Chapter 331: The Core

"So this Dragon Tooth Forge actually meets your requirements, right? A-Mo, I think he's right—you really are a devil."

Elisa sighed softly, then probed, "Are you spending so much money to acquire and upgrade equipment because you plan to go to the Antoria Continent yourself?"

"That's my intention."

Li Mochen nodded: "This is my first time doing this kind of business, so I still need to go and take a look. I expect that by the time our fleet is ready, it will be winter break. By then, my competitions will also be over, and I'll have time."

The national competition after the state-level competition will be held next semester. All finalists don't need to participate in the spring NHSAA individual qualifiers.

But this time, he had another purpose—'Blood-Eyed Angel' Robert E. Yvonne.

He wanted to find out what was going on with this maid of his. Even if he couldn't recruit her this time, he needed to understand what had happened to his original parents and why Robert E. Yvonne was running around the Antoria Continent killing people like a madwoman.

But just as Li Mochen said this, his sleeve was tugged by Hazel, who looked at him with pleading eyes, her intention clear.

Li Mochen couldn't help but laugh: "Of course we'll go together. This time, consider it a trip for you."

Even if Hazel hadn't thought of it, he wouldn't feel comfortable leaving this little girl alone in Atlanta. Given Hazel's current state, it was better for her to stay by his side.

So next, he took another stroll around the first floor and spent about 15 million gold shields to outfit Hazel with a set of equipment.

The latter had a demigod-level physique and defense; ordinary equipment would not only be useless but also a hindrance. Meanwhile, saint-level equipment was rare and prohibitively expensive. So Li Mochen put considerable thought into carefully selecting a few magical items.

He even spent over a million gold shields on a small gift for Elisa, which delighted her and kept her excited for half a day.

But just as they were about to leave this floor and head to the A7 auction house that Franks had mentioned, a Red Finch Club staff member approached, holding a bouquet of roses with faint purple, strange lines on their edges.

"Hello, are you Elisa Targaryen? This is from the gentleman over there. He asked me to give it to you and would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow."

Li Mochen was curious where roses came from in this underground market. After careful thought, he realized they were a precious medicinal herb—a rose variety called 'Phantom Spirit.' Its pollen, when processed, had powerful hallucinogenic effects and was beloved by illusionists. They were also very expensive, costing up to 150,000 gold shields per flower.

Then, as he looked in the direction the staff member had pointed, he saw a handsome young man in his thirties with black hair and a small mustache waving at them. Beside him were several companions, including Dacia Rockefeller, whom Li Mochen had seen at the fundraising cocktail party.

Elisa glanced over, then expressionlessly stuffed the roses into a nearby trash can.

Li Mochen blinked in surprise: "Wow, that's not like the money-loving Elisa."

"Don't underestimate me!"

Elisa snorted, glancing sideways: "Anthony Braden, America's most notorious playboy. He sends me flowers just to add to his collection. If I accepted them now, I'd have endless trouble. I don't want to be entangled by that guy."

Li Mochen chuckled and stepped onto the elevator first.

Anthony Braden—he knew of him. Currently America's top tycoon, the holder of the operating rights to 'Light Magic Optoelectronics,' the largest high-tech company in America. Although young at only 32, according to the latest financial magazines, his total assets had surpassed the 1.9 trillion gold shield mark last year.

But he also knew that while this man was a typical playboy, he had good character—he never pestered women or used his power to pursue them.

Moreover, he was a great philanthropist, investing tens of billions of gold shields annually from his personal assets into charity.

So despite his notorious reputation with women, his public image among America's lower classes was quite good.

Meanwhile, more than thirty meters away, Anthony Braden watched Elisa's retreating figure as she entered the elevator with regret.

"What a pity. We could have had a romantic night."

"Not all women flock to you, Anthony. Especially the outstanding ones."

Dacia Rockefeller sneered: "I don't think this is a wise move. That girl shouldn't be your prey."

Anthony Braden said in a tone of lament: "Why? They're clearly not a couple, right? I can tell that girl is still a virgin. By the Light God, I can't believe there are still such conservative women in America."

"That's Andre Lee Wiltonstein. Don't tell me you haven't seen him in the news. Lately, he's been getting more buzz than you. I predict that within the next twenty years, he'll have a place among America's elite."

Dacia shook his head: "You're poaching his territory, Anthony. Making enemies on all sides won't do you any good."

"I've heard a little about him. His electronics chain is interesting. But no matter his future potential, for now, he's not worth my serious attention, right?"

The young billionaire smiled nonchalantly: "I'm not married yet, Dacia. Pursuing a young, beautiful woman without a partner—I don't think that's wrong."

"Suit yourself."

Dacia had nothing more to say, since the guy had a point. But then he shook his head and walked toward the elevator: "Excuse me, Anthony. I'll go have a chat with him. See you at the A7 auction house later."

He quickly took the elevator to the third floor and caught up with Li Mochen, then said with surprise: "You're heading to the A7 auction house? You're here for that thing too, right?"

"That thing?"

Li Mochen looked at him curiously: "Dacia, it seems you know what it is? I just heard from an acquaintance that this auction might have something I need."

"What you need? Manpower?"

Dacia guessed the answer: "That's it. Someone is selling four 'Magic Mechanical Cores' at the Red Finch Club, including a complete system with power and thinking cores. They say it was excavated from a pyramid in South America, a relic of an alien civilization from the mythological era 27,000 years ago. With this, any mechanic can easily create a legendary-level 'Construct Puppet.' That's why Anthony Braden is here too. He's very interested and determined to get it."