Rising Competition

Despite all the twists and turns, Xiao Yan ultimately bought a piece of jewelry that could gather spiritual power and calm the mind for Xiao Xun'er. As Yao Lao had reminded him, "She can say she doesn't want it, but you can't fail to buy it."

The auction lasted a full four hours. Just as most people were beginning to suffer from visual fatigue, Xue Ningyi gracefully returned to the auction stage. From her expression, most people received the same message:

"The real good stuff has arrived!"

"My esteemed guests, thank you for waiting. On behalf of the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion and the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce, I must offer our apologies. Of course, I trust that what comes next will not disappoint you."

With a gesture from Xue Ningyi, two attendants slowly carried a container made entirely of ice toward the center of the auction stage. At that moment, Zi Yan abruptly emerged from her meditative cultivation state, springing up from her seat and staring fixedly at the item about to be brought forth.

"Zi Yan, what's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked. Though Zi Yan was usually rather mischievous around him, he had never seen her so out of sorts.

Everyone in the private room turned their gazes toward Zi Yan. She said in disbelief, "That thing... it seems very important to me."

Xiao Yan pulled Zi Yan to his side and comforted her. "It's fine. Calm down first. If you really need it, I'll definitely win it for you."

Zi Yan nodded subconsciously, but Xiao Yan could still tell that her entire mind was utterly drawn to that item.

"It seems this auction really does have some impressive things," Yao Lao sighed.

"Teacher, did you sense something unusual too?"

"More or less. That thing up there is no ordinary item."

Though the others lacked Zi Yan and Yao Lao's senses, everyone in the auction hall felt an inexplicable pressure emanating from the ice container. Many of those with lower cultivation levels even found it difficult to breathe.

Xue Ningyi rested her hand on the ice container and smiled as she swept her gaze across the crowd. Stirring everyone's interest was a required skill for every expert auctioneer.

"Esteemed guests, please prepare yourselves. This item is quite astonishing."

After sensing that quite a few people had grown impatient, Xue Ningyi gently lifted the ice container's lid. Inside was a tiny unsealed jade vial, and the terrifying aura of an unparalleled ferocious beast spread wantonly through the auction hall. Even though Xue Ningyi had warned them in advance, many people were so frightened by the beastly aura that they sprang from their seats. When they realized the source was merely an inanimate object, they could only sit back down in embarrassment.

"Five drops of magical beast essence blood from an unknown species. According to the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce's assessment, its owner may very well have advanced to the eighth tier."

With that single sentence from Xue Ningyi, the auction hall instantly erupted. Discussions rose one after another. For most people, a Dou Zun was practically a legend; reaching that realm meant one could make a name for oneself anywhere on the entire Douqi Continent.

The essence blood of an eighth-tier magical beast was unquestionably a great tonic. It could raise one's cultivation level and might even grant some innate magical beast abilities. Yet essence blood from magical beasts above the seventh tier was incredibly difficult to obtain. First, such magical beasts were immensely powerful and not easily provoked. Second, once a magical beast reached the seventh tier and faced certain death, it would rather self-destruct than leave its body behind for humans.

As for the unknown species, that was not a problem at all. The aura of that peerless ferocious beast earlier had already proven that this was no ordinary item.

The entire auction hall immediately boiled over, and quite a few people disregarded their status as they urged Xue Ningyi to announce the price.

As though she had anticipated this reaction, Xue Ningyi remained elegant as she spoke. "In business, credibility naturally comes first. I must tell everyone the truth: this magical beast essence blood contains extremely terrifying energy. According to the information currently known to the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce, a Dou Emperor cannot absorb it."

The heated atmosphere died down as though a basin of cold water had been poured over it. Though the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce did not participate in territorial struggles like the six sects, it still held an influential position throughout the Northwest Region, and its reputation was even better than that of the six major powers. If the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce said a Dou Emperor could not absorb it, then it was nearly certain—a Dou Emperor would be directly burst apart by it.

As for whether a Dou Zong could handle it, no one was foolish enough to ask. A Dou Zong was an absolute pillar of any faction, and the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce would not joke about the safety of a Dou Zong expert.

"The starting bid is ten million gold coins, with barter offers given priority."

The meaning was simple. For most people present, money could be earned again after it was gone, but many treasures simply could not be measured in money. The auction hall instantly fell into a somewhat strange silence. Ordinary people could not afford it and did not dare buy it, while the private rooms occupied mainly by the six major powers remained motionless.

Although no one had bid, Zi Yan was already nearly unable to wait. The moment she saw the essence blood, she told Xiao Yan that it was incomparably important to her and that she absolutely had to obtain it.

Xiao Yan immediately promised Zi Yan that he would definitely buy it. During the months Zi Yan had followed him, she might not have worked herself to the bone, but she had indeed brought him many good things. More importantly, Xiao Yan had unknowingly begun to regard Zi Yan as a younger sister, so naturally he would not refuse her now.

"Junior Martial Uncle, do you need our help?" Xu Yingwu asked generously. This item was extremely valuable, and even he was quite tempted. Whether it was absorbed personally or used for alchemy, essence blood of this level was an exceedingly rare treasure.

"There's no need. I made certain preparations for this auction as well." Seeing Xu Yingwu's expression, Xiao Yan hesitated before saying, "Brother Xu, if you need it, feel free to bid. We'll compete fairly."

Zi Yan shook her head. "This essence blood has a seal placed on it. It would do you more harm than good."

At Zi Yan's words, Xu Chengzze, Xu Yingwu, and Su Zhang all looked at her with great interest. Zi Yan said in confusion, "I don't know why either, but I'm certain of it!"

Xiao Yan briefly explained Zi Yan's background. Only then did Xu Yingwu show an enlightened expression before grinning. "No matter what, let's win it first."

While Xiao Yan and the others were talking, the bidding began.

"Private Room Two bids twenty million gold coins."

Private Room Two raised the price with decisive force, immediately naming the highest bid so far.

"Wan Qing of the Heroes Alliance has made his move. Looks like this thing is truly irresistible to alchemists," Lu Zhi said with a smile as he reclined in a chair in Private Room One.

"Private Room Eleven bids thirty million gold coins."

"It seems the Northwest Region truly is full of hidden talent," Xiao Yan sighed. The six major powers were strong, but they were not absolutely invincible. The other private rooms were occupied by local powers of the Northwest Region as well. If the Jia Ma Empire came here, they probably would not even dream of entering a private room.

Xiao Yan waved his hand. It was time for him to bid as well.

"Private Room Three bids ten million gold coins, plus six sixth-tier medicinal pills worth more than five million gold coins."

"That's terrifying. Medicinal pills are worth far more than gold coins, aren't they?"

"What do you know? That's Private Room Three. They say Master Su Zhang has already advanced to a seventh-tier alchemist."

"The total value is far more than forty million gold coins, isn't it?"

At this point, such bidding had basically become irrelevant to ordinary people, so more and more simply watched for entertainment.

"Private Room Eight bids thirty million gold coins, plus two Earth-tier Dou Skills."

"Private Room Two bids thirty million gold coins, plus six sixth-tier medicinal pills."

Lu Zhi, who had been reclining in Private Room One, sat up and smiled. "Good stuff. Let me add some fuel to the fire as well."