Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
The once-desolate outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, rarely visited by anyone, had now become bustling with activity. Soul Master forces from all over the continent arrived one after another, each harboring a mix of curiosity, wariness, and greed.
In the early morning, the thin mist had yet to fully clear. The magnificent building of the Myriad Worlds Auction Pavilion appeared and disappeared in the dawn light, like a slumbering giant beast, radiating a mysterious and imposing aura.
An hour remained before the auction began, yet hundreds of people had already gathered in the open space before the Auction Pavilion. They stood in groups of three or five, keeping to themselves and maintaining a wary distance from one another. Whispers and discussions rose and fell, but no one dared approach the mysterious building recklessly.
"Judging by the building's style, it certainly doesn't belong to our continent." Ning Fengzhi stood at the head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's group, his gaze keen as he studied the Auction Pavilion. "Uncle Jian, can you sense anything?"
Chen Xin closed his eyes and focused for a moment before shaking his head. "My senses are blocked. There's an extremely powerful energy field around the building. My sword intent can't penetrate it."
Gu Rong let out a hoarse laugh. "Interesting. This is the first time I've seen a place that even the old bastard can't handle."
On the other side, Spirit Hall's group stood out the most. Bibi Dong hadn't come in person; representing her were Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Shadowy, followed by more than ten Red-Robed Cardinals. It was an impressive lineup.
"Gui Mei, do you think this Auction House is real?" Yue Guan toyed with a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, his tone flippant but cautious.
Gui Mei's figure flickered in and out of the shadows. "We'll know soon enough. But being able to deliver an invitation to the Pope's Palace without anyone noticing is no ordinary feat."
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Lower Four Sects, representatives of the two great empires, and the other forces all waited quietly, each with their own thoughts.
Suddenly, the two enormous fragrant rosewood doors of the Auction Pavilion slowly opened, and a refreshing fragrance wafted out, invigorating everyone.
Two black-robed elders emerged. They were both Mo Chen. Their faces expressionless, they swept their piercing gazes across the crowd. Their invisible pressure instantly silenced the noisy gathering, and everyone felt as if a massive boulder had been set on their chest.
"What terrifying pressure..." Chen Xin's eyes narrowed. "They're definitely Titled Douluo, and their strength is no less than mine!"
Gu Rong dropped his joking manner and said gravely, "Are they both Peerless Douluo? What kind of place is this Auction House?"
Mo Chen stepped forward. His voice was calm, yet carried clearly into everyone's ears. "The auction is about to begin. Please observe the Auction House's rules. All entrants must undergo an asset check. Those whose assets fall below the required standard may not enter."
As soon as he finished speaking, a jade stele slowly rose from the ground, and golden words appeared upon it: the four rules Lin Yue had established.
"An asset check? What an outrageous attitude!" a gruff voice boomed. Everyone turned to look and saw a burly man with a face full of coarse flesh stepping out, several companions behind him.
"It's Mad Rhinoceros Douluo!" someone recognized him. "A newly promoted Level 92 Titled Douluo, famous for his strength and defense."
Mad Rhinoceros Douluo swaggered up to Mo Chen and said arrogantly, "I've traveled all over the place for years, and I've never seen an auction hall demand an asset check first! Who knows if you're trying to scam—"
Before he could finish, Mo Chen's eyes turned cold. He made no visible move, yet Mad Rhinoceros Douluo was struck as if by an invisible great hammer. He flew backward and slammed into an ancient tree dozens of meters away, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The entire crowd fell silent!
A Titled Douluo had been gravely injured without even a chance to fight back!
Mo Chen's voice remained calm. "Rule One: No fighting within fifty li of the Auction Pavilion. Since this is your first offense, I'll give you a light punishment as a warning. If you dare offend us again, I'll cripple your cultivation."
Mad Rhinoceros Douluo struggled to his feet, terror written all over his face. He didn't dare say another word, slinking off to the back of the crowd.
The sight cowed everyone. Those who had still harbored misgivings now kept them to themselves.
"Now, the asset checks begin." Mo Chen stepped forward, and a sparkling Crystal Ball appeared in his hand. "Place your hand on the asset-checking ball and channel your Soul Power into it. Those who meet the requirement will make the ball glow white and receive an ordinary seat. Those with substantial assets will make it glow blue and may enter the second-floor private rooms. Those who fall short should leave on their own."
Everyone exchanged glances. In the end, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the first to step forward. Ning Fengzhi placed his hand on the Crystal Ball, and it immediately burst into dazzling blue light.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, please proceed to a private room on the second floor." Mo Chen nodded slightly.
Next came the Spirit Hall representatives. Their ball also glowed blue, and they were directed to the second floor.
The various forces underwent their checks one after another. Most produced blue or white light, while only a few minor forces made the ball glow red and left in embarrassment.
Just as the checks were nearing their end, a group emerged from the forest, causing quite a stir.
At their head were three stunning women. The one in the middle had silver hair and violet eyes, and an otherworldly bearing, like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens. A man and a woman followed at her sides. The man wore black and had golden eyes, his bearing imposing; the woman wore a green dress, gentle and brimming with vitality.
"Those are... Soul Beasts from the Star Dou Great Forest?" a Titled Douluo exclaimed in alarm, instinctively releasing his Martial Soul.
The atmosphere grew tense at once. Humans and Soul Beasts had long been at odds, and now that they had met, they stood on the verge of conflict.
Di Tian snorted, releasing a terrifying aura that left many Soul Masters struggling to breathe.
Chen Xin's expression changed dramatically, and the Seven Kill Sword appeared in his hand.
Just as a clash seemed inevitable, Mo Chen suddenly spoke. "Private fights are prohibited within the Auction House's grounds. If you want to fight, leave the fifty-li boundary."
Gu Yuena gently raised a hand, stopping Di Tian. She walked over to the asset-checking ball and laid her slender hand on it. The ball erupted in unprecedentedly brilliant blue light, tinged faintly with gold.
Mo Chen bowed slightly. "Esteemed guest, please proceed to a special private room on the third floor."
The sight left everyone stunned. The third floor? No one had been allowed up there before! What exactly were these Soul Beasts?
Gu Yuena gave a slight nod and entered calmly with Di Tian and Bi Ji, leaving behind a crowd of human Soul Masters full of unease and suspicion.
Inside the Auction Pavilion, everyone was once again astonished by its splendor and wonders.
The interior was far more spacious than it had appeared from outside, clearly made possible by advanced spatial technology. Glowing gemstones embedded in the ceiling glittered like a starry sky. The seats were comfortable and luxurious, and every seat had a Crystal Window in front of it for placing bids.
The private rooms on the second and third floors were even more luxurious. They had dedicated attendants and Crystal Windows that allowed their occupants to observe the floor below without being seen, ensuring excellent privacy.
Ning Fengzhi stood before the window of a second-floor private room, looking down at the hall. "Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, what do you think?"
Chen Xin replied solemnly, "It's unfathomable. The two gatekeepers are immensely powerful, and the building itself is extraordinary. Most importantly, they don't seem to care whether their guests are human or Soul Beasts."
Gu Rong nodded. "It seems the Auction House's background is even more complicated than we imagined."
Elsewhere, inside Spirit Hall's private room, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were speaking in low voices.
"We must report what's happening here to His Holiness the Pope as soon as possible," Gui Mei said gravely. "The appearance of these Soul Beasts is no small matter. That silver-haired woman in particular gives me an extremely dangerous feeling."
Yue Guan was unusually serious. "And those two gatekeepers are probably no weaker than we are. This Auction House is no simple place."
Inside the special private room on the third floor, Gu Yuena sat quietly beside the window, a flicker of light passing through her violet eyes.
"Master, why are you being so courteous to humans?" Di Tian asked, disgruntled.
Gu Yuena replied softly, "Di Tian, haven't you sensed it yet? This building... has a divine aura. And not an ordinary one."
Bi Ji added gently, "Indeed. The Life Energy here is exceptionally pure and abundant. It even enhances my healing abilities."
Gu Yuena gazed toward the Auction Platform, her eyes profound. "I have a feeling this place might be the turning point for our Soul Beast Clan."
When the time indicator pointed to precisely Si Hour, the lights inside the Auction Pavilion suddenly dimmed, leaving only a single beam shining on the Auction Platform.
A figure quietly appeared within the beam. He wore a jade-green robe and a faint smile. It was Lin Yue.
"Welcome to the Myriad Worlds Auction House." His calm voice carried a strange resonance, reaching every corner of the room. "I'm the owner here, Lin Yue."
Everyone's gaze focused on the seemingly ordinary young man, but no one dared underestimate him. Anyone capable of commanding two Peerless Douluo couldn't be simple.
"I won't waste words. The auction begins now." Lin Yue got straight to the point. "Today's first Auction Item: Soul Power Enhancement Pill (Low Grade)."
A white jade bottle appeared on the display stand. Through its sides, the faint outline of a smooth, rounded pill could be seen.
"This pill can raise the Soul Power of a Soul Master below Level 50 by one level, with no side effects," Lin Yue explained briefly. "The Starting Price is 1,000 Points. Equivalent items may be offered as collateral in exchange."
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Raising Soul Power without side effects? It completely upended everything the Soul Master World knew!
"1,100 Points!" someone bid almost immediately.
"1,200!"
"1,500!"
The price kept climbing until a minor sect won the bid at 3,200 Points. After the pill was verified and paid for on the spot, the sect leader was so excited that his hands trembled.
The grand finale, the Soul Core Condensation Method (Introductory), sparked an even fiercer bidding war between the private rooms on the second floor. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall refused to yield to each other, and the price soared to 50,000 Points before Ning Fengzhi finally won it, gritting his teeth.
With three Auction Items sold, the atmosphere had grown fully electric. Everyone realized that the treasures in this Auction House were all the real deal!
Lin Yue looked at the excited crowd below and smiled slightly. "That concludes today's auction. The second auction will be held in three days, featuring even more treasures. We look forward to seeing you there."
With that, he ignored the crowd's pleas for him to stay and quietly vanished.
Representatives of the various forces departed one after another, each with complicated feelings and eager to report what they had witnessed to their sects.
At that moment, no one noticed Gu Yuena standing by a window on the third floor of the Auction Pavilion, gazing in the direction where Lin Yue had vanished, strange colors shimmering in her violet eyes.
"Lin Yue, is it? An interesting human..."
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