Under the shadows of the Fallen Heaven Pavilion, where gold gleamed and secrets were currency, the most dangerous auction in the empire was about to begin.
Priyanshu Yadav sat behind a dark jade screen on the highest floor, cloaked in the identity of "Young Master Xi," a reclusive noble from a dead kingdom. The invitation to this black-market auction had come to him via the Hidden Villain System, along with a chilling prompt:
[Hidden Mission: Acquire the Soul-Locked Crystal Shard from the Auction. It contains the sealed memory of a fallen Celestial Strategist. Reward: +500 Fate Karma, Strategy Skill – 'Heaven's Grasp'. Optional Objective: Humiliate the Crown Prince of Black Flame Empire.]
Priyanshu sipped from his tea calmly.
"Time to make some chaos," he murmured.
Down below, elite cultivators, crime syndicates, and nobles from the four corners of the continent filled the grand hall. Every one of them dangerous. Every one of them greedy. The announcer's voice rang out, rich with temptation.
"Tonight, we offer relics of ancient calamities, weapons dipped in dragon blood, forbidden tomes, and… an item even the heavens fear."
A gasp spread through the crowd as the next item was unveiled.
A crystalline shard pulsed with soft violet light. Chains of inscriptions circled it, sealing something within.
"The Soul-Locked Crystal," the announcer declared. "Bidding starts at 10,000 spirit stones."
Before anyone else could react, a cold voice rang from the upper balcony.
"50,000."
It was Priyanshu.
The crowd roared in disbelief. The Crown Prince of the Black Flame Empire, a man wrapped in black armor and divine aura, stood up.
"Who dares challenge me?" he shouted. "Reveal yourself!"
Priyanshu simply sipped his tea.
"Are you so poor that you can't afford silence?"
A wave of mocking laughter followed. The Crown Prince's face turned red with fury.
"100,000 spirit stones!" he shouted.
Priyanshu stood, fully cloaked in a golden mask with violet inscriptions.
"500,000."
The room froze.
Even the auctioneer was speechless.
"I'll kill you!" the prince roared.
"You'll try," Priyanshu replied, calmly sitting again.
Moments later, the gavel fell.
[You have acquired: Soul-Locked Crystal Shard.]
[Optional Objective Complete: Humiliated Crown Prince – Reputation among hidden powers +20%. Enemies increased.]
Back in his private chamber, the system glowed as he touched the shard.
[Memory Unsealed: Celestial Strategist's Insight: Heaven's Grasp – a skill that allows the user to manipulate enemy movements 3 seconds into the future.]
As the technique integrated into his soul, a smirk spread across his face.
"Now I can see what you'll do… before you even think of it."
Outside, the Black Flame Prince screamed in rage, but his fury was only music to the Hidden Villain's ears.
Priyanshu Yadav had just added another tool to his growing empire of shadows.