Chapter 80: Soul Bone

"The annual auction is divided into two sessions, upper and lower. The first half mainly auctions gold, silver, jewelry and slaves, which ordinary officials, dignitaries and wealthy merchants can afford, while the second half auctions items that only Soul Masters can use, so most ordinary people leave the auction; the remaining attendees are basically Soul Masters and some high nobles." The middle‑aged man beside Li Xuan lazily sat in his seat and softly explained to Li Xuan.

"I see, it seems the upcoming auction items are the good ones." Li Xuan's eyes brightened, and he nodded, saying.

The middle‑aged man looked at Li Xuan, shook his head without taking a stance, clearly not holding high expectations for the auction.

"Young fellow, do you want to buy a Soul Guide Device or a soul bone?" the middle‑aged man suddenly thought of something and asked Li Xuan.

At this moment, the middle‑aged man's interest in Li Xuan had already surpassed the Brahma Sound Glazed Flower.

"I'm a poor kid, where would I have enough gold Soul Coins to even try to get a Soul Guide Device! Let alone a soul bone. My main purpose today is just to broaden my horizons; just seeing what a soul bone looks like would satisfy me. As for bidding, I will never take part—I know exactly how much money I have in hand." Li Xuan waved his hand hurriedly and said to the middle‑aged man.

After the brief adjustment, Li Xuan felt the middle‑aged man was a decent person, having explained so many things, so Li Xuan chatted with him for a while.

"Ha ha, the young fellow's self‑control is strong, not bad, not bad, extraordinary talent, excellent Heart Nature, given time he will surely make a name across the Douluo Continent." The middle‑aged man laughed cheerfully, then turned his head to look at the auction.

Li Xuan ignored the middle‑aged man's words, sat up straight, and began to watch the auction below with full concentration; the upcoming items were truly proper good stuff.

"I'm pleased that so many customers stayed for the second half of today's auction; the items in this half will surely seem like great value! Now the second half of the auction officially begins!" Ka Bo knocked the nearby gong, his voice enthusiastic.

As soon as the words fell, over thirty maidens carrying trays covered with red cloth arrived at the auction stage, placing the trays on the display stands around the stage, awaiting the next auction.

"Next is today's first auction item, a Soul Device Ring found deep within the Star Dou Great Forest; it may contain the entire net worth of a certain Title Douluo. Starting price is one hundred thousand gold Soul Coins, and each raise must be at least five thousand gold Soul Coins!" Ka Bo lifted the red cloth again, revealing on the auction stage a platinum ring set with a blue gem about the size of a pigeon egg.

"A gem that big must have a huge interior!" Li Xuan blinked, asking curiously.

"Young fellow, you're still young. This Soul Guide Device is called Wind Eye, a heirloom of a Wind Attribute Martial Soul Family from two hundred years ago. That Soul Master Family was later annihilated, and the ring disappeared for many years; who would have thought it ended up in the hands of the Tian Dou Empire." The middle‑aged man, now interested, voluntarily explained to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan's gaze at the middle‑aged man shifted; he hadn't expected the guy to be so learned, even knowing the origin of the Soul Guide Device so clearly. He realized he had underestimated him.

"Thank you for the guidance." Li Xuan also clasped his fists in a bow to the middle‑aged man.

At that moment, the middle‑aged man suddenly raised the bidding paddle in his hand.

At this point, the price of the ring had risen to two hundred thousand gold Soul Coins.

"Two hundred fifty thousand gold Soul Coins!" the middle‑aged man, under Li Xuan's shocked gaze, directly raised the price by fifty thousand gold Soul Coins.

As soon as that bid was announced, the auction fell silent for a few seconds.

"Friends on the Third Floor, worthy of being Soul Master Sir! A raise of fifty thousand gold Soul Coins—anyone willing to continue bidding!" Ka Bo, excited, waved the auction hammer, almost rushing forward to hug the middle‑aged man and take a bite, noting that a raise of fifty thousand gold Soul Coins and a price of two hundred fifty thousand gold Soul Coins far exceeded his expectations. Soon the hammer fell, and the Soul Guide Device Ring was secured by the middle‑aged man for two hundred fifty thousand gold Soul Coins.

"You're way too rich—why does it feel like you're using Copper Soul Coins instead of gold Soul Coins? That's extravagant!" Li Xuan awkwardly covered his forehead, wondering if his tone with the guy had been off.

"The Feng Family and my family have some ties; I consider this a reclaimed relic of an old friend." the middle‑aged man smiled, shook his head, then said softly to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan's mouth twitched; indeed poverty undermines confidence—he had spent so many gold Soul Coins just to acquire a friend's relic.

Next, over thirty Soul Guide Devices were auctioned, and as long as a device had any reputation, the middle‑aged man could recount its history in detail, like a familiar story.

More importantly, this guy had placed bids in over a dozen of the thirty‑plus Soul Guide Device auctions, spending several million gold Soul Coins. "Uncle, even if we have money we shouldn't waste it; there's a soul bone auction later, aren't you planning to buy a soul bone?" Li Xuan asked the middle‑aged man, his tone full of curiosity,

"Today's auction includes six soul bones, five of which are Thousand-year Soul Bones, and one is a Ten‑thousand Soul Bone, and it's the lowest‑grade Ten‑thousand Soul Bone, so it's not very attractive." the middle‑aged man said, smiling and shaking his head.

"What a lavish spender." Li Xuan said irritably; he despised foolish rich people the most.

"Want to come with me to retrieve the paddle?" the middle‑aged man asked Li Xuan with a smile.

"Uncle, I still want to see what a soul bone actually looks like; I've grown so big and never seen a soul bone before." Li Xuan said to the middle‑aged man, then sat in his chair waiting for the soul bone to appear.

After a short while, six maidens carrying trays arrived at the auction stage and placed the trays on the display cabinet.

"Now the highlight of today's auction, soul bones! After a year, our auction has gathered six top‑quality soul bones. The first is the left‑arm soul bone of a year Burning Fire Tiger! It can be called one of the most popular soul bones among Fire Attribute Soul Masters. Starting price is one million gold Soul Coins, each raise no less than fifty thousand gold Soul Coins! The auction begins!" Ka Bo lifted the red cloth, revealing the true form of the soul bone inside.

Li Xuan channeled his soul power to his eyes, then carefully examined the soul bone on the auction stage; this was his first chance to see a real soul bone, having only heard of them in the System Mall before.

The soul bone on the stage was entirely fiery red, crystal‑clear like jade, emitting a faint red glow, about half a meter long, and its shape matched a human arm bone perfectly.

"Is this a soul bone?" Li Xuan said with some yearning.

"This is a soul bone. Soul bones come in six types: Limb Soul Bones, head, and Torso Soul Bones. A soul bone is the condensation of a soul beast's pure cultivation and bloodline power, which is why it is so crystal‑clear and dazzling!" the middle‑aged man explained to Li Xuan with a smile.

Li Xuan was also deeply captivated by the exquisitely crafted, art‑like soul bone on the stage; it was simply too beautiful.

"Esteemed viewers, my posting time is a bit late, shall I post earlier?"

(End of Chapter)