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As Qian Renhan quietly circulated his energy through his meridians while practicing the Imprint Art in the VIP section, he naturally sensed a cold, piercing gaze fixed upon him. But he paid it no mind. If someone dared block his path, he'd just kill them—simple as that. For now, his real concern remained the next wave of pursuers from the Ancient Clan.
After a while, a crisp chime suddenly rang out from the center of the auction hall. The sound echoed, swaying gently across the venue and gradually suppressed the loud, chaotic noise of the crowd.
As the chime faded, a ring of energy began to rise slowly from the auction platform, eventually forming a barrier that resembled a cage, sealing off the stage. This was a security measure—most people in the Black-Corner Region acted without fear or law, and robbery during auctions had occurred more than once. Though the Black Emperor Sect wasn't a minor force, caution was still necessary. The items being auctioned this time were far too valuable. Any mishap would bring unbearable disgrace upon the sect.
"It's finally starting?" Qian Renhan murmured, his expression shifting slightly as he continued studying the Ocean-Flipping Seal. Now that he had handed over his item, there was no use getting anxious before the auction concluded.
"Heh, I am Mo Tianxing. I imagine many of you already know me," said the elderly man, stepping onto the stage. "Today, as my Black Emperor Sect hosts this grand auction, I offer my heartfelt thanks to all our guests for your support."
As Mo Tianxing spoke, his gaze slowly swept across the venue, pausing slightly on certain individuals. His hearty laugh echoed clearly in every attendee's ears.
"Heh, I'm sure all of you have been eagerly anticipating this auction, so I won't bore you with unnecessary pleasantries," Mo Tianxing continued with a faint smile. "However, allow me to remind everyone of the rules. I'm certain you all know them well. If any fool dares to cause trouble on my Black Emperor Sect's turf—mark my words—I will make sure they find no way to live and no chance to die!"
Following this formal declaration, a number of beautiful maids entered the stage like fluttering butterflies, each carrying a silver tray with both hands. They gracefully placed the trays on the auction pedestal with utmost respect.
"Hehe, now for our auction's appetizer—a scroll of Sonic Battle Qi," the white-haired elder said cheerfully, pointing to a scroll resting in the silver tray before him. The scroll was pristine white, hinting at its high quality.
Upon hearing it was a sonic-type technique, Qian Renhan initially looked up, but upon learning that it was only a low-level Xuan-rank skill, he lost interest. Sonic techniques were certainly effective—particularly at close range where they could catch opponents off guard—but this one's rank was simply too low to be of value to him.
As time passed, the atmosphere within the auction hall grew increasingly fervent. By now, the auction items had elevated to high-grade treasures. The prices soared to sky-high levels that were unimaginable for ordinary attendees. Most present could now only watch the spectacle, resigned to being mere spectators. Still, watching major powers fight tooth and nail over rare items made the trip worthwhile.
After a round of intense monetary bidding, the auction transitioned into its second phase—bartering with items of equal value.
The white-haired elder grinned and said, "Hehe, I imagine many of you have already heard that the Blood Sect has been destroyed. I'm sure quite a few among you have suffered at their hands. What we're auctioning next is their core cultivation technique—a low-level Earth-rank battle skill, Blood Devouring Art."
"According to the individual who wiped out the Blood Sect, he is seeking an alchemy pill formula, a full set of medicinal ingredients, and a sword-type battle technique in exchange. Let the bidding begin."
Upon hearing this, many factions began whispering among themselves. Who hadn't suffered losses to the Blood Sect? Their twisted ways were infamous throughout the Black-Corner Region. However, their cultivation method came with significant flaws—it required killing and blood absorption to build power. Additionally, the skill and battle techniques needed to be used in conjunction, or else their effectiveness would be severely limited.
The alchemists present didn't even glance at the Blood Sect's items. Despite the skill being Earth-rank, most alchemists specialized in fire attributes. To them, Blood Sect techniques were utterly useless—even if given for free. There was no way they'd trade away their precious pill formulas and ingredients for something so irrelevant.
While some looked down on the Blood Sect's legacy, many others were quite eager to obtain it, and soon a flurry of bids filled the hall.
"Mid-tier Xuan-rank sword-type battle technique, plus two sets of tier-four medicinal ingredients!"
"High-tier Xuan-rank sword-type battle technique, plus two sets of tier-four medicinal ingredients!"
In the end, the Blood Devouring Art from the Blood Sect was exchanged for a high-tier Xuan-rank sword-type battle technique, one set of tier-four medicinal ingredients, and one set of tier-five medicinal ingredients.
Next came the auction of the Blood Sect's martial techniques and cultivation methods. The auction organizers were clearly shrewd—they bundled them all together for a high starting bid, forcing the sect that had just acquired the Blood Devouring Art to bleed heavily again to buy the rest. However, that sect could count itself fortunate—no one else was competing for those sinister techniques.
Once the Blood Sect items were auctioned off, a tense atmosphere settled over the venue. Nearly everyone in the VIP section was now fully alert. Elders from Jia Nan Academy, experts from Demon Flame Valley, Eight-Gates Sect, and various top-tier alchemists—all were poised and watching.
The white-robed elder smiled again as the floor of the auction platform rumbled with the low grinding of metal gears. Slowly, the stage split open, and a parchment scroll wrapped in a glowing aura rose up from below.
"Hehe, ladies and gentlemen, this is the grand finale of today's auction—a sixth-tier alchemist's personal insights. Personally verified by the Alchemy Emperor Han Feng himself. It's absolutely genuine and holds a thirty percent chance of enabling a peak fifth-tier alchemist to break through to sixth-tier!"
As the elder's voice rang out, the atmosphere in the auction hall reached a fever pitch, to the point where it seemed the roof might be blown clean off.
The Black Emperor Pavilion naturally welcomed such excitement. Even though the item didn't belong to them, the higher the barter price, the higher the commission they would collect from Qian Renhan. Moreover, it enhanced their credibility and reputation, drawing more people to auction here in the future. A win-win situation.
Besides, when the Black Emperor Sect had appraised this sixth-tier alchemist's insights, all their fifth-tier alchemists had pored over it thoroughly—in other words, they had "freeloaded" off it in advance.
A fourth-tier alchemist bellowed, "One set of low-tier Xuan-rank attribute-less cultivation techniques!"
Upon hearing the opening bid start at the Xuan-rank level, Qian Renhan finally let out a sigh of relief. Xuan-rank techniques were in a completely different league from Huang-rank ones. At best, a high-tier Huang-rank technique could carry someone to the peak of the Dou Spirit realm, while even a low-tier Xuan-rank one could lead a practitioner to the Dou King level.
"Mid-tier Xuan-rank attribute-less cultivation technique—one set!" said a peak Dou Emperor expert, raising his hand.
Just then, within Qian Renhan's VIP section, a man silently entered, his presence unnoticed by the others. It was none other than Young Master Yi—the one even the sect master of the Black Emperor Sect had to address with respect.
"How does it feel?" Yi said, his voice soft but sinister, "to see what you've desperately sought within reach, only for death to arrive at that very moment?"
He licked his lips with a crimson tongue as a wave of murderous aura surged unrestrained toward Qian Renhan. Originally, when Yi had identified Qian Renhan as a potentially interesting prey, he had already intended to strike. But upon learning that Qian Renhan would be offering up a trove of resources in the upcoming barter, he decided to hold off—for now. After all, he enjoyed giving his prey hope, only to drown them in greater despair.
This was the notorious style of killing employed by Yi Shura of the Heavenly Underworld Sect—one of the two supreme sects of Central Continent. Known as Yi Chen's heir, he was a Seven-Star Dou Sect powerhouse, whose strength rivaled even the peak of the Dou Sect realm. In the Black-Corner Region, he stood as one of the most terrifying existences.
(End of Chapter)