Snehwal clenched his fists in rage and growled, "I'll smash his face!"
Lily turned to him calmly and said, "Stay quiet. The next item will be ours — just watch."
The old man continued the bidding,
"Five hundred and one… five hundred and two…"
Everyone's heads lowered in anticipation, though a faint smile of satisfaction played on Lily's lips.
"Five hundred and three…"
The old man raised his hand and declared, "Sold! To the lady in green!"
He waved his palm, and the glowing stone floated gently toward Shon Yakshini.
Surya snatched it mid-air and laughed arrogantly, pride gleaming in his eyes.
At that moment, Liora leaned toward Lily and whispered,
"The next item… we must win it. If I'm right, it's a map — one that leads to the Divine Waters hidden in the Mehan Mountains."
The old man raised his hand once again. In his palm appeared an ancient piece — it looked like the old hide of some creature, red in color. Everyone's eyes were fixed on it.
The old man said loudly, "This is no ordinary piece — it is the only thing that can lead to the Divine Waters hidden in the Mehan Mountains."
He stroked his beard as he spoke.
The entire hall began to buzz with noise; people whispered among themselves. Seeing the commotion, the old man said, "Keep calm… the bidding will start at one million gold coins or one hundred Spirit Stones of level five." He smiled after saying that.
Lily looked at Snehwal and smiled. "We need that," she said softly.
Snehwal gently held her hand and said firmly, "I know you'll win it."
Lily gave him a lively look, her eyes shining with determination.
Seeing this, Surya stood up angrily and shouted, "Five hundred Spirit Stones of level five!"
Lily was just about to bid when the man in the black cloak suddenly spoke, "Six hundred."
All eyes turned toward him again. The hall filled with murmurs and excitement. The old man raised his hand to calm everyone down.
Just as Lily was about to speak again, Surya said arrogantly, "Seven hundred and fifty!"
The man in black growled back, "Eight hundred!"
He released a wave of spiritual pressure toward Surya, trying to intimidate him.
But Shon Yakshini raised her hand and stopped him, saying coldly, "Do you wish to die?"
The old man conducting the auction spoke politely, "Please, no fighting — this is a battle of wealth, not strength."
Then Lily leaned close to Snehwal and whispered something in his ear.
The old man at the front moved his lips slightly, and at that very moment, Snehwal stood up and said loudly,
"One thousand Spirit Stones!"
Shon Yakshini grabbed Surya's hand and, with anger in her eyes, pushed him back into his seat.
"We should not bid any further," she said in a cold voice.
Surya clenched his fists. He wanted to say something, but instead rubbed his hands together and gave a cruel little smile.
Then Lily stood up. At that moment, the old piece floated toward her — she caught it skillfully and placed it into the pendant around her neck.
The old man announced in a loud voice,
"Everyone, listen! The next auction will be held next year. Don't forget to come!"
Ignisa waved her hand, and from her ring, a pile of one thousand Spirit Stones floated through the air to the old man as payment.
Meanwhile, Shon Yakshini had already placed the Spirit Stones from her first auction in a heap on her balcony.
Lily looked at the others and said, "We should leave now."
None of the four wanted to listen to the old man's endless talk any longer.
Lily, Snehwal, Liora, and Ignisa stood up and walked out.
Everyone in the hall stared at them as they left.
By the time anyone spoke again, the four were already gone — moving quickly through the streets of the city.
Ignisa spoke nervously, her voice trembling a little.
"We should return to our palace quickly… that filthy witch will definitely come here!"
Lily turned to her with a faint smile.
"That's exactly what I want."
Then she looked at Snehwal and asked,
"Am I right?"
Snehwal, his eyes burning with eagerness, replied,
"Yes. I want to enjoy turning them into servants myself. And that host of hers… I'll tear his eyes out."
Lily glanced at him and asked softly,
"Why are you so angry?"
Snehwal gritted his teeth.
"Because that bastard was staring at you."
Hearing that, a strange warmth stirred in Lily's heart — a quiet rush of affection she didn't expect.
But suddenly, on the wide street ahead, figures appeared —
Shon Yakshini, Surya, Arjun, and Lela were standing there, blocking their path.