The Invincible Auction House

Chapter 37: Ashes of Conflict

The southern ruins roared with the sounds of battle. The clash of steel on steel echoed through the air, punctuated by the explosive bursts of fire and light as cultivators unleashed their techniques. The Ashen Lord's forces, though fewer in number, fought with fierce desperation, their fiery attacks carving swathes through both the Ironclad Sect and the Merchant Guild.

From atop a crumbling tower in the ruins, the Ashen Lord watched the chaos unfold, their dark robes fluttering in the smoky wind. Their mask, an ominous visage of blackened steel, glinted in the flickering firelight as they raised their hand to summon a wave of flames. The inferno swept through the battlefield, forcing their enemies to scatter and regroup.

"Fools," the Ashen Lord muttered, their voice deep and crackling like a bonfire. "They fight over the ashes of a world they've already destroyed."

Adam observed the battle from a vantage point atop a distant hill. The glowing orb floated beside him, casting a faint golden light over his calm features. He leaned slightly forward, his sharp eyes tracking every movement on the battlefield.

Ren and Lira stood nearby. Ren's face was pale, his discomfort clear as he watched the violence below. "Master Adam, this… this is madness. The entire city's factions are down there, tearing each other apart."

"And they're doing exactly what they were meant to," Adam replied, his voice steady. "Every swing of a blade, every burst of energy—it all feeds the house."

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: GOOD AND EVIL DEEDS DETECTED. POWER INCREASED BY 30%. >

Lira chuckled, folding her arms. "You have to admit, Ren, it's brilliant. They think they're fighting for their survival, but they're just fueling our rise."

Ren hesitated, his gaze flickering between Adam and the battlefield. "But what about the city? Rydale is falling apart. If this keeps up—"

"Rydale's fate was sealed long before I arrived," Adam interrupted coldly. "What matters now is ensuring the house emerges stronger. And when the smoke clears, the city will rebuild itself around us."

In the heart of the battlefield, Harron barked orders to his enforcers, his voice barely audible over the cacophony. "Hold the line! Focus on the Ashen Lord's forces—we'll deal with the sect once they're out of the way!"

Across the ruins, Elder Wei Lian of the Ironclad Sect countered with equal fervor. "Disperse their formation! Push them into the flames—they'll burn themselves out!"

Amid the chaos, Elira led her rebels with calculated precision. She knew their numbers were too few to claim victory, but she also knew the value of striking at the right moment. Her green eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for weakness.

"There," she said to her lieutenants, pointing toward a gap in the guild's defenses. "Hit them hard. Make them think we're everywhere."

Her rebels moved swiftly, their ambushes sowing confusion and forcing the guild's forces to fight on multiple fronts.

The Ashen Lord descended from their perch, their movements slow and deliberate. As they strode into the fray, their presence seemed to shift the battlefield's energy. Flames erupted around them, driving back the advancing cultivators.

"You come here seeking power," the Ashen Lord called out, their voice booming. "But power is earned, not taken. Kneel, and I may yet spare you."

Their declaration drew a mix of fear and anger. Some paused, uncertain, but most pressed the attack, unwilling to concede.

An Ironclad Sect disciple lunged at the Ashen Lord, their blade glowing with spiritual energy. With a swift motion, the Ashen Lord deflected the strike, their fiery aura scorching the disciple's weapon to ash. A single punch sent the attacker sprawling, unconscious.

Adam's smirk widened as he watched the Ashen Lord's display. "They're more capable than I anticipated," he remarked.

Lira tilted her head, her grin sharp. "Think they'll be a problem?"

"No," Adam said. "But they're useful for now. Let the factions exhaust themselves trying to kill them. When the time is right, we'll deal with the Ashen Lord on our terms."

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: GLOBAL VILLAIN ENGAGEMENT AT 95%. MAJOR EVENT NEARING COMPLETION. >

As the battle wore on, the Ashen Lord began to falter. Despite their strength, the combined forces of the guild, the sect, and the rebels took their toll. The flames that once surrounded the Ashen Lord dimmed, their movements growing slower.

From the shadows, Elira watched with narrowed eyes. She signaled to her lieutenants, her voice low. "Now's our chance. If the Ashen Lord falls, this battle ends."

The rebels surged forward, their attacks coordinated and relentless. The Ashen Lord fought back fiercely, but the tide had turned.

In the final moments of the battle, the Ashen Lord unleashed one last, desperate attack. Flames erupted from their body, engulfing the ruins in a fiery storm that forced everyone to retreat. When the fire subsided, the battlefield was eerily quiet, the Ashen Lord's figure shrouded in smoke.

Elder Wei Lian stepped forward cautiously, his blade ready. "Is it over?"

The smoke cleared, revealing the Ashen Lord kneeling, their strength depleted but their resolve unbroken. They raised their head, their mask cracked but still in place. "You may defeat me," they said, their voice ragged but defiant. "But you will never break me."

Harron approached from the other side, his expression a mix of triumph and suspicion. "This ends here. Sect, rebels, Ashen Lord—you're all finished."

But before either side could strike, a deep, resonant sound filled the air. The ruins trembled, and a golden light enveloped the battlefield. All eyes turned toward the source—the auction house orb, which now floated above the ruins, its glow pulsating with overwhelming energy.

Adam stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "Enough."

The factions froze as he descended from the hill, flanked by Lira and Ren. His presence was magnetic, his sharp gaze silencing any protest.

"This battle serves no purpose," Adam continued. "You've fought, you've bled, and yet none of you have won. But I can offer you a path forward—through the auction house."

The orb flared brighter, and the system's voice echoed through the ruins.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: GLOBAL EVENT COMPLETE. POWER INCREASED BY 50%. >

< NEW OBJECTIVE: ESTABLISH DOMINANCE OVER RYDALE. >

Adam's smirk returned as he looked out over the battered factions. "The choice is yours. Continue this futile conflict—or join me in building something greater."

End of Chapter 37