BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Word Count: 2,451 Words

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The auction hosted by the Black Emperor Sect took place in an open-air plaza that somewhat resembled the circular arenas of ancient Roman coliseums. When Xiao Yan's group arrived, the venue was already packed, with not a single empty seat in sight.

Xiao Yan and the Little Fairy Doctor, both preferring tranquility, couldn't help but frown. There were simply too many people.

Fortunately, they had a private box, sparing them unnecessary troubles.

Numerous Black Emperor Sect guards stood watch around the auction venue, their cold, sharp weapons glinting as they secured the entire plaza. In the sky above, several Dou Ancestor Elders from the Black Emperor Sect stood casually. The vigorous Dou Qi emanating from their bodies created a palpable sense of oppression among the crowd.

"Whoa, look over there. That beauty in the cheongsam! Tsk tsk, she's absolutely stunning."

"Watch your mouth, you idiot! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you. That's Ya Fei of the Miteer Auction House from Xiao City."

"Xiao City?!"

"See that young man beside Miss Ya Fei? That's Grandmaster Xiao Yan. A year ago, he refined a tier 7 medicinal pill that attracted Pill Lightning during the Great Meeting of Factions!"

"Hiss! Tier 7!"

"Hmph, why else do you think Xiao City can attract so many alchemists? I heard half the alchemists there have received guidance from Xiao Yan."

Low murmurs of astonishment rose from the surrounding crowd whenever someone entered the VIP seating. Those entering from here were almost all renowned experts or faction leaders within the Black-Corner Region. For ordinary people, seeing such prominent figures was a rare occasion.

And Xiao Yan was naturally one of the most illustrious names in the region.

After Xiao Yan's group entered the VIP section, the Black Emperor Sect elder guiding them couldn't help but swallow nervously.

"Truly worthy of being a Grandmaster Alchemist! Tier 7, tsk tsk tsk. To reach tier 7 at such an age... the Young Sect Leader is far behind him. He's countless times more formidable than the former Medicine Emperor, Han Feng."

"The people around Grandmaster Xiao Yan aren't simple either. I can't see through their strengths at all. They give me the same feeling as when facing the Sect Leader."

Once Xiao Yan's group entered their box, a barrier immediately isolated the noisy clamor from outside.

The box itself was quite luxurious, furnished with a long sofa. A table in front was laden with various fruits and an auction paddle for bidding. The vantage point provided an excellent view, encompassing every corner of the auction stage.

A female attendant, attractive and dressed rather provocatively, was also assigned to the box. She quickly stepped forward, intentionally bending over to reveal more to Xiao Yan.

"Grandmaster, this way, please. If you require any service, please let me know."

Such implications!

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned but jolted back to reality by a cold cough.

"Ahem, no need. I'm not accustomed to being served by strangers." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, took out a surplus tier 3 medicinal pill from his storage ring that he had refined during practice, and handed it to the attendant as a tip.

The attendant revealed a smile when she saw the "tip" Xiao Yan bestowed, but there was also a hint of regret as she slowly retreated under the cold gaze of Little Fairy Doctor.

Xiao Yan naturally sat in the center of the long sofa. Ya Fei took the seat on his right; after all, no one understood auctions better than her. If there was a good deal, she would bid. Raising the paddle was naturally not something a 'Grandmaster' like Xiao Yan would do personally.

It didn't fit a Grandmaster's status!

Xiao Yan patted the empty seat on his left and looked at Little Fairy Doctor. "Not gracing me with your company?"

Little Fairy Doctor's delicate face flushed slightly. She gave Xiao Yan a charming glance, then gracefully adjusted her skirt and sat down elegantly, maintaining a slight distance between them.

Zi Yan didn't concern herself with such matters. She had already started eating, and although these fruits didn't have much energy, they were sweet! And she loved sweets the most.

The big and small Lion Kings stood on either side like two guardians.

The arrival of Xiao Yan's group drew quite a few gazes, especially toward Little Fairy Doctor's unique aura and Ya Fei's natural charm. Many eyes fixed on them, and even more envious, jealous, and resentful glances were directed at Xiao Yan.

Such envy!

Xiao Yan ignored these gazes and slowly closed his eyes, waiting for the auction to begin. This time, regardless of who competed, he was determined to obtain the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, even if he had to use all the soul points he possessed.

About half an hour later, Mo Tianxing, dressed in golden robes, appeared on the auction stage.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and swept his Spiritual Strength over him.

"His strength is quite formidable, reaching the 4-star Dou Ancestor stage," Xiao Yan murmured.

"Mm, he should be comparable to that Xie Bi Yan from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate," Little Fairy Doctor commented indifferently. Xie Bi Yan was already dead; for the current Little Fairy Doctor, Mo Tianxing wasn't too troublesome.

After Mo Tianxing's lengthy opening remarks, a white-haired auctioneer stepped forward with a snow-white scroll to begin the auction.

"Sky Feather Finger, an Intermediate Xuan Class Dou Technique. Finger techniques have always been quite rare. Though somewhat difficult to cultivate, they can catch opponents off guard in battle. I believe everyone present is extraordinary and knows how tricky finger techniques can be."

The auctioneer picked up the scroll and chuckled. "The starting price is 100,000 gold coins, with a ceiling price of 800,000. Whoever first bids this amount will win the Sky Feather Finger, regardless of higher subsequent bids. Ladies and gentlemen, opportunities like this shouldn't be missed."

Xiao Yan yawned. He had no interest in this level of Dou Technique. However, Ya Fei still raised her paddle to bid. As a businesswoman, she wouldn't miss any money-making opportunities. If she could win the bid at a suitable price, she could put it up for sale in the Miteer Auction House.

In a way, Ya Fei was here to stock up on goods!

Unfortunately, the Sky Feather Finger exceeded her estimate, so she didn't secure it.

Subsequent items included intermediate and high-grade Xuan Class Qi Methods and Dou Techniques, as well as Rank 5 weapons and armor. Although Ya Fei made bids, she couldn't snag any bargains, so Xiao Yan hadn't acquired anything yet.

"The next Dou Technique is quite interesting. It's a very rare ruler technique called the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler, an Intermediate Di Class Dou Technique!" The auctioneer took out a red scroll from the tray as he spoke.

"This Dou Technique was created by someone known as Venerable Liu He. This ruler technique was his signature move, extremely powerful. The only flaw is that ruler techniques are somewhat unorthodox. Without years of cultivation, it's quite difficult to master."

"Hmm?!" Xiao Yan sat up straight upon hearing it was a ruler technique. After all, besides his proficiency with Heavenly Flames, the Heavy Xuan Ruler was his trademark weapon.

He had practiced with the Heavy Xuan Ruler since childhood and had no intention of changing weapons. Rulers and heavy swords actually shared similarities; both were blunt and heavy.

"Interested?" Little Fairy Doctor couldn't help but smile upon seeing Xiao Yan's sudden attentiveness. She knew his most proficient weapon was that enormous black ruler, so it was natural for the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler to pique his interest.

Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan and gently asked, "Would you like to bid on it?"

Xiao Yan's expression, however, was somewhat strange, as he suddenly understood Hun Huzi's feelings from before.

He kind of looked down on it!

"But... intermediate Di Class is a bit low-level."

Intermediate Di Class! Too low-level!!

Even Zi Yan gave him a sidelong glance upon hearing this. Aren't you being too pretentious? This is an intermediate Di Class Dou Technique created by a Dou Venerate. What more could a Dou Emperor like you want!

Typically, a high-star Dou Emperor mastering an Intermediate Di Class Dou Technique would have a significant advantage among peers, yet he looked down on it!

"Sigh, forget it. Let's buy it first. This kind of unorthodox Dou Technique probably won't be too expensive." Xiao Yan nodded. He decided to purchase it first and study it later. Perhaps he could combine it to comprehend his own unique Dou Technique.

Ya Fei covered her mouth with a light laugh and nodded.

"Hehe, the starting price for this ruler Dou Technique is set at 1.8 million gold coins. The minimum increment for each bid is 10,000," the white-haired auctioneer said with a smile as he observed the murmurs of the crowd. "Well then... everyone, please place your bids."

Xiao Yan's eyelid twitched at the price. Were they undervaluing ruler techniques because they were niche?! Back then, the Three Thousand Lightning Movement was a black market item, yet it sold for nearly 10 million gold coins. This Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler was at least an Intermediate Di Class, yet it was priced so low? Was that reasonable?!

What surprised him even more was that after announcing the starting price, no one in the venue made a bid.

Ya Fei noticed his confusion and explained, "Ruler-type Dou Techniques are very rare, and even ruler weapons are seldom seen. Cultivators of ruler techniques are harder to find. Moreover, heavy rulers are similar to heavy swords; mastering them is extremely difficult. Without over a decade of foundation, it's nearly impossible to cultivate successfully."

Xiao Yan agreed with her words. He had been cultivating the Heavy Xuan Ruler for ten years now and had just mastered the Flame Splitting Tsunami. It was indeed very challenging.

However, since it was an Intermediate Di Class Dou Technique, some factions began to bid, hoping to obtain it for their younger disciples to cultivate from scratch.

In the end, Ya Fei seized the right moment and made a bid of 3 million gold coins, successfully securing the item.

After the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler, increasingly precious items began to appear.

Rare medicinal ingredients and even some peculiar pill recipes were auctioned. Naturally, Xiao Yan directly swept up all the precious medicinal ingredients using medicinal pills.

Xiao Yan wasn't just renowned; more importantly, he possessed Heavenly Flames, so the medicinal pills he refined inherently had a higher value.

Just as the auction was nearing its end, Zi Yan suddenly stood up. Her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of fierceness. Her body even flickered with a subtle purple glow.

This sudden scene startled everyone; they didn't know why Zi Yan reacted this way.

"What's wrong, Zi Yan?" Xiao Yan frowned and asked. He knew she was from the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, an extremely mysterious and powerful race. Perhaps she had discovered something.

"I think I know what that thing is," Zi Yan pointed toward the auction stage. Just as she finished speaking, a hole opened in the center of the stage, and with a creaking sound, a chunk of rotting flesh rose up.

She had sensed it even before the item was unveiled!

The flesh chunk wasn't small; it was quite massive, spanning over thirty meters wide. The moment the flesh appeared, many people frowned because a stench emanated from it.

This magical beast had been dead for a long time; its bones and flesh were dried up. The most eye-catching part of this carcass was the pair of giant wings that had turned into white bones. These wings were quite peculiar, resembling jade and emitting a faint glow. Discerning eyes could tell they still contained some strange energy.

For it to retain some energy even after being dead for so long, this magical beast's rank must have been quite high when it was alive.

Xiao Yan swept his Spiritual Strength over it, but even with his Soul State level, he couldn't detect anything special.

"Hehe, this magical beast corpse was accidentally discovered by our Black Emperor Sect in a mountain valley. After our Sect Master's appraisal, this beast was a pinnacle existence about to break through to Rank 8, advancing to become a peerless ferocious beast!" the white-haired auctioneer said solemnly.

Even Little Fairy Doctor was shocked upon hearing this. Half-Step Dou Venerate?!

Xiao Yan glanced at Zi Yan. After pondering, she nodded. "He's not wrong. It probably tried to evolve its bloodline and break through the Rank 8 barrier but failed, resulting in its death."

Though magical beasts had long lifespans and strong physiques, breaking through bloodline shackles was extremely difficult. Just look at Cai Lin; it was clear at a glance. Rank 8, in particular, was an insurmountable chasm, whether for human cultivators or alchemists.

"Hehe, everyone, ever since we obtained this magical beast's dried corpse, we've preserved it perfectly without any damage. I assure you, our Black Emperor Sect hasn't tampered with it at all. In other words, we don't know what's inside this beast's body. Likewise, whether it contains a near Rank 8 Monster Core remains a mystery to us," the auctioneer said with a smile.

The crowd buzzed with heated discussions upon hearing this. However, experts like Xiao Yan scoffed. With myriad methods to investigate, there was no need for dissection at all.

Just now, even Xiao Yan's Soul State Spiritual Strength hadn't detected anything special. There was an eighty to ninety percent chance this corpse didn't contain a Monster Core.

"Buy it. Not only does it have a Monster Core, but it also contains Essence Blood from a half-step Rank 8 beast." Zi Yan's eyes gleamed as she dropped this bombshell!

Ya Fei's small mouth opened slightly beside her.

Hiss! Rank 8!

A Rank 7 magical beast's Monster Core was already a treasure that could only be bartered for, and this one also had Essence Blood? Its value was immeasurable! This was a huge find!

Xiao Yan smiled and patted Zi Yan's little head. "Seems my hard work refining pills for you and helping you break through to Rank 7 wasn't in vain."

Zi Yan snorted and tossed her head. "Of course! If I hadn't advanced to Rank 7 and learned some information from my bloodline, I wouldn't be certain what kind of magical beast this is."

The Little Lion King beside them asked curiously, "Sister Zi Yan, what kind of magical beast is this?"

Zi Yan shrugged and said indifferently, "Nothing much, just an ordinary member of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe."