Chapter 144: Third Sister Logs In Again
On the road that followed, nothing else of note occurred. After leaving the Black Region Great Plains, the convoy pushed through nearly two hours of mountain trails before they finally glimpsed, in the distance, a massive city built from pitch-black megaliths. Its faint silhouette loomed ahead, and at the four cardinal gates of the city, countless tiny black dots—like ants—gathered and poured into the giant dark maw that was the city entrance.
"Hehe, gentlemen, this is Black Mark City. Because of the upcoming auction these next couple of days, many factions and powerful individuals from nearby areas have gathered here. Every year's auction features a rare treasure. Last year, for instance, the final highlight was a scroll of a low-tier Earth-level Dou Technique. The factions nearly fought each other right in the auction hall. If it weren't for the host's powerful backing, it would've turned into a total farce."
Standing atop the carriage, Duoma smiled as he looked at the distant city, speaking to the black- and white-cloaked duo beside him.
"Earth-level Dou Technique…"
Hearing that rank, Xiao Yan's mouth twitched slightly beneath his black robe. The Black-Corner Region truly lived up to its reputation as the continent's black market for rare treasures. A Dou Technique of that level was practically unseen in the Jia Ma Empire.
Xiao Yuan, on the other hand, remained indifferent. He remembered most of what would appear at this auction.
For example, the "Three Thousand Lightning Movement" was a decent movement technique, but since he already had Wind Silhouette Mirage and a flying technique, his speed was more than enough—he didn't particularly need it.
However, he did recall that this auction would include a flying technique. That would be a good gift for Xiao Yan.
After all, always carrying Xiao Yan while flying was a bit tiring.
He also needed to step up his training and break through to the Dou Spirit level so he could start alchemy himself. Two million gold coins wasn't going to stretch forever.
He also had a few unused Dou Techniques and skills in his storage ring that could be traded for other resources.
Upon arriving in Black Mark City, Duoma gifted Xiao Yuan a detailed map of the Black-Corner Region, along with 5,000 gold coins each as payment.
Of course, that amount was a mere token for the two brothers.
After checking into two adjacent high-grade rooms at an inn, the two went about their business.
Xiao Yan's destination was the Thousand Medicine Workshop in the city, where he needed to purchase ingredients for refining pills to generate funds.
Xiao Yuan headed straight to the Black Mark Auction House.
Standing at the end of the bustling street, dressed in a white robe, Xiao Yuan looked up at the colossal auction house, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. Back in Jia Ma Empire's capital, he had been impressed by the scale of the Miteer Auction House. But compared to this, the Miteer House looked like a village gathering.
Still, in the future, Miteer would no doubt become the continent's largest auction house!
At the entrance, dozens of cold-faced black-clad guards stood with weapons at their waists. Their sharp hawk-like eyes scanned the crowd. Judging by their aura, five were at the Dou Shi level, and the rest were peak Dou Zhe. To use Dou Shi as doormen… it said a lot about the Eight Gates' strength. The Miteer clan would never waste such combatants on door duty.
Lowering his white veil, Xiao Yuan kept his head down. In a place as chaotic as the Black-Corner Region, one or more disguises were essential for safety.
Stepping inside, he passed giant screens displaying a rolling list of auction items. Nothing particularly caught his eye—likely the real treasures were being kept hidden for mystery and suspense. Still, certain factions would have other channels to discover the true highlights.
His gaze settled on a door marked "Appraisal Room." Without hesitation, he walked in.
Inside, a scantily dressed maid sashayed over, her sultry voice ringing out: "Miss, are you here for item appraisal or price estimation for auction?"
"The latter," came Xiao Yuan's cold and refined voice—now back to his "mature woman" act, though the flat chest might've been unconvincing.
"Please follow me." The maid's hips swayed enticingly, but such tricks had long ceased to affect someone who'd wrestled nightly with Ya Fei.
After about thirty meters, they stopped in front of a small chamber. The maid bowed politely. "Hand over your items to the master appraiser inside, and your seating rank will be based on their value."
Xiao Yuan entered, closed the door, and saw an older man inside with graying hair, appraising him sharply.
"Please sit," the elder said casually while arranging his tools. "Place your items on the table."
Without a word, Xiao Yuan flicked his sleeve, and several scrolls appeared—various Dou Techniques and cultivation methods.
"Dou Techniques and Cultivation Skills?"
The elder's brows rose in surprise. So many? Clearly looted from somewhere.
He examined each item carefully. After a moment, he took a deep breath. "Five mid-tier Xuan-rank techniques, three Xuan-rank cultivation methods, and a bundle of Huang-rank materials. Starting estimate: 1.8 million gold."
Xiao Yuan nodded slightly. "Now these."
He revealed a batch of pills—spoils from the gray-robed alchemist of the Cloud Empire. They ranged from tier two to tier five. Xiao Yuan wasn't interested in low-quality pills, only those refined by Yao Lao or Xiao Yan.
"Qi Recovery Pill, Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill…"
After appraisal, the elder's estimate added nearly another two million.
"Esteemed guest, your items qualify you as a first-tier VIP of our auction house. Here is your seat token. The auction begins tomorrow afternoon—please arrive on time."
The elder handed him a black jade token.
Xiao Yuan nodded and left with graceful steps.
As the door shut, the elder drummed his fingers on the desk and muttered, "Never seen this woman before. Such items—must've raided a faction. But I can't even sense her true strength… could she be a Dou Wang?"
He pressed a panel. A dark corridor opened. With the storage ring in hand, he stepped into the shadow and whispered:
"I must report this to the sect master."
Back in his room, Xiao Yuan meditated. Xiao Yan returned, saw him cultivating, and quietly left to refine pills.
The next day, when Xiao Yan knocked on his door, Xiao Yuan finally emerged from cultivation.
"Bro, dressed like this… even Xiao Yu wouldn't recognize you."
The two kept their distance and used soul-sense to communicate.
"Heh, only those who don't exist are truly safe here."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Later, work with me. If we can't afford something, we'll extort it. If that fails—we rob them. This is the Black-Corner Region. We play by their rules."
"Got it."
Arriving at the auction house, they found the entrance flooded with people. But as VIPs, they bypassed the chaos and entered the exclusive side corridor.
The red-carpeted hall was lined with dozens of cold-eyed guards exuding vicious energy.
Just then, they crossed paths with a group in red robes. At the center stood a pale, handsome young man—around twenty-four or twenty-five—exuding the aura of a Dou Ling.
"Hey, look—it's Blood Sect."
"Isn't that their young sect master, Fan Ling? Word is he might be behind that Eight Gates elder's disappearance."
"Victim was drained of blood. Sounds like Blood Sect, alright."
"And he dares come here? His dad's ranked fifth on the Black List. Even Yuan Yi wouldn't mess with them."
"Those two—black robe, white robe—they're in trouble now."
Hearing the whispers, Xiao Yuan remained unfazed. Instead of making way, he accelerated and entered first. Xiao Yan followed suit.
Fan Ling stared at their backs like a bloodthirsty bat. But the duo didn't spare him a glance.
Furious, Fan Ling released his spiritual sense.
But then, his expression changed.
"I can't sense her strength. And the man's aura bounced my senses back."
"Could be a Dou Wang or a tier-five alchemist," his pale old companion murmured. "Best not to provoke. Report to the sect master after we're done."
"…Alright."
Fan Ling nodded, face dark, and followed them inside.
(END CHAPTER)
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