Elder Qian, the Ruthless and Taciturn

A crisp bell chime slowly resonated throughout the auction hall. As the sound faded, the deafening roar of the crowd gradually subsided, and countless gazes turned toward the crystal stage, burning with anticipation.

"Haha, everyone, I presume you have grown impatient. In that case, I shall spare you the tedious pleasantries." The white-haired old man in ornate robes smiled as he surveyed the dense sea of heads. His gaze swept subtly over the powerful factions seated in the front row before his resonant voice echoed across the arena.

As an experienced auctioneer, the old man knew exactly what the crowd wanted to see and what they did not. He discarded the opening remarks entirely, a move that undoubtedly earned him a round of thunderous applause.

"As this is our annual auction, I am certain that this event, hosted by our Eight-Fan Sect, will not disappoint you." The old man clapped his hands and announced loudly, "I declare the Black Seal City auction officially open!"

As his voice fell, the massive crystal stage erupted with a blinding glare. Moments later, the light dimmed to reveal a blood-red medicinal herb resting on the pedestal before the white-haired man.

"A fourth-grade Blood-Shatter Ginseng. If a skilled alchemist removes its baleful energy and refines it with other ingredients, the pure energy within would make even a Dou-Spirit expert green with envy."

Seeing the crowd's excitement stirred, the old man's eyes narrowed.

"The starting bid is one hundred thousand gold coins."

"A medicinal herb, huh..." Xiao Li muttered as he stared at the Blood-Shatter Ginseng.

"How about it? Do you need it?" Elder Qian asked.

"If I could, I would certainly want it, but it is not a necessity. It is better to save the money for something I truly need later," Xiao Li replied.

Elder Qian nodded and silently noted the identity of the person who eventually won the bid. Upon seeing that the winner clearly looked like a villain, he added the man to his kill list.

After a few minutes of bidding, the item was successfully purchased by a scrawny man for one hundred and eighty thousand gold coins, his face flushed with excitement.

Following the successful first sale, the auction stage began to showcase a dazzling array of treasures: enchanted armor, Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, medicinal herbs, and more.

At one point, Xiao Li watched in astonishment as a young girl was pushed onto the stage. She could not have been more than twelve or thirteen, yet her figure was already developed to a shocking degree.

After a round of bidding, she was sold for a staggering price of one hundred thousand, leaving the old man on stage grinning from ear to ear.

Witnessing the darkness of the Black-Corner Region once again, Xiao Li shook his head. He had killed people here, and far from being punished, it would be a miracle if the heavens didn't strike him down for his lack of merit.

Xiao Li sat in his soft chair, watching the ugly displays around him with indifference. He closed his eyes slightly, waiting for something that would truly pique his interest.

The early stages of the auction lacked any items capable of truly igniting the atmosphere. Furthermore, the bidders were mostly those seated in the back; the powerful factions in the front row, who possessed vast wealth, had yet to make a single move.

Ding~

Another crisp bell rang out from the crystal stage. The white-haired auctioneer looked at the item being pushed onto the stage with a beaming smile.

Xiao Li's eyes narrowed; the item was a medicine cauldron.

"Everyone, this is the Spirit-Rising Cauldron, a fifth-grade medicine cauldron. It provides a significant boost to the refinement of any pill of the fifth grade or below. According to our tests, it can increase the efficacy of even a fifth-grade pill by ten to twenty percent. For higher-grade pills, the effect is smaller, but it still provides a boost."

The old man's face was etched with a cunning smile. Highlighting the strengths while glossing over the weaknesses had always been a specialty of their auction house.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a rare treasure. The starting bid is five hundred thousand gold coins."

The Black-Corner Region was not lacking in alchemists, and alchemists were notoriously wealthy. Although the audience for a medicine cauldron was small, the competition was fierce.

"I bid five hundred and fifty thousand. I hope everyone will give Old Man Wan some face," said an old man in the front row. He was determined to have it.

However, most alchemists were proud and arrogant; how could they back down because of a single sentence?

"Hmph, I, Zhang, would also like to see what this cauldron is capable of. Six hundred and fifty thousand!"

The alchemist named Wan's face darkened. "Damn that Zhang Qiong, competing with me again! Seven hundred thousand!"

The price had jumped by two hundred thousand in an instant, causing Xiao Li's breath to hitch. Good grief, these people really don't treat money like money. My entire net worth wouldn't even cover the starting bid, yet they are throwing around fifty or a hundred thousand like it's nothing. It's truly staggering.

"Do you need it?" Elder Qian turned to look at Xiao Li.

"My younger brother is an alchemist, but... it wouldn't be right to trouble you further, Elder Qian. After all, this is a family matter."

Xiao Li scratched his head in embarrassment. He felt he had pushed his luck enough; he was a student of Canaan Academy, and it would be inappropriate to keep taking favors while still thinking about his family's affairs.

"It is no trouble, just a simple task." Elder Qian closed his eyes, mentally adding another name to his list.

"Nine hundred and fifty thousand, sold."

The old man on the stage brought his gavel down, and the ownership of the medicine cauldron was temporarily settled with the alchemist named Zhang.

Item after item passed by. As the annual grand event of the Black-Corner Region, the quality was undeniable; nothing failed to sell. Some of the items even made Xiao Li's heart race with desire.

Elder Qian watched on, continuously filling his kill list. He decided to take this opportunity to clear out some of the scum of the Black-Corner Region.

The old man was clearly satisfied with the day's results. He announced loudly, "Today, I thank you all for your patronage. This final item, the grand finale, is a sixth-grade pill: the Dou-Spirit Pill!"

As he spoke, the old man produced a jade bottle. The pill inside shimmered with a brilliant luster, drawing the gaze of the entire hall.

The old man chuckled. "The alchemist who refined this pill wished to remain anonymous, so forgive me for not disclosing their name. Everyone knows the effects of the Dou-Spirit Pill—it can help a Dou-King rise by one star. It is a rare treasure indeed. The starting bid is five hundred thousand gold coins!"

As soon as the old man finished speaking, the crowd erupted. The hall was filled with members of major Black-Corner Region factions like the Blood Sect and the Black-Skull Tomb, all of whom had Dou-Kings and Dou-Emperors in their ranks. They were incredibly eager for this pill.

"Six hundred thousand!"

"Seven hundred thousand!"

Xiao Yan's Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill had sold for one point five million; Xiao Li estimated that this Dou-Spirit Pill would fetch no less than two million.

"This pill is quite effective. I can save it for when you reach the Dou-King realm," Elder Qian said softly. His words made the corner of Xiao Li's mouth twitch.

As expected of Elder Qian. He comes to an auction, doesn't spend a single cent, yet intends to walk away with everything.

"Thank you, Elder Qian." A smile curled on Xiao Li's lips. Is this what it feels like to have a backer? It's absolutely exhilarating.

In the end, the Dou-Spirit Pill sold for two point three million, claimed by the Blood Sect.

"Alright, kid, the show is over. Go collect your items. I, too, have some things to collect that have been 'deposited' in the hands of others."

Elder Qian stood up and pulled his black hood lower, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes.

Clearing out a few people now would make the Black-Corner Region a bit more stable, preventing so many bored individuals from trying to use Canaan Academy to build their reputation.