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"Next, we will begin the auction for the second-to-last item of today's trade fair."
After successfully selling another item at a high price, Elder Bao Shan raised his head, his face glowing with satisfaction. His gaze swept across the grand hall as he smiled and spoke.
Then, without any unnecessary words, he clenched his hand, and a piece of ancient, yellowed parchment appeared in his palm.
"It's here!" Wei Yang and Yao Lao, upon seeing it, couldn't help but straighten their postures slightly, their spirits lifting in an instant.
Beside them, Xiao Yan abruptly raised his head the moment that ancient piece of parchment appeared. His eyes locked firmly onto the old, yellowed remnant map. Even his breathing beneath the cloak had become noticeably heavier.
That remnant map—he knew it all too well. For its sake, Xiao Yan had been searching ever since his days in the Tagore Desert, a search that had lasted over ten long years!
This was the fourth and final piece of the map that led to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. How could he possibly stay calm?
"Hehe, this is merely a remnant map. There's no special energy fluctuation on it."
"However, after our research, we've come to a conclusion — this remnant map is related to the legendary Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame!" Elder Bao Shan held up the ancient map in his hand, smiling faintly as he spoke.
As his last word fell, nearly everyone in the hall fixed their eyes on that aged parchment. Many people had come here today just for this remnant map.
The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame—third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking—was a flame so legendary that even someone like Yao Lao had never seen it in person. Everyone present was fully aware of what a top-three Heavenly Flame truly represented in terms of power.
It was a force that could destroy the heavens and the earth!
Whoever could obtain and control such a Heavenly Flame would, at that point, be unmatched across the entire Dou Qi Continent—only a handful could stand against them. Because this flame represented the ultimate—an almost unrivaled power of destruction.
Looking at the silent hall and the sound of heavy breathing echoing within, Elder Bao Shan couldn't help but smile. He naturally understood the allure of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. That was why he had deliberately saved this remnant map related to it until the very end.
Countless burning gazes were now tightly fixed on that remnant map. Everyone present was no ordinary person, yet even for them, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was something that existed only in legend. They had only heard of it, never seen it.
Of course, that didn't stop anyone from coveting it.
The stronger and rarer something was, the more it drew in greedy eyes—no matter how dangerous it might be. Even though this was merely a remnant map, and not the Demon Flame itself, owning it could provide clues and information related to the flame.
If one could somehow trace those clues and actually find the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame... it would be a fortune that could make one laugh even in their dreams.
"Hehe, everyone, the owner of this remnant map wishes to exchange it for some pills."
"The pills must be at least of six-colored or higher. As for the quantity... that will depend on your offers." Elder Bao Shan smiled slightly as he announced the trade condition and the base price. Then his gaze swept the room. "Now, the bidding begins. Please, everyone."
As soon as his voice fell, an old and raspy voice echoed through the hall. "I offer three six-colored Tier 8 Pills!"
"Four six-colored Tier 8 Pills!" Another bidder followed up almost immediately, without hesitation—far less restrained than before.
"Five!"
At that moment, six-colored Tier 8 Pills seemed as if they were worthless, with each bid casually adding one more. In less than two minutes, one bid after another rang out, causing the atmosphere in the hall to grow intensely heated.
Under Elder Bao Shan's smiling gaze, the price quickly climbed higher and higher.
Of course, everyone knew that the value of this single remnant map was nowhere near worth such a price. But because it was tied to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, its value had been driven far beyond reason.
Many among the crowd willingly accepted this obvious overpricing—and were more than happy to pay it.
"This is troublesome."
Seeing so many people competing for the map, Xiao Yan frowned slightly and murmured softly, "Should we make our move now?"
Even though he had prepared thoroughly, the way things were going was far more intense than he had expected...
"Don't panic yet. Let's wait and see how things play out first." Yao Lao shook his head slightly, his hands tucked into his sleeves, looking calm and composed as always.
"Relax. No matter how much the price is inflated, we must get our hands on this final remnant map," Wei Yang said lightly. "For that, even if we have to pay a bit more, it'll be worth it."
"Mm."
Hearing that, Xiao Yan nodded, forcing himself to calm down. If he were alone today, with only his own wealth, he probably wouldn't stand a chance. But with Wei Yang and his master's help, things were different.
Still, as he listened to the prices continuing to climb higher and higher, his brows furrowed even tighter, and his heart thumped rapidly in his chest.
Wei Yang couldn't help letting out a quiet sigh. Deep down, he lamented that he had underestimated the value of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame remnant map back then!
Just look at this—merely one-fourth of the map, and it had already driven everyone here mad with desire.
Back then, when he had first found his piece of the map in that cliff cave, he had even thought about trading it later for a Low-Level Heaven Grade Dou Technique or cultivation technique.
Thinking about it now, his mindset back then was really too small. Then again, at that time, he had only been at the Dou Shi level—how could he have imagined such things? Limited vision leads to limited ambition.
To him of that time, owning a single Heaven Grade cultivation technique or Dou Technique would've been more than enough to satisfy him.
But looking back now, if not for his growing friendship with Xiao Yan leading to today, and if he had instead brought that remnant map out at the last moment to trade, it might very well have triggered a deadly battle.
After all, judging from today's trade fair, once the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame appeared, the last remnant map in Wei Yang's possession would become an unbelievably rare treasure. Its asking price would definitely surpass anything at this auction.
A Low-Level Heaven Grade Dou Technique? Please. Without at least a Tier 9 Treasure Pill, don't even bother making an offer.
Thinking of that, Wei Yang's gaze drifted toward Xiao Yan, a little dark and gloomy.
That dowry… seemed a bit too generous, didn't it? Damn it!
Xiao Yan instantly noticed Wei Yang's look. Turning his head, he seemed to understand the man's meaning, blinking mischievously before flashing a grin.
Two neat rows of white teeth gleamed faintly beneath his cloak. That grin clearly said, Its already in my hands—too late to regret it now.
"Hmph." Wei Yang took a deep breath and turned away, refusing to look at that smug face any longer.
This son-in-law of his… what an expensive dowry.
The bidding continued fiercely, each voice unwilling to yield, and the price climbed rapidly. In less than ten minutes, the price had soared to nine six-colored Tier 8 Pills.
Even for the well-prepared trio of master and disciples, their expressions now didn't look particularly good. At that level, the price was outrageously inflated. No one liked being the fool who overpaid.
Fortunately, by this point, the price had already surpassed what most people in the hall could afford. As a result, fewer and fewer participants continued bidding.
But those who remained—those were the truly wealthy and powerful figures. In their eyes, the value of this remnant map varied greatly.
"Five seven-color Tier 8 Pills!"
Following the previous bids, a voice filled with fiery energy suddenly shouted out. That price was no doubt astonishingly high. If one seven-colored Tier 8 Pill was worth about two six-colored Tier 8 Pills, then this bid was equivalent to ten six-colored Tier 8 Pills—an outrageous amount.
The grand hall instantly grew quiet. All eyes turned toward the source of the voice, only to see a figure entirely shrouded in a black robe.
"Eight seven-colored Tier 8 Pills!"
At that moment, Wei Yang's calm voice sounded.
Just like that, his bid completely shattered the remaining resolve of several competitors. Those who had still been holding out instantly deflated when they heard that number. To raise the price by three seven-colored Tier 8 Pills in one go—who could possibly keep up with that?
Many turned to look in awe.
Xiao Yan quietly let out a sigh of relief. Finally, they were making their move.
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