Inside the private room, Ning Rongrong finally broke free of her father's grasp.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her voice was restrained yet edged with a shout. "How could you treat Xiao Wu like this?!"
"She's my best friend!"
Ning Fengzhi's expression was grave, his voice low and clear. "Rongrong, you know perfectly well what a hundred-thousand-year soul beast means."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice filled with an irresistible temptation. "If Xiao Wu could be made to sacrifice herself to you... do you understand what a hundred-thousand-year fourth ring would mean?"
"By then, every genius on the continent would be looking up at you."
He gently stroked his daughter's hair. His touch was tender, but his words were firm and left no room for argument.
Ning Rongrong froze completely.
Even she found the ultimate power of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring difficult to resist.
The key was that she did have feelings for Third Brother... feelings that went beyond friendship. And Xiao Wu was always in the way.
That figure really was an eyesore.
She bit her lip hard, as if locked in an inner struggle.
"No... Xiao Wu's my best friend... How could I..."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter, nearly inaudible, but in her mind she saw Tang San in her Previous Life after he'd obtained a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, standing proud above the world.
She yearned for power like that, too!
She never wanted to watch someone important to her fall before her eyes again, helpless to do anything!
Besides... even if Xiao Wu sacrificed herself, once Rongrong became a god in the future, couldn't she bring her back to life?
Once the thought took root, it spread like wildfire.
She stole a glance at the seats below. Xiao Wu's face still wore a blissful, completely unguarded smile.
Ning Rongrong's gaze suddenly turned deep and dangerous, but only for an instant. Then she was back to her usual innocent, carefree, harmless self.
Ning Fengzhi knew his daughter too well. She was nowhere near as simple and innocent as she appeared; otherwise, she could never have wrapped the Martial Soul Hall Enshrined Elders around her little finger.
That was why, when Su Ling had gotten into trouble, she had been the first person he suspected.
Now, having taken in every shift in her expression, Ning Fengzhi understood.
Meanwhile, in another private room not far from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect,
Dugu Bo successfully bought the second Soul Enlightenment Pill for the exorbitant price of 3.8 million Gold Soul Coins.
Intimidated by Poison Douluo's reputation, no one present dared to compete with him.
As soon as the pill was delivered, Dugu Yan swallowed it without hesitation.
After being repeatedly defeated by Tang San and then shaken by Su Ling's terrifying killing intent, her desire for strength had reached its peak.
"Grandpa, I feel..." The moment the pill entered her stomach, Dugu Yan's body began to tremble violently.
A vast yet gentle energy surged through her body.
Her skin gradually took on an eerie, jade-green sheen. Her already unsettling snake-like pupils narrowed into slits, glinting with a chilling light.
"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor... Her Martial Soul really evolved!" Dugu Bo's pupils contracted. He hurried forward to check on his granddaughter.
The evolution of her Martial Soul should have been cause for joy, but worry remained in his eyes.
Whether it was the Jade Phosphorous Serpent or the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, the venom that turned against its wielder was their greatest nightmare. Its inheritors had to endure the torment of the poison eating away at them for their entire lives.
But when his Soul Power entered Dugu Yan's Meridians, the worry on his face was instantly replaced by utter shock!
The poison that had built up over the years and eroded her life was being rapidly cleansed!
This pill could actually purify poison!
It still couldn't solve the root problem of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul continually accumulating new toxins, but at least the immediate threat to his granddaughter's life had been eased!
"Who supplied this pill?! Who made it?! Tell me, now!"
Dugu Bo grabbed the auction-house steward by the collar, frenziedly demanding answers. His eyes were wild with urgency.
The deadly poison that had plagued him his whole life and even threatened his granddaughter's life had finally shown a glimmer of hope. How could he not be beside himself with excitement?!
Meanwhile, in another private room reserved for the Imperial Family,
Prince Xue Xing narrowed his eyes as he toyed with the wineglass in his hand. "What a fine thing... I could buy one for the disciples under my command. Who knows, perhaps I could cultivate a few promising talents. I'll offer 2.9 million."
Beside him, Prince Xue Beng's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally slumped back in his chair and cursed under his breath. "Damn it, a bunch of lunatics! It's way too expensive!"
"Forget it, forget it. I'll save my money and go to Drunken Moon Tower for some fun..."
That was what he said, but inside, he wanted the pill desperately.
But he couldn't afford that much money, and even if he could, his Imperial Brother would never let him get away with it.
How could a prince everyone knew as a "good-for-nothing" have such a fortune? That would be as good as exposing himself.
All he could do now was hope Prince Xue Xing would buy one and maybe share it with him.
Hidden in the darkest corner of the venue, Tang Hao's gaze passed over the pill onstage that had driven everyone into a frenzy. His expression didn't change.
But when his eyes fell on his son Tang San, whose yearning was plain to see even as he tried to suppress it, his calloused hand, accustomed to wielding a Great Hammer, trembled almost imperceptibly.
As a father, how could he not want to give his son the best resources?
But he was broke now, barely able to cover even his basic expenses.
His gaze swept darkly over the private rooms of those who had bought the pills. He sneered inwardly. Perhaps... "taking" one would be more practical.
The auction of the Soul Enlightenment Pills went on for nearly an hour, the atmosphere feverish throughout.
The nine pills were ultimately divided among the various parties for astronomical prices ranging from 2.8 million to 3.8 million Gold Soul Coins apiece.
Ning Fengzhi bought three, Bishop Salas of Spirit Hall bought two, and Prince Xue Xing, Dugu Bo, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect each got one. The final pill went to a mysterious wanderer, who paid 3.5 million Gold Soul Coins.
The atmosphere in the auction hall reached its fever pitch.
Only the private room reserved for the Imperial Family felt as oppressive as an ice cellar.
Qian Renxue stared at Su Ling's hand braced against the crystal windowsill, noticing that his fingers were growing paler and weaker.
The bloodstain spreading across the back of his black robe seemed to have grown a little larger.
Her heart clenched painfully.
Several times, she almost couldn't stop herself from approaching him again, but each time, Su Ling's icy, utterly distrustful gaze stopped her cold.
Seeing Qian Renxue try to approach once again, Su Ling retreated two steps warily, his back nearly pressed against the cold wall.
As expected, boys have to protect themselves when they go out... he muttered to himself, wary of this persistent "Blondie."
The thought that this person might have already... because of Ning Rongrong... and might even be bigger than he was...
Su Ling felt his vision go dark. He instinctively tried to shrink into the corner again, but Qian Renxue stepped forward and seized his wrist.
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