Rise in Douluo Continent with the help of bean buns

In early May, Tiandou City welcomed its annual Jubaoge Spring Auction.

As one of the highest-profile auctions in the imperial capital, this grand event brought together wealthy merchants, nobles, and high-level soul masters from Tiandou City and surrounding kingdoms.

The auction items range from rare soul bones and high-level soul tools to ancient books, secret recipes, and rare treasures, and each time they fetch astronomical prices.

Old Chen handed over a list of auction items, saying that the Soul-Devouring Blade, which he had been longing for, was among them.

I also wanted to check out the prices at the top auction in Tiandou City, and maybe try my luck and find something else useful.

On the day of the auction, he wore a plain silver mask that covered most of his face, revealing only his soft jawline and calm eyes.

He wore an ordinary brocade robe and looked like a collateral descendant of some noble family, completely unremarkable.

Old Chen disguised himself as an attendant and followed behind. The two of them discreetly entered Jubaoge and sat in ordinary seats at the back.

The auction was bustling with activity, and every seat was taken.

Those seated in the front row were all prominent figures in Tiandou City—presidents of various chambers of commerce, stewards of noble families, and high-level soul masters, each with an extraordinary air about them.

The auctioneer was a seasoned middle-aged man with skillful rhetoric and excellent control over the pace of the conversation.

The opening items sparked a mini-climax: a bottle of 800-year-old dragon blood potion sold for 18,000 gold, a low-level soul bone fragment sold for 30,000 gold, and a set of soul tools fetched a high price of 70,000 gold.

The room was filled with the sounds of bidding, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Lin Chen sat quietly, occasionally raising his paddle to bid on two out-of-print copies of "Essentials of Soul Guidance Plant Cultivation" and a simplified map of the core area of ​​the Star Dou Great Forest. He spent less than three thousand gold coins, and they were all practical items.

He didn't try to stand out; he raised the price at a moderate pace each time, and no one noticed the masked young man sitting in the back row.

Halfway through the auction, a waiter came up carrying a tray covered with black velvet.

A short knife, about the length of a palm, was placed on the tray.

The blade is dark gold with an ancient pattern. The edge is not sharp, making it look more like a carving knife. A thin layer of gray mist surrounds the blade, giving it an indescribable chill. Even when placed under warm light, it inexplicably makes one feel a bone-chilling cold.

  

"Next item: Soul-Devouring Blade."

The auctioneer's voice carried a deliberate air of mystery, "It is said that this blade comes from an ancient relic, its material unknown, and it is inherently capable of devouring the life force of its wielder. Without exception, every wielder has gradually weakened, their soul power waning, ultimately leading to a violent death. It is a notorious ominous and malevolent object in Heaven Dou City."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose in the room.

"The Soul-Devouring Blade? So that's what it is. I've heard of it!"

"It's said that a Soul King once disbelieved in such superstitions, bought it, and within two years, he was exhausted and died a gruesome death!"

"That's really weird, how dare they film something like this?"

"Whoever buys it is doomed; you shouldn't even take it if it's free."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, their tone filled with apprehension and disdain.

The auctioneer seemed to have anticipated this reaction, smiled, and continued, "This item is strange and dangerous; bidder assumes all risks. The starting price is 80,000 gold, with each bid increasing by at least 5,000 gold."

The starting bid of 80,000 gold is not low, but it seems particularly awkward when compared to an "evil object" of unknown origin.

The room was quiet; no one held up a sign.

We're all here to shop, not to risk our lives. Even if it's a life-devouring evil item, no one dares touch it, no matter how cheap it is. If something really happens, no amount of money can make up for it.

I asked three times, but no one answered.

The auctioneer showed no surprise and was about to announce that the item had failed to sell when a calm voice came from the back row.

"Ninety thousand."

Everyone turned around and looked at the source of the sound.

A young man wearing a plain silver mask was holding up a sign. He was thin and spoke in a calm tone, as if he had just bought an ordinary item.

"Who is this guy? Is he crazy? Buying an evil item for 90,000 gold coins?"

"So young, are you courting death?"

"Maybe he's some spoiled brat from some wealthy family, who doesn't believe in such things and wants to try? Just wait and see, he'll get into trouble sooner or later."

The discussions were filled with incomprehension and schadenfreude.

Several familiar businessmen in the front row shook their heads, thinking that this young man was ignorant and arrogant.

Lin Chen ignored the surrounding discussions.

Beneath the mask, his expression remained calm and composed, with only a barely perceptible ripple passing through the deepest recesses of his eyes.

Others might not know what kind of knife it was, but he knew it all too well.

What kind of Soul-Devouring Blade is this? What kind of ominous and evil creature is this?

This is practically the gold of life!

One of the most precious natural treasures in the Douluo Continent, a treasure that even gods would covet.

It does indeed devour life force, because the Metal of Life itself has the characteristic of absorbing life essence. Ordinary people and ordinary soul masters cannot control it and will only be absorbed in return.

However, if used in the right place, its value is immeasurable—it has incredible effects in repairing consciousness and refining the soul.

To others, 90,000 gold coins seemed like a huge waste of money to buy a death warrant, but in his eyes, it was an incredible bargain.

True gold of life, let alone 90,000, even 900,000, 9 million, or 900 million would be priceless. If it weren't for the tarnished reputation of being a "spirit-devouring evil object," it would be impossible to acquire it at this price.

No one in the room raised the price.

Everyone stared at Lin Chen as if he were a fool; no one wanted to fight over an evil artifact with someone who was "courting death."

The auctioneer called out three times, but no one responded. Finally, the gavel fell.

The Soul-Devouring Blade, 90,000 gold coins, sold.

No one in the room thought Lin Chen had gotten a bargain; they just thought the young man wasn't very bright and had spent a lot of money on an ominous item.

Lin Chen didn't care at all.

After paying and taking the carving knife from the wooden box, he didn't linger and quietly left the auction with Old Chen.

He kept a low profile throughout, and no one remembered what he looked like.

The carriage was traveling on the road back to the south city, and the interior was dimly lit.

Lin Chen opened the wooden box. The dark gold carving knife lay quietly on the black velvet, surrounded by gray mist, and a cold aura wafted out.

The eerie aura that others would avoid at all costs was, in his perception, a pure and gentle source of life.

That was the unique aura of the living metal, profound, ancient, and full of life.

"Doubao, scan and identify."

[Deep analysis in progress... Analysis complete.]

Item: Soul-Devouring Blade

Core material: Life Gold, 92% pure, is a top-grade crystal of the origin of life formed naturally.

Characteristics: It can absorb, transform, and nourish life essence and spirit, and has a strong warming and restorative effect on remnants of the soul and fragmented thoughts.

Current status: Unowned. The surface has absorbed a large amount of chaotic Yin energy, creating the illusion of "Spirit Devouring". It can be used normally after being cleared.

Value assessment: Invaluable, it falls below the divine level and is considered a top-tier treasure.

verified.

It truly is gold for life.

Lin Chen closed the wooden box and gently tapped the surface of it with his fingertips.

The street scene outside the window rushed past, and the carriage was so quiet that you could hear the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs.

In his mind, a bold and far-sighted plan was slowly taking shape.

Hijack Electrolux.

He wanted this remnant soul that had crossed dimensions, this opportunity that could change his destiny.

The carriage drove into the alley of Qinghetang and stopped at the courtyard gate.

Lin Chen put away the wooden box, pushed open the door, and got out of the car.

The warm evening breeze of early summer lifted the hem of his clothes.

He looked up at the night sky; the stars were sparse and the moonlight was hazy.

The auction was just a prelude; the real planning is only just beginning.