I started by submitting to the Douluo Continent, and the nation helped me become a god.

The night in Nottingham was completely illuminated by this suddenly sprawling money pit.

The Zhang Family Auction House covers an area of ​​more than ten acres. The main building is a three-story domed hall. The exterior walls are all made of blue crystal stone transported from the distant Star Luo Empire. This stone emits a faint blue fluorescent light under the moonlight. It is said that the transportation cost alone is equivalent to the savings of ten generations of an ordinary family in Notting City.

On either side of the massive archway, two rows of welcoming maids dressed in high-slit crimson cheongsams stood smiling.

There were twenty of them, ten on each side, like two fiery red screens guarding the entrance to this temple of desire. Their crimson cheongsams were woven from extremely precious fire silk, shimmering like flowing flames under the light.

Li Fulan arrived under the cover of night, her steps unhurried.

As soon as he stepped onto the jade steps leading to the gate, two figures blocked his way like iron towers.

"stop."

Two burly guards, whose soul power fluctuations were around level 20, stretched out their arms, and crossed their steel spears to block Li Fulan.

"Private auction, civilians are not allowed."

"Show me your invitation or proof of your title." The guard's tone was harsh and arrogant, showing none of the respect he had shown to noble guests. "If you don't have one, leave now and don't get in my way."

Several maids around him also cast meaningful glances, with a faint, disdainful smile on their lips.

In their view, they encountered several of these arrogant individuals who dared to try and infiltrate high society at every auction, and without exception, they were all kicked out. Some unlucky ones even had a few bones "accidentally" broken by the guards as a warning to others.

Li Fulan frowned slightly, about to say something.

Just then, a commotion came from behind, interrupting the brief standoff.

"Make way! Make way! Don't block my path!"

The voice was sharp and arrogant, carrying an innate arrogance and haughtiness, as if the whole world should make way for him. Li Fulan turned her head and saw an extremely luxurious carriage slowly coming to a stop at the bottom of the stone steps at the entrance of the auction house.

The carriage was crafted entirely from rosewood, its body inlaid with countless gemstones and gold ornaments that shimmered and glittered under the lights, almost blindingly so. Pulling the carriage were four pure white unicorns, rare and proud beasts extremely difficult to tame; a single one could buy an entire estate in the best location in Nottingham.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a young man dressed in a pale yellow robe stepped out.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, with a handsome face, but one that betrayed a frivolous and pale air born of excessive indulgence. His eyes were dark and bluish-black, his lips chapped and peeling. Though dressed in opulent clothing, he exuded an aura of listless decadence. His magnificent robes were made of brocade specially crafted by the capital's finest weaving workshops, the hems embroidered with exquisite golden dragon patterns—a mark reserved for members of the royal family.

Most notably, he had two hot female Soul Masters in his arms, one on each side.

Both women were extremely alluring. One wore a revealing black leather outfit that accentuated her curves; the other wore a sheer, revealing glimpses of her skin. They nestled beside the young man, their eyes filled with seductive allure, occasionally letting out soft giggles. Even in public, the young man's hands roamed and kneaded his companions' waists and hips, completely disregarding the stares of those around them, even carrying a hint of deliberate ostentation.

The sixth prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Avalanche.

The youngest prince under the current emperor of the Dou Empire, and also the capital's acknowledged good-for-nothing wastrel. It is said that when he awakened his martial soul at the age of five, he disappointed everyone, and afterwards he never bothered to cultivate, spending his days indulging in pleasure and debauchery. At over twenty years old, his soul power cultivation is said to be inferior to some ten-year-old geniuses.

But no one dared to underestimate him because of this, for he was, after all, a prince, a descendant of the dragon and phoenix, born to stand at the pinnacle of this empire. Even if he were utterly useless and incompetent, a single word from him could determine the life, death, honor, and disgrace of countless people.

Avalanche staggered up the steps, his steps unsteady, clearly having drunk quite a bit before arriving. He glanced at Li Fulan, who was blocked at the door, a hint of disdain flashing in his cloudy eyes, and let out a contemptuous snort.

The look in his eyes was as if he were looking at roadside trash, or at an ant that had accidentally crawled to his feet; he felt that even a second of looking at it was a waste of time.

"Where did this country bumpkin come from, daring to sidle up here?" Xue Beng sneered, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone around to hear clearly. He arrogantly raised his chin, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"Don't they even take a piss and look at themselves in the mirror? Don't they know where they are? All sorts of cats and dogs want to squeeze in? It's laughable!"

The two women in his arms also let out an exaggerated giggle, looking at Li Fulan with the kind of eyes that looked at an idiot, as if he were some kind of ridiculous monkey.

After saying this, Xue Beng didn't look at Li Fulan again, and swaggered past her, reeking of strong, pungent perfume and alcohol. He deliberately bumped into Li Fulan with his shoulder, quite forcefully, with a clear sense of provocation.

The two guards who had been menacingly blocking Li Fulan's way just moments before immediately adopted a fawning and obsequious demeanor. They practically bent over, bowing and scraping as they put away their crossed spears, their faces plastered with ingratiating smiles.

"Your Highness, it is an honor to have you here! Please come in, please come in!"

"Your Highness, please proceed with caution on the steps!"

Avalanche ignored the guards and swaggered in with his two female companions, leaving behind only a pungent smell of perfume in the air.

Li Fulan was not angry.

He simply stood there quietly, watching Xue Beng's swaying figure disappear through the auction house doors. His face was expressionless; his dark eyes were as calm as still water, devoid of anger, humiliation, or even the slightest ripple.

The maids around him exchanged glances, some surprised by the young man's composure. Anyone else, publicly humiliated by a prince, would at least turn pale, even if they dared not retaliate. But this young man acted as if nothing had happened, even a slight smile playing on his lips, lost in thought.

"Alright, they're gone, it's time for you to go too."

The two guards withdrew their fawning expressions and reverted to their menacing demeanor, their spears once again crossed in front of Li Fulan. One of them even reached out, seemingly intending to push Li Fulan down the steps.

"Get out of here, don't let us..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by an exasperated voice.

"Stop! All of you, stop!"

The sound boomed from inside the auction house, filled with panic, urgency, and barely concealed fear. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a fat, middle-aged man scrambling out of the room.

Zhang Wei, clutching the hem of his elaborate formal suit, ran until he was drenched in sweat. His oily face was flushed red, and his body, weighing at least twenty pounds, trembled violently with each step, making him look like a rolling ball of flesh. Accustomed to a life of luxury, he had never run like this before. He was panting heavily, but dared not stop for a moment.

He shoved the oblivious guard aside and slapped him hard across the helmet with his other hand, making a loud "clang" that made the guard's head buzz.

"A bunch of blind fools! Useless! All of you are useless!"

Zhang Wei, panting heavily, burst into a tirade of curses, his thick face contorted with rage, spittle flying everywhere. The two guards were terrified by his sudden outburst, completely bewildered by what was happening, and could only shrink back, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound.

However, the next second, when Zhang Wei turned around to face Li Fulan, the expression on his face underwent a complete 180-degree change.

The ferocious and angry expression vanished instantly, replaced by a fawning, even somewhat humble, smile. The speed and naturalness of this change of expression were simply superb, enough to make any seasoned theatrical actor envious.

He had just personally tried the effects of that "trial version" of the medicine, and the feeling was simply astonishing. It made him feel as if he had returned to his youthful days twenty years ago, his entire body brimming with power. If even that tiny "sample" had such miraculous effects, if it could be mass-produced, it would undoubtedly become the most sought-after and rarest commodity on the entire continent!

Now, in his eyes, Li Fulan is a living god of wealth, a second parent, and a provider of food and clothing! Anyone who dares to offend him is going against the Zhang family and countless gold coins!

"Teacher Li! You've finally arrived! You must be tired from your journey. These servants are ignorant and ignorant, a bunch of idiots who have never seen the world before. Please don't take them to heart!"

As Zhang Wei spoke, he glared fiercely at the dumbfounded guards, threatening them with his eyes. His voice rose eight octaves, as if he wanted everyone around to hear, using this method to demonstrate his loyalty to Li Fulan:

"Although Teacher Li isn't a nobleman, the things he makes... are extremely rare! They're priceless treasures! You won't find another like them on the entire continent! He's my, Zhang Wei's, most honored guest! Anyone who dares to stop him is slapping the Zhang family in the face! They're going against me, Zhang Wei!"

He deliberately raised his voice when he said this, so that the maids, guards, and guests who were about to enter in the distance could hear him clearly.

In an instant, everyone's gaze toward Li Fulan changed.

A master alchemist?