Li Xingluo pointed at the person beside Luo Xin, a foreboding feeling rising in his heart.
"Who is that?"
Liu Li poked half his head out and looked in the direction Li Xingluo was pointing.
He shook his head to show he didn't recognize the person. Just as Liu Li leaned out, a wave of pressure struck them.
Li Xingluo refused to back down. He turned his black ring and met the pressure head-on, holding his ground until it finally vanished.
Li Xingluo could clearly sense that the person beside Princess Luoxin was another Dou Wang. The way Princess Luoxin treated him was clearly far from ordinary.
With a crisp beat of the drum, the auction officially began. The host walked slowly onto the high platform, and Liu Li was beside himself with excitement.
Li Xingluo had already taken his seat, waiting for the Profound-tier Mid-level Dou Technique. Seeing Liu Li's reaction, curiosity got the better of him, and he stood up to look down at the platform.
He looked carefully and recognized the familiar figure. Liu Li said happily, "Well? Surprised?"
Li Xingluo grinned. On the platform, Liu Ya cast him a grateful glance, and the two exchanged nods.
Liu Ya continued her opening remarks, while Li Xingluo returned to his seat. The items being auctioned held no interest for him.
Only when Liu Li, who had been watching the auction closely, beckoned to him did Li Xingluo realize it was time.
Liu Ya slowly opened the box and took out a scroll, showing the Dou Technique to the crowd.
"This is the Profound-tier Mid-level Dou Technique, the Nine Nether Underworld Art. The opening bid is six hundred thousand gold coins."
"Is this the Dou Technique your grandfather said the poison master needed?"
Liu Li nodded firmly, adding that Liu Ya hadn't revealed any information about the Dou Technique.
"If that's really the case, it's worth getting."
Before Li Xingluo could speak, the price had already soared to 1.2 million gold coins. As expected, the Chuyun Empire was one of the strongest places for poison masters.
It was only natural for people to scramble over it. Li Xingluo called out a bid.
"1.3 million!"
As soon as he spoke, the Imperial Family guards in the opposite private room placed a bid as well.
"1.5 million."
People turned to look at Princess Luoxin, and the room filled with murmurs. Some said it was no wonder the Imperial Family was so formidable when they made a move; others said it seemed there was no hope for them this time...
"1.6 million!" Li Xingluo called out again without hesitation.
As soon as the price was announced, Li Xingluo sensed someone watching him. A deeply uncomfortable feeling spread through his body.
The guard who had bid from the opposite room glanced back at Princess Luoxin. After receiving her approval, he turned around and bid again.
"1.8 million!"
Fine. If you raise the price by a hundred thousand each time, I'll raise it by two hundred thousand. Let's see what you do about that.
This didn't make Li Xingluo back down. He didn't even look toward the opposite room.
"Two million!"
You like raising the price, don't you? So will I. Don't think that just because you're a princess of the Imperial Family, I have to yield to you.
Xiao Yi Xian felt uneasy. She tugged at Li Xingluo's sleeve, signaling him to stop.
Xiao Yi Xian knew that Li Xingluo was bidding on the Dou Technique for her. In recent days, he had also sold quite a few items to the Aus Auction House.
Princess Luoxin was rarely so furious. She slapped the table and stood up. This was the first time anyone had dared to challenge her, especially in a place like this.
The person beside her seemed much calmer and motioned for Princess Luoxin not to lose her temper. After all, they hadn't come here for this Dou Technique.
"2.2 million!" This time, Princess Luoxin placed the bid herself.
But as soon as she finished speaking, the voice from across the room came again, making her even angrier.
"2.3 million!"
A Profound-tier Mid-level Dou Technique selling for over two million was already well above its actual value. Everyone present was curious about Li Xingluo's identity.
Did he really not know who he was bidding against, or was he doing it on purpose?
Princess Luoxin was furious. She stood up, about to bid again, but a hand stopped her.
Princess Luoxin turned to look at the person holding her back, perplexed. Reluctantly, she sat down again.
"Teacher, why did you stop me? If I bid just one more time, I'm sure I can get it."
"Xin'er, I can't see through the person across from us."
Princess Luoxin was shocked. Her gaze settled on Li Xingluo, who was concealed beneath a black robe, his face impossible to make out.
Li Xingluo was mysterious, but he gave off an utterly unremarkable impression.
Princess Luoxin furrowed her brows and asked, confused, "Teacher, are you sure you're not mistaken? I can't see what makes him special."
The old man seemed disappointed by her words and let out a long sigh.
"Teacher..." Princess Luoxin noticed the change in his expression.
"Xin'er, what kind of people get to enter the third floor?"
Princess Luoxin answered without hesitation, "The three great families of the imperial capital, and the people from the Alchemist Guild."
The old man nodded, then shook his head. Princess Luoxin was completely baffled. Did he agree with her or not? Why was he being so cryptic?
"Even the three great families couldn't get Liu Yuntian to arrange for his own grandson to accompany them. The fact that this person could do so means he's no ordinary guest at the Aus Auction House."
As she listened to the old man's analysis, Princess Luoxin naturally turned her gaze toward Li Xingluo. He was right. In her anger, she had overlooked something.
She had been chosen as the successor, so she was hardly stupid. Once she calmed down, she immediately arrived at a different conclusion.
Her anger had come from a sense of superiority that had crept in when she thought every obstacle had been cleared away.
Just then, the door to the opposite room opened, and Yan Yun stepped inside. He treated Li Xingluo with particular respect.
Princess Luoxin's beautiful eyes flickered. Just as her teacher had said, this person was indeed no ordinary man. If...
"Teacher..." Princess Luoxin whispered something in the old man's ear. The more he listened, the broader his smile grew. At last, he nodded with evident satisfaction.
Li Xingluo hadn't missed a single movement between Princess Luoxin and the old man. The other room made no further bids and even motioned for the guard who had been bidding to return to Princess Luoxin's side.
The sudden change caught Li Xingluo off guard. Yan Yun had also seen Princess Luoxin and the old man.
When no one else bid, Liu Ya announced that the Nine Nether Underworld Art had been won by the person in Private Room Three.
Now that he had what he wanted, Li Xingluo had no reason to stay. He turned and left the private room.
The opposite room was suddenly empty. Princess Luoxin stared intently at the room, though no one was there anymore, and gestured to the old man. He immediately stood and left as well.
Liu Ya saw both sides leave at the same time and felt her heart clench. She quickly composed herself and continued auctioning the remaining items.
Once he left the private room, the gloom pent up deep inside him finally lifted.
"Little Friend Xingluo, wait." Yan Yun called out to Li Xingluo and hurried after him.
"Elder Yan Yun, what is it?"
Yan Yun glanced around, looking a little embarrassed. Li Xingluo was completely at a loss.
He could only watch Yan Yun, waiting for him to speak.
Xiao Yi Xian and Liu Li, who had no liking for Yan Yun, tugged at Li Xingluo and tried to leave. Seeing this, Yan Yun hurried after them and blocked their path.
Xiao Yi Xian glared at Yan Yun and snapped, "What do you want?"
Li Xingluo was helpless. Making an enemy of Yan Yun wouldn't end well.
"Elder Yan Yun, if you have something to say, please say it."
Yan Yun seemed to summon his courage before finally voicing what was on his mind.
"Little Friend Xingluo, would you be willing to help me refine a pill?" Afraid Li Xingluo might refuse, Yan Yun quickly added, "Don't worry, I'll provide the ingredients, and I'll pay you every coin you're owed. What do you say?"
Before you continue