Wu Changkong and Tang Wulin Arrive

But the remaining Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon and Millennium Sea Dragon Marrow would be much harder to obtain.

These two items were not spirit fruits or plants, but materials harvested from Soul Beasts.

Earth Dragon Tendon was the sinew of Earth Dragon-type Soul Beasts. Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon had to be extracted from a Millennium Earth Dragon.

Sea Dragon Marrow, meanwhile, was the bone marrow of Sea Dragon-type Soul Beasts. It likewise required killing a Millennium Sea Dragon to obtain.

But Soul Beasts were scarce these days, making such items more expensive and harder to find.

Han Li then decided to take a look at today's auction.

The exhibition area was merely a preview.

The actual auction would be held on the upper floors of the main building, where there would be more lots, including rare items that had not been displayed in the exhibition area.

Perhaps he would find the Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon and Millennium Sea Dragon Marrow he needed there.

With that thought, Han Li took a mask from his Storage Bracelet and put it on.

It was an ordinary half-mask with a silver-gray base and no patterns or decorations. Only his eyes and mouth remained exposed.

After putting on the mask, Han Li headed toward the main building.

He passed through the corridor connecting the main and side buildings, went through two security checks, and entered the auction hall.

The auction hall was a vast fan-shaped space, with rows of seats arranged in ascending tiers.

The hall could accommodate several hundred people.

More than half the seats were already occupied. The place buzzed with voices, and the air was filled with a mixture of perfumes and Soul Power.

Han Li lowered the brim of his hat, found an inconspicuous seat in a corner of the hall, and sat down quietly.

He neither went to the front rows nor squeezed toward the middle, instead choosing a position where he could see the auction stage without easily drawing attention.

Once seated, he shifted slightly and let his entire body sink into the shadow cast by his chair.

His eyes behind the mask calmly watched the auction stage ahead, waiting for the auction to begin.

Then, a familiar voice reached him.

"Teacher Wu, what are we doing here?"

The voice carried the clear brightness unique to a youth, along with a trace of curiosity and confusion.

Han Li froze slightly. He recognized that voice.

It was Tang Wulin.

Following the sound, he looked over and, sure enough, spotted two familiar figures three rows ahead.

Tang Wulin sat by the aisle, looking around at everything with eyes full of novelty.

The person sitting beside him was Wu Changkong.

"If you want to raise your Soul Spirit's age, you need to enter a Spirit Ascension Platform. But whether it is the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform or the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform, you need qualifications."

"And auctions usually sell entry cards for the Spirit Ascension Platform."

Wu Changkong's answer was as concise as ever.

Tang Wulin suddenly understood and nodded.

"So that's how it is. Thank you for the trouble, Teacher Wu."

He looked at Wu Changkong with gratitude in his eyes.

He knew that Wu Changkong was already treating him very well by bringing him to the auction and being willing to spend money on him.

No matter what Wu Changkong's personality or teaching style was like, he had at least never shortchanged him when it came to resources.

Wu Changkong merely gave a casual "Mm" and said nothing more.

He sat in his seat, his gaze calmly fixed on the auction stage ahead.

As a Six-Ring Soul Emperor, he could certainly afford such a trivial sum.

As long as Tang Wulin could help him win some pride in future competitions, this little investment was nothing.

At this moment, Han Li withdrew his gaze as well.

Leaning against the back of his chair, the corners of his mouth curled faintly beneath his mask.

Wu Changkong had brought Tang Wulin here to buy an entry card for the Spirit Ascension Platform. Perfect. Han Li had also planned to visit the Spirit Ascension Platform.

The guardian of the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform at Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda was a Millennium Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.

After killing it, its right paw would drop an External Soul Bone.

The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear Right Palm Bone.

Once fused, it would grant its user's right hand clawing power similar to the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's terrifying claws.

And this External Soul Bone...

Was also an excellent match for his Golden Dragon Claw.

With the two combined.

His close-combat ability would rise to another level.

So, he would gladly accept it.

At that thought...

Han Li felt not the slightest guilt.

After all, he had spared Tang Wulin from having his life threatened by the Golden Dragon King.

Tang Wulin possessed Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, allowing him to live his life steadily and peacefully.

Han Li had borne all of that in Tang Wulin's place.

It was only right that he collect some compensation.

Soon after, the auction began.

The lights at the front of the hall lit up, and a spotlight shone onto the auction stage.

An auctioneer slowly walked onto the stage.

She wore a well-tailored red gown, her long hair pinned up to reveal her slender neck.

Standing before the auction stage, she swept her gaze across the hall, radiating a calm and confident presence.

She first gave a brief introduction, then began explaining the rules and process for today's auction.

After a round of opening remarks...

The auction officially entered the bidding phase.

The first lot, the second lot, the third lot...

One item after another was brought out, then purchased by bidders one after another.

There were rare ores, Soul Tools, spirit fruits with considerable age, and materials taken from certain Soul Beasts.

Han Li remained seated quietly and did not make a move.

Soon, the ninth lot was brought out.

It was a transparent display case.

Inside lay a tendon roughly two feet long. It was dark brown, its surface covered in fine patterns, resembling a dragon shrunk countless times over.

The auctioneer's voice rang out at just the right moment.

"The ninth lot: one Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon, taken from a Millennium Earth Dragon-type Soul Beast."

"The starting bid is one million Federal Currency."

Han Li was delighted.

Millennium Earth Dragon Tendon.

This was one of the materials he needed to break the seal.

He had not expected it to appear so quickly, and it appeared to be of quite good quality.

"One million one hundred thousand." Someone raised a paddle.

"One million two hundred thousand."

"One million three hundred thousand."

The price slowly climbed between several bidders, increasing by one hundred thousand each time at an unhurried pace.

Han Li did not bid immediately. He waited for the price to reach a point where most people would hesitate.

The price soon reached three million eight hundred thousand.

The pace of bidding also slowed.

"Three million eight hundred thousand. Any higher bids?"

The auctioneer looked around, raising the small hammer in her hand slightly.

Han Li raised his bidding paddle.

"Four million."

The auctioneer immediately turned her gaze toward him, a professional smile appearing on her face.

"This gentleman bids four million. Any higher bids?"

The people who had bid earlier fell silent for a moment. One of them hesitantly raised a paddle.

"Four million one hundred thousand."

Without hesitation, Han Li raised his paddle again.

"Four million five hundred thousand."

A low murmur rose through the auction hall.

Raising the bid by four hundred thousand at once showed that the buyer was determined to get it and had money to spare.

The bidder who had still been hesitating shook his head and lowered his paddle.

"Four million five hundred thousand, first call."

"Four million five hundred thousand, second call."

"Four million five hundred thousand, third call."

"Sold!"

The small hammer came down with a crisp sound.