“That’s Huang Yuan, a super genius of this region. At just twenty years old, he’s reached the ninth level of Heavenly Martial. It’s said he can fight across tiers, capable of holding his own against experts who’ve just entered the Martial King realm.”
“This Huang Yuan is too domineering. This is clearly a show of force to everyone!”
“But Huang Yuan does have the strength to back it up. Rumour has it that Kongyuan Valley has two Martial King experts, one of whom has reached the mid-tier Martial King level, surpassing even the Black Wind City lord’s mansion by a slight margin.”
The crowd’s discussions reached Lin Xiao’s ears. Hearing their words, a faint look of surprise crossed his face.
Martial King experts were exceedingly rare everywhere. Only the most powerful factions would boast a Martial Sovereign or five or six Martial Kings.
For Kongyuan Valley to have two Martial Kings suggested it was a formidable force, even in this small region.
Judging by Huang Yuan’s confident, determined demeanour, it wasn’t just his own strength at play. There were likely Martial Kings lurking behind him.
Considering that the Jun Zang map and key were enticing enough to stir even a Martial Sovereign, it was highly probable that the mid-tier Martial King was also hiding in the shadows.
If that were the case, Peng Du was in for trouble. A mid-tier Martial King and a beginner-tier Martial King would be more than enough to match, if not overpower, a beginner-tier Martial King and a fourth-tier beginner Spirit Controller.
However, if that were true, it would also make it quite difficult for Lin Xiao to secure the map, unless the two sides ended up in a brutal fight.
Of course, Lin Xiao could also guess that this auction house likely harboured more than one faction’s Martial Kings.
If things escalated, it would certainly get lively.
“Hmph, what’s this Kongyuan Valley? Never heard of it. Thinking you can buy the Jun Zang map and key with just fifteen Martial King primal pills—isn’t that a bit too fanciful?”
At that moment, an angry, mature young man’s voice rang out from another booth. “Buzhou Mountain, Qian Long, twenty Martial King primal pills!”
*Whoa!*
The crowd gasped again. This young man was bold, dismissing Kongyuan Valley outright.
However, Buzhou Mountain was likely quite a distance from here, and many had never heard of it.
Still, most could infer that someone daring to speak so confidently must have substantial backing. Buzhou Mountain was probably no weaker than Kongyuan Valley.
The young man named Huang Yuan paused for a moment, then a cold snort followed. “What’s Buzhou Mountain worth? Thirty Martial King primal pills!”
Another wave of gasps swept through the crowd. Kongyuan Valley lived up to its reputation, raising the bid by ten Martial King primal pills in one go.
That was equivalent to thirty fourth-tier beginner spirit cores, or three hundred third-tier advanced spirit cores.
This was an immense fortune.
“This Peng Du really knows how to do business. If this goes smoothly, he’s bound to reap enormous profits,” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but click his tongue.
Of course, he also had to secretly marvel at the roughness of this chaotic region. Even in an auction house, threats were thrown around openly, and the auction house lacked the strength to intervene.
Outside, under normal auction rules, no one would dare make such direct threats.
“These two factions are truly lavish. My Three Elements Sect will join the fray too—thirty-five Martial King primal pills,” an elderly voice called out from another booth, cutting into the escalating tension.
The crowd was startled once more. The competition for the Jun Zang map and key was indeed fierce.
“I’ve heard the Three Elements Sect is also a faction led by a Martial King. This auction is getting more and more exciting.”
Someone let out an amazed exclamation. At such a high price, many bidders had already been deterred.
“Forty Martial King primal pills!”
Another voice rang out from a different booth, this time a middle-aged man’s, spoken in a low-key tone without announcing any faction or issuing threats.
Yet, woven into the sound waves was a hint of icy coldness, and a subtle, almost imperceptible pressure emanated from the room.
No verbal threat was made, but the aura itself was a blatant warning.
“Beginner-tier Martial King!”
Someone gasped in shock. This auction house was indeed a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Without a strong faction, even securing the Jun Zang map and key wouldn’t guarantee leaving Black Wind City safely.
Naturally, those with strength wanted to claim the item first for peace of mind, which was why the bids kept climbing.
After all, fleeing was far easier than wresting something from someone else’s hands.
“Hmph, let’s see how many Martial King primal pills you lot have left. Fifty Martial King primal pills!” Huang Yuan’s cold snort rang out as he raised the bid again.
The crowd sucked in a collective breath. This bidding was outrageously bold!
Fifty Martial King primal pills—that was likely the entire wealth of a Martial King-led faction.
Among those present, perhaps fewer than a handful of factions could muster such a sum.
Lin Xiao was stunned too. Kongyuan Valley was truly wealthy!
The room fell silent for a moment. At such a steep price, even other factions had to pause and think.
Not every one of the dozen-plus booths had the financial might or strength of Kongyuan Valley.
Even Fen Nan on the stage showed a flicker of surprise. The Jun Zang map and key had sparked such fierce contention.
Of course, this was merely the southeastern edge of the chaotic lands. In the deeper reaches, the price would likely far exceed this.
“This young master has bid fifty Martial King primal pills. Will anyone raise it?” Seeing the room quiet down for a moment, Fen Nan paused, then asked.
The hall remained silent. Without significant backing, fifty Martial King primal pills weren’t something one could just produce—unless they were a Spirit Controller capable of crafting them.
“Fifty-one!” At that moment, Qian Long’s voice from Buzhou Mountain rang out.
The scene froze again, the air thick with the scent of gunpowder.
Huang Yuan’s expression hardened. He turned towards the other booth and said coldly, “Fifty-five!”
“Fifty-six!” Another voice shot back immediately from the same direction. It was still Qian Long, his tone dripping with defiance.
“This is getting better and better!”
Someone chuckled in amusement. At this price, it no longer concerned most of the attendees. They were happy to watch the rivalry unfold.
“Are you looking to oppose my Kongyuan Valley?” Huang Yuan’s icy voice echoed from his booth, laden with thick menace.
“Heh, who here doesn’t have some backing? No need for pointless threats. If you’ve got the strength, just bid!” Qian Long’s mocking retort rang out. “What’s wrong? Wasn’t Kongyuan Valley flaunting its wealth earlier? Can’t keep up now?”
“Very well! Buzhou Mountain, is it? My Kongyuan Valley will remember this!” Huang Yuan’s frigid voice replied. “But whether it’s wealth or strength, if you want to compete, let’s see you try.”
With that, Huang Yuan’s bidding voice rang out, “Sixty Martial King primal pills!”
