In an instant, hard stone spikes sprouted across the arena and shot toward Viper with lightning speed.
"Oh no, I can't dodge!"
With every escape route blocked by stone spikes and his vaunted poison attacks unable to hurt Ling Yun, Viper could only close his eyes in despair.
At the same time, Ling Yun's attack came howling toward him.
He raised his razor-sharp claws and, using the gravitational force of his fall, struck in a sudden swipe. His claws slammed hard into Viper.
The Stone Armor Bear's strength was formidable. The force of that blow sent Viper flying straight off the arena, where he crashed heavily onto the ground and was eliminated.
Ling Yun had held back, too. If he had attacked with all his strength, that swipe would have been enough to kill Viper. After all, Viper wasn't a defensive Soul Master and didn't have a body that tough.
But Ling Yun didn't want to take a life, so he had only sent Viper flying.
Meanwhile, with his Self-Created Soul Skill, Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes of the Gale Demon Wolf, Feng Xiaotian had also completely eliminated Python.
The outcome of the match was now decided, and the host announced the results at once.
"What an exciting match! I hereby announce that the winners are King of Five Spirits and Godwind Academy's Number One Lover. Congratulations to both!"
After the host announced the results, Ling Yun slunk off the arena. He couldn't help it—the name Feng Xiaotian had chosen was just too ridiculous.
Just then, Feng Xiaotian suddenly asked, "Little brother Ling Yun, each person can only take part in one doubles Soul Fighting match per day. Where are you going next?"
"I'll go find Sister Huo Wu first. She wanted to go shopping, didn't she? I shouldn't spoil her fun, so I'll go with her."
"Shopping with little sister Huo Wu? Great idea. Let's go!"
As he spoke, Feng Xiaotian ran toward Huo Wu like a lovesick puppy, leaving Ling Yun speechless.
Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang had also finished their doubles match and were waiting for the two of them at the Great Soul Arena. When Ling Yun came out, Huo Wu immediately smiled.
"You two finally made it out. How was the match? Did you win?"
"Of course! With me there, how could I let little brother Ling Yun lose?"
Feng Xiaotian flicked his hair and spoke as if he thought he looked dashing. Huo Wu ignored him completely and walked over to Ling Yun with a smile.
"Little brother Ling Yun, the Heaven Dou Auction House is holding an auction today. Why don't we go take a look?"
"An auction? What's there to see?" Ling Yun asked in surprise. He had originally planned to return to Blazing Academy and cultivate.
"Hehe, I heard they're auctioning a Soul Tool today. You still don't have one, do you? We can go buy one for you!"
"So that's why. Thank you, Sister Huo Wu!"
Ling Yun smiled excitedly. He had been at Blazing Academy for two years, and he still didn't have a Soul Tool. Soul Tools were far too expensive these days, often costing thousands of Gold Soul Coins. He couldn't afford one.
"Don't mention it. Let's go." Huo Wu laughed like silver bells and immediately led Ling Yun toward the Heaven Dou Auction House.
Before long, the group arrived at the auction house. After Huo Wu showed her identification, the staff let them inside.
They ate some fruit in a private room, and the auction began right on schedule.
A graceful blonde woman in a revealing, fiery outfit slowly stepped onto the auction stage and smiled.
"Welcome, honored guests, to the Heaven Dou Auction House. I'm your host for today's auction, Selina. I hope every guest here finds something to take home.
"Without further ado, let the auction begin. First up is our opening lot."
Selina swept her hand through the air, and an attendant came forward carrying the first lot. Looking closely, they saw it was a piece of Whale Rubber.
"This is a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue. I'm sure everyone knows what Whale Rubber does, so I won't say more. The starting bid for this piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue is five hundred Gold Soul Coins. Bidding starts now!"
"..."
Selina called out, but the audience remained quiet. Only a handful of people placed bids, and they were all women.
After all, what man would buy this stuff? Wouldn't that be admitting his kidneys weren't up to the task?
Most of their kidneys probably weren't up to the task, but who would bring something like that up in public?
Seeing that no one was bidding, Selina didn't seem disappointed. She merely drawled, "No bids? What a pity. This piece of Whale Rubber is actually fifty thousand years old. It can permanently improve your kidneys and internal organs, adding a little fun to your nights. It would be such a shame if it went unsold."
"I'll bid eight hundred Gold Soul Coins!"
"I'll bid one thousand! Nobody try to outbid me!"
"I'll bid..."
After Selina spoke, people began bidding one after another. The nobles could no longer worry about saving face.
After all, if they ate this piece of Whale Rubber, they might regain their former vigor and hold their heads high in front of their wives and lovers.
Watching the nobles bid like mad, Ling Yun shook his head. Before, he might have raised his bid too.
But he had already eaten several pieces of thousand-year Whale Rubber, and the energy in his body had long since reached its limit. Eating more now wouldn't do him any good.
In the end, a noble bought the fifty-thousand-year Whale Rubber for two thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Next, Selina brought out the second lot. Several more followed, all things meant only for collecting. Ling Yun was nearly asleep by the time they were done.
It wasn't until the tenth lot appeared that Ling Yun's eyes suddenly widened.
"This tenth lot is a little special. It's a book called the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide, which records various legendary Immortal Herbs.
"It may not be of much use to most people, but for those who love flowers and plants, it's a peerless masterpiece.
"The starting bid is two hundred Gold Soul Coins. Bidding starts now."
"I bid three hundred Gold Soul Coins!"
Ling Yun called out immediately. It was his first bid, and excitement gleamed in his eyes.
The Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide recorded the various Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. As far as he knew, only Chrysanthemum Douluo and the Breaking Clan had copies of this book.
Ling Yun had been worrying about how to get his hands on the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide. After all, he didn't recognize the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
He'd searched high and low, only to find it without looking. Who would have thought the auction today would have a copy of the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide?
Then again, it made sense. It was only a book—why would only Chrysanthemum Douluo and the Breaking Clan own a copy? Other nobles had to have the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide too.
Seeing Ling Yun's first bid was for a book, Huo Wu looked puzzled, but she didn't say anything.
"This guest has bid three hundred Gold Soul Coins. Anyone else?"
"I bid three hundred and twenty Gold Soul Coins."
"I bid three hundred..."
Not many people were interested in bidding. After all, few nobles cared about flowers and plants. In the end, Ling Yun won the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide for four hundred Gold Soul Coins.
"I never would have guessed, little brother Ling Yun," Huo Wu said with a playful smile. "I didn't know you were interested in flowers and plants."
"Hehe, I'm not interested in flowers and plants, but Immortal Herbs are another matter."
Holding the Immortal Herb Illustrated Guide, Ling Yun began reading with keen interest.
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