The location for the Black Cartel Auction is at another floating city. However, this city is much smaller than where the Blood Tournament took place.

When Klaus and Villa arrived, he was shocked to see only 14 people present for the auction. Every last one of them is a True Immortal.

All 14 are hardened criminals with an extensive reputation in the criminal underworld. Just their names and deeds were enough to show the kind of monsters they are.

It turned out the auction was by invitation only, and the only way he was invited was by winning the Blood Tournament.

Right when he arrived, all eyes turned to him.

Most were just curious; however, Klaus sensed a few who held hostile intentions toward him. Naturally, he merely brushed them off, knowing that inside the auction hall, they wouldn't dare attack him.

In fact, on his way here, he already sensed some hostile gazes aimed at him from faraway places.

Some even came from outer space, showing that the visionary ones had already set up camp there, waiting for him to leave the planet.

Once he appears, they would amnush him and take what they could from him.

The life of a criminal is as such. The strong get to bully the weak and take their possessions with an iron fist, and there is nothing they can do about it.

Klaus settled in his chair and casually closed his eyes like he had nothing to worry about. He is here for something, so there is no need to bother with what some True Immortals think.

An hour later, a large door was opened, and Varkos stepped in, followed by five True Immortals—each a monster in their own right.

Right when they entered, all six of them locked their gaze on Klaus.

However, while Klaus expected hostile looks, to his shock, Varkos seemed happy to see him, moving straight toward him.

When he was close enough, Klaus stood up to meet him.

As they say, it is always good to meet your enemies with a broad smile and let them welcome you with open arms.

"Blood Sword," Varkos said, letting a smile appear on his face.

"Lord Varkos," Klaus responded with a smile to his greeting. Of course, on the surface, all of them were being polite, but deep within, they all had their own intentions.

Varkos, in a way, felt threatened by Klaus.

Of course, he would be.

The fact that Klaus, a mere Empyrean, was able to go against Real Immortals and defeat them demonstrated that he was a formidable opponent.

In simple terms, such a person could one day replace him as the head of the Cartel. That is something he cannot allow to happen.

However, the fact that even as a mortal, he was able to win a Blood Tournament shows that if he aided him, winning the Underworld Slaughter Tournament would be possible.

When that happens, there is a chance Klaus might even leave to pursue much bigger roles in the underworld, thereby leaving the Cartel with considerable recognition and Varkos as the leader.

If only he knew that Klaus planned on killing him before the Underworld Slaughter Tournament, he would probably smite him where he stood.

"I hope you have received your reward for winning the Blood Tournament," Varkos asked, and Klaus nodded.

"I did. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. You have proven your capabilities to everyone, and that has earned you these items. Now, all you have to do is win the next Blood Tournament in four months and represent this Cartel in the Underworld Slaughter Tournament."

Varkos smiled, feeling happy at the moment.

However, at the back of his mind, he was smiling at Klaus simply because even if he somehow managed to win the next Blood Tournament, the chances of him winning against hardened criminals who had fought many deadly battles and emerged victorious were slim.

"Don't worry, Lord Varkos, I have my eyes on the bigger picture, so rest assured, I will be surprising you all."

"I look forward to that."

"Oh, you have no idea." Klaus grinned through his smile.

Varkos and his men left for their seats.

Klaus also returned to his seat with a small smile on his face. To those who witnessed this exchange, it would seem that Klaus was merely happy to see and shake hands with a legend like Varkos.

However, if they knew what was running through his mind, they would probably pull their weapons and stop him before he struck.

After he settled down, he turned to Icon...

'What do you think, Icon?'

[The master can rest assured that if he goes against any of the True Immortals while only at the Empyrean stage, death is what awaits him.

However, once the master becomes an Early Immortal, even if just a low-level Early Immortal, you will have better chances to take on the immortal energy of a True Immortal.]

'So, in other words, I must become an Immortal before the Underworld Slaughter Tournament.'

[That is exactly what I meant. However, the master must also be ready to reveal more of his hand by tapping into his Vampire Monarch bloodline. In other words, the master would have to one day reveal his identity as a vampire.]

Klaus just smiled inwardly, feeling amused. In his seventh incarnation, he was a criminal, considering the kind of monster he was back then. In this life, he would also be playing that role.

Only this time around, he wouldn't be doing things without a reason.

'We will cross that ocean when we get there.'

Klaus settled in; however, a few minutes later, a man walked to the stage holding a microphone.

"Welcome, everyone, to this edition of the Black Cartel Auction. I will be your host and auctioneer for today's auction... You can call me Kolu."

Every last one of the 14 criminals invited to the auction shifted in their chairs.

"Like always, only five items will be auctioned, and as you all know, the Thunder Jade Essence Ore is the last item to be auctioned today.

I know most of you are here for it, but know that after seeing the first four items, getting the Thunder Jade Essence Ore will be the least of your concerns."

Kolu paused and scanned the hall.

"As always, the bidding will be done in Heaven Crystals. This means one Heaven Crystal is 10,000 Universe coins, so be ready to spend some money if you want the items we have on auction today."

'Icon, inform Sera I might need some funds, so she should prepare not less than 10 billion Heaven Crystals.'

[Okay, master.]

Klaus had already anticipated that Universe coins wouldn't do much in the bigger picture. It is the common currency of the Universe, but its value isn't much.

Heaven Crystals are worth 10,000 times more than Universe coins. Even one God Crystal is worth 100 billion Universe coins. So, Klaus knew he might be rich in Universe coins, but when it came to Heaven Crystals or God Crystals, he was still poor.

Thankfully, now that he had found what he came for, asking his company for help was okay.

"Without further ado, let us start the Black Cartel Auction."

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[A/N: I might have made a mistake earlier on when converting from God Crystals to Universe Coin. Initially, I said 1GD = 400 Billion UC. Now, One God Crystal is 100 billion Universe coins. Thanks]

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