Xuanqi Realm—a land where power was the ultimate truth. Here, laws were written with swords, and justice was only for those with the strength to seize it. For the weak, bowing their heads was not a choice, but their destiny. This was the most ancient and harsh rule of this merciless world.
The inhabitants of this world possessed various types of attributes, but five attributes—water, fire, wind, earth, and wood—were considered the most fundamental. The balance of the world depended on these attributes, and conflicts between them gave birth to war and destruction.
At the northern edge of the Xuanqi Realm, in the Sai Yun Empire, lay a small but famous city—LingDu City. Tonight, the city seemed more vibrant than ever before. The moon shone with its full brilliance in the sky, the alleys were bathed in the white light of spiritual stones, and the air was filled with the fragrance of rare herbs and medicines. Voices echoed from every corner—the loud calls of merchants, the roars of warriors, and the curious whispers of the crowd.
People had poured in from every part of the empire—some to try their luck, some to gain power, and others to rewrite their fate. And the center of this hustle and bustle was the Cang Lan Auction House, where LingDu's most grand auction was about to begin shortly.
Cang Lan Auction House—the pride of LingDu City and the most prestigious auction venue in the Sai Yun Empire. Whenever a rare treasure was announced here, its echo would spread throughout the entire empire in the blink of an eye. Merchants would grow restless, warriors would start counting their resources, and a wave of unease would run through every Faction. Because an auction at Cang Lan Auction House wasn't just about trade—it was a clash of power, wealth, and destiny.
That night, LingDu seemed immersed in a festival—some had come to squander their wealth, others to win their destiny.
In a corner of the city, standing by the window of a beautiful mansion bathed in moonlight, was a man. He was a middle-aged warrior, with weariness in his eyes and deep worry etched on his face. An intense, oppressive aura emanated from his body—one that could fill an ordinary person's heart with fear. As the bright moonlight fell on his face, a soft sound escaped his lips—"Hmm... I hope that treasure clears every obstacle in my path..." His gaze was towards the sky, but his mind was wandering on some unseen battlefield.
Meanwhile, the grand hall of the Cang Lan Auction House was glittering. The radiance from the spiritual stones embedded in the walls spread light everywhere, and the eager eyes of hundreds were fixed on the stage. Every breath was filled with anticipation—for the moment when the curtain would rise and the secret would be revealed. Today's auction was not ordinary. Rumors said that an item was coming to the stage tonight, whose power could change the course of the entire Sai Yun Empire.
The front VIP rows were filled with rulers and top warriors—their eyes reflecting both pride and desire. The merchants sitting behind watched them with envy, but that envy gradually turned into respect in the face of their presence.
Among these powerful figures was one person who was drawing everyone's attention without even speaking.
He was—Li Chanyi, the head of the Li Faction.
His body was still, like an immovable mountain in the midst of a fierce storm. His deep red eyes, set amidst black hair that fell to his shoulders, glowed in the dim light—eyes that could peer into one's soul. His black-and-red robes fluttered in the air, and the atmosphere in the entire hall seemed to pause for a moment.
Among the four great factions of LingDu, the Li Faction held the top position—and the reason was no secret. Because as long as Li Chanyi was alive, both power and fear were under his command.
Tonight, his gaze was fixed on only one item—that mysterious treasure, which was the reason for the unspoken tension pervading the entire hall. A faint glint flashed in Li Chanyi's red eyes, and a subtle, confident smile appeared on his lips.
"This item..." he said in a low voice, its echo seeming to sink deep within. "...will not belong to anyone else now." And at that moment, a slight tremor ran through the atmosphere—as if the air had heard the approach of an impending conflict. The lights in the hall dimmed slightly, and every eye turned towards the stage. The auction was about to begin.
And then… she appeared.
As soon as she stepped onto the stage, the entire hall fell into a stunned silence—as if time itself had stopped to admire her beauty. The young woman, draped in light yellow garments, appeared as if the moonlight itself had taken human form. Her silky, black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her deep, mysterious eyes shimmered with countless secrets.
With every step, her aura spread—an aura that could enchant even the air. Many experienced warriors, whose swords had never trembled, now found their breaths caught. People didn't come to see the auction… they came to see her.
But today… something was different. There was restlessness in the air, and a strange glint in the eyes. Today, the topic was not her beauty, but that item—which could change the fate of any Faction. Yet, her presence had already made this auction a legend.
"Please… everyone, quiet down." Her voice, soft and melodious, echoed through the hall—as if a mysterious energy had woven every word into music. In an instant, the entire hall fell silent. Hundreds of eyes fixed solely on her. She smiled—and that smile… was nothing short of magical.
"Welcome, everyone, to this special auction," her voice held a blend of confidence and simplicity. "I am Cang Ruoyao, the hostess of today's auction… I am grateful for your presence. I am sure tonight will be memorable for all of us."
She bowed slightly in greeting—and hundreds of hearts in the hall beat as one. Some people smiled, some began to whisper, but everyone knew—
This smile was as gentle as it was clever and cunning.
Suddenly, a heavy, resonant voice rose from the VIP section—"Haha..! Miss Cang Ruoyao, your identity needs no introduction! Your beauty is the answer itself!" The person laughed heartily, then added in a sarcastic tone—"Now, why the delay? Let's start the auction… time waits for no one."
Cang Ruoyao glanced lightly at him—a glint of cleverness in her eyes and a slight smile on her lips. "Yes… absolutely." She said in a calm voice. Her voice held the same coolness that precedes the stillness before an approaching storm.
Ruoyao made a slight gesture with her hand. A young female assistant stepped forward from behind the curtain—in her hands was an item covered with a red cloth. She walked to the center of the stage, placed it on the table with utmost care, and then stepped back ten paces. The entire hall froze. Hundreds of eyes were glued to that red cloth.
Cang Ruoyao stepped forward and gently removed the cloth—a shimmer of golden light spread out. An ancient scroll was revealed—the Magical Beast Flames etched on the yellowed paper seemed to come alive and wave. The air grew warm… and the entire hall was submerged in silence.
"The first item of today's auction…" Ruoyao's voice was soft but resonant. She swayed the scroll slightly—the golden seal shimmered. "...is a 'Grade-2 High-Level technique'—'Flame Annihilation Fist'!"
For a moment, there was silence — then a wave of astonishment ran through the entire hall.
"What… is this the treasure rumored about in LingDu?" a warrior shouted.
"No, it is said to be the lost art of an ancient Fire Attribute Cultivator!" A hint of pride flashed in Ruoyao's eyes.
"This is no ordinary technique," she said in a steady voice. "A single strike from it… and the opponent will be reduced to ashes, vanishing into the air." And with her words, the scroll on the stage glowed with faint flames—the flickers shimmered dimly, as if whispering the destiny of fire to every corner of the hall.
Cang Ruoyao scanned the hall with a faint smile. There was a glint in her eyes—one that seemed to hear the heartbeats of everyone present. A moment of silence lingered, then she said in her soft, yet authoritative voice—"Starting bid— twenty thousand gold coins!"
Her voice echoed throughout the hall. At that very moment, faint flames flickered in the air—as if fire itself had smiled at that announcement.
Twenty thousand gold coins.
Hearing this number, a slight murmur spread through the hall. Many elderly merchants frowned, leaning towards each other, whispering—"Twenty thousand? Do they think this is a joke, or that we are fools?" Some had laughter on their faces, others had questions.
The same cunning smile played on Cang Ruoyao's lips—that smile, which hid experience, cleverness, and the fun of the game. "It seems just stating the price won't melt these old foxes…" the thought flashed in her mind, and a faint, fire-like glint danced in her eyes.
She raised her head—and her voice was now sharp, undulating, and challenging. "But… you all know," she said, and her tone had a thunderous echo, "'Grade-2 High-Level techniques' don't come that cheap!"
The mood of the atmosphere changed in an instant. A new glint appeared in many eyes—some with excitement, some with desire.
Cang Ruoyao raised her hand, making a sweeping gesture around. "In LingDu City… such techniques don't appear even once in years!" Her voice was no longer just words, but a trap—in which the mind of every warrior was entangled.
The commotion inside the hall now slowed down. Every face became serious, every heart began to pound. This wasn't just a technique—it was a symbol of power and dominance.
The leaders of the three major Factions sitting in the front row were now fully alert. There was only one glint in their eyes—that of desire. They knew that this one technique could elevate their entire faction to new heights, or wipe out a rival.
In this world, power was not just for defense—it was a weapon. And every weapon was hidden with as much subtlety as one would hide their deepest secret.
Because here… whoever has the power, writes the rules.
'Flame Annihilation Fist technique…' Upon hearing this name, a faint glint flashed in Li Chanyi's eyes.
Although his Li Faction already possessed one Grade-2 High-Level technique, the greed for power—it is never satisfied. "One more trump card… that's all it takes to break LingDu's balance…" he muttered to himself in a low voice.
The entire hall was now quiet. Every gaze was fixed on that ancient scroll—where the golden seals shimmered in the dim fire.
Li Chanyi remained still for a few moments. Then his fingers began to tap-tap-tap on the table—as if with each tap, the air grew heavier.
Suddenly, his deep, domineering voice resonated—"Twenty-one thousand gold coins."
His bid was calm, but it carried such gravity that the air in the hall trembled. There was no hesitation in his voice—only authority.
Hundreds of eyes turned towards him—some with surprise, some with fear, and some with envy. Li Chanyi's name alone was enough to silence the hall.
But an auction is a game where fuel is added one after another, and it had now begun.
"Twenty-five thousand!"
"Twenty-six!"
"Twenty-eight!"
"Thirty thousand!"
With each new bid, the atmosphere grew hotter. The clink of coins, the melody of breaths, and the flames of ambition—the hall was now no less than a battlefield.
Yet… the VIP Section was still silent—like the eerie calm before an approaching storm.
A cold confidence gleamed in Cang Ruoyao's smile. "Thirty thousand one… thirty thous—"
Her words weren't even complete when a heavy, resonant voice came from the back of the hall—"Wait, Cang Ruoyao… thirty-five thousand gold coins."
The entire hall fell completely silent. Every eye turned in one direction—from where that voice had come.
A jump of five thousand in a single bid! The merchants sitting in the back had their breaths caught in their throats. Frustration was evident on their faces, as the auction had now soared far beyond their reach.
Li Chanyi took a deep breath with a slight smile. "Hmm…"He tapped his fingers on the table, then said in a cold tone—"Forty thousand gold coins." Silence.So profound that one could hear a pin drop.
Then, suddenly, the same voice rang out again—this time, even more arrogant—"Forty-five thousand gold coins!"
A faint glint flashed in Li Chanyi's eyes.He slowly turned his head—to the right. There sat a warrior with a massive build—wolf-like eyes, a broad face, blood-red hair flowing to his shoulders, and blue-black robes from which a cold, violent aura emanated.
He was Wu Yefeng — the most fearsome warrior of the Wu Faction. His smile was cold… but the challenge in it was sharper than any sword.
Li Chanyi responded without hesitation—"Fifty thousand." The hall fell silent again.Even the air seemed to stand still.
Wu Yefeng laughed heartily, "Ha ha ha! Li Chanyi! Seems like your Li Faction had a shower of gold this year! Be careful—after the auction, your elders don't demand an account from you!"
Li Chanyi replied coldly—"Wu Yefeng, don't worry about my elders. First, look at your own Faction's condition… I've heard, the reputation is great—but the profits are meager." Silence pervaded the hall,but the clashing of glances between the two filled the atmosphere with an electric silence.
The veins in Wu Yefeng's jaw tightened. His voice erupted like thunder—"Fifty-five thousand gold coins!"
Li Chanyi's smile deepened.A hunter-like gleam emerged in his eyes, "Sixty thousand."
With those two words,the entire hall seemed to freeze.
All eyes were now on only two individuals—two different thrones, two reluctant emperors.
Wu Yefeng had just taken a deep breath when suddenly a third voice resonated from the right—calm, yet firm. "Sixty-five thousand gold coins."
Silence.The entire hall froze in an instant.
Everyone turned their heads simultaneously. There, the leader of the Xue Faction, Xue Lingxiao, was leaning forward in his seat—a slight, yet extremely confident smile on his face. His cold gaze seemed to say—'The game will now be played by my rules.'
Wu Yefeng let out a soft laugh, laced with both sarcasm and caution. "Haha… So Leader Xue Lingxiao of the Xue Faction has also entered the fray… Interesting." Then a cruel glint appeared in his eyes. "After all, a Grade-2 High-Level technique… who would want to let it go?"
He knew—even if the Wu Faction and the Xue Faction were blood enemies, if it was about crushing the Li Faction… then the oldest enmities could turn to ashes. And at this moment—in the dust rising from those ashes—a new fire had been lit.
LingDu City – where power was the only truth. Here, laws were written on the edge of swords, and respect belonged only to whoever had the strongest fist.
Cang Ruoyao's voice was now lost in the background—the stage was dominated by silent tension. Xue Lingxiao smiled from his seat. His smile was cold, but it carried a strange confidence—as if he already knew how it would end.
On the other hand, Wu Yefeng thought to himself, "A clever move, Lingxiao… This is the right time to crush the Li Faction." He leaned back slowly in his chair, a thin smile on his lips. This was no longer just an auction—it was a hidden game of power among the three great factions.
Every gold coin flowing in LingDu's trade fell into the Xue Faction's treasury. Thirty percent of the city's area was under their control, and the flow of their power went straight into Xue Lingxiao's grasp like a golden river.
Wu Yefeng looked at Lingxiao, and a cold understanding flashed in his mind—"This man's wealth has no end. If he starts bidding… he will go all the way."
He took a deep breath and lowered his hand. "The game is yours now,Xue Lingxiao… and your prey—Li Chanyi." His voice was low, but it echoed with challenge.
The air grew heavy. Two gazes clashed—one cold, one calm, and between them spread a silence more lethal than any sword.
Xue Lingxiao raised his head. His gaze met Li Chanyi's, and a thin, venomous smile appeared on his lips—one that clearly said, "Humiliating you… is not just a game for me, it's a pleasure."
Li Chanyi responded without hesitation—"Seventy thousand gold coins." His voice was steady—calm yet powerful. There was no panic within him, only the confidence possessed by those who know they are playing the right move.
Xue Lingxiao's eyelids flickered. Cold flames of anger ignited in his eyes. 'Daring to outbid me…' he muttered inwardly, and a terrifying killing intent began to seep from his body.
The temperature in the hall dropped for a few moments. A metallic scent spread in the air—as if a sword's scabbard had been opened.
Fiery red robes, white hair flowing to his shoulders, a broad jaw, and those black, volcanic eyes—that was Xue Lingxiao, the man in LingDu City whose name made merchants hold their breath. His body was like a symbol of a lion—the lines of his muscles bulging, hiding a violent energy within.
Li Chanyi's calm smile fanned the flames inside him. His eyes turned red, and he roared in a thundering voice—"One hundred thousand gold coins!"
His voice hit the walls, echoed from the ceiling, and shook the very air of the hall. People were stunned—this was no longer an auction, it was a war between two lions.
Li Chanyi remained silent for a few moments. Then that calm, cunning smile returned to his lips. "So you've finally reached your limit, Xue Lingxiao…" His voice was soft, but every word struck like an arrow.
There was a gleam in his eyes—"This is just the beginning. The real treasure is still to come…"
Even though Xue Lingxiao was emptying his treasury in anger, the real hunter hadn't yet revealed his cards.
On the other hand, a wave of cold satisfaction ran across Xue Lingxiao's face. He knew that this technique was related to the Fire Attribute, while his own affiliation was with the Earth Attribute. For him, this technique was useless—but defeating Li Chanyi, that alone was his victory.
Their gazes met in the auction hall—one held depth and restraint, the other held a burning flame of vengeance.
"One hundred and ten thousand gold coins!" Li Chanyi's voice cracked like lightning. His hand was raised high—firm, resolute, and like a command. For a moment, the entire hall was submerged in silence… Then Xue Lingxiao and Wu Yefeng looked at each other, and that same slanted, challenging smile bloomed on their lips.
"Ha ha… Congratulations, Leader of the Li Faction," Xue Lingxiao said in a cold laugh. "How does it feel to win by paying such a heavy price?"
Li Chanyi's brows furrowed. In that instant, everything became clear—these two cunning foxes were in cahoots from the start. The entire game was orchestrated to trap him. His fists slowly clenched, and a fierce pressure spread through the air around him. Yet, his face remained steady.
His voice was icy cold—"Xue Lingxiao… the cost of this game will be recovered from you with interest."
The air in the hall suddenly grew heavy. New lines of tension had been drawn between the two Factions—only a spark was needed now.
Xue Lingxiao gave a slight nod, a calm smile appearing on his lips. That smile—was not of victory, but of some deeper scheme.
On the stage, Ruoyao gently raised the gavel and with a 'thud!' announced—"The winner of the special Grade-2 High-Level 'Flame Annihilation Technique' is—Leader of the Li Faction, Li Chanyi!"
A wave of excitement ran through the crowd, the hall resounding with applause and cheers. But there was no peace in Li Chanyi's eyes. He had realized—this was not a victory, but a trap.
Yet, when his gaze fell upon that ancient scroll—from which a faint golden magical beast flame aura emanated—the flame within him stabilized. "This power… is worth far more than this price," he said softly, and calmed the storm within him.
The auction proceeded. Rare treasures were brought forth one by one—dangerous weapons, mysterious pills, rare medicines, and even some special magical beasts that only high-level Cultivators could tame.
But the eyes of the top leaders sitting in the VIP seats were not on those items. They were waiting for something else—that final treasure, the whispers of whose name had unsettled the entire LingDu City.
Li Chanyi's eyes were also fixed in that direction. Each time a new item was brought, his gaze would pause for a moment, then grow cold.
"No… I only want that treasure." His voice was low, but it held a determination that could shake mountains.
The atmosphere in the hall had now changed—every breath had become heavy, every heart was waiting only for that moment…