The threat posed by the Gu Clan was so formidable that even the other seven ancient clans would think twice before provoking them. Offending the Gu Clan wouldn't just mean failing to obtain The God Seal Technique; it could also lead to being crushed by the powerful warriors of the clan.
In the ruthless world of the Dou Qi Continent, where even a small dispute could ignite a life-and-death battle, the stakes were incomprehensibly higher for something as powerful as The God Seal Technique, which was nearly equivalent to a Heaven-tier technique.
Some in the audience chose to back out of the bidding, while others stubbornly pressed on, refusing to yield.
Just because others feared the Gu Clan didn't mean everyone did.
Those who were unburdened by attachments, and who lived a free-spirited life, weren't about to give up such a rare opportunity for fear of the Gu Clan's might.
As a result, a portion of the stronger bidders continued to raise the stakes, blatantly ignoring Gu Xun'er's warning.
Gu Xun'er felt her eyes well up with frustration, her small hands clenched tightly into fists. However, she remained calm, knowing that losing her temper now wouldn't help. Winning the bid for The God Seal Technique was her top priority.
"Three million five hundred thousand spirit coins, plus... three low-level Earth-class Dou Techniques..." Gu Xun'er gritted her teeth as she made her bid.
This was the most valuable offer she could muster. The spirit crystals had all been exchanged for various techniques and combat skills. She had initially thought it would be enough to secure the complete version of The God Seal Technique.
But now, it seems like it might not be.
Beside her, Ling Ying's smile had long since vanished. If they had known it would come to this, they would have alerted the clan's experts in advance. With their power, crossing tens of thousands of miles would have been no problem.
Gu Xun'er whispered, "Do we have any clan experts nearby?"
Ling Ying quickly responded, "Miss, I don't know if any of our clan's people are nearby, but I can use a jade slip to send a message. If there are any experts in the Northwest Continent, they will surely rush to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xun'er could only nod in agreement. There was little else they could do at this point but hope that a clan expert was nearby in the Northwest Region.
If they failed to secure The God Seal Technique, even she would face her father's reprimand, and Ling Ying might be executed on the spot. For the Gu Clan, a Dou Emperor expert was no more than a gatekeeper.
If he died, he died.
After sending the message, Ling Ying received a response almost immediately. Learning that the reply came from Gu Qing Yang, the chief commander of the Black Submerged Army, Ling Ying couldn't help but laugh with joy.
As it turned out, Gu Qing Yang was already near the northern continent. With his power, reaching the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the Northwest Continent was only a matter of time.
Gu Qing Yang was one of the generals of the Black Submerged Army, a powerful warrior from Gu Xun'er's father's generation.
The Black Submerged Army was one of the most formidable forces under the Gu Clan's command.
It was a terrifying force, a gathering of the Gu Clan's most powerful warriors, directly overseen by the clan elders.
Entering the Black Submerged Army was the dream of many young Gu Clan members. The selection criteria were stringent, beginning with absolute loyalty to the clan.
Candidates also had to reach a certain cultivation level by a specified age to pass the annual examination. Being selected was an acknowledgment of one's combat prowess, talent, and hard work.
If Gu Qing Yang hadn't been highly regarded by the clan leader, he might have remained in the Gu Clan as a commander of the Black Submerged Army.
The Black Submerged Army held a prestigious position within the Gu Clan, with a strict hierarchy ranging from ordinary soldiers to deputy commanders, commanders, chiefs, and the Black Submerged King.
As a chief commander of the Black Submerged Army, Gu Qing Yang's bloodline was classified as Grade Eight, second only to Gu Xun'er's divine-grade bloodline. Moreover, Gu Qing Yang was known as a decisive and ruthless leader.
In just a few dozen breaths, Gu Qing Yang traversed tens of thousands of miles from the western region to the Magical Beast Mountain Range in the Northwest Continent. Upon sensing the peculiar atmosphere before him, Gu Qing Yang furrowed his brows in concern.
Gu Qing Yang felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation as he was involuntarily brought to the ground, each step he took causing the space around him to tremble. As he walked deeper into the valley, he found himself amidst a stunning peach blossom forest, a stark contrast to the ominous reputation of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
His silver hair fluttered in the breeze, and with every step, the space seemed to ripple. However, within this valley, he couldn't shake off a deep feeling of helplessness.
Just as he was about to delve further into the area, a man and a beast blocked his path. "This road is closed!"
Gu Qing Yang halted, half-closing his eyes as he sized up the towering figure before him and the lion emanating purple flames. He couldn't help but chuckle with a hint of mockery.
"A Four-Star Dou Venerate and a Seventh-Tier Magical Beast, the Amethyst Winged Lion King… Haha, do you two really think you can stop me? Stand aside before it's too late!"
With a fierce shout, Gu Qing Yang unleashed his formidable aura. Yet, before it could even reach Niu Meng, it mysteriously vanished.
Gu Qing Yang was bewildered. What just happened? His powerful pressure had simply disappeared into thin air!
How could this be possible?
Unwilling to believe his eyes, Gu Qing Yang tried to release his energy again. But just as before, all of his unleashed power was absorbed by the surrounding peach trees, as if it had never existed.
It was at this moment that Gu Qing Yang realized something was seriously wrong. The trees around him had gained sentience, with each one possessing a presence comparable to a Third-Tier Magical Beast.
This was the first time Gu Qing Yang had ever heard of trees cultivating and becoming sentient, and in such great numbers, it was utterly terrifying.
"Your aura is as vast as a mighty river. If I'm not mistaken, you must be one of the Gu Clan's powerful figures, the Chief Commander of the Black Submerged Army, Gu Qing Yang, correct?" Niu Meng remarked, his voice calm yet firm.
Gu Qing Yang's expression turned strange. How did this man know his identity? Could he also be from the Central Continent?
Despite Niu Meng's fierce appearance, he looked rather youthful, no more than twenty years old.
But breaking through to the Dou Venerate level at such a young age was almost unheard of.
With his chin held high, Gu Qing Yang declared, "Since you know who I am, step aside!"
"Apologies, but without permission from the Pavilion Master, you are not allowed to pass. So, you'll have to stay right here."
Hearing this, Gu Qing Yang's mood soured instantly. A flicker of killing intent flashed in his once calm eyes. Gu Xun'er was inside bidding at the auction, and if he couldn't deliver the combat techniques in time, The God Seal Technique could very well fall into someone else's hands.
"I'm warning you one last time—step aside, or I won't hesitate to start a massacre!"
After all, his mission here was to secure one of the Gu Clan's most profound combat skills, The God Seal Technique. If he couldn't succeed in the auction, then destroying the Heaven Ascending Pavilion would be his next course of action.
With his Two-Star Dou Sheng strength, destroying the Heaven Ascending Pavilion shouldn't be an issue.
Niu Meng cracked his knuckles with a smile. "Heh, I've heard a lot about Gu Qing Yang, said to be second only to Gu Xun'er in the Gu Clan. But now that I see you in person, you seem pretty average."
"You're courting death!"
Gu Qing Yang's eyes blazed with cold fury. As a Dou Sheng, he had never been subjected to such humiliation. To be insulted by some reckless fool was beyond his tolerance. His anger surged, and the air around him seemed to freeze, filled with murderous intent.