NOVEL NEXT The Humble Amethyst Winged Lion King
Hearing the Amethyst Winged Lion King's words, Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction. As the saying goes, "A wise man submits to circumstances." Even if the Lion King had refused, Li Xiao had a hundred ways to make it wish for death over survival.
To ensure the Lion King willingly became his subordinate, Li Xiao utilized his system to forcibly bind it to him, completely transforming it into his mount.
The Lion King looked resentful but had no choice; might makes right, and its opponent's strength surpassed its own. It could only accept its fate.
Li Xiao also wouldn't let the remaining three rank five magical beasts go. Equivalent to human Dou King, they were perfect candidates for being the Heaven Ascending Pavilion's gatekeepers.
Using three peak Dou King experts as gatekeepers, only the Heaven Ascending Pavilion could afford such luxury outside the Central Plain.
The Dou Qi Continent was divided into nine regions: East, West, South, North, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, and Central. The Central Plains was teeming with strong individuals, where even Dou Ancestor-level warriors served as mere gatekeepers, indicating the terrifying strength of those powers.
Currently, with its strongest warrior only at the peak of Dou Ancestor, Heaven Ascending Pavilion was still weak. Competing with such behemoths was clearly seeking death. Only by widely recruiting strong warriors could the pavilion transform into one of those giant forces.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King prowled outside Heaven Ascending Pavilion, sighing in lamentation, "Had I known I'd become someone's mount, I would never have come here."
The three rank five magical beasts exchanged looks, all feeling extremely helpless. However, they were thankful they weren't killed. Otherwise, all their lifetime efforts would have been for naught.
"Now, hand over everything you've accumulated over the years, including spiritual treasures, rare medicines, Dou Techniques, and cultivation methods."
All four beasts were stunned simultaneously, not expecting their captor to demand their few precious treasures right after subjugating them.
Isn't this bullying honest beasts?
However, Li Xiao didn't care. As rulers of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, they naturally possessed extraordinary items, possibly even coveted Dou Techniques.
The Lion King reluctantly relented, handing over all its possessions, looking incredibly pitiful, which elicited an unkind laugh from Li Xiao.
The three rank five beasts followed suit, but their possessions weren't much. Dou Techniques and cultivation methods were tailored for humans, and unless a magical beast advanced to Tier 6, it couldn't cultivate human skills. These were merely what they had accumulated over the years and deemed worthwhile.
Li Xiao inspected the items but didn't find what he desired most. Grabbing the Lion King's head, he asked in deep voice, "Are you hiding something from me?"
The Lion King instinctively swallowed, feeling a bit guilty, and lowered its head, "No… no, I never lie."
"Oh?" Li Xiao smirked slightly. "So, the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence aren't yours?"
At this, the Lion King went furious. How could this human know about the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence? Especially the essence, besides his child and him, no one knew about it. Could this human have probed his memories?
Indeed, humans were the most cunning!
"Master, it takes me twenty years to drop a small piece of the Purple Spirit Crystal. How can I just give it away like that?" the Amethyst Winged Lion King grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Are you talking back to me?" Li Xiao's expression turned icy. Instantly, a surge of spiritual power penetrated the Lion King's head. In just a second, the Lion King felt a piercing pain in its head, as if the agony reached deep into its soul, causing it to roll on the ground in excruciating pain.
"Ah… it hurts, it hurts so much! I was wrong, Master, I was wrong. I won't dare anymore. I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you," the Lion King screamed in agony.
Despite his cries, Li Xiao didn't relent. The beast's wild nature had to be tamed; without a proper lesson, he wouldn't recognize who his true master was. Only after the Lion King fell unconscious from the pain did Li Xiao cease the punishment.
As they witnessed this, the three rank five magical beasts were already trembling with fear. Hastily, they presented the rest of their treasures without any further resistance:
Ten Tier-6 Soul Recovery Pills, Five Tier-5 Dragon Strength Pills, High-level Black Dou Technique: Sunset Staff Technique, Low-level Earth Dou Technique: Wind Manipulation Art
Seeing the treasures, Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction. He hadn't expected these magical beasts to have such substantial reserves.
Apart from some Tier Six pills and high-level Dou techniques, most of the items weren't particularly valuable. However, the Purple Spirit Crystal and the Amethyst Birth Essence were indeed rare finds. Coupled with the Heavenly Flame, Li Xiao's Heaven Ascending Pavilion's reputation would soon echo throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Li Xiao proceeded to store all the items. The system not only helped him enhance his strength but also acted as a storage space. Even when containing a Heavenly Flame, there was no risk of burning everything within.
These items were enough to support their first auction. However, the current challenge was how to attract the strong individuals of the Jia Ma Empire.
Using force?
That would lack elegance...
Inviting them humbly?
They might look down on him.
Li Xiao stroked his chin and paced back and forth. Eventually, his gaze settled on Niu Meng. This burly man, with his intimidating appearance, seemed perfect for the task.
Besides, with him as the messenger, those people would surely be able to glean on the unfathomableness of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
Having a Dou Ancestor powerhouse spread the invitations would certainly grant considerable prestige. After all, what kind of importance an event held that could warrant a Dou Ancestor to personally make a move?
"Niu Meng, I need you to make a trip. Inform all the strong individuals in the Jia Ma Empire, whether they are Dou Emperor, Dou King, or even certain merchants. Invite them to attend the first auction of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. If anyone refuses, handle it as you see fit."
Upon hearing this, Niu Meng began pounding his fists together, a grin spreading across his face. "Understood, Master. For a few Dou Emperors, it's already a great honour that I go in person. If anyone dares to insult the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, I'll personally twist their head off."
Indeed, while Dou Emperor might be considered peak power in the Jia Ma Empire, beyond the empire's borders, they would find that a Dou Emperor was merely an entry-level powerhouse. Only by becoming a Dou Ancestor could one be considered a true expert on the Dou Qi continent.
Sending a Dou Ancestor to invite them would undoubtedly make them realize the intimidating power of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, instilling fear in their hearts.
This would clearly show that the Heaven Ascending Pavilion was no ordinary auction house! Meanwhile, Linglong would remain hidden during the auction, concealing her true strength to keep everyone guessing.
Starting with small steps, they would gradually move towards holding auctions on the Central Plains, eventually earning higher-level rewards when the time was right.