Chapter 88: Super Auction! One Hundred Thousand and One Gold Coins!

The strength of Lü Yi might only be that of a two-star Dou Huang, but even so, she was a genuine Dou Huang expert. Naturally, the Eight-Gate Hall didn't dare show any negligence.

Especially after learning the reason for her visit, Yuan Yi personally came out to greet her with immense enthusiasm.

The Mighty Huang Pill and the Breaking Calamity Pill—such top-tier pills were highly sought-after treasures no matter where they appeared. That Lin Ran was willing to auction them through the Black Seal Auction House was already giving them great face.

Not to mention, there might even be a tier-seven pill appearing!

"Elder Lü, please rest assured. Our Eight-Gate Hall and your Heavenly Serpent Mansion have been old friends for years. I'll make sure this auction is well publicized!" Yuan Yi pounded his chest with booming assurance.

"If Sect Master Yuan is willing to cooperate, that's naturally the best," Lü Yi said with a gentle smile, then added, "However, there is one thing I must remind Sect Master Yuan of."

She gently sipped her wine and smiled faintly. "These pills do not belong to Heavenly Serpent Mansion—they originate from Central Plains."

"What?!"

Yuan Yi's pupils contracted sharply.

The Central Plains was vastly different from other regions. That was the true core of the continent, and anyone who came from there was unquestionably powerful.

Even the famous Jia Nan Academy that dominated the entire Black-Corner Region—its dean hailed from the Central Plains.

But since when did Heavenly Serpent Mansion start associating with powerhouses from Central Plains?

Noticing Yuan Yi's scrutinizing gaze, Lü Yi calmly pulled out a token and presented it with a smile. It was a six-grade alchemist badge. "I believe Sect Master Yuan should recognize this?"

"This is… Wait, this is the emblem of the Pill Tower?!"

Yuan Yi suddenly stood up, visibly shocked.

The six-grade alchemist badge issued by the Pill Tower differed from the ordinary ones. While ordinary people might not notice the difference, Yuan Yi certainly did.

Because there was already such a badge in the Black-Corner Region.

Yes—it belonged to the Medicine Emperor, Han Feng!

As the personal disciple of Yao Zun-zhe, the continent's number one alchemist, and the young master of Starfall Pavilion in the Central Plains, Han Feng's credentials naturally came from the Pill Tower.

Yuan Yi had seen that token before and remembered it vividly!

"Please rest assured, Elder Lü. We will handle the publicity thoroughly. If you truly provide a tier-seven pill… our Black Seal Auction House will only take ten percent of the profit!"

Seeing the Pill Tower's badge, the false smile on Yuan Yi's face vanished and was replaced with solemn seriousness. "I'll begin full-scale publicity by tomorrow. Please also inform your lord to deliver the pills soon."

"Now that Sect Master Yuan has given his word, I am at ease," Lü Yi said with a gentle smile, stowing the token away. "Before the auction officially begins, we will deliver all the auction items."

"Of course, I hope Sect Master Yuan will also prepare some valuable items. If you mix in too much trash, my lord may not care, but it would damage the Black Seal Auction House's reputation."

"Naturally, naturally!"

"Then I won't disturb Sect Master Yuan further. No need to see me off."

"Elder Lü is too courteous…"

Watching Lü Yi's departing figure, Yuan Yi's expression turned grave.

A tier-six alchemist from Central Plains—and possibly even tier-seven—had come to the Black-Corner Region. That was a monumental event.

No one from Central Plains was ever simple.

Currently, there were only two famous figures from Central Plains: one had swept through the Black-Corner Region and founded the renowned Jia Nan Academy. The other established Feng City and was the top alchemist in the region.

Now, a third had arrived.

The sky above the Black-Corner Region… was about to change again!

After a moment of silence, Yuan Yi's expression darkened further. "Summon the elders and stewards. Convene the Black Seal Assembly!"

"Yes, Sect Master."

...

The news of high-grade pills being auctioned by the Black Seal Auction House spread across the Black-Corner Region within days, thanks to the calculated promotion by Eight-Gate Hall.

Mighty Huang Pills, Breaking Calamity Pills, and possibly even tier-seven pills… the mere mention stirred the hearts of countless powerhouses.

Everyone, regardless of status, had great interest in pills.

Even those old monsters long in seclusion were now bringing their fortunes and rushing to Black Seal City.

Though the auction hadn't yet begun, the city's population had already surged to a terrifying level. Most of those gathering were influential names within the region.

As time passed…

Under everyone's eager anticipation, the Black Seal Auction finally opened.

On the day of the auction, black-robed figures stood like statues outside the venue. The thick stench of blood radiating from their bodies imposed a silent pressure upon all observers.

When Lin Ran arrived with Xiao Yixian and the other two women, the place was already a sea of people.

"Looks like Yuan Yi did take our words seriously," Lin Ran said with a light smile as his gaze swept across the occasional figures moving through the crowd.

In just a few dozen meters, he sensed multiple Dou Wang-level experts acting as reception staff. For a force like the Eight-Gate Hall, whose strongest member was only a two-star Dou Huang, having Dou Wangs work as attendants showed their sincerity and heavy investment.

"With such generosity on your part, how could he not take it seriously?" Lü Yi giggled, covering her mouth.

After all, those were two Mighty Huang Pills, three Breaking Calamity Pills, and even one tier-seven Transformation Pill!

Even for sects that had Dou Zong-level experts, these treasures would be immensely attractive.

"Elder Lü, you've finally arrived!"

Several elders from the Eight-Gate Hall were busy greeting guests when one of them spotted Lü Yi. His expression shifted, and he hurriedly approached with respect.

At the same time, he also noticed Lin Ran and the other women accompanying her—and Lü Yi's reverence toward Lin Ran.

Could this young man be the tier-six alchemist from Central Plains?

This auction was of great importance. Yuan Yi had not only dispatched all the sect's elders as attendants but had also issued detailed instructions on various guests to watch out for—major sect powerhouses, eccentric rogue cultivators, reclusive old monsters, and most importantly… the mysterious alchemist from Central Plains who initiated the auction.

"No need for formalities, Elder Wang. We'll find our way in," Lü Yi said after glancing at Lin Ran's indifferent expression.

"How can that do? Meier, quickly come and escort our honored guests!"

A charming, voluptuous woman with a seductive demeanor walked over. "Please follow me, sirs and madams."

Her appearance immediately irritated Xiao Yixian, who huffed coldly. "Shameless little vixen, who are you trying to seduce?"

Just as Lin Ran and the others entered the hall, a voice suddenly rang out from behind.

"The Gold and Silver Elders have arrived!"

The sudden announcement caused many to stop and turn in surprise. Two figures, one clad in gold and the other in silver, appeared out of thin air. Their faces were nearly identical—white hair, white beards, and features as if carved from the same mold.

"They actually came! These two old guys are rarely seen in public."

"They've been at the peak of Dou Huang for years. Though their combined power can challenge a Dou Zong, they're still only peak Dou Huang. It's no wonder they couldn't resist when they heard about the Breaking Calamity Pills being auctioned."

In the crowd, whispers rose.

"Gold and Silver Elders, huh," Lin Ran murmured with a slight curve of his lips. "They count as top-tier combat power in the Black-Corner Region. Let's see what they're carrying."

"Medicine Emperor has arrived!!"

Another shout drew even more attention.

A large group approached swiftly. Leading them was a man who looked to be around thirty. He had a handsome face, tightly pressed lips, and an icy aura, which strangely enhanced his charm.

His long black hair draped down to his shoulders, and his body constantly emitted a subtle medicinal fragrance. The chest of his alchemist robe bore a six-striped gold badge—denoting a tier-six alchemist.

There was no doubt about it—this was Han Feng, the Medicine Emperor, personal disciple of Yao Zun-zhe, young master of Starfall Pavilion, and lord of Feng City.

One of the most notorious betrayers of the Dou Qi continent. The infamous senior brother of Xiao Yan.

"Even the Medicine Emperor came? Is he after the Breaking Calamity Pills?"

"Don't be stupid. He's a tier-six alchemist himself—he could refine them. He must be after whoever provided these pills!"

"You're both wrong! My uncle's second aunt's third cousin told me this auction might even feature a tier-seven pill. That's what the Medicine Emperor's really after!"

The murmurs intensified, and Lin Ran's gaze landed on Han Feng with interest.

Not in Han Feng himself, but in what he possessed—the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

And more importantly…

The Flame Mantra!

That's right. Han Feng also practiced the Flame Mantra, albeit a partial scroll. Still, it contained a portion of its power. If Lin Ran could seize it and study it, perhaps a pleasant surprise awaited.

After briefly examining Han Feng, Lin Ran turned away, leading Xiao Yixian and the others into the auction venue.

(End of Chapter)