This world is beautiful.
This world is cruel.
This world is simple—yet brutally so.
Lin Xiao understood: even in his previous life, the gap between people was immense. Even those living in the same era could experience life in such vastly different ways, it felt as if centuries separated them.
Some traveled the world with carefully mapped futures, their dreams reaching the stars and seas. Others only hoped to one day try KFC… or own a pair of clean white shoes.
And then there was power—the most unbreachable barrier of all.
But unlike the world he came from, in this fantasy realm, the power games and scheming of politics became meaningless in the face of absolute strength.
The weak adapt to the world.
The strong shape it.
That is the allure of a xuanhuan world.
Unfair? Restrictive? That's fine—so long as I have strength enough to shatter the heavens!
Lin Xiao clenched his fists, feeling the power flowing through him. He suddenly found himself liking the Douluo Continent. This world was so full of promise. In his former life, no matter how hard he worked, he was still a fish in a pond. Maybe, if he were lucky, a big fish in a lake or river.
But here?
He could soar like a dragon as soon as the winds shifted.
He could be truly free—uninhibited and untamed!
As long as he became strong enough.
A fist doesn't talk, but it can silence those who do.
It lets you speak the words others dare not utter!
Dugu Bo watched Lin Xiao fall deep into thought.
He didn't interrupt. Some things are better realized on one's own.
In his eyes, Lin Xiao was mature beyond his years, with opinions and conviction. But in some ways, he was still naïve—still clinging to notions like "everyone is equal." Dugu Bo didn't know who had brainwashed him, but it was clear the boy didn't yet grasp the reality of the world.
It all came down to lack of experience.
Give it a few years. Bring him out to kill a few people. Once he sees how fragile life truly is—he'll mature.
"A real man must seek vengeance with no hesitation. No dithering, no sentimentality!"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly.
"In my life, when I see something I hate, I curse it. When I want someone dead, I kill them. I've never played games or faked smiles. At worst, I die! Better to die freely than live in submission!"
"As for those decadent nobles, they wallow in pleasure. Despite having excellent resources, they can't become powerful soul masters. In front of the truly strong, they're nothing but meat on the chopping block."
"Take this as a warning, Lin Xiao!"
Dugu Bo wasn't showing him the dark side of the world so Lin Xiao would imitate those corrupt nobles—abusing power, bullying the weak, and living like a parasite. Dugu Bo disdained such people, and Ye Qingxian despised them even more.
Lin Xiao nodded solemnly.
His desire for strength grew stronger still.
Thankfully, from the very beginning, he had walked the right path. Whether it was training through demonic fire or focusing single-mindedly on becoming stronger, Lin Xiao had always stayed true to himself.
That in itself was a tremendous blessing.
He only hoped that fortune would continue to walk by his side.
He who helps himself shall be helped by the heavens.
Dugu Bo and Lin Xiao didn't speak further. A few words were enough—too many, and even wisdom becomes noise. In the end, actions speak louder than slogans.
The two waited in their luxurious private booth.
The Heaven Dou Auction officially began.
The first item up for bid was a storage-type soul tool.
It resembled an embroidered pouch and could be worn at the waist. A few sparse bids were made before it sold for 51,000 gold soul coins.
The second item was a massive egg.
It was the egg of a rare soul beast: the Cloud-Treading Colt—a lightning-fast herbivore far superior to any ordinary horse, even those with beast lineage.
It could grow alongside a child and be slowly tamed, even kept as a pet.
Soul beasts had long lifespans—one pet could last three generations. Even after the owner passed, the pet remained.
It sold for 60,000 gold soul coins.
More items followed, one after another.
But none caught Lin Xiao's attention.
Once the novelty wore off, the auction was a little dull.
Until—one item jolted Lin Xiao wide awake.
"Now for one of the highlights! This item was sourced from the coastal regions—whale gel, approximately ten-thousand-year grade. Its quality far surpasses the thousand-year or even hundred-year varieties seen on the market!"
"As for its effects… well, all the men in the room understand. One dose and you'll be going strong all night—seven times at least! It also has long-term strengthening benefits, with virtually no side effects!"
"Interested parties may now place their bids."
"Starting bid: 80,000 gold soul coins!"
Whale gel!
Lin Xiao slapped his forehead. How could I forget this?!
Whale gel was a rare treasure—a unique substance extracted from the brain of whale-type soul beasts. It was pure yang energy. Taking it would strengthen the body, allowing soul masters to absorb higher-year soul rings than usual.
In the original story, Wang Dong'er had taken whale gel from a young age and could absorb a thousand-year soul ring at rank 20.
But the world hadn't yet realized the true value of whale gel. Most people still thought of it as some exotic, aphrodisiac plaything.
It could act like a spring tonic—or a magic pill.
Aging nobles, whose strength was failing, especially loved it. High-quality whale gel helped them revive their virility and enjoy a second spring of youth… temporarily.
Because no matter how potent the supplement, it couldn't withstand constant indulgence. Lust always leads to the ruin of cultivation, which weakens the body and triggers a vicious cycle.
In short, whale gel was always in demand.
But its true value had yet to be discovered. If people realized its ability to enhance soul ring absorption, this ten-thousand-year whale gel wouldn't go for 80,000—it'd be 800,000, at least.
Actually, no one would even sell such a treasure!
And if they did—it'd be at an astronomical price.
"Senior Dugu, we have to win this whale gel!" Lin Xiao said seriously.
Dugu Bo was stunned.
He had just finished warning Lin Xiao not to follow in the footsteps of lecherous nobles—now the kid's eyes were glowing over some aphrodisiac?
"You're buying this to use on who?"
"On myself, of course!" Lin Xiao frowned. Then added, "And for Sister Yan Yan, Sister Ling Ling, and Aunt Ye too!"
Dugu Bo considered himself well-traveled.
He'd seen it all—lived through storms and bloodbaths.
And yet today… Lin Xiao left him speechless.
His brain buzzed.
This brat… wants to use it on himself… and Yan Yan… and Ling Ling… and even Ye Qingxian?!
Dugu Bo stared at Lin Xiao, dumbfounded. Was the boy possessed? Or just insanely bold?
Saying that to his face—was he not afraid Dugu Bo would whip off his belt and beat him black and blue?
And still, he said it righteously: It's for Yan Yan!
Lin Xiao noticed Dugu Bo's disbelieving expression.
Suddenly, he realized the misunderstanding.
He was just about to explain when the auctioneer began the countdown: "Three… two… one…"
"I'll explain in a second, Senior!"
No time for details—Lin Xiao slammed the bid button.
"Black-Gold VIP booth—plus 1,000 gold soul coins!"
"Eighty-one thousand gold soul coins going once!"
"…"
The Black-Gold VIP booths were so rare that only a few existed across all of Heaven Dou City. Those who had access to them were the highest of the high—no one dared bid against them.
In the end, Lin Xiao successfully won the ten-thousand-year whale gel.
He breathed a sigh of relief… only to see Dugu Bo glaring at him with a dark expression.
"What's with that look?" Lin Xiao muttered.
"If you knew what this whale gel could really do… you'd be begging me to give it to your granddaughter!"
Dugu Bo: ???