Alfred took something from his pocket and flashed it briefly. The staff member's demeanor instantly changed. "Esteemed guests, please come this way."

No further questions were asked as they were ushered inside.

Only then did Ray truly understand what luxury meant.

Beyond the doors stretched a grand hall crafted from pale wood, golden patterns swirling across the walls like elegant flowers. A scarlet carpet embroidered with gold threads ran the length of the floor. Crystal lamps lined the walls, their light refracting in dazzling patterns.

An invisible pressure weighed on Ray as he walked forward. He glanced at Alfred, only to find him as calm and indifferent as ever.

They were brought into a private, lavish room where drinks were promptly served. Moments later, a middle-aged woman entered.

"Honored guests, welcome," she said with a slight bow. "I am Isolde, an auctioneer of the Xynnar Auction House. Is there anything I may assist you with?"

"Bring me the catalog," Alfred replied.

Isolde smiled warmly. With a flick of her golden bracelet, a small soul screen appeared in her hand. A few taps later, a list of items shimmered into view.

"May I ask what kind of items you're looking for?" she asked gently, occasionally stealing glances at Alfred's impassive face.

Standing together, Alfred and Ray were striking figures. Naturally, Isolde's attention leaned toward the mature, imposing Alfred. Given his status, she was far more courteous than usual, hoping to leave a favorable impression.

Unfortunately, neither her beauty nor her gentle smile stirred even the slightest reaction from him.

"Spirit items," Alfred said.

"Yes." Isolde immediately navigated to the appropriate category.

"Do you have something specific in mind?"

"Thousand-year Azure-veined Vine."

"Please wait a moment."

She entered the name, and the list refreshed.

High-grade, mid-grade, and low-grade thousand-year Azure-veined Vines appeared, each with its starting price and estimated final bid clearly displayed.

"When will it be auctioned?" Alfred asked.

Ray's eyes lit up.

They have it. As expected of Central City.

"The next Azure-veined Vine will go on the auction block in three days," Isolde said with a smile sweet enough to rot teeth. "Bidding begins at eight in the evening. There are three sets in total."

Alfred frowned slightly. "If I want to purchase a high-grade vine immediately, what would that entail?"

It had been years since he last stepped into an auction house, and even then, he had never been fond of such places.

Isolde hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words. "According to our rules, items aren't sold directly. However…" She paused, then smiled again. "For a guest of your standing, we can make an exception. An instant purchase would cost twenty percent more than the estimated sale price. Once you decide, we can provide an exact figure."

Alfred turned his gaze to Ray. "What do you think?"

Twenty percent more.

Ray's heart clenched at the thought alone. The listed price for a high-grade thousand-year Azure-veined Vine was five million federal coins. Add twenty percent, and the price jumped straight to six million.

That was no small sum.

Every coin he had saved over the years had been earned through sweat and hammer strikes.

"Teacher," Ray said after a brief struggle, "isn't the auction only three days away?"

Their eyes met. No words were exchanged, but understanding passed between them. Alfred nodded lightly. "Very well. Prepare two tickets. We'll bid for it in three days."

"Understood." Isolde smiled and bowed slightly before leaving to make arrangements. From her brief interaction with Alfred, she already knew this was a man best treated with utmost respect. Someone like her was no more than dust in his eyes.

After securing the auction tickets, Alfred returned to the inn with Ray.

Throughout the entire process, Alfred neither urged nor advised him. Every decision was left entirely in Ray's hands.

In truth, Ray was nervous.

The Central entrance exam was only a week away.

Waiting three days for the vine meant he'd have just four days left to break the second seal.

Fortunately, his body was far stronger than it had been during the first unsealing. If nothing went wrong, the timing should barely work.

Realizing this, Ray finally relaxed.

The days passed quickly.

Ray cultivated in his room without pause until the day of the auction. Raziel followed suit, influenced by his friend's diligence, even though he knew full well that sharpening a spear at the last moment rarely changed anything.

Three days later, Ray and Alfred returned to the auction house.

They were led straight into the VIP seating area.

Only two kinds of people sat here: those with money and those with power. Alfred clearly belonged to the latter.

Compared to West Ocean City's auction, this one was on an entirely different level. Every item that appeared was a rarity, and the atmosphere heated up rapidly.

"The eleventh item up for auction," the auctioneer announced, "is a high-grade thousand-year Azure-veined Vine. Starting price: three million federal coins. Minimum increment: one hundred thousand. Let the bidding begin!"

This was it.

Ray clenched his fists unconsciously, his gaze locked onto the display like a man dying of thirst staring at water.

Alfred casually handed him the number plate, as though the auction had nothing to do with him at all.

When it came to cultivation, Alfred spared no effort in guiding Ray. But when it came to money, he remained completely silent.

This, too, was a lesson.

"Three million," Ray called out, raising the plate.

"Three million one hundred thousand," someone responded immediately.

Azure-veined Vines were famous for having minimal side effects while enhancing constitution and strengthening the body. They were especially favored by large clans to nurture their younger generation. Demand was always high.

"Three million five hundred thousand."

"Three million eight hundred thousand."

The price climbed relentlessly.

Ray's palm grew slick with sweat. At this rate, the final price would easily break five million.

Regret crept into his heart. If he had known this would happen, he would have paid the six million outright!

For each item, the listed estimated price was merely the minimum the auction house needed to break even. Ray had little experience with auctions and hadn't known this crucial detail.

Unpopular items are often sold near their estimated value. Popular ones, however, almost always soared far beyond it.

In truth, the price Isolde had offered Alfred was already heavily discounted due to his status. Thousand-year Azure-veined Vines were always in short supply, and their scarcity was reflected directly in their price.

Ray's ignorance had come back to bite him.

Alfred had known all of this. He simply chose not to say a word. Some lessons had to be paid for personally to be remembered forever.

"Five million four hundred thousand!" Ray's voice trembled as he raised the plate again.

"Five million seven hundred thousand!"

He didn't even have time to wallow in regret. Breaking the seal mattered more than money. The success rate was highest with a high-grade vine, and there was only one being auctioned today.

Even if he had six million in hand, there would be no second chance.

He had to win this.

"Six million two hundred thousand!" Ray gritted his teeth as the price crossed six million. Why didn't I just buy it then?

"Six million three hundred thousand."

"Six million five hundred thousand."

"Six million eight hundred thousand."

"Seven million three hundred thousand!" Ray nearly roared, lifting the plate again.

Silence fell.

Not a single voice followed.

"Seven million three hundred thousand, going once!"

"Seven million three hundred thousand, going twice!"

"Seven million three hundred thousand, going three times—sold!"

The gavel fell.

Ray slumped back into his seat as if all strength had drained from his body.

One million three hundred thousand extra… I paid an extra one million three hundred thousand!

Alfred looked at him calmly. "I showed my battle armor master identification that day. Popular items almost always exceed their estimated price. The amount you paid today is normal. Do you understand now?"

Ray forced a smile. "I understand. It just… hurts."

"Let's go." Alfred offered no comfort. This was Ray's decision, and he would have to bear the consequences himself. Some lessons didn't need words.

Ray's heart ached as he completed the payment.

Over three years of relentless work, he had saved roughly fourteen million federal coins. This single vine had devoured half of it.

If not for his high chances of success with Spirit Refinement, which would save him materials later, he might have vomited blood on the spot.

His remaining savings were now a pitiful shadow of what they once were.

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