The Magic Stones in Ian’s Dimension Ring were mainly accumulated from years of refining Starlight Potions and Rock Bear Potions, supplemented by loot from previous enemies.
The total was around fifteen hundred Magic Crystals, though a portion of that was still in raw materials and needed to be valued.
But... a Void Crystal this large—he had to have it.
Water of Balance was one of the keys to his advancement to Level Three.
If he missed this chance, there was no telling when he’d find another.
"Five hundred and ten."
Ian slowly announced his new price. His voice was not loud, but it was clear and firm.
The sneer on the purple-robed Warlock’s face froze.
His gaze turned completely frigid. The faint Crystalization Force Field around him trembled, making the air ripple.
But just then...
HUMMM!
A vast, abyssal pressure emanated from the direction of the high platform.
It was like an invisible giant hand pressing down on everyone’s hearts.
A warning from a Level Three Great Witch.
The Warlock’s body stiffened. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger.
He gave Ian a deep look, the chill in his eyes almost cold enough to freeze solid.
Then, he slowly leaned back in his chair and said no more.
But anyone could see that this... wasn’t over.
Derek spoke at the perfect moment.
"Five hundred and ten Magic Crystals, going once."
"Going twice."
"Going three times."
"Sold!"
The gavel fell.
Ian stood up and walked toward the stage.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on him, filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of apprehension.
A Level Two Wizard who could casually produce so many Magic Crystals...
...was no simple character.
Ian ignored their gazes and walked to the front of the stage.
The gray-robed old man handed the Void Crystal over.
It was cold and heavy in his hand. The cracks on its surface felt coarse, and the darkness flowing within seemed to writhe as if alive.
Ian confirmed it was what he wanted and retrieved a prepared leather pouch from his Dimension Ring.
Inside were the prepared Magic Crystals, neatly arranged, their Energy fluctuations pure and surging.
The old man took the pouch, swept it with his Spiritual Power, and nodded slightly.
The transaction was complete.
An attendant came forward to collect the ten percent commission: fifty-one Magic Crystals.
Ian’s expression didn’t change. He placed the Void Crystal deep within his Dimension Ring and turned back toward his corner.
Throughout the entire process, his face was calm and his steps were steady.
But only he knew that his heart was starting to beat a little faster.
’The main ingredient for what I suspect is Water of Balance is finally in my hands!’
’Now all that’s left is to complete the formula.’
He returned to his stool and sat down. Gaga immediately sent a telepathic message.
"Ian, that person seems really angry, gaga..."
"Mm."
Ian’s gaze swept toward the purple-robed Warlock.
The Warlock was whispering something to an old man beside him, who sat with his eyes closed in meditation.
The old man wore a simple gray Long Robe, his aura restrained.
But Ian’s Spiritual Perception could faintly detect that in the man’s Sea of Spirit, the crystal core had already completed its Elementalization.
A faint blue glow of the Water Element flowed slowly across the crystal’s surface.
A Level Two Late Stage Wizard, far stronger than he was now.
’Not someone I can take on right now,’ Ian thought, his heart turning cold.
But he had no regrets. Some things had to be fought for when the opportunity arose.
’Cowering in fear will never make one strong.’
The auction continued.
Ian didn’t make any more bids; he just watched quietly.
During this time, he noticed another gaze on him.
It came from the right side of the hall, near the portholes.
Adelle Justice sat in a high-backed chair, and beside her was a middle-aged Witch in a deep cyan dress with a gentle face.
The Witch’s aura was profound—another Level Two Late Stage Wizard.
She was likely an elder close to the Justice Clan.
Adelle’s gaze rested on Ian for a few seconds, and she gave a slight nod. Her expression was complicated—a mixture of surprise, contemplation, and a trace... of admiration.
Clearly, she had recognized the value of the Void Crystal and had seen Ian’s determination.
The person now on stage was an old woman with graying hair, leaning on a Crystal Walking Stick.
Level Two Initial Stage, but her aura was somewhat unstable, as if she had yet to recover from a serious injury.
She took a palm-sized Crystal Box from her Dimension Ring.
Inside the box lay a three-leafed sprout, translucent as if carved from ice.
Fine silver patterns grew naturally on the surface of its leaves, forming abstruse Runes.
"A five-hundred-year-old Silver-striped Soul Calming Grass."
The old woman’s voice was hoarse.
"Consumed directly, it can soothe Soul trauma and stabilize the Sea of Spirit."
"If combined with similar materials, it can be used in the Refining of the Soul-Soothing Lament Potion."
"It is exceptionally effective against... the dissipation of consciousness caused by severe soul damage or bloodline Curses."
She paused, then added.
"Starting price: one hundred Magic Crystals."
A few whispers rose from below the stage.
Silver-striped Soul Calming Grass was indeed precious, especially for its effects on Soul trauma.
But for a five-hundred-year-old specimen, the price was also quite steep.
Moreover, the Soul-Soothing Lament Potion was extremely difficult to refine, requiring Tier Two Master Level Magic Potion Mastery.
Many were tempted, but they were also weighing the costs.
Ian noticed Adelle’s body lean forward slightly.
She stared at the Silver-striped Soul Calming Grass, a flash of urgency in her eyes.
Her fingers tightened unconsciously, her knuckles turning white.
But just as quickly, she leaned back into her chair, her lips pressed tight, a look of bitterness and helplessness in her eyes.
Ian understood in an instant.
’This herb would help with her father’s bloodline Curse.’
’But... it seems she can’t even produce one hundred Magic Crystals.’
’Internal suppression from her clan, two older brothers watching her like hawks... Just getting aboard the Skybound was probably her limit.’
The bidding began.
"One hundred and ten."
"One hundred and twenty."
"One hundred and fifty..."
The price rose steadily. Adelle watched in silence, saying nothing.
The middle-aged Witch beside her gently patted the back of her hand. Her gaze was soft but equally helpless.
As an elder from a side branch of the clan, there was a limit to the support she could offer in the family’s internal struggles.
"Two hundred."
A voice rang out. It was the purple-robed Warlock again.
Adelle’s face paled, her fingers digging into her palm.
But she still did not speak.
Her pride and her dire situation prevented her from showing any weakness in front of everyone.
"Two hundred and ten," another Level Two Wizard chimed in.
"Two hundred and thirty," the purple-robed Warlock added lazily.
"Two hundred and fifty..."
When the price climbed to two hundred and eighty, the others gradually dropped out.
Only the purple-robed Warlock and another Black Robed Wizard with a cold aura remained in competition.
"Three hundred."
As the purple-robed Warlock announced the number, his gaze swept over Ian.
The provocation in his eyes was undisguised.
The Black Robed Wizard hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and gave up.
Derek prepared to bring the gavel down.
Just then.
"Three hundred and fifty."
The calm voice once again came from the corner.
Everyone froze and turned in unison.
Ian sat on his stool, his gaze fixed calmly on the high stage.
It was as if he had just casually tossed out a number.
The mocking look on the purple-robed Warlock’s face instantly solidified.
He slowly turned his head to stare at Ian.
He couldn’t believe the other man actually dared to respond to his provocation.
Ian met his gaze without any expression, as if he wasn’t the one who had just made the bid.
"Three hundred and fifty Magic Crystals, going once."
Derek spoke at the right time, breaking the stalemate.
The purple-robed Warlock’s chest heaved, the Force Field around him fluctuating violently.
But the gray-robed old man beside him placed a hand gently on his arm.
The old man’s eyes remained closed; he only shook his head slightly.
The Warlock took a deep breath, forced down his fury, and stopped bidding.
"Going twice."
"Going three times."
"Sold!"
Ian stood up once again, walked to the stage, paid the Magic Crystals, and took the Crystal Box.
It was cool to the touch. The Silver-striped Soul Calming Grass inside emitted a gentle Soul fluctuation.
He turned, but instead of returning to his corner, he walked straight to the right side of the hall.
He stopped in front of Adelle.
Adelle looked up at him.
Her eyes were a complex mix of surprise, gratitude, and a trace of mortified embarrassment.
"Gray Moon Wizard..."
She began, her voice a little hoarse.
"This Soul Calming Grass is indeed useful for my father."
"But three hundred and fifty Magic Crystals... I can’t produce that amount right now."
She paused, her back straightening, her gaze regaining its composure.
"I will remember this favor. After I return to my clan, I will repay you with interest."
Ian looked at her pale face and the deep-seated weariness and resolve in her eyes.
He was silent for a few seconds. Then he held out the Crystal Box.
"There’s no rush to pay back the Magic Crystals."
Adelle was taken aback.
"Last night, you told me about Gaga, and gave me information about the Eternal Shadow Remains."
Ian’s voice was calm.
"Consider this grass a thank you from me, on behalf of Gaga."
Adelle pressed her lips together, her eyes flickering.
In the end, she did not refuse. She accepted the Crystal Box, her fingertips trembling slightly as they made contact.
"Thank you."
Her voice was very soft, her expression very serious.
Ian nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait."
Adelle called out to him.
She glanced in the direction of the purple-robed Warlock, her voice lowered.
"That is Collins Hawke Wood."
"He’s the eldest son of the Hawkwood Clan, one of the Controllers of the Silver Sail City State in the Eastern Central Continent."
Ian paused his steps.
Adelle continued, "The Hawkwood Clan is backed by a Level Four Morning Star Wizard."
"Although they only control a single City State, it’s located at a strategic point and thrives on trade. The clan’s wealth and influence... are greater than that of the Justice Clan."
Ian’s gaze darkened.
Level Four Morning Star... that was a being who had surpassed the level of a Great Wizard. They had a lifespan of five thousand years—ten thousand for those skilled in life extension—and were powerful enough to establish their own independent faction.
Adelle’s voice grew even softer.
"The old man next to Collins is ’Grey Vulture,’ an Honored Elder of the Hawkwood Clan. He’s a Level Two Late Stage Wizard who has already completed his Spiritual Power Elementalization."
"Their branch has dealings with the Justice Clan, and Collins... is very close with my two older brothers."
She looked up at Ian.
There was no fear in her eyes, only a frank warning.
"You’ve snatched two items from him in a row. A man with Collins’s personality... will not let this go."
"On the airship, with a Level Three Great Witch presiding, he won’t dare to make a move openly."
"But once we reach the Central Continent... you must be careful."
Ian was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Thank you for the information."
Adelle shook her head gently.
"You helped me once, I’m warning you once. It’s fair."
She paused, then added.
"Although the Hawkwood Clan is powerful, there are many factions in the Eastern Territory stronger than them."
"Our Justice Clan also has Morning Star Wizards. Most of them are off-world, so there’s no need to worry.
Furthermore, our clan’s three City States are not just for show."
"If you... ultimately decide to cooperate with me."
"I will bear this grudge with you."
She spoke calmly, but Ian understood the weight of her words.
If he chose to stand with Adelle.
Then his conflict with the Hawkwood Clan would escalate from a personal grudge to a part of the struggle for succession within the Justice Clan.
At that point, the power of the Justice Clan behind Adelle would become his shield.
Of course, that was assuming she could win.
Ian just gave a slight nod. "I still need to consider it."
With that, he turned and walked back to his stool in the corner.
In the grand hall, the auction continued.
But Ian could feel several gazes, faint but persistent, resting on him.
They came from Collins Hawke Wood and the Elder Grey Vulture beside him.
They also came from other Level Two Wizards who had taken notice of the conflict.
Gaga hid in his hood, whispering telepathically.
"Ian, I think we’ve gotten into trouble, gaga..."
"Mm. When Wizards compete for resources, when is there not trouble?"
Ian reached up and gently rubbed its little head.
"Are you scared?"
"Gaga! Of course not!" Gaga puffed out his little chest, a fierce light flashing in his mismatched eyes.
"If anyone dares to cause trouble, I’ll devour their Shadow!"
The corner of Ian’s mouth curved up. Deep within his eyes, a faint golden light slowly swirled.
’Trouble?’
What he needed to do was simple...
Become strong enough before that trouble arrived.