Chapter 13

This guard was named Chin Woode, one of the Zein family's two hired top experts. Because of the Underground Gathering's significance, he was dispatched here to maintain order.

Chin Woode was a 'Strength Flow' top expert like Elder Zaner as well.

He cast a glance at Le Xaan while continuing,

"Inner Body Qi and Outer Body martial arts share a common point----increasing one's strength.

Outer Body martial arts force one's body strength to grow by stimulating the muscles. This method puts one's health at risk, but excels in training speed.

Inner Body Qi cultivation mobilizes one's vital organs to nurture one's muscles. This process may be slow but ensures one's health unharmed, and could even extend one's longevity.

This is the difference between Inner Body Qi cultivation and Outer Body martial arts training.

In fact, top outer-body martial arts experts were no inferior in strength than inner-body Qi cultivators.

Of course, the best experts were those who cultivate Inner Body Qi while practicing Outer Body martial arts at the same time..."

"So that's how it is..." Zein Sanki was enlightened by Chin Woode's words.

Le Xaan also nodded his head in agreement.

"Elder Zaner also said so. "

"Then why everyone seems so enthusiastic about about Inner Body Qi cultivation? Since it doesn't increase their strength by much." Zein Sanki wondered.

"It's due to the pursuit of longevity extension... Outer Body martial arts experts are indeed powerful, but their strength tends to wane once past their thirties. But if they cultivate Inner Body Qi, their strength would sustain its peak until their sixties. " Chin Woode said with a sigh.

Le Xaan's attention was now concentrated on the manual on the stage. The bidding procedure was about to start.

The host pointed at the black silk-bound manual while announcing,

"Now it's the bidding time. The starting bid is a hundred silver coins."

"A hundred thirty silver coins."

"A hundred fifty."

"Two hundred!"

"Three hundred!"

"Three hundred thirty!"

The price was soaring with the passage of each second.

Even those who said sarcastic words were giving their biddings as well.

Though having no faith in the manual, they did not doubt the Underground Gathering's official promise.

"Someone is maliciously gouging the price."

Zein Sanki mumbled within earshot of Le Xaan, whose gaze remained riveted on the manual.

"Fiver hundred!"

Le Xaan raised his hand and shouted.

In the wake of his shouting, the scene sank into silence.

Five hundred silver coins were the equivalent of sixty thousand dollars, after all.

The price was a little too costly for a manual under a cloud with regard to its contents.

"Five hundred fifty silver coins."

Another voice rang out.

Le Xaan cast a glance at the bidding person, a man with a sallow complexion and triangular eyes.

Even with a black mask on his face, he appeared very gaunt. His eyes revealed a hint of fierceness and viciousness.

Le Xaan was not surprised at all, since something like an inner body Qi cultivation method was coveted by everyone here.

He was not disturbed and raised his hand once again.

"Six hundred."

"Seven hundred!"

That man matched Le Xaan's bid.

"Eight hundred!" Le Xaan called out calmly. Even using up all his monthly pocket money of two thousand silver coins, he would not feel heart-pinched at all.

Whatever, he had the Deep Blue Cheat Tool. As long as he obtained the manual and put it into the modifier, he would be able to modify it to the ultimate level.

"Nine Hundred!"

That man looked over at Le Xaan with a fierce expression.

"One thousand." Le Xaan stayed composed.

"One thousand one hundred!" That person now sounded somewhat reluctant. "My friend, I was from the Cyam family in Zewa City. Do give me some consideration."

The Cyam family?

Le Xaan was a little surprised.

That man turned out to be from the most prominent clan, the Cyam family in Zewa City, which produced a powerful figure like Cyam Sorn, Zewa City Chief.

"The Cyam family has actually come to our Gourian CIty to buy up precious stuff... " Zein Sanki was a little stunned.

The Underground Gathering never scrutinized its attendees' identities.

"One thousand two hundred silver coins!"

Le Xaan did not waver at the sallow-faced man's words.

That member of the Cyam family was pissed off. Around Zewa and Gourian, he had never seen anyone who would dare to offend his family.

The Cyam family was not only pillared by City Chief Cyam Sorn but also Zewa CIty's first-ranked martial arts expert, Cyam Xionyee.

The extended Cyam family held sway both in the city's government and its underworld. And that's why he disclosed his background meaningfully.

"Don't mind him. At the Underground Gathering, the one that gives the highest price wins the bidding. Even the Cyam could not break the rule."

Zein Sanki looked like he was taking great pleasure at the sallow-faced man's awkward situation.

The man was actually named Cyam Kuido, and his mission here was to search for inner body Qi cultivation methods.

The Cyams were keeping a close watch on every inner body Qi cultivation method emerging in the marketplaces. And they would purchase such manuals before they emerged on auctions by leveraging their connections.

'Dark Shadow' was a fish that slipped through the net. It suddenly popped up on the Underground Gathering without going through the formal auction procedures, and thus, they were not aware of it in advance.

"One thousand three hundred!" Cyam Kuido gritted his teeth, raising his hand.

"One thousand four hundred silver coins!" Le Xaan said with no hesitation.

At this point, only two of them were vying for the manual, and everybody else was in no mood to compete against them.

"One thousand fiver hundred silver coins!" Cyam Kuido glared at Le Xaan firmly. "My friend, if you allow me this manual, our Cyam family will not forget your favor."

Le Xaan's expression was indifferent.

"One thousand six hundred."

Le Xaan raised his hand to give a bidding once more.

Cyam Kuido abruptly turned his head and fixated his gaze on Le Xaan.

"Very well. You're really good!"

He sized up Le Xaan from head to tail and seemed to be trying his best to bear Le Xaan's appearance in mind.

Then, with a snap, Cyam Kuido left in a huff.