Freya

The Jialan Auction House.

This was a high-end establishment in Red Stone City. Not just anyone could wander in; there was a fee.

Entry to the first floor alone cost ten thousand Ink Stones, the second floor demanded one hundred thousand, and the highest tier, the third floor, required a status of Four-star Demon or an invitation to enter.

At the entrance of the auction house, groups of God-level powerhouses were queuing to enter. Today was an unscheduled high-level auction, featuring rare resources that were difficult to obtain even within Blood Peak Castle.

Linley and his companions arrived at the bustling commercial street. They observed the lively scene, where the clamoring God-level powerhouses were orderly paying their fees to enter. No one dared to cause trouble, thanks to the guards standing tall like javelins on either side of the grand entrance.

Dennis transmitted his thoughts, a hint of envy in his tone, "It seems the rumors about the City Lord's Mansion having shares in the Jialan Auction House are true."

Linley transmitted back with a light, casual chuckle, "That's not surprising at all. Any industry that makes big money in this city likely has a stake held by the upper-tier powers like Blood Peak Castle and the City Lord's Mansion. Having power means getting advantages."

While they were talking, they showed no intention of queuing. Instead, they walked directly towards a different entrance on the side. This immediately drew the attention of many people present.

"Look at those people!"

"Huh? Mid-level Gods!"

"Heh, probably just another group of arrogant fools!"

"Exactly! Do they really think we don't want to go that way!"

As the God-level powerhouses carefully sensed them, they all sneered dismissively upon realizing Linley and his group were all Mid-level Gods. Their faces showed mockery and amusement, anticipating the embarrassing scene of them being turned away.

"Stop..."

A white-robed attendant at the entrance, responsible for reception, frowned as he saw the group swaggering over. He was about to reprimand them, but the words caught in his throat. Upon seeing the VIP invitation card produced by the person at the front, he paused, quickly changing his attitude. With a respectful smile, he said, "Welcome, honored sir. Please, come in."

Linley walked ahead with a calm expression, followed closely by Thomas and the other three. The white-robed attendant offered no resistance.

Holders of VIP invitation cards were granted four free spots to bring companions.

This was also reasonable and normal. After all, powerful individuals usually had a few followers, and some privileges and conveniences had to be granted.

"How is that possible? How did they get in?"

"Did I see that right? Those Mid-level Gods actually went in!"

"Has that entrance been opened to them?"

Seeing Linley and the four others successfully enter the auction house, some who had been patiently queuing were dumbfounded. Those who had been mocking them earlier were now filled with shock and embarrassment.

Two Mid-level Gods who had just arrived at the end of the line were confused. They decided to try their luck, chuckling to each other, "Let's go, we'll head over there too. Why queue so hard here? They probably just want a bit more Ink Stone."

The result...

"Scram! If you don't have an invitation, go queue up honestly!"

The same white-robed attendant, who had been wearing a kind smile moments before, immediately changed his demeanor. With a look of disdain and annoyance, he shooed them away. This made the two men's faces burn, and they scurried off sheepishly.

The establishment was being overbearing, and ordinary God-level beings couldn't afford to offend them. They didn't dare show any emotion, let alone linger to become a laughingstock.

Linley and his companions were unaware of the scene at the auction house entrance. They were following a female Mid-level God attendant with shoulder-length golden hair, walking on the deep purple obsidian floor towards the second level. They continued upwards to the third level and entered private room number three.

Inside the room sat a High-God with long, light blue hair. Upon seeing Linley and his group, she immediately broke into a brilliant smile, standing up and saying, "Mr. Linley, I've heard much about you. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Freya, the owner of this Jialan Auction House."

Linley raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I'm just an ordinary One-star Demon. Since when did I have such a great reputation to attract the attention of a Six-star Demon like Miss Freya?"

Freya shook her head, her smile hearty. "To be able to kill several Five-star Demons simultaneously, including someone like Camilla, the owner of Bloodthirsty Castle, who is close to Six-star Demon level, it's hard for someone like you, Mr. Linley, not to be noticed."

Linley didn't dwell on the topic and asked, "So?"

Rather than superficial words, expressions, or actions, Linley trusted the fluctuations of thought he sensed from his own magnetic field to gauge the goodwill or malice of those interacting with him.

Freya's emitted magnetic field was quite complex, with both goodwill and malice mixed together, like black and white blended into a shade of gray.

Based on Linley's experience and analysis, he judged that this person harbored some ill intentions but was mostly calm, restrained, and wary.

In summary: she was not a friendly person.

If you're not absolutely against someone, it means you're absolutely for them. She just lacked the opportunity to act. Like a blank piece of paper, a single black spot would stain it; you couldn't call it pure white paper anymore.

A woman like Freya, given the right time and place, and if it benefited her, would immediately reveal a cold-blooded demeanor.

Freya smiled and said, "Don't misunderstand. I simply wish to befriend you, Linley."

She was astonished. She was proficient in the Death Rule and confident in her soul cultivation, believing it to be no less than that of some Seven-star Demons. Observing and sensing Linley at close range, she perceived him as a Mid-level God. Yet, he possessed strength comparable to a Six-star Demon, which was truly incredible.

Linley remained noncommittal. "I have some interest in Alchemy and am lacking a few key materials. I received an invitation card and decided to see if anything was available at the auction."

He couldn't be bothered to befriend a woman with hidden malicious intent. She wasn't qualified to warrant his feigned politeness. He was only willing to speak a few more words now for his own benefit.

"Oh... coincidentally, I also have some understanding of Alchemy..."

Freya chuckled dismissively, using this as an opportunity to converse with Linley. She soon discovered with surprise that he wasn't lying.

Linley did indeed possess some experience and techniques in Alchemy, though it was relatively rudimentary. He must have only recently entered this field, but he already had some of his own ideas, which was quite remarkable.

Freya said proudly, "You've come to the right place. Some rare materials are difficult to acquire even in Blood Peak Castle and Black Sand Castle."

Linley nodded, acknowledging this fact. Even if he hadn't been invited this time, he would still have been looking for information about the auction house.

The prices for items recycled within Blood Peak Castle were only seventy percent of their selling price. With large quantities, the price difference was staggering. They also sold stable, mass-producible goods, such as Divine Sparks, divine artifacts, Soul Gold Beads, and soul potions.

Under such circumstances, naturally, some people would choose to take risks and engage in black market transactions in places like Black Sand Castle. It was a chaotic place where the quality of goods depended entirely on individual judgment. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that fake goods were rampant, and buyers had to accept the consequences if they were duped.

The nature of an auction house was more specialized. It provided appraisal services. If one wanted to purchase rare resources with a strong personal touch, such as soul poison refined by a certain master, or cultivation notes and combat experience from a certain powerhouse, it was much more reliable than trying one's luck at Black Sand Castle, although the prices would undoubtedly be higher.