The bustling streets of Cape City were packed shoulder to shoulder, filled with endless noise and motion.
Standing at the corner of a crowded street, Liu Xi's gaze swept toward a vast, imposing building not far ahead. Upon its black wooden plaque were five grand, flowing characters—"Cape Auction House."
Outside its wide gates stood eight guards—six at the Dou Ling realm and two at Dou Wang—each with sharp eyes and cold expressions. Their presence alone was enough to make the stream of people entering and leaving the building follow a strict, silent order.
"Handsome sir," said Hong Yingjun with a grin, "this is the Cape Auction House. As long as you've got the coin, you can get anything you want here, hehe…"
"Got it."
Liu Xi casually tossed him a bag of gold coins and led Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan forward through the crowd.
"Tsk tsk… what a stunning beauty. That waist… incredible."
"And that little girl—adorable. She'll be a heartbreaker when she grows up, hiss…"
Before they could finish whispering, the Dou Wang captain of the gate guards stepped forward, his cold gaze cutting through them like a blade. The mercenaries who'd been talking immediately turned pale, stumbling backward into the crowd in terror.
"Welcome, honored guests, to the Cape Auction House," said the cold-faced guard, cupping his fists politely. "Please, follow me."
Sensing the deep, boundless auras of Liu Xi and his companions, the man instantly recognized that they were no ordinary travelers—at least Dou Huang-level powerhouses. Such individuals deserved special entry.
"Oh? Then lead the way."
Liu Xi didn't mind skipping the queue; he smiled faintly and followed without protest.
The three of them were swiftly guided through a side passage, bypassing the long line outside.
"Why do they get to go in directly while we wait?" a disgruntled mercenary muttered.
"Shut up," another guard snapped coldly. "Those three are Dou Huang powerhouses. If you were a Dou Huang, you could walk right in too. Otherwise, stay in line!"
"Dou Huang…"
The mercenary immediately shrank back, no longer daring to speak. Even in the Central Plains, Dou Huang experts weren't exactly common—they were still revered figures, not cabbages anyone could pick.
---
Inside, the Cape Auction House was vast and resplendent. Crystal lamps illuminated the golden décor, and polished floors reflected the brilliance of countless treasures.
Rows of crystal cases lined the hall, each displaying scrolls, jade bottles, weapons, and rare curios. Overhead, a massive crystal screen rotated through images of various treasures, with detailed introductions accompanying each item.
"Honored guests," the guard asked respectfully, "are you here to sell treasures, purchase items, or perhaps participate in the upcoming annual auction?"
"To purchase," Liu Xi replied calmly. "Also—can you reveal anything about the upcoming auction?"
"That's beyond my authority, sir," the guard said apologetically. "Please follow me instead."
He led them through a side door into a long, softly lit corridor. Moonstones embedded in the walls glowed faintly, casting a cool luster along the numbered doors lining each side.
Stopping before Room Three—marked "Vacant"—the guard pushed the door open. "Honored guests, please enter. Someone inside will assist you."
"Thanks."
Liu Xi stepped in, followed by Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan. The door shut quietly behind them with a thud.
---
"Welcome to the Cape Auction House, esteemed customers. What kind of treasure are you seeking today?"
Behind a desk sat an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard, his eyes still bright with spirit despite his age.
Liu Xi sat down directly opposite him. "I need a map—one that covers the entire Central Plains. If that's not possible, then at least one detailed enough to show the route from the Northern Region to the Central Region."
"Also, I'm looking for a 7th Rank Monster Core—or information on a 7th Rank Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast. Does your auction house have either?"
The old man's cloudy eyes glimmered faintly. His gaze discreetly swept over the group, lingering on Xiao Yixian. Though his perception couldn't pierce her cultivation, the oppressive stillness of her aura made him instantly cautious.
'They're looking for a 7th Rank beast… most likely a Dou Zong powerhouse at least,' he thought solemnly.
Straightening his posture, the old man replied with respectful earnestness, "The Central Plains are vast and boundless. Truly detailed maps are rare, but we do have a high-grade map that marks the major powers, wormhole cities, and regions where beast clans dwell. It's quite valuable."
"As for the Monster Core—well, the Sky Poison Dragon Scorpion Beast is known for its cruelty and savagery. It has never formed large clans, and the species has long since vanished from the Central Plains. Even finding a lower-rank one is nearly impossible, let alone a 7th Rank specimen."
"I'm afraid we have neither the core nor its location. Even if one still exists, it's likely hiding deep within some toxic swamp or mountain valley, beyond our reach."
Liu Xi wasn't particularly disappointed. He nodded lightly. "Then forget it. Bring me that map instead—and if you have any Beast Flames in stock, I'll take them all."
The old man blinked in surprise but didn't question him. He quickly wrote down the request, blew the ink dry, rolled the paper, and slipped it into a brass delivery tube at his side.
"The map and Beast Flames you requested will be included in the next auction round," he explained. "That's our standard policy—please understand."
Liu Xi knew these tactics well. Even when the auction house already had what a guest wanted, they often pushed the item to public bidding to drive prices higher.
With a small shake of his head, Liu Xi rose, bringing along a bored Zi Yan and the ever-calm Xiao Yixian. They made their way to the main hall of the twenty-four-hour Cape Auction Arena.
They found seats near the middle and waited patiently. After about ten minutes, the auction began—first with the map of the Central Plains, then the Beast Flames.
No one competed for the map, but several cultivators immediately joined the bidding for the Beast Flames.
---
Backstage of the Cape Auction House
A middle-aged steward approached Liu Xi with a polite smile, followed by a graceful maid holding a silver tray. Resting atop it was a single jade ring.
"Sir," the steward said with a bow, "this is the item you successfully bid on—totaling 1,470,000 gold coins."
Liu Xi took out a purple-gold card, set it upon the tray, and picked up the ring, slipping it casually onto his finger.
"Since your purchase exceeded one million," the steward continued, "the Cape Auction House is pleased to present you with a VIP membership card. Eight days from now, our grand annual auction will be held. The final lots will include Di Class Dou Techniques and 6th Tier Pills. We sincerely invite you to attend."
A short while later, he returned the purple-gold card and handed over a special card embossed with the words Cape Auction House.
Liu Xi took it, smiling faintly. "A Di Class Dou Technique, hm? Sounds worth a look. I'll give it some thought."
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.