The atmosphere at the Pride Temple grew tense as the overseer made an appearance.

“Humph, five billion, this Ancestor Meat is ours at the Pride Temple.” The temple overseer boasted, casting a disdainful glance over the crowd.

Enzo furrowed his brow, inwardly amused, yet outwardly feigned reluctance, “Five billion for the Ancestor Meat? I bid five billion and ten million.”

The temple overseer shot Enzo a glare, “You fool, you truly know not your place. I bid six billion.”

“Six billion and ten million.” Enzo promptly raised his offer.

The onlookers held their breath, observing the intense bidding war, not daring to speak a word.

Matilda gazed worriedly at Enzo, “Enzo, are you truly going to challenge the Pride Temple? They are not to be trifled with.”

Enzo reassured her with a comforting glance, “Rest assured, I know my limits.”

Just as the bidding escalated to eight billion, Enzo abruptly ceased bidding.

Thinking Enzo had given up, the pride temple overseer laughed heartily, “Humph, you think you can contend with us, the Pride Temple? This Ancestor Meat is ours.”

Kosor on the stage inquired, “Is there anyone else bidding? Eight billion once, eight billion twice…”

As he was about to call for the third time, a figure in a black robe suddenly bid, “Eight billion five hundred million.”

The pride temple overseer’s expression changed, “Who are you? How dare you oppose the Pride Temple?”

The figure in the black robe sneered, “Who I am is inconsequential. What matters is my desire for this Ancestor Meat.”

“Humph, nine billion!” the pride temple overseer gritted his teeth, raising the bid.

The figure in the black robe calmly stated, “Ten billion.”

The overseer at the Pride Temple flushed with anger, “You are deliberately defying us, ten billion five hundred million.”

The cloaked figure fell silent for a moment, just when the overseer of the Pride Temple thought he was about to give up, the cloaked figure spoke again: “Twelve billion.”

A stir went through the crowd, the price had already reached exorbitant levels.

Frowning, the overseer of the Pride Temple glanced at the deity beside him, appearing to be discussing something. After a while, he proclaimed loudly, “Fifteen billion!”

The utterance of this price left everyone shocked. It had far exceeded the value of the Ancestor Meat. The Pride Temple was truly sparing no expense to obtain it.

The cloaked figure seemed to hesitate a bit, refraining from an immediate counteroffer.

Seeing this, the overseer of the Pride Temple smirked triumphantly, “What? Can’t afford to bid anymore? The Ancestor Meat is ours.”

At that moment, the cloaked figure spoke slowly, “Twenty billion.”

Eyes widened in disbelief from the overseer of the Pride Temple, “Are you out of your mind! Twenty billion for a piece of Ancestor Meat, are you daft?”

Ignoring him, the cloaked figure simply stood there quietly.

After a brief consultation with the deity beside him, the overseer of the Pride Temple gritted his teeth, “Twenty-five billion!”

This time, the cloaked figure did not raise the bid again, and a profound silence fell over the scene.

Kosor announced from the stage, “Twenty-five billion once, twenty-five billion twice, twenty-five billion thrice, sold!”

The overseer of the Pride Temple breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at the cloaked figure, “Hmph, you know your place.”

He then walked onto the stage to prepare to take possession of the Ancestor Meat.

Just as he was about to touch the Ancestor Meat, Enzo and Kosor suddenly burst into laughter.

Enzo chuckled, “Aha, did you really think this was just an ordinary auction?”

The overseer of the Pride Temple’s expression changed, “What do you mean?”

Stepping forward, Kosor explained, “All of this was orchestrated by us. From the beginning, this was a trap.”

The overseer of the Pride Temple stood there in shock, “A trap? What kind of trap?”

Enzo chuckled as he elucidated, “The proceeds from the auction of this Ancestor Meat belong solely to me. We were well aware that the Pride Temple would come causing trouble, so we deliberately set up this scheme to lure you in.”

“Furthermore, did you know? It was I who divulged to Kosor the method of producing Ancestor Meat.”

“Although Kosor is just a traveling merchant, he and I are on the same front.”

“They are all under my command. How do you intend to challenge me?”

The head of the Pride Temple trembled with anger, “How dare you… How dare you scheme against us!”

Kosor shrugged, “Blame yourselves for your greed, wanting to obtain the Ancestor Meat.”

The deity of the Pride Temple’s face darkened, “You will pay the price for your actions today.”

Enzo fearlessly stared at them, “Hmph, we are not afraid of you. If you dare to act recklessly, the rules of the temple are not to be trifled with.”

At this moment, the surrounding guests finally realized that this was a meticulously crafted deception, and began to comment.

“I never expected Enzo and Kosor to be so cunning, they have outwitted the Pride Temple.”

“Yes, this is truly a great spectacle.”

The head of the Pride Temple knew they had fallen into a trap, but feeling helpless, they could only leave with their group in a crestfallen manner.

Enzo watched their departing figures with a slight smile playing on his lips, “Hmph, challenging me, you are still too green.”

Kosor approached and patted Enzo on the shoulder, “Thanks to you this time, otherwise this plan would not have been so easily successful.”

Enzo smiled, “We are brothers after all, why speak of such things. However, we must be wary of the Pride Temple’s retaliation.”

Kosor nodded, “I am prepared, if they dare to come, they will regret it.”

Matilda sauntered over, her eyes brimming with admiration as she gazed at Enzo, “Enzo, you are truly brilliant. I always knew you would have a solution.”

Enzo chuckled and affectionately ruffled her hair, “Alright, this matter is settled now. We can finally relax.”

Enzo’s recent actions left everyone present astounded, instilling a newfound sense of awe towards him. Although this banquet initially began as a scheme, the atmosphere had now become lively.

Kosor gestured grandly and commanded his subordinates, “Bring forth the prepared delicacies and wines. Tonight, we must celebrate the successful fruition of our plan!”

Soon enough, the table was filled with a variety of exquisite dishes, their aromas wafting through the air. The wine in the glasses shimmered enticingly, prompting mouths to water.

Enzo, Matilda, Flora, and Kosor sat around together, engaged in conversation and laughter.

Matilda raised her glass mischievously towards Enzo, winking, “Enzo, you are truly remarkable. The expressions on those Pride Temple members’ faces just now, haha, they looked even more sour than if they had eaten bitter melon.”

Enzo also smiled, raising his glass to clink with hers, “It’s all thanks to the cooperation of our dear Kosor here. Otherwise, the performance wouldn’t have been as flawless.”

Kosor waved his hand dismissively, “Oh, don’t say that. It’s mainly your courage and ingenuity, Enzo. I’m simply playing a supporting role.”

As they all chatted happily, a servant-like figure hurried over and whispered a few words in Kosor’s ear.

Kosor’s eyes lit up as he turned to Enzo, saying, “Enzo, there’s some good news. The commotion at the auction earlier has piqued the interest of many in our banquet. Several prominent traveling merchants are now eager to have a private conversation with you. Who knows, it might bring unexpected business opportunities.”

Enzo raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Very well, I shall go and meet with them.”

Enzo followed the retainer into a secluded chamber, where several splendid and distinguished traveling merchants were seated.

One elderly man with a goatee spoke up first: “Enzo, my young friend, you truly amazed us at the banquet earlier. Let’s not beat around the bush – we are quite intrigued by the secrets behind Ancestor Meat. We’ve heard of your expertise in this area and would like to discuss it with you.”

Enzo felt a spark of curiosity, sensing that there might be more to uncover here. He smiled and replied, “Oh? What specific aspects are you gentlemen interested in knowing more about?”

Another portly traveling merchant chimed in, “We are particularly keen on the origins of Ancestor Meat. We suspect that the place of its origin must hold other treasures. If we could locate that place, we might just stumble upon a fortune.”

Upon hearing this, Enzo pondered silently. The origins of Ancestor Meat were indeed shrouded in mystery, and he only had a rough idea himself. However, the prospect of collaborating with these traveling merchants might lead to some remarkable discoveries.

“To be frank, the origins of Ancestor Meat are indeed intricate, and I am still exploring them. But if you gentlemen are interested in collaboration, perhaps we can give it a try.” Enzo remarked.

The traveling merchants perked up at his words, launching into an animated discussion.

At that moment, the elderly man with a goatee spoke again, “Enzo, we’ve heard that in order to locate the origins of Ancestor Meat, one must first find a special kind of metal. This metal seems to resonate with a certain energy in that place, guiding one to the precise location.”

Enzo furrowed his brow, “A special metal? I must admit, I have not come across this before. Could you elaborate on the characteristics of this metal?”

The old man nodded approvingly, “This metal is said to possess a remarkable hue, a silver that exudes a mysterious glow, and its texture is exceptionally resilient, impervious to the slightest mark from ordinary tools. It is rumored that traces of this metal might be found in some ancient ruins.”

Enzo made a mental note of these characteristics, intending to delve into them later.

After exchanging a few more words with the traveling merchants, they exchanged contact information before Enzo made his way back to the grand banquet hall.

Upon seeing Enzo’s return, Matilda hurried over and inquired, “Enzo, why were those traveling merchants looking for you? Has something happened?”

Enzo chuckled and shook his head, “Nothing to worry about. We just discussed some matters regarding the origins of Ancestor Meat and mentioned a special metal that might be connected to discovering its source.”

Intrigued, Matilda asked, “A special metal? What kind of special metal is it?”

Enzo proceeded to recount the features of the metal as described by the old man earlier.

Matilda’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, “Ah, I think my father once mentioned a similar metal. He spoke of a translucent silver metal found on a planet beyond the Alfa star, though the place was rumored to be quite perilous.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep