Poenard dreamt constantly of the two children, the very pair sold to Dihou City, the ones who had vanished into the ruins. He had been hoping to purchase one of them back for ages!

How could they possibly be here?

At that moment, Donald could not make sense of the situation!

Mak Xin, noticing her father’s strange expression, turned her head. When she saw the two people she least wanted to encounter, she was momentarily stunned. She never imagined they would have shown up here...

What were the odds?

By this time, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had approached the small group. Donald’s face was clouded with hesitation as he began to speak, “Well now, that—”

He was searching for an opening line to greet them, but before he could finish, Zhong Shenxiu didn't even slow down. He didn't even glance at Donald before walking straight past them.

Ugh!

Donald froze. He already knew the temperaments of these two youths were notoriously arrogant, but he hadn't expected them to remain so unchanged!

It was only after the figures of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had completely disappeared that Donald snapped back to reality. He turned to his daughter and asked, "What are they doing here?"

He clearly remembered Mak Xin telling him those two were supposed to be attending the "Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy." How on earth did they end up here?

Seeing that her father's anger had subsided by half, Mak Xin's mind suddenly raced, and an idea sparked. She quickly declared, "Dad, I never had the chance to tell you. These two are actually teachers here now!"

"What?" Donald started, thinking he must have misheard. He stared intently at Mak Xin.

"It’s true, these two are already teaching here. If you don’t believe me, ask Sister Lina!" As Mak Xin spoke, she glanced toward Elina.

Elina, who hadn't had a chance to interject earlier, heard Mak Xin’s statement and quickly affirmed, "Uncle Donald, what Mak Xin says is true. These two children are already instructors here!"

"How can this be?" Donald still couldn't accept the fact. Just days ago, they were students at the "Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy," yet within a few days, they were instructors at a renowned institution. The discrepancy was too vast!

"Dad, you weren't just wanting to buy relics from the ruins, were you? I haven't forgotten about that. I figured since these two were teaching here, and since I couldn't possibly be a teacher here, my only option was to enroll as a student to get close to them!" Mak Xin said softly. She wasn't intentionally lying; the situation absolutely compelled her. If she didn't offer this explanation, her father might scold her severely! It was true what they said about people being forced into things.

Although Donald wasn't entirely convinced, the fury on his face had vanished.

"Of course, enrolling here isn't just for that," Mak Xin quickly pressed her advantage. "I genuinely want to study harder myself, striving to find a job comparable to Sister Lina’s someday!"

Elina, standing nearby, looked at Mak Xin with a peculiar expression. She truly hadn't expected the usually mischievous Mak Xin to have such a quick mind. Just moments ago, Elina had been trying to figure out how to put in a good word for Mak Xin; now, it seemed her help was unnecessary.

"Well, you should have discussed it with me first!" Donald’s tone had softened considerably.

"Dad, I promise I'll discuss things with you next time!" Mak Xin tugged her father's sleeve and pouted playfully, instantly deflating the last vestiges of Donald’s temper! Ah, the universally effective weapon wielded by women—resistance was futile!

"Dad, have you eaten? Sister Lina and I are about to go out and celebrate. Why don't you and Cecil join us?" Mak Xin said with a smile.

"That sounds great, Sis, I’m getting hungry," Cecil said, stepping forward now that the crisis had passed.

He hadn't known how to face Mak Xin moments ago. Now, the tension had completely evaporated!

Mak Xin shot Cecil a look, the message clearly saying: We’ll settle the score later!

Cecil knew why his sister was glaring, but he responded with a look of deep grievance, conveying: Sis, I was forced!

Donald, oblivious to the silent exchange between the siblings, asked curiously, "What are you celebrating?"

Mak Xin smiled proudly and recounted the details of the "Novice Tournament," emphasizing the rewards promised to the winners!

"That good?" Cecil’s eyes lit up. He couldn't help but exclaim, "If it’s that great, maybe I should enroll here too!"

Donald and Mak Xin both shot him a look, their expressions identical, clearly communicating: What mischief are you stirring up now!

Cecil, belonging to the oppressed class at home, dared not offer any rebuttal even in this moment!

"Oh, Dad, since you haven't been here much, I'll take you all on a tour later. I heard a 'Dark Commerce Guild' opened nearby, and it's become quite the talk of the town!" Mak Xin mused aloud.

Before Donald could respond, Cecil couldn't resist asking, "Sis, what exactly is this 'Dark Commerce Guild' you mentioned?"

"Go, go, go! Don't spout nonsense if you don't know, lest people laugh at your ignorance!" Mak Xin gave her brother a dismissive look before continuing, "Everything sold in the 'Dark Commerce Guild' is top-tier merchandise, things truly unique in this world. Though it only opened recently, it draws massive crowds and constant traffic every single day!"

"Is it really as exaggerated as you say?" Cecil looked unconvinced.

"It's even more exaggerated than I said. Sister Lina and I have tried to visit several times, but we couldn't get in line. I hear they've opened branches in every major city nationwide. Rumor has it that within a few years, this 'Dark Commerce Guild' will become the largest armaments shop in the country!"

"Bigger than the 'Wumei Magic Store'?" Cecil started to sound genuinely interested.

Hearing this, Mak Xin couldn't help but laugh, taking a moment before responding, "Brother, you can go ask around. For the past week, the 'Wumei Magic Store' here has had almost no customers. If things continue like this, it’ll shut down within a year or two! The current outside speculation is that the 'Dark Commerce Guild' is in the process of acquiring the 'Wumei Magic Store.' If that rumor proves true, then all the magical equipment we use from now on will come from the 'Dark Commerce Guild'!"

Cecil's mouth dropped open. He was shocked that the massive magic supply chain he thought existed, the "Wumei Magic Store," was on the verge of collapse and about to be bought out by this mysterious 'Dark Commerce Guild.' What a staggering piece of news!

How could this 'Dark Commerce Guild' be so powerful? Where did it acquire so much capital?

"Hmph, who founded this 'Dark Commerce Guild' you're talking about? How can it be so formidable?"

"You’re asking me? I don't even know who to ask! Right now, countless people are trying to find out who the hidden boss behind the 'Dark Commerce Guild' is, but besides knowing a few key leaders, nobody knows who started the 'Dark Commerce Guild'!" Mak Xin said, sounding quite energized. She was extremely interested in this kind of gossip!

"Could it be someone from the Five Great Families?" Donald interjected, having been silent until now.

Mak Xin paused for a second, then shook her head. "It can’t be someone from the Five Great Families, because the Five Great Families are also investigating the true identity of the 'Dark Commerce Guild's' mastermind, and they’ve even offered a substantial bounty."

They never dreamt that the true owner of the "Dark Commerce Guild" had just walked past them!

After their meal, since Mak Xin had no matches that afternoon, she took her father and brother to visit the "Dark Commerce Guild."

Just as she had claimed, the place was absolutely packed. They actually had to queue to get in, though the line wasn't as daunting as she’d previously heard.

Mak Xin knew the items inside were expensive. Previously, she would only look from the outside, too lazy to queue just to browse, so she had never actually stepped inside. This was her first time, and she was filled with anticipation.

Watching people emerge from the "Dark Commerce Guild," every face was flushed with excitement, making Mak Xin and the others even more eager to see the interior.

The "Dark Commerce Guild" had set a record unmatched by any other store: as long as you had money in your purse, you would never leave the "Dark Commerce Guild" empty-handed!

It was as if the place possessed a strange magic that compelled you to spend, spend, and spend again!

"Hey, Sis, why aren't those people queuing?" Cecil asked in surprise, having just seen several individuals walk straight inside.

"They must be members, right?" Mak Xin murmured. She had only heard rumors about this guild; she wasn't entirely clear on the specifics.

"Members?" Just as Cecil was about to ask what a member entailed, a server's voice sounded nearby.

"May I ask if you wish to apply for membership? If so, please proceed this way. If you are only visiting, please use this entrance!" "How does one become a member?" Mak Xin asked curiously.

"You simply need to pay one hundred and fifty Diamond Coins and fill out the required information!"

"One hundred fifty Diamond Coins?" Mak Xin gasped. This was the first time she had encountered such an exorbitant membership fee.

In fact, the fee hadn't always been this high; initially, it was only a few dozen Gold Coins. It had risen to its current level after several price hikes. One thing was certain: this price was likely to increase further!

"We're just looking around!" Mak Xin gave an awkward smile. She certainly wasn't willing to spend that much money just to become a so-called member!

Donald also felt the price was excessive and remained silent.

Guided by the server, the group entered the main display hall and were instantly overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the merchandise.

"This..." Donald was so agitated he nearly fainted!

Even the usually composed Elina was momentarily speechless!