In her mental realm, Iris hovered in the middle of the emptiness, her translucent figure in her past life appearance. She held a strand of Faith in her palm, a strand of Curse of the Eye in another. The Bewitching Mark on the side of her lips glowed, exuding a peculiar fragrance.

In front of her, the mist distorted. A flickering maiden stepped out of the void. Her two pairs of wings, one feathery, another demonic, expanded behind her, their range spanning the endless sea of consciousness. She revealed a meek smile and leaned forward.

“A delicate balance between all powers,” she said. “If you can control them all, you’ll achieve what no one else could, a reconciliation of polarities.”

“Duality, what is it?” Iris opened her eyes.

“That broken vessel contains a hint of Divinity.”

“What can you give me?”

“A spell that used Faith as its fuel. Its only requirement is a strong soul; you’ve already fulfilled that criterion, better than any other mortals.”

Iris’s eyes sparkled. “How strong is it?”

Duality smiled. “Its strike is enough to frighten a Legendary. Even if you don’t use it, its presence will deter anyone below Legendary Tier from approaching you.”

Iris lifted her hands. “How many times I can use it?”

“Your physical body will crumble if you use it once, and your soul will shatter if you were to use it twice. When you reach Condensation Phase, you might be able to unleash its might twice without perishing.”

Duality turned transparent and dissipated into the fog. Her lovely yet diabolical voice echoed inside Iris’s sea of consciousness. Because of her injuries, Duality couldn’t manifest for too long. If it weren’t for the trace of Divinity, she wouldn’t have wasted her energy coming to Iris.

In the real world, Iris opened her eyes. Her head, leaning on Kasbin’s shoulder, shifted. She gazed at the last auction item, the broken vessel, her eyes flashing a glint. Even if she exhausted the wealth of The Court, she must have it.

On the stage, the announcer introduced the broken vessel. His feverish voice infused the atmosphere with solemnity and splendour.

“Inside this mysterious vessel is a treasure unseen by this world. Despite our vast connections, we failed to find any scholars and runemasters who could open it. Whatever lies inside must be an unmatched treasure!”

While Iris observed the vessel, Kasbin, too, stared at it. Her eyes narrowed as she pressed her hands together and twisted her palms. A series of glowing symbols materialised in front of her, and the raindrop-shaped necklace on her chest shimmered. A hint of ancient air gushed out of the gemstone, thundering within Kasbin’s mind.

Her breaths quickened. She rose from the sofa and walked to the balcony. Her unsteady footsteps caught Iris’s attention.

“Lady Kasbin, is there anything I could do for you?”

“Iris, could you . . . give up this item for me?”

“You . . . want it?”

“I need it. The Suppression Sect must have it.”

Iris lowered her head. “May I know the reason? It’s important for me too.”

Kasbin turned to Iris and sighed. Her carefree disposition melted away, revealing the shell in which sorrow permeated. Her intense eyes dulled, clouded by the spectre of what could have been.

“The Suppression Sect’s goal has always been the prosperity of the Beastkins, especially those of Mythical Bloodlines.

“We searched high and low for everyone with a hint of the Mythical Bloodline to prolong our legacy, to search for the answer to our past. Maybe, one day, we’ll find the royal bloodline and reclaim our ancient glory.

“In truth, the Suppression Sect existed since time forgotten. Though I don’t know what name we went by, I know of our glory, achievements . . . downfall.

“There used to be an empire of Beastkins, so powerful its might, so prominent its title. Its now-unsung name once inspired awe and terror in all of the Eastern Continent. However, like all things mortal, it eventually met its unfortunate end.

“No one knows what happened. No one knows how it happened, and no one knows why it happened. We only know that our empire fell, leaving only broken vestiges, the remnant of our past.”

Kasbin hung her head groundward. Tears welled in her eyes. Her shoulders trembled, shivering as the cold past seized her. Without the warm light of glory, she could only endure the chill while searching for the wreckage that might contain her hope.

“Why . . . did you tell me all of this?” Iris said.

Kasbin brushed her reddened eyes. “You recognised the relic of our ancient empire. You saw something.”

Iris looked at the broken vessel, hesitated, and shook her head. “The answer you seek, I don’t have it. The vessel is beneficial to me. I don’t know what is inside it, nor do I know its origin.”

Kasbin stared into Iris’s eyes. She instinctively applied formless pressure on Iris before retracting it, averting her gaze. She tried to see through Iris, but she couldn’t. Iris was concealed under a veil whose presence resembled that of the ancient relic.

“Do you know that inside the vessel is a spine of our ancestor?”

Iris shook her head. “Even if—”

“Please, Iris, you must know something.” Kasbin grabbed Iris’s shoulders. “Our Suppression Sect will appoint you as an Honourary Elder and give you everything you desire. Please tell us what you know!”

Iris retreated from Kasbin. Her expression darkened. “Even if you scream at me, nothing will change. Your empire exists no more, and if you cannot control your emotions, you’ll never know the truth!”

Kasbin reached out her hand, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch Iris. Iris’s faint words lingered in her ears. They drained her desperation and filled her empty soul with burning shame, shame which stuck to her skin, shame which prevented her from lifting her head.

Her breathing gradually reverted to normal. She drew back her hands, her ears flushing. Despite being a Grandmaster, she couldn’t stand Iris’s gaze. Her legs wobbled while her mouth went dry.

“Do you . . . truly not know anything?”

“Do I look like I’m extorting you?” Iris wryly smiled. “A friend of mine might know something, but her whereabout is unpredictable.”

“Who is she? How can I find her?”

“I cannot reveal her identity. I can only promise to ask her on your behalf.”

After thinking about it, Kasbin nodded. “I’ll repay you in due time.”

“Just treat me well when I go on a voyage in Yilon Archipelago.”

Smiling, Kasbin gazed at the broken vessel. A few premium suites and ordinary bidders exclaimed their bids, yet none of them appeared feverish as when they bid for the Helix Pin.

Though the broken vessel dated back to a mythical era, its seal was too exotic. The buyer had to shoulder a worrying risk to break the seal and hope whatever lay inside was still intact. Unlike the Suppression Sect, which had a method to open the vessel, everyone else had to research from scratch.

“Lady Iris, how should we solve this problem?” Kasbin said. She and Iris wanted the vessel.

“The vessel itself is precious to me. I have no interest in what lies inside. Once I’ve achieved my goal, I’ll return it intact.”

“We want both the vessel and the object inside, but we can lend you the vessel. I trust you, Lady Iris.”

“It isn’t trust. It’s a transaction.”

Kasbin chuckled. “Please leave the bidding to me. The vessel will be delivered to you soon.”

When Kasbin returned to her suite, Lorient walked up to Iris. She looked at her mistress, pursed her lips, and put her hands beside her body. If she hesitated for too long, another interruption might occur; she didn’t want to suppress her cravings anymore.

“Lady Iris, could you please . . . ease my discomfort?” Lorient’s face turned pink. “I’m a failure of a guard. I cannot keep my heart calm.”

“Must it be me? Secain also knows how to snuff out your flame. Her nimble hands are even superior to mine.”

“She’s of Pure Race. I might lose control and ruin your plan.”

“Other Monster Girls can also satisfy your urge. They’re just like you, like me.”

“They aren’t like you!” Lorient bit her tongue. The pain forced out her confidence. “You gave off a different aura. Your eyes ignite my lost ardour. In front of you, I felt like a naked maiden.”

Iris lifted her gaze to Lorient. “You’ve finally said it. Should I reward you for your honesty? What would your sister want?”

Excitement dancing in her eyes, Lorient opened her mouth. Only silence leaked out. She found herself unable to speak; she didn’t want to say it. She knew what her sister needed, but she didn’t want to say it.

A new thought popped up in her head. This reward was hers; Lady Iris teased her, turning her honest. Now, her chest heated up, and her heart wildly beat. If she helped her sister, who would help her?

“Lady Iris, please . . . touch me.” Lorient averted her gaze while biting her lips.

Iris grinned. “Do you not care for your sister?”

“I wished her the best; she wished me the best, too.”

“The best you shall receive.” Iris turned around and walked past Lorient. “Follow me.”

Passing the sofa, Iris motioned for Secain, who got up and closed in on Lorient, clinging onto her as if they were a couple. Iris merely smiled and headed for a curtained room.

The rest of the Monster Girls peeked at the three, envious of Secain and Lorient. After all, an experience with a senior member of The Court was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially Iris, whose form could shift to fulfil all desires.

As Iris and her two partners entered the most luxurious room, the bidding came to its peak. The Suppression Sect brought out significant parts of its wealth, shutting down its competitors. After it made its intention known, the other bidders backed away.

The auction smoothly ended without any incident. The announcer spoke a few parting words before the musicians and performers entered the stage, dancing, singing, acting in the after-show sessions.

Most of the Secret Organisations and Evil Cults left the Crystal Theatre while a few lingered to discuss their alliance. The Court of Indulgence decided to stay for a while, letting its members have fun. A few Monster Girls were still in the curtained rooms, creating, sustaining their paradise.

When Iris stepped out of her room, her face flushed, but her air remained lively. Behind her, Secain and Lorient weakly followed. Their tired expressions added to their cuteness. Their shaking hands and moist lips induced lust into the onlookers.

The heavenly bliss was too much. Even Secain couldn’t handle it. After all, the pleasure wasn’t additive but multiplicative. It also had a strong aftertaste that left her yearning.

“Is everyone satisfied?” Iris said.

A Monster Girl came to her. “We’ve been waiting for you, Lady Iris. Everyone else had already gotten what they wanted.”

Iris swept her gaze. The Monster Girls lowered their heads, whispering to one another, discussing their joyous ventures. Their spirits lifted to the highest as if they weren’t on a mission of The Court but instead were on a field trip.

“Then it’s time to return.” Iris looked at the auction and narrowed her eyes. “This return trip will be interesting.”