Sky-high Price Auction

In a blink of an eye, Linglong's figure disappeared and reappeared in front of the terrified Old Ghost. Just with a slight raise of her finger, an astonishing wave of energy surged forward.

Old Ghost's pupils contracted sharply as he quickly retreated, channeling all his Dou Qi to try and withstand the attack.

However, the gap between a Dou Emperor and a Dou Ancestor was like night and day!

With just a casual strike, the protective barrier Old Ghost summoned with all his strength shattered instantly like a fragile glass hit by hammer. Losing his balance after being wrecked by a powerful force, he crashed down to the ground, blood spraying from his mouth.

Old ghost raised his head revealing a face twisted in pain.

"I've to admit, a Dou Ancestor is indeed formidable. But if you think you can kill me, you're really underestimating me!"

"Shadow Escape!"

Old Ghost hastily executed his life-saving technique, allowing him to trigger his latent potential and instantly teleport to another location in a grave situation.

As the Old Ghost's figure vanished, Jia Xingtian sighed. "I didn't expect that old ghost to escape. We've inadvertently gained another enemy for the Jia Ma Empire."

Linglong's lips curled into a mocking smile. Slowly lifting her bare foot, she vanished as it touched the ground. Each step left ripples in the void, and in an instant, she reappeared kilometers away, where Old Ghost was fleeing.

Old Ghost's face contorted in fear. "Spare me! Otherwise, the Izumo Empire will chase you down for revenge, leaving you without a day of peace!"

"Annoying!" Linglong frowned slightly and decided not to waste any more time. She lifted her right hand and made a grasping motion aimed at Old Ghost.

He wanted to resist but quickly realized his Dou Qi vortex had vanished, and his power was rapidly diminishing. He finally understood her intention—she wanted to cripple him!

"What have you done to me?!"

Linglong didn't respond. Instead, she extended her right index finger and calmly uttered, "Sky Crushing Finger."

A tiny, thumb-sized beam shot out instantly from the tip of her finger. Wherever the beam passed, the space was forcibly torn apart!

With a piercing sound, the attack was so swift and lethal that Old Ghost didn't even feel the pain. He could only watch in horror as his body disintegrated before his eyes. Just like that a revered Dou Emperor lost his life.

Linglong swiftly beheaded him, picked up his spatial ring, and, after confirming his death, vanished into thin air.

When she returned to Heaven Ascending Pavilion, everyone was stunned by the scene before them.

Was this the true power of a Dou Ancestor? Walking through the air, tearing through space—it was terrifying beyond belief!

Linglong calmly took out the bloody head and tossed it into a nearby trash bin. Bringing the head back was mainly to serve as a warning, showing the gathered experts that Heaven Ascending Pavilion was not a place to be trifled with.

Anyone who dared cause trouble here would meet their demise!

Sure enough, such a display of power and deterrence silenced those who had ulterior motive. After this, they might never dare to challenge Heaven Ascending Pavilion's authority again.

It was a pity for Old Ghost, though. Not only did he lost his life, but also both his money and the Earth-rank Dou Technique he just obtained.

"Now, let's continue the auction."

After quickly wiping the remaining blood from her hands, Linglong seamlessly resumed the auction proceedings.

Gu He cleared his throat. Since the auction had resumed, he needed to seize the initiative, making sure those still considering competing were discouraged.

"Eleven million gold coins."

However, this time, things would not go as smoothly. The allure of the Heavenly Flame far surpassed the appeal of the elixirs Pill King Gu He had promised.

The elder from the Sky Serpent Mansion, Lu Man, grinned, "We are willing to bid twelve million gold coins."

"Thirteen million!"

"Fourteen million!"

Other factions joined in, unwilling to let the Heavenly Flame fall into Pill King Gu He's hands. They were determined to outbid each other, even if it meant spending all their gold coins.

The bidding war became increasingly fierce, the price quickly approaching twenty million gold coins.

Even Pill King Gu He had to exhaust all the money he had brought. If the others continued, the coveted Heavenly Flame would slip from his grasp.

Gu He was unwilling to accept this!

He had yearned for a Heavenly Flame for years. Since becoming an alchemist, he had vowed to acquire one of the flames on the Heavenly Flame list. Now, it was right in front of him. How could he let this chance go?

Yan Shi and Feng Li, to support Dan King Gu He, pooled all their gold coins together, but it amounted to only two million—far from enough to secure the flame.

In the end, Gu He turned his gaze to Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Master, Yun Yun, hoping that she could help him.

"Sect Master Yun, could you lend me some money?" Gu He's request with a somewhat embarrassed voice. Although it hurt his pride, the thought of owning the Heavenly Flame made him throw away his hesitation.

Yun Yun pursed her lips, feeling conflicted. Lending money to Gu He might upset the other bidders, driving the price even higher, but she also owed Gu He a favor earlier. She suddenly found herself between rock and a hard place.

After a moment of internal struggle, Yun Yun decided to lend him two million gold coins, repaying her debt to him. Whether he could win the Green Lotus Core Flame would be up to his ability.

Lu Man clenched her fists, her well-endowed chest heaving as her breathing grew rapid. The allure of the Heavenly Flame was too great to give up. If she let it slip away, it would be an opportunity lost forever.

"Twenty-two million gold coins!"

Hearing the bid, Gu He's molars nearly cracked from clenching his teeth. "Sky Serpent Mansion, offending a sixth-rank alchemist is not a wise move!"

"Old He, bid higher!" Yan Shi urged.

"Twenty-four million gold coins!"

Gu He shouted with all his might. This was all his money. If the other party still had more, the Green Lotus Core Flame would fall into Lu Man's hands!

Lu Man frowned deeply, berating herself for not bringing more gold coins. If she had just three hundred thousand golds more, she wouldn't be in this predicament.

She turned to her subordinates, her voice icy, "Do any of you have more money? Hand it over right now!"

The woman wearing a thin veil beside her, Elder Qing, understood the gravity of the situation. Although none of them were suited to absorb the Heavenly Flame, they couldn't possibly let such a golden opportunity slip away.