Exorbitant Bids!
Huo Xuan from the Yan Clan held his breath at the sight of the beauty before him. Not even in his wildest dream had he imagined meeting someone so breathtakingly beautiful, like a celestial maiden descending from heaven, in such a remote place like this.
Huo Xuan straightened his clothes and spoke politely, "I am Huo Xuan from the Yan Clan. May I know your name and which family you belong to?"
Lian Xue responded coldly, "Lian Xue, I belong to no family. I am a guardian of Heaven Ascending Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, Huo Xuan smiled, relieved that she had no family backing. "Lian Xue, what a beautiful name. May I ask if you are married?"
"Are you courting death?" Lian Xue's sword pointed angrily at Huo Xuan's neck.
The soldiers flanking the chariot immediately rushed forward, but Huo Xuan stopped them, saying coldly, "What do you think you're doing, drawing your weapons against Miss Lian Xue? Put them away!"
At Huo Xuan's command, the soldiers immediately sheathed their weapons.
Huo Xuan continued with a smile, "I mean no harm. I have never seen such a beautiful woman before. If I have been presumptuous, I apologize, Miss Lian Xue."
Lian Xue's expression remained cold. "Why are you here? If you have no business, leave immediately. This is not a place for you to cause trouble."
Huo Xuan frowned. As a scion of one of the eight great clans, he was not used to being spoken to like this. Could it be that Heaven Ascending Pavilion had the backing of one of the great clans?
Just as he was pondering, Bing Shuang walked out briskly, "The Pavilion Master has ordered that he be allowed in."
Hearing this, Lian Xue reluctantly lowered her weapon and stepped aside. Since the Pavilion Master had granted permission, there was no need to stop him.
Huo Xuan clicked his tongue in admiration. This Heaven Ascending Pavilion was truly exceptional. Not only were there a lot of beauties, but they were also unimaginably strong for both of them were Dou Venerates. He wondered what kind of person their Pavilion Master might be.
As he entered Heaven Ascending Pavilion, he was greeted by the sight of the grand auction hall on the first floor.
At the center was the auction platform, made entirely of high-quality crystal. Even the auction hammer was made of pure gold, a proof of their prestige.
Huo Xuan squinted, despite having seen many grand scenes as a Dou Venerate. The grandness of this place intrigued him, making him wonder why such a formidable auction house existed in the humble Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves, curious about the man clad in purple robe's identity, though they were not privy to Huo Xuan's status.
Huo Xuan's gaze fell on Li Xiao on the crystal platform. Attempting to probe him with spiritual power, he was immediately repelled by the pavilion's defensive measures, nearly coughing up blood.
He felt his blood flow went stagnant while his Dou Qi turned disordered, as if he might faint at any moment.
Huo Xuan's lips twitched, his suspicion about Li Xiao's identity growing. Who was this person who could counter his spiritual power?
"You must be the Pavilion Master of Heaven Ascending Pavilion, correct?" Huo Xuan asked instinctively.
"Yes," Li Xiao nodded. "A guest from afar, are you here for the auction?"
"Indeed," Huo Xuan replied, blinking as he looked at the Bone Chilling Flame on the crystal platform. "I heard the rumor that the auction hosted by Heaven Ascending Pavilion is brimming with rare and precious treasures, one of a kind. I happened to be nearby so I couldn't contain my curiosity and decided to visit. I hope you won't mind."
"Not at all," Li Xiao smiled warmly and said, "Guests from afar are always welcome, and since the final auction hasn't begun yet, you haven't disrupted anything."
Hearing this, Huo Xuan nodded and, under Niu Meng's guidance, moved to a private room on the third floor to prepare for the auction.
His main reason for coming was to auction some rare treasures. Initially, he hadn't expected much from this small auction house, but seeing the Bone Chilling Flame on the stage had proved him wrong.
The depth of Heaven Ascending Pavilion's foundation was astonishing. They were auctioning such a rare and powerful Heavenly Flame—what extravagance!
Li Xiao adjusted his clothes and announced, "Now, I declare the auction officially open. The starting bid is zero. Feel free to place your bids!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room erupted into a frenzy. Gold coins were no longer the currency; only rare treasures would suffice.
"I offer three low-grade Earth-class Dou techniques and six six-rank pills!"
"I will trade treasures of the same level!"
"One hundred million gold coins and a mid-grade Earth-class technique!"
The bids soared, with even mid-grade Earth-class techniques being offered. It was clear that everyone was willing to give everything they had, even bankrupting themselves, to obtain the Bone Chilling Flame.
Huo Xuan chuckled, "Three hundred million gold coins and two low-grade Earth-class Dou techniques."
The room fell silent in shock. All eyes turned to the newcomer from the Yan Clan. No one expected this dark horse to drive the bid straight to three hundred million gold coins!
Han Feng clenched his fists, his voice low and determined, "Damn it, everyone, I made it clear before we came here. If you help me obtain the Heavenly Flame, I, Han Feng, promise to provide all the pills you need for a year, free of charge!"
Hearing this, the Dou Emperors exchanged glances. Such an enticing offer was hard to refuse.
Ban Lao chuckled, "With your word, Medicine Emperor, we are reassured. Today, even if we bankrupt ourselves, we will help you get the Heavenly Flame!"
Yuan Yi, the leader of Eight Gates, and Fan Lao, the Blood Sect Master, nodded in agreement. At this point, there was no turning back.
"Rest assured, Medicine Emperor. Eight Gates will do everything we can!"
Han Feng nodded heavily, "Four hundred million gold coins and three different six-rank pill recipes!"
The crowd gasped in astonishment. Six-rank pill recipes were being brought out; it was clear Han Feng was determined to reclaim his master's Bone Chilling Flame!
Huo Xuan sneered, resting his chin on his hand, "To be able to produce so much money at once, a six-rank alchemist from Black Corner Region is indeed resourceful. In front of my Yan Clan, however, it is all in vain."
Han Feng's expression grew serious, mumbling, "The Yan Clan... one of the Eight Great Clans..."
"That's right, I am Huo Xuan, a strong member of the Yan Clan, one of the Eight Great Clans!" Huo Xuan's gaze was icy. "Han Feng, I've heard of you. You were once a disciple of Medicine Venerate, but it seems something went awry between you two."
Han Feng's body trembled, his face changing drastically. Even his lips quivered at the realization that Huo Xuan knew about his past.
"Damn it! I must obtain the Bone Chilling Flame at any cost!" Han Feng swore, determined to claim the Heavenly Flame.