Word Count: 2,599 Words
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The black-robed figures filling the stone seats were all abuzz. Murmurs rose and fell like a tide across the hall. On stage, the elderly host's lips curved in a barely noticeable smile.
"Let us begin." Once the discussion had reached a boil and several important guests were visibly growing impatient, the old man finally spoke.
"We will now auction the first item of this spatial trade fair."
Within the warped spatial barrier behind him, the elder named Bao Shan swept his hand through the void. A pair of bone-white wings materialized before everyone's eyes. The ancient pinions trembled slightly; faint echoes of wind and thunder seemed to whisper from within.
'Demon Phoenix Wings?'
Xiao Yan's expression turned a little odd at the familiar sight. He remembered Feng Qing Er's words clearly. Back then she had sworn that if anyone took a corpse from her Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and failed to return it, the matter would be pursued to the death. And now, at the Central Plains' once-in-a-decade spatial trade fair, the very first auction item was a pair of bone wings from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
His Spiritual Strength brushed over them. These wings were even higher-grade than the pair he had obtained back then. They were genuine Rank 8 bone wings from a Heaven Demon Phoenix!
The corpse he had found had only been half-step Rank 8, not yet truly stepped into that realm.
'The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe really does bully the weak and fear the strong. Even if they knew about this, they probably wouldn't dare be too overbearing here.' Xiao Yan shook his head. His own Ancient Phoenix Wings were now leagues beyond these; he couldn't muster any interest at all.
He could, of course, refine them into an ordinary flight-type Dou Technique. But as for remaking something on the level of the Ancient Phoenix Wings, that was impossible. He had long since drained the Heaven Phoenix Blood Pool dry.
"Demon Phoenix Wings from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe. Everyone here should understand their rarity," Bao Shan announced with a smile, showing no concern at all about offending the tribe. "Refined into a flying-type Dou Technique, they would make you unmatched in speed among peers. Whether you're killing enemies or fleeing for your life, they are an essential treasure."
"The owner wishes to exchange these for a tier 8 pill that has attracted four-colored Pill Lightning. After evaluation, this is a fair price. If anyone is interested, please bid."
Xiao Yan stroked his chin and nodded inwardly. These were true Rank 8 Demon Phoenix Wings, still rich with essence blood, and they looked remarkably 'fresh.' If one wasn't afraid of being hunted by the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, they were indeed worth that price.
Five full minutes passed in silence before someone finally offered a four-colored Pill Lightning pill. The wings sold at the reserve price. After all, refining them into a flying-type Dou Technique would still require additional materials, and the risk of being chased down by the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe was very real. Few people were willing to invite that kind of trouble.
Xiao Yan couldn't help snickering to himself. If Feng Qing Er found out her 'worth' was just a single four-colored Pill Lightning pill, she'd probably die of rage.
This was a trade fair, not a formal auction; transactions were completed on the spot. A jade pill bottle flew toward Bao Shan with a soft whoosh. After verifying the pill within, he casually tossed the Demon Phoenix Wings to the buyer.
Xiao Yan didn't have to wait long. When the second auction item appeared, a flicker of genuine heat flashed through his eyes.
"Vajra Glass Body, a Low Tian Class body-tempering Dou Technique. Created a thousand years ago by Saint Liuli, this technique, when cultivated to perfection, renders the physical body indestructible like diamond. Fists can shatter the sky, feet can split the earth. It is a formidable technique that unites both offense and defense."
A faint smile tugged at Xiao Yan's lips as he listened to Bao Shan's introduction. Thanks to Zi Yan's gift, he possessed a trace of Dragon Phoenix Bloodline and had already cultivated the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's beast technique, the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor. But that armor was essentially a layer of external plating. If he could combine Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor with this Vajra Glass Body... the thought alone was thrilling.
Ancient Phoenix Bell's protective barrier, Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor beneath that, and under that yet another layer of Vajra Glass Body defense. Three layers of protection. Life-saving, reassuring, and it even combined offense and defense. Wasn't this the perfect combination?!
"The owner wishes to trade this technique for a Low Tian Class water-attribute Qi Method. Of course, pills or Dou Techniques of equivalent value are also acceptable," Bao Shan announced with a smile.
Quite a few people showed interest in this special body-tempering Dou Technique. Before long, someone flicked out a pale-blue scroll that landed in Bao Shan's hand. He unrolled it to examine the contents, then quietly sent out a thread of spiritual communication.
Before he could continue, two more people launched scrolls his way. In less than two minutes, three scrolls rested in his hands. Clearly, three different bidders had set their hearts on the Vajra Glass Body.
"Any other bids?" Bao Shan asked.
"If you want me to bid, you'll need to tell me what those three scrolls are worth first." Xiao Yan's calm voice cut through the air.
Countless gazes immediately turned toward the source of the sound. Surprised looks, and more than a few probing strands of Spiritual Strength, swept over him, trying to discern his identity. But it was futile. Between the black robe's concealment and his own soul defenses, even a Dou Saint wouldn't be able to see through him.
Good fellow. This one's dead-set on winning it.
Many observers' eyes flashed with amusement. The three who had tossed out scrolls, in particular, fixed their gazes on Xiao Yan like wolves eyeing prey.
Xiao Yan's intent couldn't have been clearer: Tell me what they offered. I'll offer more.
In essence: I want it!
Bao Shan pondered for a moment before replying, "After evaluation, to exceed their combined value, you would need either two pills that have attracted seven-colored Pill Lightning, or one that has attracted eight-colored Pill Lightning."
Swish, swish—
Two brocade boxes shot toward Bao Shan. Xiao Yan didn't even bother speaking. His attitude was obvious: Take a look yourself.
A rich medicinal fragrance spilled out the moment the boxes opened. Even though Xiao Yan refined these in batches, with his foundational skill, even his 'worst' pills were of remarkable quality.
Bao Shan glanced at the three scroll-bidders with a smile. "Would any of you like to raise?"
"Hmph!"
All three snorted coldly. Having their prize stolen halfway naturally left them irritated, but increasing the bid further simply wasn't worth it.
Xiao Yan grumbled inwardly. 'Look at this! Vajra Glass Body costs just two ordinary seven-colored Pill Lightning pills, but that broken sword demanded two Venerate Ascension Spirit Pills! The price difference is through the roof! I really took a loss there!'
After handing the scroll over to Xiao Yan, Bao Shan moved on to the third auction item.
"The third item—" This time, however, he ran into a heckler. He had barely begun when someone interrupted him.
"Wait a moment."
Bao Shan turned toward the voice. Who else could it be but Xiao Yan?
"Sir, is there some problem with the scroll?" Deep lines appeared between his brows. Had he misjudged something?
Many people looked toward Xiao Yan as well. If something authenticated by the Ancient Treasure Pavilion turned out to be faulty, the consequences would be severe and could cast a shadow over the rest of the auction.
Xiao Yan slowly shook his head. "No, that's not it."
Then, under countless pairs of staring eyes, he cupped his hands in three different directions and asked, "Would the three who just offered Tian Class scrolls be interested in selling? I can trade with pills."
!!!!!!!!????
"What?!"
The entire hall fell utterly silent. Even Little Fairy Doctor and Cai Lin stared at Xiao Yan in stunned disbelief.
What are you playing at?! You're really going to buy Tian Class scrolls from other bidders right here in front of everyone?!
Even Bao Shan was dumbfounded. In all his long life, he had seen all manner of bizarre characters, but this was the first time anyone had tried to buy from other guests in the middle of one of his auctions.
After more than ten seconds of heavy silence, someone actually opened a spatial passage and sent a scroll floating into Xiao Yan's hand.
[Low Tian Class Dou Technique: Setting Sun Finger. With a single point, the surrounding world reverses as if a blazing sun descends. When mastered to perfection, one Setting Sun Finger can boil seas and mountains, its power truly boundless.]
Xiao Yan nodded lightly. This technique had just barely reached the Low Tian Class threshold. Its might was inferior to the Gu Clan's Great Silent Destruction Finger, but it was still a Tian Class Dou Technique.
"For this technique... one seven-colored Pill Lightning pill plus one five-colored. Deal or no deal?" he asked after a quick appraisal.
The owner of the Setting Sun Finger didn't hesitate long before nodding. "Deal."
The transaction was completed just like that!
Forget Bao Shan, even Cai Lin and the others at Xiao Yan's side were staring blankly. They really closed the deal?!
With the first successful exchange, the other two scroll owners also opened spatial passages and handed their scrolls to Xiao Yan.
[Low Tian Class agility-type Dou Technique: Ghostly Swift Wind Steps. Ethereal and peerless, it allows one to shift between reality and illusion like a ghost. When mastered to perfection, one can traverse the void, moving like a phantom with a form as untouchable as mist.]
[Low Tian Class water-attribute Qi Method: Water Cloud Heaven Method. Cultivating this method causes one's water-attribute Dou Qi to surge like clouds, condensing into Water Cloud Dou Qi.]
Xiao Yan quickly understood why that person had been willing to trade this Qi Method for a Dou Technique. This Tian Class Qi Method had no special abilities. It merely improved cultivation speed and increased Dou Qi reserves. It was the most basic kind of Tian Class Qi Method.
In the end, Xiao Yan used one seven-colored plus one six-colored Pill Lightning pill to acquire Ghostly Swift Wind Steps, and three six-colored Pill Lightning pills to obtain the Water Cloud Heaven Method.
It would be a mistake to assume that just because Xiao Yan refined pills with ease, they were worth less than Qi Methods or Dou Techniques. Back when they fought over Saint Zhao Hua's ruins, the strongest experts who appeared had only been around 5-star Dou Venerates, and a single five-colored Pill Lightning pill was enough to invite such an expert to act.
Of course, inviting them was one thing. Whether they could successfully seize a Dou Technique was another matter entirely. But in general, a Tian Class Dou Technique's value equaled only one or two high-grade tier 8 pills.
The entire hall fell into deathly silence after watching Xiao Yan casually pocket two more Tian Class scrolls. You... how did you end up buying from the bidders?!
Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help sending a voice transmission. "Can you actually cultivate all those Tian Class scrolls?"
Xiao Yan spread his hands and used his Spiritual Strength to block outside perception before replying quietly, "I'm not planning to cultivate them myself. I'm just stocking the Yan Alliance's treasury."
Cai Lin couldn't hold back an eyeroll at that offhand display of wealth. In an instant, the Yan Alliance's greatest contributor had shifted from her to this man!
Bao Shan watched Xiao Yan sweep up Tian Class scrolls like he was collecting scrap iron, and could only concede defeat. "Sir... the Ancient Treasure Pavilion does not permit private off-the-books transactions. Please do not do this again."
"My apologies. Please continue," Xiao Yan said politely.
Bao Shan gave a bitter little smile and nodded. Space rippled within the barrier, and a block of white jade appeared, floating in mid-air. "This is Spatial White Jade. As everyone knows, those at the Dou Venerate realm can manipulate Spatial Strength, and among Dou Venerates, beyond Qi Methods and Dou Techniques, their mastery of space is also crucial in determining strength."
"This Spatial White Jade contains the principles of space. Comprehending its mysteries can improve a Dou Venerate's understanding of space, perhaps even providing some benefit for breaking through to the Dou Saint realm."
Wormholes opened by Dou Saints were a completely different thing from those Dou Venerates could tear open. Only Dou Saints could create spatial jade slips, precisely because their grasp of space was on another level. Of course, Xiao Yan didn't believe this chunk of jade could have much real effect on breaking through to Dou Saint. That claim was mostly marketing patter.
"The seller's asking price is one three-colored Pill Lightning pill. Bid increments must not be lower than one high-grade tier 7 pill."
Several lower-level Dou Venerates immediately pricked up their ears and began bidding.
"One three-colored Pill Lightning pill."
"One three-colored, plus one Venerate Breaking Pill."
Bids rose back and forth, but always by small margins. After all, this wasn't something that directly boosted cultivation.
"Two three-colored Pill Lightning pills." Once the price hit this point, no one followed. The Spatial White Jade was clearly becoming overpriced.
Xiao Yan glanced sideways at Qing Lin. "Qing Lin, do you want it?"
Qing Lin shook her head. "Young Master Xiao Yan, this thing is useless to me."
Xiao Yan nodded, then slowly raised his hand and named his price in a mild tone. "One four-colored Pill Lightning pill."
Qing Lin stared at him, dazed. Did I... say it wrong just now? I said it was useless, right?
If it's useless, why is Young Master buying it?!
I said it's useless! And it really is useless!!
Noticing her confused look, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and said, "If it's useless to you, we can always give it to Old Hai. He just broke through to Dou Venerate."
If Hai Bodong heard that, he would probably collapse into tears. He actually still remembers me!!
The fourth auction item was a poison scripture called the 'Heavenly Serene Poison Canon,' created thousands of years ago by a Dou Saint known as the Heavenly Serene Poison Saint. That Dou Saint had been obsessed with poison throughout his life and left behind a scroll detailing the refinement methods for countless exotic toxins.
Xiao Yan naturally bought it.
Little Fairy Doctor might not be actively cultivating her Woeful Poison Body, but it was always better to be prepared. It only cost two five-colored Pill Lightning tier 8 pills. Not expensive, not expensive at all.
The fifth item was a peak Rank 8 weapon approaching Rank 9 quality called the Dragon Fang Giant Axe. Xiao Yan acquired it with two five-colored Pill Lightning pills. He wasn't even sure what he would use it for. It just wasn't expensive, so he bought it.
Only after he obtained the sixth auction item, a Spirit Nourishing Mysterious Grass capable of nurturing land, did Xiao Yan finally restrain himself.
It wasn't that he had run out of pills. Ya Fei had grabbed him by the arm.
"Little Brother Xiao Yan, if you keep participating in auctions like this, you're going to get yourself beaten up."