The battlefield smelled of ash and blood—but Ren Zian was still standing.
His crimson robes were torn, his breath ragged, and his left arm hung limp from his shoulder. The war had ended. He had won. His sword, caked in divine blood, had pierced the heart of a demigod general just moments ago.
And yet... the real blade came from behind.
"You've served your purpose, Brother."
The voice froze him more than any wound ever could.
Ren turned.
His younger half-brother, Ren Yao, stood with a dagger wet with spiritual toxin. Behind him, flanking like vultures, were Master Tianlan—the sect patriarch—and Li Yuelan, the woman Ren had once planned to marry.
"I bled for this sect," Ren rasped. "I gave you everything."
Li Yuelan stepped forward, her once soft gaze now cold. "You were too dangerous. Too loved. Too powerful."
Master Tianlan didn't even pretend to look regretful. "A dog that grows too big must be put down before it bites its master."
Ren's legs buckled. Poison surged through his veins like wildfire, dulling his senses, draining his spiritual energy.
As he collapsed, Yuelan knelt beside him, whispering sweet poison into his ear.
"You were never meant to be the emperor, Zian. You were just a weapon. And now, like all weapons, you'll be discarded."
Then darkness took him.
He expected death.
But he awoke to light. Blinding, golden, and unnatural.
Ren Zian found himself in a space that defied logic. A vast hall of floating platforms, glowing runes, and translucent figures whispering in forgotten tongues. Celestial beings watched from thrones high above, eyes devoid of empathy.
A booming voice echoed.
"SOUL #775483: SOLD FOR 3.2 CELESTIAL CREDITS TO THE DOMAIN OF CHAOS."
A searing pain erupted in Ren's chest as a black brand burned itself into his skin.
[Chaos Bidding System Activated.][User: Ren Zian][Auction Link Established… Downloading Divine Contract… 15%... 42%... 98%...][Welcome, Chaos-Bound One. You may now participate in the Celestial Auction.]
Ren clutched his chest, heart thundering. His body… was alive. New. Younger. Stronger. He looked at his hands—they weren't bloodied or worn. They were whole.
[You have been granted a second life under the Chaos Contract.][Objective: Build your Dominion. Outbid gods. Reclaim your throne.]
A second chance?
He looked around as more voices echoed in the hall.
"Next soul: former saintess of the Elven Sky Temple. Virgin pact value: 9.6 celestial credits."
"Phoenix-blooded princess—unstable spirit core, but high market value. Opening bid: 6.2 credits."
Ren's blood ran cold.
This wasn't heaven. This wasn't reincarnation.
This was an auction.
The gods didn't judge souls. They sold them.
He saw a platform shift beside him. A girl floated mid-air, unconscious, her skin pale and glowing faintly with runes. A name floated above her: Lyra — Sealed Phoenix-Bloodline.
Next to her, bidding orbs pulsed with divine signatures.
"Current Bid: 3.4 credits… 3.5… 3.6…"
Ren stared. Something stirred in him. Not lust—rage. These weren't items. These were lives. Souls.
He clenched his fists.
The system spoke again:
[Auction Rights Unlocked: You may now place Chaos Bids.][Note: Chaos Bids override divine contracts at risk of system corruption. Proceed?]
Ren Zian had no divine signature. No sect. No backing.
But he had nothing left to lose.
[Place Chaos Bid: 5.0 credits on Lyra — Confirm?]
He smirked. "Confirm."
A shockwave pulsed through the auction hall.
The divine orbs froze. A low murmur spread. Somewhere, a golden throne shattered into ash.
[Chaos Bid Accepted. Divine Contract Severed.][Lyra's Soul Linked to Ren Zian.][Waifu Pact Pending: Awaiting Consent and Soul Merge.]
Then the light changed.
The hall twisted.
Ren felt a rush of air—and he was falling.
He landed in a forest.
Real earth beneath him. Trees swayed overhead. Birds screeched and took off.
Ren coughed, holding his ribs. The system buzzed again.
[Welcome to Realm Layer 1: Mortal Fringe World.][Objective: Survive. Expand. Collect Souls. Win Bids.][Starting Item: None.][You are now officially a Chaos Auctioneer.]
He didn't know where Lyra had gone. Or what realm he was truly in. But one thing burned brighter than confusion or fear.
He was alive. Reborn. And this time, he would not serve. He would rule.
He stood, wind in his hair, pain fading. Above him, dark clouds rolled—and from them, a voice echoed.
"Chaos-bonded trash… You dare bid against me?"
Ren looked up, grinned, and replied softly—
"Keep watching. I'm not done bidding yet."