"I wonder what Your Excellency would like to ask?" Saelan asked with a smile.
A Potionology Grandmaster was an extremely rare find, and even the Blue Mountain Auction House had to do everything in its power to win such a person's favor.
And as long as the other party had a request, things would be easy! On the Central Continent, there were very few things that even a Morning Star
"I came to this Blue Mountain Auction to acquire a rare material. I received intelligence beforehand that the item would be sold here..."
"Does the guest wish to learn the seller's identity so as to arrange a private transaction beforehand?" Saelan's expression turned troubled. "I'm not sure what item you're referring to. If it's one of those exceptionally rare pieces, then even our Blue Mountain Auction House has no authority to make such decisions!"
Leylin smiled and transmitted a few words directly into Saelan's ear.
"So it's actually..." Saelan's pupils contracted slightly, and she immediately broke into a bitter smile.
"That item is far too rare — even my grandfather wouldn't make a move on it. To be honest with you, several groups of people have already approached me probing for information, but our auction house hasn't leaked anything, because the distinguished figures above have already taken notice of that auction item..."
"Is that so..." Leylin felt somewhat disappointed. It seemed the Astral Stone truly was exceptionally rare — merely its appearance here had immediately drawn attention.
Anyone whom even Saelan had to address as "lord" could only be a Morning Star Wizard — there was no other possibility.
At the same time, the gaze with which Saelan regarded Leylin was now tinged with astonishment.
Research and experimentation on the Astral Gate could only be undertaken by Morning Star Wizards. Even preliminary studies required extremely demanding conditions — a high-tier Wizard Tower and at least a liquidized realm of strength were the absolute minimum requirements!
If that was the case, this guest's strength must be truly formidable.
"Let's set that matter aside for now. There's another question — regarding the private exchange gathering held after the auction, what conditions must be met to gain admission?"
His earlier question had merely been a casual inquiry, and it was perfectly reasonable to receive no answer. Leylin quickly composed himself and asked again.
"Oh, so it's about that!"
Saelan let out a soft breath of relief.
This was still within her authority. Otherwise, failing to satisfy both requests from such an important guest would truly offend someone.
"The private exchange will be held within three days after the auction concludes. The specific location will be communicated to you. As for the admission requirements, sir, you are already a distinguished guest of our Blue Mountain Auction House and fully qualify. When the time comes, I will send someone to notify you..."
"Excellent!" After leaving several contact methods with her, Laurence ignored the other's enthusiastic attempts to keep him — along with her subtly suggestive invitation — and stood to leave the auction house.
Even after being refused, Saelan wasn't angry. She maintained her smile the entire time until Laurence departed, then returned to the auction house.
"Well? Have you confirmed his identity?"
Inside her office, a middle-aged man with golden hair, carrying a gentleman's cane, asked in an even tone. He seemed to know every move Laurence had made.
"No. He was very careful!" Saelan said with a bitter smile.
"I went through the records of nearby Potion Grandmasters, and none of them match. Could he be a Potion Grandmaster from out of town?"
Though the Blue Mountain Auction House held considerable fame, it was only so beneath Morning Star. Its reach was limited to the Wizards in this region.
"Perhaps a traveling Grandmaster — that would make him even more worth cultivating. After all, regarding the matter we've been planning, we could let him participate. He fits Grandfather's requirements perfectly, doesn't he..."
The middle-aged man's tone was calm, but after hearing his words, Saelan's eyes lit up. "You mean..."
……
Amid widespread anticipation — or one might say amid a tangle of schemes — time trickled by, moment by moment.
At last, the day the auction was set to begin arrived.
It was a festival for all of Blue Mountain City. Not only did the residents hang lanterns and decorations everywhere, but the markets had also taken on a strangely prosperous air.
Private exchanges and dealings among Wizards had long been underway.
The Oakhart family had even deployed their most elite Wizard squads to maintain order, barely managing to keep the peace.
"Come to think of it, this is quite the grand gathering beneath Morning Star for our little corner of the world!"
Laurence merged into the crowd flowing toward the auction house, occasionally scanning his surroundings.
The Chip continuously flashed pop-up warnings.
The stream of people heading toward the auction house alongside him was naturally composed of numerous Wizards — Tier One and Tier Two were commonplace, Tier Three were plentiful as well, and there were even a few whose depths Laurence couldn't quite see through.
Many of these Wizards, much like Laurence, had concealed their identities beneath thick cloaks or hooded veils, looking every bit as cautious as he did.
"Whether you hail from a major power or you're a wanted Wizard — grudges are set aside here. That's the rule laid down by the previous sessions!"
Laurence smiled faintly, his eyes drifting imperceptibly over several figures the Chip had flagged as dangerous, then he pulled his hood down a little tighter.
At that moment, all four gates of the Blue Mountain Auction House in the heart of the city stood wide open, as rows of hostesses and attendants in their most resplendent formal attire stepped out to welcome the Wizards converging from every direction.
The ordinary entrances had long since been packed to capacity, and those still arriving had no choice but to form orderly queues.
As for why they were so compliant? The two flanking rows of Wizards standing beside the welcoming party were reason enough.
These Wizards formed the elite combat corps of the Ocott family — each one a master of battle magic, equipped with a coordinated formation technique that allowed them to work in concert. Even a Tier Three Crystallized Wizard would struggle to overcome them if outnumbered, and might well find himself trapped.
In stark contrast to the ordinary entrances, a separate VIP passage — guarded even more closely — was remarkably clear of congestion. The rare Wizard who was admitted through it immediately drew a wave of awestruck stares.
Being a VIP at the Blue Mountain Auction House represented not merely a badge of honor, but true standing!
Anyone who could produce fifty million Magic Stones to transact here was obviously far more than simply wealthy — this was the world of Wizards, and without sufficient strength to back it up, any amount of wealth could be plundered in an instant!
As such, holding VIP status was often a testament to real power.
Laurence had no intention of queuing with those low-tier Wizards to wait for a seat, so he veered off to the side and headed toward the VIP passage.
It was only after he had stepped out of the crowd that he noticed, with some surprise, that another group had the same idea — and he recognized them.
"I sincerely apologize, but according to our regulations, each VIP pass may only admit two additional Wizards!"
Sera bent deeply at the waist to express her apologies, but the young woman standing before her clearly had no intention of letting the matter rest.
"On what authority? We're from the Nonolifa family—" Jessyra's face flushed crimson, while Nuan pulled her aside, wearing a helpless smile.
As for the guards flanking the entrance, they maintained their stern composure, completely unfazed by the Nonolifa family name.
The Nonolifa were merely a minor clan — they didn't even have a Dawnstar Wizard among them. If the Ocott family yielded to that, the entire clan would become a laughingstock!
Nuan clearly understood this as well, and whispered urgently to Jessyra.
Standing nearby were two more Wizards, both above Tier Three. The one at their head in particular seemed to be on the verge of breaking through the peak of liquefied Spiritual Power and reaching the crystallized stage.
"That old man?"
Lei Lin studied the leading Wizard. The old man had a gaunt face, and a single earring made of red ruby dangled from one ear, seemingly carrying some special significance.
"He must be the patriarch of the Nonolifa family — that rumored Wizard at the peak of liquefaction!"
Lei Lin walked over without the slightest concern. On his hands, he had already sent a Tollan who had used forbidden techniques to break through to crystallization to his grave. He certainly wasn't going to put this old man on a pedestal.
"Jessyra, didn't you say you didn't want to attend this kind of auction?"
Nuan tried to persuade her in exasperation. His fiancée had originally agreed to just come along for fun, without participating in the auction, but today she had gone mad for some reason and insisted on coming with them.
Moreover, their family had another elder who had already reached Tier Three accompanying them this time, which had already filled up their quota.
The VIP passage in particular had strict limits on the number of people allowed, and there was no way the organizers would make a special exception just for them. After all, the Nonolifa family was merely a minor local clan — why would a major power like this cater to them?
It had to be said, after getting engaged, Nuan had indeed matured quite a bit.
"No way, I want to go in and take a look! Grandpa Vance, please say yes?" Jessyra tugged on the old Wizard's arm and began to act coquettish.
Vance, unable to withstand her pestering, could only give Selan a helpless, bitter smile. "You see..."
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Vance! Even though you and I are old friends, rules are rules. If this young lady truly wishes to enter, she can take the general admission passage over there!"
Selan wore a professional smile on her face. Though her tone was perfectly sincere, there was still a faint hint of perfunctory, hollow courtesy woven through it.
After all, it was only a minor clan. They weren't important enough for her to bend over backwards.
"No! I won't go that way!" The commotion had already drawn the attention of many Wizards, and Jessyra refused to budge no matter what. It would be far too humiliating.
"Excuse me, please make way — there are other VIPs arriving!"
At that moment, Selan's eyes lit up, and she strode forward to greet the newcomers. "Lord Bloodhand! It's been so long!"
Compared to the polite perfunctoriness of before, this time Selan's enthusiasm was unmistakable.
That attitude — never mind Jessyra, even Nuan was starting to feel a little disheartened.
"What's going on?" Lei Lin asked, feigning ignorance.
"Oh! It's nothing. The previous guest has used up all their slots, but this lady insists on going in!" Selan explained casually.
"Then she can use my slot. I don't have anyone to bring along anyway."
Lei Lin shook his head and said.