The lights came back on inside the Auction Pavilion, but everyone was still reeling from the shock of the three items that had just been auctioned. Quiet murmurs filled the room.
Lin Yue had long since disappeared from the stage. In his place stood a woman in an elegant, simple gown—the professional Auctioneer Linda provided by the system. She wore a polite smile, and her voice rang out clear and sweet:
"Thank you, honored guests, for attending today's auction. Next is the fourth item, and the final special addition to the auction."
Everyone's attention was drawn to her again. There was another extra item?
Linda gave a graceful wave, and an exquisite white jade bottle slowly rose onto the display platform. It was even more beautiful than the bottle that had held the Soul Power Enhancement Pill, and faint streams of light shimmered across its surface.
"This is a set of three Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills." Linda's voice held a hint of bewitchment. "Each pill can raise the Soul Power of a Soul Master below level 60 by two levels, with no side effects. The three will be auctioned together, starting at 5,000 Points!"
The crowd erupted into an uproar!
Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills? Stronger effects, and three in a set!
In the second-floor private rooms, representatives of the various powers sat up straight. Such treasures could produce three Soul Emperor-level experts in a short time, making them a tremendous temptation for any faction.
"5,500 Points!" The representative of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the first to bid.
"6,000!" The Elephant Armored Sect, one of the Lower Four Sects, immediately followed.
"7,000!" A somewhat youthful yet authoritative voice rang out from the Heaven Dou Empire's private room.
The price climbed rapidly, soon passing the 10,000-Point mark.
Ning Fengzhi stood in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's private room, his brow furrowed slightly. The Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills were certainly precious, but the price had already grown rather inflated. He glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him, then shook his head and refrained from bidding.
In the end, the representative of the Star Luo Empire bought the three Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills for the high price of 13,000 Points.
Linda smiled and brought down the auction hammer. "Congratulations to the Star Luo Empire on acquiring this treasure. Today's auction has officially concluded. Those who won items, please proceed to the backstage shortly to complete your transactions."
In the backstage trading room, Lin Yue personally oversaw the final exchanges.
The first to enter was the Sect Master of the small sect that had won the Low Grade Soul Power Enhancement Pill. Trembling, he took out a Gold Soul Coin card and several ancestral Soul Tools he had prepared in advance.
"System evaluation: total value, 3,200 Points. The value meets the sale price." Lin Yue smiled and handed him the white jade bottle.
The Sect Master took the pill excitedly and thanked him again and again before hurrying off, afraid someone might snatch it away.
Next came the representative of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. They paid for the Titled Douluo Experience Card with two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones and a large quantity of rare metals, totaling 18,000 Points in value.
When Ning Fengzhi entered with the two Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, the atmosphere in the trading room grew noticeably heavier.
"Pavilion Master Lin." Ning Fengzhi greeted him politely and took out an exquisite Storage Soul Tool. "Here is the equivalent of 50,000 Points. Please inspect it."
Lin Yue swept it with his divine sense. Inside were the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's treasured possessions from many years: three exceptionally fine Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, dozens of high-grade Soul Tools, a large quantity of rare medicinal herbs and metals, and even a damaged set of notes on Soul Master cultivation.
"An impressive offer, Sect Master Ning." Lin Yue nodded slightly and handed him the jade slip containing the Soul Core Condensation Method (Introductory).
Chen Xin suddenly spoke, his voice as sharp as a sword's edge. "Pavilion Master Lin, forgive my bluntness, but is the Soul Core Condensation Method really as effective as you claim?"
Lin Yue smiled calmly. "If Sword Douluo has doubts, you can verify it now. If there is anything false about it, the Auction House is willing to compensate you tenfold."
Ning Fengzhi hurriedly smoothed things over. "Uncle Jian is only being cautious. Please don't take offense, Pavilion Master Lin." He carefully put away the jade slip, hesitated for a moment, then added, "Could you give us a hint about the auction three days from now?"
Lin Yue gave him a meaningful look. "You'll find out then, Sect Master Ning. I assure you, you won't be disappointed."
After sending off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect party, the final visitors to enter were the Star Luo Empire's representatives. They handed over the equivalent of 13,000 Points and took away the three Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills.
Once all the transactions were complete, the system's notification sounded in Lin Yue's mind:
[Total sales from this auction: 84200 Points] [Host's commission: 8420 Points] [Current total Points: 16420 Points]
Lin Yue nodded with satisfaction. The first auction had brought in such a haul—far more than he had expected.
Outside the Auction Pavilion, the various factions departed one after another, each with complicated feelings.
Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's carriage, Ning Fengzhi eagerly sent his divine sense into the jade slip. A moment later, his eyes flew open, his face full of shock.
"How is it?" Gu Rong asked urgently.
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. "It's exquisite! Although this Soul Core Condensation Method is only the introductory version, its principles are unheard of, yet they go straight to the heart of the matter. If it can truly be mastered, Soul Power density will increase by at least thirty percent!"
A glint flashed in Chen Xin's eyes. "It seems this Auction House really does have something to offer."
"More than just something to offer." Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile. "I have a feeling that the appearance of the Myriad Worlds Auction House will completely change the continent's balance of power."
He looked at the scenery rushing past outside the window and murmured, "We must establish a good relationship with Pavilion Master Lin as soon as possible. At the auction three days from now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must spare no expense to secure several great treasures!"
Among the Star Luo Empire's delegation, the representative carefully handed three jade bottles to an old man in a black robe.
"My lord, these are the three Intermediate Soul Power Enhancement Pills."
The black-robed old man opened a bottle and took a light sniff. A look of surprise flashed through his eyes. "Such pure medicinal power! Not a trace of impurity! Get them back to the empire as fast as possible. His Majesty will surely reward us handsomely!"
"Yes!"
Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's carriage, clan leader Yu Yuanzhen turned the Titled Douluo Experience Card over in his hands, his expression conflicted.
"Clan leader, wasn't the price we paid too high?" one of the elders couldn't help asking.
Yu Yuanzhen snorted. "Two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones are certainly precious, but this card could save my life at a crucial moment. It's worth it! What's more..."
A glint flashed in his eyes. "Through this card, we might be able to glimpse the mysteries of the Titled Douluo level. That would greatly benefit the younger generation's cultivation."
The Spirit Hall delegation was the most discreet. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo remained silent, and their carriage moved at great speed.
"We must report this as soon as possible." Yue Guan toyed with the chrysanthemum in his hand, his expression grave. "The appearance of those Soul Beasts, and the Auction House's attitude—they're both extraordinary."
Gui Mei's shadow wavered in the darkness of the carriage. "That silver-haired woman... She felt even more terrifying than the Great Elder. The depths of the Star Dou Great Forest really do hide a great secret."
On a cliff dozens of miles from the Auction Pavilion, Gu Yuena stood facing the wind, her silver hair flying. Di Tian and Bi Ji stood silently behind her.
"Master, why didn't you take those treasures?" Di Tian couldn't help asking. "Those pills should help with your injuries."
Gu Yuena shook her head slightly. "There's no hurry. Those pills are good, but they're not enough to heal my injuries. But that Lin Yue..."
A spark of interest flashed in her violet eyes. "He looked at me differently from everyone else. There was no fear, no greed, not even surprise—as if he had already known who I was."
Bi Ji asked softly, "Would you like me to approach him?"
"No need." Gu Yuena turned toward the Lake of Life. "He'll come looking for us. I have a feeling."
On the top floor of the Myriad Worlds Auction Pavilion, Lin Yue stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction the various factions had gone.
Long Yi appeared silently behind him. "Master, all the factions have departed. Three groups tried to tail other buyers, but I drove them away discreetly."
Lin Yue nodded. "Well done. The Auction House will be closed to visitors for the next three days. I need to prepare the next items for auction."
"Yes."
Lin Yue entered the cultivation room specially prepared for him and turned his attention to the system shop.
With 16,420 Points, he could exchange them for quite a few good things.
He carefully browsed the item list, and his gaze finally settled on several unusual items:
[Random Otherworld Cultivation Method Draw Ticket: 5000 Points]
[Low-level Alchemy Introduction: 3000 Points]
[Spiritual Herb Seed Gift Pack: 2000 Points]
"Exchange for the Random Otherworld Cultivation Method Draw Ticket and the Spiritual Herb Seed Gift Pack." Lin Yue made his decision.
[Exchange successful. Remaining Points: 9420]
An ancient scroll and a cloth pouch appeared in Lin Yue's hands. He opened the pouch first. Inside were dozens of seeds glowing faintly, all belonging to spiritual herbs never before seen on the Douluo Continent.
"Interesting. Perhaps I could cultivate a medicinal herb garden." Lin Yue carefully put away the seeds, then took a deep breath and activated the Random Cultivation Method Draw Ticket.
The scroll turned into a beam of golden light and sank into his brow. A vast amount of information flooded his mind.
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained a cultivation method: Eternal Precious Unity Art (Fragment)]
[Rank: Divine (Incomplete)]
[Description: Can fuse energies from different systems and transform them into the most fundamental Eternal Precious Force. When mastered, one thought can transform into all techniques, and one force can shatter all worlds.]
A look of delight flashed in Lin Yue's eyes. This cultivation method was practically made for him! It could fuse Soul Power, spiritual energy, Battle Qi, and other kinds of energy, transforming them into the higher-level Eternal Precious Force.
Though it was only a fragment, it still far surpassed any cultivation method in this world!
"System, exchange for one year of cultivation time." Lin Yue gave the order without hesitation.
[Exchange successful. 1000 Points consumed. Remaining Points: 8420]
The flow of time in the cultivation room changed abruptly. Lin Yue closed his eyes and began cultivating the mysterious Eternal Precious Unity Art.
The three-day wait passed in the blink of an eye.
When the Myriad Worlds Auction Pavilion opened again, Lin Yue emerged from the cultivation room, the aura around him deeper and more inscrutable than before.
Mo Chen came to report. "Master, the various factions have begun arriving. There are nearly twice as many as last time. Also..."
He looked out the window. A splendid procession was slowly approaching, and the striking Six-Winged Angel emblem on its banners revealed the newcomers' identity.
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