Chapter 283: The Sinister Blood-Red Killing Intent
The price of the Eight Desolation Formation Diagram skyrocketed into the tens of billions, yet the atmosphere in the auction hall remained feverishly intense.
A few minutes later…
"Thirty billion gold soul coins!"
This time, Di Tian decisively raised his paddle, increasing the bid without hesitation. He knew that the human soul masters would never let such a treasure slip by and that the competition would be fierce.
To avoid wasting time on small increments, he raised the price to a level that most could not even dream of reaching.
As soon as this bid was made, many factions hesitated, sighing helplessly. Silent frustration filled their hearts toward the Soul Beast Clan.
The beasts had already claimed numerous treasures—why did they insist on interfering in every auction?
No matter how much they grumbled, they knew they couldn't compete. The wealth and strength of the Soul Beast Clan far exceeded their own.
They could only swallow this bitterness, secretly hoping that some powerful human faction might rise to challenge the soul beasts and keep them in check.
Now, only a handful of top powers remained in the bidding: the Holy Spirit Cult, Shrek Academy, and the Soul Beast Clan—each boasting Ultimate Douluo-level powerhouses. The rest had already yielded, knowing they stood no chance.
They could only watch as one of these forces took possession of the heaven-defying Eight Desolation Formation Diagram.
Minutes passed again.
When Di Tian called out "Fifty-one billion gold soul coins," Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Cult both sighed in resignation and withdrew.
The price had soared far beyond their expectations.
After spending immense sums on previous treasures, neither faction could afford to go higher. Had they not already bought other priceless items, they might have continued the contest.
But the decision was final—there was no turning back.
They could only watch as the Eight Desolation Formation Diagram was claimed by the Soul Beast Clan.
"Fifty-one billion gold soul coins—once!"
"Fifty-one billion—twice!"
"Fifty-one billion—thrice!"
"Since no one is raising the bid further, I hereby declare that the Eight Desolation Formation Diagram is sold at fifty-one billion gold soul coins!"
After confirming that no one else would bid, Ling Yun struck her gavel, officially concluding the sale.
Di Tian's expression barely changed.
Whether through bidding or force, he would have obtained it regardless.
Such a heaven-defying treasure could never be allowed to fall into human hands.
Otherwise, the formation would become a sword hanging over the Soul Beast Clan—a constant threat to their existence.
The only way to eliminate that danger was to claim it themselves.
"Alright, now that the Eight Desolation Formation Diagram has found its owner, let's move on to the next item."
After handing the diagram to the Soul Beast Clan, Ling Yun did not linger. She waved her right hand, and the next item appeared.
It was shrouded in a deep, blood-red radiance, from which surged an overwhelming killing intent.
Everyone present shivered as that strange, chilling energy swept through the hall. Instinctively, soul masters circulated their soul power to shield themselves from the dreadful aura.
"What's going on? This energy feels so cold… so violent!"
"Is this some kind of evil artifact? No—it's different from the power of evil soul masters. It's far more ferocious, more monstrous."
…
The crowd of soul masters stared in terror at the crimson glow on the stage.
Even Di Tian was astonished, unable to guess what kind of object could emanate such suffocating malice.
"What an eerie power. Even the evil energy in my body isn't a fraction as strong!"
Zhongli Wu of the Holy Spirit Cult furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed intensely on the source of the blood-red light.
As an Ultimate Douluo with one of the most fearsome evil-type martial souls on the continent, his power had long since reached terrifying heights.
There were few in all of Douluo who could surpass him in wickedness.
Yet the dark, crimson energy before him completely overpowered his own.
His power felt utterly insignificant—like an ant before an endless abyss.
That realization only piqued his interest further. He was intensely curious to know what the object within the red glow was.
…
"What's happening to me? Why does my body suddenly crave this energy? Logically, I should reject something so vile…"
Du Bushi of the Body Sect frowned as his martial soul stirred uncontrollably.
A strange look crossed his face—it was absurd. This kind of malevolent power should strike instinctive fear and rejection, not desire.
Yet somehow, the freezing, murderous energy filled him with an almost irresistible pull.
Even so, Du Bushi kept still, resisting his impulse to act.
He would wait patiently until the Starry Auction Pavilion revealed the truth.
His gaze shifted toward Zhongli Wu and Long Xiaoyao of the Holy Spirit Cult; their grim, uneasy expressions convinced him this was no simple matter.
If this object were purely evil in nature, they would surely be excited rather than wary.
Instead, they, too, seemed deeply unsettled—perhaps even afraid.
At that moment, Jiang Li quietly observed the hall, eyes fixed on the blood-red glow. His expression was solemn, his mind weighing heavy thoughts.
When he had first retrieved this item, he'd been equally perplexed.
Such a force should not exist on the Douluo Continent.
Even a trace of its true essence could destroy the entire world.
Yet, when he carefully removed it, it merely shook the continent's spatial fabric without causing utter collapse.
That alone had been a relief.
Upon deeper examination, he discovered that the strange crimson energy wasn't physical at all—it was composed of vapor-like particles derived from the power of laws itself.
That was the only reason it hadn't caused devastation.
Had even a sliver of its essence truly descended upon the Douluo Continent, everything would have turned to ash in an instant.
The difference between worlds was too vast—completely incomparable.
Jiang Li's eyes flicked toward Du Bushi, silently considering.
For him, this could be a fateful opportunity—but whether he had the courage to take it was another matter.
Having made up his mind, Jiang Li set aside the thought and turned his attention back to the unfolding auction.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997