The ancient soul technique that had drawn everyone's attention was brought out under the watchful eyes of the auction house crowd.
Onstage, two beautiful, scantily clad attendants pushed out a cart together. A golden tray covered with red cloth rested on it.
When the auctioneer lifted the cloth, a dark teal scroll came into view.
The scroll was about two feet long and one foot wide, made from an unknown dark teal leather. Fine lines covered its surface, as if they were traces left by the passage of time.
Along the leather's edges, intricate patterns had been embroidered in golden thread. They glimmered faintly, as though they contained some mysterious power.
On the front of the scroll, the five large characters "Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon" were written in an archaic script. Strange symbols circled the characters, flickering like flames and giving off an inscrutable air.
Beneath the large characters and symbols were illustrations of soul power gathering and flowing. Their lines were simple yet vivid, as if one could feel the surging soul power within them.
"This is the final lot of the auction, an ancient Yellow-Tier High-grade soul technique: the Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon. Ancient soul techniques vanished suddenly, and almost none have survived to this day. Once cultivated, this soul technique can effectively gather the soul power in the surrounding environment and absorb it into one's own soul, significantly increasing the strength and purity of the cultivator's soul. In battle, the Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon sharpens the cultivator's soul perception, allowing them to detect an opponent's intent to launch a soul attack in advance and mount an effective defense and counterattack.
"Furthermore, it helps cultivators gain greater control over soul cultivation methods and skills. When using soul attacks or defensive techniques, they can wield them with greater ease and vastly increased power."
As the auctioneer finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent for a moment before erupting into a clamor.
Yao Chen and the others stared intently at the stage, sensing the fluctuations of soul power.
"As expected of an ancient soul technique. Even I can feel the soul fluctuations emanating from that scroll."
Once the hall had quieted down somewhat, the auctioneer called out,
"Everyone, please settle down. This lot comes from a mysterious expert, who has requested an exchange auction. Each person may submit only one offer, and the expert will decide the value of the items offered before choosing the winning bid."
A powerful figure in a black robe and mask suddenly appeared onstage.
A mighty aura burst from the stage, leaving everyone below the Dou Wang level struggling to breathe.
Yao Chen sensed the strength of this aura. The man was likely an Eight-Star Dou Zong.
"That's a Dou Zong expert. Looks like he came from some ancient clan."
"Those interested in bidding, please hand the items you wish to exchange to our staff. They'll label each item and bring them onstage for this lord to inspect. He'll decide which bid wins. Our staff will return the items to everyone whose bid doesn't succeed."
The auctioneer calmly explained the rules to the audience.
"The bidding begins now!"
At the auctioneer's words, a large number of staff members appeared among the audience. But few were actually bidding on the item: Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect, Fang Yan, Great Elder of Demon Flame Valley, and Yao Chen's group, who had arrived later.
Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect had prepared Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva to bid on the item.
Fang Yan of Demon Flame Valley had prepared the method for refining Heavenly Demon Puppets.
Yao Chen's group had prepared a cultivation method. He brought out the High-grade Earth-tier Cultivation Method, Glazed Fire Diamond Canon, which the system had returned to him earlier.
After handing their items to the staff, they all waited in the VIP rooms for the results.
The mysterious Dou Zong expert looked over the three items, wavering indecisively.
Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva was a miraculous substance secreted by the Bodhi Heart, which had formed over countless millennia within the Bodhi Ancient Tree. It could bring about a complete transformation and improve an ordinary person's constitution.
The method for refining Heavenly Demon Puppets was much like gaining a bodyguard of one's own. It was quite a good offer, too.
The Glazed Fire Diamond Canon was a High-grade Earth-tier Cultivation Method. Practicing it would produce a powerful flame comparable to a Heavenly Flame and strengthen one's body to the point where it rivaled that of a magical beast.
All three were priceless treasures. Any one of them could spark a fierce scramble among powerful experts.
After much deliberation, the mysterious Dou Zong expert decided to choose Yao Chen's High-grade Earth-tier Cultivation Method, the Glazed Fire Diamond Canon, and announced his decision in a loud voice.
"The item this old man has chosen is the High-grade Earth-tier Cultivation Method, the Glazed Fire Diamond Canon, from VIP Room One."
The instant he finished speaking, the lights fell on Yao Chen and his two disciples.
The auction house's rules prohibited revealing the identity of the winning bidder. Yet the mysterious Dou Zong had suddenly pointed them out.
The mysterious Dou Zong expert was trying to divert the trouble toward them. He wanted all three items, and had deliberately exposed Yao Chen so the other two parties would go after him. Then he could let the snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman reaped the reward.
Standing in the VIP room, Yao Chen saw the murderous intent in everyone's eyes and immediately guessed what was going on. He addressed Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian with complete nonchalance.
"Little Yan, girl, make sure you stay close to me when we leave the auction house. Since that mysterious Dou Zong wants to play this game, I don't mind taking everything for myself."
When the auction ended, Yao Chen slowly collected the Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon scroll from the auction house staff. As he prepared to leave, Yuan Yi, the master of the Eight Fan Gate, which had hosted the auction, stopped him.
"Sir, please wait. That mysterious expert broke the rules earlier by telling everyone you had won the bid. It was a mistake on our auction house's part."
"It doesn't matter."
Yao Chen replied with disdain.
Yuan Yi thought Yao Chen was dissatisfied, so he drew a tattered map from his robes and handed it to him.
"Sir, please don't be angry. I know you're powerful and have nothing to fear from the others. This remnant map has been kept in our auction house for a long time. It bears ancient symbols, so it must be valuable, but we're too ignorant to know what it's for. Please accept it as our apology. I hope you won't turn it down."
Yao Chen studied the remnant map Yuan Yi had handed him. On closer inspection, he saw that it was a Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map. He accepted it without showing what he thought.
"You're too kind, Master. I'll take the remnant map. Thank you."
Seeing that Yao Chen had accepted it, Yuan Yi beamed with delight and offered a word of caution to him and his two companions.
"Sir, the Black Emperor Sect and Demon Flame Valley have probably set their sights on you. Please be careful on your way."
Yao Chen replied unconcernedly,
"Thank you for your concern, Master. Don't worry. Those few are no threat to us."
Yuan Yi could only shake his head and walk away.
Yao Chen then led Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian out through the auction house's main entrance, striding along without a care.
Once they were outside, the eyes of everyone nearby followed Yao Chen and his two disciples.
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