and powerful Captains with immense experience can return from that sea area with treasures."
"The famous explorer, Bartolomeu Varena, recently returned from another expedition in the Lost Sea. He consigned one of his achievements to us for auction. This broken jade disc was named the black moon amulet by him. It has a special effect on the wearer's Spirituality of'Shadow', not only significantly reducing the influence of'Shadow's Spirit Sight. It can also weaken the effect of all'Shadow' type Extraordinary abilities on the wearer, making it a very practical item."
The female host on the stage read aloud to the quiet audience. Her words were heard by the pale-faced man with dark circles under his eyes, who was silently sitting in his seat, causing him to slightly raise his head and stare directly at the broken jade disc on the display stand.
"The black moon amulet, a'Shadow' treasure from the Lost Sea, a great explorer's trophy. The starting price is 60,000 Liel. The auction begins now!"
Following the host's words, the audience below the stage began to place bids one after another. Soon, the price of this treasure on stage began to soar all the way up. It could be seen that due to its practical ability, many people were interested in this item.
Facing the competitive scene before him, the man with dark circles also silently took out his bidding paddle, stood up, and walked to the front of the viewing area, raising it for the first time throughout the entire auction.
...
On the other side, also in Moncarlo, inside Jun Hai Fort.
In the underground of the huge pirate fortress, along a subterranean corridor lit by dim torches, the gaunt old man, the former great pirate Edward, was wearing a thick cotton robe and hurrying quickly across the damp floor. His face showed a terrible heaviness, and his originally cloudy, vacant eyes revealed fierce killing intent.
Edward walked forward along the damp corridor. After a while, he reached the end of the corridor. What appeared before him now was a small room. One side of the room connected to outside the corridor, while the other three sides and the ceiling were thick solid walls. However, the floor was gone, replaced by a pool filled with water.
Coming to the edge of the pool, Edward paused slightly. Then, in his eyes, the water in the pool began to change. The originally calm surface stirred up ripples. Immediately after, the surface of the water in the pool began to automatically separate, revealing a staircase hidden in the water leading downwards.
Edward quickly walked down the stairs. Soon, he was below the water surface. This was a Baoku (Treasure House). All around the room were locked safes. Above the Baoku (Treasure House) was a shimmering suspended layer of water. The ripples of the water and the flickering light reflected the glistening waves in this gloomy Baoku (Treasure House).
Arriving at the edge of the Baoku (Treasure House), Edward took out his key and inserted it into the lock of a safe. After entering the password, he opened it. Immediately after, he reached his hand into the opened cabinet and took out an item. It was a silver basin about half a meter in diameter, a plain silver basin without any carvings.
After obtaining the silver basin, Edward resolutely walked out of the Baoku (Treasure House), letting the suspended water surface seal off the Baoku (Treasure House) once again. Then he walked back onto the corridor, quickly left the underground secret passage, and soon after, Edward exited the interior of Jun Hai Fort, arriving at the top of a tower, under the night sky.
After coming outside, Edward placed the silver basin in his hand on the ground. With a gentle wave of his hand, a stream of clear spring water was poured into the basin, quickly filling it up.
After the silver basin was filled, he directly slit his wrist with his fingernail, letting the dripping fresh blood drip into the clear water in the basin, dyeing it crimson. While dripping blood, he silently chanted by his mouth.
"...Conceal..."
Along with Edward's words, the entire Moncarlo Main Island began to change. The invisible Spirituality mist that originally enveloped Jun Hai Fort began to suddenly expand, rapidly spreading out in all directions, starting to envelop Moncarlo City.
At the same time, the waves in the sea area around Moncarlo Main Island began to become extremely turbulent and violent. The rising and falling waves rocked the Captain moored in the port up and down, as if a storm was about to arrive over the entire Moncarlo.
And at this moment, above the sea area outside Moncarlo, a small object was suspended under the night sky. Dorothy sat on her magnetic levitation flying carpet, gazing at the distant Moncarlo Main Island.
"Edward... it has begun..."
Looking at the Moncarlo Main Island, which was almost completely shrouded in Spirituality mist using Spirit Sight, Dorothy couldn't help but murmur. At this moment, she knew that the Lord of Moncarlo had begun searching for the thief who dared to steal his precious Fountain of Youth water, and this was exactly what Dorothy wanted to see.
After seeing the dreams of the auction house registrar and Tonic last night, a question that had been bothering Dorothy was answered: how would Sword Scale trade the Fountain of Youth water to Edward after confirming that Vanya had indeed been planted with the Seed of Corruption?
From Tonic's memories, Dorothy knew that Sword Scale would never trade the Fountain of Youth water face-to-face with Edward, and would definitely set the transaction method to always be initiated by himself. From the memory of Allen, the auction house registrar, Dorothy learned that Sword Scale and his group would place the saint emblem jewelry used to test Vanya's reaction as early as possible in the auction, and another item was required to be placed two or three positions after the saint emblem jewelry, and this item was a small bottle.
After learning these two clues, Dorothy quickly guessed the transaction method planned by Sword Scale: to continue using the characteristics of the auction to auction the Fountain of Youth water to Edward. They only needed to create a fake identity, bid on another item after the saint emblem necklace, and after Sword Scale verified Vanya, they could decide whether to actually put the Fountain of Youth up for auction depending on the situation. After it was put up, there was still a considerable amount of time between the auction of the saint emblem necklace and the crystal bottle, which was enough time for Sword Scale to retreat with all his subordinates except Tonic, giving Edward no chance for a double-cross after receiving the Fountain of Youth.
This... was the transaction method envisioned by Sword Scale. To be honest, for him, who highly distrusted Edward, the former Ebergrass traitor, it was a method that could quite guarantee he wouldn't be tricked. As long as the plan wasn't leaked, both he and Edward could get what they wanted. But unfortunately, after getting help from Little Fox, Dorothy's intelligence gathering ability made an astonishing leap. Using Lao Lan, who only knew a little information, as a breakthrough, Dorothy managed to scout out their entire plan, making it impossible for either party to achieve their desired outcome.
Since Sword Scale would consign the Fountain of Youth to the auction house after confirming Vanya was fine, Dorothy only needed to have Vanya put on a show, bid on the saint emblem necklace to deceive Sword Scale, and then get the Fountain of Youth from the auction house.
Among the staff in the first half of the auction tonight, a considerable number were Living Puppets controlled by Dorothy. After Dorothy had Little Fox help hypnotize them beforehand, she drew puppet marks on them to control them, letting them work while waiting for Sword Scale's subordinates to deliver the Fountain of Youth. Afterward, in a crowded place, she secretly erased the puppet marks to release control, causing these staff members to suddenly collapse under everyone's gaze. When the Moncarlo Extraordinary checked later, they would find that they were all in a state of being hypnotized and asleep.
Afterward, Dorothy only needed to wait for Edward to discover the problem with the Fountain of Youth and, when looking for the cause, notice the situation of the staff in the first half, and he would naturally associate it with the direction Dorothy wanted him to associate it with.
In this era of the declining Butterfly Faction, the only active organization in the Hidden World related to sleep and dreams was his Black Dream Hunter Group.
"Then... let me see now if the rumor that you can find a Crimson Tier'Shadow' Extraordinary is true..."
Looking at the Moncarlo Main Island ahead, which was gradually being shrouded in dense white fog, Dorothy continued to murmur.
...
"Congratulations! The guest in Box Six has won the treasure from the Lost Sea, the black moon amulet, for the price of 213,000 Lil! This has set the highest transaction record for this auction!"
At the auction site of the Huannlang Theater, as the female host's gavel fell, the twenty-fourth treasure on the stage was announced as successfully bid on. Because the transaction price this time was very high, the host of the second half's originally flat tone became excited. The sparse audience also applauded due to this price. It should be known that this price was several times higher than the starting bid, and over 200,000 Lil could be equivalent to over 10,000 pound.
After the scattered applause, the man with dark circles under his eyes standing in Box Six couldn't help but show a slight smile. Just as he was about to go through the procedures to pay and collect the item, he suddenly noticed something unusual around him.
Unbeknownst to him, he found that the railings of the stands were covered with tiny water droplets, the floor of the entire box was damp, and the surroundings felt as if a sudden return of humidity had occurred on a damp day.
This sudden return of humidity late at night... is it consistent with the climate here?
This doubt surfaced in the mind of the man with dark circles under his eyes... No, it should be said that it surfaced in the mind of the controller manipulating the man with dark circles. Outside the Huannlang Theater venue, in a normal house on the second floor on the edge of Moncarlo City, a man with a different appearance was frowning at this moment.
He was a white male who looked about fifty years old, with round eyes, a lean physique, neatly graying hair, and clear wrinkles on his face. At this moment, he was wearing a black suit, his eyes gazing at the window in front of him, where the smooth glass had somehow become covered with a thick layer of mist.
With a serious expression, the man reached out and gently touched the window, making his hand quite wet. Looking at the obvious signs of humidity on the floor and walls, his gaze became even more solemn.
This water... seems to carry traces of Spirituality...
Seeing the strange phenomenon before him, a trace of unease arose in the man's heart. Immediately, while controlling the distant puppet to pay and retrieve the item just won at auction, he quickly went downstairs, preparing to leave this place.
And when the man walked to the door and pushed it open, the scene that appeared before him made him slightly startled.
Dense fog, a vast expanse of white dense fog completely enveloped the street before him, making it difficult to see through. The streetlights, hidden by the dense fog, turned into clusters of dim yellow halos. Looking around, the visibility was only about two or three meters. Clearly, such a sudden thick fog was definitely not naturally formed.
"Water mist... water of spirits... What on earth... is happening..."
Looking at the scene before him, Ku Chi murmured in confusion. And at this moment, within this dense fog, a pair of hidden eyes were staring intently at him.
...
Ugh... I couldn't help but sleep for another four hours during the day today...