The passageways of the auction hall were lined with wealthy nobles. These aristocrats and affluent individuals had conscientiously cleared a path. Cardinal Gilmore and Cardinal Lampson of the Church of Light, King Clyde of the Fenlei Kingdom, Mireya, the chief curator of the Pruxus Hall, young master Yeru of the Dawson Trading Company, and the magical genius and master sculptor Lin Lei walked down this central corridor, chatting and laughing as they headed towards the exit of the Pruxus Hall.
"Lady Gilmore, Lord Lampson." "Your Majesty." "Master Lin Lei."
The surrounding nobles and wealthy figures smiled, offering humble greetings. The members of the Debus Family, however, were squeezed into a corner. Alice, her hat brim pulled low, couldn't help but lift her head, peering through the gaps in the crowd at the 'Lin Lei' being fêted by so many nobles and magnates.
Lin Lei was now the most legendary genius. A seventeen-year-old seventh-rank mage, and in the realm of stone carving, he had reached the same level as masters like Pruxus, Hopkinson, and Hoover. Such a genius naturally drew the reverent gaze of all, like the brightest star in the sky. Gradually, Cardinals Gilmore and Lampson, His Majesty Clyde, Lin Lei, Yeru, and the others departed.
Only then did all the nobles and wealthy individuals begin to leave in an orderly fashion.
"You must be Alice." A crisp, clear voice suddenly spoke.
The members of the Debus Family turned to look behind them.
A beautiful golden-haired girl was walking towards them, followed by an amiable-looking old gentleman. Whether it was the girl or the old man, both exuded an aristocratic air that came from deep within their bones, making one feel somewhat inferior under their appraising gazes.
Bernard immediately stepped forward, his tone humble. "Lady Shuli, this must be Miss Dilia. I've long heard that Miss Dilia of the Laine Family is breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing you today, you're even more stunning than the legends say."
For a family like the Debus Family, whose influence was limited to the Fenlei Kingdom, the gap between them and the supreme 'Laine Family' of the Yulan Empire was immeasurable.
"Oh, the head of the Debus Family?" Dilia glanced at Bernard.
Bernard nodded humbly.
"And this must be the fiancée of your son Kalan?" Dilia's eyes fell on Alice, who was hiding behind Kalan.
Bernard immediately laughed. "Her? No, she is not Kalan's primary wife."
"Not the primary wife?" A faint sneer crossed Dilia's face. She walked slowly towards Alice. Bernard didn't dare to stop her. When she stood before Kalan, he puffed out his chest in a futile attempt to block her way.
But Dilia's icy gaze sent a chill through Kalan's heart. Especially knowing she was the eldest miss of the Laine Family, his confidence completely evaporated. The Debus Family's relationship with the Dawson Trading Company was already terrible; offending the Laine Family now would make it trivially easy for them to crush his family.
"Alice." Dilia looked directly into Alice's eyes.
Alice lifted her chin, trying her best to meet Dilia's gaze and remain calm, refusing to show cowardice.
Dilia, however, smiled. She spoke softly. "Alice, I truly don't understand how Lin Lei could have ever fallen for you." Alice's face turned pale, but she retorted, "That's none of your business!"
"None of my business?" Dilia smiled lightly. "You're right, it's not my business. But I really feel sorry for you. You let Lin Lei go, and what was the result? You couldn't even become the primary wife of the Debus Family. I think you'll regret it... though, you won't have the chance anymore. Someone like you will never cross paths with Lin Lei again. You'll be from two completely different worlds, understand?"
Dilia completely ignored the ugly expressions on Kalan and Alice's faces, turning instead to look at Bernard.
"My apologies for the interruption," Dilia said very politely.
Bernard bowed respectfully. "Miss Dilia, please take care."
The old gentleman beside Dilia gave a cold snort at the pale-faced Kalan before following Dilia away. Bernard maintained his smile, watching them leave. Only after Dilia and her companion were gone did he turn back and glare fiercely at Kalan and Alice.
"Scoundrels!" Bernard rebuffed them harshly.
Kalan and Alice didn't dare utter a word. The group from the Debus Family departed under a heavy, oppressive silence.
Meanwhile, at the Lucas Family residence in Fenn City.
"Master Lin Lei, no, you mustn't," Marquis Jebu hurriedly refused Lin Lei. "There's really no need for six hundred thousand gold coins. Master Lin Lei, I'm truly sorry. I had no idea you possessed such attainments in stone carving."
The usually stubborn old Marquis Jebu now looked at Lin Lei with the eyes of one gazing upon an idol. Jebu had no other hobbies besides collecting. For him, true, heartfelt reverence was reserved for masters of their craft. Even a kingdom's king might not command such genuine admiration from him.
"Then, how about one hundred eighty thousand? That's fair. My family originally bought it for one hundred eighty thousand gold coins, and now I'll sell it back for the same price. It's only fair. Master Lin Lei, I really can't accept any more of your money. Taking money from you would trouble my sleep."
The endearing old Marquis was being quite stubborn.
"Marquis Jebu, your Lucas Family bought this war blade 'Slaughter' from my family centuries ago for one hundred eighty thousand gold coins. Gold coins back then were worth considerably more than they are today." Lin Lei wasn't trying to take advantage of anyone.
Marquis Jebu stubbornly held his gaze.
"Haha, you two, you're really something!" Yeru, standing nearby, laughed so hard he clutched his stomach. "The seller is desperately lowering the price, wishing he could give it away for free. The buyer is trying to pay more! This is the first time I've ever seen such a scene."
Lin Lei smiled helplessly. "Marquis Jebu, let's do this. One hundred eighty thousand gold coins back then would be equivalent to about three hundred sixty thousand today. Let's settle on three hundred sixty thousand. Don't refuse again, or I'll leave this Magic Crystal Card right here and walk out."
As he spoke, Lin Lei took a Magic Crystal Card from his pocket.
Marquis Jebu looked troubledly at Lin Lei, but finally nodded. "Alright then."
Lin Lei couldn't help but smile.
Marquis Jebu then gave an awkward laugh. "Master Lin Lei, I have a request. I'm not sure if I should ask."
"Go ahead," Lin Lei said, looking at Marquis Jebu with a smile.
Marquis Jebu immediately waved to his servants. Two attendants soon brought out a large, upright stone slab from the back.
"Master Lin Lei, I just hope you might leave your signature on this. I shall treasure it forever," Marquis Jebu said, looking at Lin Lei with hopeful anticipation.
Lin Lei smiled, then drew a flat knife from his pocket.
With a casual wave of his hand, the knife's shadow danced. Stone chips flew from the slab's surface. In just three breaths, Lin Lei withdrew the knife. He then blew gently on the slab, and all the stone dust scattered, revealing two bold, flowing characters—
'Lin Lei'!
Marquis Jebu stared at the characters, his eyes lighting up. "Such fluid carving technique, such beautiful writing! These two characters are worth far more than three hundred sixty thousand gold coins."
Hearing this, Lin Lei didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
On the road from Fenn City to Wushan Town, the metasequoia trees stood in neat rows on either side. Lin Lei galloped swiftly down the road on a tall, powerful horse, a huge box strapped to his shoulder. The box weighed several hundred jin, but fortunately, this was a fine horse gifted by the Dawson Trading Company; an ordinary horse couldn't possibly run so fast under such a burden.
Behind Lin Lei followed a cavalry contingent of a hundred riders.
This unit had been gifted to Lin Lei by Cardinal Gilmore of the Church of Light. According to the Church, Lin Lei's safety was of paramount importance. The previous incident where he was kidnapped had proven that. Every member of this cavalry squad possessed at least fifth-rank warrior strength—they were a small detachment from the Church of Light's elite Holy Knights.