Chapter 685: The Heaven-Swallowing Demon Art!

Leaving the appraisal room, Yang Tian's eyes swept across the venue. In the vast hall, there were not many people left participating in the auction of treasures.

A clever young maidservant approached and said with great respect, "Young master, may I be of assistance?"

After a moment's thought, the crimson gold token given to him by the Grand Elder appeared in his hand. He smiled and said, "Take me to a private box."

When the young maidservant saw the token in Yang Tian's hand, her eyes first froze, then a storm of shock surged within her heart. This kind of crimson gold token, she had only seen in pictures—it was the highest token for outsiders of the Alchemy Dao Alliance.

Those who could obtain such tokens were individuals who had made great contributions to the Alchemy Dao Alliance, extremely rare.

"Milord, please follow me." The young maidservant was full of reverence, her big eyes constantly stealing glances at Yang Tian, very puzzled as to how this young man could possess a token of this level.

Nodding, Yang Tian followed the maidservant toward the auction hall.

The floor was paved with purple-gold crystal, and the surrounding walls were all cast from gorgeous refining materials. It was a vast space, resplendent and magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters.

Walking through the corridor, he could see the scene below through the walls—countless heads, too many to count.

The building had five floors. With the crimson gold token, he could only reach a private box on the fourth floor. Yang Tian had a faint feeling that the fifth floor should be reserved for the top experts of the continent.

"No wonder it's a void treasure. Inside, there is actually a hundred-zhang void, and it is guarded by powerful formations that can block the probing of experts." Gazing around, Yang Tian nodded slightly.

Sitting on a chair, Yang Tian rested with his eyes closed. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he opened his eyes.

His gaze fell forward, and through the wall, Yang Tian's eyes took in the scene outside without obstruction.

On the purple platform, an old man walked up. He wore a stiff, zombie-like face, devoid of any expression.

"It's Master Dan Li! I didn't expect this auction to be hosted by Master Dan Li." The crowd in the hall immediately stirred.

"Master Dan Li is a seventh-rank alchemist. Since he is hosting this auction, there must be extraordinary treasures."

Many people were familiar with this old man and murmured in admiration. A seventh-rank alchemist, wherever he went, would enjoy extremely high treatment. Major superpowers would spare no effort to win him over; his status was extremely lofty.

The old man's gaze swept across the entire venue. Facing the flattering words, he showed no emotional fluctuation and said calmly, "Welcome, guests who have come to the auction."

He did not waste many words. A cauldron appeared in his hand, about the size of a palm, purple in color, densely covered with patterns. Inside, Dao resonance flowed—a very mysterious treasure.

Yang Tian's gaze was instantly drawn to the cauldron. He couldn't help licking his lips and said slowly, "It should be a cauldron from the Dao God Mountain, with hazy Dao resonance. Not bad..."

The cauldron left behind by Yang Xiao in the past had been damaged by Yang Tian. What he lacked now was a high-quality cauldron, and this one suited him perfectly.

Not only him, but the geniuses participating in the alchemy competition also widened their eyes. This cauldron, judging by the dense patterns alone, was no ordinary treasure.

Dan Li's eyes fixed on the cauldron in his hand as he said slowly, "The Li Fire Cauldron, from the Dao God Mountain. The alchemy patterns inscribed within it are such that even I cannot fully comprehend them."

"Hiss..." Many people drew in cold breaths. Even with Dan Li's refining skills, he could not fully understand it—the quality of this cauldron soared once again.

He shook his hand slightly, and the palm-sized cauldron spun around. The Dao resonance inside the cauldron suddenly resounded, and the openings around the cauldron spewed scorching flames.

Purple flames, each wisp burning intensely. Some people nearby felt their flesh and blood withering, sweat pouring from their bodies.

"This Li Fire Cauldron is of extremely high quality. It increases the success rate of alchemy by a full one and a half percent, and the flames within are also extraordinary." He spoke slowly, arousing the fervor of many.

A fine cauldron is very important to an alchemist. Not to mention the increased success rate, the flames alone tempted many.

"The starting bid for this cauldron is two thousand high-grade blood stones, and each bid must be no less than one hundred high-grade blood stones."

His indifferent words poured cold water on many, and they began to grumble inwardly. Two thousand high-grade blood stones could sustain a large family for five years—the price was too high.

"It seems there are many treasures in this auction. The first cauldron is already so expensive." Stroking his chin, Yang Tian smiled slightly. "But since this cauldron was unearthed from the Dao God Mountain, if I activate it with the Dao Scripture technique, its power should be even stronger."

"I bid two thousand one hundred!" The previously silent scene was instantly broken.

"Two thousand two hundred..."

"Two thousand three hundred..."

A string of bids rang out, pushing the auction atmosphere to a peak. The various families made their moves, all for the sake of the upcoming assembly, for the rewards of the assembly were known to be extremely generous.

"Three thousand!" A woman in a third-floor box called out an astronomical price, and the scene fell silent.

This was no small sum; even a force like the Bai family could not produce it easily.

Yang Tian, who had been silent all along, opened his eyes. He was determined to win this cauldron!

"Three thousand five hundred!" A somewhat lazy voice rang out, and many clicked their tongues. A single increase of five hundred—such boldness!

"That's a fourth-floor box. Only figures from the major superpowers are qualified to enter."

"Judging by the voice, it's probably a prodigy from some super clan. Three thousand five hundred is no small amount."

The scene buzzed with discussion. The price of this cauldron had reached its limit; any further bid would be a loss.

Having secured the cauldron without incident, Yang Tian breathed a sigh of relief. He only had twenty thousand high-grade blood stones on him, and he still needed to save some for bidding on the soul-nourishing medicine.

The items that followed, though of decent quality, still fell short compared to the cauldron.

After a while, the young woman who had appraised the treasures earlier knocked on his door. She was inwardly astonished, never expecting that this young man could access the fourth floor.

"Hmm, being a VIP is nice—saves the trouble of going to trade." Licking his lips, Yang Tian said with a faint smile, "Come in."

"Creak..." The door opened, and the young woman walked in with a smile. She moved with light, lotus-like steps, stopped in the middle of the hall, and curtsied: "Young master, your cauldron."

The woman held a jade tray on which rested a cauldron. Yang Tian's gaze fell upon it, and he said calmly, "Thank you."

A void ring appeared in his hand. Yang Tian handed the blood stones to the woman and took the cauldron.

"Young master, since you hold a crimson gold token, there is no handling fee." At this, the young woman said with a sweet smile, handing back the excess blood stones.

"Oh?" Yang Tian looked at the woman with some surprise. Since there was no fee, why was she still so cheerful?

"Young master may not know, but although I don't receive the blood stones, I get contribution points as compensation." She smiled radiantly.

"Oh, I see." Yang Tian nodded and smiled.

"I shall take my leave. If you need anything, young master, you may call me; I will be at the door." She curtsied and slowly withdrew.

Watching her retreating figure, Yang Tian's gaze fell on the cauldron. He licked his lips, and strands of golden blood energy surged, rushing into the cauldron.

With a hum, the Li Fire Cauldron trembled violently. It seemed fully activated; the cauldron's patterns spun rapidly, radiating scorching flames.

Inside, dao sounds resounded, resonating with Yang Tian's body, making the cauldron even more extraordinary.

"Just as I thought—I've really found a treasure..." Seeing this, Yang Tian couldn't help but grin. This cauldron was even better than he had anticipated; it was an artifact forged by the Dao Sect.

Moreover, the cauldron had lain dormant for who knows how many years without decaying, a testament to the terrifying quality of its materials.

In the auction hall, Dan Li now held a piece of pitch-black iron. An ancient aura manifested, and the iron block was densely covered with scriptures, extremely profound.

This black iron block drew many gazes; even some old monsters looked over.

Yang Tian's gaze followed upward. When he noticed the script on it, he said with some surprise, "Ancient script!"

When he noticed the incomplete cultivation technique on it, his eyes instantly blazed with fervor, and he growled, "Devouring Heaven Demon Art!"