Seeing that Frank was not greeting him anyway, the old man ignored him and forced a smile. "I'm sure everyone here is aware that I, Travis Dali, have recently made a poor judgment, buying a fake jade fox sculpture that cost me over a billion dollars."Pausing, he sighed. "That means I have yet to clear my 600 million dollar debt. And to make up for that, I am now bringing out the treasures in my collection. I hope everyone here would be willing to buy them at generous prices—you have my gratitude already."Hugh was the first to get to his feet, spreading his hands and smiling. "Haha… you're exaggerating, Mr. Dali—everyone knows that you're the dealer with the best eyes in Blooming Junction, and your treasures are most extraordinary. We'll definitely buy what you have at the right price.""Exactly.""Your debt will be cleared with no problem!"The other guests agreed."Alright." Travis' hunched back seemed to straighten as he smiled. "Since everyone is so appreciative, let's cut t
The only guest who never said a word is Frank.However, as everyone else turned toward Frank, Hugh spoke before he could. "Hah! What would some ignorant manwhore know about art? Even if he knows a thing or two, he still wouldn't be able to afford it."Hugh's scoffing drew several chuckles in the room, since 'manwhore' made the insult all too obvious.However, Frank remained calm as he looked at the other guests and asked quietly, "Are you done laughing? If you are, I will share my opinion.""Of course, young sir. You may speak freely." Travis was surprised that Frank did not make a bid, and instead spoke up to share his opinion. Was he going to accuse him of selling a fake?As if on cue, Frank turned toward the painting beside Travis as everyone looked on, nodding as he said, "That painting isn't genuine… Or it's half-genuine, to be precise.""Hahaha!!!" Hugh was laughing first and very loudly.The other guests were chuckling too, while Travis appeared shocked for a moment b
"Hmph!" Travis snorted coldly.If he allowed Frank to leave after what he said, that would just prove what Frank said—that he was selling his reputation, not treasures.And having been appraised antiques all his life, he certainly could not take that insult!Growling hostilely, he demanded, "Your words will ruin the reputation of my establishment sir, and you expect to leave peacefully?""Really? And your reputation can't be ruined?"Frank sneered in contempt. "Worshiping counterfeits like it's the real deal, using your reputation for commodities and getting hostile if anyone says otherwise… Shame—your reputation just isn't worth anything to me, nor am I afraid of your aggression."Travis did a double take—even after all that, Frank was still accusing him of selling counterfeits?!Feeling a little petty just then, he slowly walked up to Frank and growled solemnly, "I sell real treasures, young man, not my reputation. So you don't have to worry about pointing out how my painting
Frank turned, then walked up to the painting and immediately spotted several flaws with a single glance."Heh. So, have you thought about your tricks this time, Frank?" Hugh sneered in contempt, hostile as he had been from the start for some reason.Frank completely ignored him and nodded confidently as he pointed at the signature at the corner. "Take a look at the signature," he said. "Even if made to look like it's old, it clearly does not match the age of the canvas. In fact, the painting was signed much later—which begs the question, what painting would be signed hundreds of years after its completion and long after the artist is dead? ""What?!"Everyone was immediately restless, especially Travis.He whipped out a magnifying glass and dropped to his knees as he scrutinized the painting.Then, as he was looking closely, Frank pointed at the brush strokes and added quietly, "I've seen my shares of oil paintings to identify each style. People of Rivaldi's era—let alone Rival
Various expressions alternated over Travis' face, and he bellowed at the stewardesses again, "Go, buy me a box of matches!""Yes, Mr. Dali…" The stewardesses flinched and hurried away.Hugh was glaring furiously at Frank. "Frank, haven't you heard the saying 'live and let live'?""Live and let live, really?" Frank chuckled in turn. "Did you listen to me when I tried to dissuade you from having me appraise that painting? You presumed I was trying to bail, even demanding that I kowtow to everyone."Hugh was stumped. He could only snort and clench his jaw.Soon, the stewardesses returned with matches.Travis' hands were shaking, but he ultimately burned the painting as everyone watched.Even as the canvas was reduced to ashes, Travis' cheek clenched in heartache.But there was no helping it—he had made a promise, and he must see it through. Such was the unspoken ironclad rule when it came to antique appraisal."Alright, it's just a fake painting. I'll be leaving now."Seeing
To no surprise, the wooden sculpture was not particularly valuable, and it was purchased for a modest 400 grand.After that, Travis presented a set of porcelain tableware.Frank nodded, seeing no flaws—even if nothing was catching his eye, the tableware was not fake, and it was sold for 150 million.Up front, Travis breathed a sigh of relief since Frank was not speaking up—it seemed that the painting was the exception.As his mind was set at ease, he presented another item from his collection: a red coral crystal."Everyone, this red coral crystal is plucked from the South Sea," he said proudly. "It's a true rarity and worth a king's ransom, and I would never have sold it if not for extenuating circumstances."It is said to carry an aura and imbued with spiritrons—just keep it at your house, and it'll bring good fortune and promote longevity. And now, I will sell it for a billion dollars!""A billion dollars?!"Travis' starting bid left the guests trading glances—it must be som
Could the rock actually be a treasure, but Frank was just trying to play down its value so that the other guests would not compete?With that in mind, everyone was suddenly interested, while Travis was delighted.Frank's move was basically promoting the rock!Beaming, he asked, "Forgive my ignorance, Mr. Lawrence, but I've always treated it as a red gemstone. Would you mind telling me what it is, if it's not a gemstone?""It really is just a normal rock," Frank said calmly, despite the troubled look in his eyes. "However, it holds a special meaning to me, which is why I will buy it.""Pfft."Hugh was snickering—did Frank really take them for fools?Whether it was really a gemstone or not, the fact that Frank tried to disparage it while trying to buy it meant there was something fishy going on.He must be worried that the others would compete with him.With that, Hugh looked up and grinned. "Since Mr. Lawrence is interested, there has to be something special about it, and I'll
And the blood on that rock was the essence of Mystic Sky Sect's chief, failing his transcendence as mobs of martial artists attacked him.Despite his failure, the chief of Mystic Sky Sect—Frank's mentor—had vaguely cultivated a strand of sage aura.And the blood on that rock contained it.Be it from a standpoint of principle or sentiment, Frank refused to let the rock fall into anyone else's hands.The blood on that rock was a representation of his mentor's resentment.A representation of the tragedy that was the fall of Mystic Sky Sect.A representation of the three years Frank spent adrift.Therefore, that rock was priceless for Frank—he would even buy it for a trillion, let alone five billion.Once Frank made payment, he was given the stone as he wished.It felt warm in his hand, as if the blood on it had yet to dry.Frank almost could not stop his tears just then, but he ultimately did."Just watch, master," he vowed in his mind to the rock. "One day, I will restore Myst
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man