"Everyone, the item sealed within this jade bottle—this is the true finale of today's auction! A single pill that stands above even a Di Class Dou Technique! And the reason is…"
"This pill is none other than the—Zong Breaking Pill!"
The old auctioneer's voice thundered across the hall, igniting a frenzy among the crowd. Gasps and rough, heavy breaths filled the air like waves crashing over the auction floor.
The allure of a Di Class Dou Technique could still be resisted—but a Zong Breaking Pill? For anyone below the Dou Zong realm, its temptation was simply irresistible. The closer one was to that bottleneck, the stronger the pull became.
In the vast Central Plains, countless experts walked the land. Yet to truly stand tall here, reaching the Dou Zong realm was the bare minimum.
"The Zong Breaking Pill," the white-haired auctioneer continued, "is a 6th Tier pill of the highest grade. Its miraculous property—enhancing a 9-Star Dou Huang's chances of breaking through to the Dou Zong realm."
"As the finale treasure, our starting price is five million gold coins! Now, gentlemen, please—bid freely!"
That single phrase—'increases the chance to break through to Dou Zong'—was all it took. It was like tossing fresh blood into a sea of hungry sharks.
Instantly, bids erupted across the hall, most coming from the VIP section—exactly as intended.
"Five million five hundred thousand!" someone shouted.
"Six million!" came another, not even a breath later.
The bidding was fierce and rapid, but none of it concerned Liu Xi. The moment the auctioneer announced the final item was the Zong Breaking Pill, his interest had vanished.
The pill wasn't bad—far from it—but for him, as long as he had the ingredients, he could refine as many as he wanted.
Leaning back, Liu Xi sank lazily into his plush velvet seat, waiting for the whole affair to end.
From the VIP area, figures like Xie Yuan and Su Bo—the two 9-Star Dou Huangs—watched him intently. Seeing Liu Xi so nonchalant, their tension eased slightly.
If anything, his calm only confirmed their suspicions. Only a true 6th Tier Alchemist would show such indifference toward a pill like this.
The two rivals exchanged a glance, both seeing the same cold light in the other's eyes. They knew it well—each was the other's greatest obstacle.
"Ten million!"
Xie Yuan stood up, his deep, magnetic voice booming across the room, clearly aiming to crush all opposition in one strike.
"Eleven million!"
Su Bo's tone was calm, but his smirk carried open provocation.
The two clashed back and forth, their auras pressing over the hall. No one else dared bid. Even those with deep pockets lost their nerve under the oppressive might of two 9-Star Dou Huangs.
Before long, the price surged past sixteen million—an absurd figure well above any 6th Tier pill's normal worth. But the Zong Breaking Pill was no ordinary item. For a Dou Huang standing at the edge of a breakthrough, it was priceless.
"Patriarch, we brought twenty million gold coins," an old retainer whispered beside Xie Yuan. "After earlier purchases, less than seventeen remain. If this continues…"
Xie Yuan's expression darkened. "This Zong Breaking Pill must not fall into Su Bo's hands. Whatever it takes."
Their feud was deep and personal. Su Bo had coveted his wife for years. If either one ascended to Dou Zong first, the other would surely die.
With calm precision, Xie Yuan lifted his head. "Seventeen million."
Su Bo chuckled coldly, crossing his arms. "Patriarch Xie certainly lives up to his reputation. It seems this pill was fated for you! Hahaha!"
His laughter rang loud and mocking. Only now did Xie Yuan realize the man's true intent—he'd been bidding madly only to force him into overpaying.
'So that's your game, Su Bo? Fine. We'll settle this soon enough,' Xie Yuan thought darkly.
Looking to the auctioneer, he said evenly, "Can we conclude the bidding now?"
"Of course, of course…" The white-haired auctioneer beamed, his hammer falling with a sharp clang!
"The Zong Breaking Pill is hereby sold to VIP number thirteen!
And with that, I declare this year's Cape City Auction—officially concluded!"
Liu Xi exhaled softly, stretching as he rose from his seat, his long black hair cascading freely down his back. "Finally over. Xian'er, Zi Yan—let's go."
"Mm." Xiao Yixian stood, her graceful figure framed by her flowing white robes.
"Alright, Big Brother!" Zi Yan chirped, flipping off her seat with a grin.
But as they turned to leave, a voice called out from behind.
"Sir! Please wait a moment!"
Liu Xi turned slightly, eyes calm as he watched Xie Yuan approach. "What is it?"
Unbothered by the indifference in Liu Xi's tone, Xie Yuan cupped his fists respectfully. "I am Xie Yuan, Patriarch of the Lin Family from Haiyun City. Might I have the honor of knowing your esteemed name, sir?"
Before Liu Xi could answer, a loud laugh interrupted. Su Bo appeared beside them, striding forward with a boisterous grin. "Haha! Sir, I am Su Bo, Patriarch of the Su Family from Haiyu City. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"
"I have matters to attend to," Liu Xi said casually. "Now move aside."
His gaze swept briefly over the growing crowd of eager faces—people hoping to curry favor. He cut them all off in one sentence.
"Not today. Dismissed."
"Sir, please, just one moment—"
"May I at least know your name—"
The moment stretched thin, until Xiao Yixian's soft voice carried like frost. "Enough."
A faint ripple of Dou Qi surged outward. Her Dou Zong aura filled the hall in an instant, the air itself growing heavy.
The crowd froze. All eyes went wide with awe and terror. Even Xie Yuan and Su Bo dared not breathe too loudly.
As the crowd parted instinctively, a silent path opened through the center of the hall.
Liu Xi walked calmly through it, Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan at his side.
Only after their figures vanished from sight did the murmurs return.
"That woman… she's a Dou Zong!"
"So young… that talent is terrifying!"
"And the man beside her… a 6th Tier Alchemist at his age? Could he be from the Central Region's Pill Tower!?"
…
In the auction's backstage, a middle-aged steward hurried forward, bowing deeply. "Sir, you've purchased the Wind Chant Sword for one million two hundred thousand gold coins, the Snow Bone Ginseng for two million six hundred thousand, and the Mid Level Di Class Dou Technique—Heaven Burning Finger—for two Mighty Huang Pills, totaling three million eight hundred thousand gold coins and two Mighty Huang Pills."
Liu Xi calmly retrieved his purple-gold card and two jade bottles, tossing them over without ceremony. "And the items?"
The steward flinched at the casual toss. Those are Mighty Huang Pills! He scrambled to catch them before they hit the ground, hurriedly passing the bottles to an elderly appraiser beside him.
"Please wait just a moment, sir…"
After a quick inspection, the old appraiser nodded reverently. "They are genuine Mighty Huang Pills—of excellent quality."
The steward exhaled, returning Liu Xi's card and a storage ring with trembling hands. "My apologies for the delay, sir. These are your verified items."
Liu Xi scanned the ring with his Spiritual Power—Wind Chant Sword, Snow Bone Ginseng, Heaven Burning Finger—all accounted for.
"Let's go."
He slipped the ring onto his finger and turned toward the exit—only for the steward to stammer again.
"S-Sir, please wait! The Qin Clan Patriarch who oversees the Cape Auction wishes to invite you for a meal. Would you—"
Liu Xi's steps didn't falter. He gave a faint chuckle. "This is how you issue an invitation? Hah… forget it. Let's go."
The steward opened his mouth to speak again—but then Xiao Yixian turned.
Her eyes were cold.
That was all it took. The steward's blood ran cold, his legs locking in place as he felt an overwhelming wave of killing intent.
'Dou Zong…' he thought, trembling, as Liu Xi's group vanished beyond the door.
(End of Chapter)
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