The bid for the Void Ancestor Realm storage ring had climbed to fifteen billion credits.

The number hung in the air like a challenge. The host paused dramatically, letting the figure resonate through the vast circular chamber. The floating orbs above the stage projected the current bid in glowing gold numerals, visible to every seat and private box. A heavy silence fell over the lower tiers as most guests realized they were no longer in the running. Even some mid-level cultivators in the middle sections shifted uncomfortably, their faces pale from the earlier pressure and the sheer scale of the sum.

The host’s refined Elyssan features remained composed, but his silver eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“Fifteen billion credits,” he announced smoothly, voice carrying perfectly through the hall. “Going once... going twice...”

No one raised the stakes.

“Sold to the gentleman in the Obsidian Veil Box.”

A polite round of applause rippled through the hall, though many guests muttered under their breath. The winner — a hooded figure in one of the most exclusive private boxes — did not reveal himself, but a servant immediately moved to complete the transaction with a secure data transfer.

The host gestured gracefully as attendants removed the pedestal with the ring.

“An excellent opening acquisition. Now, for our second item of the evening.”

Four Veyari hostesses in flowing gowns carried a new pedestal onto the stage. They set it down with practiced elegance and pulled away the black velvet cloth in unison.

Resting on the cushion was a sleek, two crown-like device made of dark crystalline material interwoven with glowing silver filaments. It looked both ancient and futuristic — delicate yet robust, with multiple small prongs designed to interface with the wearer’s temples and crown.

The host smiled, his voice rising with excitement.

“This is no ordinary training tool. This is the Mindweaver Crown, a artifact discovered in the ruins of a long-lost progenitor outpost. When worn, it allows the user to enter a simulated mental realm where they can fight opponents from every level and species across the galaxy. You will experience real combat, learn techniques, and refine your skills in perfect safety — or as close to safety as true battle can be.”

He paused for effect, letting the words sink in.

“But this is not the common version you may have seen on lower planets. This one connects directly to the Eternal Archive — a hidden network of ancient echoes and preserved legacies. You will not face low-level or inexperienced opponents. You can challenge masters, teachers, and even the preserved consciousnesses of past or deceased cultivators at Nebula Dominion and Domain levels. They can teach you directly, pass on their techniques, or even allow you to inherit fragments of their legacy.”

The hall erupted into excited whispers.

“A direct link to the Eternal Archive?”

“Dead masters at Nebula level? That’s impossible to find outside the core universes!” 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“Techniques that could change your entire path...”

Even some of the VIPs in the private boxes leaned forward, their interest visibly piqued. A few murmured among themselves, their auras fluctuating with anticipation.

Lian watched through the peephole, his void eyes narrowing with intense focus. He could only imagine what such a device could offer him. Real combat experience against masters far beyond his current realm. Techniques that could bridge the gap to the white-eyed old man. The ability to learn from the dead without the risk of the Harvest Path’s corruption. His desire for power surged again, hotter than before. If he could get his hands on it, he could train to his heart’s content, absorb knowledge that would take decades otherwise, and grow strong enough to face the progenitor remnant and its servants.

But he had no money for it.

Not even close.

He kept the thought in mind — perhaps he will buy the common version. For now, he observed.

The host continued, his voice smooth and enticing.

“We will start the bidding at four hundred million credits.”

The hall exploded with activity.

“Five hundred million!”

“Seven hundred million!”

“One billion!”

In less than a minute, the price had shot up to three billion credits, with no signs of slowing. Bids came from every direction — private boxes, main floor, even some desperate mid-level cultivators pooling their resources.

Lian could only imagine the wealth being thrown around so casually.

A few minutes later, the bid had reached fifteen billion credits, held firmly by one of the VIPs in an upper box. The host raised his hand, preparing to close the sale.

“Fifteen billion credits. Going once... going twice...”

Before the host could say “sold,” a new voice rang out from another private box.

“Seventeen billion.”

Everyone in the hall turned toward the source.

The first bidder — a powerful cultivator from a prominent organization — stood up in his box, face twisted in anger.

“Who is that?” he screamed, voice amplified by the hall’s systems. “Who dares go against the Eternal Veil Syndicate?”

The name dropped like a bomb.

The entire auction house fell into a stunned hush.

The Eternal Veil Syndicate was known across the galaxy as one of the most dangerous and influential organizations in existence. Founded over ten thousand years ago by a mysterious cultivator known only as “The Veil,” the Syndicate operated in the shadows of every major sector. They controlled vast networks of information brokers, black-market auction houses, and hidden research facilities. Their higher-ups were said to include multiple Nebula Dominion cultivators and at least one confirmed Star Forge Progenitor-level elder who rarely appeared in public. They specialized in acquiring and trading forbidden artifacts, ancient techniques, and living specimens for experimentation.

The Syndicate never allowed itself to be belittled or embarrassed. Those who crossed them tended to disappear — quietly and permanently. Their reach was so vast that even major academies and corporations treaded carefully around them. Rumors said they had their own Reaper-like enforcers who operated outside galactic law.

The host’s face paled slightly. He needed to be very careful now. A bidding war between two VIPs was one thing. A bidding war involving the Eternal Veil Syndicate was something else entirely.

The second bidder did not respond to the outburst.

Instead, a calm, amplified voice came from their box.

“Eighteen billion.”

The first bidder’s face turned purple with rage.

“Twenty billion!” he roared.

The second bidder countered immediately.

“Twenty-three billion.”

The hall was now completely silent except for the two bidders. Every eye was fixed on the two private boxes. Even the host looked visibly nervous, his silver robes shifting as he adjusted his stance.

Lian and Elara watched through the peephole, their expressions calm but their minds racing.

They were both curious who the second bidder was.

The first bidder, clearly a high-ranking member of the Eternal Veil Syndicate, was furious.

He screamed again, voice echoing through the hall.

“Who is that? Who dares go against the Eternal Veil Syndicate?”

Everyone started talking at once, heads turning toward the second box, whispering furiously. The host frowned deeply, his composure cracking for the first time. He knew he had to handle this delicately or risk turning the entire auction into a bloodbath.

The tension in the hall thickened like storm clouds.

Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)

Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.

Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.

Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.

Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.

Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc.

Power Scale Reminder

Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Late.

Elara Voss: Stellar Circuit Early to Middle.

Eternal Veil Syndicate: A powerful organization with higher-ups at Nebula Dominion and at least one Star Forge Progenitor level.

Keep it as reminders