"Since it's Lord Blood Hand's wish, then of course you can!"
This was a trivial matter, and it also fell within the flexible provisions of the rules. Besides, Selen still wanted to try winning Leilin over, so she would naturally grant this favor.
In fact, even if Leilin's quota had been filled this time, Selen would have agreed if he wanted to bring someone extra.
After all, in her eyes, an Apothecary Grandmaster was worth far more than the Nuonuolifa family, which could only boast a Liquefied Wizard.
"Is that so? Then I truly thank you, Your Excellency!"
Joy quickly flitted across Newen's face. He certainly hadn't recognized Leilin, who had already changed his appearance, and he pulled Jesira along to bow in gratitude.
"Thank you..." Jesira still looked somewhat reluctant, but she bowed meekly all the same.
"Hmph!" Leilin gave a reserved nod and turned to walk into the auction house.
"Wait! My friend, I am Vance Nuonuolifa! I must thank you for what you did today!"
The old man named Vance had been standing off to the side the whole time, and when Leilin started moving, he fell into step beside him as they entered the auction house together. The purple-red carpet spread endlessly beneath their feet.
"It was nothing—just a small, convenient favor!" Leilin replied politely, but beneath the concealing hood, his face displayed an expression no one could read.
He reached into his robe and touched a round coin tucked inside.
"The resonance is getting stronger. The thing I need must be on that person. Heh heh... Jesira, you've delivered quite the gift to me!"
Leilin glanced at Jesira, who was walking with her head lowered. Her face was still burning with shame.
The scene that had unfolded outside the auction house had completely stripped away her veneer of vanity, showing her just how humble and helpless she truly was.
Even Leilin, who had helped her, hadn't earned the slightest bit of goodwill from her.
Of course, this woman hadn't recognized Leilin either. In her heart, she was still cursing and complaining: "Damn Leilin—if it weren't for you, I never would have come here and suffered such humiliation... Just you wait. Don't let me run into you tonight, or else..."
A vicious glint flickered through the depths of Jesira's eyes before being quickly concealed. Since her head was half-lowered, no one noticed that flash of expression.
Yes, the reason she had come here was primarily because of Leilin.
Ever since seeing him in Blue Mountain City, Jesira had been thinking of nothing but revenge.
According to what the elder who had seen Leilin with them last time had reported, Leilin had only been at the third level of the early stage back then—he hadn't even reached the Vaporization phase.
If they could just find him, her grandfather, who had already reached the peak of Liquefaction, would certainly help them get their revenge!
But to Jesira's great disappointment, no matter how thoroughly she searched Blue Mountain City—even staking out the pastry shop where Leilin had last met them on several occasions—she couldn't find any trace of him.
The Leilin of that time had long since assumed the identity of Blood Hand. Even if they crossed paths face to face on the street, Jesira would never have recognized him.
Having searched fruitlessly, Jesira had no choice but to reluctantly give up on finding him and turn to a different plan.
That was this auction event!
She was absolutely certain that Leilin had come here because of the auction, so even if she hadn't found him yet, he would eventually appear at the venue!
For this reason, Jesira—who had only come out to relax and had zero interest in the auction itself—had pestered Newen into bringing her along.
But she seemed to have forgotten something. Setting aside the fact that there were far too many Wizards attending for her to check every single one, there was another problem equally difficult to overcome: any formal Wizard had the ability to alter their own appearance! Once Leilin disguised himself, even if she combed through the entire venue, she would never find him.
Jesira might have thought of this, but the fire of hatred had already robbed her of the ability to think calmly.
At this point, Leilin and Vance had reached a fork in the corridor.
"Haha, talking with you has been most enjoyable, Blood Hand. I'm heading to my room now—perhaps we could exchange secret imprints and arrange another time to chat..."
Vance was deliberately cultivating a relationship with Leilin. After all, the latter clearly held a position of considerable influence at the Blue Mountain Auction House.
It never hurt to know more people like that. It could only benefit their family.
"Of course!"
From beneath the hood came a laugh altered by the Chip, and at the same moment, a secret imprint floated out.
After bidding farewell to the other man, Leilin was led by a maidservant to his own room.
The furnishings inside were quite luxurious, but the space was somewhat small—it could fit at most three chairs side by side before it began to feel cramped.
"No wonder they only allow two people to accompany you inside. I suppose the current Jesira must be standing off to the side... Oh, no—perhaps it's Newen standing to the side, while Jesira sits in his seat..."
Leilin let his imagination wander for a moment.