The Rise of the Black Plain

A silver-colored liquid crystal ball appeared in the center of the platform as its spiritual fluctuation was revealed to all the participants of today's auction.",

Approximately eight centimeters in diameter, with an internal pulsating light that changed color according to the energy acting upon it, the Metamorphosis Core caught the attention of everyone there.

As Gloria looked at the orb, which was encased in a black metal structure with inscriptions underneath that could fuse with the wearer's skull, she said to Minos. "This item can help me a lot!"

But she was not alone!

Of all the items of the evening, the one with the greatest compatibility with the auction participants was the very last item of the evening!

"The Metamorphosis Core is a powerful artifact designed to integrate into the body of its bearer, granting extraordinary abilities to transform and control the environment.

This artifact allows the wearer to change their own form and manipulate the properties of the environment around them, becoming a plastic essence of infinite adaptability." The auctioneer explained the main reason it was of interest to many people about to enter the auction house.

Gloria realized this and felt that not only she, but Abby, Ruth, and Minos himself could absorb such an item and become stronger, as well as the others in their group who might also have this possibility.

The most impressive thing about the Metamorphosis Core was not its special power, but its compatibility with many types of cultivators!

But Gloria explained. "Many people here will be able to become stronger if they absorb the Metamorphosis Core. I have no doubt about that. But this absorbable weapon will be more impressive on bodies with liquid divine abilities or innate abilities.

In our group, I have an ability that fits perfectly. If I integrate with it, I can achieve a physical freedom that will allow me to do almost anything I want on the battlefield with the least potential risks."

Minos looked at Gloria seriously, wondering what would happen if she was indeed the one to absorb such an object.

'We can't say for sure how far the orb would take her, but it's certain she could gain some kind of ability like body metamorphosis, plastic essence, camouflage, and even regeneration. The possibilities were endless.' He clenched his fists as he analyzed the situation and agreed with Gloria's point.

He said to his staff. "Gloria's words make sense. Many of us could gain something from this orb, but some of us would gain little compared to what she can gain from the same artifact.

Also, this item will probably cost us over 70 million. Hence, we must give it to the one who can get the most out of it."

Those who felt compatible with the artifact understood Minos' point and gave up competing with Gloria for the orb.

But besides the members of Minos' group, several people in the VIP booths were interested in the Metamorphosis Core!

"...The starting bid for the Metamorphosis Core is 55 million Qilnats, with a minimum increase of 1 million. I now open the last bidding round of the evening!" The auctioneer announced, reaching the ultimate competition of tonight's event.

"55 million!"

"57 million!"

...

"66 million!"

"70 million!"

The price of the orb quickly reached 75 million Qilnats, close to the limit of what Minos could buy with his current cash.

"77 million Qilnats!" Minos said as he placed his first bid for the artifact, though he couldn't help feeling nervous since he only had 86 million Qilnats left.

Depending on the spending power of his competitors, he might not win the race for his red-haired wife's treasured item!

"80 million!" Someone raised Minos' bid, showing he had competition even at such high values.

Most of the people in the auction house fell silent to watch the last competition of the evening, looking at Minos and the alien who had just placed the last bid.

The auctioneer also looked at them, seeing that the other competitors now seemed less willing to bid.

As Gloria felt her heart pound nervously, Minos said. "This friend, let's end this. I have 86 million Qilnats with me. If you have more, the item is yours."

The auctioneer looked at the face of the level 109 alien, the strongest of the auction participants that night.

"Senior, will you bid higher than the gentleman in room 112? In that case, will you bid 87 million Qilnats?" The auctioneer asked, as the sound of swallowing saliva could be heard from several spectators.

The alien looked at Minos with wide eyes, unable to believe the situation. Unfortunately, he had only 84 million Qilnats with him, a wealth he had accumulated over centuries of his life on journeys through the universe.

He thought he had finally reached a level of wealth that would place him among the greats of Zocarro, but now he faced someone younger and richer than himself, who was pushing him in this auction.

He clenched his fists and closed his eyes, saying nothing to the auctioneer.

This was an inseparable item. As much as some might consider joining forces to buy it, it was more interesting to let Minos take it than to do such a thing.

If they were going to fight over this artifact, it was better to have it in the hands of a single individual, someone they could all ally against.

Joining forces to buy the item at auction would only cause the disputes to get messy and everything to get complicated after the auction.

No one offered to join this alien, so the auctioneer counted to three until he ended the night by announcing Minos' victory!

Gloria jumped into her husband's arms at the announcement of Minos' victory, unable to contain the happiness in her heart, and gave her husband a long, wet kiss.

Minos accepted the gesture with satisfaction, getting his fifth item of the night, but also the stares of at least dozens of mid-

level Sovereigns.

'It's time for the truth... These individuals won't attack me in the city, but they won't allow us to absorb these artifacts either. We need to leave the city to sort out who can absorb what.' He thought to himself as the auctioneer said his last words before the night ended.

And so ended the most important auction of Ganaway Refuge!