While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 94 A Faint Hope

"This map was acquired by a guest of my Mittel family by chance. Even Master Guni cannot determine its origin. The only certainty is that it is a fragment. It may be a quarter of the complete map, or an eighth, or even a smaller fragment. No one knows the specifics without having seen the complete map."

"Enough with the chit-chat, let's begin the auction. The starting price is 10,000 gold coins."

As Ya Fei finished speaking, whispers immediately broke out in the room.

A starting bid of 10,000 gold coins is already quite high for the various families whose wealth is almost depleted.

Therefore, even those interested in the fragments need to carefully consider whether to bid.

This resulted in sparse and infrequent bidding, and when the price reached 30,000 gold coins, several breaths passed without anyone raising the price further.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan, who was in the corner, couldn't help but smile slightly.

What a bunch of ignorant fools!

However, this is not bad for him either; it will be very easy for him to acquire it.

Thinking this, Yao Chen immediately spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Thirty-one thousand gold coins!"

The price rose again, and the person who had spoken earlier shook his head slightly and stopped bidding.

However, just as Ya Fei was about to strike, and Yao Chen thought he had won, the black-robed man who had previously attracted much attention suddenly spoke up again.

"Forty thousand gold coins!"

Yao Chen frowned slightly, unsure whether this Dou Ling expert was just acting on a whim or had genuinely recognized the value of the incomplete map.

Yao Chen immediately spoke up.

"Sixty thousand!"

"One hundred thousand gold coins!"

Almost as soon as Yao Chen finished speaking, the man in black robes followed up with an additional 40,000 gold coins, clearly demonstrating his determination to acquire the incomplete map.

Realizing this, Yao Chen's smile gradually faded.

In his lifetime, competing with a Dou Ling would have been insignificant, but now, like a tiger fallen into the plains, although his storage ring contained many valuable items, it held no gold coins.

The only thing available to us is the 300,000 or so gold coins from the Foundation Establishment Elixir auction, of which the Mittel Auction House will deduct some.

With such a small amount of gold coins, the chances of winning against a Dou Ling are slim.

Are we going to have to resort to other means?

"This gentleman has offered 100,000, but is there anyone else willing to raise the price?"

"Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!"

Before Ya Fei could finish speaking, Yao Chen spoke again.

He had no interest in gradually raising the price with the fighting spirit, and directly quoted the highest price he could offer.

These words immediately caused an uproar in the auction hall. Even Xiao Zhan and the others turned around to look, not understanding why such a useless fragment of a map could spark such a competition.

This price is higher than the previously seen intermediate-level Xuan-rank combat skill and the Soul Scattering Sand, second only to the Xuan-level cultivation technique.

Could this fragment of the map really be a valuable item?

For a moment, all eyes turned to the incomplete map, but no matter how they studied it, they still couldn't see any value in it.

Some people have realized that the problem isn't the incomplete map, but rather their lack of knowledge. However, at this price, even if they wanted to negotiate, they were powerless to do so.

"Offer 350,000."

The familiar voice transmission reached the ears of the warrior dressed in black robes in the front row.

Without the slightest hesitation, they raised the price as instructed.

In the corner, Yao Chen's expression was slightly cold.

He stared at the powerful Dou Ling expert for a long time before turning to ask Ya Fei a question.

"Is it possible to barter?"

Using gold coins as the currency in the Dou Qi Continent would likely only sustain the value up to the Dou Huang or Dou Zong levels.

In higher-class places, or among stronger individuals, transactions almost always take the form of barter. This is why Yao Chen, despite his high status in life, is now troubled by a few dozen units of gold.

"Please wait a moment, sir. There is no precedent for bartering at the Mittel Auction House. Yafei needs to consult the owner of the broken map about this matter."

Ya Fei smiled and gave a slight bow, then went backstage to have tea under the pretext of asking a question.

Hai Bodong and his two companions stood on the second floor, and most of the people below could see them. A Dou Huang powerhouse was someone Yao Chen was not afraid of at his current level, but he also had no need to offend him.

After all, he himself doesn't care, but now that he wants to cultivate Xiao Yan, he has to consider Xiao Yan's interests to some extent.

Therefore, he did not release his soul power to perceive the communication between Ya Fei and the owner of the broken map, nor was he aware that Ya Fei was drinking tea at this moment.

"Is he the discerning person you mentioned?" Hai Bodong looked at Chen Xiao from above.

"Indeed, this person has many trump cards and a very special identity. We must be careful when dealing with him, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to put in so much effort for him."

"Is what he has important to you?"

"It's very important; it concerns the life of one of my friends."

After careful consideration, Chen Xiao decided what he should order to take advantage of this opportunity.

He immediately summoned Gu Ni, gave him some things, and told Gu Ni to make the arrangements.

In just a few minutes, Gu Ni had quickly made the arrangements.

At the same time, Chen Xiao also sent a telepathic message to Consort Ya, ordering her to return to the stage.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. After discussions between Ya Fei and the owner of the incomplete map, the other party agreed to the auction method of bartering."

"However, the owner of the incomplete map made it clear that the item this gentleman brings must be more valuable than the price offered by the previous gentleman, and it must satisfy him. To facilitate the three of you to communicate, please move to the leftmost room on the second floor to bid face-to-face."

"As it happens, the Supreme Elder of my Mittel family, Lord Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, and two distinguished guests are also at the auction today. They will guarantee the absolute confidentiality of your transaction and your personal safety."

Upon hearing Ya Fei's words, the black-robed fighting spirit did not hesitate and immediately left the hall, heading to the second floor, giving the impression of someone with great skill and daring.

Yao Chen frowned slightly. Having a strong person oversee the transaction was naturally a good thing for the weak.

But he was a strong person, and while everyone thought he would benefit from this trading method, it actually limited some of the ideas that flashed through his mind.

"Master Yao, shall we go?" Xiao Yan asked in his mind.

"Fine, go ahead. Even in normal competition, we have an absolute advantage."

Yao Chen didn't want to make a move unless absolutely necessary.

In response to Xiao Yan's question, Yao Chen immediately controlled Xiao Yan's body and led him to the second floor.

Upon arriving at the agreed-upon room, Xiao Yan and his disciples took a brief look around.

The room was spacious, as if someone had lived there. You could see many bottles and jars and some stacked ancient books on the table.

Yao Chen could tell at a glance that those bottles and jars were all filled with poison!

Among the stacked ancient books, the top one is titled "Miscellaneous Notes on Poisonous Materials".

At this moment, the black-robed fighting spirit was already sitting on a chair to the side, waiting.

Opposite this Dou Ling sat Chen Xiao, Zi Yan, and Hai Bodong, three people Xiao Yan was familiar with.

However, the owner of the so-called incomplete map was not seen.

However, behind Chen Xiao and his two companions was a hidden door leading to the next room.

Seeing this arrangement, Yao Chen guessed the process of this transaction.

Immediately, he controlled Xiao Yan's body, bowed slightly to Chen Xiao and the other two, and sat down not far from the black-robed Dou Ling without saying a word.

Both bidders had arrived, and Hai Bodong stood up with a smile.

"I won't introduce myself. I will personally handle the auction for you. You will bid against each other. If this gentleman wants to barter, he should tell me what he is willing to offer, and I will relay it to the owner of the incomplete map in the next room. This is also for his safety."

"Furthermore, I must remind you that you should compete fairly and refrain from any unnecessary underhanded tactics."

"Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences!"

Hai Bodong said this while staring at the black-robed fighting spirit, the warning couldn't be clearer.

The black-robed fighting spirit nodded silently.

Yao Chen was quite helpless. The Mitel Auction House had really done a good deed but ended up doing a bad thing. After giving the black-robed Dou Ling a stern warning, Hai Bodong looked at Yao Chen and waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier.

"Sir, you can now confidently state your price. If the owner of the fragment is interested, I will convert your offer into gold coins and inform this Dou Ling expert. If he doesn't raise the price further, then the fragment will be yours. Otherwise, we will continue the competition. Is that clear?"

"A mid-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique."

Yao Chen nodded without hesitation and immediately spoke in a hoarse voice.

The intermediate-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique had just been auctioned off for over forty units, far exceeding the 350,000 offered by the black-robed fighting spirit.

Hai Bodong nodded slightly, then pretended to open the hidden door behind Chen Xiao and Zi Yan, whispering to another man in black robes waiting in the next room.

Soon, Hai Bodong turned back.

"Unfortunately, although the value of this mid-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique exceeds the bid of this Dou Ling, the owner of the incomplete map doesn't need it. Sir, would you like to offer a different price, or would you like me to recalculate the value and bid again?"

Yao Chen shook his head. "No need for that. I'd like to ask the Ice Emperor, is this room where the owner of the incomplete map lived?"

"Indeed, he is a guest of my Mittel family. Many of the items in this auction were purchased by him. But I cannot reveal more."

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen chuckled inwardly.

He glanced at the bottles and jars on the table and already knew how to manipulate the owner of the incomplete painting.

"Then please convey my message, Ice Emperor: I can help him concoct a poison powerful enough to threaten even a Dou Ling expert!"

"Hold on."

Hai Bodong went in and out again.

Not long after, they returned with a reply.

"It's very unfortunate that he said no one knows better than him how to make poison, because he has a friend who can even eat poison as food."

Hai Bodong relayed the story, shaking his head and chuckling, as if even he thought the owner of the incomplete map was joking. The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart.

Yao Chen's heart stirred, and he took out a scroll from his storage ring and handed it to Hai Bodong.

"I think this time, he won't be able to refuse."

Yao Chen's tone was incredibly confident, so much so that Hai Bodong was completely baffled.

Without saying much, Hai Bodong continued running errands.

In less than a minute, they turned back again.

"The owner of the fragment is very satisfied with your price. This fragment is now yours, sir."

Hai Bodong announced directly that the soundproof barrier had been removed.

Yao Chen smiled with satisfaction, got up and was about to leave to retrieve the incomplete map, as he couldn't wait to study it.

In contrast, the black-robed fighting spirit sitting not far away stood up abruptly.

"Your Majesty, this isn't the proper procedure. I haven't even placed a bid yet!"

His voice was low, as if he was suppressing his anger, but he dared not speak out because he was afraid of Hai Bodong.

Hai Bodong ignored him and looked at Yao Chen, saying, "You can go and hand over the work directly. The Mittel Auction House will handle this small matter."

Yao Chen nodded and strode away, his impression of the Mittel Auction House much improved.

Only after leaving the room did Xiao Yan dare to ask the question in his mind.

"Old Yao, what's that scroll of yours?"

"A useless thing, but for some people, it is something they would struggle their whole lives to obtain."

"So precious?"

"No, as I said, it's useless. Even if the owner of that incomplete scroll obtains it, he can't change anything. For them, this scroll is just a faint hope that is out of reach. Even at my peak, I couldn't achieve it, let alone them."

Xiao Yan was completely confused by these words.

"Hehe, in the end, it's nothing more than an information gap. Some of the information we have, some useless information, is of unimaginable value to those who need it. That's the fundamental reason why we can easily obtain the incomplete map."

If you don't want to suffer the same losses when you go out into the world, you need to broaden your horizons, observe more, learn more, and remember more. Perhaps one day it will come in very handy.

Xiao Yan nodded silently, keeping it in his heart.

the other side.

The owner of the incomplete scroll, who had suffered a "great loss" in Yao Chen's words, was now all smiles, looking at the scroll in his hand with great satisfaction.

To prevent Yao Chen from sensing him with his soul power, he specially arranged for a fake owner of the incomplete map to be in the next room. Every time Hai Bodong pretended to go over, he was actually communicating with him telepathically.

Unexpectedly, Yao Chen, feeling confident of victory, actually followed the rules quite well and never crossed the line from beginning to end.

"It seems this is what you wanted," Hai Bodong said with a light laugh.

Chen Xiao nodded; it was indeed what he wanted.

However, we should add "one of".

In comparison, the method for condensing poison pills is also the easiest to obtain.

After all, this thing was useless to Yao Chen.

"Mr. Hai, these two—"

"Don't worry, they won't be treated unfairly. It's an honor for them to work for a Dou Wang powerhouse."