Chapter 436: Read and Then Burn: The Dragon Cave Map

The "Xi Junzi" brand candle burned steadily, its light selflessly spilling into every corner of the karst cave.

The dwarf was introducing the third auction item...

Zhou You's mind was no longer on it; instead, he lowered his head to scan the contents of the *Medicine King Canon*.

The *Medicine King Canon* contained a massive amount of information, totaling thirty-two volumes, each one a thick tome; combined, they weighed several dozen jin.

The woman at the auction stage appeared to be just a pretty face, but she actually possessed martial arts skill; she easily held up the thirty-two volumes of the *Medicine King Canon* while maintaining a sweet smile without her expression faltering.

"The habits and growth of medicinal herbs, and their distribution across the Fifty States of the world..."

"Extracting medicine from minerals in the natural world; the types of medicinal stones discovered thus far are as follows..."

"The marvelous phenomenon of medicine and poison coexisting; within the distribution range of each medicine, specific wild species exist widely..."

"Techniques for the brief primary processing and preservation of leaves, flowers, and fruits once detached from branches, and stems and roots once removed from soil..."

"General methods for the preparation of medicines..."

Zhou You's gaze moved rapidly; the input speed of his interface far exceeded reading ten lines at a glance, and his page-turning speed was so fast that no afterimage could be seen.

The beautiful woman next to him looked slightly surprised; this speed didn't look like reading, but rather like he was deliberately testing the durability of the paper.

Before the dwarf had finished introducing the third auction item, Zhou You had already finished recording all 32 volumes of the *Medicine King Canon*.

He closed the final page and exhaled; although he had the assistance of the interface, ingesting such a massive amount of information in a short time still left his head feeling somewhat swollen.

"This friend, if it is convenient, could you lend me one of the volumes to read? This one will surely reward you handsomely."

The beautiful woman's target was not all of the *Medicine King Canon*, but just one of the volumes.

Zhou You shook his head, "Sorry, it is not very convenient."

He pointed to the pile of books; wisps of white smoke were slowly rising, bubbling and hissing, visibly melting.

The corrosion of the Seven Step Poison Sand palm.

The value of this *Medicine King Canon* lay in its content; having read it, destroying it was best, as leaving it by his side would undoubtedly be a disaster.

The speed of corrosion grew faster and faster; in the blink of an eye, this paper mountain melted into a pile of foam, its original appearance unrecognizable.

The beautiful woman was shocked, then gave a wry smile and bowed, "It was my presumption!"

The surrounding guests were left speechless; that was bought for 50,000 taels of gold, equivalent to about 500,000 taels of silver, and it was destroyed the moment it was obtained—even if one were rich, one shouldn't squander it like this!

"Photographic memory!"

The fatty in the distance saw this and looked thoughtful, the fat on his chin trembling with excitement.

Without a doubt, after obtaining it, Zhou You had quickly read the entire *Medicine King Canon* and burned it after reading to ensure it would not be snatched away by others again.

This power of observation and memory, which allowed for photographic recall, was undoubtedly a talent only a genius possessed.

Many people became increasingly interested in Zhou You.

The third auction item, after several rounds of bidding, was taken by a guest.

"The next auction item is named Tian Wu Huan Yang Zhang, a Strong Martial Artist's ultimate technique, with a starting price of 200,000 taels of gold."

Once this item was revealed, the surroundings were in an uproar; many guests' expressions changed, and they stood up, intending to leave.

Tian Wu Huan Yang Zhang is a palm technique containing eight variations, originating from the Strong Martial Artist profound art, *Huan Yang Bu Jie Lu*.

As it happens, Zhou You had seen a Strong Martial Artist who practiced this profound art.

During the great battle in Zunyang City, the human Strong Martial Artist wreathed in flames who fought the Witch tribe Strong Martial Artist Giant was using this very profound art.

The problem was that there was more than one Strong Martial Artist who practiced this *Huan Yang Bu Jie Lu* profound art, and every one of them was a long-renowned Strong Martial Artist.

If you secretly stole someone else's ultimate technique and the original owner found out...

"Guests, please rest assured, the auction item is definitely not stolen goods; it has a legitimate source."

The dwarf smiled and explained, "I dare to set this price because there is naturally a reason for it being expensive; there are absolutely no hidden dangers in practicing it."

The implication was that this palm technique had flowed out from the hands of a certain Strong Martial Artist.

Many people were tempted; if they could obtain this palm technique, even without the foundation of the profound art, its power would still be extraordinary.

However, 200,000 taels of gold was too expensive, equivalent to 2,000,000 taels of silver.

For a time, the room fell into a lull, and no one bid for a long while. Zhou You guessed that it might fail to sell, but seeing the dwarf's calm expression, he realized it would not fail to sell.

He had underestimated the spending power of the wealthy; they weren't bidding not because they lacked money, but because they were waiting to see which way the wind blew. As long as one person bid, followers would surely come in droves.

Sure enough...

"I bid 210,000."

"Haha, I'll add to the splendor as well, adding 10,000; I yield to you."

"You call 10,000 an addition? I add 30,000, for a total of 250,000 taels of gold. Who will follow?"

The atmosphere was heated, and the numbers were refreshed again and again.

The beautiful woman also placed a bid, making Zhou You suspect she was a shill hired for the event.

Zhou You, caught in the middle of it, felt that money was no longer money; the numbers reported by the mouths of the bidders were no longer gold, but simply no different from play money.

In just a short moment, the auction price for this palm technique had risen to 470,000 taels of gold, and the bidding was still continuing.

"I'll offer a sincere price: 500,000 taels. I won't follow any higher."

An old man with a dark red beard stood up and held up his palm, "Everyone, this palm technique is not something everyone can practice."

As the saying goes, hair and skin are the manifestations of essence and blood; his beard was dark red, so the martial arts he practiced must lean toward the Yang-Flame type.

Perhaps because he reminded everyone, or perhaps because 500,000 taels of gold was already an astronomical price, no one else bid afterward.

This Tian Wu Huan Yang Zhang technique ultimately fell into the hands of the old man, with payment and delivery happening on the spot.

Good heavens! Zhou You watched with envy; 500,000 taels of gold was more than his entire net worth—truly extravagant!

"The fifth item, and also the final auction item for today: the Eighteen Copies of the Dragon Cave Map."

The dwarf explained with a beaming smile, "The content of this map is the eighteen lost underground hidden caves of Chongguang Cheng; their whereabouts are unknown, and whether they are safe is unknown."

"The starting price is 80,000 taels."

Hmm, it seems the grand finale auction item is the fourth palm technique, and the fifth marks the conclusion.

A map of an Underground Cave, even at 80,000 taels, is too expensive.

Including Zhou You, many guests thought the same.

Un—unexpectedly...

"I bid 100,000 taels, no one compete with me."

That fatty suddenly jumped out, stood with his hands on his hips, and shouted, "I am determined to obtain this item."

He pulled a thick stack of gold notes from his bosom, the top one clearly printed with the number 'ten thousand'.

A rough calculation showed at least 500,000 to 600,000 taels worth of gold notes.

Once he flaunted his wealth like this, sure enough, no one bid against him anymore.

"Very well, this map belongs to this guest."

Seeing no one else bid, the dwarf was neither dejected nor angry, smiling as he announced the sale of the item.

The fatty paid the money, took the map, unfolded it to verify, then rolled it up and stowed it away on his back.

"Alright, this auction has been successfully completed. Many thanks to all the guests for your great support; I am moved to tears."

As the dwarf spoke, he actually shed tears and snot, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his eyes.

He said to the crowd, "The mountains are high and the roads are long, we shall meet again if fate allows!"

As he spoke, the Monarch candle made of human fat to the side had already burned to its end; the human skin was wrinkled, the grease was exhausted, and the wick twisted from a tongue was also about to extinguish.

"Friend, leave immediately after the venue clears, do not stay in the vicinity."

A voice transmission, formed by Qi and blood condensed into a line, reached his ear.

Zhou You didn't need to look to know it was the beautiful woman next door; she said, "The revenge of the Xi family is coming."

(End of this chapter)