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  A massive crystal et slowly rose from the au stage as the aueer's voice fell. In front of the aueer appeared a longsword entirely azure in color. It reflected a chilling gleam uhe illumination of the lights. Judging by the energy traces flowing along the bde, it was evident that this was a Monster Core oiculously fed by a renowned bcksmith.

  "This sword is called 'Cold Edge'. It is fed from millennium etal and is said to be able to cut iron like one would cut soil. Moreover, it is perfectly inid with a Rank 3 ice-attribute Monster Core. If wielded by someone cultivating water or ice attributes, their strength would undoubtedly asd to a higher level. Powerful magical ons are something that one must bring wheuring out. If any of you are ied, do not be relut to spend the money in ys. Money is precious, of course, but only if you have your life to enjoy it."

  The old mahe azure longsword in his hand. The body of the sword, and a faint cold aura rose, f a barely visible white mist. He turo the audiend said with a smile, "The starting price is 100,000 gold s. Let the bidding begin."

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

  Although alchemists and bcksmiths both maniputed fmes to create items, Xiao Yan hadn't studied the art of on f.

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

  "150,000 gold s, going once."

  "150,000 gold s, going twice. Are there any other bidders?" The aueer khis was likely the limit. A Rank 3 Monster Core on was suitable for a Dou Grandmaster, and someo that realm wouldn't possess immense wealth.

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

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

  Xiao Yan shook his head. "Given Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu's current cultivation and bat strength, entering the Inner Academy shouldn't be a problem. However, seg a spot iop five still has some uaihis longsword happens to suit Xiao Ning."

  "'t be helped. I only know how to refine pills, not fe ons."

  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 medial pills.

  Moreover, in the ing days, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning o address the instability in their cultivatioo the rapid adva 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 au to provide them with some external assistance.

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

  He couldn't be bothered to ially increase the bid. His time recious.

  "Xiao Ning, there are no sword teiques among the Dou Teiques I gave you. Before the Inner Academy Qualifying petition, find Instructor Ruo Ling and ask her te some basianship training for you," Xiao Yan instructed pinly.

  "I uand, Little Leader. I won't disappoint your expectations!" Xiao Ning's eyes flickered with determination. Although he didn't knoerful the Xiao had been in the past, he could see that under Xiao Yan's leadership, the would surely prosper!

  After the smooth clusion of the first au item, various dazzling treasures began appearing oage: treasure armors, Dou Teiques, Qi Methods, medial ingredients, and more. Xiao Yan bid and secured all ons and defensive gear suitable for Dou Grandmasters use.

  There was even an au item that left Xiao Yan somewhat stunned, because it turned out to be a youy. 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 ighe male desires of the men in the au hall who were aced to daily sughter. One by ohey turned into wolves. Finally, the bidding drove the price up to nearly 130,000 gold s, causing the white-haired aueer oage 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 himself with such matters. In the early stages of the au, no truly exg treasures appeared, and the bidders were mainly those seated at the back. The powerful fas with vast wealth in the front rows hadn't made a single bid so far.

  It wasn't until the tter half of the au that the aueer carefully lifted a sade of a jade. Only then did Xiao Yan slowly open his eyes.

  'That thing...' Xiao Yan frowned. He had already sehrough his Spiritual Strength what kind of Dou Teique it was.

  "Ladies alemen, the item up for au is something very rare nowadays. It's a type of Dou Teique, but due to the loss of the craftihod, it has bee extremely rare."

  Upon hearing the aueer's introdu, even the leaders of the major fas in the front rows became ied.

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

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

  'It's indeed a flying-type Dou Teique...' 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, appeariremely mysterious.

  Ohe so-called Lightning Bat Sky Wings appeared, the entire au house became somewhat quiet. Those who were unaware appeared a little lost. However, a otion broke out among those who had heard of flying-type Dou Teiques—such as the Blood Sed the Bck Skeleton Tomb seated at the front. Clearly, this item had caught their i.

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

  "This thing is iing. I like it," the Blood Sect's You Master Fan Ling muttered softly, his gaze fixed ily on the eerie bat wings as if they would fly out of the jade scroll at any moment.

  "You Master, the price of this flying-type Dou Teique probably won't be less than a million gold s. If we tio spend like this, I'm afraid we'll have trouble peting for the final item," the pale-faan beside Fan Ling whispered worriedly.

  "Why are you so anxious?" Fan Ling g the old man and coldly ughed, "Siher has already made preparations, that item will end up in our hands regardless of who wins it at the au. That way, we might even save a rge 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 wahis flying-type Dou Teique as well!

  Moreover, the uping au items might soon include the Di Css Dou Teique he sought. He o create some momentum.

  "Ke ke, as you all know, flying-type Dou Teiques are extremely rare nowadays. After our deliberation, this Lightning Bat Sky Wings, if cssified, should be sidered a Low Xuan Css flying-type Dou Teique. Therefore, its starting price is set at one million gold s. Let the bidding begin," the white-haired aueer announced with a smile.

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

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

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

  Uhis price, the entire au hall fell silent for a moment. Then, a bewitg ughter that seeped directly into one's bones sounded, "You Master Fan Ling is indeed generous. However, our Sky Serpent Mansion is also quite ied in the Lightning Bat Sky Wings. Please excuse us. 1.4 million."

  Fan Ling's pale face couldn't help but ge slightly upon hearing this seductive voice. His eyes narrowed as he looked toward another area of the au hall. There, several voluptuous and graceful figures were curled up in plush chairs. Their soft waists were as alluring as water serpents.

  "Hehe, so it's Elder Qing from the Sky Serpent Mansion. It's really ued that you're participating in the au this year," Fan Ling said with a faux smile.

  "I have no choice. There are some things that one ot keep cealed. Don't you agree, You Master?" The alluring dy known as Elder Qing replied with a sly smile. Her enting figure caused a nefarious fme to dahin the hearts of quite a number of young men in the au house. If they were to press down this body of snake-like softness ahe soued from those moist-red lips, just how crazy would they bee?

  When the words 'Sky Serpent Mansion' reached his ears, a cold gleam fshed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He hadn't fotten about the matter with Qing Lin.

  'It's not the Dou Emperor from back then. This snake woman's strength is only at Dou King.'

  The woman called Elder Qing sensed Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength probing her. She frowned and looked toward his dire, 'Such powerful Spiritual Strength. Who is this person?'

  "1.9 million!" Fan Ling inhaled a deep breath of air and a morbid-like redness surfaced on his pale white face. His dense dark gaze stared at the enting and moving Elder Qing.

  "You Master Fan Ling is truly generous. 1.9 million. I hope you'll have enough funds left for ter." Elder Qing's expression subtly shifted at Fan Ling's test bid. Their purpose this time around was not the flying-type Dou Teique. Wasting too much money now was unwise, so she could only shrug aantly cede.

  "Hmph." Fan Li out a cold snort. He turned his gaze toward the crystal ptform and barked at the somewhat dazed aueer, "What are you waiting for?"

  "Oh! Ke ke, please don't be angry, You Master." The aueer was startled awake and hurriedly said with an apologetic smile.

  Just as the aueer was about t down the hammer, Xiao Yan g Fan Ling and said calmly, "2 million."

  !?

  Even the aueer was stunned as soon as Xiao Yan spoke. There was actually someone in the Bck-er Region who dared to snat item from the Blood Sect's You Master!!!

  The hall buzzed with astonishment. Xiao Yan had already purchased several items earlier, drawing some attention, but they were all items used by Dou Grandmasters.

  This time, however, was different. 2 million gold s far exceeded the total of his previous bids.

  Xiao Ning and the others looked at each other in disbelief. The Xiao turned out to be so wealthy!

  Fan Ling looked at Xiao Yan, who was dressed in a bck robe. For some reason, a deep sense of disgust welled up inside him.

  His face darkened upon hearing Xiao Yan's words. He couldn't help but say coldly, "2.1 million! Those who dare to pete with my Blood Seever meet a good end!"

  The aueer's expression ged slightly, but in the end, he chose not to intervehose so-called rules were merely used to bully ordinary people. When fag a powerful fa like the Blood Sect, he naturally chose to keep silent and py dumb.

  Xiao Yan zily g Fan Ling and said, "Blood Seever heard of suobodies. Even if I had, I wouldn't back down. Oier 5 pill."

  Hiss!! Tier 5 medial pill?!!

  Even the aueer's eyes tracted when he heard this bid. He was actually using a pill to bid!!

  One must know that a middle tier 4 pill like the Two-Lined Green Spirit Pill had a market price starting at least from 400,000 gold s, while the Three-Lined Green Spirit Pill would double that, with a base price of 800,000.

  As for tier 5 pills, they were even more valuable. Even the lowest-grade tier 5 pill started at over 2 million gold s, and that's just the minimum. Typically, they'd be priced 20% to 50% higher.

  As long as the aueer wasn't a fool, he'd uand what a tier 5 pill was worth.

  Fan Ling's face ged as he thought to himself, 'No wonder I felt a hint of dread. This fellow is an alchemist; he probably really has a formidable fire seed within him.'

  Many people guessed Xiao Yan's identity, as only alchemists would use pills for transas.

  Fan Ling's eyes turned cold. He snorted, "I also have a tier 5 pill! A tier 5 pill plus 100,000 gold s!"

  The hall erupted once more. The petition was intense!

  Xiao Yan chuckled coldly and said, "You've misuood. The tier 5 pill I'm is a Dou King Pill."

  ! ! ! ! ! !

  "A Dou King Pill?!!" Xiao Yan's words caused an uproar. All eyes focused on him.

  He was actually a high-grade 5th-tier alchemist capable of refining Dou King Pills!!

  There were only a handful of 5th-tier alchemists iire Bck-er Region! Everyone begaing about Xiao Yan's identity.

  Even Xiao Yu beside Xiao Yan was greatly astohis was a high-grade tier 5 Dou King Pill!

  Even though they hadn't reached the Dou King realm, they khe value of a Dou King Pill. 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 Css Dou Teique scroll—what could be more extravagant than this?

  Even alchemists weren't usually this vish!

  "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 dy 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 o 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 clude 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 particurly valuable.

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

  "For me?" Xiao Yu was a bit stuhat was several million gold s. She thought Xiao Yan inteo use it himself.

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

  "Oh." Xiao Yu slowly lowered her head at his words, the ers of her mouth unsciously curving upward.

  After the au of the Lightning Bat Sky Wings—the biggest highlight so far—cluded, the subsequent items entered a lull. Although they still sold for det prices, pared to the massive sums earlier, they could no longer evoke aement.

  Xiao Yan did not make any further bids either.

  "Ke ke, the thing that is going to be aued off is somewhat strahis is because even we ot figure out exactly what its use is. However, after thh examination by our au house, we believe it resembles some kind of unknown treasure map." The aueer took out a tattered a sheepskin part.

  The moment the aueer produced the part, both Xiao Yan and Xun Er opeheir eyes simultaneously. A wisp of bck fme and a wisp of golden fme fshed through their pupils respectively.

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

  "Xiao Yan ge-ge?"

  After p 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 reted to aremely powerful Heavenly Fme."

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

  He no longer cealed anything. He took out the other t fragments reted to the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme from his ste ring and pced them in Xun Er's hand.

  Even Xun Er who had shown no i in any au items so far dispyed a look of surprise upon seeing these t fragments.

  "Xiao Yan ge-ge... you... have truly e upon a great opportunity." As a ember of a Dou God , Xun Er naturally uood what the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme represehis was the Heavenly Fme that all the Dou God s were keeping a close eye on.

  It was a unique, extremely powerful Heavenly Fme in the world.

  Xiao Yaly 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 au; this seems just right."

  A warm current flowed through Xun Er's heart. As an alchemist, Xiao Yan naturally khe value of the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme, yet he was still willing to give the map fragments to her.

  Xun Er shook her head as she put the map fragments bato his hand and said, "This is Xiao Yan ge-ge's opportunity. How could Xuake it away? However, if Xiao Yan ge-ge wants to obtain the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme, you must be extremely cautious. The fas eyeing this Heavenly Fme are incredibly terrifying. Unless Xiao Yan ge-ge reaches the Dou Saint realm, you must not vehere."

  Xiao Yan's heart sank upon hearing this. He had initially thought that no one khe location of the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme and that without the map, it would be impossible to reach. But from what Xun Er said, those Dou God s likely had the means to monitor the entire Dou Qi ti.

  Onething they desired appeared, they would immediately discover and seize it. To these Dou God s, perhaps the entire Dou Qi ti was just a backyard of sorts.

  Xiao Yan looked at the map fragments in his palm. The map fragments he had obtaihrough untold hardships turned out to be merely the starting point for others!

  'So that means the Hun is also monit the appearance of the Purifying Lotus Demon Fme? If I could learn what the Hun ows and bi with the map fragments, perhaps...'