"Well then, since no one has any objections, you may now proceed to the second and third floors to purchase the pills. There are stairways on either side of the hall that will take you up."
Seeing that no one requested to test the pills' effects, Lin Yu smiled and officially announced the start of the auction.
Upon hearing Lin Yu's words, the representatives of the various soul master factions seated in the front rows politely bid him farewell before hurrying out of the hall and making their way to the upper floors.
In a blink, the previously crowded hall became almost empty, with rows of red chairs left vacant. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridors as everyone rushed to the second and third floors, eager to buy the pills before they ran out.
After all, with so many factions attending the auction, the supply of pills was bound to be insufficient. Those who acted too late might leave empty-handed!
"They sure are quick to move!" Lin Yu chuckled softly, amused at the sight of the now-empty hall.
"Alright, Dugu Bo, it's time for you to patrol the marketplace and maintain order. I'll leave this to you."
Lin Yu smiled at the elderly Douluo, who nodded in understanding. The reason Lin Yu had brought him along was precisely to have someone of his caliber oversee the security and smooth operation of the event.
"No need for such courtesy, Young Master. It is my duty."
Dugu Bo stroked his white beard lightly and nodded. With that, he turned and led his patrol team out to ensure everything proceeded without issue.
"Well then, why don't we take a stroll around the marketplace?" Lin Yu said, turning to Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. "Perhaps we might even bump into some familiar faces."
After Dugu Bo left, Lin Yu led the two young women through the first floor of the marketplace. Given that the marketplace had just been completed, it wasn't fully optimized yet.
In truth, Lin Yu's original plan was to develop this place into a bustling trading hub, much like the marketplaces found in the Battle Through the Heavens world. Holding this auction here was merely a convenient side use of the space.
After wandering the relatively quiet first floor for a while, Lin Yu led the group to the second and third floors. Both were bustling with people, crowded around the various counters, eagerly purchasing pills. From a distance, the sound of competitive bidding echoed through the halls.
It seems the sales are going well, Lin Yu thought with satisfaction.
However, he didn't approach the crowds. Instead, he continued guiding Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling down less crowded corridors, taking in the sights and atmosphere of the marketplace.
"By the way, Yan Yan, Lingling, do you know any of the people from Blazing Academy or Botanical Academy?" Lin Yu asked as they strolled through the corridors of the upper floors, glancing at the packed rooms.
"Of course! Why do you ask, Young Master?" Dugu Yan replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Ye Lingling, too, looked up at Lin Yu, her deep blue eyes reflecting the same question.
"It's nothing major," Lin Yu said with a casual smile. "I'm thinking of striking a deal with the members of Blazing Academy and Botanical Academy."
Lin Yu then explained his plan to recruit people from those academies to join the Immortal Palace, his planned faction.
"Ah, I see!"
After hearing Lin Yu's explanation, a smile appeared on Dugu Yan's usually cool face.
"If we see anyone from Blazing Academy or Botanical Academy, we'll be sure to let you know, Young Master!"
"And while we're walking around, we'll introduce you to some of the notable figures and promising young soul masters from Heaven Dou City's soul master community!"
As they continued strolling through the upper floors of the marketplace, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling took the opportunity to introduce Lin Yu to the influential figures and genius soul masters they knew from Heaven Dou City.
Among the notable figures were prominent individuals like Fire Roar Tian, the headmaster of Blazing Academy; Shui Linglong, the headmistress of Tianshui Academy; Feng Wuhen, the headmaster of Divine Wind Academy; Lei Zhen, the headmaster of Thunderclap Academy; and Hu Yanzhen, the patriarch of the Elephant Armored Clan.
As for the talented young soul masters, there were rising stars like Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang from Blazing Academy, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er from Tianshui Academy, and Feng Xiaotian from Divine Wind Academy.
During their walk, Lin Yu also happened to run into some of these talented youths, including Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, and Shui Yue'er, who were also exploring the marketplace.
However, Lin Yu's position was somewhat awkward—he was a peer in age, but his status and power placed him among the top figures of the continent. As a result, the young soul masters he encountered, save for Shui Yue'er, who greeted him eagerly and wanted to ask him all sorts of questions, merely exchanged brief greetings with Lin Yu before quickly hurrying away, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by his presence.
Half a day soon passed.
Inside the marketplace, the auction hadn't yet concluded. Many factions were still bidding against each other, negotiating and haggling over the remaining pills. After checking in with Dugu Bo to ensure that the heads of Blazing Academy and Botanical Academy stayed behind, Lin Yu took Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling out to enjoy a meal in Heaven Dou City.
By the time they returned, the auction had nearly come to an end.
Outside the marketplace, Ning Fengzhi, having obtained the pills he sought, was waiting for Lin Yu. When Lin Yu arrived, Ning Fengzhi smiled contentedly, bade him farewell, and left with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong.
One by one, the other factions, some pleased and others disappointed, also came forward to bid Lin Yu goodbye. Many requested that Lin Yu inform them when the next auction would be held.
To this, Lin Yu smiled and readily agreed.
At the moment, since the alchemists he was training had yet to complete their studies, and the production of pills hadn't reached scale, he could only rely on his Qiankun Cauldron Martial Spirit to slowly accumulate pills for future auctions.
For now, he would have to continue using the livestream to notify the major factions across the continent when the next auction was ready.
As for when the sale of pills could become more regular, like a proper business venture, that would probably take several more years to accomplish.
"Young Master, the headmasters of Blazing Academy, Huo Xiaotian, and Botanical Academy, Lin Man, are waiting for you in the resting area," Dugu Bo said as he approached Lin Yu after his return.
"Lead the way, Senior Dugu," Lin Yu replied, his mind already turning to the next part of his plan.