"That VIP room—isn't the one there are the group from the Ice Domain Temple? And the one who just placed a bid was their Temple Master, Larisha!"
Many people began to murmur. Didn't the beautiful auctioneer, Lilith, just state in Rule No. 4 of the Monarch Auction House that it's prohibited to deliberately raise the bid if you don't have the capacity to pay?
Of course, many people didn't believe that the Ice Domain Temple possessed 500,000 Spirit Stones.
But what confused everyone was why Larisha would do this. From what they remembered, she was a respectable Temple Master—an ice-cold beauty and a Peak Tier 2 expert.
The Ice Domain Temple was famous for having a strong Temple Master, but its disciples were basically trash.
Look at their elders—they only had one at the Mid-Stage Tier 2, Grand Elder Nayi, who was already nearing the end of her lifespan.
The rest of the elders were merely Early-Stage Tier 2, and they had no experts in other fields like blacksmithing, alchemy, or spell making.
They didn't have a single elder at the Late-Stage Tier 2.
That was why the Ice Domain Temple remained ranked only 10th, even though their Temple Master was strong enough to rival those ranked 3rd and above.
"What is the meaning of this, Temple Master Larisha?" Ancestor Dazel asked angrily. He, too, couldn't believe that Larisha had that many Spirit Stones.
Inside VIP Room 7, the Ice Domain Elders were panicking—especially Elder Lushon and Maco. They thought their Temple Master had made a grave mistake. They were bombarding Larisha with questions, but she didn't respond. She merely stood there, serious and focused, waiting to win the Rank 3 Ice Sword.
"What is this commotion?" Lilith asked coldly, and the entire hall went silent.
Dazel immediately stepped forward.
"Miss Auctioneer, the Ice Domain Temple Master is deliberately raising the bid. There's no way they can produce 500,000 Spirit Stones."
"You're wrong—they do have the Spirit Stones," Lilith replied. "And let me add a new rule: Only our Monarch Auction House can judge whether someone is capable of paying."
With a flick of her hand, her Rank 5 Phoenix Dress flared, forming fiery wings that slapped Dazel across the face.
The strongest man in the Eldoria Empire was sent flying into the wall—just like his grandson earlier.
Gasps echoed across the room.
"Due to multiple violations, you are hereby removed from the VIP room. You may now only sit in the Silver Tier area," Lilith declared.
Calyx laughed inwardly.
'Bro, the Eldoria Empire just got humbled.'
He then sent a voice transmission to Lilith.
"Good job, my Lilith. That was cool."
Hearing this, Lilith blushed slightly and smiled in Calyx's direction.
Ancestor Dazel, Emperor Dazon, and several of their elders were forced to vacate VIP Room 1.
They could only walk below in shame. Blood was visible on Dazel's lips. As they passed through the Gold Tier area and headed toward the Silver Area while many people watched.
Some mocked and laughed at the Imperial Family, but only inwardly. No one dared to do so openly—they didn't want unnecessary trouble.
Inside VIP Room No. 2, the Eldoria Temple's Master, Daji, had a complicated expression as he watched his father and son be forced to sit in the Silver Area.
He understood they had no choice but to endure this humiliation. The Monarch Auction House was too mysterious and powerful.
But one thing was certain—after this, the reputation of the Eldoria Royal Family would plummet. People would remember this scene for the rest of their lives—how Emperor Dazon was treated like trash, and Ancestor Dazel was publicly slapped.
However, if they managed to obtain the Rank 3 sword and the other upcoming powerful items, not only would their reputation recover, but their strength would also rise by leaps and bounds. The Eldoria Empire might even rise in the rankings across the entire Desolate Region.
As they walked, Dazel sent a voice transmission to his son Daji.
He asked him to lend all the Eldoria Temple's funds. Daji sighed, then ordered one of the elders to send all of the Spirit Stones from the Eldoria Temple.
Unlike his son, Daji was more level-headed. He didn't see this as his father selfishness. For him, it was natural—this was for their future.
If his father became stronger, the strength of the Eldoria Empire would grow, and their influence would expand to neighboring empires.
And his descendants, and part of the royal family, they would then have a powerful ancestor—and they would also rise.
....
Now, VIP Room 1 stood empty. The cracks in the glass and walls had already been repaired by the natural energy from the auction house system.
Seeing this, people fell deeper into thought about just how mysterious the Monarch Auction House truly was.
Inside VIP Room No. 4…
The Spider Silk Temple was gathered there.
Their Temple Master, Valt, gritted his teeth in fury, murderous intent radiating from him.
"That bitch… Did she get all that money from the wooden box in the Inheritance Cave?"
"My attack should have left her gravely injured, but she looked perfectly fine. Did that wooden box also contain a powerful healing pill? And a storage ring full of Spirit Stones?"
He was seething with rage—and regret. But right now, he could do nothing but stew in his hatred.
"Alright, let's resume the bidding!"
Lilith's voice echoed, and the auction continued.
"550,000 Spirit Stones!"
Dazel shouted.
Immediately after—
"650,000 Spirit Stones!"
Larisha countered.
Murmurs filled the room. People were stunned that Larisha still had so many Spirit Stones.
Dazel sighed, exhaled deeply, and calmed himself.
'Let that girl have the sword. The next items will surely be better, and I'll win them all—she must have drained her spirit stones already.'
He relaxed with that thought and adjusted his mindset.
Still, it pained him to let go of that Rank 3 sword.
He could only sigh again...
"650,000 Spirit Stones. Any further bids?" Lilith asked.
The hall was silent.
"Going once… Going twice… Sold! The Rank 3 Ice Sword goes to the honored guest in VIP Room No. 7!"
Larisha's eyes sparkled. She looked at Calyx.
"Thank you… I promise, I'll repay you someday," she said via voice transmission.
Calyx simply smiled.
Larisha then left through a special passage to claim the Rank 3 Ice Sword.
Moments later, the auction house guests were shocked once more. In the VIP room, a mechanical server arrived, bringing Rank 2 tea—which could calm the mind and
improve spiritual energy—as well as roasted meat from a Rank 2 Demonic Boar.
In the Gold Tier area, guests received Rank 1 tea.
In the Silver Tier area—they received cold water.
In the Bronze area—nothing.
After some time, the auction resumed once again.