Yellow Tier High-Grade Soul Skill--Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon

The long-awaited ancient soul technique began under the gaze of everyone in the auction house.

On the stage, two scantily clad, beautiful attendants pushed a cart forward, upon which sat a golden tray covered by a red cloth.

As the auctioneer unveiled the red cloth, a dark cyan scroll was revealed.

The scroll was about two feet long and one foot wide, crafted from an unknown dark cyan leather with fine, dense textures that seemed like traces left by the passage of time.

Along the edges of the leather, exquisite and complex patterns were embroidered with gold thread; these patterns flickered with a faint light, seemingly containing some kind of mysterious power.

On the front of the scroll, the five large characters "Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon" were written in an archaic script, surrounded by strange symbols that resembled dancing flames, giving off an unfathomable and mysterious aura.

Below the large characters and symbols were illustrations depicting the gathering and circulation of soul power, with lines so simple yet vivid that one could almost feel the surge of soul energy from them.

"This is the grand finale of this auction, an ancient Yellow-tier high-grade soul technique—the Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon. Since ancient times, such soul techniques have suddenly vanished, and almost none remain in circulation today. After cultivating this technique, one can effectively gather the soul power from the surrounding environment and absorb it into one's own soul, thereby significantly increasing the strength and purity of the practitioner's soul power. In battle, the 'Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon' allows the practitioner's soul perception to become more acute, enabling them to foresee an opponent's soul attack intent in advance, thus allowing for effective defense and counterattacks.

Furthermore, it helps enhance the practitioner's control over soul-type cultivation methods and skills, making them more adept and vastly increasing the power when executing soul attacks or defensive measures."

As the auctioneer's voice fell, the entire venue went quiet for a moment before erupting into a frenzy.

Yao Chen and his two companions also stared intently at the stage, sensing the soul fluctuations.

"It is truly worthy of being an ancient soul technique; even this master can feel the soul fluctuations radiating from that scroll."

Once the crowd had quieted down slightly, the auctioneer shouted.

"Everyone, please be quiet. This item comes from a mysterious powerhouse who has requested that the auction be conducted via a trade of goods. Each person is limited to one bid, and the final decision on the value of the traded item rests with him."

A powerhouse draped in a black robe and wearing a mask suddenly appeared on the stage.

A powerful aura erupted from the stage, causing those with cultivation below the Dou King realm to struggle for breath.

Yao Chen sensed that this aura was formidable, likely that of an eight-star Dou Zong.

"This is a Dou Zong powerhouse; it seems he comes from one of the ancient clans."

"Ladies and gentlemen, those interested in bidding, please hand the items you wish to trade to our staff. The staff will mark each item and bring them to the stage for this lord to choose from. The final successful bidder will be decided by this lord, and the items of those who do not succeed will be returned to you by our staff."

The auctioneer calmly introduced the rules of this auction to the audience.

"The auction begins now!"

As the auctioneer finished speaking, a large number of staff members appeared beside the audience, though few were truly qualified to bid on such an item—only Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect, the Great Elder Fang Yan of Demon Flame Valley, and the newly arrived group led by Yao Chen.

Mo Tianxing of the Black Emperor Sect had prepared "Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva" to bid for the item.

Fang Yan of Demon Flame Valley had prepared the refining method for a Heavenly Demon Puppet.

As for Yao Chen's side, he had prepared a cultivation method; he brought out the Earth-tier high-grade Glazed Fire Diamond Canon that the system had previously returned to him.

After handing their items to the staff, they all waited in their VIP rooms for the result.

The mysterious Dou Zong powerhouse hesitated after viewing the three items.

The Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva was a miraculous substance secreted by the Bodhi Heart, which was birthed by the Bodhi Ancient Tree over millions of years; it possessed the ability to wash away one's marrow and improve an ordinary person's constitution.

The refining method for the Heavenly Demon Puppet was equivalent to gaining an additional bodyguard, which was also quite impressive.

The Glazed Fire Diamond Canon was an Earth-tier high-grade cultivation method; practicing it would allow one to generate a powerful flame comparable to a Heavenly Flame, while also enhancing one's physical strength to a level rivaling that of a magical beast.

All three were supreme treasures; any one of them could incite a struggle among many powerhouses.

After much deliberation, the mysterious Dou Zong decided to choose Yao Chen's Earth-tier high-grade Glazed Fire Diamond Canon and suddenly announced it loudly.

"The item this old man has chosen to trade for is the Earth-tier high-grade Glazed Fire Diamond Canon from VIP Room Number One."

The moment his voice fell, lights instantly converged on Yao Chen and his two disciples.

According to the rules of the auction house, the identity of the successful bidder should not be revealed, yet this sudden spotlight pointed directly at them.

It was clear that this mysterious Dou Zong wanted to stir up trouble; he actually wanted all three items and had deliberately exposed Yao Chen so that the other two would go and snatch it, hoping to play the role of the fisherman while the snipe and the clam fought.

Standing in the VIP room and seeing the murderous intent in everyone's eyes, Yao Chen had already guessed the scheme and said to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian with complete indifference.

"Xiao Yan, girl, make sure to stay close to this master after we leave the auction house. Since that mysterious Dou Zong wants to play this game, this master doesn't mind taking everything."

Just as the auction concluded, Yao Chen leisurely retrieved the Spirit Rhinoceros Soul Gathering Canon scroll from the auction staff, but as he prepared to leave, he was blocked by Yuan Yi, the leader of the Eight Fan Gate who had hosted the auction.

"Sir, please stay. The mysterious powerhouse from earlier broke the rules by informing everyone that you were the successful bidder; that was a lapse on our auction house's part."

"It is of no consequence."

Yao Chen replied with disdain.

Thinking that Yao Chen was dissatisfied, Yuan Yi immediately took a tattered map from his robes and handed it to him.

"Sir, please do not be angry. This Humble One knows that you possess great strength and do not fear others. This fragment has been stored in our auction house for a long time; it bears ancient symbols and must be of great value, but we are all dull-witted and do not know its purpose. Please accept it as a token of our apology, and I hope you will not find it lacking."

Yao Chen looked at the fragment Yuan Yi handed over and, upon closer inspection, realized it was a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame map, so he accepted it without changing his expression.

"Sect Leader is too kind. I shall accept this fragment; many thanks, Sect Leader."

Seeing Yao Chen accept it, Yuan Yi beamed with joy and cautioned the three of them.

"Sir, the Black Emperor Sect and Demon Flame Valley have likely set their sights on you; please be careful on your way."

Yao Chen replied dismissively.

"Many thanks for your concern, Sect Leader. Please rest assured, those few are not to be feared."

Seeing this, Yuan Yi shook his head and walked away.

Yao Chen then led Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian, walking swaggeringly out of the main entrance of the auction house.

Once outside, the gazes of the surrounding crowd remained fixed on the three of them.