Chapter 136: Bidding
"I prefer the tails of your Snake-People tribe~"
Cai Lin's gaze froze for a moment. Then, as if she recalled something, her eyes turned cold. She cast a sidelong glance at the smug Yao Yan and said indifferently, "Seems like Hua She'er and the others served you well. If you like them so much, next time we return, why not bring them along?"
You make it sound like bringing them means something will happen... Yao Yan inwardly retorted. He wasn't some lust-crazed fool who would bring women along while handling serious business. That would be playing with his life. Not to mention, Cai Lin—his dear sister-in-law—was watching from the side. Did she really think he could openly "explore interspecies differences" with Hua She'er and the others?
"Definitely, if there's a chance~"
Despite disagreeing inwardly, Yao Yan replied firmly.
Cai Lin didn't respond. Her aura grew colder. Perhaps she was regretting her earlier decisions, though someone like her would never admit it—especially not in front of others.
"Kid, if you're serious about her, it's not good to keep things tense for so long. Why don't I teach you a trick? Don't forget, we're alchemists. Snakes…"
Before Yao Lao could finish his sentence, Yao Yan directly severed their soul link. He already guessed the old man's follow-up. Using drugs? That wasn't something a "proper" person like him would ever do. Besides, with his looks, why resort to such cheap tricks? Way too low-level.
"Save it, old man!" Yao Yan replied casually, then turned his gaze to the transparent window overlooking the auction hall.
By now, the massive venue was packed—an ocean of people. It was an impressive sight. Clearly, the bait had worked; many had come. Regardless of the world, people always loved crowds and excitement. Even knowing there was danger, curiosity often overpowered caution.
Unaware that curiosity kills the cat.
Dong~
A low, thunder-like drumbeat silenced the crowd. Two beams of light shone onto the stage's center, where a platform slowly rose. Atop it stood none other than Yuan Yi, gate master of the Eight Gates. Dressed in a dark gold robe, his chubby face wore a kind smile, though his aura was anything but gentle.
Compared to a month ago, Yuan Yi's strength had leapt forward—now a four-star Dou Huang. Clearly, the Royal Extreme Pill had helped him break through his bottleneck.
Don't underestimate this. In the Dou Qi Continent, countless cultivators remained stuck at bottlenecks for years, even decades, dying before advancing. Once past the hurdle, the path ahead would be smooth—at least until the Dou Zong level. Yuan Yi now faced no major barriers in the near term.
More importantly, he could now stand proudly in front of the many powerhouses gathered.
It was one thing to bluff—but real strength was something else entirely.
"I'm sure many of you are eager, so I won't drag things out. Today's auction begins now. But before we start, I must remind everyone: follow the rules. If not, no one will leave Black Seal City alive. And your factions won't be spared either."
"Even if you're a Dou Zong—it won't matter. The Eight Gates have survived in the Black-Corner Region for centuries. We didn't do that by boasting!"
His smile vanished. His half-open eyes flashed coldly as his four-star Dou Huang aura spread across the hall. Once the tension reached its peak, he smiled again. "I've advanced in strength—you've surely sensed it. Today's final items are exactly what you've been waiting for: Royal Extreme Pills and the Breaking Sect Pill. As always: barter only. Highest offer wins!"
He clapped his hands. A group of beautiful women entered with trays. Another man—an auctioneer with face-changing makeup—stepped onstage.
"Our first item is just a warm-up: a high-tier Xuan-rank Dou Technique—Burning Sky Palm. Fierce and explosive. At mastery, it can melt fine steel…"
The auctioneer began his pitch, hyping the crowd. For most high-level cultivators, this was nothing special. The Dou Huangs barely reacted—only items like Royal Extreme Pills, Breaking Sect Pills, or Earth-tier techniques held real value for them.
Yuan Yi left the stage and entered Yao Yan's private room. The fake smile vanished, replaced by humble respect.
"Not much of interest in the early rounds, I assume?" Yao Yan lounged in his chair, tapping the armrest as he watched. The novelty had passed. To someone like him, Xuan-tier techniques meant nothing. After becoming a Dou Wang, Xuan-tier Dou Techniques were insufficient—especially for a freak like Yao Yan. Though, for ordinary Dou Huangs, they still had use.
Yuan Yi nodded. "Not many valuable items. But there is an Earth-tier technique—originally meant to be next year's finale…"
"An Earth-tier Dou Technique… This place really does have some treasures."
Yao Yan knew what Yuan Yi referred to. He could only sigh. Compared to the Jia Ma Empire, the Black-Corner Region was like a modern city—full of rare treasures but incredibly dangerous. If you didn't have the strength, you couldn't walk out alive.
Just because you could afford something at auction didn't mean you could leave with it.
Backstabbing was far too common here.
If not for Yao Lao and Yao Yan holding down the city, the crowd might've torn Black Seal City apart already. The top ten factions on the Black List couldn't suppress this many wild wolves. Rankings were just for the weak. The true monsters of the region didn't care for such things.
The auction continued for half an hour. The atmosphere grew more intense. Even Dou Huangs started joining the bidding. This was the auctioneer's skill—making people feel like the items were exactly what they needed.
At that moment, two Dou Wang-level guards escorted a maid onto the stage. She held a golden tray with a yellow scroll.
"Next up, an Earth-tier Dou Technique—'Heaven-Splitting Earth-Shaking Palm.' Said to have been created by a Dou Zun. The technique allows one to take on three opponents at once without losing ground. It's especially effective for earth-attribute Dou Qi and also enhances the physical body—making it comparable to a magic beast!"
The auctioneer's pitch stirred the crowd. Even many Dou Huangs perked up.
Earth-tier techniques were tempting, even to Dou Zongs.
Between two Dou Huangs, the one with the better technique would almost certainly win.
"The starting price is 3 million gold. Minimum bid increase: 100,000!"
The auctioneer's mask turned red. He snapped his folding fan shut and shouted, "Place your bids!"
Silence fell.
That price weeded out most minor factions and lone cultivators.
"Three million five hundred thousand!"
The Golden and Silver Elders broke the silence. Both cultivated earth-attribute Dou Qi. If they got this technique, their power would rise another level. As for the Breaking Sect Pill—they had other plans. They weren't blinded by greed. They could sense the tension brewing in Black Seal City. Smarter than most.
Once they started, the crowd erupted. Bids soared. Peak Dou Huangs didn't lack money—especially not here. In the Black-Corner Region, someone else's money was your money. Robbery paid more than earning it.
Nearby, Mo Tianxing shook his head. The technique didn't suit him, so he wouldn't bid. But the Golden and Silver Elders' actions told him everything he needed. He chuckled. "Those two really are old foxes. After all these years, they can still keep their heads cool—even when facing the Breaking Sect Pill!"
Very few could stay calm in the face of temptation.
"Father, the Eight Gates haven't made any suspicious moves. Maybe we're overthinking it?" Mo Ya asked.
"You think anyone below Dou Huang matters here?" Mo Tianxing glanced at his son, smiling. "Even nine-star Dou Huangs won't cut it. Didn't you see the Golden and Silver Elders back down? Heh… this is getting interesting."
Eventually, the bidding for Heaven-Splitting Earth-Shaking Palm closed at 8 million. The Golden and Silver Elders didn't win it. Instead, it went to another peak nine-star Dou Huang representing a Black-Corner faction.
The three peak Dou Huangs exchanged deadly glares afterward. In this place, no one rose to power by being nice.
Their auras clashed, pressing down on everyone. Even Dou Wangs felt suffocated. The room fell silent again.
Then the auctioneer broke the tension.
"Next, the highlight of tonight's auction—two Royal Extreme Pills and one Breaking Sect Pill!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the hall exploded in excitement. All eyes locked onto the three tiny jade bottles onstage. The invisible pull of those pills was overwhelming—stronger than even the allure of a peerless beauty.
Because beauty was a want—these pills were a need.
With one Royal Extreme Pill, a Dou Huang could gain one or two stars of strength and even improve their potential. The Breaking Sect Pill? It could directly push a peak Dou Huang into Dou Zong—and even if it failed, there'd be no injuries or loss of strength.
These pills were more valuable than most seventh- or even eighth-tier pills.
In the Dou Qi Continent, power was everything.
Such pills were rarely auctioned. Most were used internally by factions or alchemists—never publicly sold. They were too precious. Too game-changing.
Even those who already knew they'd be sold struggled to stay calm. Some Dou Huangs instinctively released their aura—but quickly reined it in. They already knew the Eight Gates' old ancestor wasn't actually dead. That overwhelming pressure? They'd felt it with their own senses.
That's why everyone was behaving themselves at the auction.
"These pills can't be measured in gold. Barter only!"
The auctioneer's mask turned blue. He laughed softly and opened his fan.
Why could Earth-tier techniques be priced in gold? Because they were hard to cultivate. Even if you won one, you might not be able to master it. Some could even harm you if forced.
But pills like these were different—they boosted your strength directly. No comparison.
"I have an Earth-tier Dou Technique—can I trade for a Royal Extreme Pill?" one Dou Huang called out.
He wasn't eyeing the Breaking Sect Pill. Even if he won it, taking it out safely would be a challenge. Plus, he wasn't at the peak yet. Better to stay rational and aim for what he could use.
"Any other bids?" the auctioneer asked, scanning the Dou Huang section. By now, anyone below that level had lost the right to participate.
"I have a high-level unknown magical beast corpse—at least seventh rank, maybe eighth. I'll trade it for a Royal Extreme Pill and the Breaking Sect Pill. Is that enough?"
Another elderly voice rang out across the hall.
(END CHAPTER)
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