Chapter 88: Earth-Tier Dou Technique—Do You Dare Take It?
Although the Xiao Clan's Dou Emperor bloodline had been squandered by their ancestor Xiao Xuan, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse. Even a broken ship has three pounds of nails left. With their lineage, as long as conditions were right, producing a Dou Huang or Dou Zong through regular cultivation was still within reach.
Of course, that would require ample cultivation resources and high-tier fire-type techniques.
The Xiao Clan's ancestors had always been fire-type cultivators. But Xiao Xuan's disastrous fall meant that only those who cultivated fire-type Dou Qi like him showed even a sliver of talent. Even now, Xiao Xun'er, fully aware of the clan's imperial bloodline, had no doubt that with a better fire technique, the Xiao Clan could still produce a Dou Wang or Dou Huang—even in a place as barren as this.
After all, Xiao Yan's grandfather—the one who had arranged the childhood engagement with Nalan Yanran—had quietly cultivated to the Dou Ling level. He even seemed on the verge of breaking through to Dou Wang, which had alarmed Gu Yuan into stepping in and patching the bloodline, preventing a potential bug from surfacing.
However—
The day Xiao Xun'er appeared at the Xiao Clan was the day Gu Yuan had more or less decided to stop interfering.
If the Gu Clan could peacefully retrieve the Ancient Jade, great. If not, no matter. Eight pieces were needed to unlock the Ancient Emperor's realm. Gu Yuan wasn't in a hurry. Sending Xiao Xun'er to the Xiao Clan was more about giving his daughter a peaceful childhood.
The world was growing increasingly unstable. All Gu Yuan could do was give his daughter a little peace.
Gu Clan: Just trying to be the good guys.
Shi Clan: One, two, three, rock people.
Yao Clan: One, three, three—wooden figures!
Yan Clan: Do I look like a villain?
Ling Clan: Am I even human? AM I?!
Lei Clan: I'm just an honest guy.
Hun Clan: Jie jie jie! I stopped being human a long time ago.
Xiao Clan: …No records found.
"Three hundred twenty thousand!" Mu Yun gritted his teeth and went all in.
"Three hundred fifty thousand! Brother, that's it. I've got nothing left!" Lin Hong flinched and quickly tried to talk Mu Yun down.
Seeing Lin Hong's pleading look, Mu Yun clenched his teeth. But Mo Lan beside him clutched his hand, teary-eyed, and said, "Brother Yun, if you keep going, we'll be walking back home naked…"
"Hmph." Mu Yun glanced at his teammates and sighed, finally backing off with a snort. Auctions didn't allow credit, and he didn't have that much gold on him. Keep bidding, and they really would be returning to Jia Ma Holy City in their underwear.
"Many thanks, Brother from the Blood Beast Team!" Lin Hong called out. Though 350,000 was a bit steep for a Tier-One Dou Device, this one could fly! He could even submit the item to the Mercenary Guild for subsidy and potentially turn a profit.
"If no one bids higher, then the Dual-Blade Feather Sheath Wings go to—" Gu Ni started to wrap things up, clearly relieved that the bidding had calmed down.
"Hold it!"
"Hold it."
Two voices rang out simultaneously—one sharp and cold, the other raspy and low.
Xiao Yan, under his cloak, looked over in surprise. Xiao Xun'er turned too.
"Old Ling, there's no need." Xiao Xun'er stopped Ling Ying from making another move. She had planned to buy the wings and give them to Xiao Yan later. But now that she saw him stepping up on his own, she no longer needed to intervene.
She had long since guessed that the mysterious alchemist was Xiao Yan—at least his body was. It wasn't hard to figure out. Even though Yao Chen could block Ling Ying's senses, the sudden disappearance of a person from Xiao Yan's room and the coincidental appearance of a mysterious alchemist in Wutan City made it obvious—even her cute toes could've figured it out.
"Teacher, these two aren't here for anything good..." Xiao Yan grew tense as he noticed the cloaked figures of Xiao Xun'er and Ling Ying.
"Relax. They won't bid against you," Yao Chen assured him calmly, then spoke in a deliberately hoarse, aged voice toward the slightly twitching Gu Ni on stage: "High-level Xuan Tier Dou Technique, Eightfold Collapse—trade, or not."
Though he was addressing Gu Ni, Yao Chen was really talking to Jiang Lin, who sat in the back corner of the stage wearing a hood.
Lin Hong's expression shifted. But upon recognizing the voice of the mysterious alchemist, he kept quiet. Whether or not the deal went through was up to the blacksmith in the back—Young Lin.
Gu Ni understood as well. He looked toward the corner, waiting for Jiang Lin's response.
Hiding his recent bald spot under a hood, Jiang Lin sat on a little stool, hands behind his head, leaning against the wall. A faint smile curled on his lips.
The mysterious alchemist was hard to find. If he didn't speak, Jiang Lin's spiritual perception couldn't detect him at all.
But the moment the man spoke, Jiang Lin didn't even need to think twice—he immediately guessed who it was.
If neither he nor Yao Chen could sense each other, it didn't mean their senses were weak. It meant both were frighteningly strong. They had essentially bypassed one another without conflict.
"Eightfold Collapse—what are its effects?" Jiang Lin's cool voice rang from behind Gu Ni. Thus, their first conversation began—between two masters who never showed their faces.
"Eight layers of force. Can train inner strength. Once mastered, it rivals an Earth-Tier Dou Technique," Yao Chen replied, short and precise.
Xiao Yan was currently training in it. Yao Chen was curious to see how talented Jiang Lin truly was when it came to cultivation.
The moment his voice fell, the whole hall fell silent—followed by sharp inhales.
A technique on par with Earth-Tier? This auction was blowing everyone's minds.
"Hmm." Jiang Lin's eyes lit up. This was practically tailor-made for him! I get it now! You picked the wrong host! I'm the real transmigrator you were looking for!!
"Deal." Jiang Lin didn't bother playing coy. He accepted the trade without hesitation.
"Now, onto tonight's final item: high-level Xuan fire-type technique—Dragon Flame Art!"
"Four hundred thousand!" After several bidding rounds, Xiao Zhan's face was pale, his fists clenched. He practically shouted through his teeth. The Jia Lie and Ao Ba Clan leaders had gone quiet—bidding further would just be flexing empty wallets and offending the Miteer Chamber.
"An Earth-Tier Dou Technique—do you dare take it?"
Just as Xiao Zhan was about to glimpse hope for the Xiao Clan's revival, Yao Chen's voice rang out again.
"Teacher! I don't even have an Earth-Tier Dou Technique!!" Xiao Yan screamed in his heart.
(END CHAPTER)
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