Chapter 180: The Auction Begins

Xiao Xie and his companions had no need to worry about such matters. They were personally led into the auction hall by Su Mei herself.

“Who are those three? To think the Sect Leader of the Skyshade Sect, Su Mei, would lead them herself!”

“I don’t know, but they look so young!”

“You don’t know? That young man is Xiao Xie, the Master of Dragon Gate. The whole Skyshade Sect is a subordinate sect of Dragon Gate. What’s so strange about Su Mei personally leading them?”

“How do you know that? May I ask who you are?”

“I am Wang Yu of the Wolf Sect, a subordinate of Dragon Gate.”

“Ah…”

Seeing Xiao Xie and his group led by Su Mei in person, those gathered around could not help but discuss the scene in hushed tones.

Xiao Xie and his two companions followed behind Su Mei, passing through a softly lit corridor. After several minutes, their view suddenly opened up, revealing a colossal auction hall that appeared before their eyes like a giant fortress.

Gazing at the densely packed seats, the hall dwarfed even the famed auction house of the Mittel Family in the Jia Ma Empire, its size several times greater.

Xiao Xie smiled, “This auction hall is rather impressive!”

Su Mei threw Xiao Xie a flirtatious glance, then spoke with a touch of pride, “Master, our Skyshade Sect is almost entirely made up of female disciples, so we place special emphasis on commerce. I dare not claim our auction house is the best in the Black-Corner Region, but we certainly rank among the top three.”

“Not bad at all!” Xiao Xie nodded in satisfaction. The Skyshade Sect’s business was, in effect, his own, since it was a subordinate sect of Dragon Gate.

The vast auction hall was already filled with people, their mingled voices creating a lively, almost chaotic atmosphere.

“It’s so noisy here, Young Master!” Qing Lin couldn’t help but complain.

Little Medicine Fairy also furrowed her delicate brows. Preferring tranquility, she found this bustling environment rather unsettling.

“Master, follow me. The VIP seats aren’t noisy.” Su Mei, noticing their discomfort, spoke up and began swaying her slender waist, leading them ahead.

Xiao Xie quickly kept his gaze straight ahead, bringing Qing Lin and Little Medicine Fairy along in close pursuit. They followed Su Mei as she wound through a few aisles within the hall, and after some time, finally stopped near the front rows.

The front seats resembled a series of miniature private rooms, uniquely designed and exuding an air of luxury. Sitting within, the clamor from behind seemed completely shut out. From here, one could overlook every corner of the auction’s center with an excellent view.

“Master, I’ll take my leave now.” Su Mei, having settled Xiao Xie and his companions in the VIP seats, bowed respectfully.

“Mm.” Xiao Xie nodded. Today’s auction was organized by the Skyshade Sect, and there were many matters for Su Mei, the Sect Leader, to personally handle.

Reclining in the soft, comfortable seat, Xiao Xie surveyed his surroundings. The VIP section was already occupied by numerous figures. Those seated here were either Dou Sect masters or heads of their respective factions; none had a strength below Dou Emperor.

Xiao Xie also recognized several acquaintances: Fan Lao of the Blood Sect, Tian Ji of the Wolf Sect, and a few other subordinate sect leaders of Dragon Gate. They acknowledged Xiao Xie with distant bows.

Besides them, Xiao Xie noticed several black-robed individuals whose cultivation had reached the Dou Sect level. These were the hidden masters of the Black-Corner Region, drawn out for this event. Unexpectedly, even Su Qian, the Grand Elder of Canaan Academy, had appeared, which surprised Xiao Xie somewhat.

While Xiao Xie was observing others, many eyes were also fixed upon him. To have Su Mei personally lead them, Xiao Xie and his companions drew much attention. Those who recognized him as the Master of Dragon Gate understood the situation, while others, sensing the Dou Sect aura emanating from him, saw nothing amiss.

Xiao Xie closed his eyes, beginning to rest and waiting quietly for the auction to start. Not long after, streams of people continued pouring into the hall, and the VIP seats grew increasingly crowded. After half an hour, nearly every seat was occupied.

When the hall was full, Xiao Xie opened his eyes. He was not surprised by the large turnout, for he had handed over ten Emperor Pills and three Dou Sect Pills to Su Mei. The Emperor Pills needed no further explanation; Xiao Xie had already gifted several. The Dou Sect Pills, as their name implied, allowed Dou Sect cultivators to break through a star in their rank. Of the five he had recently crafted from gathered herbs, Xiao Xie kept two for himself.

At the center of the auction hall, a clear, resonant chime suddenly rang out, reverberating through the vast space and subduing the noisy hubbub.

As the chime faded, a circle of energy slowly rose around the auction stage, finally enclosing it like a prison. This was a security measure; in the lawless Black-Corner Region, thefts of auction items were not unheard of. Though the Skyshade Sect feared no troublemakers, caution was necessary, especially given the value of today’s items. Any mishap would tarnish not only the Skyshade Sect’s reputation but also that of Dragon Gate.

As the energy barrier extended upward, the stage floor began to split open with a deep, metallic grinding. A staircase leading deep underground appeared under the gaze of everyone present.

As the steps emerged, Su Mei, clad in a black gauze dress and smiling, walked gracefully onto the stage. At the same time, her nine-star Dou Emperor aura radiated forth, instantly silencing the noisy hall.

“This humble woman, Su Mei, thanks everyone for attending our Skyshade Sect’s auction. Of course, I must express special gratitude to our Master of Dragon Gate, Xiao Xie, for his assistance. The Dou Sect Pills and Emperor Pills today were personally crafted by Master Xiao Xie.” Su Mei spoke in Xiao Xie’s direction, knowing he enjoyed being in the spotlight. Otherwise, she would not have revealed that the pills were made by him.

At her revelation, all eyes immediately converged on Xiao Xie, their fervor almost enough to melt him. The ability to craft Dou Sect Pills meant Xiao Xie was a grade seven alchemist; even Dou Venerables would show deference to such a figure.

Sensing some ill-intentioned gazes among the crowd, Xiao Xie released a terrifying aura, that of a Dou Sect, instantly quashing any malicious thoughts. A grade seven alchemist of Dou Sect level was not someone to be trifled with.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure you’re eager for the auction to begin, so I won’t say much more.” Su Mei clapped her hands, drawing attention away from Xiao Xie and back to herself. She continued with a smile, “Before we start, I must remind everyone of the auction’s rules. As you all know, if anyone is foolish enough to cause trouble here on Skyshade Sect’s territory, you will offend not only us, but the entire Dragon Gate. If you wish to leave the Black-Corner Region alive, I’m afraid it will be impossible.”

Though Su Mei spoke these words with a smile, no one doubted her. Dragon Gate was now the preeminent force in the Black-Corner Region, its influence spanning the entire territory. To cross Dragon Gate, only Dou Venerables might hope to survive.

Of course, they did not know that if Xiao Xie himself acted, only Dou Saints would have a chance to leave the Black-Corner Region alive.

“Well then, let the auction begin. I hope you all find the items you desire.” Su Mei said sweetly, bowed in Xiao Xie’s direction, and gracefully withdrew from the stage.

As Su Mei left, the stage floor split open again, revealing several passageways. An old man with white hair but a spirited demeanor walked out, smiling, followed by a host of beautiful attendants, each carrying a silver tray. They flitted across the stage like butterflies, placing the trays respectfully upon the auction pedestal.