Douluo: Martial Soul Seven Kill Sword, The Sword Opens Heaven's Gates

After conversing with Flender for a long time, night fell, and Tang San's group finally bid farewell and left.

Once they were far from the wooden house, Dai Mubai couldn't help but ask, "Xiao San, is there any hope for Hongjun?"

After all, he was once his good brother. If there was a chance, he wouldn't stand idly by.

Tang San shook his head. "There's basically no hope unless we can get something like the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, which has overwhelmingly potent medicinal properties."

"But, that kind of herb could also save you."

Though he didn't say it outright, his stance was clear.

For Dai Mubai, if he really obtained the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, would he give it to Ma Hongjun?

He understood the principle of "better someone else dies than me."

Ma Hongjun had been gone for years, and their brotherly bond had long since faded.

Tang Xiao thought for a moment before solemnly saying, "I seem to recall that the heirloom treasure of the Speed Clan Clan is the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng."

Dai Mubai's eyes lit up, and he quickly questioned Tang San about the Speed Clan Clan.

Tang San, however, could only respond helplessly, "The Speed Clan Clan has already joined the Sky Sword Sect. It's likely that the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is now in the Sky Sword Sect's treasury."

Hope extinguished again and again, Dai Mubai deflated like a punctured balloon.

Tang San smiled and said, "The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is the Speed Clan Clan's heirloom. By now, it's probably been harvested for many years. Such an overwhelmingly powerful natural treasure won't appear twice in the same period on the continent. However, decades after the previous one was harvested, it's possible that a second one has grown."

"In the future, as I journey across the continent, I might just discover the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng. And not just this herb—some other healing herbs might also cure your injuries."

---

Five days before the start of the auction.

After Ning Tianchen and his group helped Zhao Yi settle matters in the city, they set off for Kuike City.

If Tiandou City, Star Luo City, and Spirit Hall City were considered first-tier cities on the Douluo Continent, then cities like Kuike City and Hanhai City could be classified as top-tier cities.

Every imaginable facility was available within the city, and commerce thrived.

Upon entering the city, Ning Tianchen and his group walked into a luxurious grand hotel.

A waiter approached them apologetically. "Sorry, sirs, all the suites in the hotel are fully booked."

They had arrived in Kuike City with over three days to go before the auction.

Many guests who planned to attend the auction had already arrived in the city, so it wasn't surprising that the hotel was fully booked.

"Perhaps we should switch to a more affordable hotel? This place is too extravagant," Zhao Yi suggested quietly.

Ning Tianchen's choice of the luxury hotel was deliberate.

These high-end hotels often had redundant suites reserved specifically for those of extraordinary status.

This auction was the most anticipated event in the western part of the empire in recent times, drawing crowds from all directions, even just to spectate.

It was obvious that mid-range and budget hotels would be packed.

From his soul-guiding tool, Ning Tianchen retrieved the Elder Token issued to him by the Spirit Hall and presented it to the waiter.

Every leader of the Upper Three Sects was an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall, and leaders of the Lower Four Sects who broke through to Title Douluo level could also receive the Elder Token.

The waiters at such large-scale hotels naturally possessed exceptional knowledge.

Those who held the Elder Token were either of extraordinary status or possessed the strength of a Title Douluo. In either case, the hotel couldn't afford to offend them.

The hotel manager, noticing the situation, quickly stepped forward, placing himself in front of the waiter.

With a smile, he apologized to Ning Tianchen and his group. "My apologies, esteemed guests. My surname is Liu, and I am the manager here. Please let me know if there's anything you need—I will do my utmost to assist you."

As he spoke, he led them into the VIP lounge.

Ning Tianchen said, "Arrange a suite for us—money is no issue. Also, help us secure tickets to the auction."

Nobles intending to attend the auction would undoubtedly stay at high-end hotels in the city.

The auction venue collaborated with these hotels, so securing tickets wasn't a problem.

Manager Liu skipped the usual verification processes of funds and identity, respectfully handing over the highest-tier auction tickets to Ning Tianchen.

After all, there was nothing on the continent more credible than the Spirit Hall's Elder Token.

"Thank you," Ning Tianchen said as he tipped the manager a bag of gold soul coins as customary.

Feng Xiaotian followed up by asking, "Manager Liu, while we're at it, is there a black market around here?"

Selling nine hundred-year-old soul bones openly would inevitably attract unwanted attention.

Underground trading venues like the black market, on the other hand, offered greater safety.

Manager Liu smiled and pulled out a letter of recommendation from his pocket. "Esteemed guests, you may proceed on your own. Of course, if needed, I can accompany you."

"You have everything ready?" Chen Huayu marveled at how well-prepared the manager was.

Manager Liu gave a professional smile and explained, "It's part of the job—just doing what's expected."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take you to choose a suite first. If you need anything later, I'm always at your service."

Zhao Yi stared in disbelief at everything unfolding before him.

As a city lord and holder of a viscount title, he had never received such special treatment.

Rooms that others couldn't book even with money were being offered to them freely, and they could even customize the interior decorations to their liking!

Most importantly, staying in a suite cost only twenty gold soul coins per night—cheaper than even standard rooms.

What divine treatment was this!

To say he wasn't envious would be a lie.

In his heart, he silently vowed to work harder in his cultivation and strive to reach Ning Tianchen's level.

---

After settling into the suite, Ning Tianchen noticed Zhao Yi's expression and explained, "The business logic behind this hotel isn't what you think."

"The hotel's profit margins are limited. The owner sets the suite prices so low to make friends with influential people."

In business, having more connections meant more opportunities. Offering affordable accommodation to powerful individuals and nobles turned them into indirect "backers" for the owner's future dealings.

Chen Huayu, having spent years traveling the continent and studying under Ning Tianchen, was well-versed in these owners' tactics.

"Junior Zhao, you should visit big cities more often. The power-money transactions here will surely broaden your horizons."

Ning Tianchen raised his hand to interrupt. "Enough, there's no need to discuss this further."

"Our main purpose here is to acquire strategic resources for the sect at the auction."

"It's still early. All of you go out and gather information about the auction items. Rongrong, Zhao Yi, and I will visit the black market and see if there's anything worth buying."

After assigning tasks, the group split into two teams and parted ways outside the hotel.

Watching their backs, the hotel waiter who had greeted them earlier couldn't help but ask Manager Liu, "Manager Liu, could the Pope Token they showed be fake? Judging by their age, how could they possibly be Title Douluos?"

Manager Liu glared at her and warned, "Who told you that looking young means they can't be a Title Douluo?"

"I sensed an extraordinary aura from that young man—his strength might be at an incredibly terrifying level."

"People like this are likely extremely strong but appear youthful despite their actual age being much older."

As they spoke, a teenage boy bounced into the hotel and shouted, "Who's the manager? Hurry up and prepare a suite for this old man!"

"Little brother, we don't have any available rooms," the waiter politely replied.

The boy didn't say much. He simply pulled out a Pope Token and tossed it into the waiter's hands.

Manager Liu gave the waiter a helpless smile. "Don't judge a book by its cover—work on your attitude."

He then led the boy to a suite. "Esteemed elder, please follow me."

---

With the auction approaching, the flow of people in Kuike City's black market was several times higher than usual.

In the black market, the origin or background of goods wasn't questioned. As long as you had money, you could buy anything.

The black market had multiple entrances, all of which were extremely concealed.

Without Manager Liu's guidance, they likely wouldn't have found this place.

At the entrance, they handed over the letter of introduction to the doorman. After confirming its authenticity, the doorman distributed specially made masks to the group.

A burly man then led them through a long, dim alleyway to a dilapidated building.

The burly man gave a secret signal to someone inside the building, and the large door slowly opened.

The interior of the building was dilapidated. Following the burly man into the basement, they discovered an entirely different world within.

It seemed as though the entire underground of the street had been hollowed out, transformed into an unparalleled subterranean kingdom.

"Esteemed guests, please refrain from causing trouble. On behalf of the Underground Kingdom, I wish you a pleasant experience."

With that, the burly man left them.

"Big brother Tianchen, is this place…"

Ning Tianchen gestured for silence. "Don't use names here. This is also an underground intelligence center—revealing your identity could bring serious trouble."

Ning Rongrong nodded seriously.

Having grown up in the light and never experienced the trials of blood and tears, she naturally didn't understand the intricacies involved.

Ning Tianchen pointed to a nearby stall. "That's where they sell information. Let's go ask."

They had no prior arrangements in Kuike City, so their goal in gathering intelligence was simply to find suitable buyers for the soul bones.

Approaching the stall, the owner was an old man who lazily asked, "Do you want to 'dig deep' or need a middleman?"

Zhao Yi, having dealt with such people often as city lord, explained, "He's asking whether we need information or a broker."

Ning Tianchen said, "You decide—it's your responsibility."

The old man glanced at Zhao Yi and chuckled. "A high-ranking official, eh? Be careful—this place isn't friendly."

Zhao Yi gave him a respectful salute. "I need a broker to help me offload some goods."

The old man retrieved a slip of paper from under the counter and placed it under his hand. "Ten gold soul coins."

After Zhao Yi paid, the old man lifted his hand, and the slip of paper fell into Zhao Yi's possession.

Zhao Yi said, "I'll handle this first. I'll find you later."

"Brother, let's check out that stall over there," Ning Rongrong pointed to a nearby booth.

The old man chuckled. "Money makes the world go round. Are you sure you don't want to 'dig deep'?"

Ning Tianchen waved his hand, politely declining the offer.

The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul had innate appraisal abilities—it wouldn't be easy to deceive them.

The black market offered everything imaginable, even including gold soul cards.

A purple gold soul card worth ten thousand could be purchased for just ninety million gold soul coins.

Ning Rongrong was surprised. "They even sell money here?"

To be precise, this was "laundering dirty money."

Gold soul cards had special anti-counterfeiting patterns. If stolen and used directly, it would be easy to get caught.

Presumably, this gold soul card had been stolen from some noble by a thief, who, fearing capture, chose to quickly cash it out this way.

Ning Rongrong felt a bit tempted.

With the capabilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they could easily buy these gold soul cards in bulk.

And with their methods, spending the money wouldn't pose any risk.

But Ning Tianchen shook his head and explained seriously, "Not all money can be taken. With the current instability on the continent, creating too many enemies for the sect wouldn't be wise."

After browsing around, the two of them had practically visited every stall.

Along the way, they purchased some trivial items.

What they wanted most were soul bones, but it seemed that none were being sold in the black market.

On reflection, it made sense. If thieves had indeed obtained soul bones, they wouldn't come to the black market to sell them.

Though the bosses behind the black market were powerful, compared to the major factions, they were clearly outmatched.

Imagine if Hu Liena were killed and her soul bones appeared in some black market—wouldn't Bibi Dong, Ju and Ghost Douluo annihilate the entire black market?

These thieves, upon obtaining soul bones, would likely sell them to intermediaries of the major factions.

After all, even among friendly factions, once they obtained another sect's soul bones, they wouldn't return them. Moreover, they wouldn't reveal the seller's identity—if they did, who would dare sell them valuable items?

After an unknown amount of time, they spotted Zhao Yi in a corner.

He was negotiating prices with a buyer, but judging by their demeanor, it seemed they hadn't reached an agreement yet.

"Nine hundred-year soul bones aren't easy to sell," Ning Tianchen remarked with a smile.

In the world of soul masters, the rarity of hundred-year soul bones was second only to those of fifty-thousand years or more.

The probability of hundred-year soul beasts producing soul bones was extremely low.

Hundred-year soul beasts had very low intelligence—even if tortured to death, they might not realize it themselves, so such methods wouldn't increase the likelihood of soul bone production.

However, wolf bandits were a special type of soul beast. Hundred-year wolf bandits, due to their half-human bloodline, often possessed intelligence surpassing that of ordinary thousand-year soul beasts.

This was why Feng Xiaotian and others had managed to extract nine hundred-year soul bones from the wolf bandits.

Because of this, when buyers saw so many hundred-year soul bones at once, they naturally became wary.

After all, the fewer there were of something, the easier it was to trace its origin. Buyers wouldn't dare gamble that Zhao Yi's soul bones came from a clean source.

While waiting, a shout came from a nearby stall: "Come take a look! Horns from the Single-Horned Moon Whale—only three available, first come, first served!"

Such overt selling suggested the goods had a clean origin.

Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong moved closer.

Just by the name, it was clear the Single-Horned Moon Whale was a sea soul beast.

However, this soul beast was unique. The horn on its head, when illuminated by moonlight, would shine brightly, illuminating an area tens of meters around it.

This item was an excellent choice for either collection or navigation.

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