Lin Yue's consciousness slowly rose from a haze of chaos, as if a drowning man had finally struggled to the surface. He sucked in a sharp breath.
A violent headache struck, as though someone had repeatedly slammed a blunt object into his temples. Countless fragments of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind like a tide, crashing against his worldview.
He found himself lying in a dense, primeval forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and the air was filled with the strange fragrance of rotting plants mingled with damp earth. The distant roars of unknown beasts added to the forest's mystery and danger.
"Where am I?" Lin Yue struggled to sit up, rubbing his aching temples.
Shouldn't he have been in his antique shop, appraising that strange bronze mirror? How had he ended up in this godforsaken wilderness in the blink of an eye?
Just as he was puzzling over what had happened, a cold, mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind:
[Host's vital signs are stable. Soul synchronization: 100%. Binding requirements met...] [Myriad Realms Auction System starting... Binding... 10%... 50%... 100%...] [Binding successful! Welcome, Host Lin Yue, to the Douluo Continent. You are now the sole master of the Myriad Realms Auction System.]
Lin Yue froze. Douluo Continent? Wasn't that the novel he'd read out of boredom a few days ago? And what was the Myriad Realms Auction System?
[This system can connect to the myriad worlds and provide all kinds of rare treasures for auction. The host can earn Points from a cut of auction proceeds, complete system missions, or recycle valuable items.] [Points are the system's universal currency. They can be exchanged for anything in the system shop or used to enhance the host.] [The Newbie Gift Pack has been sent to the system space. Please claim it promptly.]
The barrage of information left Lin Yue dizzy, but he quickly calmed down. As an antique dealer, he'd seen too many unbelievable things. He was far more adaptable than most.
"Open the Newbie Gift Pack," Lin Yue murmured inwardly.
[Congratulations, Host! You have received: 10,000 initial Points, 2 Peerless Douluo Summon Cards, 1 Auction Pavilion Construction Token, and 3 basic Auction Items.]
Lin Yue's eyes lit up. Peerless Douluo? They were among the most powerful beings in this world!
"Use the Summon Cards and the Construction Token," he ordered without hesitation.
In an instant, two dazzling golden beams appeared in the empty space before him. When the light faded, two old men in black robes were kneeling on one knee, bowing respectfully.
"Your subordinates greet you, Master!"
Their voices rang out, and an overwhelming pressure emanated from them. Though they were deliberately holding back, Lin Yue could still feel the vast, ocean-like fluctuations of their Soul Power. They were undoubtedly Peerless Douluo!
Even more astonishingly, as the Construction Token took effect, a magnificent classical pavilion rose from the ground before his eyes. Ornate beams and painted rafters, soaring eaves, and four sweeping gilt characters on the signboard: Otherworldly Auction Pavilion!
The pavilion had three stories and occupied a vast area. Its building materials were neither gold nor wood, and they gave off a faint glow and an ancient aura. Two lifelike stone sculptures of unknown beasts stood before the entrance, as if they might spring to life at any moment.
"So this is my Auction House?" Lin Yue murmured as he strolled inside.
The interior was even more spacious than it appeared from outside, clearly expanded through spatial technology. The hall was wide and bright, with the Auction Platform raised high above rows of comfortable seats. A rough estimate put its capacity at a thousand people or more. The second and third floors held private booths reserved for distinguished guests.
[The Auction Pavilion has been completed. It comes with an invincible domain: within a radius of fifty miles, with the Auction Pavilion at its center, the host is invincible and all attacks are ineffective.]
The system's notification put Lin Yue at ease. With this protection, he finally had a foothold in this dangerous world.
"Show me the basic Auction Items," Lin Yue continued exploring the system.
Three glowing orbs appeared on the system interface:
The first was a pill—[Soul Power Enhancement Pill (Low Grade)]: raises a Soul Master's Soul Power by one level with no side effects (effective below level 50).
The second was a card—[Titled Douluo Experience Card]: temporarily grants the user the strength of a level 91 Titled Douluo for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
The third was an ancient book—[Soul Core Condensation Method (Introductory)]: records techniques for condensing a Soul Core more safely and can help with breaking through to Titled Douluo.
Lin Yue's eyes gleamed. These items were rare treasures in this world, especially the latter two. Any faction would go mad for them.
"System, how do I hold an auction? Will anyone come?" Lin Yue asked the crucial question.
[The host only needs to set an auction time and select the Auction Items. The system will automatically send invitations to all Soul Masters and factions in this world who meet a certain level. The invitations will appear directly before their intended recipients, displaying the Auction House's mystery and power.] [The first auction is recommended to take place in seven days, giving all factions enough time to prepare and travel.]
Lin Yue nodded and issued his order decisively. "All right. Schedule the first auction for seven days from now, with these three basic items up for auction."
[Schedule set. Invitations are being sent...]
At the same time, countless powerful figures across the Douluo Continent changed expression.
Inside Spirit Hall, Pope Bibi Dong was reviewing documents when a golden flash appeared before her. A gilded invitation materialized out of thin air and slowly settled onto her desk.
"Hmm?" Bibi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes. Her powerful Soul Power swept through the area, but she detected nothing. Cautiously, she used her scepter to open the invitation. As she read its contents, her pupils contracted slightly.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi was discussing sect affairs with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong when three invitations appeared without warning on the tea table before them.
"Who's there?" Chen Xin's sword intent surged. The Seven Kill Sword instantly appeared in his hand as he warily scanned their surroundings.
Gu Rong immediately moved in front of Ning Fengzhi, his expression grave. "There wasn't a trace of Space Fluctuation. How did they appear?"
Ning Fengzhi remained relatively calm. He picked up an invitation and read it carefully. The further he got, the more astonished he looked.
At the lakeshore in the Core Circle of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena was healing when she suddenly sensed something and opened her amethyst eyes. An invitation was floating quietly before her.
"Something made by humans?" Gu Yuena furrowed her brows slightly, but the mysterious aura emanating from the invitation made her wary. The name "Myriad Worlds Auction Pavilion" in particular struck her as unusual.
The same thing happened at the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the palaces of the two empires, and before every Soul Douluo-level powerhouse and above.
The mysterious invitations had shaken all the continent's top factions.
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Yue stood on the top floor of the newly completed Auction Pavilion, gazing out over the boundless sea of trees.
Long Yi and Long Er stood behind him, as loyal as guards could be.
"Now that the Auction House is about to open, we'll need a few rules," Lin Yue said calmly. "System, issue the Auction House rules."
[Rules generated:] [1. Fighting is prohibited inside the Myriad Worlds Auction Pavilion and within fifty miles of it. Violators will be severely punished.] [2. The highest bidder wins. Gold Soul Coins, Soul Bones, Soul Tools, rare materials, and other items may be exchanged for Points to participate in the bidding.] [3. The Auction House accepts consignment auctions and charges a handling fee of 20% of the final sale price.] [4. Anyone who offends the Auction House will be blacklisted and permanently barred from entry.]
The rules appeared out of thin air on a jade stele beside the Auction Pavilion's entrance, radiating unquestionable authority.
Lin Yue nodded with satisfaction and looked into the distance, as if he could already see the grand sight of factions gathering here seven days later.
"Douluo Continent, huh? Let's see just how crazy the powerful figures of this world will go for treasures from the myriad worlds."
The corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.
The legend of the Myriad Realms Auction House had begun.
And this was only the beginning.
Far away, near Holy Soul Village, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were at Nuoding Academy. They had no idea how completely this newly appeared Auction House would change the course of their destinies...
Before you continue