"Don’t let this turn deadly."

While the crowd in the hall was still debating the true value of the final auction item, Mo Fei had already made his bid without hesitation.

“VIP Box Three offers five million gold coins. Any higher bids?” After Mr. Mo announced this, the focus of the crowd’s discussions shifted to speculating about the identity of the guest in Box Three.

Mo Fei had participated in the bidding for three of the finale items. Though the second item had gone to the guest in Box Four, Mo Fei’s astonishing wealth had already sparked much imagination among the guests.

The atmosphere grew a little tense; after Mo Fei’s bid, no one responded for a long while. Although Harry was eager to make things difficult for Mo Fei, he wasn’t sure if Mo Fei truly intended to win the torn tome. He himself didn’t have enough gold coins, and if Mo Fei suddenly dropped out halfway through the bidding, Harry would be in quite a fix—he still remembered his earlier lesson all too well.

Just as Mr. Mo was growing frustrated with the tepid bidding for the final auction item, at last, the previously silent guest in VIP Box One made an appearance on the screen, offering six million gold coins.

“VIP Box One bids six million. Any further bids?”

Seeing that no one else had bid, Mo Fei thought he might be lucky enough to win the Archmage’s journal. But before he could celebrate, the price from Box One dashed his hopes.

Mo Fei extended his spiritual sense toward Box One.

“Ah, it’s him,” Mo Fei realized. Inside Box One was none other than Mr. Corvid, President of the Moco City Mage Guild, whom he had just met that morning.

It was no wonder. As the President of the Mage Guild and a formidable Archmage, how could Corvid not be moved by a journal left by an Archmage? Besides, since he hadn’t participated in any other bidding, it was likely he had come specifically for this item.

As Mo Fei observed Corvid with his spiritual sense, the other man seemed to sense the scrutiny and glanced around suspiciously.

Mo Fei knew Corvid had detected his probing, though he wouldn’t know exactly who it was.

Since it was the old man bidding, Mo Fei decided not to raise the price. First, if Corvid won, perhaps he could borrow the journal from him later. Second, bidding against the wealthy Mage Guild was hardly wise. By withdrawing, he might even gain Corvid’s favor, making it easier to borrow the tome in the future.

In the end, the Archmage Ralph’s magical journal was won by Corvid for six million gold coins.

After all, it was only a fragmentary journal, its contents incomplete. While a note from an Archmage might be helpful for those at the Archmage level, it would mean little to ordinary or lower-level mages—the gap in mastery was just too vast; even if they read it, they wouldn’t understand a thing.

…

The auction concluded, and the guests began to disperse.

“Korr, did you find out who was in Box Three?” In the Box Four VIP room, Harry questioned the guard who had just entered.

“Young master, I asked around. Box Three was occupied by a young mage named Mo Fei, accompanied by a minotaur berserker. They’re not from Moco City. I’m not sure why they were assigned a VIP suite, but their background must be significant,” the guard replied.

“Mo Fei? I’ve never heard of any young noble in the Empire by that name! If he’s not from a prominent family, he should keep a low profile here in Moco City. Daring to snatch my prize and making me spend so much extra—just wait and see how I’ll deal with him.” Harry Derlin, accustomed to running roughshod over others in the city, had no intention of swallowing this humiliation.

Meanwhile, Mo Fei left the VIP suite and made his way to the auction house’s backroom to collect his purchases. There, he ran into Mr. Mo and Corvid.

“Mr. Corvid, what a coincidence to see you at the auction! Did you find anything of interest?” Mo Fei asked, feigning ignorance.

“So you two already know each other! That saves me an introduction!” Mr. Mo said with a smile.

“I only met Mr. Corvid this morning at the Mage Guild,” Mo Fei replied.

“Heh, I just came to look around, hoping to get lucky and find something I liked—and as it turned out, I did,” Corvid said with a smile.

“I wonder which item you managed to win?” Mo Fei continued, playing innocent.

“This old man won the final item—the Archmage’s magical journal,” Mr. Mo interjected. As they all knew each other, he didn’t conceal it from Mo Fei.

“So it was you who won the journal, Mr. Corvid! I’d wanted to bid for it myself, but I ran out of gold coins and had to give up,” Mo Fei said, sounding regretful.

“So you were the one who made the first bid! I bought the journal mainly for research, and to add to our Guild’s collection—otherwise, how could our library rival any other? If you’re interested, you’re welcome to come to the Guild and borrow it,” Corvid offered. He quite appreciated Mo Fei’s passion for magic.

“That’s very generous of you, Mr. Corvid. I’ll be sure to visit the Guild soon!” Mo Fei replied, delighted to hear exactly what he’d hoped for.

Soon, a young attendant brought over Mo Fei’s auction winnings.

Only then did Corvid realize that Mo Fei was the mysterious guest in Box Three, and his curiosity about Mo Fei’s identity deepened.

After they parted ways, Mo Fei and Kane left the auction house.

Outside the main doors, Harry had been waiting with his guards for some time. When he saw a minotaur berserker and a young mage emerge, he and his men immediately blocked their path.

Mo Fei had expected Harry might come looking for trouble, but didn’t think he’d be so impatient as to confront him the moment he left the auction house.

Surrounded, Mo Fei remained unruffled. Although the other side had six men—five of them guards with the power of Grand Swordsmen—Mo Fei had never taken them seriously. Kane alone, once he went berserk and gained Sword Saint-level power, could handle them easily. Not to mention Mo Fei himself, a cultivator.

Though Mo Fei wore only an Apprentice Mage badge, with his talent and innate gifts, his true power was far beyond that level. With his study of magic, combined with his extraordinary spiritual sense, his casting speed and power rivaled that of Master Mages. If he expended his inner energy and used his cultivation techniques, even a Sword Saint would have trouble facing him.

“Kid, you’re the one who tried to trip me up at the auction, aren’t you? Do you know who I am? Do you know what happens to those who cross me?” Harry, furious at Mo Fei’s indifference, snarled menacingly.

“I don’t know, but do you want to know what happens to those who cross me?” Mo Fei didn’t wait for a reply; he waved to Kane and said softly, “Don’t kill anyone,” before stepping aside.

At Mo Fei’s words, Kane drew his sword. His eyes instantly turned blood-red—he had entered his berserk state.

Facing Kane’s monstrous strength, the five guards were like wheat beneath a scythe, each struck down with a single blow. Seeing his men fall so easily, Harry realized he had picked the wrong opponent.

“Don’t come any closer! Do you know who I am? I’m the eldest son of the Derlin family! If you dare touch me, you’ll never leave Moco City alive!” Harry cried, desperate to intimidate Kane.

But Kane cared nothing for his status; he obeyed only Mo Fei’s orders. Since Mo Fei had told him to deal with these people, he didn’t hesitate. He punched Harry in the face, sending him flying several meters. When Harry landed, he spat out a few bloody teeth.

“You’ll pay for this!” Harry mumbled, his mouth full of blood and threats.

The commotion had already drawn a crowd. Seeing Harry Derlin being taught a lesson, the onlookers felt secretly pleased—it was clear he’d long abused his status to bully others.

Soon, a squad of city guards arrived. Seeing Harry Derlin battered, they turned to Mo Fei and Kane.

“Are you the ones fighting in the city? Come with us!” the squad leader said sternly.

If they didn’t resolve this incident, with a Derlin heir assaulted, the city guards would be in trouble.

“Do you think you’re stronger than these Grand Swordsmen? Or do you think we’ll let you take us in?” Mo Fei replied coldly.

Only then did the squad leader notice the five guards lying on the ground. He gasped, suddenly unsure of what to do.

These two were clearly not to be trifled with, and his squad was no match for them. Judging from their fearless attitude, their backgrounds were obviously not simple. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place; both sides were out of his league.

“If you want revenge, come to the Mage Guild and look for me. Remember, my name is Mo Fei—don’t get the wrong person,” Mo Fei said to Harry, then led Kane away toward the Mage Guild.

The squad leader watched, unable to summon the courage to stop them. He could only disperse the crowd and escort the battered Harry away.

Since coming to this world, Mo Fei had learned one thing: here, strength reigns supreme. Show your power, and others will hesitate to act against you.

Mo Fei wasn’t bluffing—he truly didn’t care about Harry. Even the so-called Derlin family behind him was, at most, a mild annoyance, never enough to make him afraid.