The participants filed into the venue one after another.
There were corporate representatives in sharp suits, ability users in bizarre attire, and underground bosses like Zhao Tianxiong.
Every face was concealed behind a variety of masks—a rule of the Dark River auctions to protect the privacy of the participants.
The auction stage stood at the very front, carved from a single massive slab of obsidian.
Its surface shimmered with the faint blue light of defensive runes.
About a hundred people were scattered throughout the booths below the stage, each hidden by a mask or a hood.
This was the protocol of the Dark River.
Luo Han wore a silver half-mask and the Shadow Walker Cloak, taking a seat beside Zhao Tianxiong.
His gaze swept across the room as his Fairy Earrings quietly activated.
[Target A: Strength 28, Agility 16, Intelligence 19]
[Target B: Strength 17, Agility 21, Intelligence 13]
[Target C: Strength 35, Agility 25, Intelligence 11]
…
A cursory glance revealed that the room was filled with powerful individuals; one person’s attributes had even broken the 30-point threshold.
Luo Han decided against probing the booths further ahead.
Those seats were occupied by factions of equal standing.
Even if he were discovered, offending them wouldn’t be the end of the world—he could always pay them a “surprise visit” later.
However, if those in the front—whom he currently couldn’t afford to provoke—possessed anti-reconnaissance measures, getting caught would be troublesome.
Luo Han discreetly withdrew his gaze and waited patiently.
At exactly nine o’clock, the lights on the display stage flared to life.
An auctioneer wearing a black swallowtail coat and a crow mask stepped onto the stage.
His voice, amplified by a magical megaphone, carried through the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 7th Underground Auction Season of the Dark River organization.
You all know the rules: the highest bidder wins, payment is made via on-site points, and delivery is settled immediately upon the auction’s conclusion.
Once you leave the premises, we are no longer responsible.”
“Now, for our first item: a Psionicist Class Change item from Dungeons & Dragons.
It allows the user to break the Intelligence attribute cap, provides psychic protection influenced by the outer planes, grants access to additional Enchantment spells, and provides immunity to mind-altering effects…”
“1,600 points!” Following the auctioneer’s gavel, the item was sold.
Luo Han’s gaze darkened.
He leaned over and asked Zhao Tianxiong about the person who had purchased the item.
As expected, even though the Dark River auction limited identities, Zhao Tianxiong still recognized the buyer.
The number of people in this city capable of attending such an auction was small enough to be tracked.
Luo Han decided to avoid this individual for the time being and ordered Zhao Tianxiong to instruct his men to do the same upon their return.
He didn’t want this person interfering with his control over his territory in the future.
The auction proceeded rapidly.
The first twenty items were mostly purple-quality gear and materials, with closing prices hovering around several hundred points—nowhere near the price of the previous class change item.
Luo Han had heard that items allowing one to break attribute caps always carried a heavy premium.
He didn’t make a move; he was waiting.
Finally, they reached the thirty-fifth item.
“Next is the ‘Frost Giant Heart Essence,’ a purple-quality bloodline.
Upon use, it increases the Strength attribute cap and grants basic Frost Resistance.
The starting bid is 800 points.”
The atmosphere in the hall grew noticeably warmer.
Items that could break attribute limits were always the most sought-after resources.
“950!”
“1,100!”
“1,300!” It eventually sold for 1,450 points.
Luo Han silently calculated his funds.
He currently had 8,500 points.
If he were going for the grand finale, it should be enough.
After several more rounds, they finally reached the climax of the event.
The auctioneer cleared his throat, his voice taking on a tone of gravity.
“The final item originates from the last world-collision, ‘Dungeons & Dragons.’ Red Dragon Bloodline Essence, Wyrmling stage, Gold quality.”
An attendant brought out a crimson crystal container.
Inside, a globule of dark gold liquid pulsed as if it were alive.
Even through the defensive barrier, one could feel the heat and majesty radiating from it.
A murmur rippled through the audience, but strangely, no one bid immediately.
The auctioneer seemed to have anticipated this and continued his introduction.
“This is a growth-type bloodline.
Upon fusion, you will gain basic abilities such as Dragon Scale Defense and Fire Breath, and unlock a Red Dragon Transformation form.
Its potential is immense.”
When you grow into an adult Red Dragon, you will soar through the skies, burn cities with your breath, and possess power rivaling a demigod.”
The hall remained silent, lacking the frenzied bidding seen earlier.
The auctioneer naturally knew the crowd wasn’t just awestruck; they had reservations.
He gave a slightly awkward laugh.
“Everyone, this is a Gold-quality bloodline, it’s just that the growth cycle is quite long…
Haha, forget it, you all understand.
Decide for yourselves.
The starting bid is 5,000 points.”
The silence lasted for a few more seconds.
“5,000,” someone finally spoke up—a figure wearing a wooden mask.
“5,100,” a deep voice came from another direction.
The bidding climbed slowly.
By the time it hit 6,000, only three people were still in the running.
Clearly, most were deterred by the “growth cycle.”
At that moment, Luo Han raised his number plate.
“6,200.”
All eyes turned toward him.
The person in the wooden mask hesitated for a moment before shaking their head and giving up.
The other competitor bit their lip.
“6,300!”
“6,500,” Luo Han said flatly.
The opponent went silent.
This price already exceeded the practical value of a Red Dragon bloodline at its current stage; the previous bid had been their limit.
“6,500 once, 6,500 twice…
Sold!”
After a quick settlement with the Dark River organization, Luo Han returned to the safe house at the Golden Cauldron Club.
He was somewhat surprised that no one had bothered him on the way back, but no surprises were better than the alternative.
He placed the crimson crystal container on the table.
Zhao Tianxiong stood to the side, looking as if he wanted to say something.
Luo Han glanced at him.
“Speak your mind.”
“Boss, I’m not questioning your decision, but…
is this bloodline really worth it?
6,500 points could have bought several pieces of Gold equipment or a powerful combat bloodline with immediate results.”
“It’s worth it.” Luo Han reached out to touch the surface of the container, feeling the burning pulse within.
“I’m not looking at its current strength, but its compatibility and its ceiling.”
He paused.
“Keep watch for me.
Do not let anyone disturb me.
I am beginning the fusion.”
“Understood.”
Luo Han sat cross-legged and opened the container.
The dark gold liquid floated up automatically, morphing into the phantom of a miniature red dragon.
It let out a silent roar before plunging into his chest.
Agony.
It felt as though molten lava was rushing through his veins.
His bones were crushed and reassembled, and patterns of dark red scales emerged on the surface of his skin.
Luo Han gritted his teeth as a system prompt appeared in his consciousness:
[Detected bloodline item: ‘Red Dragon Bloodline Essence (Wyrmling Stage)’]
[Commence fusion?
Note: Bloodline fusion carries risks, including attribute conflict, morphological mutation, or consciousness erosion.]
[Yes/No]
“Yes.” Since he currently had no other bloodline, the choice was obvious.
An even more intense pain swept over him.
Luo Han felt as if his consciousness was being dragged into an ancient ancestral memory: a crimson sky, mountains of treasure, and dragon roars echoing through valleys…
After an unknown amount of time, the pain gradually receded, replaced by an unprecedented sense of fullness.
He opened his eyes, a flash of dark gold light flickering deep within his pupils.
[Fusion Successful]
[Obtained Bloodline: Red Dragon (Wyrmling Stage)]
[Basic attribute caps increased to 50]
[Obtained Talents: Fire Affinity, Overwhelming Aura, Draconic Constitution (Wyrmling)]
Luo Han stood up and stretched.
His bones gave a slight crackle, his muscle density had noticeably increased, and although his skin had returned to its human appearance, his defensive power was no longer what it once was.
Memories flooded his mind—combat and survival techniques, languages, and magic.
With a thought, dark red dragon scales surfaced on his right arm, hard as alloy.
He clenched his fist, and a small cluster of searing dragon flame ignited in his palm.
Checking his attributes, he found his Strength had increased by 4 points.
“Not bad.” Luo Han nodded with satisfaction and looked at Zhao Tianxiong.
“I am about to enter a special mission.
The duration is uncertain.
You have full authority over the Blood Battle Society’s affairs.
Proceed according to the direction I previously set.”
“Understood.”
Luo Han retrieved the glowing gold book, *Flamme’s Grimoire*, from his Ethereal Ring.
[Use ‘Flamme’s Grimoire’ to begin special quest ‘Flamme’s Wish’?]
[Yes/No]
“Yes.”
The grimoire flipped open automatically.
Countless golden words poured out, weaving together in the air to form a complex teleportation array.
Flamme’s phantom appeared within the array.
She was a woman with a gentle temperament but sharp eyes.
She smiled faintly at Luo Han and nodded.
In the next second, Luo Han’s consciousness spun.
[Special Quest: Flamme’s Wish]
[Quest World: H-07 (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)]
[Entry Mode: Mission Mode.
No rating can be obtained after extraction.
Timeline is non-open-mode continuation.]
[Loadout Rating: Cosmos-tier]
[Generating Identity…]
The familiar prompts appeared in his mind, but this time there was an extra line:
[Special Status: Guardian Spirit ‘Great Mage Flamme’ is following you.]
Following Luo Han’s mental command, the loadout identity interface floated before him.
This was the free Cosmos-tier loadout he received as a “Mission Privilege.” Subsequent rotations would gradually cost more points.
First Random Identity (Free rotation available):
[Wandering Knight of the Northern Kingdoms.
Identity Ability: Master Horsemanship (Cosmos-tier)]
“Rotate.” This was useless to him.
Luo Han discarded it decisively.
The interface blurred and reorganized.
Second loadout identity (Rotation cost: 1 point):
[Spice Merchant of the Southern Isles.
Identity Ability: Spice Appraising, Business Intuition, Wealth (Cosmos-tier)]
“Continue.” Wealth was useful in some worlds, but in the world of Frieren, the powerful didn’t care much for money.
Third loadout identity (Rotation cost: 2 points):
[Noble Graduate of the Royal Magic Academy.
Identity Ability: Magic Proficiency (Cosmos-tier), Title of Baron]
Luo Han frowned.
While this was okay, he wanted something more extraordinary.
A Cosmos-tier loadout should be able to roll a better option, but he had to gamble.
“Rotate.
Consuming 2 points.”
Fourth loadout identity (Rotation cost: 4 points):
[Wandering Demon of the Northern Kingdoms.
Identity Ability: Plant Manipulation Magic (Cosmos-tier)]
A Demon identity was even worse.
With that, he’d have no way to see Serie—he couldn’t exactly fight his way into the Continental Magic Association.
“Continue.” Four points were deducted.
[Dwarven Smith.
Identity Ability: Mineral Identification, Equipment Forging (Cosmos-tier)]
He wasn’t planning on being a support player.
Luo Han passed on it immediately.