Chapter 8: Heaven Dou Auction House
Cultivation paid no heed to time. In the blink of an eye, four months had passed.
Dugu Chen had already advanced to level fifteen. After absorbing his first spirit ring, he had been close to a breakthrough, and during this period, he managed to rise by two levels. Had his senior sister not cultivated diligently and reached level sixteen, they would've been evenly matched.
The streets of the city were broad and spotless, flanked by rows of shops. A constant stream of people bustled about as a luxurious carriage slowly made its way through the flow.
Inside the carriage, Dugu Bo sat at the front, while Dugu Chen and Dugu Yan sat together behind him. Dugu Yan occasionally lifted the curtain, watching the lively streets with excitement. Every now and then, she tugged at Dugu Chen to point something out, her expression full of curiosity and joy.
Listening to her soft voice beside his ear, Dugu Chen's mood lightened. This was the most prosperous city he had ever seen in both his lives, and he couldn't help but marvel as he looked out the window.
After a while, the novelty began to fade. Dugu Chen turned toward Dugu Bo, who had his eyes closed, and asked curiously,
"Teacher, where are we going?"
Opening his eyes, Dugu Bo glanced toward the city center through the window and replied,
"Today, the Heaven Dou Great Auction House is holding a spirit bone auction. Since you two have been cultivating so diligently lately, I figured it was a good time to take you out to broaden your horizons. Cultivation must be balanced—with tension and relaxation in harmony."
An auction house?
Although Dugu Chen had lived over twenty years across two lifetimes, he had never set foot in one. And today, he'd even get to witness a spirit bone auction—he couldn't help but feel excited.
The carriage finally stopped in front of a domed structure.
The building was uniquely designed—perfectly round like a massive half-sphere resting on the ground. There was no signage, only a hammer symbol prominently displayed.
The Heaven Dou Great Auction House occupied an enormous space—over 500 meters in diameter and more than 80 meters high at its tallest point. Considering that every inch of land in the capital was precious, its scale alone spoke volumes of its background. Dugu Chen didn't doubt that the imperial family had a hand in its operations.
At the entrance stood four young women, tall and elegant.
Each of them was roughly 1.75 meters tall, with well-proportioned figures. While not peerless beauties, their refined appearances and graceful temperaments made them quite charming.
They appeared no older than twenty and wore floor-length white gowns with silver embroidery forming subtle characters. The gowns had long sleeves and covered them modestly, yet their tailored fit outlined their curves perfectly. All four stood in identical postures, hands clasped in front, wearing polite, professional smiles that radiated warmth.
"Welcome, esteemed guests."
As the trio descended from the carriage and approached the entrance, one of the women stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Dugu Bo produced a red token from his Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night pouch. Upon seeing it, the woman's demeanor shifted, becoming even more respectful. She gestured gracefully,
"Please, this way."
With quick, light steps, she led them inside.
The interior of the auction house was not gaudy but refined. The floors were paved with lustrous milky-white marble, and the walls were adorned with elegant bas-reliefs. Their muted colors exuded a simple and dignified beauty.
Built-in display cases lined both sides of the corridor, showcasing delicate porcelain and ancient armor, giving the space the feel of an art gallery.
The young woman guiding them was highly professional, pausing every few steps to gesture in the proper direction, ensuring smooth navigation.
Soon, under her guidance, the trio reached the true core of the auction house.
The auction center was located on the second floor, with eight grand staircases leading up to it. Just before entry, the receptionist handed each of them a mask—for anonymity and safety. Auctions often attracted a wide range of individuals, and revealing one's identity could bring unnecessary trouble.
Noticing the youthful appearances of Dugu Chen and Dugu Yan, the young woman thoughtfully provided smaller masks that fit their faces better.
She escorted them to the auction hall's entrance before politely taking her leave. From here on, another team of attendants would take over.
Compared to the previous guide, the attendants inside the auction hall left quite a different impression.
They were all women, dressed in white like before—but now their outfits had taken a dramatic turn. Their dresses featured deep V-necks, sleeveless designs, and skirts that barely extended seven inches past the waist, exposing slender thighs. They wore white heels that emphasized their figures even further. Between the plunging necklines and the perfectly rounded curves under those short skirts, they presented an almost overwhelming allure.
Dugu Chen, though still a youth in body, couldn't help but feast his eyes—even if he couldn't do anything about it yet.
Dugu Yan noticed her junior brother's wandering gaze and immediately stepped forward, pinching his waist hard.
"Junior Brother, are they pretty?"
The sudden sting made Dugu Chen wince. He quickly turned to her with a forced smile,
"I was just admiring their uniforms. They're nice, but not as pretty as you, Senior sister."
For the sake of his waist—and his future survival—he had to spout some blatant flattery. Though, between cute and sexy, it was clear which had the stronger impact in this moment.
"Hmph! I'll let you off this time, you pervy junior brother."
Hearing herself praised, Dugu Yan snorted and turned away. Women, regardless of age, were clearly sensitive in this domain—and even more so in a world where people matured early.
Dugu Chen had suffered a tactical defeat this round. After all, what kind of man could maintain composure under such temptation?
After the short skirmish, the voluptuous attendants guided them into the auction center.
The interior resembled a vast amphitheater. A circular stage stood at the center, surrounded by rows of seating in concentric rings.
Seats were color-coded based on their level: red, black, purple, yellow, and white, radiating outward from the stage. The innermost red seats required special access and were guarded. This was the million-level VIP zone—reserved for the truly powerful and influential.
Dugu Bo naturally qualified and led the two children to seats within the red section.
High-end auctions here didn't start until the evening, and the crowd was sparse for now—only about a quarter of the seats were filled. Most items on display were ordinary, with nothing too dazzling.
After a few bored glances, Dugu Chen lost interest and leaned on the chair, tapping his fingers idly.
Dugu Yan, however, was captivated. Everything was new and exciting to her. From time to time, she'd jokingly ask Dugu Bo to buy something for her.
The auctioneer had an impressive stage presence. Within fifteen minutes, three items had been sold at high prices.
Then, after another jade sculpture was taken away, the auctioneer smiled mysteriously and said,
"Next up is a rather... special treasure. If you're interested, don't miss this!"
A tray was brought forward, and on it sat a glowing dark-yellow crystal.
"The next item is ten-thousand-year whale oil. Friends, this is extremely rare!"
The moment those words fell, murmurs rippled through the audience.
Whale Glue?
In this era, thousand-year whale oil was already considered precious. It could enhance spirit ring absorption by an extra five hundred years—an invaluable resource for any clan grooming a young genius.
But ten-thousand-year whale glue? That was another level entirely.
Though few knew its full potential, its common use was rather... provocative—an aphrodisiac. It could significantly enhance certain nightly activities, which explained why the announcement had drawn such heated interest.
Dugu Chen, who had been half-drowsy, suddenly sat up straight, his breathing quickening.
Others might not understand—but he did.
Ten-thousand-year whale oil could lay the foundation for absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring at an early stage!
This wasn't just rare—it was a treasure.
Glancing at Dugu Bo, he said solemnly,
"Teacher, if possible, I have great use for this whale glue."
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.
Even Dugu Yan looked at him like he'd grown another head. Judging by the auctioneer's tone and the crowd's whispers, she more or less understood what the item was commonly used for. Her gaze toward Dugu Chen had clearly changed.
Dugu Chen, sensing the misunderstanding, quickly clarified,
"Teacher, it's not what you think! This whale glue is a priceless resource. I wouldn't trade it for even a thousand-year spirit bone. I'll explain everything once we're home."
Dugu Bo frowned but didn't question further. His disciple didn't seem like the frivolous type. Perhaps the boy knew something he didn't.
After several rounds of bidding, Dugu Bo finally secured the whale oil. Those familiar with him dared not bid against a Titled Douluo over something like this, and the uninformed gave up after noticing where he sat.
With the treasure in hand, Dugu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. This trip had been well worth it.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo—under the curious and knowing glances of other VIPs—couldn't help but grumble with some awkwardness.
"You better have a damn good reason when we get home…"