After briefly instructing the two maids waiting at the door, I set off for the auction house with that person.

Even as we neared our destination, I felt a pang of sympathy imagining their utterly defeated expressions when faced with the room’s chaos… But the sight of the auction house itself instantly stole my breath away.

Spiritsoar Kingdom’s Imperial City—Levelling Auction Hall.

To most citizens of Spiritsoar, this magnificent castle—nestled in a corner of the Imperial City—stood as the nation’s iconic landmark.

Its white walls rose with solemn grandeur. Faint lights glowed beyond arched doorways and towering windows, while stern guards patrolled alongside various Contract Beasts. Travelers and merchants alike paused to marvel at the breathtaking structure, awed by Spiritsoar’s prosperity.

Now and then, I caught snippets of proud whispers: *"See that? That’s our Spiritsoar’s Levelling Auction Hall."*

And they had every right to boast.

Named after Spiritsoar’s founding emperor, Levelling Auction Hall was converted from the old "Imperial Arena" after continental peace settled. Spanning 21,000 square meters, it reigned as the continent’s largest auction house. Books claimed it could hold fifty thousand souls. Beyond weekly auctions, it hosted every major event—even next month’s Throne Struggle.

Today, as auction day, the hall buzzed with its weekly peak frenzy. The cavernous lobby swarmed with bodies and noise, instantly reminding me of Earth’s Spring Festival travel chaos.

Watching the impenetrable crowd, the person gripping my hand to prevent me from getting lost frowned in frustration. After a few seconds’ hesitation, she signaled a staff member to escort us through the "VIP entrance."

Yet halfway down the VIP corridor, she froze abruptly. Her grip on my hand tightened.

Instinctively, I sensed a cold gaze boring into me. Following her stare, I spotted another lavishly dressed girl observing us with amused interest.

"So the eldest sister and her Contract Beast came to the auction too?" The golden-eyed girl broke off her chat with staff, her upturned eyes sweeping over us—lingering on me with a flicker of disdain. "Honestly, a Contract Beast with almost no self-defense ability? If you don’t buy something here, it probably won’t survive the preliminaries." Her gaze shifted back to the person clutching my hand. "Then again… you’re likely here because you’re worried your beast won’t pass the preliminaries."

Meeting the challenge head-on, my companion snapped her head up, stepping sharply in front of me. I felt her palm grow slightly damp against mine.

From their exchange, I instantly recognized the newcomer: Liliane, Spiritsoar’s third princess, wielder of a Crimson Dragon Contract Beast—and the strongest rival in the Throne Struggle.

"Ah-ra, how amusing to see you jealous, eldest sister." Liliane twirled a lock of waist-length hair, her tone dripping with false sympathy. But from behind my companion, I saw Liliane’s brow furrow minutely. A chilling glint flashed in her golden phoenix eyes—an instinctive urge to step back prickled my spine.

"Jealous? I have no reason to envy you. Yiyi, let’s go."

Clearly unwilling to engage further, my companion tugged my hand and shot a look at the staff member, who hurriedly complied. After all, angering either Spiritsoar princess meant losing more than just a job.

"Hmph~"

As we walked away, I glanced back uneasily—and caught Liliane’s faint smile. Her downcast golden eyes gleamed with sudden, murderous intent.