Chapter 702: Killing with Bids

"This person is either insane or a fool."

After Xiao Yan announced his bid, everyone erupted in shock, for all could see that bidding now would clearly be going against Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran had already become a Sage Emperor; her own strength was immense, and even disregarding her Sage Emperor power, her behind-the-scenes connection to Yun Lan Sect was enormous.

Although Yun Lan Sect and Hua Sect were now merely ordinary top-tier sects, each possessing one Dou Emperor, similar to the Burning Flame Valley, they had powerful backers!

For a moment, even the Elders from Dou Emperor Families who had come to bid on Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's relics—such as Elder Huoyao and Elder Gu Nanhai—could not help but glance toward the black-robed Xiao Yan.

Yet naturally, no one could recognize Xiao Yan; he did not wish to be recognized, and even Hun Tian Di would find it difficult to pierce his concealment.

"Miss Ya Fei, your thoughtfulness is appreciated, but in an auction, bidding must follow the rules," Nalan Yanran said, withdrawing her gaze; her voice, cold and clear, came from her private booth: "Ten billion."

Sssss!!!

In an instant, everyone drew a sharp breath. Though this inheritance truly warranted such a price, only the original Four Factions of Yan Alliance could possibly muster ten billion Yan yuan in one go!

Hearing Nalan Yanran's bid, Xiao Yan could not help but flash a sly smile, then lowered his voice and called out: "Ten billion and one Yan yuan."

Hearing the mysterious black-robed figure make such a bid, all present exchanged glances. Some hidden Dou Emperor-level experts were present, unafraid of Nalan Yanran—but who would dare openly provoke her?

But Xiao Yan's conduct could no longer be described as merely rich or fearless—it was outright madness; he was definitely doing this on purpose!

"Ten billion—can this man really afford that much Yan yuan?" Seeing Xiao Yan seated in a regular seat, wrapped in black robes and Soul Force, many present naturally doubted his wealth.

With a hum, Xiao Yan said nothing, pulling from his chest a pitch-black Soul Token, entwined with dark soul energy, upon which a large character "Soul" was inscribed.

"Soul Token!!"

"Kuang! This guy is from the Soul Sovereign!"

"No wonder—it's a Soul Sovereign member. That explains it."

Though the Soul Sovereign had vanished entirely, even their Soul Realm concealed by Hun Tian Di, and Soul Sovereign disciples had not appeared on the Dou Qi Continent, and even the Soul Temple had grown far more low-key, no longer hunting Alchemists' Soul Bodies,

The Soul Sovereign remained everyone's nightmare—the annihilation of the Three Emperor Clans was still vivid in memory, and moreover, Hun Tian Di had become a Dou Emperor!

Seeing the Soul Token appear, Feng Qing'er in Chamber Three widened her eyes and involuntarily shuddered—how similar this Soul Token was to the one that man had shown her before?!

"Is it him? Or do all Soul Tokens look the same?" Feng Qing'er scrutinized Xiao Yan with a grave expression, but no matter how she looked, she could not tell—and she had only ever seen one Soul Token; she had no chance to see a second.

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes blinked, a flicker of unusual color passing through them; she covered her mouth and let out a light laugh, a seductive, captivating smile appearing on her cheeks: "Ten billion and one Yan yuan, first call."

Hearing Ya Fei begin the bidding count, many present exchanged glances and began murmuring, but soon fell silent.

"It seems Miter Corporation truly follows the rules—if you can pay, you can buy, regardless of connections."

"Indeed, this is Xiao Yan's Corporation—how could His Majesty Xiao Yan tarnish his own golden reputation?"

For a moment, many secretly nodded in approval of Miter Corporation's conduct—even with connections, the auction's rules must still be followed.

Nalan Yanran would not invoke Yun Lan Sect's status, and her relationship with Xiao Yan was also somewhat tangled.

"Twenty billion Yan yuan," Nalan Yanran said.

"Twenty billion and one Yan yuan," came Xiao Yan's slightly mischievous voice from within the black robe.

"Thirty billion."

"Thirty billion and one."

"Forty billion."

"Forty billion and one."

Nalan Yanran's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of anger on her face—who bids by adding one Yan yuan?! But since Ya Fei set no reserve price, any increment was permitted.

Nalan Yanran's face darkened, and she spoke firmly: "One hundred billion."

Hearing Nalan Yanran's bid, even Feng Qing'er and the Elders from the Gu Clan and other Dou Emperor Families in nearby booths were startled.

Nalan Yanran could not simply acquire Yan yuan with a word; even a Sect Master typically needed to complete sect missions to earn large rewards. And Nalan Yanran, as a Sage Emperor, usually ventured into places like the Manhuang Ancient Domain or ancient Ruins to obtain Nine-Treasure Medicinal Materials, then exchanged them for Yan yuan.

Even she required considerable time and effort to amass one hundred billion Yan yuan.

A Heavenly Rank Advanced Dou Technique inheritance might not even be worth this much.

Everyone turned to Xiao Yan, wondering what he would do.

But to everyone's disappointment, upon hearing Nalan Yanran's one hundred billion bid, Xiao Yan fell silent and made no further bid.

Not long after, even when Feng Qing'er bid, Xiao Yan maliciously raised the price by one Yan yuan.

Of course, normally, Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques were priceless, let alone a Heavenly Rank Advanced one—an ancient Dou Technique obtained thousands of years ago by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor—such a thing could never normally be put up for sale.

Thus, in this auction, whoever acquired any item was essentially profiting, for the auction's purpose was to reintroduce monopolized techniques to the Dou Qi Continent.

Time flew, and after two days of bidding, every item on auction was sold—none remained unsold.

"Thank you all for attending this auction hosted by Miter Corporation. Its complete success is due entirely to you," Ya Fei said from the stage, bowing to all guests.

The auction, sponsored by Xiao Yan, had finally concluded—complete, a resounding success.

"Guests who won items, please complete your transactions at the Corporation within three days," Ya Fei said, offering a captivating smile; like the most professional model, every gesture, every glance, every smile radiated charm.

Naturally, after the auction ended, this event left many powerful figures thoroughly satisfied.

In this unparalleled auction, all cultivators had finally witnessed firsthand the peerless elegance of Dou Emperor Families and Sage Emperor experts—figures rarely seen in daily life, nearly all of whom had appeared today.

Simultaneously, they had seen treasures and rarities normally invisible to them—truly opening their eyes.

At the same time, they had witnessed what a billionaire's world truly meant, understanding what real wealth looked like.

"Pity we didn't get to see His Majesty Xiao Yan."

"Indeed—we hoped to see the three Imperial Consorts' peerless grace. What a shame."

"Tens of billions, hundreds of billions for Heavenly Rank Advanced Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods—hmm, the world of the rich—I just don't get it."

"I heard a Nine-Treasure Pill is worth only ten billion Yan yuan—there are still so many rich people."

Although most people at this auction had not purchased any treasures, for them, merely attending was a full victory—they could return home and boast to their peers or juniors.

They had seen extraordinary Sage Emperor experts, witnessed peerless treasures, even some Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods they had never heard of.

After the auction ended, Xiao Yan naturally went to Miter Corporation—not only to meet Ya Fei, but also to pay—he had bought something.

Xiao Yan had no need for anything here; if he had needed it, he would never have shown up at the auction. He had raised the price on Nalan Yanran out of mischief, and she had given up—so he ended up buying it himself.

"Xiao Yan!"

At this moment, an angry spiritual soul voice came from behind Xiao Yan; Xiao Yan naturally knew who this flustered person was—no one but Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yan, clad in a black robe, turned his head to look at the fuming Nalan Yanran, whose face was slightly flushed, her pearl-like teeth gently biting her red lips, her beautiful eyes brimming with a touch of petulant anger.

Clearly, Nalan Yanran had guessed that the man in the black robe was Xiao Yan—not some Soul Sovereign Elder.

It was simply too cruel, and this cruelty was aimed directly at her! Too much!

Xiao Yan spread his hands and lied with a straight face: "Sect Master Nalan, you're mistaken. How could I possibly be that heroic and peerless Xiao Yan, the Dou Emperor?"

Nalan Yanran gave Xiao Yan a blatant side-eye and said: "Hmph, who else could it be? Take off your black robe."

Nalan Yanran's eyes flashed, then she reached out to snatch at Xiao Yan's black robe—but Xiao Yan's strength was immense; with a simple, casual slap, he knocked her jade hand away.

*Pop! * Nalan Yanran's dorsal hand instantly turned pink. "Only you could deflect my attack so easily—you're definitely Xiao Yan!"

"You're deliberately inflating my price! Auctions forbid the seller from bidding!" Nalan Yanran clenched her fists, stomping her foot in rage.

Because Xiao Yan drove up the price, Nalan Yanran had to pay far more to acquire the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique and Cultivation Method she wanted, and now she owed the Miter Guild a large sum of Flame Yuan, forcing her to keep working to pay it off.

Could you blame her for being furious?

Xiao Yan is a Dou Emperor, but everyone else isn't—they still need to continue cultivation, striving to reach Nine-Star Dou Sheng Peak as soon as possible.

Now that Xiao Yan is about to open the passage, the dream of becoming a Dou Emperor is no longer out of reach. Not just Nalan Yanran and Feng Qing'er, but even Cai Lin, Xun Er, and Xiao Yixian are doubling their efforts in cultivation, for these three women hope to follow Xiao Yan into the Great Thousand World—if their strength is too weak, they'll hold him back.

(End of Chapter)