More importantly.
Deep sea mother gold could withstand powerful surges of Soul Power.
If Tang San could obtain it, he could make a stronger Godly Zhuge Crossbow.
He could even try forging new hidden weapons.
But the price of this piece of deep sea mother gold had already exceeded his budget.
"Six million five hundred thousand."
Tang San raised the paddle in his hand.
Yu Xiaogang, who sat beside him, looked over.
"Tang San, are you sure you want to buy it?"
"Teacher, this metal is very important to me."
"The academy doesn't have that much funding right now."
Yu Xiaogang frowned.
Shrek Academy had only just entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Many cultivation resources needed to be rearranged.
They were not flush with Gold Soul Coins.
Tang San did not answer.
His gaze remained fixed on the deep sea mother gold.
"Six million eight hundred thousand."
Someone on the other side raised the bid.
Tang San raised his paddle again.
"Seven million."
This was already close to all the funds he could mobilize.
The auction hall fell silent.
The people who had raised the price earlier no longer spoke.
The Red-Dressed Woman raised the Golden Small Hammer.
"Seven million Gold Soul Coins, going once."
"Seven million Gold Soul Coins, going twice."
Inside a VIP room on the second floor.
Ning Xian lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip.
Dugu Yan immediately turned her head.
"Senior."
"Mm."
"Can we bid now?"
Ning Xian looked toward the auction stage.
"Eight million."
Dugu Yan immediately picked up the numbered paddle on the table.
She did not call out herself, but handed it to the maid.
The maid walked to the VIP room's doorway and raised the paddle.
"VIP room two, eight million Gold Soul Coins."
The auction hall was silent.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the second floor at once.
Eight million Gold Soul Coins.
This already exceeded the deep sea mother gold's original value.
Tang San raised his head.
His fingers stopped at the edge of his paddle.
Eight million Gold Soul Coins already exceeded all his funds.
"Eight million five hundred thousand."
A noble below gritted his teeth and raised the bid.
Ning Xian did not look at that man.
"Nine million."
Dugu Yan handed the paddle to the maid again.
The maid immediately announced the price.
The noble below paled.
He lowered his head and discussed it briefly with the person beside him, then finally put down his paddle.
The Red-Dressed Woman looked toward the second floor.
"Nine million Gold Soul Coins, going once."
Tang San's gaze settled on that VIP room.
He could not clearly see the person inside.
He could only see a white sleeve and Dugu Yan sitting beside that person.
"Teacher."
Tang San lowered his voice.
"I still need three million Gold Soul Coins."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"The academy can't provide that."
"Then I can borrow it from Teacher Qin Ming."
"Qin Ming doesn't have that much money either."
Tang San fell silent.
He looked back at Flender behind him.
Noticing his gaze, Flender gently shook his head.
Nine million Gold Soul Coins was simply not a sum they could produce.
Tang San lowered his eyes.
He had already confirmed that the person in the second-floor VIP room was not from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
If the Heaven Dou Imperial Family wanted the deep sea mother gold, they would never have arranged for only an ordinary VIP room.
That person had only one Soul Master and Dugu Yan beside him.
No attendants.
No guards.
His clothing was also very ordinary.
At most, he was a minor noble from Heaven Dou City.
Yet a minor noble was actually willing to spend nine million Gold Soul Coins on a piece of metal.
A trace of doubt flashed through Tang San's mind.
"Nine million five hundred thousand."
He raised his paddle again.
After he spoke, Tang San's expression had become extremely grave.
This was the very last sum he could produce.
In the auction hall, everyone turned to look at Tang San.
Inside the second-floor VIP room.
Dugu Yan turned her head.
"Someone raised the bid again."
"Mm."
"Nine million five hundred thousand."
"Continue."
Ning Xian spoke calmly.
Dugu Yan picked up the numbered paddle.
"Nine million six hundred thousand."
On the auction stage, the Red-Dressed Woman immediately announced the price.
Tang San's expression changed.
"Nine million seven hundred thousand."
He raised his paddle again.
This time, Yu Xiaogang immediately held down his wrist.
"Tang San, you can't bid any higher."
Tang San lowered his head to look at the paddle.
"Teacher, this material can increase the power of my hidden weapons."
"Your hidden weapons aren't finished yet."
"Only once they're finished can it serve its purpose."
"But there's only this one piece of deep sea mother gold."
Tang San raised his head.
"If I miss it, it'll be hard for me to find the same material again."
Yu Xiaogang did not answer.
He knew Tang San had a point.
But Shrek Academy truly had no more funds.
Inside the second-floor VIP room.
Ning Xian looked toward the auction stage.
"What does this mean?"
Dugu Yan immediately understood.
She raised the numbered paddle again.
"Ten million Gold Soul Coins."
The auction hall fell utterly silent.
Ten million Gold Soul Coins.
After that figure was announced, no one raised a paddle again.
Tang San sat below.
His hand hung in midair.
That piece of deep sea mother gold was only a few steps away from him.
But he no longer had the means to keep raising the bid.
The Red-Dressed Woman confirmed it three times in succession.
"VIP room two bids ten million Gold Soul Coins."
"Ten million Gold Soul Coins, going once."
"Ten million Gold Soul Coins, going twice."
"Ten million Gold Soul Coins, going three times."
The Golden Small Hammer fell.
"Sold."
Two guards delivered the deep sea mother gold to the second-floor VIP room.
Ning Xian took out a golden crystal card.
The maid accepted it with both hands.
A moment later, the transaction was complete.
Ning Xian picked up the deep sea mother gold.
The instant the metal landed in his palm, the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda trembled gently.
Within the fourth floor's space.
The two great Dragon Kings opened their eyes at the same time.
Crimson and azure patterns rapidly spread.
A wisp of deep blue light passed through the pagoda and entered the deep sea mother gold.
Fine, dense xuanhuang patterns emerged on the surface of the deep sea mother gold.
Ning Xian put the metal away.
The Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda fell quiet again.
Dugu Yan watched his movements.
"Senior, what are you going to do with it now that you've bought it?"
"Fuse it into the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda."
"Can it make the Ancient Tower stronger?"
"Yes."
Dugu Yan nodded.
"Then those ten million Gold Soul Coins were well spent."
"Mm."
The auction continued.
Ning Xian did not stay any longer.
He rose and headed for the door.
Dugu Yan followed, taking his arm of her own accord.
"Senior, are we going back now?"
"We'll pick up the wine first."
"All right."
The two left the VIP room.
Below.
Tang San stared at the door of that VIP room.
The deep sea mother gold had already been taken away.
Despite the Gold Soul Coins he had spent years saving, he could not even make one final bid.
Yu Xiaogang patted his shoulder.
"Tang San, there will be other materials in the future."
Tang San did not answer.
His gaze settled on the direction Ning Xian had left in.
That man in white had never shown his face.
From beginning to end, Dugu Yan had raised the bidding paddle for him.
That meant he did not care about ten million Gold Soul Coins at all.
Nor did he think anything of anyone else in the auction house.
That piece of deep sea mother gold should have belonged to him.
But now, the other man had simply bought it with Gold Soul Coins.
Tang San's gaze gradually darkened.
"Teacher."
"What is it?"
"Who is that man?"
"I don't know."
Yu Xiaogang looked toward the VIP room.
"Judging by his clothes, he probably isn't from a major sect."
"Perhaps he's just some noble from Heaven Dou City."
Tang San asked no more.
He withdrew his gaze.
Outside the auction house.
Ning Xian led Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan down the steps.
Dugu Yan held his arm, her emerald-green dress swaying gently with her steps.
"Senior."
"Mm."
"The man bidding against you just now kept staring at us."
"I saw."
"He couldn't afford it, but he kept raising the bid."
"He wanted the deep sea mother gold."
Dugu Yan looked up at Ning Xian.
"Then will he cause trouble for us?"
"He will."
"You know that?"
"His eyes already said it."
Dugu Yan stopped walking.
Ning Xian stopped as well.
She turned to look toward the auction house entrance.
Tang San and the others were coming out.
Tang San stood among the crowd, his gaze settling on Ning Xian.
Their eyes met across the street.
Ning Xian gave him only a glance before looking away.
"Let's go."
Dugu Yan took his arm again.
She glanced back at Tang San.
Tang San was still standing where he was.
His gaze fell on Ning Xian, then shifted to the arm Dugu Yan was holding.
That piece of deep sea mother gold should have become his.
Yet with a single sentence, Ning Xian had raised the price to ten million Gold Soul Coins.
The other man had bought the material.
And brought all his plans to nothing.
Tang San watched Ning Xian's retreating figure grow more distant.
As far as he knew, the other man was merely a minor noble with Poison Douluo at his side.
A minor noble, yet he possessed wealth far beyond that of ordinary people.
A piece of deep sea mother gold that could enhance the power of hidden weapons had fallen into his hands, just like that.
Tang San slowly withdrew his gaze.
His fingers curled closed inside his sleeves.
"That piece of deep sea mother gold should belong to me."
Heaven Dou City.
After leaving the auction house, Ning Xian did not return to the restaurant where he had been staying.
Dugu Bo owned a manor in the city.
The manor stood in the western part of the city and did not occupy a particularly large area, with plants suitable for poison-attribute Soul Masters' cultivation growing all around it.
Inside and outside the courtyard walls were poison formations Dugu Bo had personally set up.
Ordinary Soul Masters who trespassed would find it difficult to leave alive.
Holding Ning Xian's arm, Dugu Yan led him through the front courtyard.
"Senior, this is where Grandpa and I live."
"It isn't very big, but it's quiet."
Ning Xian glanced around.
Most of the plants growing in the courtyard were poisonous.
Several emerald-green vines climbed the stone wall, tiny poisonous thorns hidden beneath their leaves.
Several venomous snakes, dark green from head to tail, were also kept in the pond.
Ning Xian walked past the pond.
The venomous snakes immediately submerged themselves, not daring to show their heads.
Dugu Yan noticed this.
She turned her face to look at Ning Xian.
"Senior, they seem very afraid of you."
"They aren't afraid of me."
"Then what are they afraid of?"
"The Dragon Kings in the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda."
Traces of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings' aura remained within Ning Xian's body.
Sensing the Dragon Kings' oppressive presence, ordinary snake Soul Beasts naturally did not dare approach.
Dugu Yan lowered her head to look at the pond.
"They usually even dare to bite the manor's guards."
"Now they're behaving themselves."
Dugu Bo walked behind them.
"I brought all these venomous snakes back from Sunset Forest."
"The one with the highest cultivation is already close to a thousand years old."
Ning Xian stopped beside the pond.
"Their bloodlines are too poor."
Dugu Bo glanced beneath the water.
"You're right, Senior."
"I originally wanted to raise a Soul Beast suitable for Yanyan."
"Unfortunately, the stronger a venomous snake's bloodline, the harder its poison is to control."
Dugu Yan shook her head lightly.
"I don't want to keep snakes."
"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor is enough trouble already."
She released Ning Xian's arm and stepped ahead.
Her emerald-green dress hugged her waist, a gold-thread sash hanging at its side.
Her dark-green hair swayed gently as she walked.
Dugu Yan turned around and took a few steps backward.
"Senior, why don't you stay in the courtyard to the east?"
"It's very close to my room."
Dugu Bo immediately coughed.
"Yanyan."
"The courtyard to the west is quieter."
Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather.
"Senior isn't afraid of a little noise."
"Besides, the eastern courtyard is bigger."
Dugu Bo opened his mouth.
In the end, he looked at Ning Xian.
"Where would you like to stay, Senior?"
"Either is fine."
Ning Xian had no requirements for his lodgings.
The Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda already contained a complete space within it.
Even if he did not stay at Dugu Manor, he could enter the Ancient Tower at any time.
Dugu Yan immediately came to Ning Xian's side.
"Then you'll stay in the East Courtyard."
She reached out and took hold of Ning Xian's sleeve.
"Senior, I'll take you there."
Ning Xian followed her through the covered walkway.
Dugu Bo stood where he was, watching their retreating figures.
He suddenly felt that bringing Ning Xian back to the manor might not turn out to be an easy matter.
The East Courtyard.
A tall begonia tree grew in the courtyard.
Its branches were covered in pink-and-white blossoms.
A few petals blew down in the wind, landing on the bluestone path.
Dugu Yan pushed open the door.
The room was very neatly arranged.
A bed, desk, and wardrobe were all provided.
A green jade incense burner also stood on the desk.
A faint medicinal fragrance drifted from the incense burner.
"Senior, this used to be a guest room."
"I've already had someone replace the bedding."
Dugu Yan walked to the window and pushed it open.
A flowering begonia branch extended through the window.
Several clusters of pink-and-white blossoms rested beside her shoulder.
She had not tied up her hair that day.
Her dark green hair fell to her waist, overlapping the pinkish-white petals.
Dugu Yan reached out and snapped off a small sprig of crabapple blossoms.
She returned to Ning Xian.
"Does it look good?"
"The flowers?"
"Me."
Dugu Yan held the flowering sprig beside her ear.
Her emerald eyes gazed at Ning Xian, waiting for his answer.
"Yes."
Ning Xian glanced at her.
Dugu Yan smiled with her lips pressed together.
She tucked the crabapple blossoms into her hair.
The pinkish-white petals rested against her dark green hair, lending a touch of softness to her already striking face.
"As long as you like it, Senior."
Ning Xian walked over to the table.
He raised his hand and took out the Deep Sea Mother Gold.
The fist-sized piece of metal landed on the tabletop.
The moisture in the room immediately gathered toward it.
A fine layer of water droplets soon covered the surface of the deep blue metal.
Dugu Yan walked over to the table.
She bent down and studied the Deep Sea Mother Gold closely.
Her long hair slipped from her shoulder.
A few strands brushed across the back of Ning Xian's hand.
"Senior, are you going to fuse it into the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda now?"
"Yes."
"May I watch from beside you?"
"You may."
Ning Xian raised his hand.
The Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda appeared in his palm.
The four-story Ancient Tower rotated slowly.
Mystic Yellow Radiance fell upon the Deep Sea Mother Gold.
The deep blue metal rose from the tabletop.
Layers of its metal shell broke apart on their own, turning into countless tiny points of light.
Dugu Yan moved a little closer.
Her shoulder was already touching Ning Xian's arm.
Mystic Yellow Radiance shone on her face.
Her fair skin took on a faint golden sheen.
"Which floor will it go into?"
"The third."
"Not the fourth?"
"The fourth floor holds the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings and the Immortal Herbs."
Ning Xian watched the Deep Sea Mother Gold as it continued to break apart.
"Deep Sea Mother Gold is suited to stabilizing space."
"Fusing it into the third floor will allow the Stars Pattern to connect with the Water Vein."
Before you continue