The night passed without incident.
The next day, the door to the Cultivation Room on the top floor of the Nine Dragon Tower slowly opened.
Shen Yan stretched and walked out, a satisfied expression on his face.
"That felt great!"
He loosened his limbs, feeling the increased Soul Power within him, and grinned.
"Tenfold time really is different. In just one day, my Soul Power went straight from level 11 to level 12."
Although he had only gained one level, he had not taken anything at all yet.
Once he had immortal herbs, he would definitely advance even faster.
He walked to the center of the main chamber and called out into the air.
"Little Tower, the auction is about to begin, right? Have all the participants arrived?"
As his words fell, the screen of light before him flashed, and an image appeared.
In the image, a sea of heads milled outside the Nine Dragon Tower.
Shen Yan leaned closer, looking them over one by one with interest.
"Oh, Xue Ye is leading the group himself, and Qian Renxue is here too."
Shen Yan stroked his chin. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has arrived too, with both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo in tow. Quite the procession."
"Dugu Bo, that old monster moved pretty fast. I wonder if he'll trade immortal herbs for it."
Shen Yan smiled and continued scanning the crowd. "That's Prince Xue Xing, right?"
"The three education commissioners from Heaven Dou Royal Academy are here too."
"The people from the Four Elemental Academies have arrived too..."
Shen Yan's gaze lingered a few seconds longer on the three women from Skywater Academy.
The headmistress at the front looked about the same age as the other two girls.
But her figure was more mature.
To her left was a blue-haired girl with a cool demeanor, and to her right was a girl with short blue hair.
"I heard that academy is full of beauties. I'll have to find a chance to take a look."
Outside the Nine Dragon Tower.
People from the various factions gathered in twos and threes, sizing up those around them.
"Sect Master Ning, I trust you've been well."
Prince Xue Xing approached with a smile and cupped his hands toward Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and returned the greeting.
"You're too courteous, Your Highness. I didn't expect even you to come in person."
"For a divine treasure like a God-bestowed Soul Ring, this may be the only chance to see one. Naturally, I had to join the excitement."
Xue Beng, who stood beside him, also gave Ning Fengzhi a slight nod.
Ning Fengzhi responded with a smile.
Not far away, the three education commissioners from Heaven Dou Royal Academy stood together, and Meng Shenji spoke gravely.
"To think so many powerful figures have come. It looks like we'll most likely just be making up the numbers."
Zhi Lin glanced around and spoke softly.
"Where are the people from Spirit Hall? Surely they wouldn't pass up this opportunity?"
The people from the Four Elemental Academies had also gathered in their respective groups.
Among those from Skywater Academy, the blue-haired girl Shui Bing'er scanned her surroundings.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she spoke quietly to the headmistress before her.
"The imperial family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are both here. I'm afraid our Skywater Academy won't be much competition."
Xue Wu pursed her lips. "We're already here. We might as well enjoy the spectacle."
Headmistress Shui Qingshuang also nodded gently.
"That's right. I brought you out this time mainly so you could see what a God-bestowed Soul Ring is."
"If we can secure it, all the better."
On the surface, everyone was perfectly cordial.
But each of them swore inwardly that they had to secure today's God-bestowed Soul Ring.
Dugu Bo tightened his grip slightly on the Wishing Treasure Pouch in his hand.
I brought every herb in the medicinal garden that could be dug up. I must secure this God-bestowed Soul Ring for Yanyan!
Just then.
Three figures appeared out of thin air in the sky.
At their head was a blond old man in golden robes, with a dignified face and eyes like lightning.
Two old men followed behind him, one as powerfully built as a crocodile, the other as lean as a crane.
The three descended slowly, stepping through the void one stride at a time.
With each step, a ripple of Soul Power visible to the naked eye spread through the air.
The entire crowd instantly fell silent.
Every gaze focused on those three figures, and a rich variety of expressions crossed their faces.
"Q-Qian Daoliu?!"
Dugu Bo's voice trembled, and the Wishing Treasure Pouch in his hand nearly fell to the ground.
The pupils of Ning Fengzhi and the others abruptly contracted.
Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined, the level 99 Peerless Douluo, Qian Daoliu!
The two behind him were the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the Third Offering, Azure Luan Douluo!
Three Titled Douluo, all among the very strongest, had actually appeared here together!
An invisible aura spread from the three of them, pressing down on everyone's hearts as though it had tangible substance.
Every Soul Master present, regardless of level, felt a pressure that reached deep into their soul.
Those below Titled Douluo turned pale, even finding it difficult to breathe.
Even someone at the Soul Saint level like Ning Fengzhi felt immense pressure.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong stepped forward to shield Ning Fengzhi, staring solemnly at the three men in the sky.
"The Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall has come in person."
Chen Xin said quietly, "It seems Spirit Hall is determined to secure it."
On the top floor of the Nine Dragon Tower.
Looking at the golden figure standing in midair on the screen, Shen Yan could not help feeling somewhat awed too.
"So this is Spirit Hall's Peerless Douluo, Qian Daoliu?"
He clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk. Even he came!"
"Perfect timing!"
Shen Yan rubbed his hands together.
"A level 99 Peerless Douluo must have an enormous fortune. Today's God-bestowed Soul Ring will definitely fetch an astronomical price!"
Outside the tower.
Qian Daoliu and the other two slowly landed.
His gaze swept across the crowd, and wherever it passed, everyone instinctively lowered their heads.
No one dared to speak.
Outside the Nine Dragon Tower, not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.
Just then, a deep, resonant voice came from the Nine Dragon Tower itself, ringing out across the entire area.
"The time has come. The auction is about to begin. Please enter, everyone."
As the voice faded, a red Void Gate slowly appeared on the wall of the Nine Dragon Tower's first floor.
Red light swirled within the gate, obscuring the scene inside.
Yet no one moved.
Gazes turned toward Qian Daoliu in unspoken unison.
What a joke. With such a towering figure standing here, who would dare enter first?
Qian Daoliu glanced expressionlessly at the red Void Gate, said nothing, and walked straight toward it.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and Azure Luan Douluo followed close behind.
Only after the three figures disappeared through the gate did everyone outside breathe a collective sigh of relief.
"Phew-"
Prince Xue Xing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"That scared me half to death. Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined actually came in person. Who would dare compete with him?"
Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile. "Let's go inside and take a look first."
Only then did everyone walk toward the Void Gate in twos and threes.
Inside a private room on the first floor of the Nine Dragon Tower.
The instant Qian Daoliu stepped into the private room, his expression changed drastically.
He abruptly tried to circulate his Soul Power, only to find nothing there.
He could no longer sense even a trace of the vast, ocean-like Soul Power within his body!
"What's going on?!"
Qian Daoliu cried out involuntarily, "My Soul Power... is gone?!"
He sharply looked down at his hands, then tried to summon his Martial Soul.
There was still no response.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and Azure Luan Douluo beside him were in the same situation, their expressions turning exceedingly grim.
"Could it really be a trap?"
For the first time, shock appeared in Qian Daoliu's eyes.
"This tower... just where did it come from?"
Qian Daoliu spoke gravely, his gaze becoming incomparably solemn.
Before you continue