The Invincible Auction House

Chapter 35: The Spark of War

Rydale was on the verge of collapse. The skirmish at the marketplace had shattered the city's fragile peace, and rumors of the battle spread faster than the fires left smoldering in its wake. Every faction blamed the others, their paranoia and desperation growing with each passing hour. The once-bustling streets were now tense, patrolled by Ironclad Sect disciples and heavily armed guild enforcers, while the rebels vanished deeper into the shadows.

The auction house, in stark contrast, stood as a serene beacon amidst the chaos. Its grand halls glowed with an ethereal light, unbothered by the turmoil outside. Adam stood in the central chamber, his hands clasped behind his back as the orb projected the latest developments.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: CITY UNREST REACHES CRITICAL MASS. GLOBAL VILLAIN EMERGES. >

Adam's smirk deepened as the words faded. "So, the real player finally steps into the game."

Ren entered the room, his face pale. "Master Adam, the reports are worse than we thought. Harron's men are openly accusing the Ironclad Sect of orchestrating the attack. And now there's talk of a new force entering the fray—someone calling themselves the 'Ashen Lord.'"

Adam turned, his eyes gleaming with interest. "The Ashen Lord? A bold title."

Ren nodded quickly. "No one knows much about them, but their name has spread through the city like wildfire. They're claiming responsibility for the market attack, and it's clear they're stoking the flames for their own gain."

"Perfect," Adam said, his tone calm. "A global villain means a new angle to exploit. Let them take the blame for now—it will buy us time to consolidate."

In the heart of the Ironclad Sect's compound, Elder Wei Lian stood before his disciples, his expression grim. The sect's main hall was packed, the tension palpable as whispers of betrayal filled the air.

"We cannot allow the Merchant Guild to dictate the city's future," Wei Lian said, his voice firm. "Their greed has brought this chaos upon us. And now, this so-called Ashen Lord seeks to sow further discord."

A young disciple stepped forward, his fists clenched. "What are we to do, Elder? The guild won't stop until they've crushed us."

Wei Lian's gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes sharp. "We stand united. Prepare the defensive formations around our stronghold, and ensure our scouts are watching the guild's every move. As for the rebels—send a message to Elira. If she values her cause, she'll align with us fully."

Meanwhile, in the catacombs, Elira was pacing in a dimly lit chamber. Her forces were dwindling, and the recent betrayal at the warehouse had left her questioning her next move. She paused as a messenger arrived, handing her a sealed scroll.

She broke the seal and read the message quickly, her green eyes narrowing. "The sect wants an alliance? Convenient timing."

One of her lieutenants, a wiry man with sharp features, stepped closer. "Can we trust them?"

Elira's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Of course not. But we're out of options. If the sect wants our help, we'll give it—on our terms."

At the Merchant Guild, Harron sat in his office, his temper barely contained. Felmar stood by, his expression carefully neutral as he presented the latest reports.

"The Ironclad Sect is bolstering their defenses," Felmar said. "And the rebels seem to be regrouping. But this 'Ashen Lord'... they're the real wildcard."

Harron slammed his fist on the desk. "I don't care who this Ashen Lord is. They're nothing more than a distraction. The sect is our real enemy. Double the patrols, and make sure our caravans are armed to the teeth."

Felmar hesitated, then spoke carefully. "And the auction house?"

Harron's scowl deepened. "Keep an eye on them. If they're involved in this chaos, we'll deal with them soon enough."

As night fell over Rydale, the auction house prepared for another gathering. This time, the stakes were higher than ever. The hall was filled with a mix of familiar faces and new players, all drawn by the promise of power and the desperation of their circumstances.

Adam stood at the center of it all, his calm demeanor unshaken. He addressed the crowd with a practiced air of authority. "Welcome. Tonight's treasures are more than artifacts—they are tools. Tools to shape the future of this city."

The orb flared, revealing the first item.

< ITEM 1: PHANTOM EDGE DAGGER. STARTING BID: 3,000 SPIRIT STONES. >

The bidding began, fierce and immediate. Harron, seated near the front, raised his hand with a sharp motion. "3,500."

From across the room, an Ironclad Sect disciple countered. "4,000."

The tension in the hall was thick as the bids climbed higher. Adam watched with quiet satisfaction, his sharp eyes noting every flicker of greed and desperation.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: GOOD AND EVIL DEEDS DETECTED. POWER INCREASED BY 25%. >

As the auction progressed, Adam introduced an item unlike any before—a map fragment said to lead to the Ashen Lord's hidden fortress.

< ITEM 4: MAP OF ASHEN FLAME. STARTING BID: 10,000 SPIRIT STONES. >

The room erupted into chaos. Harron leapt to his feet, his voice booming. "15,000!"

A cloaked figure in the back countered, their voice low and dangerous. "20,000."

The bidding war was brutal, each participant pushing harder in their desperation to claim the map. In the end, it was the cloaked figure who emerged victorious, leaving the hall with the fragment in hand.

After the auction, Lira approached Adam with a bemused expression. "A map to the Ashen Lord? Do you think they'll believe it's real?"

"They don't need to believe," Adam replied, his smirk cold. "They only need to act. The Ashen Lord is a convenient enemy, one that keeps them distracted while we continue to grow."

By morning, the city was in turmoil once more. The sect, the guild, and the rebels all moved in response to the auction's revelations. Meanwhile, Adam stood in the heart of his domain, his power growing with each passing day.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: GLOBAL VILLAIN ENGAGEMENT CONFIRMED. MAJOR EVENT IN PROGRESS. >

"Let the Ashen Lord take center stage," Adam murmured to himself. "And when the curtain falls, this city will be mine."

End of Chapter 35