The Fake Heiress Turns out to Be a True Tycoon!-Chapter 999: The Fourth Option

Chapter 999: Chapter 999: The Fourth Option
After spending more than half an hour, the Mystic Regulation Team managed to follow several other groups and successfully entered the Ghost Market through means of coercion and other tactics.
Hannah Hearne and Callum Yuan teamed up and sought out disciples recommended by several Mystical Sect families in the Capital Metropolitan, including the representative of the Xander Family.
Because Gregory Xander did not accept the spot given by Preston Xander, the latter had to choose another relatively outstanding nephew from the collateral line, named Clayton Xander.
The six people in Clayton Xander’s group were all outstanding descendants of the six representative Mystical Sect families in the Capital Metropolitan, including members of the Zimmerman Family, who were the best at making Magic Artifacts.
With Magic Artifacts in hand, their group opened the Ghost Gate with exceptional ease.
Hannah Hearne and Callum Yuan arrived just as the Ghost Gate was about to open.
Originally, Callum Yuan intended to directly threaten the other party to let them follow in, but Hannah Hearne stopped him.
Relying on her youthful appearance and acting skills, Hannah Hearne started crying while telling a story about a young fox demon cub forced by the Elder to participate in the Mystical Sect competition.
"...You don’t know, our Demon Clan Elders are extremely ruthless.
If we’re eliminated in the first round, the Elder will definitely lock me under the Soul Tree upon returning, letting the Soul Tree drain all our demonic power and essence, sob sob sob..."
When Hannah Hearne mentioned the possible punishment, her entire body began to tremble.
Her weak and pitiful appearance instantly gained the trust of a few upstanding young disciples from prestigious families who had little interaction with the Demon Clan.
Considering these two were surprisingly both minors, in a show of grace, Clayton Xander and his group invited Hannah Hearne and Callum Yuan to enter the Ghost Market with them.
"Though it’s a competition, we as members of the Mystical Sect have always been upright. Even if we want to win, we will only do so fairly and squarely through our strength."
As Clayton Xander spoke, he continued,
"Although we’re in different camps, you’ll have to rely on yourselves once we’re in the Ghost Market. But don’t worry, the competition just started about ten minutes ago, and being with us, you’re definitely among the first group to enter the Ghost Market. You have plenty of time, just find what you need slowly..."
Mid-sentence, his speech suddenly halted as his gaze caught a figure not far away.
Following his line of sight, Hannah Hearne and the others saw Gregory Xander looking up from a stall, making eye contact with them.
Due to Scarlett Jennings, Gregory Xander recognized Hannah Hearne. Callum Yuan had also competed with them before, so he politely nodded in their direction.
Clayton Xander snapped back from his initial shock, confirming he hadn’t mistaken the person,
"Bro, Gregory!"
Being from the Xander Family himself, Clayton Xander knew Gregory Xander and was aware that he only got the recommendation because the person in front hadn’t taken the spot.
Recalling his earlier confident and self-satisfied words, Clayton Xander felt a burning embarrassment on his face,
"Bro, Gregory, you guys got in so quickly?"
Gregory Xander knew who the other party was but was aware he had a better relationship with Elysia Xander before, so he just nodded lightly in acknowledgment.
Without saying much, he turned to Evan Anson, who was still searching for something nearby, spoke a word, and the two left.
Clayton Xander’s group felt somewhat disheartened by the encounter, whereas Hannah Hearne and Callum Yuan maintained a much more composed expression.
See,
they knew Scarlett and her group would definitely be the fastest to arrive.
However, five minutes later, when they saw Scarlett Jennings at a stall, they realized they had underestimated the speed of her group.
They saw Scarlett Jennings seated with Nathan White at a stall decorated with various white bone ornaments, very Underworld-style, in a corner.
The position was evidently... the stall owner’s position.
"Scarlett, are you... already selling things?"
Even if Scarlett managed to enter the Ghost Market the moment the competition started, it’s only been twenty minutes. How did she manage to become a stall owner???
Aren’t the competition rules about finding your own items?!
"Wait, have you already found your item?"
Unable to hold back, Hannah Hearne asked.
From behind the stall, Scarlett Jennings nodded modestly, then pointed to a child palm-sized mini skull on the stall.
Of course, the skull was just an Eye-blocking Technique; the real item belonging to Scarlett Jennings was an ultra-mini Peach Wood Sword hidden inside the skull.
Originally, Scarlett Jennings had made it for Liora Gold to play with.
Unexpectedly, it was secretly taken by the competition officials for use as the first-round assessment item.
Although the Peach Wood Sword was hers, the skull was not.
To reclaim her item, she had to redeem the mini skull as well.
Due to the unique nature of transactions in the Ghost Market, although Spiritual Points could be used as basic currency, not every item could be exchanged for points.
Clearly, Scarlett Jennings’ item couldn’t be.
"According to the information I gathered, the stall owners, who bought our items beforehand, agreed on rules with the competition officials. To properly redeem our items, there are only three methods."
"First, redeem with Spiritual Points, but the points cost is a hundred times higher than the normal market price. I suspect most participants won’t be able to afford it on their accounts."
"Second, barter, where you offer something of your own according to the stall owner’s demands."
This demand varies for each individual. For example, the stall owner of Scarlett Jennings’ item demanded one of her tails in exchange.
Even if she could reveal her tail with sealed demonic power, she wouldn’t use it as an exchange.
Clearly, neither the first nor the second method was meant to make it easy for her or some people to redeem their items.
Thus, there comes a third way.
"Third, also barter, but the requirement is to use another participant’s personal item from the competition to redeem your item."
Hannah Hearne and Callum Yuan were visibly taken aback by the last condition, with Callum Yuan instinctively frowning,
"This last condition... that’s the ultimate aim, right?"
The conditions to redeem one’s item were so harsh. To ensure you’re not eliminated in the first round, you have to seize others’ items to exchange for your own smooth passing.
This is a trap.
Scarlett Jennings wasn’t surprised by his quick realization, nodding,
"That’s right, the Ghost Market rules forbid seizing items on sale, but seizing items already redeemed is allowed. When the first two methods can’t be completed, taking another participant’s item is the most efficient means."
As she spoke, her gaze was intense,
"The competition’s official goal isn’t letting us redeem our items, but to have us participants undergo internal elimination in the first round, with at least half being eliminated."
Hannah Hearne’s eyes widened at these words, and she couldn’t help but curse after a while,
"Cunning! These rules are too cunning!"
She initially thought the first-round content was a test of observation and financial skill, like a cultural contest.
This might as well be a direct fighting arena!
Audience members watching the live broadcast had the same idea as Hannah Hearne.
They originally thought it was about showcasing divine skills, but it turned out to be all about taking from others??
With this thought, someone quickly realized it.
[No, if we go by Scarlett Jennings’ explanation, what’s it got to do with her being the stall owner now?]
Hannah Hearne also voiced the same doubt as the audience.
Scarlett Jennings responded,
"I’m here because I don’t quite like the first three methods."
As she spoke, she remained calm,
"So, I chose the fourth method."