Chapter 535: Do You Know Who I Am?

If Nalan Yanran were here, she'd probably whack him with two hammer blows!

What's so special about Nalan Yanran!? She's bled and earned merits for the Yan Alliance too! She's a founding hero of the Yan Alliance! Doesn't she deserve a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique??

"Are you joking? Even a Heaven Tier Low Grade cultivation method costs only two Eight Grade Pills that summon Seven Colored Pill Lightning—you're demanding Chengzun Spirit Pills? That's insane!" Several experts present couldn't help but speak out; this demand was simply outrageous.

The old man who had been smiling now frowned coldly: "This is no joke. Two Chengzun Spirit Pills—or don't even bother. I won't sell it for less."

Generally, when people mention Pills that summon a certain number of colored Pill Lightning, they mean the minimum standard—usually healing Pills. But Chengzun Spirit Pills, which directly boost cultivation, are the most valuable in their class.

Most Dou Zun factions couldn't even afford one Chengzun Spirit Pill, and anyone who got one would've used it immediately.

Xiao Yan could indeed refine Chengzun Spirit Pills, and he had several in his storage ring right now—but having them didn't mean he wanted to part with them.

"Old sir, may I examine this Dou Technique closely?" Xiao Yan exhaled and asked.

"Of course."

Xiao Yan picked up the rusted gray-white longsword and slowly extended his Soul Force into it.

"Heavenly Rank Low Grade Dou Technique: Green Cang Mountain River Sword Strike Art."

Xiao Yan was speechless. This rusty sword only recorded the name and rank of the technique; the rest required refining it, imprinting Soul Force upon it, and receiving its inheritance to learn the details—and even then, it was likely just a plain Heavenly Rank Low Grade Dou Technique. The price was truly exorbitant!

"Sigh." Xiao Yan sighed, silently grumbling to his grandfather Xiao Lin, long gone: "Grandpa, you really set me up with a fantastic marriage."

"The marriage didn't happen? Fine. The fiancée broke it off? Okay. But now the contract's void and I still have to pay bride price? I'm the biggest sucker alive."

Xiao Lin really was the best grandfather ever!

Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, pulled out two Jade Brocade Boxes from his storage ring, and handed them to the old man with a bitter smile: "Old sir, I'll take this."

Money only counts when spent. Xiao Yan had already used Chengzun Spirit Pills before; he could always refine more. Consider it an investment.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the vendor quickly opened the Jade Brocade Boxes—inside lay two Chengzun Spirit Pills of remarkably high quality.

Seeing these two high-quality Chengzun Spirit Pills, others nearby stared in surprise. Though these were only Seven Colored Pill Lightning-level Pills, their purity was already exceptional.

Little did they know, these were the worst of the many Chengzun Spirit Pills Xiao Yan had refined—he still had two that summoned Eight-Color Pill Thunder and one that summoned Nine Color Pill Thunder.

"Hehehe, Sir, you truly know quality—what a generous hand!" The old man grinned so wide his mouth wouldn't close. He'd sold this Iron Sword because he couldn't refine it himself—the rust wasn't ordinary at all.

Xiao Yan tucked the Iron Sword away. He'd have to reclaim this "bride price" from her master—student's debt, master's responsibility.

"I hope this Heavenly Rank Low Grade Sealing Array isn't as ridiculous."

Ya Fei smiled: "I asked the price. This Heavenly Rank Low Grade Array Diagram only needs two Eight Grade Pills that summon Five-Colored Pill Lightning. It's a special array designed to enhance Dou Techniques—by itself, it can't reach Heavenly Rank power."

On the Dou Qi Continent, arrays are mostly used to complement Dou Techniques—like the Five Wheel Fiery Method, where the Five Spirit Flames form the Five Wheel Fiery Array, boosting the power of the Spirit Flames. The Sage of Creation's Puppet Array works the same way—weak alone, purely supportive.

If Xiao Yan wants to polish his Flame Emperor Seal, the Five Wheel Fiery Array definitely needs adjustment. This Heavenly Rank Array Diagram might be the way.

Xiao Yan possessed more than five Spirit Flames—he had eleven. Add Xiao Yixian's Yinming Poison Flame, and that's twelve! He truly needed more knowledge about arrays to enrich himself.

Xiao Yan heard the Ling Clan were masters of arrays—but alas, they were gone.

"Indeed excellent, and the price is fair." After following Ya Fei to another stall, Xiao Yan saw the Heavenly Rank Array Diagram and nodded, thoroughly satisfied.

This Array Diagram was called the "Nine Revolutions Spirit Array Diagram," left behind centuries ago by a Dou Saint named Nine-Turn Array Saint. Unlike others, this Dou Saint specialized solely in arrays, and in his Ancestral Inheritance Site, he left behind this scroll containing his life's research and teachings.

Some of the arrays within were so dangerous, even Nine-Turn Dou Zun experts dared not touch them.

But arrays weren't popular on the Dou Qi Continent. Most were used only as sect-protection Demonic Arrays, since arrays required energy mediums—Spirit Flames, puppets, sect mountain ranges. For cultivators, they were impractical; a true Dou Technique was far more worthwhile. Not everyone had eleven Spirit Flames like Xiao Yan, so the price was cheap!

Just as Xiao Yan was about to pay with two Five-Colored Pill Lightning Eight Grade Pills, his Special Physique activated!

"Just two Five-Colored Pill Lightning Pills? That's a steal! Boss, I'll take this!" A haughty voice rang out, and a man stepped forward, grinning broadly.

He slammed his Iron Fan down on the Nine Revolutions Spirit Array Diagram and smiled at Xiao Yan: "Brother, I'll take this."

Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock. If he remembered right, the last man who used a fan didn't just die—he took his whole family to hell!

"Idiot, get lost!" Xiao Yan let out a cold snort; his powerful sonic wave instantly shoved the man two steps back. He tossed two Pills to the vendor and snatched the scroll into his possession.

The vendor, stunned by Xiao Yan's speed, couldn't raise the price—both parties had already agreed on the sum.

The man with the Iron Fan was also stunned—Xiao Yan hadn't even given him a chance to bid; he'd already claimed it.

The man closed his fan, bowed to Xiao Yan, and opened his mouth—Xiao Yan cut him off instantly: "Don't know you. Don't recognize you. Won't give you face. And I'm not interested."

Xiao Yan's four-point denial left the Iron Fan man utterly stunned—he hadn't even spoken yet! And how did you know this routine so well?!

Ya Fei, overhearing Xiao Yan's four-point denial, couldn't help laughing. Clearly, Xiao Yan faced this trouble often—and had already perfected a response.

Poor Xiao Yan. Even buying something isn't peaceful.

"I am Li Yong of the Li Clan. I humbly ask you to grant a favor to my wife, Gu Hanyu."

Xiao Yan had been about to ignore him—but upon hearing his wife's name, he paused, frowning: "Your wife's surname is Gu?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Li Yong opened his Iron Fan and fanned himself proudly: "Indeed. My wife is a member of the Gu Clan. I hope you'll grant me this small courtesy."

At this, Xiao Yan's expression turned strange. Ya Fei's eyes widened too, glancing at him with surprise and oddness.

It was common for Dou Emperor Family women to marry out or men to leave the Gu Clan and build achievements on the Dou Qi Continent. Unless one possessed a Divine Grade Bloodline like Xun Er, even Four Grade or Five Grade Dou Emperor Bloodlines were allowed to marry out if their strength reached Dou Zun.

During the Ancient Clan Adult Ceremony, some invited factions were those connected by marriage to the Gu Clan—these were more like vassal factions, similar to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Nine Underworld Python Clan, or Dragon Bear Clan.

Many left their families to wander, like Yao Zunzhe—but few who left a Dou Emperor Family managed to build any real legacy.

Many hidden factions in Zhong Zhou had ties to Dou Emperor Families. In a sense, if Xiao Yan weren't from the Xiao Clan, he'd be just another hidden faction with ties to a Dou Emperor Family.

In short—he was a son-in-law. But Xiao Yan? He was the strongest son-in-law on the Dou Qi Continent!

Xiao Yan's eyes had held a flicker of killing intent—but after hearing this, he sighed, patted Li Yong's shoulder, and said with deep meaning: "I won't blame you. Cultivate hard. Try to surpass your wife someday—or others will look down on you."

For a moment, Xiao Yan wasn't sure if he was speaking of Li Yong—or himself—or both.

Hearing Xiao Yan's cryptic words and seeing his strange expression, Li Yong grew puzzled and hurriedly asked: "May I ask who you are?"

Xiao Yan turned, leaving only a lonely silhouette. He paused, then turned his head slightly and whispered: "Xiao Yan."

Sssss!! Li Yong sucked in a sharp breath!

Gu Clan… Xiao Yan!

The name Xiao Yan—strongest son-in-law on the Dou Qi Continent—was known to every hidden faction on the continent!

Because he, an outsider, had successfully proposed to the daughter of the Ancient Clan Chief—and won the entire Gu Clan's approval!

An outsider marrying the clan leader's daughter of the Gu Clan! This is a miracle indeed!!

Looking at Xiao Yan's back, Li Yong's gaze hardened, his eyes filled with tears; he sniffed, clasped his fists, and bowed far toward Xiao Yan's retreating form, his voice deep: "We shall forever remember your words, Senior Brother!"

Of course, this was merely a minor detour—most of the truly precious items at the Space Trade Fair had already been bought by Xiao Yan, and Cai Lin had purchased several things for Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai. In contrast, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin found nothing suitable and returned empty-handed.

"No rush—the real highlight lies inside the Ancient Treasure Pavilion. See if anything fits, and bid for it."

The group arrived at the entrance of the Ancient Treasure Pavilion; Ya Fei presented a red Jade Card. The two elderly gatekeepers examined it, then nodded. One of them said: "This way, please."

The other swept his wide sleeve, and five pitch-black Black Cloaks floated before Xiao Yan and the others. Though far inferior to Xiao Yan's Soul Robe, these special cloaks could still block Soul Perception.

"Let's go." After donning the Black Cloak, Xiao Yan stepped forward into the ancient hall. Everything so far had merely been appetizers—the Residual Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire was the true main course!

As Xiao Yan stepped into the ancient pavilion, his gaze swept around. The interior was dim, ordinary in appearance, with no trace of strangeness or any aura of treasure.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me."

As Xiao Yan looked around, an old man in gray hurried over from the side, whispered to Xiao Yan and the others, then walked toward the dim depths of the pavilion. Xiao Yan said nothing and followed.

The group walked through the pavilion's corridor for about several minutes before stopping before a Bronze Door. The old man halted there as well.

He clasped his fists in greeting, said no further words, and quietly withdrew.

Everything was conducted with such simplicity, unlike the grandeur of some auctions.

"It's finally about to be complete."

Xiao Yan murmured softly, then slowly pushed open the ancient Bronze Door. A faint glow emitted from within; he stepped forward and entered.

After the initial bright light faded, Xiao Yixian and the others saw a grand hall, roughly half the size of the Guang Chang, appear before them. Inside were numerous Stone Chairs, many of which were already occupied by shadowy figures—all similarly veiled in Black Cloaks, their identities hidden from view.

After Xiao Yan and the others had seated themselves and waited a moment, a clear, resonant bell rang. Then, from the center of the hall, an old man with white hair and beard, looking as if he were on the verge of death, slowly materialized through warped space.

"A Host who is a Nine Revolutions Peak Dou Zun"—Xiao Yan's Heavenly Soul Initial Stage Soul Force naturally sensed the old man's strength. No wonder no one dared to snatch it; even the Host was this powerful—the force behind him must be far stronger.

"Perhaps the faction behind this Space Trade Fair is connected to a Dou Emperor Family," Ya Fei whispered.

Xiao Yan nodded. The Ancient Treasure Pavilion—the "Ancient" character couldn't possibly be that literal.

In that case, Zhong Zhou's waters run deep. On the surface, only the Soul Sect is known to be tied to a Dou Emperor Family, but in truth, there may be more—other Dou Emperor Families may have placed some influence in Zhong Zhou.

The old man bowed first, then cleared his throat and smiled: "Today's auction at the Ancient Treasure Pavilion begins. There are only ten items up for auction today. All will go to the highest bidder, so if you need them, do not hesitate."

Upon hearing there were only ten items, Xiao Yan heard many murmurs around him.

"This hunger marketing is well played."

Beside him, Ya Fei's eyes flickered with surprise. So auctions could be run this way? Rarity drives value—if only a few items are offered, bidding will surely ignite!

Imagine: when you miss the first item, a whisper lingers in your mind—"If I don't buy now, there won't be any left." Not everyone will fall for it, but some certainly will.

(End of Chapter)