"Whoosh!"
As the black-robed auctioneer's voice fell, the entire venue was silent for a moment. But in the next breath, an earth-shattering uproar erupted like a tidal wave, crashing through the auction hall with deafening momentum.
The name of the Dou Ling Dan was too resounding. Among all fifth-tier Pills, there were almost none that could rival its reputation. It was even known by the honorary title of "pseudo-sixth-tier," a testament to the unique and supreme status it held in the realm of fifth-tier Pills!
A sea of bloodshot eyes fixed greedily on the two emerald-green Pills seated quietly in the center of the violet-gold tray. Every breath was heavy, and the tension in the hall could be sliced with a blade.
To everyone present, these two Dou Ling Dan were the perfect prize—precisely strong and rare enough to tempt even the most stoic soul.
Sixth-tier Pills were undoubtedly more powerful, but they were too far out of reach for most. Even if one got their hands on them, they might not be able to refine or even safely consume them.
But fifth-tier peak level Pills—especially ones as practical and influential as the Dou Ling Dan—were the exact sweet spot. Especially for those powerhouses currently at the Dou Wang level, or on the cusp of it.
People like the Heiyan Cheng Chengzhu (Black Rock City's City Lord).
Or those heads of noble families and great clans who controlled vast resources and elite warriors.
And certainly not to forget the enchanting woman with the figure that seemed tailored by the heavens to seduce mortals.
"Five million!"
That sultry woman gave a teasing glance toward Lin Ran's private booth, then turned toward the auction stage. With a playful curve of her lips, she declared, "Plus one magic core of the sixth-tier magical beast—Golden-Eating Rat King."
Hiss!
The sound of gasping filled the venue once again.
This was an astonishing offer. A sixth-tier magic core alone was worth at least five million gold coins on the open market. With five million in cash on top of it, that woman had raised the bid to nearly ten million in value!
In an instant, the bustling auction floor fell eerily silent. Many of those itching to place a bid instantly backed down.
'Damn it, opening with five million and a sixth-tier core? Who the hell could compete with that?!'
Money could be gathered with enough effort. But a sixth-tier magic core? That was a treasure even the wealthiest might not own. To possess one meant slaying a beast on par with a Dou Huang expert.
Lin Ran remained calm within the Number One booth. His index finger lightly tapped the armrest as he listened to the commotion fade around him. 'That woman again… She really doesn't let go once she sets her sights on something.'
But before the auctioneer could bang the gavel, another voice broke through.
"Esteemed guests, allow this old man to make a bid as well. I'm quite interested in these Dou Ling Dan."
A figure in rags walked out from another private booth. It was Gu Te, who had earlier pledged a magic core and three rare treasures just for the opportunity to watch Lin Ran refine Pills.
Now, he respectfully cupped his fists toward Lin Ran's booth and said loudly, "I offer a sixth-tier Pill recipe—Hun Yuan Su Gu Dan—a bottle of Green Nether Fruit Elixir, a bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and a petal of the Peach Blossom Flame from the Kui Mu Beast!"
Hiss!
Another round of stunned gasps surged through the venue.
A sixth-tier Pill recipe!
Pill recipes were spiritual blueprints, similar to Dou Techniques, but far rarer and more valuable. A recipe for a sixth-tier Pill could easily match or surpass the value of a high-level Earth-rank Dou Technique.
With the additional rare materials, Gu Te's bid far exceeded ten million in value.
"Where the hell did that beggar-looking guy get this kind of treasure stash?"
"Damn… is the rumor true? Is he really the older brother of Dan Wang Gu He?!"
"I'm about to pass out from envy."
Clearly, Gu Te was pulling no punches in this bid.
A smirk flashed across the face of the woman from Tian She Fu as she placed a slender hand against her curved hip.
"What a generous elder," she said with a sultry laugh, "but that sixth-tier Hun Yuan Su Gu Dan recipe is hardly rare. I'm afraid you'll need to do better."
"I offer five million gold coins, the Golden-Eating Rat King's sixth-tier magic core, and—" her voice paused briefly before continuing with a bright smile, "a vial of seventh-tier magical beast blood—You Di Ming Mang."
The moment her words fell, the auction floor went into complete shock.
Seventh-tier magical beast blood?!
That kind of treasure was unheard of in places like Black Rock City!
Even Gu Te's confident expression froze. The older man inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing. Seventh-tier beast blood—just acquiring it was difficult enough, let alone using it properly. His stash of Pills and ingredients couldn't compare.
After a moment of stiff silence, Gu Te sighed and quietly returned to his booth.
"It seems… these Dou Ling Dan now belong to me," the woman laughed confidently and turned to the auctioneer. "Can you bang the gavel now?"
The black-robed auctioneer nodded frantically, afraid to offend her. After asking three times per auction protocol, he finally slammed the gavel down.
Bang!
With that resounding sound, the ownership of the two legendary Dou Ling Dan was sealed.
And so, with the final item sold, the auction officially drew to a close.
"Phew… what a ride."
Many buyers began to file out of the auction hall. But even as they departed, their gazes remained fixed on the Number One private booth.
One person, however, didn't wait.
That alluring woman from Tian She Fu stood and leisurely stretched. Her teal cheongsam hugged her every curve. She walked out of her booth and with a wave of her hand, summoned two shimmering wings of energy—Dou Qi Manifestation. With grace and sensuality, she soared directly toward Lin Ran's booth.
Dou Qi Wings… she's a Dou Wang?!
Gasps echoed across the venue once more.
She had just casually revealed her true cultivation level. The flirtatious woman with the figure of a temptress… was actually a Dou Wang expert!
Those who had ogled her earlier lowered their heads and scurried away like rats, afraid she'd remember their rude stares and retaliate.
Meanwhile, another figure followed behind her—it was the ragged Gu Te.
Without a word, he too began walking toward Lin Ran's booth.
"Let's go."
Within the City Lord's booth, Ao Tuo and Fu Lan Ke exchanged glances and stood up.
"We cannot afford to keep such a guest waiting any longer."
If earlier they'd still harbored doubts about Lin Ran's status and strength, after today's auction—after watching two fifth-tier peak Pills fetch near-unimaginable prices—those doubts were gone.
Even the woman from Tian She Fu, a powerful Dou Wang, had gone all-in to secure those Pills.
What more proof did they need?
"I'll go too," said the Heiyan Cheng Chengzhu (Black Rock City's City Lord) in a low voice. "As the host of this city, it would be remiss of me not to pay my respects."
He turned toward Lin Fei. "Fei'er."
"Yes, father?" Lin Fei blinked in surprise.
"Come with me. It's time we paid that young man a proper visit."
"…Understood." She hesitated for only a moment before nodding obediently.
Fu Lan Ke gave a helpless shrug and turned to Xue Mei. "You should come too, Xue Mei. No sense leaving Lin Fei alone."
Xue Mei lightly bit her lip and gave a small nod. Her heart trembled.
She understood now.
Because of that man's strength—because of his public display of power and prestige—everything in Black Rock City was about to change.
And she had been one of the first to witness it.
"Yes, teacher."
(End of Chapter)