The grand Human Auctioning House was packed to the brim, nearly a thousand wealthy nobles and upper-class elites from all across the Sabaody Archipelago gathered inside. The air buzzed with raucous excitement.
"I hope I can buy a few more beautiful women this time!"
"I'm looking for some handsome male slaves!"
"I want a few strong fish-men!"
Excited, greedy voices rose and fell across the hall like waves.
At this moment, Lin Xuan—thanks to the auction staff all being under Uchiha Madara's Genjutsus—had easily obtained an official seat among the "distinguished guests." He was even dressed in an elegant formal suit, blending right in with the crowd.
Sensing the feverish excitement around him, he smirked.
So these are the so-called upper-class people of this world? How disgustingly ugly their hearts are. I do hope they enjoy the surprise I've prepared for them.
Then, he sank his consciousness into the Prestige Store, pondering what to buy next to strengthen himself before the show began.
After browsing through the list, he realized that with his meager remaining points, the only thing he could currently afford was the Shaolin Lesser Return Pill, priced at a thousand Prestige Points .
He checked its description: "Enhances twenty years of inner strength."
Lin Xuan frowned. "System, if I take this pill, do I need to learn a martial art manual first?"
The system replied smoothly,
"Not necessary. Based on calculations, if the Host consumes one Minor Rejuvenation Pill, your physical strength and energy will immediately double. As the remaining medicinal power settles, your physique will continue to improve until it reaches three times its current level."
"Oh, I see!" Lin Xuan nodded. "Well, better than nothing. Might as well get one for some insurance."
Without hesitation, he bought the pill and swallowed it right there.
Instantly, warmth surged through his entire body. Every cell seemed to be cheering in bliss, filling him with a comfort beyond words.
Lin Xuan couldn't help but sigh in satisfaction. "What a good thing… If I had more points, I'd buy a handful just for the feeling!"
While Lin Xuan was enjoying the rush of power, a voice echoed through the dungeon where he had been held earlier.
"Everything ready? The auction's about to begin! Numbers One through Twenty, bring them up first!"
The guards quickly began moving, while the enslaved prisoners slowly regained consciousness.
None of them had any idea that they had just been under Madara's Genjutsus, manipulated like puppets. To them, it merely felt like they had dozed off for a moment—completely unaware that Lin Xuan had vanished and a new "prisoner," Uchiha Madara, had appeared in his place.
As for the unfortunate guard who'd been used as a sacrifice for Impure World Reincarnation? No one even noticed he was missing.
The guards soon began escorting the first batch of slaves to the auction hall, one group after another.
In the corner, Rayleigh remained the only one fully conscious. Watching everything unfold, his heart sank deeper and deeper.
That kid Lin Xuan… he's terrifying.
The more he saw, the more convinced he became—he needed to get out of here before it was too late. If I don't run now, I might not get another chance!
Meanwhile, the Human Auctioning House was already ablaze with excitement.
A flamboyant auctioneer named Disco stood on the stage, his voice booming with passion as he presented each new "product" to the audience.
Slave after slave was paraded onto the stage—bought, sold, and traded like livestock. The nobles below competed fervently, bidding higher and higher, reveling in their twisted desires.
Many others simply sat back, watching the despair on the captives' faces with a perverse delight. They enjoyed seeing the slaves' hopelessness—their dead eyes and the broken will to live.
Lin Xuan, too, was watching coldly. But unlike the rest, his gaze was filled with mockery and contempt.
Disgusting. Let's see how you all react later when you realize that the slaves you bought aren't actually under control anymore.
Indeed, while he hadn't freed the slaves outright, he had secretly disabled every single explosive collar before leaving the dungeon.
It was all part of his little "surprise."
Sure, auctioning off Rayleigh and Uchiha Madara would've caused a scene—but that was too simple, too predictable. Lin Xuan wanted chaos, something that would shock the world and earn him a mountain of Prestige Points .
In his carefully crafted plan, the first twenty slaves being auctioned all had at least some combat ability.
Once they realized their collars didn't work, they might not dare attack the Celestial Dragon… but killing a few arrogant nobles or wealthy elites? That was well within their power.
When dozens of the so-called "high society" suddenly started dying across Sabaody Archipelago, the entire island would erupt in panic—and Lin Xuan's Prestige Points would soar sky-high.
At last, the first twenty slaves were sold.
The auctioneer raised his hands dramatically and announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! The first of our two main attractions—the former Vice-Captain of the Roger Pirates… the Dark King Rayleigh!"
"What?!"
The crowd instantly burst into excitement again. The fatigue of the earlier auctions vanished in an instant as the name "Rayleigh" electrified the room.
Lin Xuan smirked slightly.
"Heh, seems the old man's still pretty popular."
But then, something completely unexpected happened.
The auctioneer kept hyping Rayleigh up—boasting about his legendary past, his great feats under the Pirate King, his unparalleled swordsmanship. The room was filled with awe and anticipation.
And then…
When it was time to bring Rayleigh onstage—he didn't show up.
The auctioneer frowned. "What's going on? Bring the slave up!"
Moments later, one of the guards came rushing up the stairs, pale-faced and panting.
"Sir… the, uh… that Rayleigh—he… he escaped!"
"WHAT?!" The auctioneer nearly jumped out of his shoes.
Down in the seats, Lin Xuan's enhanced senses—now twice as sharp as before thanks to the pill—caught every word clearly.
For a full second, he froze.
Then his expression twisted in disbelief.
What the hell?! That old man Rayleigh… actually ran away?!