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Chapter 83: The Auction Begins
Soul bones, in this world, are exceptionally precious treasures. For Soul Masters, they are even more valuable than soul rings because they can be passed down through generations. After a Soul Master who has fused with a soul bone dies, it can be removed and passed on to their descendants. It's the equivalent of a priceless heirloom.
If an ordinary person were to obtain a soul bone, even just a hundred-year one, they would invariably hide it and never reveal its existence. Once the possession of a soul bone is known, unless one's own strength is formidable or their backing is powerful, countless people will covet it, attempting to kill for the prize. After all, unlike a soul ring, anyone can use a soul bone once they have it.
The value of soul bones is evident.
But now, someone was actually holding a public auction for soul bones!
And not just one, but three—three ten-thousand-year soul bones!
As soon as the Heaven Dou Auction House released this news, it caused a sensation across the entire continent in less than a month. Instantly, countless people brought ample funds and flocked to the city.
It wasn't just people from the Heaven Dou Empire; many factions from the Star Luo Empire also brought sufficient funds and crossed the border into the Heaven Dou Empire, solely to purchase these exceedingly precious soul bones! Even if they couldn't afford one, just seeing it would be an eye-opening experience.
In just one month, many unfamiliar faces appeared in the Heaven Dou Imperial City. Countless people eagerly awaited the day of the auction.
On the day the auction was set to begin, Ye Cheng led Zhu Zhuqing, who had just completed a month of arduous training, back to Heaven Dou City from the depths of the mountains.
The moment the master and disciple entered the city, they noticed that, compared to a month ago, the Imperial City was now plastered with advertisements promoting the soul bone auction at the Heaven Dou Auction House.
They also observed that the proportion of Soul Masters among the pedestrians had risen sharply. Clearly, these Soul Masters had traveled great distances from other places. Some were likely just accompanying their elders to join the excitement and see the soul bones for themselves. Others, however, harbored ill intentions, planning to kill for the treasure after the auction.
Not long after the master and disciple, Ye Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing, entered Heaven Dou City, spies from various hidden factions had already relayed the news of his arrival to their superiors. He had virtually no privacy to speak of.
This was why Ye Cheng felt that being too famous wasn't a good thing. After all, when everyone recognizes you, anyone can effectively become a temporary spy, and there's nothing you can do about it. He couldn't possibly kill everyone who laid eyes on him.
Fortunately, it was no exaggeration to say his strength was now unparalleled in the world, so it didn't matter if his whereabouts were exposed. There was no real danger; it was a blessing he wasn't looking for trouble with others. Who would dare provoke him?
The surveillance from these hidden spies was more of a preventive measure. Ye Cheng was like a walking nuclear bomb. Who wouldn't be terrified if a bomb that could detonate at any moment appeared in their home? If some clueless subordinate were to provoke this powerhouse, wouldn't they all suffer an undeserved disaster?
Therefore, keeping a constant watch on the whereabouts of a dangerous figure like Ye Cheng was absolutely necessary.
Paying no mind to the gazes spying from the shadows, Ye Cheng led Zhu Zhuqing at a relaxed pace to the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House.
At the main entrance, a group of people, having received word from their lookouts, had already been waiting for a long time.
Leading the group was an unfamiliar old man whose strength was at the Soul Douluo level. The rest were several middle-aged men, all Soul Saints, including the middle-aged manager from the auction house he'd met before. Clearly, these were the senior staff members.
"We welcome Your Excellency."
The leading Soul Douluo came forward to greet him, his attitude humble and his face wreathed in smiles. "Your Excellency must be fatigued from your journey," he said. "The auction begins this afternoon, and our largest venue will be cleared for it. We have arranged an elegant private room for you. Please take this opportunity to rest for a moment while you wait for the auction to begin."
Since they were so tactful and polite, Ye Cheng naturally wouldn't act aloof and give them the cold shoulder. He simply gave a calm nod and said, "Then I’ll be troubling you."
"It is our duty, our duty! Your Excellency is too kind," the Soul Douluo said, looking flattered and waving his hands dismissively. In reality, he felt nothing; his terrified and deferential appearance was a complete act.
To be honest, if Ye Cheng weren't a Limit Douluo with such world-shocking strength, capable of slaughtering hundred-thousand-year soul beasts as easily as dicing melons and chopping vegetables—if he were merely an ordinary Titled Douluo—the factions behind the old man would have already gathered their forces to kill him and seize his goods.
So what if he was a Titled Douluo?
They had Titled Douluo of their own, not to mention other experts like Soul Douluos and Soul Saints to assist. By employing human-wave tactics in a dishonorable gang-up, even a Titled Douluo would likely fall. Unless the target was exceptionally skilled at escaping, death would be almost certain.
Surely, no one truly believed that only Spirit Hall had hidden Titled Douluo, right?
Although on the surface, the number of Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent could be counted on one's fingers, in reality, some factions with ancient lineages, like the Royal Family, definitely had hidden experts. There was certainly no shortage of Titled Douluo-level powerhouses among them. Otherwise, how could such a vast empire defend itself?
Hiding one's true strength was something every faction did; they would never reveal their full power. They would only leak some trivial information to hostile factions to mislead their enemies.
Soon, it was time for the auction to begin.
The auction was held on the second floor of the auction house. From the main hall, a full eight staircases led up to it.
The Soul Douluo acted as a guide, leading the master and disciple, Ye Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing, to the auction venue. Compared to the attendants at the main entrance, the staff here were dressed in a much less respectable manner.
They also wore white dresses, but the impression they gave was entirely different. The attendants in the auction center were all women of similar height, and every one of them had a stunningly curvaceous figure.
Their white dresses had plunging necklines and were sleeveless. The short hemlines, barely seven inches below the waist, revealed smooth, radiant thighs. Paired with white high-heeled shoes, the effect was exceptionally seductive. The deep cleavage and the prominent, shapely buttocks visible under the short skirts were enough to stir anyone's imagination.
Out of pure male instinct, even Ye Cheng couldn't help but steal a second glance. *Ahem*, just two glances. After all, he was a man who had seen the world; how could he be swayed by such simple beauty?
However, the sharp-eyed Soul Douluo noticed Ye Cheng's gaze, and a thought immediately stirred in his mind. *We're all men here, we get it.* He instantly knew what kind of gift to prepare for this powerhouse after the auction.
(end of chapter)
Soul bones, in this world, are exceptionally precious treasures. For Soul Masters, they are even more valuable than soul rings because they can be passed down through generations. After a Soul Master who has fused with a soul bone dies, it can be removed and passed on to their descendants. It's the equivalent of a priceless heirloom.
If an ordinary person were to obtain a soul bone, even just a hundred-year one, they would invariably hide it and never reveal its existence. Once the possession of a soul bone is known, unless one's own strength is formidable or their backing is powerful, countless people will covet it, attempting to kill for the prize. After all, unlike a soul ring, anyone can use a soul bone once they have it.
The value of soul bones is evident.
But now, someone was actually holding a public auction for soul bones!
And not just one, but three—three ten-thousand-year soul bones!
As soon as the Heaven Dou Auction House released this news, it caused a sensation across the entire continent in less than a month. Instantly, countless people brought ample funds and flocked to the city.
It wasn't just people from the Heaven Dou Empire; many factions from the Star Luo Empire also brought sufficient funds and crossed the border into the Heaven Dou Empire, solely to purchase these exceedingly precious soul bones! Even if they couldn't afford one, just seeing it would be an eye-opening experience.
In just one month, many unfamiliar faces appeared in the Heaven Dou Imperial City. Countless people eagerly awaited the day of the auction.
On the day the auction was set to begin, Ye Cheng led Zhu Zhuqing, who had just completed a month of arduous training, back to Heaven Dou City from the depths of the mountains.
The moment the master and disciple entered the city, they noticed that, compared to a month ago, the Imperial City was now plastered with advertisements promoting the soul bone auction at the Heaven Dou Auction House.
They also observed that the proportion of Soul Masters among the pedestrians had risen sharply. Clearly, these Soul Masters had traveled great distances from other places. Some were likely just accompanying their elders to join the excitement and see the soul bones for themselves. Others, however, harbored ill intentions, planning to kill for the treasure after the auction.
Not long after the master and disciple, Ye Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing, entered Heaven Dou City, spies from various hidden factions had already relayed the news of his arrival to their superiors. He had virtually no privacy to speak of.
This was why Ye Cheng felt that being too famous wasn't a good thing. After all, when everyone recognizes you, anyone can effectively become a temporary spy, and there's nothing you can do about it. He couldn't possibly kill everyone who laid eyes on him.
Fortunately, it was no exaggeration to say his strength was now unparalleled in the world, so it didn't matter if his whereabouts were exposed. There was no real danger; it was a blessing he wasn't looking for trouble with others. Who would dare provoke him?
The surveillance from these hidden spies was more of a preventive measure. Ye Cheng was like a walking nuclear bomb. Who wouldn't be terrified if a bomb that could detonate at any moment appeared in their home? If some clueless subordinate were to provoke this powerhouse, wouldn't they all suffer an undeserved disaster?
Therefore, keeping a constant watch on the whereabouts of a dangerous figure like Ye Cheng was absolutely necessary.
Paying no mind to the gazes spying from the shadows, Ye Cheng led Zhu Zhuqing at a relaxed pace to the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House.
At the main entrance, a group of people, having received word from their lookouts, had already been waiting for a long time.
Leading the group was an unfamiliar old man whose strength was at the Soul Douluo level. The rest were several middle-aged men, all Soul Saints, including the middle-aged manager from the auction house he'd met before. Clearly, these were the senior staff members.
"We welcome Your Excellency."
The leading Soul Douluo came forward to greet him, his attitude humble and his face wreathed in smiles. "Your Excellency must be fatigued from your journey," he said. "The auction begins this afternoon, and our largest venue will be cleared for it. We have arranged an elegant private room for you. Please take this opportunity to rest for a moment while you wait for the auction to begin."
Since they were so tactful and polite, Ye Cheng naturally wouldn't act aloof and give them the cold shoulder. He simply gave a calm nod and said, "Then I’ll be troubling you."
"It is our duty, our duty! Your Excellency is too kind," the Soul Douluo said, looking flattered and waving his hands dismissively. In reality, he felt nothing; his terrified and deferential appearance was a complete act.
To be honest, if Ye Cheng weren't a Limit Douluo with such world-shocking strength, capable of slaughtering hundred-thousand-year soul beasts as easily as dicing melons and chopping vegetables—if he were merely an ordinary Titled Douluo—the factions behind the old man would have already gathered their forces to kill him and seize his goods.
So what if he was a Titled Douluo?
They had Titled Douluo of their own, not to mention other experts like Soul Douluos and Soul Saints to assist. By employing human-wave tactics in a dishonorable gang-up, even a Titled Douluo would likely fall. Unless the target was exceptionally skilled at escaping, death would be almost certain.
Surely, no one truly believed that only Spirit Hall had hidden Titled Douluo, right?
Although on the surface, the number of Titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent could be counted on one's fingers, in reality, some factions with ancient lineages, like the Royal Family, definitely had hidden experts. There was certainly no shortage of Titled Douluo-level powerhouses among them. Otherwise, how could such a vast empire defend itself?
Hiding one's true strength was something every faction did; they would never reveal their full power. They would only leak some trivial information to hostile factions to mislead their enemies.
Soon, it was time for the auction to begin.
The auction was held on the second floor of the auction house. From the main hall, a full eight staircases led up to it.
The Soul Douluo acted as a guide, leading the master and disciple, Ye Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing, to the auction venue. Compared to the attendants at the main entrance, the staff here were dressed in a much less respectable manner.
They also wore white dresses, but the impression they gave was entirely different. The attendants in the auction center were all women of similar height, and every one of them had a stunningly curvaceous figure.
Their white dresses had plunging necklines and were sleeveless. The short hemlines, barely seven inches below the waist, revealed smooth, radiant thighs. Paired with white high-heeled shoes, the effect was exceptionally seductive. The deep cleavage and the prominent, shapely buttocks visible under the short skirts were enough to stir anyone's imagination.
Out of pure male instinct, even Ye Cheng couldn't help but steal a second glance. *Ahem*, just two glances. After all, he was a man who had seen the world; how could he be swayed by such simple beauty?
However, the sharp-eyed Soul Douluo noticed Ye Cheng's gaze, and a thought immediately stirred in his mind. *We're all men here, we get it.* He instantly knew what kind of gift to prepare for this powerhouse after the auction.
(end of chapter)
