"Ladies and gentlemen, today's final auction item can be considered the most valuable lot our auction house has offered all year. Moreover, this item is only suitable for certain Spirit Masters, so those of you who fit the criteria—please pay close attention."
The auctioneer's tone was deliberately mysterious, sparking immediate curiosity throughout the crowd. At that moment, Li Chang'an sensed several unique auras—three Spirit Sages and one Spirit Douluo...
Li Chang'an straightened his posture. For something to attract a Spirit Douluo-level expert in this era—when Title Douluos were strictly limited—it had to be extraordinary. After all, Spirit Douluos were considered the absolute pillars of strength.
Soon, an attendant wheeled out a small cart covered with a red cloth. From its size, the item didn't appear particularly large.
"This item was obtained by chance, but after some preliminary research, we discovered it provides great benefits to Spirit Masters with lightning-type martial souls."
As the auctioneer spoke, he lifted the red cloth, revealing a blue stone about the size of a fist. At first glance, it seemed quite ordinary.
Its surface was rough and uneven, but the color was striking—just like the color of thunder.
Strangely, as soon as the stone appeared, Li Chang'an felt a profound sensation that was hard to describe.
"We've named this item the Stone of the Thunder God. While we can't confirm whether the Thunder God truly exists, the lightning energy contained within this stone is nothing short of pure and intense!"
As the auctioneer finished, Li Chang'an immediately understood: this stone contained a form of ultimate Thunder—one of the purest elemental forces! No wonder it felt so unusual to him. After all, he himself possessed both ultimate Fire and ultimate Ice within his body.
That said, the thunder energy in this stone couldn't compare to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but it was purer in nature.
Li Chang'an knew better than anyone how terrifying an ultimate elemental attribute could be. When his ultimate Fire and ultimate Ice were applied to his martial soul and soul skills in combat, their power was overwhelming.
Although his second soul skill did contain lightning energy, it wasn't of the Extreme kind. But if he could absorb this stone's lightning power, he would wield three ultimate attributes at once!
He had to have this stone.
Judging by the surrounding auras, the other interested parties were likely lightning-type Spirit Masters as well. And in Heaven Dou City, there was only one major clan renowned for lightning attributes: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Was a clash with them inevitable?
Before Li Chang'an could think further, the auctioneer had already announced the start of the bidding!
That's right—no further explanation, just straight into the auction. Those who understood the stone's value would act. Those who didn't… well, they'd just sit and watch.
"The starting price is five hundred thousand gold soul coins. Minimum bid increment: one hundred thousand!"
"Six hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
"Seven hundred thousand!"
"Eight hundred thousand!"
Several aged voices echoed from private rooms, instantly raising the auction's tension to its peak.
"One million gold soul coins!" Li Chang'an called out without hesitation. Right now, the one thing he didn't lack was money—well, aside from girls.
"One million five hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
A voice from Room One rang out, instantly silencing the competition.
While the stone was powerful, it depended on whether it could be fully absorbed. Even though it contained ultimate Thunder, only a fraction of that power might fuse successfully with one's martial soul. Going up against someone from Room One over this wasn't worth it. Not when the price had already gone so high.
"Everyone, would you do my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan a small favor?"
The voice from Room One confirmed the bidder's identity.
But just as the auctioneer called out "one million five hundred thousand" twice, a youthful voice interrupted:
"One million six hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
"…Who was that?"
"Sigh, young and reckless…"
The bidder, of course, was Li Chang'an. He had already made a name for himself by competing with Xue Beng in an earlier bid. Now, challenging the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? He was basically earning himself the title of Death-Seeker.
"Young man, are you truly unwilling to give my clan face?"
An aged voice spoke again. Then, to everyone's shock, a bolt of lightning shot out from Room One—aimed directly at Li Chang'an's room!
Infuriated, and striking publicly? So this was the privilege of the Upper Three Clans?
A cold gleam flashed in Li Chang'an's eyes. These clans really thought they could act lawlessly in broad daylight?
"Senior, respect isn't granted—it's earned. And launching attacks in plain view like this? That's crossing a line."
Li Chang'an's voice was calm and steady as he raised his hand—and caught the lightning barehanded.
That's right. He caught it.
A chill radiated from his palm—ultimate Ice!
Using ultimate Ice, Li Chang'an froze the incoming lightning. It sounded unbelievable, but he had really done it.
"I don't believe in holding grudges overnight. When I have one—I settle it on the spot."
As he spoke, the lightning, now encased in ultimate Ice, was hurled back toward Room One.
Then... silence.
What actually happened was this: the old man in Room One had both hands frozen solid. He was desperately channeling soul power to resist the ice's encroachment.
This time, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hadn't sent a Title Douluo elder—just their Spirit Douluo-level clan master. And he had clearly taken a heavy blow.
Li Chang'an, seeing no further response, ignored it. He wasn't the type to start trouble—but if someone came at him with tricks, he wouldn't hesitate to respond.
"May I ask, does that mean this stone is mine now?" Li Chang'an asked calmly beneath his mask, addressing the stunned auctioneer.
"One million six hundred thousand gold soul coins, going once… going twice… going three times—sold!"
"Today's auction is officially concluded!" the auctioneer announced, drenched in sweat. He couldn't handle any more of this chaos—these people were basically gods fighting in a mortal marketplace.
The crowd murmured as they watched Li Chang'an's private room exit. Li Chang'an and Xiao Wu were then led by a maid to finalize the payment.
Under the guidance of a silver-dressed girl, the two entered a side room next to the auction hall.
The room was spacious, yet elegantly decorated. A plush white leather sofa sat at its center, with a round tea table set with four types of exquisite fruits.
"Please make yourselves comfortable. Your item will be brought shortly," said the silver-dressed girl politely.
Without hesitation, Xiao Wu jumped onto the sofa and grabbed a piece of fruit. "Mmm! It's sweet! Big Brother, want one?"
Li Chang'an gently shook his head, signaling that he didn't need any, then closed his eyes to ponder.
After a while, several burly men pushed in a large iron cage. Inside was the catgirl. Another maid followed, holding a tray—with the stone resting on top.
What caught Li Chang'an's attention, however, was the look in the catgirl's eyes when she glanced at him… Was that… gratitude?
____
T/N:
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