Chapter 2: Heaven Ascending Pavilion
A series of explosive sounds suddenly erupted, turning all the rank four and below magical beasts into mere pools of blood.
"Overestimating one's capability," Linglong sneered coldly then turned her head and bowed to Li Xiao.
Li Xiao nodded in satisfaction. With Linglong and Niu Meng protecting him, he could go anywhere outside the Central Plain without concern, no longer needing to worry about his safety.
The most important thing now was to find a suitable place to establish his auction house. This area was filled with dense trees and, after the recent slaughter of so many magical beasts, the air was thick with the smell of blood, making it unsuitable to settle in.
As the rain ceased and the dark clouds receded, the bright moon once again dominated the sky.
Linglong, with her deep gaze, seemed to understand what her master desired. She immediately leaped into the air, surveying the surroundings before finding a perfect spot for the auction house.
By a lakeside, there was a place where willow trees hung low, flowers bloomed, and the temperature was pleasant—a rare good location in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The lake's surface rippled, sparkling under the moonlight.
"Master, I have found a suitable place for the auction house," Linglong reported.
At her words, Li Xiao nodded, "Let's go take a look."
As he was yet a Dou King, he couldn't form wings from Dou Qi. He also hadn't cultivated any flying techniques yet. Thus, he could only reach the place by foot.
Of course, he could have asked Linglong or Niu Meng to escort him, but he decided not to do so. Having finally come to the Dou Qi Continent, he wanted to enjoy the unique scenery of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Linglong and Niu Meng followed closely behind. Before their powerful aura, the surviving magical beasts cast fearful glances their way, not daring to take another step forward, afraid that this female human would crush them with a flick of her finger.
Before long, the three arrived at the spot Linglong had mentioned.
The environment was beautiful, with towering cliffs on both sides, slightly concave inward, resembling a shell. The higher it went, the narrower it became.
The cliffs had a unique, lustrous color, glowing like pearls and jade. As the twilight slanted in, reflecting off the cliffs, the gorge glowed with a golden light, a mesmerizing sight in such a cold and ruthless world.
Li Xiao was quite satisfied. This was indeed a perfect place to build the auction house.
He instructed the system to place the rewarded auction house here. With a flash of golden light, a massive building appeared from the void and landed with a thud.
The powerful impact was like a meteor crashing to Earth, producing a deafening sound and raising dust a hundred meters high. Even the powerhouses in the eastern part of the Magical Beast Mountain Range were alerted. Such a formidable force clearly indicated the birth of a heavenly treasure!
The auction house resembled a pagoda from period dramas, with six floors, each inscribed with dense runes, adding a mysterious touch to its already majestic presence. The sacred and inviolable aura startled the surrounding birds and beasts. The fear on their hearts were reflected on their ghastly expression.
The signboard on the first floor was empty, clearly waiting for Li Xiao to bestow a name to it.
Heaven Ascending Pavilion—one step to reach the Heaven, indeed, a name full of grandeur.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the plaque above the entrance instantly displayed three majestic characters.
Satisfied, Li Xiao stepped forward. Niu Meng, ever the attentive subordinate, opened the door with a smile and gestured for him to enter.
The first floor of Heaven Ascending Pavilion wasn't that spacious, accommodating only about two hundred people. Moving upwards, there were private rooms, a feature Li Xiao, as a transmigrator, understood well. These private rooms were prepared for distinguished guests, such as Dou Emperor or Dou Ancestor experts. These high-status individuals from all the walk of life naturally harbored a sense of pride. Sitting with ordinary Dou Master wouldn't be sitting well with their ego.
The first-floor hall exuded a sacred and noble aura. In the heart of the room stood an auction platform, crafted entirely from high-quality crystal stones. Even the auction hammer made of entirely pure gold—a proof to the reliability of the system.
The second and third floors consisted of private rooms, each equipped with soundproofing. No matter what sounds were made inside, they wouldn't leak to the outside. Bids could be placed through speaking tubes, protecting the privacy of bidders and giving them a greater sense of security, thus encouraging more generous spending.
The fourth floor served as a living area for the inhabitance of the pavilion, equipped with various living necessities—a perfect arrangement.
In the world of Dou Qi Continent, there were no flashy magical spells, only Dou Qi refined to its peak. True powerhouses here spoke with their strength! Most importantly, training here would yield twice the result with half the effort—one day of training inside Heaven Ascending Pavilion was equivalent to seven days outside.
Clearing his throat, Li Xiao spoke, "Linglong, Niu Meng."
"Yes, Master!" both replied in a heartbeat.
"From today onwards, Heaven Ascending Pavilion is officially established. Linglong will handle all internal affairs, and Niu Meng will be responsible for external matter. Anyone who dare to trespass our territory will be killed without mercy!"
"Understood!" Both knelt and bowed deeply.
Despite their formidable strength, Linglong and Niu Meng, beings whom the system giving him as rewards, would follow Li Xiao's commands without a shred of question. Even if they were ordered to die, they would do so without hesitation. Thus, there was no need to worry about any thought of betrayal from them.
Li Xiao shrugged and sat down, crossing his legs. With a raise of his right hand, the 19th-ranked flame on the Heavenly Flames list, the Green Lotus Core Flame, slowly rose.
The Heavenly Flame appeared unusually calm, not at all as wild as Li Xiao knew it could be. He understood this was thanks to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Within its confine, even a Heavenly Flame as docile as white rabbit. Without it, though, the Green Lotus Core Flame might have already burned him to ashes.
"System, how can I quickly improve my cultivation?"
To establish a foothold in this world, he needed an exceptional strength. With their strength, Niu Meng and Linglong might be able to protect him for a while, but as the Heaven Ascending Pavilion attracted more and more attention, he couldn't guarantee his safety unless he became stronger as soon as possible.
[Based on your inquiry, the system provides two options: First, you can stay in Heaven Ascending Pavilion to cultivate. With your talent, you will break through to the Dou Venerable realm within ten years. Second, is to auction rare items. Any item auctioned at a high price will earn your rewards.]
"Then, wouldn't it be easy for my real strength to be exposed?"
He was merely a Dou Practitioner. Establishing a renowned auction house on the Dou Qi Continent would naturally attract skepticism.
[As long as you remain within a five-hundred-meter radius of Heaven Ascending Pavilion, even a Dou God cannot see through your cultivation level, nor can they kill you.]
Hearing this, Li Xiao finally felt relieved. It meant that as long as he stayed within Heaven Ascending Pavilion's range until he grew stronger, he would be invincible!
What a system, incredible indeed!
You, my brother, is truly a good guy!
Let this Li give you a thumbs up!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone