Chapter 10— Auction Bloodshed
Gold Coast City rose from the plains like a steel beast, its towering walls engraved with ancient formations that shimmered faintly beneath the dying sun. Cultivators poured through the city gates without end—rogue experts, sect disciples, wandering merchants, nobles in fine robes, and assassins hiding behind calm expressions.
At the heart of the city stood the Heavenly Exchange Pavilion.
The auction had not yet begun, yet the scent of blood already lingered in the air.
Luo Xiao Tian walked alone through the crowded streets, a wine gourd hanging loosely at his waist. His aura was completely restrained—so perfectly concealed that to ordinary cultivators, he appeared weak, almost insignificant.
Yet those with keen perception felt it.
A faint chill.
Like standing before a blade hidden in the dark.
"Too many eyes," Xiao Tian muttered as his gaze swept across the streets.
As he neared the pavilion, the air rippled.
Brief.Subtle.
But unmistakable Killing intent.
Xiao Tian's steps did not falter. Instead, a faint smile touched his lips.
"This should be interesting."
Three figures detached themselves from the crowd, moving with practiced coordination. Their auras were suppressed, their faces ordinary, but their eyes were sharp and cruel.
"Kid," one of them said through clenched teeth, "you'll meet your end today."
Xiao Tian did not respond.
He simply continued walking.
The moment they moved—
One assassin struck, his dagger flashing toward Xiao Tian's throat. Xiao Tian turned slightly, caught the wrist mid-air, and twisted.
Crack.
The assassin screamed as his bones shattered.
Before the others could react, Xiao Tian released a surge of void qi. Space warped violently, crushing the first assassin into a blur of flesh and blood.
The second and third tried to retreat.
Too late.
Xiao Tian stepped forward.
One palm.
Two lives extinguished.
Their bodies collapsed soundlessly to the ground.
The surrounding crowd froze, fear spreading like wildfire.
Xiao Tian did not look back.
He entered the Heavenly Exchange Pavilion.
Inside, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Tiered seating filled the vast hall, occupied by powerful cultivators whose auras clashed silently. Above them floated private rooms, each shielded by layered formations—reserved for sect elders, noble clans, and royal bloodlines.
Xiao Tian booked a private room without delay.
With a casual wave of his hand, he set up a formidable isolation formation. Sound, divine sense, and qi fluctuations were completely sealed.
Moments later, the auction began.
Treasures were brought out one after another—spirit weapons, rare pills, cultivation manuals, beast cores.
None caught Xiao Tian's interest.
Then—
"The final item," the auctioneer announced, his voice trembling with restrained excitement, "is an Incomplete Void Diagram—a fragment left behind by a fallen Sovereign."
The hall exploded.
Gasps echoed.
Even cultivators in private rooms leaned forward.
The diagram was slowly unrolled.
The instant it appeared, space distorted violently. Several weaker cultivators coughed blood merely from sensing its presence.
Xiao Tian's pupils contracted.
His Dao Seed stirred violently within his consciousness.
"I need that," he said quietly.
Bidding erupted.
"Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones!"
"Thirty thousand!"
"Two Saint-grade pills!"
Private rooms joined the fray.
Then—
A calm, authoritative voice echoed from above.
"Prince Murong Yu bids."
The hall fell into silence.
Murong Yu's voice carried arrogance and absolute confidence.
"This item belongs to the royal house. Any further bids will be considered hostility."
Many immediately withdrew.
Xiao Tian's voice echoed calmly from his room.
"Fifty thousand."
The silence shattered.
An oppressive aura burst from Murong Yu's private room, filled with fury and disbelief.
"Find out who's in that room," Murong Yu commanded coldly.
One of his guards vanished instantly.
"Seventy thousand," Murong Yu said moments later.
"One hundred thousand," Xiao Tian replied without hesitation.
The pressure in the hall skyrocketed.
Murong Yu's expression twisted with rage.
The auctioneer swallowed hard. "Anyone else wishes to bid?"
Silence.
"…Sold. The Void Diagram goes to the honored guest."
The auction ended shortly after.
Cultivators departed one by one, none daring to linger.
Xiao Tian requested to remain temporarily, which the auctioneer reluctantly permitted.
Once alone, Xiao Tian sealed the room completely.
He dripped a strand of blood onto the diagram.
Nothing happened.
He injected qi.
The diagram devoured it greedily.
He tried soul power.
Still nothing.
Xiao Tian's patience thinned.
Just as he was about to discard it, the Dao Seed emerged from his consciousness, radiating golden light. A drop of golden qi fell onto the diagram.
The diagram trembled violently.
Then—
It expanded,Cracked and Exploded.
Space folded inward, forming a swirling void portal.
Xiao Tian's eyes widened.
"This isn't a diagram…"
"It's a sealed secret realm."
He stepped forward.
The Secret Realm
The moment he entered, a small elf manifested beside him, chattering excitedly as it accompanied him deeper inside.
Xiao Tian stopped in awe.
The realm was breathtaking—floating mountains, endless starlight rivers, and dense dragon qi flowing like mist.
His heart shook.
"Immeasurable dragon qi…"
"This realm alone could reshape cultivation."
Without hesitation, Xiao Tian sat down and began to cultivate.
Days passed,Weeks, Months and a full year slipped by.
His cultivation surged steadily, foundation firm and unshakable.
When he finally opened his eyes, his aura had transformed—vast, deep, and stable.
Late-stage Renegade Lord.
When he exited the realm, only a few hours had passed in the Great Thousand World.
Xiao Tian exhaled slowly.
After thanking the auctioneer, Xiao Tian left Gold Coast City.
As he traveled toward the academy, his expression darkened.
Someone was following him.
No—several forces.
And among them…
A terrifying pressure.
At least a mid to late-stage Renegade Saint.
Xiao Tian tightened his grip on the wine gourd.
"This journey back…"
"…won't be peaceful."