Auction, Luring the Snake from Its Hole

The major powers in the Black-Corner Region are able to maintain their foothold not only because of their own considerable strength.

The biggest reason is that the Black-Corner Region is an extremely chaotic place.

Most external forces are not keen to touch this territory that is so easily ignited.

If the Black-Corner Region changes, and becomes less insane.

Such a delicious treat would surely tempt those outside forces.

Therefore, allowing the Black-Corner Region to continue its madness is extremely beneficial to the major powers within Black-Corner Region.

They can easily gain a foothold and reap huge profits.

In any case, independent individuals are always much easier to deal with than powerful factions.

However, none of this had anything to do with Wang Chen.

He is not a savior and has no interest in changing the chaos in the Black-Corner Region.

As long as it doesn't affect him, Wang Chen won't meddle in other people's business.

He had absolutely no interest in stopping the murders and robberies he had witnessed before.

Of course, the two sides involved in the killing were not particularly strong.

They're all Da Dou Shi; you can tell at a glance there's not much profit to be made.

Otherwise, Wang Chen wouldn't have minded, and would have played the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

After wandering and observing Black Mark City for an hour, Wang Chen stopped.

His decision to go out at night was to see if he could find a breakthrough under the cover of darkness.

His investigation over the past hour did yield a small breakthrough, but not much.

It wasn't very useful for his plan.

In this dark night, the battles were fought between Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi.

There wasn't a single expert above the Dou Ling.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. The forces in the Black-Corner Region only wanted some chaos in the Black-Corner Region, not complete madness.

What they need is orderly chaos, not chaotic madness.

As long as it doesn't exceed the unspoken rules they've set, they won't take action.

A battle at the Dou Ling level has a huge impact on a region.

Moreover, experts at the Dou Ling level are sought after and recruited even by major powers.

Joining a faction not only provides access to cultivation resources but also gives you a powerful backer.

None of those Dou Ling would choose to be a lone wolf unless they were fools.

That's why Wang Chen only witnessed the battles between Da Dou Shi during the night in Black Mark City.

This kind of shrimp dish held absolutely no appeal for Wang Chen.

After pondering and exploring for a while in the darkness, Wang Chen returned to his lodgings.

He plans to go and gather more information tomorrow during the day.

Upon arriving in Black Mark City today, we immediately began our sting operation, without bothering to gather much information.

I'll gather more information tomorrow before deciding on the next steps.

As for why we don't go and gather information now?

In a place like Black Mark City, apart from the strongholds of major powers and the places where top experts are stationed, no one dares to do business in the dark.

That's not making money, that's courting death.

Those guys who hang out in the Black-Corner Region are basically all pretty crazy.

Fighting at the slightest disagreement is commonplace for them.

Ordinary forces wouldn't dare gamble their resources on the humanity of the Black-Corner Region.

And if you want to gather information, the best place is naturally the lobby of various restaurants.

Places that remain open at night are the territory of powerful entities.

Wang Chen's attempt to glean information about powerful forces from these places was undoubtedly a pipe dream.

Even the most insane person wouldn't speak ill of or reveal secrets about powerful forces in front of them.

Doing that wouldn't just be crazy, it would be idiotic.

Once it's daytime, there aren't so many restrictions when opening restaurants in other places.

After all, in the Black-Corner Region, especially for those without powerful backers, no one knows how long they can live.

Naturally, there are fewer concerns.

Sometimes when people start bragging, they just say whatever comes to mind.

Even the most powerful forces wouldn't concern themselves with such a wide range of matters.

These crazy people at the bottom are the leeks of the big forces.

Naturally, they wouldn't be completely wiped out just because someone said something outside.

That would be completely contrary to the interests of the Black-Corner Region.

As long as you don't say it to their faces or provoke the major powers, generally no one will bother to make a big deal out of it.

That's why Wang Chen didn't go out to gather information at night.

He's been in Black India for a day now, and although he's spent most of his time entrapment, he's managed to gather some basic information.

The next day.

Wang Chen finished his cultivation early and headed outside.

Black Mark City is still quite chaotic during the day, but it's much better than at night.

However, none of this mattered to Wang Chen; he had no interest in being a savior.

Wang Chen quickly arrived at a relatively ordinary restaurant, asked for a table in the lobby, ordered a few dishes, and then sat down to secretly gather information.

It has to be said that in this chaotic Black-Corner Region, the prices of supplies are indeed much higher than in normal places.

Fortunately, Wang Chen is now quite wealthy.

He didn't care about that small amount of money at all.

Although Black Mark City is quite chaotic, it does have a considerable population.

Moreover, many of them possessed Dou Qi cultivation.

Humans naturally need energy to fill their stomachs.

Of course, ordinary low-level cultivators cannot rely on cultivation to replace eating.

Therefore, Black Mark City is relatively prosperous during the day.

Although Wang Chen arrived relatively early, the restaurant was already quite crowded.

These people sat in groups of three or five, each in their own corner.

Among his companions, some recounted their heroic deeds, while others boasted of having uncovered top-secret information.

It must be said that there is some truth to the many stories and classics from my past life that describe various restaurants and lobbies as places for gathering information.

Wang Chen only stayed in the restaurant lobby for less than twenty minutes, but he heard quite a bit of gossip, such as the Zhang Clan, the Li Clan's gossip, and the shamelessness of the Wang Clan family's daughter-in-law.

However, many of the rumors did not help Wang Chen's hunting plan much.

At most, it broadened his horizons.

After dawdling for over an hour, Wang Chen finally left.

Since he couldn't glean any more specific information from the restaurant lobby, Wang Chen naturally wouldn't waste any more time.

After leaving the restaurant, Wang Chen wandered around Black Mark City, hoping to find some unexpected surprises.

"Um?!"

"Damn it!"

"How could I forget such a simple method!"

Wang Chen wandered around aimlessly and unknowingly arrived at the Black Mark Auction House.

The moment Wang Chen saw this place, Spiritual Spark struck him.

Luring out those experts is actually quite simple.

All you need is something that the experts are interested in.

Wang Chen hadn't thought of this method before, simply because he hadn't considered it in that direction at all.

When he first arrived in Black Mark City, all he could think about was stealing from one another.

There is no such thing as a "legitimate" method for auctioning things.

"Damn it! All that effort was for nothing."

Although he was a little frustrated, Wang Chen's frustration didn't last long now that he had found a solution.

Without hesitation, Wang Chen headed straight for the Black Mark Auction House.

What are you doing?

As soon as Wang Chen reached the door, the two Dou Shi guarding the gate immediately questioned him.

Wang Chen didn't bother with these guys' rudeness.

This is probably a unique feature of the Black-Corner Region.

Auction houses in other places are almost always extremely civilized and polite.

However, places like Black-Corner Region are different; the vast majority of people there are relatively crazy.

These people have no concept of civility or politeness; they only respect fists.

As the largest auction house in Black Mark City, it naturally commands considerable respect.

In his speech, he showed absolutely no respect for ordinary people.

"I'm here to auction off the elixirs."

Wang Chen didn't waste any time and directly stated his purpose.

After all, judging from these guys' tempers, if things dragged on for too long, they probably wouldn't waste words with Wang Chen and would just start throwing punches.

"In that case, let's go in."

The Dou Shi nodded and immediately assigned a Dou Zhe to lead Wang Chen inside.

What do you want to auction?

Before long, Wang Chen was led by the Dou Zhe to a private appraisal room.

The appraiser who remained on duty asked the question directly.

"These are the pills I'm auctioning off."

Wang Chen took an Imperial Extreme Pill out of his Storage Ring and tossed it to the appraiser.

The appraiser who received the Jade Bottle was no longer as nonchalant as he had been at the beginning.

Even the lowest-ranking appraiser at Black Mark Auction House has some skills.

The Jade Bottle was gently opened a crack, and a medicinal fragrance instantly filled the appraiser's nostrils.

"Please wait a moment."

The appraiser immediately closed the Jade Bottle lid, which had only been slightly ajar, said a few words, and then got up and left.

Wang Chen didn't pay any attention and simply sat down in the chair to wait.

The pill that Wang Chen auctioned this time was the Imperial Extreme Pill.

Its value is neither high nor low.

Although it's only Advanced Tier 6, it's an absolute treasure to any Dou Emperor who hasn't used it before.

If I can encounter it, I will definitely not miss it.

For those who have already consumed Dou Emperor, or those whose strength surpasses that of Dou Emperor, this thing is utterly useless.

This pill can attract those Dou Emperors, but it won't tempt powerful experts.

In this way, Wang Chen doesn't need to worry about changes in the situation leading to the killing of too many experts and causing earth-shattering changes in the Black-Corner Region.

Before long, an old man at the Dou Wang level arrived.

He first bowed apologetically, then began to examine Wang Chen's pill.

After sniffing carefully for a while, the Dou Wang's expression also became very good.

As an auction house, what I like most are all kinds of valuable auction items.

Only in this way can the auction house gain a greater reputation.

And reputation, that's the most important thing in the auction house.

The elderly people who are closely connected with the auction house naturally hope that the auction house will become better.

After all, he can gain more benefits this way.

"Advanced Tier 6 Imperial Extreme Pill is definitely a priceless treasure."

After the appraisal was completed, the old man, the Dou Wang, was in a very good mood.

When a high-end item is auctioned off, the appraiser can also receive a commission.

It offers both long-term and immediate benefits; how could one not feel happy?

"I wonder how you intend to proceed, sir?"

"I suggest we wait until the major auction three months from now, when this treasure can fetch its highest price."

The old man, who was Dou Wang, asked a question and then gave his advice.

The Imperial Extreme Pill is only a high-grade sixth-rank pill.

However, due to its special characteristics, its overall value is no less than that of a typical Peak Tier 6 pill.

It's even more sought after than some low-grade Tier 7 pills with mediocre effects.

If Black Mark City spends some time promoting it properly, it will definitely fetch an astronomical price at auction.

The higher the auction price, the greater the profit for the old man Dou Wang.

That's why he made a specific suggestion.

If it weren't closely related to his own interests, the old man Dou Wang wouldn't have made such a suggestion so casually.

However, suggestions are just suggestions; the final auction outcome depends entirely on Wang Chen's mood.

When was the most recent auction?

Wang Chen did not agree to the old man's suggestion.

Three months?

He certainly couldn't stay in the Black-Corner Region for three months indefinitely.

If we're really going to waste so much time, we might as well go somewhere else and hunt enough materials without taking so much time.

"If the closest one is, then it's the weekly auction in three days."

However, in that case, the Imperial Extreme Pill might not fetch the highest price at auction.

Upon hearing Wang Chen's question, the old man of the Dou Wang did not hide anything and told the truth directly.

The old man didn't mention the daily routine auction at all.

Those auctions are all basic, routine auctions. Powerful and wealthy individuals and influential figures would never participate in these daily routine auctions.

Those who came to participate simply couldn't afford Advanced Tier 6 Imperial Extreme Pill.

"Then let's do it in three days."

Without hesitation, Wang Chen confirmed that the auction would take place three days later.

With the strength of the Black Mark Auction House and the allure of the Imperial Extreme Pill, three days would be enough to attract a number of experts.

Wang Chen didn't want to waste too much time.

After all, staying in a chaotic place like Black Mark City for so long hadn't put Wang Chen in a particularly good mood.

He didn't intend to be a savior, but constantly witnessing the fighting and death would inevitably have some impact on Wang Chen.

"Alright. Then please attend the auction in three days."

After seeing that Wang Chen had made his decision, the old man from the Dou Wang didn't say anything more.

He simply took out an auction invitation and asked Wang Chen to remember to attend that auction.

As for forcibly seizing Wang Chen's pills, the old man of the Dou Wang did not have such an idea.

It's not that he's a good person, but rather that the benefits outweigh the costs.

The most important thing in an auction house is its reputation.

Once the reputation is ruined, the auction house is finished.

A mere Advanced Tier 6 Imperial Extreme Pill is not even enough to cover the losses incurred by the Black Mark Auction House from direct robbery.

Besides, none of the people who survive in Black Mark City are fools.

Someone who can so easily sell Imperial Extreme Pill —is that someone you can easily bully?

Regardless of whether the pills belonged to Wang Chen himself or whether someone sent Wang Chen to sell them.

That all indicates that there is an Advanced Alchemist behind this Imperial Extreme Pill.

Offending an Advanced Alchemist for the sake of a single pill is utterly foolish.

As for whether this Imperial Extreme Pill might be some kind of serendipitous encounter, obtained from some Alchemist's tomb?

Being able to become a senior appraiser at Black Mark Auction House is no easy feat.

When Dou Wang old man was examining the pill, he had already realized that the Imperial Extreme Pill was extremely potent and definitely not a pill that had been preserved for a long time.

That's why the old man, the Dou Wang, was so polite.

Otherwise, do you really think this Black Mark Auction House is some kind of benevolent place?

Three days later, Wang Chen entered the Black Mark Auction House directly using the auction invitation.

Over these three days, Black Mark Auction House has put a lot of effort into its promotion.

If it weren't for Wang Chen, the seller, insisting on the auction today, the Black Mark Auction House would never have rushed to promote the auction.

Even so, the allure of the Imperial Extreme Pill still drew four Dou Huang (Dou Emperor from various factions.

The auction began quickly.

Since it's only a weekly auction, there are basically no high-level treasures available.

Those Dou Emperor came here solely for the Imperial Extreme Pill that Wang Chen was auctioning.

Therefore, none of the four Dou Emperor spoke during the initial auction of low-level items.

It was Wang Chen who made the move and won a bid for an Exotic Metal item.

This thing is quite a good item for the Heavenly Demon Puppet.

Wang Chen encountered it, so naturally he wouldn't miss it.

Since alchemy is the mainstream practice in the Dou Qi Continent, this Exotic Metal has some value, but it is not very high.

After Wang Chen raised the price slightly, no one else followed suit.

Wang Chen acquired the Exotic Metal without spending much money.

The smaller items in the initial auction were quickly sold out.

The main attraction, and the final, most anticipated treasure, has finally appeared.

"I think everyone is aware of this treasure, so I won't waste any more words."

"The highly potent Advanced Tier 6 Imperial Extreme Pill is now officially up for auction."

"At the request of the pill's owner, priority will be given to exchanging it for medicinal herbs and various Exotic Metal, and we can also offer half a percent of the price."

Without wasting any words, the auctioneer stated the auction requirements and immediately began the auction.

Instantly, the four Dou Huang expert who had come for this pill began to place their bids.

Soon, the price of the Imperial Extreme Pill soared to five million gold coins.

Wang Chen wasn't surprised or odd about the speed at which the price had skyrocketed.

After all, in the world of the Dou Qi Continent, material possessions like money are somewhat important to various cultivation masters, but they are not the most important thing.

Especially in the chaotic Black-Corner Region, strength is the most important factor.

A fully-potent Imperial Extreme Pill can easily raise Dou Emperor by one or two minor levels.

For any Dou Emperor, this is an unparalleled temptation.

The temptation to easily save years or even decades of effort is immense.

Wang Chen, who was in the VIP room of the Black Mark Auction House, was in a very good mood as he watched the fierce competition below.