Chapter 239: The Auction

These days, it’s true—those in debt are the “elders,” while those collecting debts are the “grandchildren”!
Watching Sognar’s arrogant attitude, Rod couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. He wondered where this guy got such thick skin. After a few days of rest, Rod was fully recovered. These past days, Sognar had been avoiding him, and it was only after asking Lilith that Rod found out it was because of the money issue.

Rod really didn’t know what to say about this. After all, he hadn’t truly intended to demand that money—after all, he didn’t place much value on it. Moreover, he knew it was impossible to get a large sum of money from a stingy dragon like Sognar; at the very least, Sognar wouldn’t be that generous, even if he had promised.

Today, with nothing much to do, Rod finally got to see Sognar again. The guy acted sneaky, turning to run as soon as he saw Rod, but was caught by Lilith. Now that he couldn’t escape, he simply approached Rod and kept talking nonstop, pretending to know nothing. Especially now, when Rod brought up the topic, Sognar looked down at him, acting as if he had money but not his life—Rod really didn’t know how to describe him. A dragon! Rod witnessed the stinginess of a dragon once again.

Lilith wasn’t surprised and instead joined Rod in pressing for repayment, clearly having agreed to gain some benefit from it!

As for Eirwen and Aida, they were holding back their laughter; otherwise, who knew what expressions they would have shown.

“I heard there’s an auction today?” Melon said at the right moment.

“What does that have to do with me? If you want to go, go by yourselves. Don’t expect me to give you a single penny!” Sognar snapped, immediately assuming others were after his money. It seemed even having money wasn’t easy.

“I heard there are some great items—shining with gold! Hey, I just wonder who will get them. This is a big auction—people from all the major families are here, including some from your dragon clan!” Melon continued, ignoring Sognar’s expression.

But Rod saw a similar look in his eyes. Seizing Rod’s gaze, Melon gave him a subtle smile.

In an instant, the two understood each other and nodded, as if reaching a secret agreement.

“Mm, I’ve heard too. There are really good items at this auction!” Aida and Eirwen chimed in.

“Really? What kind of good items?” Now, Sognar began to waver.

“It’s definitely something good, right? Are we going? We definitely are—maybe we can get some great treasures at a low price!” Melon began to ask.
“No way. There are no cheap items at auctions!” Sognar pouted; he wasn’t stupid.
“Come on, we might encounter some rare treasures. With a quick resale, their value can double several times. We can’t waste such an opportunity!” Saying this, Melon took Rubio and Rod with him and hurried outside, looking very eager. Those who didn’t know him well might be deceived by his outward appearance.
“We’re leaving too!” Aida and Eileen said quickly before following after them.
“I’m leaving too!” Lilith gave Sognar a half-smile before turning and leaving.
Sognar was left standing there in a daze, his expression changing constantly. After some hesitation, he gritted his teeth and shouted, “Wait for me! I’m coming too!” Then he ran after them.
Seeing this, the others exchanged smiles, filled with an indescribable mystery.
If the trade fair in Dark Moon City was rare, then the auction in Wuyou City could rival it. Although this auction was held frequently, the biggest one took place annually on this day. On one hand, it was because the competitions ended at this time, giving people free time. On the other hand, it was an opportunity to take advantage of the crowd drawn by the competitions for auctions.
The auction was owned by the demons, with representatives from the pro-war faction, the opposition faction, and the neutral faction all involved. The neutral faction handled the proceedings. Anyone within the Dark Source who wanted to auction something valuable could participate, making it even stronger than trade fairs in some aspects. More importantly, black coins could be used here for transactions! Trade fairs could only use magical core coins, so this place offered a broader range of options.
That’s why this auction was extremely popular, with representatives from various factions attending—it was truly a grand event.
The auction hall was located at the southernmost part of Wuyou City, in a huge venue that could be seen from afar. It was magnificent and massive, on par with the combat arena in the central area.
At that moment, the auction hall was bustling with activity. This ancient-style hall was said to be able to accommodate three thousand people at once. The entry requirement was simple: a deposit of 500,000 black coins would grant an entry ticket, serving as a filter to determine whether one had the strength to compete inside.

Of course, there are also certain requirements for one’s status—no bad reputation allowed, priority given to prominent families, and so on. The rules are quite complicated.
Before arriving at the venue, seeing the long queue, a few of them felt frustrated. How long would it take before it was their turn? And whether they’d even be allowed in was still uncertain. It was inevitable that they all felt troubled.
“Brother Rod, did you bring your Purple Star VIP card?” Aida asked as they were at a loss.
“Mm, what’s the matter?” Rod asked, looking at her in confusion. The others seemed to suddenly understand something, but he was the only one in the dark.
“I really don’t know if you’re pretending to be stupid or if you really are. Do you know what a Purple Star VIP means? It symbolizes the highest status anywhere. You…” Lilith said helplessly, rolling her eyes.
It’s like someone holding a golden bowl and still begging—how ridiculous!
As the highest symbol of status within the Source of Darkness, VIPs at trade fairs always draw much attention, especially Purple Star VIPs. Not to mention this auction—even that once-in-a-century gathering could be entered easily by them.
“Come on, let’s go go through the procedures. Seriously, why queue when you have such a valuable card?” Sognar complained irritably.
Feeling aggrieved, they followed the others to a luxurious apartment. After showing Rod’s Purple Star VIP card, they were treated like the most honored guests, receiving exceptional service.
They were taken straight to a luxurious room, and soon a man who seemed to be a high-ranking official from the auction house rushed over, bowing and apologizing nonstop upon seeing them.
After Rod and the others explained their purpose, the man readily handed over a golden card and personally led them outside the auction hall.
“Ahem… um… esteemed Lord Rod, although you are a Purple Star VIP, these are the rules…” The man said hesitantly at the counter.
Even though he was a Purple Star VIP, rules were rules—500,000 dark coins were required as a guarantee. Everyone knew this, but Rod looked utterly confused, which was exactly what troubled the man.
As a Purple Star VIP, how could he dare tell them to pay immediately? Otherwise, refusing to let them in would be asking for trouble.
“I don’t have any money!” Rod replied, responding to Melon’s subtle signal.

“This…” Suddenly, the man was at a loss. A Purple Star VIP—would someone like that care about 500,000 Black Coins? It was nothing but a drop in the ocean to them. Sweat poured from his forehead in an instant.
“What do you want!” At that moment, Sognar shouted anxiously. Glancing at the group of men eyeing him warily, he clutched his wallet tightly.
A strong sense of unease began to spread within him as he realized something!
“Sognar, pay up! Hurry!” Lilith snapped rudely.
“Um, Brother Sognar, you can’t be so stingy. We don’t have any money—only you do. Do you really want us to all lose face and not get in? There are so many luxurious things inside!” Eirwen pleaded pitifully.
“You… you guys…” Sognar’s face turned red as he struggled to speak. “Who said I’m stingy!” He argued, hating it when people called him that.
“Then pay! We’re not taking it forever—it’ll be refunded later, right?” Lilith demanded firmly.
“Yes, yes, sir! All this money will be refunded!” the man hurriedly added, trying to save face. Wouldn’t he be a fool if he refused?
His face flickered between blue and red as he stared at the group. To him, they were like demons, clearly trying to trick him. But what could he say? With no choice left, he had to go through with it.
Lilith had money—how dare he refuse her? That would be asking for trouble. His face twitched as he pulled out a card. Under the obsequious smile of the guide, Sognar was robbed of 500,000 Black Coins. The atmosphere turned grim. Rod and his group, however, smirked in satisfaction.
“Give me the card!” Taking it, Sognar held it tightly, fearing Rod and the others might cash it.
After completing the procedures, the group followed the man into the auction hall, leaving behind a crowd shouting in outrage.
But once Rod’s status as a Purple Star VIP was revealed, everything stopped. Everyone looked at each other, too shocked to complain further.
The auction hall was enormous. It was hard to imagine how much effort must have gone into building such a massive venue—after all, it wasn’t just any place.
Thanks to Rod, the group got a luxurious VIP booth—the Number Three VIP Room. Guided by the man, they arrived there in no time.
It was incredibly luxurious, with an antique charm and a sense of elegance. Classical yet grand, it reflected great wealth and power. It was clear that a lot of effort had gone into designing and constructing this booth.

“Well then, noble Lord Rod, I won’t disturb you any further. Just give me any orders you have!” Seeing Rod’s expression, the man sighed in relief and prepared to retreat. With everything arranged, he was no longer needed here; his presence would only cause inconvenience, which he understood all too well.