Chapter 327: The Queen’s Crown Ring Artifact

“A Mythic-tier item?” Graham froze in shock. His eyes narrowed as a powerful aura erupted from his body. “What do you mean!? Are you joking!?”

He hadn’t expected Merlin to be so arrogant as to demand a Mythic-tier item from him. It was downright insolent and infuriating.

Merlin remained calm. No matter how angry Graham was, the man wouldn’t dare attack him. If he did, it would only provoke everyone’s disapproval and backfire on him.

“I’m not joking, Lord Graham. I did say a Mythic-tier item. What do you think? This exchange is fair, isn’t it?” Merlin smiled faintly.

He wasn’t a fool. A single drop of blood from a ninth-level monster was incredibly powerful and rare—even surpassing legendary or mythic-tier items.

Of course, Mythic-tier items themselves were divided into several categories: common, rare, and extremely rare.

An example of an extremely rare one was the Grail of Time belonging to the Tharot family. The artifact was special because it could transport its user to the past and would cause chaos if discovered.

However, that categorization wasn’t official. In the eyes of many, all Mythic-tier items held the same status, although that assumption wasn’t entirely accurate.

“You…” Graham growled angrily and refused. “No, I won’t! The item you’re offering can only be exchanged for the Solistic Necklace. Otherwise, forget it.”

His blunt refusal didn’t anger Merlin. He smiled and said casually, “Alright. In that case, forget it. By the way, I obtained this drop of blood by accident. Its purity is still very high, and I can confirm it’s still fresh. I hope you don’t regret losing it.”

After saying that, he turned and walked back to his spot. But deep down, he counted, “One, two, three…”

Graham was consumed by rage, greed, and a burning hunger.

If he could drink that drop of blood, he would definitely become far stronger than he was now. The wounds in his bloodline would also heal completely.

As he hesitated, torn between taking it or not, a decision suddenly formed in his mind. He gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, I agree.”

But strangely, Merlin didn’t stop and continued down the stairs.

“Hey, are you listening to me!?” Graham’s dissatisfied voice rang out from behind him.

Merlin stopped in his tracks. He turned and said, “I heard you, but I take back what I said. I’m not trading you a single drop of this ninth-level monster’s blood after all.”

“What!?” Graham’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? Do you know the consequences!?”

“Of course I do. But you’re not sincere. In a trade, dealing with someone like that isn’t worth it.”

Graham was at a loss for words. Merlin’s tongue was so sharp he couldn’t refute him.

After composing himself, he spoke in a heavy voice, “Tell me—what do you want?”

Merlin smiled, as if he had been waiting for those words.

“I want two legendary items—the Solistic Necklace and one more—and one mythical item. How does that sound?”

Graham took a deep breath when he heard the unreasonable request.

A single mythical-tier item and the Solistic Necklace alone were already exorbitantly expensive, yet the man in front of him was bold enough to demand an additional legendary item.

Still, he didn’t dare refuse. If he did, the man would simply turn and walk away, and persuading him again would be difficult.

Even if he managed to do so, the man would surely raise the price even higher, and that would only hurt Graham in the end.

“Alright, I agree. But I’ll give them to you after this auction ends. Until then, don’t give a single drop of that ninth-level monster’s blood to anyone. Understood?”

The experts present had seen that drop of blood firsthand, and he was certain many of them would be after it.

He didn’t want to end up fighting them over it.

“Relax. I’m a man of my word. You can count on it.”

With that, he turned and continued walking toward his seat.

The experts seated in the guest area stared at Merlin with curiosity.

They had overheard the conversation and never expected him to possess the blood of a ninth-level monster. Even more shocking, he had managed to pressure Graham into trading three artifacts—two legendary and one mythical.

To them, it was an astonishing sight, something that should have been almost impossible. After all, Graham was known as a cunning man who never suffered losses.

Yet in front of Merlin, he was completely outplayed and left with no room to negotiate.

As a result, the experts grew curious about Merlin’s origins and wanted to know how he had obtained that drop of ninth-level monster blood.

Merlin sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

Linda, sitting beside him, glanced at him with a questioning look.

“I didn’t expect you to have a drop of a ninth-level monster’s blood. Where did you get it? You didn’t steal it, did you?” she asked suspiciously.

That item was extremely rare. It seemed impossible for Merlin to possess it.

“Ahem!” Merlin coughed awkwardly and replied in a weak voice, “Don’t get the wrong idea, Master. I came across it by chance while wandering around the capital a year ago. At the time, I…”

He went on to explain everything to Linda. Of course, it was all a lie. He had obtained that drop of blood from the system.

But he couldn’t tell her that, so he could only make up a story.

Linda listened calmly as she sipped her wine. After Merlin finished, her expression remained unchanged, as if nothing had surprised her.

“I see. You’re very lucky,” she said casually.

Merlin felt a chill run down his spine and glanced at her uneasily.

’Does she think I’m lying?’

Linda was a smart and perceptive woman. Merlin couldn’t tell whether she believed his story or saw right through it.

If it was the latter, that would be incredibly embarrassing.

“Be careful. Graham may agree on the surface, but not in his heart. Later, I’ll go with you to complete the exchange. Understood?” Linda’s serious voice snapped Merlin out of his thoughts.

Merlin nodded. “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Master.”

Linda simply smiled and turned her gaze back to the auction.

The auction continued. Graham presented several items, ranging from legendary to mythical.

Of course, the mythical items he offered weren’t particularly powerful or rare. Even so, they still drew the experts’ attention.

In fact, Linda placed a bid and successfully acquired a mythical-tier item named Luistar—a golden rapier-shaped artifact.

Its long, slender design suited a woman perfectly.

Merlin didn’t know why Linda had chosen it, but he didn’t ask. Since his master liked it, there was no reason to question her.

“Don’t you want any artifacts, Merlin? I’ll pay for it. How about it?” Linda offered.

She felt a little guilty. After all, she was the one who invited him, yet she hadn’t given him anything worthwhile.

Merlin was about to refuse, but he quickly held back. If he kept refusing, it would only make Linda uncomfortable.

“In that case, I’ll wait for the next item. Maybe there’ll be an interesting legendary artifact.”

Linda smiled and gave a small nod. As the minutes passed, the next item finally appeared.

It was a golden ring with a crown engraved on top.

“This item is called the Queen’s Crown Ring, a semi-mythical-tier artifact. This ring once belonged to a queen and possesses extraordinary abilities. One of them is healing the wearer’s wounds. Even more impressively, its effect has no limits and will remain active as long as the wearer has mana. Please place your bids.”

The experts present showed great interest and immediately began placing their bids.

Meanwhile, Merlin was stunned by the ring.

’The Queen’s Crown Ring? Could it be a pair with my King’s Crown Ring?’

He glanced at the ring on the ring finger of his left hand. It was the first artifact he had obtained from the system. Its ability alone was astonishing—it could withstand three attacks from a First Spirit Core.

Merlin had never used its ability, as he had never faced an expert at the First Spirit Core level.

“System, is that ring related to the one I’m wearing?” Merlin asked.

“[Ding! That’s correct, Master. The Queen’s Crown Ring is the counterpart to the King’s Crown Ring you possess. If you obtain and use it, the two rings will synchronize and gain power comparable to a mythic-tier artifact.]”

Hearing this, Merlin’s heart raced. The King’s Crown Ring was only a legendary-tier item, while the Queen’s Crown Ring was merely a semi-mythic artifact.

Who would have thought that when combined, they would rival a true mythic-tier item?

He couldn’t let that ring slip away.

“Do you want that ring?” Linda asked.

Merlin nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I want it, Master. Can you help me?”

Linda didn’t refuse. She raised her hand and declared, “One semi-mythic item and three legendary items.”

In an instant, the auction hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Linda in shock.

For a single semi-mythical item, she had offered one of equal value, along with two additional legendary items.

Even the experts present wouldn’t dare do such a thing.

Graham glanced at Linda, then said calmly, “Does anyone else wish to bid? If not, this ring will go to that woman.”

Seconds passed, yet no one raised their hand.

“In that case, the ring is hers!”

Linda stood up and exchanged the three items she had offered for the Queen’s Crown Ring.

After returning to her seat, she handed it to Merlin and said, “If there’s anything else you want, just say the word. I’ll buy it for you.”

Merlin: “…”

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