Strange Flaw

"Dou Zun." Those simple two words struck Xiao Yan with incomparable force. This was the first time in his life he had seen a Dou Zun powerhouse. The assassin leader, who counted as an absolute enemy to Xiao Yan, was like a toy before him.

A Dou Zun powerhouse was terrifying indeed!

"I had sensed that concealed aura earlier, and I have a feeling there was more than one Dou Zun in Tianlan City."

Xiao Yan smacked his lips as well. If one never went out and explored, one would never know how vast the world truly was. In the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Emperors could already command the winds and clouds, while Yun Shan was the only Dou Zong. Yet in Tianlan City, Dou Emperors were common, Dou Zongs were plentiful, and there were even Dou Zuns.

"What? Did a Dou Zun scare the courage out of you?" Yao Lao asked teasingly.

Xiao Yan glanced at Slayer Hand He Kui, then smiled with confidence and resolve. "I'll become stronger than him!"

Naturally, He Kui had no idea what a junior was thinking. He was currently directing the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce's people as they dealt with the aftermath in the auction house.

"My apologies, honored guests. The chamber never expected such an incident to occur. On behalf of the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce, I offer my sincere apologies. Once the auction officially concludes, the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce will handle the aftermath for all the dead and injured," Xue Ningyi said solemnly.

This earned the approval of quite a few people. In this world, it ultimately came down to the strong devouring the weak. Those with strength decided everything, and no one could guarantee that they would not end up separated from their head tomorrow. In truth, even if the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce did nothing, no one could fault them for it. Yet the reason the Gold Alliance Chamber of Commerce monopolized most of the financial trade in the Northwest Region was precisely its universally praised reputation.

After He Kui finished clearing up, he stood silently beside Xue Ningyi. Though his aura was completely restrained, with such a supreme powerhouse standing on the stage, any petty schemes were pointless.

Xue Ningyi continued, "No matter what, the auction will proceed. My previous introduction was not yet complete. According to reliable records in ancient books, the Emperor Essence Fruit was cultivated by a Dou Di for the children of his own clan. Those under thirty may consume it. Of course, the chamber has no means of testing it, so whether those above thirty can absorb it remains unknown."

As soon as Xue Ningyi said this, some people lowered their heads in disappointment. They had already passed the age of thirty and were completely fated to miss out on such a supreme treasure. No one dared to gamble their entire fortune on whether they could still absorb it after passing thirty.

However, others became exceptionally excited. Whether it was Lu Zhi of the Mystic Pattern Sect, Wan Qing of the Heroes Alliance, Shi Meng of Elephant Rhino Mountain, or Xu Yingwu, all of them found it difficult to remain calm. After all, they were all under thirty. Who did not want a chance to reach for the realm of Dou Saint in the future?

"Bidding may become difficult to settle for a time later, as the value of various items will need to be calculated. Please wait patiently. The Emperor Essence Fruit starts at one gold coin!"

One gold coin was very little, but everyone knew that the Emperor Essence Fruit's value would likely make several great factions fight until their heads bled. For a moment, no one named a price.

"VIP Room One, two hundred million gold coins!" The Mystic Pattern Sect made the first move.

The Mystic Pattern Sect had already paid a huge price while competing for the map to the Dou Saint Ruins, yet this bid was still shocking. Many people present could not help sighing. As expected of the leading faction in the Northwest Region.

"VIP Room Four, one hundred million gold coins, plus two high-grade Earth-class Dou Techniques, plus five seventh-tier magic cores. The chamber has determined that Room Four's offer is worth more. The increase is valid."

"Elephant Rhino Mountain has made its move too. Father, what about us?" Xu Yingwu asked. Xiao Yan could tell that he no longer resembled his former self, seemingly carefree yet actually steady. This time, he was truly tempted.

"It's fine. We didn't spend our money earlier. We saved it for this."

Just as Xu Chengzze was preparing to open the door and make a bid, Xiao Xun'er, who had been wearing a strange expression beside Xiao Yan, finally spoke. "This Emperor Essence Fruit cannot be bought."

"Hm?" Xu Chengzze froze. He had noticed the well-behaved girl beside Xiao Yan long ago. Even he had been unable to see through her, and he had not expected her to speak at such a moment.

"Xun Er, is this Emperor Essence Fruit fake?"

Others doubted Xiao Xun'er's words, or even completely refused to believe her. But Xiao Yan knew of Xiao Xun'er's terrifying background, so he believed her judgment at once.

Xiao Xun'er's willow brows furrowed slightly as she looked at the Emperor Essence Fruit on the stage. "It is indeed an Emperor Essence Fruit. Without a Dou Di, it could not be refined at all. This should be an ancient relic from a long time ago. I once read about it in ancient texts. The Emperor Essence Fruit can indeed remove every bottleneck up to the Dou Saint realm, but it was not used by Dou Dis to cultivate their descendants. It was used by Dou Dis to cultivate servants."

Ignoring the strange looks from Xu Chengzze and his son, Xiao Xun'er continued explaining, "The power of a Dou Di is not something ordinary people can endure. After consuming the Emperor Essence Fruit, one's lifespan will rapidly diminish, leaving at most fifty years. Furthermore, one can only cultivate to the most ordinary level of Dou Saint, after which they will never be able to advance another step for the rest of their life."

After Xiao Xun'er finished explaining, both Xu Chengzze and Xu Yingwu looked rather grim. They had been full of ambition over this very item, but if what Xun Er said was true, the cost was not something they could accept. Xu Yingwu would not be willing to absorb it himself if it meant having only fifty years left to live.

But if they gave it to a servant, that servant would completely lose control once their realm surpassed Dou Zun. If they merely wanted to cultivate a Dou Zong powerhouse, there were more than a dozen more suitable methods.

"This young lady, may I ask where you learned this?" Xu Chengzze asked slowly. He would neither ignore Xiao Xun'er's words nor blindly believe them.

"I saw it in ancient books. Whether you believe it or not is up to you," Xiao Xun'er said indifferently. She had always been rather cold toward outsiders, whether in the Xiao Clan or Jia Nan Academy.

Xu Chengzze's brows knotted together. Today's auction had somewhat exceeded the rhythm of his control.

He looked at Xu Yingwu, who was equally conflicted and struggling. "Yingwu, what do you think?"

Xu Yingwu lowered his head and remained silent for a long time. The rising bids outside had not stopped. Since the values of different items had to be calculated, the auction was still only in its opening stages.

After a long while, Xu Yingwu finally let out a long sigh and shook his head. Then, with a firm gaze, he said, "On the path of cultivation, your son has faith in himself. I will not do something foolish that cuts off my own future. I don't want this Emperor Essence Fruit!"

Xu Chengzze's unpleasant expression finally gave way to a smile upon hearing Xu Yingwu's answer.

"Good. With such resolve, Yingwu, I can rest easy."

Xu Chengzze then looked toward the display stage outside. A meaningful smile appeared on his unusually large mouth as he said maliciously, "Then let's make things difficult for these people!"