Chapter Thirty-Six: Killing the Game

This was a crystal ball shrouded in a gray mist, with endless fog swirling within. Karotes couldn’t help but feel surprised; he gazed at the ball and then smiled, “If this really is the Eye of the Seer, is it truly worth it?”

“Worth or not is a matter of personal judgment,” Number Three replied calmly. “Mr. Chairman, you may inspect its authenticity.”

“Just toss it to me,” Karotes said casually, looking at the other.

Number Three raised his right hand and tossed the crystal ball. The grayish orb traced an arc through the air and landed squarely in Karotes’ hand.

Karotes examined the crystal ball, momentarily entranced. “Yes, this is the Eye of the Seer. Though it ranks only four hundred and twenty-first on the Spirit Artifact List, its reputation far surpasses many higher-ranked artifacts.”

“That’s because it’s a replica of the Cloud Dream Marsh,” Karotes murmured gently. “Allow me to introduce Cloud Dream Marsh: it ranks seventh on the Spirit Artifact List and is famed for its ability to foresee both past and future. Though not the very top, many consider it their most coveted artifact.”

“Of course, Cloud Dream Marsh has been lost for centuries. Countless have tried to recreate it, but none have succeeded.”

“The Eye of the Seer is the closest attempt.”

“Neither Cloud Dream Marsh nor the Eye of the Seer are spirit artifacts meant for combat, so their ranking suffers somewhat, but their worth far exceeds ordinary battle artifacts.”

“To my knowledge, the Eye of the Seer works thus: each morning, upon waking, you drip your first drop of blood onto the crystal ball, and it will reveal silhouettes of scenes you may encounter that day.”

“While these prophecies aren’t guaranteed to come true, unless you deliberately avoid them, they tend to hover above you like a flock of crows, eventually descending.”

“Most of its predictions are ill omens, hence its nickname—the Ball of Misfortune. This has further hindered its ranking.”

“Still, it’s a bead that glimpses the immediate future—even just a day, which is exceedingly rare. Used wisely, its value is incalculable.”

“Of course, the Eye of the Seer has its drawbacks: it seems to drain your luck. On the day you use it, your fortune plummets, and misfortunes come in waves.”

“So even if you wish to use it, you must think twice.”

“If I were to value it, I’d say it’s worth over three hundred thousand Goldleafs. That’s because I know special ways to use it, but regardless, its value certainly surpasses the Winter Songster.”

With that, Karotes turned to Number Nineteen. “Do you object, sir?”

“If it truly is the Eye of the Seer, I have no objection,” Number Nineteen replied quietly. “I only question whether this exam paper has all the properties he claims.”

“That’s not for you to consider,” Number Three answered coolly.

Both men spoke under their assigned numbers, yet they seemed to know each other’s true identities.

Since Number Three had raised the stakes so high, Number Nineteen had no choice but to accept defeat.

“I can hardly imagine anyone presenting something more precious,” Karotes smiled at the audience. “You’ve truly opened my eyes. A pity I can offer only one exam paper—or else collecting all your stakes would be a marvelous thing.”

“If anyone wishes to continue the bidding, you’re welcome. If not, we’ll bring the hammer down.”

“Wait.” A low, hoarse voice sounded. “I have something to offer, but it’s for the Chairman’s eyes only.”

Karotes gazed calmly at the speaker. He sat in the very first seat; his number was One.

“Interesting,” Karotes said, meeting his gaze. “Very well.”

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a giant black curtain, like a tent, appeared around him.

“Come in and speak,” Karotes invited.

Number One nodded, rose from his seat, and strode to the stage.

Everyone watched the first contestant to step onto the auction platform. Aside from his tall stature, he had no distinguishing features—he looked like any ordinary passerby on the street.

He entered the tent Karotes had conjured, and as the entrance closed, all that remained was the black box on stage, leaving the audience to stare in bewilderment.

...

Inside the tent, Karotes gazed quietly at the man and smiled. “Why are you interested in this item?”

“I have the right to be interested in anything,” the man replied calmly, producing a small transparent bottle. “This is my collateral.”

Karotes looked at the bottle and sighed. “You left in quite a hurry, didn’t you?”

“Not overly so, but I didn’t bring anything easy to liquidate. Even if I did, it would be less convenient than this,” the man said in a low voice.

In his hand was a bottle sculpted entirely from crystal, barely the size of a finger—smaller than a standard healing potion vial.

Yet it contained not a potion, but half a bottle of pure golden liquid.

Inside, the liquid seemed to burn and radiate dazzling light, almost illuminating the tent as brightly as day.

But Karotes’ tent was built to swallow all light, sinking those brilliant rays into a bottomless mire, never to reflect.

“The Blood of the Gods,” Karotes sighed. “Are you truly willing to hand it over?”

“Wouldn’t your family elders be displeased?”

“My blood is mine to handle as I wish,” the man replied coolly. “Besides, this quantity is hardly enough for anything.”

“How I’d love to possess your blood,” Karotes said with feeling. “It can accomplish much. For your kind, the protection of your lineage is paramount. There’s some godly blood circulating outside, but fresh, potent blood like yours is rare indeed.”

“Is it enough?” the man asked calmly. “I can provide more if needed.”

“It’s enough, enough,” Karotes sighed. “Many professors at the academy covet your blood, willing to pay dearly for such precious research material. Though there are many of your kind, only thirty in the world possess godly blood as fresh and pure as yours.”

“Perhaps more,” the man replied indifferently.

“Let’s not count those ancient monsters already halfway in the grave,” Karotes shook his head.

“So, you’ve won the bid. But I’m curious, what do you want the exam paper for?”

“I want to ask you a question in person,” the man replied.

“Then ask now,” said Karotes. “Though you haven’t yet succeeded, for someone of your stature, I don’t mind answering.”

“But I do mind,” the man said, looking at Karotes. “I won’t ask you an ordinary question; for me, it’s of utmost importance.”

“Very well. If you win the bid, tonight I’ll answer your question,” Karotes said seriously.

“Thank you in advance, Mr. Chairman.” The man placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly, then turned to leave.

“Don’t you think your bow was a bit shallow?” Karotes teased.

“A student council president of Ye Night is hardly worth my bow,” the man said, glancing back coolly. “I saluted you because you are Karotes.”

...

No one kept time, nor knew how long had passed.

Since the two entered the tent, the Hall of Stars had fallen silent.

Perhaps only a few heartbeats passed, or perhaps ten minutes. Finally, someone saw a corner of the tent move.

Number One emerged empty-handed and returned to his seat without a word.

Karotes followed, slowly stepping out of the tent, glanced around, and looked at Number One in his seat.

He addressed the crowd, “Number One currently holds the highest bid. I find it difficult to measure the value of his item, but it’s unquestionably of extreme rarity.”

“If anyone believes they possess something more precious, you’re welcome to challenge. Trust me, though the last exchange was private, I will fairly and reliably judge the true value of every item. After all, I’m running an auction—there’s no reason not to favor the highest price.”

Yet silence had settled over the crowd.

The Eye of the Seer had already breached the psychological defenses of nearly everyone.

Privately, they asked themselves if they would trade such an artifact for the exam paper.

Almost all answered no.

Though its ranking wasn’t high, it was a true treasure, rare and coveted.

The Ball of Misfortune—it’s genuinely capable of glimpsing fragments of one's own future, an artifact bordering on the realm of the gods.

But now, even the Eye of the Seer had been bested. What could Number One’s unremarkable offering possibly be? No one knew, nor did anyone wish to risk a futile challenge.

“I’ll begin the call, then,” Karotes said, satisfied with the reactions around him. “Number One, first call.”

“Number One—”

“Wait.” Suddenly, another voice rang out.

Karotes looked toward the source, his eyes betraying a hint of surprise.

The golden-haired girl in white had risen. She had posed the very first question to Karotes at the start, so nearly everyone remembered her. Yet throughout the auction, she had remained silent, seeming little more than a prop, quickly forgotten.

No one expected her to step forward now.

“Mr. Chairman, you’re certain there’s no second contestant bidding?” she asked.

Karotes raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

“I wish to ensure I am the final bidder,” she continued.

“What do you mean?” Karotes asked.

“I’m certain my bid will surpass everyone’s in the room. To avoid spoiling the game, I must bid last.”

Her voice reverberated through the Hall of Stars.

No one could believe their ears.

How could anyone be so arrogant?

None dared possess such absolute confidence.

“Then I confirm you are the final bidder,” Karotes replied calmly.

Perhaps before he spoke she was not, but now, she was.

“You may place your bid,” Karotes said.

“Very well.” The girl nodded. “My bid must also be made in private.”

“That’s fine. Please proceed,” Karotes said.

The golden-haired girl left her seat and walked forward step by step.

Unlike Number One, everyone could see her. As she emerged from the darkness, her breathtaking beauty and aura were unmistakable.

Many gasped, wracking their brains yet unable to place her—such a figure could not have appeared out of nowhere. Her earlier words hinted at an extraordinary origin, one able to produce an item that could end the game.

Number One watched her back with puzzled eyes, but said nothing, observing as she entered the black tent.

...

“This is my bid.” Liu Ru opened her palm before Karotes, revealing the gold coin she’d held since the start.

Karotes nearly exploded on seeing it.

“Damn!”

“You’re breaking the rules!”