Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

The auction progressed smoothly. Although most items were rare curiosities of little significance, the bidding thus far primarily came from individuals seated in the back rows. Those in the front, representing powerful factions with vast wealth and influence, had shown little interest in the items presented.

Even the wealthy Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan had only intervened to rescue a young girl, paying a hefty sum of 300,000 gold soul coins for her. As for the other auction items, they didn't even bother bidding.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to the final item of today's auction," the white-haired auctioneer announced with a smile, carefully retrieving an exquisitely crafted box from a maid's hands.

Without opening it, the old man placed the box on the auction platform.

"This item," he began, "was recently acquired from the Star Dou Forest. After thorough examination, we've determined that the materials used in its crafting have never been seen on this continent. As such, we are unable to accurately assess its value."

With that, the auctioneer opened the box, revealing two gloves exuding an aura of ancient power. The moment the gloves were exposed, Cheng Xiao felt an inexplicable pang of dread, as if these gloves had a peculiar and deep connection to him.

"These gloves..." Cheng Xiao stared intently at the pair, and in his mind's eye, he glimpsed a figure of overwhelming might—a being radiating an aura of destruction, with countless colossal dragons looming in the background.

"What's the matter, kid?" Dugu Bo turned his head, noticing Cheng Xiao's strange demeanor, and whispered in a voice only the two could hear.

"Old man, these gloves are incredibly important to me." Cheng Xiao did not elaborate further, but his gaze never left the gloves.

"I see." Dugu Bo immediately understood. Although unaware of the specifics, he knew that these gloves were now a must-have.

"Since the gloves' value is unknown, what's the starting price?" a voice called impatiently from the audience, sensing the auctioneer's hesitation to name a figure.

The white-haired man chuckled. "Patience, friends. Although we cannot determine their precise origin, our expert appraisers recognized their extraordinary nature."

The auctioneer's gaze swept the room, eventually settling on Grand Marshal Gollon, seated at the front. While the auction house could not fully ascertain the gloves' background, their analysis suggested a connection to dragon-type spirit beasts or spirit masters. Given Gollon's spirit was dragon-based, the gloves might interest him greatly.

After all, artifacts related to dragon-type spirit masters were exceedingly rare and highly coveted.

"With that said, the starting price for these gloves will be set at 100,000 gold soul coins. Let the bidding begin!"

"These are no ordinary gloves. I bid 150,000!" someone in the back row quickly shouted.

"You think you'll take them for just 150,000? 200,000!" another bidder called out immediately.

---

The price skyrocketed as the audience became increasingly enthusiastic. Before long, the bidding reached an astonishing 600,000 gold soul coins, causing most attendees to reconsider continuing.

"600,000 once! 600,000 twice!" The auctioneer's voice quivered with excitement, as this price exceeded their expectations.

Although the gloves were enigmatic in origin, the auction house saw them as a potential liability—a mysterious artifact that could be difficult to handle. Securing a buyer for such an item was a relief in itself.

"800,000." Dugu Bo's calm voice suddenly echoed through the hall, halting the auctioneer just before he could close the bid.

"800,000?!" The auctioneer was stunned. As a renowned Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo's name was well-known, but the high bid from him was unexpected. Could it be that he recognized the gloves' true value?

His bid left the crowd in silence. No one dared to challenge a Titled Douluo over an unknown artifact.

"Thank you." Cheng Xiao was surprised by Dugu Bo's generosity. He had initially planned to use the gold card *lNing Rongrong gave him to settle the previous 600,000 bid. Dugu Bo's intervention was entirely unexpected and deeply touching.

"Heh, kid, I don't know why you want those gloves, but if you want them, I'll get them for you." Dugu Bo's carefree laugh brought a smile to Cheng Xiao's face.

Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, the patriarch of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, chose not to raise the bid further. Although their wealth far exceeded the current bid, offending a Titled Douluo over a mere pair of gloves wasn't worth it. In Ning Fengzhi's mind, maintaining peace with a figure of Dugu Bo's caliber was far more valuable.

Just as Cheng Xiao thought the auction had concluded, a calm voice shattered the silence.

"1.5 million."

The speaker was none other than Grand Marshal Gollon, who had been silent until now.

The auctioneer froze. Even Dugu Bo's 800,000 bid had been shocking enough, yet Gollon had raised it to 1.5 million without hesitation. Both Cheng Xiao and Dugu Bo turned toward Gollon, who had already pressed his bid button and now offered them a polite smile.

"Apologies, Lord Dugu," Gollon said courteously. "These gloves are of great importance to me. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to acquire them."

"Hah, no worries, Marshal. An auction is fair play, after all," Dugu Bo sneered, pressing his button again.

"1.8 million!" the auctioneer announced enthusiastically, delighted to see the fierce bidding.

"2 million!" Gollon countered immediately. Though unsure of the gloves' significance, his instincts urged him to win them at any cost.

"2.2 million!"

"2.5 million!"

"2.8 million!"

"3 million!"

At the 3-million mark, Dugu Bo finally relented. He grinned at Gollon and said, "Impressive, Marshal. Throwing around 3 million gold soul coins just like that. I'll admit defeat—I don't have the funds to keep up."

Dugu Bo closed his eyes, clearly unbothered by the loss. His earlier bids had been more to provoke Gollon than to seriously pursue the gloves.

"You played me?" Gollon's expression darkened as he realized Dugu Bo had only been raising the price to mess with him. His fists clenched tightly, but there was little he could do.

"3 million! Is there anyone willing to bid higher?" the auctioneer asked eagerly. "If not, the gloves will go to—"

"4 million."

The voice belonged to Ning Fengzhi, who had quietly pressed the bid button, raising the price by an astonishing 1 million.

The entire hall fell silent. Even Gollon, who had seemed so determined moments ago, was left speechless. He glanced at Ning Fengzhi, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

Unable to match the new bid, Gollon could only grit his teeth in frustration.