Chapter 93: The Auction Begins
Heaven Dou Auction House!
The auction hall was filled with noise and excitement as one item after another was brought onto the stage.
As time passed, the auction gradually reached its climax.
After the sale of a ten-thousand-year spirit bone, the elderly auctioneer, Jiakisen, slammed his gavel down heavily and said:
"Next, we have the final item. I believe everyone here has already heard about it, correct?"
Clap! Clap!
Jiakisen clapped his hands. A beautiful woman in a qipao walked gracefully onto the stage, holding a tray.
It had to be said—the Heaven Dou Auction House had truly put in effort.
The auctioneer lifted the red cloth covering the tray. Inside was the Qiluo Tulip, placed within a small jade box.
Encasing it was a transparent cover made of some unknown material.
It not only prevented the medicinal essence of the herb from dissipating but also allowed everyone to clearly see it.
The Qiluo Tulip rested there, radiant with treasure-like brilliance.
"Yes, this is the legendary immortal herb said to evolve martial souls—the Qiluo Tulip!"
Jiakisen pointed at it, cleared his throat, and continued without the slightest embarrassment:
"According to legend, the Qiluo Tulip grows in perilous lands, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, and the brilliance of the stars. It is something that may not appear even once in thousands of years!"
Inside his private room, Dugu Bo rolled his eyes.
Is it really that amazing? Even I didn't know that—and you somehow do?
Of course, he understood that the exaggeration was meant to raise the price, so he didn't say anything.
In one of the VIP rooms above, Ning Fengzhi stared intently at the Qiluo Tulip below.
Beside him, the Bone Douluo asked, "Well, Fengzhi? Can you tell anything?"
"No," Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
However, he had a strong feeling—
This immortal herb might truly allow his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve.
Thinking about how the sect's long-held dream might finally be realized through him, even someone as composed as Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel excited.
In the VIP room of the Spirit Hall—
Chrysanthemum Douluo looked toward the stage, his sharp voice filled with surprise.
"It's indeed the Qiluo Tulip!"
Ghost Douluo beside him said, "If it can evolve martial souls, should we buy it and present it to Her Majesty the Pope?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo rolled his eyes.
"What's the point of buying it? Yes, it can evolve martial souls—but only if it's suitable!"
"Is the Pope's martial soul a treasure-type? Who would we even give it to?"
"And compete with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in wealth? Are you stupid?"
Ghost Douluo was left speechless. After a pause, he muttered:
"So you're the smart one, you old chrysanthemum…"
Surprisingly, Chrysanthemum Douluo ignored the jab this time and said seriously:
"Once the auction starts, try to drive up the price. Don't let the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect get it too easily."
"After the auction… we'll see if there's a chance to seize it directly."
If no opportunity arose, they would have no choice but to return and report.
"I just hope someone from the Worship Hall shows up…"
Their mission from the Pope was to obstruct the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from obtaining the herb.
But after seeing Ning Fengzhi and his companions, they knew they were no match for the Sword and Bone Douluo.
Their only hope now lay in reinforcements from the Worship Hall.
This was the downside of internal division—despite their strength, poor communication prevented proper coordination.
Back on the stage, Jiakisen continued his enthusiastic speech:
"For treasure-type martial souls, this herb provides tremendous synergy and has a high probability of causing evolution!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a well-dressed middle-aged man stood up from the crowd.
Looking at the auctioneer, he said:
"Auctioneer Jiakisen, while we trust the reputation of the Heaven Dou Auction House, evolving a martial soul is no small matter. It's not something that can be proven with mere words."
Another person stood up and added:
"That's right. No one can guarantee whether it's true."
"Can your auction house provide any assurance? If the herb doesn't live up to your claims, what then?"
Jiakisen was momentarily at a loss.
To be honest, even he wasn't certain. The royal family's explanation had been vague.
He couldn't guarantee the herb's effect himself.
"I guarantee it with my reputation—if it's a treasure-type martial soul, consuming this immortal herb gives more than an 80% chance of evolution!"
At that moment, a voice rang out.
Everyone turned toward the source.
Dressed in black, with long dark hair flowing behind him, Dugu Bo slowly stepped out from his private room.
In the Spirit Hall's VIP room, someone immediately scoffed:
"Who are you supposed to be? You think your 'reputation' is worth anything?"
Dugu Bo turned his gaze toward them, his eyes turning cold. His aura surged like a rising mountain.
Under his gaze, the two men felt as though they were being stared down by a primordial beast.
Their legs trembled slightly as they forced themselves to speak:
"Y-You… what does this mean? Did we say anything wrong?"
Suddenly, Dugu Bo released his full pressure as a Title Douluo.
It spread like a tidal wave across the entire auction house.
At that moment, it felt as if the air itself had frozen.
Whether it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or Yu Luomian of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—everyone stood up in shock, staring at Dugu Bo.
This was the first time he had appeared before the public in this unfamiliar identity.
No one had expected this man to be a Title Douluo.
In the Spirit Hall's room, Chrysanthemum Douluo gritted his teeth.
"So it's him!"
If not for their mission, he would have already tried to teach Dugu Bo a lesson…
Then he remembered how the two of them had once been beaten into retreat—and quickly gave up the idea.
A thought suddenly crossed their minds:
Could it be… Dugu Bo doesn't actually possess the immortal herb? Could it belong to this person instead?
Dugu Bo swept his gaze across the entire hall and said calmly:
"As a Title Douluo, would I deceive you all in front of so many witnesses?"
His eyes shifted back to the two who had questioned him earlier.
If not for the setting, he would have already killed those troublemakers…
Feeling his gaze, the two men forced out stiff smiles.
"With a Title Douluo guaranteeing it… of course, we trust it."