Entering Black Mark City, the architectural style here is clearly different from that of the Jia Ma Empire. The black walls give off a gloomy feeling, and the air is always faintly tinged with a bloody smell. Occasionally, the ears catch the sounds of clamor and fighting, indicating that the public order in this city is very poor.
"Big Brother..."
"I haven't eaten for three days and nights. Could you give me something to eat?"
A ragged but remarkably delicate-looking girl pitifully approached Yun Tianming.
Her big watery eyes evoked sympathy.
"Sure."
Yun Tianming kindly extended his hand towards the girl, ready to help her up.
Suddenly, a cold smile crept onto the girl's lips as she drew a poisoned dagger from her sleeve and fiercely stabbed towards Yun Tianming's chest!
"Die!"
"Ding~"
The dagger pierced Yun Tianming's body but was blocked by a solid energy armor.
"Dou Qi Armor, you're also a Dou Grandmaster?"
With her attack unsuccessful, the girl swiftly retreated. Judging by her agile movements, she was also a Dou Grandmaster!
"Oh, is this girl from the Luo Sha Gate?"
"Skilled in disguising appearances, specifically deceiving newcomers to the Black-Corner Region."
"Didn't expect to run into someone tough today."
The bystanders around were quite familiar with the girl's identity and watched with interest, some even enjoying the spectacle.
"Black-Corner Region, just the right place."
Yun Tianming narrowed his eyes and smiled. With a flick of his finger, a purple-black flame rapidly expanded into a gigantic lion's head, biting down on Yanhui.
"Ah!!!"
Amid a series of shrill screams, the girl's Dou Qi Armor was burned and melted, along with her flesh, turning to ashes!
"Hiss!"
"So ruthless!"
"This young man is not to be messed with!"
The onlookers cast wary glances. In the Black-Corner Region, kindness is a luxury—this is common knowledge.
Yun Tianming's ruthless and iron-fisted approach successfully intimidated the other petty criminals. No one dared to provoke him along the way as he entered the auction house of Black Mark City.
The passage into the auction house was slightly dim. Following the corridor to the end, a colossal auction venue appeared before Yun Tianming's eyes.
"This auction house is even larger than the headquarters of the Miteer Family."
Yun Tianming clicked his tongue in wonder.
The densely packed seats before him and the auction platform almost entirely built of dazzling crystals were quite a sight to behold.
"Sir, do you have a VIP card?"
A scantily clad maid hurried over and respectfully inquired.
"No."
"But I have this."
Yun Tianming slightly pulled open his robe, revealing a purple-gold Alchemist robe inside, adorned with five shiny golden stars on the chest. This robe was the honor robe of the Alchemist Guild's Elder, but Yun Tianming found its color too flashy, so he usually wore it underneath. Nevertheless, having this robe was quite convenient.
"Fi... Fifth Grade Alchemist, sir?!"
The maid's eyes widened instantly. She had seen Alchemists before, but it was her first time encountering such a young Fifth Grade Alchemist. Her attitude immediately became more humble.
"Sir, according to the rules of the Auction House, you can access the highest level of VIP seating."
Entering the spacious and luxuriously furnished seat with plush sofas, Yun Tianming comfortably reclined. He even enjoyed a massage service from the maid. In his heart, he couldn't help but marvel at the privileges of being a VIP!
"Hmm, you may leave now."
After enjoying nearly half an hour of massage service, Yun Tianming casually tossed a Low Level Pill to the maid as a tip.
"Sir, I can still..."
The maid knelt down, bashfully, her thin lips slightly parted as her nimble tongue licked.
"No, I think you cannot." Yun Tianming coldly refused.
Dismissing the maid, Yun Tianming's gaze returned to the auction square. A senior in luxurious robes shouted arrogantly, "I am Yuan Mu, the Third Elder of Eight Gates! Let me make it clear: if anyone dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for throwing you out!"
With a wave of his hand, he displayed his Wood-type Dou Qi, condensing a trident that he planted heavily on the ground.
Dou Qi materialization, a Dou Spirit expert!
The noisy atmosphere immediately quieted down considerably, though a few dared to show their disregard, they refrained from acting out of respect for Eight Gates' reputation.
After that, Yuan Mu's voice fell, announcing the official start of the Black Mark City auction!
A brownish-yellow long staff rose from the crystal platform, emitting a strong wood attribute aura.
"This staff is named Yellow Peak Bamboo, made from hard bamboo found deep in the Magic Beast Mountains, extremely resilient, and embedded with a Rank 5 wood attribute magic core. Starting bid is 400,000. Let the bidding begin!"
"A wood attribute weapon?" Yun Tianming looked calmly at the staff in Yuan Mu's hand, showing little interest. His initial weapon was the Mountain-crushing Staff, and after switching to Flame Mantra, he rarely used wood attribute weapons.
Of course, his lack of interest didn't mean others shared it. Eventually, the staff was auctioned off for 700,000 by a 3-Star Dou Spirit. Following the smooth progress of the first auction item, subsequent items such as Dou Techniques, Qi Methods, Pills, etc., appeared on the auction stage, all below Black Rank, with Pills not exceeding Fourth Grade.
Yun Tianming patiently waited, knowing the real treasures were yet to come.
"Next up for auction are some rare items, including a lost Dou Technique."
"Flying Dou Technique: Thunder Bat Sky Wings!"
Yuan Mu unfurled the scroll, revealing a pair of miniaturized, sinister-looking black bat wings that exuded an eerie aura, capturing everyone's attention.
"Black Rank Low Level, but still valuable."
Yun Tianming shook his head disdainfully. The Flying Dou Technique he acquired in the Magic Beast Mountains was originally Black Rank High Level, and after systematic enhancement, it reached Earth Rank Low Level. There was simply no comparison.
Nevertheless, even at Black Rank Low Level, the rarity of the Flying Dou Technique caused a stir in the auction. Various factions fiercely bid for it.
"Congratulations to Fan Ling, Junior Sect Master of the Blood Sect, for acquiring this Flying Dou Technique for 1.9 million."
Yuan Mu grinned broadly, pleased with the substantial premium fetched for the Black Rank Low Level Flying Dou Technique, ensuring a lucrative profit for the Auction House.
"Junior Sect Master Fan Ling certainly has deep pockets. I hope you'll have enough funds left for the treasures to come."
Speaking was the elder from the Heavenly Snake Mansion branch.
Yun Tianming glanced indifferently. The Heavenly Snake Mansion's influence spanned far and wide. During his ambush on Han Feng in the Black-Corner Region, their branch members provided crucial intelligence.
"Up next for auction is a mysterious fragment, its purpose unknown, but its material is exceptionally tough. Even Rank 6 Beast Flames cannot burn it."
As Yuan Mu revealed a palm-sized fragment, Yun Tianming's eyes immediately lit up.
"Here it is, the fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame!"
****
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