Inside the Heaven Dou Auction House.
Lin Yu's sudden display of power had an immediate and profound effect. His soul-power pressure alone silenced all potential competitors. No one dared to challenge his bid of two million gold soul coins for the five Body Spirit maids. The entire auction hall fell into an uneasy silence, the air thick with suppressed tension.
Although the auction house would still profit from the sale, the auctioneer's face stiffened into a tight, forced smile. He couldn't help but lament internally.
Are you serious? You're one of the most renowned figures on the entire Douluo Continent, and you pull a stunt like this?
This isn't an auction—this is straight-up intimidation!
Lin Yu, noticing the silence around him, let out a hearty laugh as if he had only just realized his error.
"Ah! Apologies, everyone! I got a bit too excited there. Why is no one bidding? It seems like nobody else is interested, so I suppose I'll gladly accept!"
Despite his feigned embarrassment, Lin Yu felt no guilt for what he'd done. After all, the Heaven Dou Auction House wasn't exactly a moral beacon, especially considering they were selling slaves. He had the money, but why spend more than necessary? If he let the price escalate, he'd likely have to dip into the funds of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan. As its leader, he couldn't allow that.
Better to use a bit of brute force to secure a bargain, Lin Yu mused. Besides, at two million gold soul coins, they've already made a hefty profit.
The auctioneer, while struggling to maintain his composure, could do little in the face of Lin Yu's blatant dominance. Forcing a smile, he asked one final time, "This gentleman bids two million gold soul coins. Any higher bids?"
His eyes scanned the hall, desperately hoping someone would challenge Lin Yu, but he knew better.
No one was foolish enough to bid against him.
The silence continued to weigh heavily over the room. Nobles and soul masters, including Ning Fengzhi, sat quietly, either smiling politely or pretending not to notice. Even Prince Xue Xing, Xue Beng, and the disguised Qian Ren Xue showed no interest in raising the bid.
The auctioneer's strained smile faltered, but he had no choice but to proceed.
"Two million gold soul coins, going once!"
"Two million gold soul coins, going twice!"
"Two million gold soul coins, sold!"
"And with that, I announce that these five Body Spirit maids belong to this gentleman!"
The gavel came down with a resounding thud, sealing the deal.
With the auction complete, the crowd began to disperse, as the next session wouldn't start until the afternoon. Lin Yu, with his new acquisitions in tow, headed to settle his payment and collect the maids. Alongside him was Dugu Yan, who had accompanied him throughout the event.
In the waiting room where successful bidders collected their purchases, Lin Yu encountered several familiar faces, including Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue.
"Ah, Lin Yu," Ning Fengzhi greeted warmly. "It seems you were quite determined to acquire those five Body Spirit maids. Do you, by chance, know how to evolve their Body Spirits?"
Lin Yu smirked at the question, not bothering to hide his confidence. "Knowing is one thing. Without the proper conditions, success remains out of reach. I'm currently building a new force and need talent. I thought I might try my hand at nurturing them."
Ning Fengzhi nodded thoughtfully, taking in the answer without pressing further. "Ah, I see. If you ever need assistance, you know you can count on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Lin Yu responded with a casual smile. "Of course. If the need arises, I won't hesitate to ask, Ning Clan Master."
After exchanging polite pleasantries, Lin Yu presented his proof of payment to the auction staff, who reluctantly handed over the five maids. With Dugu Yan by his side, he left the room, leading the new maids back to his estate, the Dugu Mansion.
Back at the mansion, Lin Yu quickly established a plan for the five maids. He knew how to help them evolve their Body Spirits—by strengthening the corresponding body parts. For this, he believed the Five Hearts to Heaven cultivation method would be effective. However, since the method required a solid foundation in physical strength, the girls would first need to train their bodies.
For now, Dugu Yan would take charge of their education, starting by teaching them about meridians and guiding them in practicing the Xuanwu internal martial arts technique. Once they built sufficient strength, they could begin their journey toward evolving their Body Spirits.
As for the names of the girls, Lin Yu found their original names lacking flair, so he gave them new ones. The cat maid was named "Liuli," inspired by a favorite character from an anime he'd loved in his past life. The wolf maid became "Holo," also borrowed from a beloved series. The fox maid, naturally, was named "Ahri," after a character from a popular game.
For the cowmaid, he chose "Shizuka," and the tiger maid became "Tess." These names, though somewhat random, suited the personalities he envisioned for them.
Life at the Dugu Mansion became livelier with the arrival of the five maids, adding a new layer of vibrancy to Lin Yu's daily routine.
Meanwhile, in the Slaughter City...
Though Tang San had successfully escaped the relentless pursuit of Spirit Hall and the soul beasts, his new life was far from easy. The Slaughter City was no paradise—it was hell on earth.
Every day, Tang San's existence was one of endless hardship. His meals consisted of unidentifiable, foul-smelling black sludge, and even then, it wasn't enough to keep him from feeling the constant pangs of hunger. Despite these conditions, he pressed on, honing his skills.
Without the strength to participate in the Hell Slaughter Arena, Tang San was forced to avoid it. Yet, to survive, he had to submit two cups of his blood each month to satisfy the city's grim tribute—a requirement that took its toll on him.
To make matters worse, he and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang were repeatedly harassed by the "Five Evils," a gang of fallen soul masters who extorted their blood as protection fees.
Each time they came, Yu Xiaogang would step forward, shielding Tang San from further harm. Despite his growing weakness, Yu Xiaogang endured their abuse, often returning battered and bruised, his legs trembling, but with a fierce determination to protect his disciple.
Tang San's heart burned with gratitude and rage. He swore to himself that one day, he would become strong enough to slaughter the Five Evils and avenge his master's suffering.
Yet, as he contemplated his future, uncertainty gnawed at him. Without soul beasts to hunt and absorb spirit rings from, how could he ever break through to the next level?
Still, he could not afford to dwell on it. His goal was simple: reach level 40 and survive long enough to escape. As long as he had access to the mysterious livestream, he knew there was hope. The system had already offered spirit rings as rewards before—perhaps that opportunity would come again.
Tang San clenched his fists, his eyes burning with resolve.
I must not give up!