The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Xu Chang’an studied the Broken Sword in his hand for a long time but found nothing special about it.

However, the continuous signals coming from the panel would not deceive him.

The fluctuations from the panel were extremely intense.

Even when he had discovered the Talisman Treasure, the reaction hadn’t been this strong.

’What could be the reason?’

Xu Chang’an pondered.

Suddenly, Xu Chang’an extended a claw and struck the Broken Sword fiercely.

CLANG!

The sound of metal striking metal rang out.

Everything seemed normal, nothing special.

’Let me check again!’

Xu Chang’an struck the sword’s blade repeatedly, trying to sense a reaction.

After seven or eight consecutive strikes, he still found nothing out of the ordinary.

’Could it be... it’s not in the blade!’

Xu Chang’an changed his approach and began striking the hilt.

And with that test, he discovered something unusual.

’It’s inside the hilt!’

There seemed to be an object inside the hilt!

It was completely undetectable by normal use of Demon Power or Demon Sense.

Only by forcefully striking it with his claws could he notice the discrepancy.

’To see the object inside the hilt, I’d have to destroy it. The hilt is made of tough material, and destroying it would cause a huge commotion.

It’s not convenient to do that right now, here in Thunder Demon City!’

Xu Chang’an considered this for a moment.

’The auction starts in a few days. I’m afraid there isn’t enough time to leave the city, find a safe place, and then return.

I’d better wait until after the auction to investigate!’

Judging by the intensity of the panel’s reaction, the secret hidden within this Broken Sword was definitely significant!

Its Spirituality value was far greater than that of the Talisman Treasure!

...

「A few days later.」

The auction in Thunder Demon City officially began.

Xu Chang’an, in his guise as the Wolf Demon Silver Fang, revealed the power of a top-tier Great Demon and attended the auction.

The auction was scheduled to last for seven days, with several thousand items up for bid!

For this auction, Xu Chang’an had managed to secure a private room.

It wasn’t large, but it was at least set apart from the common seating.

The host of the auction was a Quasi-Demon King!

This was a testament to the high standard of the auction!

Xu Chang’an’s purpose for attending this auction was very clear.

To win a Spiritual Item capable of improving his Bloodline!

The opening item of the auction immediately caused a small stir.

A complete set of Quasi-Tier Three Demon Talismans!

It was a comprehensive collection including Demon Talismans for Attack, Defense, concealment, escape, and illusion.

The Quasi-Tier Three Grade, combined with the comprehensive variety, made for decent Guarding Methods even for a Quasi-Demon King.

For a top-tier Great Demon, it could even be used as a trump card!

"Fifty thousand Demon Stones!"

"Fifty-two thousand Demon Stones!"

"..."

Demon Talismans were, after all, single-use consumables, so their price was far cheaper than Magical Artifacts of the same tier!

However, a complete set was by no means cheap!

The bidding on the floor was fierce, with many top-tier Great Demons and even Quasi-Demon Kings joining in!

Besides them, representatives from various merchant guilds and shops also participated in the bidding!

Xu Chang’an watched quietly, not making a move.

After several rounds of intense bidding, something unexpected happened.

The set of Quasi-Tier Three Demon Talismans was ultimately won by a Demon in the common seating area.

The auction hall was covered by an Array, making it difficult to discern any details about the winner.

Unless, that is, Xu Chang’an dropped all pretense and unleashed the full power of his Core Formation Realm Demon Sense!

However, Xu Chang’an would naturally do no such thing.

It was an insignificant matter!

After that, the second auction item seemed much more normal.

Its value and quality returned to a standard level.

Tier Two Cultivation Elixirs, Beneficial Elixirs, and Realm-breaking Elixirs like the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Golden Crow Pill!

One item after another was sold, and the demons in the hall grew excited, all participating in the bidding.

This auction was of a very high standard, with many good things appearing.

Legacies of Human Race Array formations, Alchemy techniques, and secret potent medicines were all among the auction items.

At one point, even Human Race Cultivators were put up as auction items.

To a normal Demon, the flesh of the Human Race was a great supplement, especially that of a Cultivator!

Furthermore, Human Race Cultivators had other uses.

If a Demon could keep one or two High-Tier Cultivators as pets, it was a matter of great prestige!

The Human Race Cultivators had special Restrictions placed on them, so there was no fear of them being disobedient!

Whether it was the Demon Path or the Dao Path, both were incomparably cruel. All species competed, and only the fittest survived!

The auction lots included complete sets of Attacking Supreme-grade Fine Magical Artifacts, Quasi-Magical Treasures, Tier Three Demon Talismans, Tier Three Spirit Medicine, and even Magical Treasures.

During the process, a Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill was also auctioned.

Xu Chang’an was somewhat tempted but still didn’t participate in the bidding.

His main goal this time was still a Spiritual Item to improve his Bloodline.

Although he was tempted by the Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pill, his own lifespan was currently abundant, so it wasn’t an urgent need.

Many old Great Demons and Quasi-Demon Kings eagerly joined the bidding.

In the end, this bottle of Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pills was won by an elderly Quasi-Demon King!

One bottle of Lifespan Extension Pills contained three pills.

Item after item was sold, and time gradually passed.

Spiritual Items that could improve one’s Bloodline were also auctioned, but they weren’t suitable for Xu Chang’an.

Finally, it was time for the finale’s featured items.

Amidst the passionate and grand presentation by the Quasi-Demon King host, the finale items were unveiled one by one.

The atmosphere in the auction hall was incredibly fervent!

But Xu Chang’an’s heart grew colder and colder.

Crystal Condensation Pills! Clear Heart Pills!

A legacy of a Tier Three High Grade Array formation!

A Tier Three Puppet!

A Tier Three Puppet, if supplied with enough Demon Stones, could unleash the combat power of a Core Formation Demon King!

Such items prompted the representatives of many major powers in the Thundering Mountain Range to join the bidding!

The very last finale item of the auction was a seemingly ordinary, jet-black banner!