As Xiao Yan's voice fell, the Southwestern alchemist—who had been incomparably excited just moments before—froze stiffly. In the span of just a few seconds, his expression cycled through several colors before finally settling into blank despair.
"Damn it… I got carried away just now…"The Southwestern alchemist's face instantly turned deathly pale.
According to the auction house's rules, once a guest called out a price, they were required to pay that amount after the auction concluded.
Otherwise, they would have to compensate the auction house for its losses. If they couldn't, then at best they would be detained by the force behind the auction house and forced to work as a tool to repay the debt; at worst, they would be seized and sold as a slave—or even killed outright.
Liao Du believed he probably wouldn't be killed, but the thought of that terrifying five million gold coins still made his heart pound violently.
Even as a dignified fifth-tier alchemist, five million gold coins was not something he could casually produce. Even if he handed over all his possessions, they would be worth at most three million gold coins.
As for the remaining amount, he would likely be captured and forced to work as a tool to repay the debt.
Two million gold coins—even with the earning power of a fifth-tier alchemist—would probably require one or two years of nonstop pill refining without eating or drinking.
At this thought, Liao Du was overwhelmed with regret. If only he hadn't been so greedy and had stopped earlier at four million gold coins, how good would that have been?
Just a single moment of greed had turned what should have been a massive gain into a catastrophic loss.
Life was often like this—one small choice could very well change the course of one's entire life.
However, Xiao Yan didn't care in the slightest what Liao Du was thinking. His soul power had already reached the Black Seal City Lord.
"Later, seize that alchemist who made the bid. He's of use to me."
"Understood, Lord Yan Xiao!"
The Black Seal City Lord nodded lightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Black-eating-black was practically routine in the Black Corner Region. A fifth-tier alchemist who voluntarily handed over a handle like this was simply asking to be plucked clean.
After this brief interlude between wealthy bidders ended, many spectators were stunned by the terrifying prices offered by the two, but their attention soon returned to the next auction item.
Unfortunately, the items that followed held no interest for Xiao Yan at all. He no longer made any bids, yet his indifferent back view still caused the group from Canaan Academy behind him to burn with excitement.
Xiao Yan's calm, effortless act of raising the price by a million gold coins in one breath was simply intoxicating. To bid so casually, one first needed the confidence—and capital—to do so.
If Xiao Yan were willing, there would be very few female students among them who could refuse him.
As the auction came to an end, the fifth-tier alchemist quietly slipped around the exhibition hall, attempting to sneak out through the back door.
He had already made up his mind—the Poison Flame Crystal could go to hell. If the Black Seal City people discovered he couldn't pay that much money, he would be completely finished.
With that thought, he quickened his pace. After passing through the final small door, the constant tension in his heart finally eased a little.
By this point, the auction house people shouldn't have noticed him, right? By the time they realized he was gone, he would probably have already left Black Seal City.
"Master Liao Du, where exactly are you heading?"
A calm voice sounded out, instantly sending Liao Du's heart back into his throat.
He turned around and saw one of the Black Seal Auction House's managers.
"This man is only at the Dou Ling realm. If I insist on escaping, there's no way he can stop me," Liao Du thought."But that would cause far too much commotion…"
Just as Liao Du was thinking about how to bluff his way through, the manager spoke first.
"Master Liao Du, you're truly interesting—spending five million gold coins to buy your own item."
"Since it's my own item, I can set the price however I want, can't I?"Since he was already exposed, Liao Du could only steel himself and continue the bluff.
"Of course you can. If this weren't our auction house, even if you claimed it was worth fifty billion, no one would object.But the problem is—this is our auction house."
"Your actions are slapping our auction house in the face."
The manager said this with a smile.
"Heh… I won't do this again next time."After saying that, Liao Du turned to leave—only to see a tall figure standing there, smiling warmly at him.
"Master Liao Du, no need to rush."The Black Seal City Lord's smile widened slightly.
"Sir Xiao Yan, aren't we continuing our journey?"Ruo Lin looked at Xiao Yan in confusion.
"It's almost dark. Let's rest another night," Xiao Yan said casually as he skewered a piece of lean magical beast meat and tossed it into his mouth."You students rarely get a chance to come out—shouldn't you relax a bit?"
Compared to the previous night's lodging, with the Black Seal City Lord's arrangements, everyone was now staying in the most luxurious guest palace in Black Seal City.
The group of students stared in excitement at the resplendent, gold-and-jade palace.
For ordinary people, even spending hundreds of gold coins would only get them a mediocre room for one night. Yet the Black Seal City Lord had allocated the entire palace to Xiao Yan. Even the banquet prepared was the highest-tier cuisine Black Seal City had to offer.
One table alone cost several thousand gold coins.
Even Ruo Lin herself hadn't enjoyed such treatment many times, let alone these inexperienced students. At this moment, their admiration and longing for Xiao Yan deepened even further.
"My lord, the man has been brought over."The Black Seal City Lord's voice transmission sounded in Xiao Yan's ear.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan paused slightly, then smiled at the students."I have some matters to attend to. You all eat and drink well."
With that, his body lightly vanished from the spot.
"Lord Xiao Yan truly is an incredible figure with immense influence. Even the people of Black Seal City treat him with such respect," one of the students said in awe.
For the first time, the group felt the pride of working alongside a true great figure.
Inside Xiao Yan's room, the Black Seal City Lord was smiling as he looked at the tightly bound alchemist, Liao Du.
Meanwhile, Liao Du stared back at him in sheer terror.
At that moment, Xiao Yan's figure emerged from the void.
"Remove the gag," Xiao Yan said calmly, glancing at Liao Du.
"Yes, my lord."The Black Seal City Lord nodded respectfully and removed the round iron ball from Liao Du's mouth.
"Just who is this man… to make even the Black Seal City Lord so respectful?"Only now did Liao Du realize he had been targeted by a terrifyingly powerful individual.
Ignoring the fear in his eyes, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and took out the Poison Flame Crystal, tossing it lightly in his hand a few times.
"Speak. Where did this item come from?"
The moment he saw the Poison Flame Crystal, shock surged through Liao Du's eyes.
"It's you!"
"Is that so strange?"Xiao Yan examined the crystal closely before continuing, "If I'm not mistaken, what's sealed inside this crystal should be a wisp of Netherworld Poison Flame, correct?"
"Now speak. Where did you obtain this thing?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
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