"18,000."
This time, a man in dark green robes spoke, his voice smooth yet venomous. His jade-colored eyes gleamed with interest as he adjusted the sleeves of his ceremonial outfit. The insignia on his belt belonged to the Emerald Viper Hall, a sect renowned for their mastery of both poison techniques and beast taming.
The assassin from the Umbral Fang glanced toward him but said nothing. The bid continued.
"20,000." A cold, feminine voice.
Heads turned toward the speaker—a pale woman dressed in black and gold, sitting elegantly with a goblet of wine in her hand. She had an air of nobility about her, but the gold serpent embroidery on her sleeve revealed her identity. She was from the Golden Fang Society, a reclusive but feared sect that dabbled in forbidden poisons.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Three different poison factions were competing for the venom. This was getting interesting.
The assassin spoke again. "25,000."
