Although the True Demon Empire had captured many generals, there was only one like Qin Huo, who never bowed or surrendered and possessed a powerful martial soul and combat strength.
Moreover, many were not interested in Qin Huo himself but in his Xingtian Martial Soul, also known as the Primordial War God Martial Soul.
While transferring a primordial martial soul with current methods carried significant risks and a high chance of failure, that did not deter wealthy individuals from pursuing such a mad act for themselves or their descendants.
Warriors had a price, but the value of a primordial martial soul was far greater.
Even the half-demons of Shenhuang Continent could have martial souls implanted. When bloodlines fused with a martial soul, the resulting power was even stronger.
Ling Xiao was a prime example. He possessed the bloodline of the Primordial Golden Dragon and the Mountain River Martial Soul. Their combination not only greatly boosted his cultivation speed but, more crucially, gave him combat strength far surpassing warriors of the same level.
“Seven million five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones,” someone called out a higher bid.
This made Ling Xiao tense slightly. He took a deep breath, relieved he still had plenty of Heavenly Spirit Divine Pills unused. If spirit stones ran short, he could use the pills to cover the debt.
He had to secure Qin Huo.
However, Ling Xiao’s goal was not the martial soul but simply to gain a capable ally. Rebuilding the human empire required such help.
With the Heavenly Spirit Divine Pills, he was confident no warrior here, including those in the VIP section, could outbid him.
“Eight million,” the bidding continued, with many throwing around low-grade spirit stones as if they were nothing, frantically raising the price.
“Ten million,” a voice suddenly drew everyone’s attention.
Jumping the bid from eight million to ten million caused many to shake their heads helplessly, abandoning hope of continuing.
Ling Xiao didn’t need to look to know it was Yan Peng.
This man had already bought a general slave, not as strong as Qin Huo but still at the Ninth Heaven Realm. Was he still not satisfied?
Did humiliating human warriors excite him so much?
Some below lacked the spirit stones to compete with Yan Peng, while others simply feared him and dared not bid against him.
For a moment, the auction house fell silent.
The host smiled at Yan Peng. “Young Master Yan truly has bold spirit. Qin Huo is likely to break through to the Cave Heaven Realm soon. With him by your side, you’ll have a fine enforcer.”
“You’re mistaken,” Yan Peng said, shaking his head with a laugh. “I just enjoy humiliating these humans.”
With that, he slashed the head off the slave seated beneath him.
“Ah!” Qin Huo let out a hysterical roar, clearly recognising the slave.
“What are you shouting for? I know this was your younger brother, but so what? If you don’t obey, you’ll end up like him,” Yan Peng said coldly, ordering his men to remove the body. “I’m tired of this human slave. Time for a stronger one, haha.”
“Scum,” Ling Xiao muttered, clenching his fists, his heart aching despite the victim not being his kin.
Killing a man’s brother in front of him, with no grudge, was a cruelty most could not fathom.
“Angry? Too bad it’s useless. If you’ve got the money, buy him,” Yan Peng said, laughing at Ling Xiao.
He was hoping Ling Xiao would bid, giving him a chance to act here.
“Ten million one hundred thousand,” Ling Xiao said, calming himself.
He could not let Yan Peng, that bastard, buy Qin Huo. It would ruin him.
A grand general of the Holy Dynasty, with a War God Martial Soul, the Flying General, should not fall like this.
Never.
What were spirit stones? He could always refine more pills.
“Kid, that’s over ten million low-grade spirit stones. Do you even have that much?” Yan Peng said, stunned that Ling Xiao dared compete with him.
Without a word, Ling Xiao produced a gourd containing one hundred Heavenly Spirit Divine Pills. “These are one hundred Heavenly Spirit Divine Pills, bought for twenty million low-grade spirit stones from the Tianlong Auction House. Do you think I lack the funds?”
“Damn it! You’re the one who snatched the Heavenly Spirit Divine Pills,” Yan Peng said, seething. He hadn’t been at the auction and regretted it bitterly when his family mentioned it. If he’d been there, he would have spent any amount to get them.
“Eleven million,” Yan Peng growled through gritted teeth.
“Eleven million one hundred thousand,” Ling Xiao said calmly, as if the spirit stones meant nothing.
“Twelve million,” Yan Peng said, his face darkening, his voice growing louder.
“Loud voices don’t help. Twelve million one hundred thousand,” Ling Xiao continued bidding.
Yan Peng paused, staring at Ling Xiao before laughing. “Fine, you win. The slave’s yours.”
He wasn’t giving up but felt further bidding was uneconomical. Once they left the auction house, Ling Xiao’s death was certain. Why waste spirit stones?
He always got what he wanted.
“Are you thinking of stealing this general from me after we leave?” Ling Xiao said, as if reading his mind, with a cold smile. “Hope he doesn’t kill you first. Don’t forget what you just did. He’d love to cut off your head and kick it like a ball.”
“Hmph, you’re all talk,” Yan Peng said, sneering, seemingly unafraid.
“Wrong. I’m also richer than you, so-called noble,” Ling Xiao said with a slight smile, turning to the host. “With the fifty percent discount, I only need to pay six million fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones, correct?”
“Yes, exactly,” the host confirmed.
“Damn, I forgot about that,” Yan Peng said, slapping his forehead in frustration. In his anger with Ling Xiao, he’d completely forgotten the discount.
Ling Xiao ignored his exasperated expression and sat down.
The transaction would happen after the auction ended, so he was in no rush.
“Next, we’re auctioning the Mysterious Ice Mad Lion. Let’s begin,” the host announced.
Logically, the Mysterious Ice Mad Lion’s final price shouldn’t surpass Qin Huo’s, but unlike a human slave, it was a flashy status symbol.
Wealthy warriors wouldn’t mind spending extra to bid on it.
However, since Yan Peng knew the lion belonged to Ling Xiao, he’d likely try to sabotage the bidding.
