"Furthermore, rember, Dragon Phoenix Auction House isn't any normal Auction House, they have a powerful backer. Not only that, they have a reputation to uphold, and part of that reputation is their ability to manage risks that would cripple others.
If soone needs to take out a loan, the Auction House has thods of recovering their losses, whether it's through seizing assets, or other less savory ans. In the end, they have received and will continue to receive what they are owed."
Hearing this, Lucian furrowed his brows, "Why don't they make the people who want to take out loans sign a Soul Contract… even a Blood Contract would do."
"It is true the Dragon Phoenix Auction House is powerful, but Mages, especially, the more powerful ones are arrogant, they don't like being forced to sign Soul or Blood Contracts. The feeling of being tied down isn't liked by many." Jas said then continued while turning to Lucian, "I'm sure Senior must know what I an."
Lucian nodded. He had more than enough experience with being tied down. Losing one's freedom, even temporarily, was not a pleasant experience.
"Humph, if they don't like losing their freedom then isn't obvious what they should do?" Lily pouted.
"Hmm? What should they do?" Garrett, who had been watching silently asked.
"It's simple! They should earn more Mana Stones or they shouldn't co to an auction." Lily said matter-of-factly, leaving everyone in the room speechless. But, at the sa, they could not find any words to refute her. She had a point.
After that, they beca silent and watched the auction venue slowly fill up, while eating and drinking the fruits and juices
—-----------
anwhile, after handing her duties of greeting guests at the entrance to another attendant, the young woman led Lucian and the others to their room and quickly arrived on the third floor.
The third floor was reserved solely for the Branch Leader. Therefore, no one was allowed entry unless there was an urgent matter.
*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*
After knocking on the door, a kind middle-aged woman's voice ca from the room.
"You can enter, i."
i respectfully bowed, knowing the Branch Leader could see her using Mana Sense. She then opened the door and stepped inside the luxurious office.
"Did sothing happen?" Yoshiko asked her after placing the list of nas and auction items down on the table.
i nodded and respectfully said, "Branch Leader, Sir Jas has arrived. He's currently in-"
But before i could finish her sentence, she felt a sudden gust of wind assault her, accompanied by her fragile shoulders being squeezed.
"Did you say, Sir Jas?" Yoshiko asked her excitedly as she began shaking her back and forth.
i was taken aback by Branch Leader's sudden excitent, but she quickly composed herself and replied, "Yes, Branch Leader, Sir Jas has arrived and is currently in the VVVIP Room on the second floor, along with his companions."
Hearing this, Yoshiko's wings unconsciously fluttered slightly, an obvious sign of her excitent.
"Why would Sir Jas be here? No! No! It's good that he's here."
A mont later, Yoshiko took a deep breath and released her grip on i's shoulders, much to i's relief.
"What has Sir Jas brought to add to the auction? With his status, it can easily be the showstopper we needed."
"Ehh… about that." i hesitated for a mont, before replying, "Sir Jas didn't give anything to sell. It seems he only ca to accompany two people to our Auction House."
Yoshiko was stunned, and her excitent wavered after hearing i's words. But she took a deep breath, masking her disappointnt with a pondering face.
No matter what, she was still a Branch Leader. She knew how to conduct herself.
The fact that Jas was accompanying others to the auction was unexpected, but it gave her another possibility. If Jas was here to support the two individuals, they must be people with significant backgrounds, which ant they could provide her with the last item she wanted.
"Did you manage to learn anything about them?" Yoshiko asked her as she moved over to sit at her desk.
i shook her head, feeling embarrassed. She then, bowed her body as she replied with an ashad expression, "I'm afraid not, Branch Leader. The two individuals didn't introduce themselves, and I didn't dare to directly ask for their identity either. But from their deanor and the way Sir Jas treated them, they should hold considerable status."
"For Sir Jas to accompany them at this precarious ti when the Secret Realm could open at any ti… they must have strong backgrounds. Perhaps they have their eyes set on sothing specific in the auction." Yoshiko muttered her thoughts out loud.
She then turned to i as she said, "Discreetly gather information about the two individuals. Find out who they are and what they might want."
i nodded in understanding. "I will make sure to find out everything I can, Branch Leader."
"Good. In the anti, proceed with the auction. The reputation of our Dragon Phoenix Auction House Branch is on the line. I don't want to give the other Auction Houses the chance they had always been wanting. If need be, I'll take out one of my Artifacts for the Auction."
i bowed and left the room.
—---------------
Back in the VVVIP Room, Lucian, Lily, and the others continued to watch as the auction venue slowly filled with attendees.
As ti passed, the atmosphere in the venue grew more tense.
"Sir Jas, will there be anything here worth bidding on?" Lily asked curiously. She wanted to experience the thrill of bidding.
"The Dragon Phoenix Auction House never fails to surprise. Even on a day like this, with so many experts away, they'll have sothing special. They have a reputation to uphold. But the real question is whether we will need it." Jas answered with squinted eyes. If the item held value, he would do anything he could to obtain it. He was well-versed in flipping.
Just then, the lights in the Auction House dimd.
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"Welco, esteed guests, to the weekly Dragon Phoenix Auction. I am ng Ruo, the Chief Auctioneer of today's event."
A beautiful voice like honey rang out, attracting everyone's attention in the venue to the raised stage.
Imdiately after, the red curtains were slowly pulled to the sides, revealing a beautiful young lady.
The lady's appearance caused countless gulps from the n on the ground floor and even in the only occupied VVVIP Room.
She appeared to be around twenty-three years old with seductive, narrowed eyes and an oval face frad by long, orange hair that cascaded down to her slim waist. Peaking through her hair were two orange fox ears, and a long, bushy tail, that swayed srizingly behind her.
She was dressed in a tight-fitting red cheongsam. The fabric hugged her beautiful curves and accentuated her figure. The dress stopped at the midpoint of her thick, beautiful white thighs, showcasing just enough to tantalize without being overly inappropriate.
The most striking aspect of her attire was the wide opening at her chest, revealing a deep cleavage that drew the eyes of many in the room.
As expected, several n in the venue could not resist the urge to see more, using their Mana Sense, they enveloped her.
Sadly, for them, they quickly realized it was useless, their Mana Sense was blocked by an invisible Runic Formation. However, undeterred by the failure, they secretly stood up from their seats, pretending they needed to use the bathroom to gain a better vantage point.
But as they secretly turned their heated gazes in her direction, they realized the Auction House had accounted for perverts who would use such a thod, as well.
The stage was designed so that even the tallest n could only catch a glimpse of her ankles.
But even as they tried to sneak a glance at her lower area, their hearts. and soaring dragons deflated as they saw small white pants.
Their lustful and disappointed gazes were t with nothing, but playful giggles from ng Ruo, who winked mischievously at them. She clearly knew the obvious effect her charms had on the guests and she relished seeing and knowing that.
Dragon Phoenix Auction House did not only reach its heights by using fair tactics. Depending on the guests attending the auction, the auctioneer would be switched to better suit their guests' tastes.
For this auction today, ng Ruo had been chosen as the Chief Auctioneer after seeing who entered the Auction House.
That was why the attendant at the entrance of the Auction House wrote each of the guests' nas down in an Artifact journal, which automatically copied whatever was written in it to its twin journal. After that, the process of determining who would be the Chief Auctioneer was easy thanks to their extensive network of information.
Begrudgingly, the n sat back down, not before shooting an envious gaze at the VVVIP Room above them.
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