In a high red chamber, Tang Yuehua calmly watched the auction unfold.
Dressed in a silver-white court gown, she appeared elegant and noble. Though she looked only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, her every move exuded grace and charm.
Qian Renxue frowned:"Isn't Moon Pavilion supposed to cultivate the character of nobles and royal descendants? Why would she participate in such an auction? What does she want with that fox girl?"
Lin Feng pondered:"She likely wants to save her, just like us. Given Moon Pavilion's nature, that seems more probable.Being a maid in Moon Pavilion is still better than being sold to some noble.However, the fact she's willing to spend 500,000 gold soul coins might mean the fox girl harbors a secret."
As Lin Feng suspected, once Tang Yuehua placed her bid, the entire auction hall fell silent.
No one dared risk offending Moon Pavilion, which was rising swiftly in the Heaven Dou Empire.
The auctioneer, seeing no further bids, looked slightly awkward. But Tang Yuehua's price had hit their reserve, so with no choice, he brought the hammer down three times. The fox girl was released from her cage, timid and fearful, and was escorted to Tang Yuehua's room.
The host sighed, then loudly proclaimed:"Congratulations to Madam Yuehua on winning the last treasure.Now, we present the final item of today's auction.
Ever since the Spirit Hall publicly released Scholar Lin Feng's research findings a few months ago, many soul masters have attempted to follow those paths.Despite past failures and even deaths, many continue to try.During this process, treasures that can protect one's meridians have become extremely valuable.
After much effort, we discovered this strange stone in the Star Dou Great Forest.Take a look!"
Under the illumination of a soul-guided spotlight, a small, peculiar stone emitting a faint green glow was slowly brought onto the stage.
The stone, about the size of a fingernail, radiated a mysterious and deep aura—even from within its special container, it was impossible to ignore.One glance was enough to sense its uniqueness.
The host continued:"This stone was found by a soul-hunting team. Out of five members, only one survived.In a remote cave, near death, the last survivor found this stone and recovered rapidly after coming into contact with it—his life was saved.
We paid a high price for this because of its astonishing life energy. For those trying to replicate Scholar Lin Feng's techniques, this is a rare and invaluable treasure."
Once the container was opened, the stone bathed the entire auction hall in a dense green glow.
A refreshing vitality seemed to spread through the air, invigorating everyone present.
Some soul masters even felt their soul power increase slightly.
Everyone in the room was entranced by the vitality radiating from the stone, holding their breath as they waited for the next announcement.
"Impossible!"
Lin Feng's pupils shrank as he shot up from his seat, startling Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue beside him.
"Xiao Feng, what's wrong?"
Could it be that his presence had altered the timeline?Had people started seeking treasures to protect their meridians in order to replicate his techniques—leading to the appearance of this item?
This can't be… Life Gold shouldn't appear here, not now, not in this place!
"…Nothing. It's just—I've seen this thing in ancient texts."
"Sister Ling Yuan, go to the Spirit Hall branch right now and mobilize funds. We must win this stone!"
Seeing the seriousness in Lin Feng's expression, Ling Yuan nodded firmly and left.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. It was the first time she'd seen Lin Feng so serious in everyday life.
"Xiao Feng, this stone looks unusual. What is it really?"
Lin Feng slowly sat back down, his expression unreadable.
"It's called Life Gold—a rare, special metal that seems alive, though it has no consciousness.It can decompose nearly all known metals and minerals. In ancient records, it's described as containing immense energy and terrifying vitality.You could say it's like the Nine-Heart Begonia of the mineral world."
The host smiled as he surveyed the silent hall. This atmosphere was exactly what he wanted—eager bidders restrained by awe and anticipation.
"The starting bid is 500,000 gold soul coins, with a minimum increment of 100,000. Let the bidding begin!"
Silence followed for a moment—then a calm, upright voice sounded:
"1 million gold soul coins!"
Tang Yuehua followed quickly:
"1.5 million!"
"1.8 million!"
As the bidding escalated, the first middle-aged voice returned:
"3 million! Everyone, it's just a fingernail-sized stone. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not short on funds—we're determined to win. Please understand."
"That's Ning Fengzhi!"
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected such powerful figures to attend today's auction. It seemed that both the royal family and top nobles of Heaven Dou were here.
A light fragrance drifted in—Ling Yuan had returned and gave Lin Feng a slight nod.
"3.1 million gold soul coins. Sect Master Ning, Madam Yuehua greets you.This stone is of great use to Moon Pavilion and me. Please show mercy. Moon Pavilion can offer compensation."
Ning Fengzhi remained calm. "Madam Yuehua, this stone is also very useful to me.Don't forget—our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has unmatched expertise in gemstones. With such a miraculous stone, we cannot let it go."
Tang Yuehua frowned slightly—she hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to be after the stone too.She had thought he was there for the fox girl.
With their identities now revealed, the number of bids lessened. The two had clearly dominated the field.
Lin Feng gently squeezed Qian Renxue's soft hand, thought for a moment, then pressed the button beside him:
"3.5 million gold soul coins."
The hall fell into silence as all eyes turned to Black Room 17.
Ning Fengzhi frowned—someone with enough money to bid this high was in a black room?
He hadn't recognized the voice either. Who was this outsider?
He turned to one side and gave an order:
"Go investigate who they are."
Just as the guard was about to leave, Sword Douluo stopped him.
"Fengzhi, there's a Contra in that room. From a distance, I even sensed a faint Titled Douluo aura."
Ning Fengzhi's pupils shrank. "Uncle Jian, you mean—?"
Sword Douluo nodded:
"Very likely… it's the Spirit Hall."
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle