Chapter 326: An Arrogant Stance

He hadn’t expected the Solistic Necklace to be a damaged Mythic-tier artifact that had been downgraded to Legendary-tier.

And the ability Graham described wasn’t mere exaggeration. The necklace truly could allow its user to kill an expert at the First Spirit Core level.

The most terrifying part was its flaw. If it could return to its original state, wouldn’t that make it absolutely monstrous?

Killing six First Spirit Core experts was no empty boast.

’I have to get it,’ Merlin muttered eagerly.

If the Scarlet Ring had only caught his attention, then the Solistic Necklace right in front of him had completely captured his interest.

If he could obtain it, he could walk across this continent without fear. Even a First Spirit Core expert could be killed with that artifact—so what was there to worry about?

As if sensing his desire, Linda turned and asked, “Do you want that artifact? Shall I bid for you?”

Merlin was touched by her kindness, but he couldn’t possibly let his master act for him.

He was the one who wanted it, so he had to obtain it himself.

“I want it, but you don’t need to act, Master. Let me bid for it,” Merlin said confidently.

Linda frowned and asked hesitantly, “Are you sure? Your rivals are experts at the First Spirit Core level, you know. The items they possess far surpass yours. It will be extremely difficult for you to win.”

She wasn’t underestimating him. She knew her disciple possessed many powerful artifacts—including the Netherworld Cloak she had given him and the legendary Arkan Magic Staff.

But none of that mattered in the face of the experts present. They all possessed legendary—and even mythical—artifacts.

Therefore, it seemed certain that Merlin would lose.

Unfortunately, Linda didn’t realize that Merlin’s confidence didn’t come from the artifacts he owned but from the system.

“Don’t worry, Master. If I say I can do it, then I definitely can,” Merlin assured her softly.

Linda fell silent for a moment before letting out a small sigh.

“Alright. I won’t say anything or interfere in this matter. It’s all up to you.”

Of course, she would step in if Merlin failed to defeat the experts who would make their bids later.

But since her disciple wanted to prove himself in front of her, she didn’t mind.

Merlin naturally understood her intentions and simply smiled faintly.

In a low voice, he whispered, “Open the system shop.”

[System Shop]

Monthly discounts up to 80%!

1× A-Rank Healing Potion—Price: 8,000 system points

1× Soyistum Legendary Artifact—Price: 70,000 system points

1× A Drop of Blood from a Ninth-Level Monster—Price: 60,000 system points

…

Merlin scanned the list of discounted items, surprised to see so many powerful goods marked down by as much as eighty percent.

However, when he saw the prices, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

“System, are you trying to rip me off? A legendary artifact still costs 70,000 points even after an eighty percent discount. Are you planning to rob me blind?” Merlin complained irritably.

If the price after an eighty percent discount was 70,000 system points, then the original price must have been 350,000.

Even for Merlin, that amount was far too high. He had only accumulated 300,000 system points over the past few days.

Spending 70,000 points in one go felt painfully expensive.

The system rolled its eyes and replied in a helpless tone, “[It is indeed expensive, Master. The stronger you become, the more system points you will earn from completing missions. In return, the prices of all items in the system shop will also increase. I thought you understood this, but apparently not.]”

Its voice was thick with sarcasm, making the corner of Merlin’s mouth twitch.

He wanted to argue, but he had no grounds to do so. After all, the system’s explanation made perfect sense.

While Merlin considered which items to exchange for the artifact, the experts present—those at the Second and First Spirit Core levels, the Eighth and Ninth Awakenings, and the Eight- and Nine-Star Mages—began taking out their treasures to offer to Graham.

“I want to offer a high-tier legendary artifact!”

“Me too! Mine can revive the dying!”

“Tsk! Is that all? I have a half-finished mythic-tier artifact! I’m sure the Solistic Necklace is worth trading for it!”

A fierce bidding war erupted among the guests. The Solistic Necklace was far too valuable to ignore. It was immensely powerful and could serve as a last resort to eliminate enemies on their level.

On the stage, Graham remained calm, though the smile on his face was difficult to conceal.

He thoroughly enjoyed watching the experts bring out their treasures to bid on the item he was auctioning.

But he wasn’t in a hurry to make a decision. He wanted to see whether anyone would present a better offer than the last one.

Unfortunately, after someone offered a half-finished mythic-tier artifact, no one dared to bid any higher.

That was understandable. The Solistic Necklace was extremely powerful, but it couldn’t compare to a true mythic-tier artifact.

On top of that, after being used once, the necklace would shatter and become useless.

It could be said that the experts present were both shrewd and perceptive.

“Since no one is bidding any higher, then I—”

Before Graham could finish speaking, a voice suddenly rang out from the right.

“I’d like to make an offer! A single drop of blood from a level-nine monster!”

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was startled. They instinctively turned toward the source of the voice—Merlin.

In an instant, they released their powers to gauge his strength. But before they could succeed, Linda waved her left hand.

Suddenly, every trace of power attempting to probe Merlin was shattered.

The experts were shocked and glared at Linda with hostility. Even so, none of them dared to act.

After all, their earlier behavior had been undeniably rude. They were clearly in the wrong.

Graham looked at Merlin with a serious expression.

“What did you just say? A single drop of blood from a ninth-level monster?”

On this continent, monsters were ranked from level one to the highest—level nine.

Ninth-level monsters were extraordinarily powerful, and their numbers were extremely small. Yet once one appeared, a single creature was enough to make five First Spirit Core experts tremble in fear.

Although, in theory, a First Spirit Core expert, a Ninth Awakening, and a Nine-Star Mage were considered equivalent to a ninth-level monster, reality was far harsher.

A single level-nine monster could kill a First Spirit Core expert with ease.

That was why it would take more than ten experts of that level just to hold one off—a testament to the monster’s terrifying strength.

As a result, the blood of a ninth-level monster was incredibly rare, even more valuable than most legendary-tier items and some mythic-tier artifacts.

“Yeah, I want to trade the Solistic item for a drop of blood from a ninth-level monster. What do you think?”

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

His posture was openly arrogant, as if he were certain Graham would accept the offer. And in truth, the man almost certainly would.

The Arden family possessed a vampire lineage.

What could be more valuable to a vampire than blood?

Moreover, the blood he was offering wasn’t ordinary—it came from a ninth-level monster.

To vampires, it was the ultimate delicacy, something almost impossible to obtain.

Just as Merlin had anticipated, Graham’s eyes instantly lit up with greed.

Ignoring the man who had offered a half-finished mythic-tier artifact, he nodded and said, “Come onto the stage and show me the item.”

Merlin didn’t object. He rose to his feet and walked toward the stage under everyone’s gaze.

Since Lyserra’s power was protecting him, no one realized he was actually at the Fourth Spirit Core level.

Moreover, Linda’s decisive display earlier had made everyone too wary to probe him again.

Upon reaching the stage, Merlin opened his right palm. A small red vial appeared in his hand, containing a single drop of blue liquid.

At first glance, it looked ordinary. But in Graham’s eyes, it gleamed like the most precious crystal in the world.

That’s truly a drop of blood from a Level Nine monster! he exclaimed inwardly.

His breathing quickened, and his heart pounded violently. If he could drink it, his strength would increase dramatically.

Suppressing the turmoil within him, he stared at Merlin and said earnestly, “I want that drop of blood. Let’s make the trade.”

Strangely, however, Merlin did not agree. He pulled the vial back and sneered.

“Lord Graham, you don’t take me for a fool, do you?”

His words startled Graham. He frowned and asked irritably, “What do you mean?”

Merlin remained completely calm, his violet eyes fixed on Graham’s red ones without a trace of fear.

“An imperfect legendary artifact in exchange for a single drop of a ninth-level monster’s blood. Surely you understand that the two are not comparable. Am I right?”

Graham froze, clearly not expecting such blunt words.

For the first time, someone had dared to question him so directly—and it infuriated him.

“State your purpose,” he ordered coldly.

His favorable impression of Merlin dropped several points.

Merlin smiled faintly and said bluntly, “I want the Solistic Necklace and a mythic-tier artifact. What do you think?”

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