Su Qian.
The First Elder of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy.
A genuine peak two-star Dou Zong.
Over the years, Jia Nan Academy had held the upper hand in its struggles against the many factions of the Black-Corner Region, and this man deserved much of the credit.
Fan Tian had been watching from a distance all along. In his memory, the Gold and Silver Elders in the original novel had been anything but harmless. At Han Feng's urging, they had led the experts of the Black-Corner Region straight into the Inner Academy and fought Su Qian on equal footing.
Whether they could win was one thing; whether they dared to fight was another. To fight and still emerge unscathed showed both courage and cunning.
In the original novel, if Xiao Yan and Yao Chen's soul had not intervened, Han Feng and his allies really would have succeeded in the battle at the Inner Academy.
These experts on the Black List had long grown accustomed to killing and fighting, to licking blood from the edges of blades. Like the drug dealers and gamblers of later times, they treated dangerous gambles as everyday fare, provided the rewards were great enough.
"Su Qian, you've gone too far! Jia Nan Academy isn't the only faction in the Black-Corner Region with a Dou Zong. Do you really think we're afraid of you?"
"Heh, gone too far? Jia Nan Academy has always persuaded others through reason. If you refuse to listen to reason, this old man knows a little about fists and feet, too."
"Exactly. The Sect Breaking Pill goes to the highest bidder. If you can afford the price, Mansion Master Fan will naturally give you the pill. Of course, if you want to play your little games instead, heh, we can all exchange a few moves!"
A sharp gleam shone in Hu Gan's eyes. This pill held an immense attraction for peak Dou Emperors like him.
Just as everyone reached an impasse, a low voice rang out from a corner. "Eight million gold coins!"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A young man in white robes held up a bidding paddle. The character for "emperor," embroidered at his cuff, was the size of a palm.
Beside the young man sat an old man with his eyes closed, dressed in an Alchemist's robes just like Han Feng.
Six golden stars glittered on his Alchemist's robes.
"Mo Ya, the young sect master of the Black Emperor Sect?"
"And Qi Shan, their chief Alchemist, who can refine Sixth-Grade Pills?"
"To think even a faction like the Black Emperor Sect couldn't sit still!"
The Black-Corner Region had three towering powers, all recognized as factions with Dou Zong strength. Aside from Jia Nan Academy, there were Demon Flame Valley and the Black Emperor Sect.
The valley master of Demon Flame Valley was said to be a figure from the same era as Jia Nan Academy's headmaster, Mang Tianchi. He was known as Earth Demon Old Ghost.
Demon Flame Valley and the Black Emperor Sect were the only two factions in the Black-Corner Region capable of standing toe to toe with Jia Nan Academy.
"Heh, to think Young Sect Master Mo Ya has already reached the Five-Star Dou Emperor realm. You truly put us to shame!"
"Master Qi Shan, I never imagined you would come as well. Apart from Demon Flame Valley, it seems everyone who ought to be at today's auction has arrived!"
"Old Sect Master Mo has been in seclusion for a long time. Has he been keeping well?"
These people had spent years navigating the Black-Corner Region. Even if they were constantly stabbing one another in the back behind closed doors, they still exchanged smiling pleasantries when they met.
Mo Ya wore a cold, proud expression, with the sharp spirit of youth in his features. His cultivation talent was exceptional. Despite his young age, he was already a Five-Star Dou Emperor, his cultivation rapidly catching up to the older generation of the Black-Corner Region.
"Heh, this junior greets you all. My father is in seclusion, seeking to break through to a higher realm. I came with Uncle Qi today because I wished to witness the Heavenly Mansion's splendor for myself!"
The Gold and Silver Elders frowned, their expressions instantly darkening. They might occupy the first and second positions on the Black List, but they truly could not throw their weight around before the Black Emperor Sect. Unlike Jia Nan Academy, the sect was also utterly ruthless in its methods.
Su Qian's expression shifted as well, but after glancing at Hu Gan, his gaze grew resolute once more.
The Thousand and Hundred Elders were merely in seclusion, not dead. If it truly came to a fight, Jia Nan Academy feared no one!
On the auction stage, the old man's booming voice rang through the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, eight million for the Sect Breaking Pill, going once!"
Everyone's eyes settled on the white jade bottle surrounded by several Dou Emperors.
"Eight million three hundred thousand!" Elder Qing of the Heavenly Snake Mansion called.
"Eight million four hundred thousand!" Gold Horn and Silver Horn exchanged a glance and raised the bid as well.
Immediately afterward, Hu Gan of Jia Nan Academy, Mo Ya of the Black Emperor Sect, and the representative of the Black Skull Tomb all began bidding.
All their factions had peak Dou Emperors among their ranks! Once someone from any one of them broke through to Dou Zong, the balance of power in the Black-Corner Region would undergo a tremendous change.
By now, the Sect Breaking Pill's value had already surpassed that of an ordinary Seventh-Grade Pill!
Such was the allure of a Dou Zong expert!
A sharp shout infused with Dou Qi rang out. "Ten million!"
The bid had jumped straight from nine million to ten million!
Everyone turned to look.
Han Feng slowly rose to his feet, his gaze cold and fierce as he surveyed everyone in the hall.
"Han Feng. Has he finally lost his patience?"
"Sure enough, this Alchemist who has spent years at the peak Dou Emperor realm has set aside his pride for the Sect Breaking Pill."
"Maple City might not compare to those three giants, but Han Feng's wealth is nothing to scoff at. They say he came from some major faction in the Central Plains. He already has substantial backing!"
Medicine Emperor Han Feng's bid drove the atmosphere throughout the auction hall to its peak!
Even the foremost Alchemist of the Black-Corner Region had to fight tooth and nail with everyone else for a crucial pill, just like anyone else!
Qi Shan of the Black Emperor Sect also looked toward Han Feng in astonishment. He was only an early sixth-grade Alchemist, and a considerable gap still separated him from Han Feng.
But every Alchemist had his own dignity and pride. He had never expected Han Feng to enter the bidding personally.
"Eleven million!"
Qi Shan clenched his fists. This price was already the Black Emperor Sect's limit!
Elder Qing of the Heavenly Snake Mansion licked her lips and finally gave up bidding. Although the Heavenly Snake Mansion was powerful-stronger than every faction here-she had come today on her own behalf, and her available funds were limited.
"Twelve million!"
The bidder was Su Qian.
Hu Gan had already given up. Beyond ten million, he lacked the means to bid any further. After all, he was only the deputy headmaster of the Outer Academy, and Jia Nan Academy was not his personal property.
Storm-tossed waves surged through Su Qian's heart, but his expression remained utterly unchanged.
As long as Jia Nan Academy could gain another Dou Zong, he was willing to smash his pots and sell the iron!
The air seemed to freeze!
The price of a high sixth-grade pill had now surpassed ten million, setting a new auction record for the Black-Corner Region after all these years.
Spittle flew from the white-haired auctioneer's mouth as he cried out in excitement, "Twelve million, going once!"
"Twelve million, going twice!"
"Twelve million, going thr-"
Suddenly, a fierce shout rang out, forcibly cutting off the auctioneer. "Fifteen million!"
Fan Tian's heart gave a jolt as well, and he looked toward Han Feng.
The Gold and Silver Elders, Han Feng, Fan Lao, and a dozen or so other leaders at the Dou Emperor level were huddled together, whispering among themselves!
Every so often, one of them pulled a stack of gold coins from his Storage Ring and handed it to Han Feng!
Meanwhile, Han Feng kept saying something to them, occasionally patting his chest as though making some sort of promise!
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