Chapter 216: Chapter 216: The Terror of the Dou God Clans

    ?

    Word Count: 3,300 Words

    ******

    A massive crystal cabinet slowly rose from the auction stage as the auctioneer''s voice fell. In front of the auctioneer appeared a longsword entirely azure in color. It reflected a chilling gleam under the illumination of the lights. Judging by the energy traces flowing along the blade, it was evident that this was a Monster Core Weapon meticulously forged by a renowned blacksmith.

    "This sword is called ''Cold Edge''. It is forged from millennium cold metal and is said to be able to cut iron like one would cut soil. Moreover, it is perfectly inlaid with a Rank 3 ice- attribute Monster Core. If wielded by someone cultivating water or ice attributes, their strength would undoubtedly ascend to a higher level. Powerful magical weapons are something that one must bring when venturing out. If any of you are interested, do not be reluctant to spend the money in your bags. Money is precious, of course, but only if you have your life to enjoy it."

    The old man held the azure longsword in his hand. The body of the sword, and a faint cold aura rose, forming a barely visible white mist. He turned to the audience and said with a smile, "The starting price is 100,000 gold coins. Let the bidding begin."

    ''A Monster Core Weapon, huh? From the description, it should be a Rank 3 weapon.'' Xiao Yan discreetly used his Spiritual Strength to scan it.

    Although alchemists and blacksmiths both manipulated flames to create items, Xiao Yan hadn''t studied the art of weapon forging.

    While he was pondering, the bidding for the Cold Edge sword on the auction stage reached its final price.

    "150,000 gold coins, going once."

    "150,000 gold coins, going twice. Are there any other bidders?" The auctioneer knew this was likely the limit. A Rank 3 Monster Core Weapon was suitable for a Dou Grandmaster, and someone at that realm wouldn''t possess immense wealth.

    Xiao Yan slowly raised his hand and said calmly, "200,000 gold coins."

    Xun Er was momentarily stunned. She looked at Xiao Yan, who was lazily reclining beside her, and asked, "Xiao Yan ge-ge, do you need a weapon?"

    Xiao Yan shook his head. "Given Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu''s current cultivation and combat strength, entering the Inner Academy shouldn''t be a problem. However, securing a spot in the top five still has some uncertainties. This longsword happens to suit Xiao Ning."

    "Can''t be helped. I only know how to refine pills, not forge weapons."

    He couldn''t personally handle everything. Over the past three months of special training, the siblings Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning were practically dragged along by him. He even provided them with Four Lines White Spirit Pills before barely managing to raise their cultivation levels to the 4-star Dou Grandmaster stage.

    But this was also his limit. After all, he was currently only a peak 5th-tier alchemist, and his limit was tier 5 medicinal pills.

    Moreover, in the coming days, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning needed to address the instability in their cultivation due to the rapid advancement from the pills. In other words, their cultivation levels had reached their peak and couldn''t be increased further.

    Therefore, he had no choice but to attend the auction to provide them with some external assistance.

    After Xiao Yan''s bid of 200,000 gold coins, there was naturally no one else competing. This price already exceeded the sword''s value.

    He couldn''t be bothered to incrementally increase the bid. His time was precious.

    "Xiao Ning, there are no sword techniques among the Dou Techniques I gave you. Before the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition, find Instructor Ruo Ling and ask her to arrange some basic swordsmanship training for you," Xiao Yan instructed plainly.

    "I understand, Little Clan Leader. I won''t disappoint your expectations!" Xiao Ning''s eyes flickered with determination. Although he didn''t know how powerful the Xiao Clan had been in the past, he could see that under Xiao Yan''s leadership, the clan would surely prosper! After the smooth conclusion of the first auction item, various dazzling treasures began appearing on the stage: treasure armors, Dou Techniques, Qi Methods, medicinal ingredients, and more. Xiao Yan bid and secured all weapons and defensive gear suitable for Dou Grandmasters use.

    There was even an auction item that left Xiao Yan somewhat stunned, because it turned out to be a young beauty. She was not very old, appearing perhaps around twenty two to twenty three years old. Her figure, however, had matured till it left one speechless. A small face, which was filled with timidness, instantly ignited the male desires of the men in the auction hall who were accustomed to daily slaughter. One by one, they turned into wolves. Finally, the bidding drove the price up to nearly 130,000 gold coins, causing the white-haired auctioneer on the stage to grin from ear to ear.

    Sitting on his soft chair, Xiao Yan indifferently watched the unsightliness around him and then closed his eyes slightly. He couldn''t concern himself with such matters. In the early stages of the auction, no truly exciting treasures appeared, and the bidders were mainly those seated at the back. The powerful factions with vast wealth in the front rows hadn''t made a single bid so far.

    It wasn''t until the latter half of the auction that the auctioneer carefully lifted a scroll made of ancient jade. Only then did Xiao Yan slowly open his eyes.

    ''That thing...'' Xiao Yan frowned. He had already sensed through his Spiritual Strength what kind of Dou Technique it was.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, the next item up for auction is something very rare nowadays. It''s a type of Dou Technique, but due to the loss of the crafting method, it has become extremely rare."

    Upon hearing the auctioneer''s introduction, even the leaders of the major factions in the front rows became interested.

    "That''s right, it''s the flying-type Dou Technique: Lightning Bat Sky Wings!"

    The hands of the auctioneer trembled. The scroll suddenly slide down and revealed its contents. At that instant, a pair of small-scaled, black-colored bat wings, which appeared to have a ghostly aura appeared in everyone''s sight.

    ''It''s indeed a flying-type Dou Technique...'' Xiao Yan exhaled deeply and murmured to

    himself as he stared at the exquisite pair of bat wings.

    A faint purplish lightning flickered within the dark bat wings. Some of the arcs appeared to be

    a substance-like lightning shape, appearing extremely mysterious.

    Once the so-called Lightning Bat Sky Wings appeared, the entire auction house became somewhat quiet. Those who were unaware appeared a little lost. However, a commotion broke out among those who had heard of flying-type Dou Techniques-such as the Blood Sect and the Black Skeleton Tomb seated at the front. Clearly, this item had caught their interest.

    After all, possessing this item would allow one to soar into the sky like a Dou King. It was simply an essential tool for killing and escaping!

    "This thing is interesting. I like it," the Blood Sect''s Young Sect Master Fan Ling muttered softly, his gaze fixed intently on the eerie bat wings as if they would fly out of the jade scroll

    at any moment.

    "Young Sect Master, the price of this flying-type Dou Technique probably won''t be less than a million gold coins. If we continue to spend like this, I''m afraid we''ll have trouble competing for the final item," the pale-faced old man beside Fan Ling whispered worriedly. "Why are you so anxious?" Fan Ling glanced at the old man and coldly laughed, "Since Father has already made preparations, that item will end up in our hands regardless of who wins it at the auction. That way, we might even save a large sum of money."

    "Sigh." The elder known as Elder Luo could only sigh helplessly and remain silent as he saw that his advice was in vain.

    Meanwhile, Xiao Yan also revealed a smile; he wanted this flying-type Dou Technique as well!

    Moreover, the upcoming auction items might soon include the Di Class Dou Technique he sought. He needed to create some momentum.

    "Ke ke, as you all know, flying-type Dou Techniques are extremely rare nowadays. After our deliberation, this Lightning Bat Sky Wings, if classified, should be considered a Low Xuan Class flying-type Dou Technique. Therefore, its starting price is set at one million gold coins. Let the bidding begin," the white-haired auctioneer announced with a smile.

    As soon as he finished speaking, the Blood Sect''s Young Sect Master Fan Ling stood up and shouted, "1.3 million!"

    His eyes swept across everyone present, conveying a clear message: Anyone who dares to compete with me will be making an enemy of the Blood Sect.

    The auction hall buzzed with murmurs. Although auction rules prohibited verbal threats, Fan Ling didn''t need to say anything; standing up was enough to convey everything.

    Under this price, the entire auction hall fell silent for a moment. Then, a bewitching laughter that seeped directly into one''s bones sounded, "Young Sect Master Fan Ling is indeed generous. However, our Sky Serpent Mansion is also quite interested in the Lightning Bat Sky Wings. Please excuse us. 1.4 million."

    It was the most renowned and sought-after pill among tier 5 pills!

    Everyone looked at Xiao Yan as if he were crazy. Using a Dou King Pill to bid for a Low Xuan Class Dou Technique scroll-what could be more extravagant than this? Even alchemists weren''t usually this lavish!

    "Does your so-called Blood Sect want to bid any higher?" Xiao Yan looked leisurely at Fan

    Ling, his voice calm and indifferent, as if he were talking about candy rather than a Dou King

    Pill.

    Fan Ling''s face was extremely grim at this moment. Although the Blood Sect wasn''t weak, a Dou King Pill wasn''t something he could easily produce. Even if they had one, it would have been immediately distributed. Moreover, the value of a Dou King Pill was too high; it simply wasn''t worth it.

    "Seems there''s no higher bid. Let''s conclude then," Xiao Yan said slowly.

    Xiao Yan''s arrogant attitude left people feeling helpless, but with such deep pockets, there

    was nothing they could do.

    Only Xun Er who sat beside Xiao Yan remained calm throughout. To her, the Dou King Pill wasn''t particularly valuable.

    "Xiao Yu, this flying-type Dou Technique is for you."

    "For me?" Xiao Yu was a bit stunned. That was several million gold coins. She thought Xiao

    Yan intended to use it himself.

    "Being able to fly gives you a significant advantage in the early stages."

    "Oh." Xiao Yu slowly lowered her head at his words, the corners of her mouth unconsciously

    curving upward.

    After the auction of the Lightning Bat Sky Wings-the biggest highlight so far-concluded,

    the subsequent items entered a lull. Although they still sold for decent prices, compared to the massive sums earlier, they could no longer evoke any excitement.

    Xiao Yan did not make any further bids either.

    "Ke ke, the thing that is going to be auctioned off next is somewhat strange. This is because

    even we cannot figure out exactly what its use is. However, after thorough examination by our auction house, we believe it resembles some kind of unknown treasure map." The auctioneer took out a tattered ancient sheepskin parchment.

    The moment the auctioneer produced the parchment, both Xiao Yan and Xun Er opened their

    eyes simultaneously. A wisp of black flame and a wisp of golden flame flashed through their pupils respectively.

    Sensing each other''s reactions, they looked at one another.

    "Xiao Yan ge-ge?"

    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan used spiritual transmission to say, "Xun Er, do you

    know what that is?"

    Xun Er''s delicate brows furrowed slightly. After lightly biting her lower lip, she replied, "If

    Xun Er hasn''t guessed wrong, that piece of sheepskin should be related to an extremely

    powerful Heavenly Flame."

    Xiao Yan sighed softly. These ancient Dou God Clans were truly formidable to even know about this.

    He no longer concealed anything. He took out the other two map fragments related to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame from his storage ring and placed them in Xun Er''s hand. Even Xun Er who had shown no interest in any auction items so far displayed a look of surprise

    upon seeing these two map fragments.

    "Xiao Yan ge-ge... you... have truly come upon a great opportunity." As a core member of a

    Dou God Clan, Xun Er naturally understood what the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame represented. This was the Heavenly Flame that all the Dou God Clans were keeping a close eye

    on.

    It was a unique, extremely powerful Heavenly Flame in the world. Xiao Yan gently patted the back of her hand and said, "If Xun Er wants it, I''ll give it to you. I

    haven''t bought anything for you at this auction; this seems just right."

    A warm current flowed through Xun Er''s heart. As an alchemist, Xiao Yan naturally knew the

    value of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, yet he was still willing to give the map fragments

    to her. Xun Er shook her head as she put the map fragments back into his hand and said, "This is Xiao Yan ge-ge''s opportunity. How could Xun Er take it away? However, if Xiao Yan ge-ge wants to obtain the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, you must be extremely cautious. The factions eyeing this Heavenly Flame are incredibly terrifying. Unless Xiao Yan ge-ge reaches the Dou

    Saint realm, you must not venture there."

    Xiao Yan''s heart sank upon hearing this. He had initially thought that no one knew the

    location of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame and that without the map, it would be impossible to reach. But from what Xun Er said, those Dou God Clans likely had the means to monitor the entire Dou Qi Continent.

    Once something they desired appeared, they would immediately discover and seize it. To

    these Dou God Clans, perhaps the entire Dou Qi Continent was just a backyard of sorts. Xiao Yan looked at the map fragments in his palm. The map fragments he had obtained through untold hardships turned out to be merely the starting point for others! ''So that means the Hun Clan is also monitoring the appearance of the Purifying Lotus Demon

    Flame? If I could learn what the Hun Clan knows and combine it with the map fragments,

    perhaps...''