Chapter 364: The Second Auction Item
As Ling Yun's voice fell, the auction hall went silent for an instant.
Then, the flood of bids began to rise like a tidal wave.
"One and a half million!"
A voice rang out from the delegation of the Star Luo Empire, calm yet full of imperial authority.
Though their bloodlines lacked light-attribute spirits, this item was related to divine power—they could not afford to miss it.
Even if none of their current soul masters could use it, the treasure could be sealed within the royal vault for future generations.
Eventually, someone within the empire would surely awaken a powerful light-based martial soul.
"Two million."
The cold, sharp voice of Xu Tiannan from the Sun Moon Empire followed swiftly, revealing clear interest.
He was desperate to break past his Ultimate Douluo bottleneck and touch the threshold of godhood.
Now that the first auction item was directly connected to divinity, he could not let such an opportunity slip away.
Zhongli Wu had already ascended before him; falling further behind was unthinkable.
With the Holy Spirit Cult now at odds with the Sun Moon Empire, failure to advance meant certain destruction for his nation.
"Two million three hundred thousand."
The calm, steady tone of Ning Qitian, master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, echoed through the room.
Though his sect held no notable light-attribute members, the connection to divine inheritance alone made it priceless.
If they could attract a user of the Angel Spirit or another powerful light spirit, or even hold the item as an investment, it would be well worth the price.
A direct link to a god's legacy was a chance that might not come again in millennia.
"Two million eight hundred thousand."
The rough voice of Du Busi from the Body Sect boomed across the hall. He crossed his arms, eyes calculating.
The Body Sect, specializing in body-based martial souls, had no use for light-aligned divine blood—but acquiring it cheaply to research or trade later was a worthwhile gamble.
"Three million five hundred thousand."
The representative of the Clear Sky Sect, Titan, spoke succinctly. As one of Douluo Continent's great sects, their heritage ran deep—they would naturally not miss any divine relic.
...
The price climbed rapidly, breaching ten million before long.
The bidding narrowed to the continent's strongest factions and empires.
Mu En opened his mouth several times but remained silent in the end.
Though Shrek possessed unimaginable wealth, they could not afford to waste any resources.
Every fund had to be reserved for the final treasure—the foundation of godhood.
This divine blood, while powerful, was not what they needed most urgently.
And as Ling Yun had said, its divine essence was limited. For the strongest cultivators, the effect might be marginal.
...
Time passed.
"One point five million gold soul coins."
Ye Guyi's heartbeat thundered in her chest.
Her clan was gone long ago—her personal savings barely a drop in the ocean compared to the continent's great powers.
As the price drew ever closer to twenty million, her worry deepened.
The echo of that bloodline's call within her soul grew stronger by the second, urging her relentlessly.
"I can't lose it."
"Twenty-two million!"
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect raised the stakes again, Ning Qitian's expression unchanged. To him, the numbers meant nothing.
"Twenty-three million."
The Sun Moon Empire's bid followed coldly.
Ye Guyi clenched her fists. Gathering every ounce of courage, with a hint of trembling resolve in her voice, she cried out, "Thirty-five million!"
The room instantly fell silent.
Thirty-five million gold soul coins—an astronomical price for a drop of damaged divine blood, nearing or perhaps exceeding its appraised limit.
The major powers weighed their options.
Ning Qitian shook his head slightly in resignation.
Tempting though it was to acquire, the risk was too high, the potential gain too uncertain. He bowed out.
Xu Tiannan from the Sun Moon Empire pondered for a moment, then also withdrew.
Du Busi clicked his tongue and muttered, "Tsk, thirty-five million for that little thing? Fine, let the girl have it—it clearly matters to her."
He had only joined for sport; naturally, he relented.
The Clear Sky faction remained silent, likewise conceding.
Mu En glanced at Ye Guyi's tense figure, his old heart sighing. He, too, chose not to bid further.
Through it all, Zhongli Wu sat motionless, eyes closed, the faint smirk on his face betraying disdain—light-based relics held no meaning for him.
No further bids came.
Ye Guyi's pulse raced, nearly crashing through her ribs as she fixed her trembling gaze on Ling Yun, praying she would hear no new contender.
Ling Yun's eyes scanned the crowd once before smiling softly.
"Thirty-five million, once."
"Thirty-five million, twice."
The room remained quiet, save for murmurs of awe.
"Thirty-five million, three times—sold."
The small auction hammer fell with a clear ring.
"Congratulations to this honored guest for winning the Divine Blood of the Angel God."
The sound echoed like final judgment.
Ye Guyi let out a long exhale. Her body slackened, drenched in cold sweat.
But alongside the exhaustion came overwhelming joy—a trembling elation she could barely contain.
Led by attendants, she completed the transaction with shaky hands.
Moments later, the crystal vial holding the golden blood rested in her palms.
The vessel was smooth and warm, the drop within flowing gently with radiant light.
Even through the glass, the divine warmth brushed against her soul.
As soon as she held it, the Holy Angel Spirit within her nearly burst forth in response, vibrating uncontrollably.
She forced herself to suppress it, her breathing ragged.
Now was not the time to expose her identity.
Still, she could feel it—the drop of divine blood seemed aware of her, gently tugging, yearning to merge with her.
She quelled the reaction, sealed the vial, and tucked it protectively into her storage artifact.
This was no place to absorb divine essence.
The auction would continue. She needed a safe location before attempting it.
Yet even through her caution, her heart pounded wildly, filled with the certainty that her fate had changed forever.
The first item itself had surpassed all expectations, and its connection to a fallen god's power ignited fervent excitement throughout the hall.
Every soul master burned with anticipation for what was still to come.
Satisfied with the atmosphere she had cultivated, Ling Yun smiled.
"Thank you all for your gracious bids on our first item."
"It seems everyone's enthusiasm is burning high, so let us not delay further. Now, we begin the auction of the second item."
Basking in countless fervent gazes, she lifted a slender hand.
At once, a beam of silver light flashed, slicing across the air as though splitting reality itself.
A narrow spatial rift opened upon the stage.
(END CHAPTER)
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