Days passed in the blink of an eye.
Deep within the "Earthfire Plains," over a hundred people had gathered.
Everyone stood outside the red pillar of light, silently awaiting something.
As time seemed to be drawing near, Clay from the Kroll state stepped forward.
"Everyone!"
Clay possessed a noble demeanor, and his appearance immediately silenced the crowd.
As a top genius of the Free Alliance, everyone was willing to give him some face.
Of course, the primary reason was that the middle-aged man beside him was a Gold-tier Beast Tamer, and Clay's family was not too far away, capable of providing support. San Feng 11.
"I presume everyone is here for the ruins before us!"
"Ruins?!"
The expressions of the crowd were greatly shaken. Although they had already harbored suspicions, they were still immensely astonished.
Clay, riding a fire lion, smiled and said, "But to enter, a key is required!"
As he spoke, he extended his right hand, holding a glowing red stone.
"A key?"
A heavy feeling settled in the hearts of the crowd. Had they come for nothing?
None of them possessed a key. Unless they were to snatch it from Clay, but the probability of success was slim, and it would incur the wrath of the Green family.
"I've already scouted ahead. The space channel to the ruins is tightly shut, and there's a stone platform next to it with six holes!"
Clay's lips curved into a smile as he said,
"This means that besides me, five others hold keys!"
This statement immediately caused a stir throughout the crowd. Many people cast glances at those beside them, a hint of greed appearing in their eyes.
Since there were five keys, it meant they had a chance to snatch them!
"To open the ruins, all six keys must be gathered!"
Clay surveyed the crowd and declared, "Now that we are in an alternate dimension, might makes right!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd's expressions varied; some were excited, while others remained silent.
Clay took in everyone's reactions and then smiled again, saying,
"If any keyholder is too weak, they can join forces with me, Clay, and I will lead them!"
"Hmph?"
All eyes turned towards him, and a flicker of hostility appeared in many.
Did this person intend to extinguish their hopes?
"I..."
At this moment, a young man stepped forward.
He lowered his head, somewhat uncomfortable with the gazes upon him, and on his outstretched palm rested a red stone.
Instantly, the eyes of over a hundred people focused on him, filled with greed.
Especially since the contracted spirit beneath him was too weak, he was merely a Black Iron-tier Beast Tamer!
In nightmare-tier alternate dimensions, participants were at least Silver-tier; Black Iron-tier clearly belonged to the lowest stratum.
"Come to my side!"
Clay raised an eyebrow and immediately called out.
The young man's expression lit up, and he quickly rode his contracted spirit over.
"Give me the key!"
Clay's tone was commanding. "Otherwise, the others will snatch it!"
The young man hesitated for a moment before slowly opening his palm.
But as soon as he saw Clay's eyes, which were like those of a hungry wolf, he immediately regretted his decision.
Just as he was about to retract his hand, it was snatched away with lightning speed.
"Hand it over!"
Clay smiled, having acquired a new key!
"You?!"
The young man's expression turned angry. He instantly realized he had been tricked.
"Young Master Clay, didn't you say you would bring me along?"
"I said I would bring the key, not you," Clay replied with a slight smile. "I will compensate you, but you truly cannot participate in the ruins! How about I let you join my Green family?"
Upon hearing this, the young man was slightly stunned and actually nodded in agreement.
Clay smiled at this. With so many outsiders helping to run the family business, having one or two more made no difference.
Just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward.
The contracted spirit beneath him exuded a powerful aura, clearly indicating a Gold-tier Beast Tamer!
"Marrow, you intend to monopolize two keys?"
His expression was calm as he spoke, "I'm afraid no one present will agree!"
The others also harbored hostility, and they subtly began to surround them.
"Everyone, there's no need for this!"
Seeing this, Clay showed no panic, calmly stating, "I only need one key!"
"As for this other one, how about we auction it on the spot?"
For a moment, the crowd was slightly taken aback. They understood the other party's intention; he wanted to profit from the key.
"Starting bid of twenty million Free Currency. Highest bidder wins!"
A smile appeared in Clay's eyes.
Although his family background was powerful, who would say no to more money?
"Clay, you're being a bit unfair, aren't you?"
Another Beast Tamer stepped forward, clearly unafraid of the other's background.
"Then I won't sell it!"
Clay shrugged and simultaneously retracted the key, saying,
"Also, everyone, don't get any other ideas. My father can arrive at any moment!"
This statement caused many to turn their hostility towards the other Beast Tamer.
"I'm willing to offer fifty million!"
Someone immediately began bidding, fearing that the other party would truly refuse to sell.
Matters that could be resolved with money were naturally best handled without conflict, especially when the other party was from a prominent family within the Free Alliance.
Clay smiled and spoke,
"A friendly reminder, one key can take five people to the ruins, but only those below Gold-tier. You can all pool your resources to purchase it!"
"I'll bid two hundred million!"
As expected, someone immediately became excited, determined to acquire it at all costs.
Ultimately, the key was purchased by a Gold-tier Beast Tamer for six hundred million Free Currency.
This was equivalent to three billion Chinese Yuan, already a considerable price.
However, in reality, a single spot in the ruins was worth far more.
But due to the scarcity of powerful individuals present, the competition was not intense.
Furthermore, the ruins could only accommodate Silver-tier participants, forcing the powerful to use it for their juniors, naturally making them reluctant to spend a fortune.
Silver-tier individuals did not possess such wealth, which ultimately resulted in this price.
"Two Silver True Treasures or six hundred million Free Currency. Your choice!"
The Gold-tier Beast Tamer stepped forward and presented Clay with two options.
The True Treasures were stolen from King-tier fierce beasts, but now, to nurture his descendants, he had to make a significant sacrifice.
"Hmm?"
Clay stroked his chin. Two Silver True Treasures were not worth three billion.
However, due to their extreme rarity and the significant improvement they offered him, their value was comparable.
"I want the True Treasures!"
Clay smiled and carefully put away the two Silver True Treasures.
Having gained thirty billion for free, he felt quite business-savvy at that moment.