Chapter 340: Winning the Devouring Heaven Corpse, A Stir from the Final Auction Item!
On the silver tray lay a rolled-up, brown-colored sea chart.
"This map was obtained from the Sea Demon Clan. The area it depicts is not among any known regions and is believed to lead to an unknown sea domain. Starting bid: eight hundred thousand Xuan Yuan Pills."
Maps of unknown sea regions were usually niche auction items. While they weren't particularly rare, they also weren't cheap—eight hundred thousand was already a high starting price.
After a short round of bidding, Lin Dong won the item at 1.8 million Xuan Yuan Pills.
Even though Lin Fan knew that once the final item of the auction was revealed, this map might become irrelevant, he didn't stop Lin Dong from making the purchase.
After all, one never knew when a map might come in handy—and this one wasn't that expensive.
After the sea chart was taken down, the three continued watching the auction.
It had to be said—the auction hosted by Tianshang Pavilion was truly impressive. The variety of items offered—martial techniques, spirit treasures, rare materials—was endless and dazzling.
Then, at one point, something completely unexpected happened: a crystal coffin was wheeled onto the stage.
Inside the crystal coffin lay a shriveled corpse, its body entirely pitch black.
The moment Lin Fan saw the corpse, his eyes lit up ever so slightly.
Other than the mysterious final item of the auction, this corpse was clearly one of the most valuable items up for bid tonight.
Because this was a Devouring Heaven Corpse—a rare body personally refined by the Devouring Master in ancient times!
Beside Lin Fan, Lin Dong stared at the corpse. Suddenly, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol within him began to tremble violently.
Even Yan, the spirit of the Ancestral Stone, let out a surprised murmur in Lin Dong's mind.
"This is… a Devouring Heaven Corpse?"
"A what?" Lin Dong blinked, stunned. He quickly asked in his heart.
Yan explained the nature and history of the corpse, sharing what he knew about the Devouring Heaven Corpses and their power.
After a brief exchange, Lin Dong lowered his voice and said to Lin Fan, "Brother Lin Fan, you must win that corpse."
"Heh, don't worry. I know," Lin Fan smiled.
On the stage, Tang Dongling pointed to the pitch-black corpse inside the crystal coffin and explained:
"This item was recovered from the deep sea. While we cannot fully identify it, I can tell you this—one of our Pavilion's Death Xuan Stage elders attacked it at full strength… and couldn't destroy it."
"What?!"
The entire auction hall erupted with shocked murmurs.
Most of the people present had initially thought the corpse was ordinary, albeit odd. But if it could withstand the full power of a Death Xuan Stage expert…
"Miss Tang, is this some kind of puppet?" a black-robed man in the front row suddenly asked.
"That's Chen Ying from the Phantom Demon Sect," someone whispered.
Tang Dongling nodded slightly, "You could classify it as a puppet, yes… but it may require a special control method, otherwise, it cannot be activated."
"Hmph, so it can't be used?" many murmured in disappointment.
If they couldn't control it, what good was it? A fancy shield, maybe?
Tang Dongling remained calm. "We'll begin the bidding now. Starting bid: five million Xuan Yuan Pills."
Many balked at the price, hesitating.
After a while, the first bid finally came in: "Five million, one hundred thousand."
Other bids followed, but the increases were small.
At the top of the bidding was Chen Ying, who offered 6.5 million.
When no one else raised the bid, Lin Fan smiled and said, "6.6 million."
Many turned curiously to look at him, wondering why he was interested in such a seemingly useless item. Even Tang Dongling's eyes sparkled slightly, puzzled by Lin Fan's interest.
"Seven million," Chen Ying raised again, frowning.
"Seven-point-one million," Lin Fan said calmly.
"Seven-point-five million."
"Eight million."
At that number, Chen Ying hesitated—then ultimately chose to give up.
Just as the crowd thought the item would go to Lin Fan…
"Nine million."
A cold voice rang out. Xie Yan had joined the bidding.
"Ten million. If you keep going, you can have it," Lin Fan said flatly, glancing at Xie Yan.
Xie Yan hesitated. He didn't actually know what the corpse was—he was only bidding to annoy Lin Fan.
But if Lin Fan refused to raise the bid again, then Xie Yan would have to eat the cost—and his true target was still the final auction item.
Spending over ten million now would be a serious blow.
Looking visibly conflicted, Xie Yan scowled.
"Hurry up," Lin Fan said with a smirk. "If you're going to raise the price, stop wasting everyone's time."
The audience chuckled and turned to Xie Yan, enjoying the show.
Seeing his plan backfire, Xie Yan's expression turned ugly.
"Young Master, we should focus on the main goal," the black-robed elder beside him whispered.
Xie Yan took a deep breath and closed his eyes, giving up the bid.
On stage, Tang Dongling smiled. "If there are no further bids, then the Devouring Heaven Corpse will go to Young Master Lin Fan."
All eyes turned to Xie Yan—who remained silent.
And so, the corpse was officially sold to Lin Fan.
"Is that all the Young Master of Evil Wind Cave has to offer?" Lin Fan mocked, shaking his head.
Xie Yan's face turned dark. "You just wasted ten million Xuan Yuan Pills on a corpse. Who's the fool here?"
"Who said it's useless? You'll see its power soon enough," Lin Fan replied with a mysterious grin.
The audience murmured excitedly, wondering if Lin Fan could actually control the strange corpse.
Even Tang Dongling gave him a thoughtful glance. Can he really activate it...?
With her elegant voice, she resumed the auction.
As the items grew rarer, the atmosphere became more intense.
A low-grade Pure Yuan Treasure—a dark red longbow called the Sky Phoenix Void Shattering Bow—was presented, starting at ten million.
After fierce bidding, Lin Fan won it for twenty-five million.
Xuan Yuan Pills were meant to be spent—especially since he was nearing a breakthrough to Death Xuan. Soon, they'd be less useful.
Then, Tang Dongling smiled brightly.
"Now… the final item of tonight's auction!"
The air in the room instantly changed.
All the major factions at the front row sat up straighter.
"This item is tied to a hidden Revolving Wheel Stage expert's cave dwelling. Its value… I think all of you already understand."
As her voice fell, the entire hall exploded.
A tide of shocked gasps swept through the room like a tsunami. Many people even stood up, eyes wide and full of madness.
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