Auction

The ten days of meticulous preparation in Black Emperor City passed in the blink of an eye. When the day of the auction finally arrived, the entire city seemed like a Fierce Beasts that had fully awakened, and the restlessness and greed that permeated the air were almost tangible.

At dawn, Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, still dressed in their wide black robes that concealed their figures and faces, followed the bustling crowd toward the most magnificent building in the city center— the Black Emperor Auction House. With Zi Yan's undisguised aura of Peak Dou Emperor clearing the way, the crowd automatically parted, their gazes filled with awe and apprehension, devoid of any of their previous prying and ill intent.

At the entrance to the auction house, heavily guarded Black Emperor Sect disciples with imposing auras rigorously examined every invitation or document that could prove financial strength.

However, the fact that Lin Ming and his two companions possessed the aura of Peak Dou Emperor Zi Yan the most powerful proof. Upon seeing the arrival of Lin Ming and his companions, the guards immediately became extremely respectful and personally had someone lead the three of them through the VIP passage into the auction house.

The auction hall was a completely different world, far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. It had a circular structure, divided into several levels. The ground floor consisted of ordinary seats, now packed with people, the noise like a tidal wave. The upper level, however, comprised individual VIP boxes, each inlaid with special one-sided crystals, offering a clear view of the auction stage below while protecting privacy from outside interference.

Although there were quite a few Dou Zong Masters) at this auction, Zi Yan's aura as Peak Dou Emperor) still allowed Lin Ming and his companions to secure a VIP box on the second floor with a good location. The box was luxuriously furnished, with tables and chairs made of precious wood, exquisite tea, snacks, and fruits laid out on the table, and a soundproofing array in the corner.

The three sat down and looked through the crystal wall at the brightly lit, scarlet-carpeted circular auction stage below. Although Xiao Yi Xian tried her best to remain calm, her slightly curled jade hands resting on her knees betrayed her inner tension and anticipation. The Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva was so close!

Before long, the lights in the auction hall gradually dimmed, leaving only the auction stage ablaze with light.

As the light extended upwards, the floor of the auction stage slowly cracked open amidst a low creaking sound of metal axles rubbing together, revealing a stepped passageway extending into the ground, which appeared before the eyes of countless people in the auction hall.

A staircase appeared, and then an elderly man in a golden robe walked out slowly with a smile on his face.

The moment this person appeared, an overwhelming aura surged forth, silencing the clamor in the massive auction hall.

"Such a powerful aura! It seems this person is Mo Tianxing, the Sect Master of the Black Emperor Sect, right?" Xiao Yi Xian said upon seeing this person.

"It's him!" Lin Ming nodded in response.

"Hehe, I am Mo Tianxing. I believe many of you know me. Today, my Black Emperor Sect is holding an auction, and I would like to thank you all for your support." Mo Tianxing appeared, his gaze slowly sweeping over his surroundings, his hearty laughter echoing in the ears of everyone in the venue.

"Hehe, I'm sure you're all eagerly anticipating this auction, so I won't waste any more time on annoying platitudes." Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Mo Tianxing said with a faint smile, "However, I must remind you all of the rules of the auction. If anyone dares to act recklessly on the territory of my Black Emperor Sect, I'll say a few harsh words in front of all these people, and they'll be begging for death!"

Seeing Mo Tianxing's threatening words, Lin Ming and his companions scoffed in the private room. After all, in this place where strength reigns supreme, everything still comes down to power.

Under Mo Tianxing's intimidation, he also left the scene, handing over the entire auction stage to an old man with white hair.

The white-haired old man appeared and, without any hesitation, immediately announced the start of the auction, presenting the first item: a mid-level Profound Tier Mid-grade finger Dou Technique. The auction began with a starting price of 100,000 and a maximum price of 800,000. It was quickly sold at the maximum price.

The event opened with a Profound Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, which attracted many people in the lower seats to bid fiercely, driving the price up to the top. Following that, various elixirs, weapons, armor, Cultivation Method, rare medicinal herbs, minerals, and even Magical Beasts cubs... one after another, precious items were presented, eliciting exclamations and bidding from the crowd, creating an extremely heated atmosphere.

The white-haired old man lived up to his reputation as a senior auctioneer of the Black Emperor Sect. He was experienced and shrewd, and his words were extremely persuasive. He could always exaggerate the value of the auctioned items to the extreme, ignite the anger between the bidders, and make the price often exceed the actual value of the items.

The auction was in full swing under the guidance of the white-haired old man. One rare item after another was presented on the stage, eliciting gasps and bids from the audience, and the atmosphere continued to heat up. In the VIP box where Lin Ming and his two companions were, however, silence was maintained for most of the time, with only the soft sound of Zi Yan eating snacks.

"Red Dragon Fire Grass!" The white-haired elder's voice carried a hint of amazement. "Legend has it that this plant grows in places imbued with the Essence Blood of fallen high-ranking dragon-like Magical Beasts. It contains extremely pure fire-attribute energy and a faint trace of Dragon Qi, making it a rare auxiliary ingredient for refining various Tier 7 Medicinal Pill. It is of great benefit to cultivators of Fire Attribute Cultivation Method and even Magical Beasts with dragon bloodlines! Starting bid: 500,000 Gold Coin!"

Hearing this, Lin Ming perked up from his boredom. He had found Tier 7 Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill Formula in both Old Yao 'Storage Ring and Han Feng's Storage Ring. Besides the Magical Beasts aspect, one of the two main ingredients was the Red Dragon Fire Grass. So now that he heard about it, Lin Ming was determined to get his hands on it.

Six hundred thousand!

"Seven hundred and fifty thousand!"

"Ninety-two hundred thousand!"

The price soared rapidly, and competition became fierce. Two elders from Magic Flame Valley also seemed very interested in the item and joined the bidding.

"One million two hundred thousand." A hoarse voice came from the Magic Flame Valley private room.

This price was so high that it left the other bidders far behind, causing them to fall silent. Knowing it was his turn, Lin Ming calmly announced, "One million three hundred thousand."

The price of 1.2 million already far exceeded the value of the Red Dragon Fire Grass, and now another 100,000 was added, causing the Magic Flame Valley private room to fall silent, and ultimately no one spoke again.

"One million three hundred thousand Gold Coin! Congratulations to this distinguished guest for winning the Red Dragon Fire Grass!" The white-haired elder sealed the deal with a single blow.

Thus, Lin Ming made his first bid at the auction, acquiring a medicinal herb.

The auction continued, and after six more rounds, a crimson lotus flower sealed in Cold Jade Box was brought out. The lotus flower was only the size of a palm, but it seemed to be formed from flowing flames. Mysterious patterns naturally formed on the petals, radiating pure and scorching fire-attribute energy.

"Hundred Year Earth Core Fire Lotus!"

The white-haired old man's voice carried a hint of eagerness, "This item is born deep within the earth's magma, taking a hundred years to form after absorbing the essence of earth fire. It is a top-grade main ingredient for refining various high-level Fire Attribute pills, and one can also directly absorb the pure fire element within it to enhance the cultivation of Fire Attribute Cultivation Method! Starting bid: 1.5 million Gold Coin!"

The appearance of this item caused another sensation, and its price soared rapidly, quickly surpassing 2.5 million. The elder of Magic Flame Valley, who had previously lost the bid for the Red Dragon Fire Grass, seemed to vent his anger on this item, frequently placing bids.

Lin Ming looked at the Earth Core Flame Lotus, not thinking about using it for alchemy, but rather wondering if refining it into the Flame Gold Earth Heart Fire would allow it to completely transform into Heavenly Flames.

Of course, even if it can't directly transform into Heavenly Flames, it will definitely undergo significant transformations. Therefore, Lin Ming joined the bidding again.

Three million.

A furious snort echoed from inside the Magic Flame Valley private room, "Three million three hundred thousand!"

"Three million six hundred thousand," Lin Ming followed up.

"Four million!" The elder of Magic Flame Valley practically spat out his voice through clenched teeth.

"Four and a half million." Lin Ming remained expressionless and raised the price significantly again.

The price silenced the room once more. The atmosphere inside the Magic Flame Valley's private room was tense, but ultimately they didn't continue. They had already spent a considerable amount of money here and couldn't afford to be reckless any longer.

In the end, Lin Ming also acquired the Thousand-Year-Old Earth Core Flame Lotus.

Lin Ming's impressive financial resources and unwavering determination in these rounds of moves aroused even greater curiosity and apprehension among the crowd regarding the mysterious black-robed VIP on the second floor.

After bidding on these items, Lin Ming fell silent again, like a lurking cheetah waiting for its final target to appear.

The auction lasted for about two hours, during which several highlight items, such as Tier 6 Medicinal Pill and Earth Tier Dou Technique, Cultivation Method, triggering several climaxes.

Among these was the Six Harmonies Body-Shifting Ruler, an Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique that Xiao Yan had bid for in the original novel. The academy eventually spent nearly seven million Gold Coin to acquire it.

After the last mid- Earth Tier Mid-grade Cultivation Method was sold for a staggering 9.7 million, the white-haired elder, with a satisfied smile on his face, announced loudly, "Thank you all for your enthusiasm! Next up is the final treasure of this auction! Such a treasure is beyond my ability to handle; please welcome my Black Emperor Sect Master, Lord Mo Tianxing!"

The entire hall fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on the back of the auction stage. There Mo Tianxing, the Black Emperor Sect Master and Dou Zong expert who had left earlier but was now returning!

"As you all surely know, the highlight of this auction hosted by my Black Emperor Sect is this item, and I am also aware that many of you have come here specifically for it." Mo Tianxing's voice was calm, yet it carried an inherent air of authority that resonated throughout every corner of the venue.

As Mo Tianxing spoke, several black-clad elders cautiously placed the small box, covered by a yellow cloth, onto the auction stage. They then slowly dispersed, forming a mysterious formation that sealed off the auction stage. Judging from this, anyone attempting to forcibly seize the box would have to defeat all five Black Emperor Sect elders, whose strength was at the Dou Emperor level. Moreover, after defeating them, they would then have to face the genuine Dou Zong expert, Mo Tianxing, behind them.

It's no wonder that the Black Emperor Sect's defenses are so tight; it's just that the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva is far too precious. Of course, the main reason it's so valuable is the rumor that obtaining the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva will grant one access to the Bodhi Heart's message.

The atmosphere reached its peak! Everyone knew that the final, grand finale was about to be revealed!