A pair of fiery eyes focused on the scroll interwoven with green and silver. For the people behind the auction hall, although they were destined to miss the Earth-level fighting skills, feasting their eyes was enough!
"Five million!"
Soon, the old man from the Blood Clan in the front row broke the silence and raised the starting bid to a whopping five million. At the same time, he looked at the middle-aged man from the Black Skull Tomb provocatively, as if to say, "After bidding for the Douling Pill, you're out of money!
" "Seven million!"
a fierce-looking man from the Kuilang Gang roared. This was the Kuilang Gang's second bid. Previously, they had their eyes on a medicinal herb, but were outbid by a thin man in the back row. This had left them with a grudge, and after the auction, they would definitely get their money back with interest!
"Eight million!" the old man from the Blood Clan was not to be outdone.
"Ten million."
A relatively calm voice slowly echoed, silencing the entire auction hall. Ten million!
Countless eyes instantly focused on a middle-aged man in a black robe, standing at the Black Emperor Sect's location.
The Black Emperor Sect's sudden announcement, coupled with the exorbitant price offered, caught the Blood Sect and the Kuilang Gang off guard. After exchanging glances, they all fell silent with grim expressions. It
was simply because they didn't have enough money. Ten million was too much for them to compete, and they couldn't even compete with the Black Emperor Sect, a well-established faction in the Black Horn Region.
However, if the Black Emperor Sect only had so few people, they might still have a chance. In the Black Horn Region, what you bid on might not always belong to you!
For a moment, the auctioneers were divided. The Black Emperor Sect was a powerful force, but wealth and glory come with risk!
"Ten million! Anyone else want to bid? Then..."
"Two top-grade Douling Pills!"
A cold voice abruptly stopped the white-haired old man.
The average Douling Pill has a market value of around five million and is virtually impossible to come by. The one at the auction, for example, fetched a whopping seven million!
This top-grade Douling Pill is even harder to refine, commanding a market price of over six million, yet it's practically priceless!
Furthermore, the power that possesses a pill of this caliber would likely keep it internally, so how could they possibly trade it?
Instantly, everyone in the VIP seats and back rows stood up and turned to look towards the third floor. Unfortunately, the third floor was covered with layers of special curtains, preventing anyone from seeing inside.
The third floor boasted the best seats in the room, reserved for the most powerful. They remembered that two mysterious Douhuang masters were participating in the auction.
In the VIP room, Liu Yu ignored the eager gazes. He tilted his head slightly, glanced at Yun Yun, and chuckled softly, "This 'Wind-Evolving Soul-Exterminating Finger' is a non-attribute fighting skill, perfect for us to practice together."
"Hmm!" Yun Yun replied softly, her beautiful eyes gazing with longing. No words of thanks were needed between her and Liu Yu.
Suddenly, a disgruntled snort emanated from the darkness on the second floor, sending a chill through the white-haired elder standing at the crystal auction table. He had also been startled by the price paid for the two top-grade Dou Ling Dan pills.
Responding, the white-haired elder hurriedly addressed the audience, "Everyone, is there anyone else who would like to bid? If not, then this Earth-grade fighting skill will go to the distinguished guest on the third floor!"
The auctioneer's announcement rang out in silence. How could they bid? A single "ordinary" Dou Ling Dan had already fetched a whopping seven million yuan. Two top-grade Dou Ling Dan pills would likely start at at least fourteen million yuan!
Just the 14 million alone is a terrifying figure, and it's unknown how long it would take a faction to amass that much.
With Liu Yu's acquisition of the "Wind-Evolving Soul-Exterminating Finger," the Black Seal auction finally concluded.
Everyone in the auction hall left, satisfied; seeing a treasure of the caliber of an Earth-grade fighting skill was well worth the trip.
The major factions in the VIP seats also dispersed with ulterior motives. With an Earth-grade fighting skill being snapped up by a Dou Huang powerhouse, they were powerless and could only plan for other treasures they could steal.
Third floor, VIP room.
Yuan Yi brought the white-haired elder and a sharp-eyed old man to the VIP room. The white-haired elder came before Liu Yu, bowed slightly, and presented the green-silver scroll with both hands, saying respectfully, "Sir, this is the Earth-level Dou Skill you photographed."
With a thought, Liu Yu's scroll floated into his hands, then vanished and was placed in his storage ring. Two jade bottles then materialized from thin air. The other sharp-eyed elder quickly stepped forward and carefully took the bottles.
After verifying the authenticity of the elixirs, the elder nodded secretly to Yuan Yi. Then, at Yuan Yi's signal, he and the white-haired elder exited the VIP room.
"Haha, Mr. Liu's collection is truly astonishing. He even has top-grade Douling Pills!" Yuan Yi laughed, then asked with a hint of certainty, "Mr. Liu must be an alchemist!"
"Yes," Liu Yu replied calmly. There was nothing to hide, and revealing his alchemist identity would also facilitate his subsequent plans.
As expected! Yuan Yi thought to himself that he could produce a sixth-grade elixir and use his soul power to control objects remotely. As expected, he must be the sixth-grade alchemist!
"I wonder if you are here to play in the Black Horn Region?" Yuan Yi asked tentatively.
"Play? The Black Horn Region is not fun." Liu Yu chuckled, his eyes playful, and asked Yuan Yi in return, "Master Yuan, you said that the Black Horn Region is so chaotic and not fun at all. Isn't it time to clean it up?"
Liu Yu's words made Yuan Yi silent for a while. Being able to establish a considerable force in the Black Horn Region, he naturally understood the implication of Liu Yu's words.
"Mr. Liu, do you think the Black Horn Region can be cleaned up?" Without a direct answer, Yuan Yi directly threw the question back to Liu Yu.
"Oh, why not? The weak leave everything to fate, while the strong go against it!" Liu Yu didn't have the leisure to play the "passing the buck" game with Yuan Yi, but said rather defiantly.
At the same time, an invisible force, centered around Liu Yu, spread out, encompassing the entire VIP room.
The terrifying spiritual pressure caused the very void to ripple slightly. Yun Yun, standing nearby, also felt this terrifying force, feeling a sense of surprise, yet also a sense of normalcy. After all, this was the man she loved.
The one who felt it most profoundly was Yuan Yi, who had received Liu Yu's special care. The terrifying spiritual power gradually squeezed him, a fear he hadn't felt in years spreading. Yuan Yi tried to resist, but as his resistance grew, so did the spiritual power, maintaining a constant level of suppression.
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All this happened in a matter of seconds. The terrifying soul force that enveloped the VIP room receded like a tide.
Liu Yu smiled as he watched the still-shocked Yuan Yi. He had just used the soul skill he learned from the Xuantian Soul Art—"Soul Pressure." This skill perfectly utilizes one's own soul power to "pressure" others. Of course, if this alone weren't a soul skill, it wouldn't be considered a soul skill. The power of this "Soul Pressure" lies in its ability to stack!
It can stack three times in a row, and at the third level, its power reaches eight times that of ordinary soul pressure!
When he unleashed "Soul Pressure" on Yuan Yi, he didn't stack a single layer. Otherwise, even if he tried his best to restrain himself, Yuan Yi's fragile soul would have been crushed invisibly!
This is the true terror of an alchemist with soul skills. They kill without being noticed. Even if your fighting spirit is much stronger than his, as long as your soul power is inferior, you can still be killed by his pure soul attack.
This is also the confidence that Liu Yu dares to venture into the Black Horn Domain. With his spiritual soul and the many soul skills in the "Xuan Tian Soul Sutra", those below the Dou Zun level can be killed instantly by him if they are not careful!
To put it bluntly, I am invincible below the Dou Zun level, and above the Dou Zun level... "Let's touch it."
"Master Yuan, do you want to be the strong one or the weak one?" Liu Yu asked softly.
Yuan Yi was a little regretful at this time. Why did he "bewitched" to come to Liu Yu? He originally wanted to see if he could make friends with him, preferably to win him over to the Eight Gates, but he ended up getting himself involved...
"Mr. Liu, do you think I have the power to choose?" Yuan Yi said with a wry smile.
"Why not? Master Yuan, just follow your heart." Liu Yu chuckled.
Follow your heart? Yuan Yi wanted to, but the terrifying soul power of the young man before him had nearly killed him, and the thought was instantly extinguished. He didn't dare gamble. He only had one life, and a good death was better than a miserable life. He would temporarily submit to his inferior. If he had the chance, he would find a way to avenge the humiliation he had suffered today!
"Mr. Liu, you will be the master of the Eight Gates from now on!" Yuan Yi said reluctantly.
"Haha, the Eight Gates are still under the mastery of Master Yuan."
Liu Yu smiled, and suddenly a vast soul power surged from his brow. "Soul Control Seal." Under Liu Yu's mental control, this soul power compressed and transformed into a special rune.
Before Yuan Yi could react, the special rune instantly sank into Yuan Yi's soul, gradually taking root...
"Master Yuan, I see that your soul power is somewhat weak, so I have placed a soul seal deep in your soul. If you encounter a powerful opponent in the future, it will protect you from their soul attacks," Liu Yu explained with a rather "kind" attitude.
Feeling the strangeness deep within his soul, Yuan Yi's face froze. It took him a moment to come back to his senses, and with a determined effort, he said with a smile, "Mr. Liu, I'm deeply grateful for your kindness!"
Yuan Yi's mind was already churning out all sorts of lewd words to greet Liu Yu. Placing a Soul Seal, supposedly to protect him? Was it really about controlling him? ***… (Liu Yu:?)
Seeing Yuan Yi's expression, Liu Yu knew he wasn't holding back, but he understood. With a thought, a delicate jade box materialized in Liu Yu's hand, then floated before the "aggrieved" Yuan Yi.
"Master Yuan, you haven't taken the Imperial Pill, have you?" Liu Yu asked calmly. As the saying goes, a slap in the face is followed by a sweet treat. This Imperial Pill was enough to appease this fellow. Otherwise, he'd be making secret moves in the future, which would be difficult to deal with.
…
In a pavilion in a tranquil courtyard.
Liu Yu was using his soul power to retrieve the details of the Earth-level fighting technique he had obtained at the auction. The auctioneer was right. The "Wind-Evolving Soul-Slaying Finger" could be practiced by anyone of any attribute, but it was most suited to those of the Wind attribute.
A powerful Wind-attributed Dou Qi masterer could unleash a power comparable to that of an intermediate Earth-level fighting technique!
It could be said that this technique was practically tailor-made for Yun Yun. However, if he were to incorporate his Strange Fire into this fighting technique, its power could potentially reach that of an intermediate Earth-level technique.
After memorizing the scroll, Liu Yu handed it to Yun Yun, who was sipping tea.
Yun Yun gently set down her jade cup and accepted the green and silver scroll. This was her first time encountering an Earth-level fighting technique, and she felt a small thrill in her heart.
It was strange, after all. The Yunlan Sect's ancestors had once been glorious. Their founder, Yun Potian, possessed unfathomable strength. Under his leadership, the Yunlan Sect became a leading force on the Douqi Continent. They should have left behind some Earth-level techniques and fighting skills, but it seems none have.
Of course, it's also possible that they died "suddenly" while venturing into the Douqi Continent, leaving behind no Earth-level techniques and fighting skills. The Yunlan Sect's Gate of Life and Death was likely prepared by Yun Potian in his early years.
Liu Yu took a jade cup from the jade table, took a sip, and began to ponder his next steps. While the Eight Gates were considered among the top powers in the Black Horn Region, their actual strength was still somewhat weak. Their leader, Yuan Yi, was ranked last on the Black List, at only a two-star Douhuang.
Now, after consuming his Imperial Pill, he should be able to break through to a three-star Douhuang. The Eight Gates also had a deputy leader who was a low-level Douwang, and the remaining elders were all Douling.
It seems he needs to first control a few first-tier forces, then slowly absorb the surrounding second-tier ones. As for the established powers, he'll probably have to do it himself, Liu Yu muttered to himself.
At this moment, a short, middle-aged man cautiously entered the courtyard, his footsteps light as he approached the pavilion.
"Master Liu, these are some of the herbs you requested. Some are still being collected," the middle-aged man said respectfully, his head bowed.
"Thank you for your hard work." An invisible force pulled the storage ring from the middle-aged man's hand into Liu Yu's.
Liu Yu's words flattered the middle-aged man. At that moment, a jade bottle flew out of the pavilion. The middle-aged man instinctively took it, and at the same time, a clear, cold voice rang out.
"This is a fourth-grade Qi-nourishing elixir, which can assist Dou Ling's daily cultivation."
Upon hearing Liu Yu's words, the middle-aged man's face lit up with ecstasy, and he immediately expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Liu Yu. This was a fourth-grade elixir, capable of assisting Dou Ling cultivation. Even though he was an elder of the Eight Gates, such an elixir was a luxury for him.
Liu Yu waved his hand, and the middle-aged man retreated. These useless pills were a good way to reward his subordinates and win their hearts.
(End of this chapter)