Douluo: Martial Soul Iron-Eating Beast, Never Be a Slave

Second, it had to be valuable and marketable, something that could be easily converted into cash. Otherwise, if it could not be sold or exchanged for money, what would be the point?

Based on these two requirements, Zhao Mu began selecting herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

With Ye Lingling's Medicinal Herb Illustration Guide, choosing Immortal Herbs was not difficult.

The first thing Zhao Mu noticed was a large pink flower.

It had no leaves, a stem about three feet long, crystal-clear petals, and pale purple stamens like gemstones. Its fragrance was pleasant, and a faint glow even surrounded the flower.

Aromatic Silk Beauty!

Known as the bane of all poisons, Aromatic Silk Beauty could neutralize every kind of toxin. It could not detoxify on its own, but it could suppress poison, and that faint aura marked the range within which it restrained toxins.

This thing should not lack market demand. It ought to fetch a good price at auction.

Besides, Zhao Mu was immune to both ice and fire and invulnerable to all poisons. Dugu Bo might not be poison-immune, but as the Poison Douluo, he did not care about most toxins. As for Dugu Yan's Woeful Poison Body, not only was she unafraid of poison, she practically wished she could be poisoned.

So while Aromatic Silk Beauty was excellent, it was useless to Zhao Mu and the others. Trading it for something useful would be more than worthwhile.

After taking a few steps through the herbs, Zhao Mu plucked another pale purple ganoderma.

The ganoderma was purple all over, but its stalk was like jade. It had nine leaves and brimmed with vitality.

Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma. Though it did not count as an Immortal Herb, it could strengthen one's foundation, replenish vitality, and enhance one's effectiveness.

This stuff was suitable for building a child's foundation, or for feeding to useless middle-aged men.

Of course, elderly people could eat it too. It could add another ten or twenty years to their lifespan, at the very least, provided they did not court death.

Aromatic Silk Beauty and Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma were already worth quite a bit, but to be safe, Zhao Mu casually plucked another herb growing beside the Nine-Rank Ganoderma.

This herb had no flowers, no stem, and no fruit. It had three leaves, each long, flat, completely emerald green, and smooth around the edges. It looked exactly like... chives.

Naturally, it was not ordinary chives. According to the Medicinal Herb Illustration Guide, it was called Yuanyang Heavenly Chives!

It could regulate the body, promote digestion, nourish the complexion, and improve one's appearance. Most importantly, it strengthened the kidneys and boosted virility!

An Immortal Herb that boosted virility—its effects would be better than seeing a hundred doctors.

It was hard to say for anyone else, but Zhao Mu definitely had no use for it.

Zhao Mu did not believe that in Heaven Dou City, where wealth flowed freely and extravagance and debauchery were everywhere, this thing would not have a market.

With three Immortal Herbs in hand, that should be enough to bid for that External Soul Bone, right?

After making all the preparations, Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo each resumed cultivating.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo entered Heaven Dou City.

Carrying three kinds of Immortal Herbs and planning to compete for the External Soul Bone, Dugu Bo naturally accompanied Zhao Mu for safety's sake.

Not long after entering Heaven Dou City, they saw a uniquely shaped building, like half a sphere buckled onto the ground, with a hammer symbol printed on it.

"That is the Tiantou Auction House. Today, I'll broaden your horizons."

With that, Dugu Bo took the lead and brought Zhao Mu toward the unusual auction house.

Only after approaching did Zhao Mu truly understand the scale of the Tiantou Auction House. It was six or seven hundred meters in diameter and dozens of meters tall. Its capacity was terrifying.

Seemingly noticing Zhao Mu's shock, Dugu Bo said, "The Tiantou Auction House is considered the largest auction house on the continent. It is controlled by the eight hidden families. Their creed is not to participate in any conflicts, but to focus solely on making money. They are an absolutely neutral faction. But that does not mean they are weak. With such a massive fortune, without real strength, they could never deter all those petty schemers."

Being able to claim such a plot of land in the land-starved Heaven Dou City was enough to prove that the Tiantou Auction House was anything but ordinary.

After entering the auction house, the luxurious crystal decorations inside were even more dazzling.

Not long after Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo entered the auction house, a maid approached them gracefully.

Just like in every novel, the auction house maids were all exceptionally attractive: tall figures, delicate features, pleasing voices, and service fit for gods. It was simply...

"Stop staring. Let's go!"

Dugu Bo reminded Zhao Mu, who finally snapped back to his senses and followed the maid with Dugu Bo into a side room.

"What is this?" Zhao Mu asked in confusion.

Dugu Bo explained, "Aren't we here to auction something? Naturally, it must first be appraised by the auction house's professional appraisers."

Led by the maid, the two arrived at a private room.

There was only a black counter inside. Behind it stood a masked figure hidden in the darkness, making it impossible to discern anything.

"Honored member, welcome. It is my pleasure to serve you! May I ask what item you wish to auction today? Please place the item on the counter, and we will provide the fairest and most reasonable appraisal and valuation."

Dugu Bo said nothing. With a flick of his arm, the three Immortal Herbs Zhao Mu had prepared landed precisely on the counter.

"Herbs?"

The appraiser behind the counter gave a soft exclamation, then began carefully examining the three Immortal Herbs.

"This is Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma... of superb quality!"

"This... this is Yuanyang Heavenly Chives?! Its quality is equally outstanding!" Even from far away, Zhao Mu could hear the appraiser behind the counter swallow greedily.

"This... this... this could not be Aromatic Silk Beauty, could it?!"

Hearing the appraiser's uncontrollable shock, Zhao Mu's concern that the other party might not recognize the Immortal Herbs completely vanished.

After quite some time, the appraiser finally regained composure and said, "Honored member, all three of your Immortal Herbs are qualified to be finale auction items. If auctioned separately, they would be worth more, so..."

"No need. Auction them together at this event," Dugu Bo interrupted directly.

Following the principle that the customer was god, the appraiser naturally would not go against Dugu Bo's wishes. He immediately said, "Very well. We will arrange for these three Immortal Herbs to be included in this auction as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on the proceedings, honored guest."

After settling everything, Dugu Bo and Zhao Mu left the appraisal room.

After the two left, another figure appeared behind the counter in the appraisal room. That figure picked up the Yuanyang Heavenly Chives, sniffed it lightly, and then spoke in a calm voice.

"I did not expect even His Excellency the Poison Douluo to be drawn here. Is auctioning so many Immortal medicinal herbs also for the sake of that External Soul Bone..."

"If we include this one, then there are four factions competing for the final External Soul Bone..."

The Tiantou Auction House held auctions around the clock, but the auction for the External Soul Bone was a specially added event. For that reason, the twenty-four-hour auction was temporarily suspended, and all services were devoted to today's special auction.

Combined with the advance notice, a great many people attended this auction. The entire circular auction hall was packed to the brim.

Even the VIP rooms on the second floor had nearly all lit up. Though it was impossible to see what was inside from outside, the lights showed that VIPs were seated within.

"Honored guests, this is your private room!"

The auction house maid led Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo to a luxurious private room, bowing slightly with great respect.

"Big Brother, you even got a private room?" Zhao Mu looked around after entering and smiled.

Dugu Bo remained expressionless and simply told the truth. "This is Prince Xue Xing's private room. I borrowed it for the time being."

Given Prince Xue Xing's status and wealth, having a private room was perfectly normal.

A glazed table, crystal vessels, genuine leather sofas, carpets made from the fur of special soul beasts, and all kinds of red wine displayed utmost luxury.

Directly in front of the sofas was a huge floor-to-ceiling window. Sitting on the sofa, one could clearly see every corner of the auction hall.

Moreover, the window had been specially treated. Those inside could see outside, but those outside could not see in.

"Honored guests, the auction will begin in twenty minutes. Please contact us at any time if you need anything."

With that, the maid carefully closed the private room door. However, she did not leave and instead continued standing outside.

That was only because Zhao Mu and Dugu Bo had no need for her. If it were other VIPs with certain desires, they would likely keep the maid and have her satisfy some special preferences.

For example, in front of that floor-to-ceiling window...

After Zhao Mu rested with his eyes closed for about twenty minutes, a crisp bell rang through the auction hall. The previously noisy venue gradually quieted down. Zhao Mu slowly opened his eyes and clearly saw a graceful woman in revealing clothes already stepping onto the auction platform.

The woman appeared to be the auctioneer for this event. Compared with male auctioneers, female auctioneers often stimulated spending more effectively and brought greater profits to the auction house.

The female auctioneer swept her gaze around the hall. Her pearly teeth parted slightly, and her sultry voice echoed throughout the auction house.

"Honored guests, welcome to this auction. I am Xiao Wu, the auctioneer for this event, and I will be responsible for the entire auction process."

"Our auction follows the usual rules. Every bid for any item in this auction must increase by no less than one hundred Gold Soul Coins! After a bid is made, three hammer strikes will seal the deal and mark the auction as successful!"

"For this auction, our auction house has prepared quite a few good things for everyone. I am sure you have all been looking forward to them, so Xiao Wu will not waste any more words. Let this auction officially begin!"

"Xiao Wu?" Zhao Mu froze slightly upon hearing the auctioneer introduce herself.

Was it just that bad names were easy to duplicate?

Or perhaps her name merely had the character for dance in it, and anyone with that character could be called Xiao Wu?

Seeing Zhao Mu softly mutter the auctioneer's name, Dugu Bo's expression tightened. "Second Brother, although female auctioneers are often bought and taken home after every auction, you are still young. I will not allow you to spend the money from selling Immortal Herbs on these unclean girls!"

Zhao Mu smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Big Brother, what are you talking about? I have no such thoughts."

"Good. You are still young. Cultivation is what matters most!" Dugu Bo said, then could not help muttering inwardly.

Yan Yan, while you were away, Grandpa helped you block every outside threat. When you come back, you had better put in some effort.

After that brief interruption, the auction officially began. The first item brought onstage was a bracelet Soul Tool.

"Everyone, this Soul Tool was crafted by Master Craftsman Lou Gao, president of the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City. It contains twenty cubic meters of storage space, has an exquisite appearance, and is convenient to carry. It is an essential item for venturing out and training. If any of you are interested, do not be stingy with your money~"