Chapter 37: The Black Dragon Armor

Moonlight, like a silver garment, draped over Gu Chen’s form. The tattoos on his body grew increasingly profound, and his scales multiplied, each appearing immensely hard and granting him an air of invulnerability.

Xiao Wu could clearly see specks of starlight filtering through the window and sinking into the black scales, making them shimmer with a divine radiance. The scales gradually formed a suit of armor, emitting a cold, chilling light as they fused with his very flesh and blood.

As the dragon scales completely enveloped his body, a high-pitched dragon roar resounded. Had the Orange Hotel not been equipped with soundproof rooms spaced far apart, this roar would surely have startled everyone nearby. The sound originated from the mouth of a foot-long, clawless black dragon etched onto the chest plate of the armor. Aside from its blood-red, hazy eyes, the dragon was a deep, graphite black—a color so dark it felt unsettling, as if it were consuming all surrounding light.

The black dragon flew into the air, circled within a one-meter radius of Gu Chen, and then submerged back into the black armor. Xiao Wu clearly sensed that Gu Chen’s aura had intensified and his body had become even more resilient. As the dragon returned, the scales receded like an ebbing tide. His clothes were shredded by the scales, revealing the firm muscles of his abdomen, which made Xiao Wu involuntarily swallow hard.

She gently lifted Gu Chen onto the bed, cradling his head against her chest, and pulled a quilt over him. She gazed quietly at his handsome, slightly mischievous face, brushing back his messy black hair. Having watched him endure hours of agony, Xiao Wu’s tears had long since run dry; her heart ached so much she barely dared to breathe. After hearing that roar, she knew his transformation was complete. Seeing Gu Chen now asleep with steady, rhythmic breathing, she felt an indescribable pain. She would have rather he had been acting out with her, even in a delirious state, than to see him tortured like this.

What had he gone through? Why had he suddenly changed? Xiao Wu had many questions and intended to ask him once he woke. Gu Chen appeared carefree on the surface, but he was stubborn; once he set his mind to something, he would pursue it regardless of the difficulty. That was, perhaps, what attracted her to him most.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, she saw it was a quarter past eleven. Hearing his calm breathing, she kissed his forehead, rested his head on the comfortable pillow, and crept out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

As Xiao Wu stepped out, Zhu Zhuqing approached immediately.

"Sister Xiao Wu, how is Gu Chen?"

"He’s fine, he’s asleep. Has Rongrong returned yet?"

"Not yet. The auction continues until three in the morning. Sister Xiao Wu, you look exhausted; why don't you go get some rest?"

"Mm."

Xiao Wu did not refuse. She understood Zhu Zhuqing’s intentions. The Ghost Civet’s hearing was incredibly sensitive; although the hotel was soundproof, Xiao Wu knew Zhuqing must have heard the commotion inside. That meant Zhuqing had been waiting outside alone for hours, enduring the same anxiety. She, too, must have been desperate to see Gu Chen.

"He just fell asleep. Be quiet when you go in," Xiao Wu instructed before heading out of the hotel. Since the auction wasn't over, she wouldn't go to sleep just yet. A gift was most meaningful when chosen personally; after all Gu Chen had suffered today, she was determined to compensate him. She had to bid on a gift that would please him.

When she arrived at the auction house, it was still bustling with noise and crowds. Xiao Wu scanned the room and quickly spotted Ning Rongrong sitting with Ye Lengleng. Rongrong was looking tense, repeatedly raising her bidding paddle.

"Eight thousand gold soul coins!"

"Mr. Chen bids eight thousand gold coins! Any higher?" the blue-haired host in a black suit shouted into a microphone.

"Nine thousand! Mr. Li bids nine thousand!"

"Ten thousand! Miss Zhang bids ten thousand!"

"Any higher? Is there any higher?" the host asked excitedly.

"Twelve thousand! Miss Ning bids twelve thousand!"

The entire hall was stunned. Everyone turned their gazes toward Ning Rongrong.

"It’s her again! Who is she? How is she so wealthy?"

"I don't know, she looks young. She must be the young miss of some great family!"

The discussions below grew waves of noise, and the host was beyond excited.

"Twelve thousand gold soul coins, going once... twice... If there are no higher bids, this Heaven-Mystic grade treasure belongs to Miss Ning!"

In the Douluo Continent, weapons were divided into ironware for commoners and treasures for soul masters. Ironware for commoners was forged from steel, tempered through fire. Treasures for soul masters were mostly crafted from rare metals or minerals infused with elemental energy. Weapons were ranked from high to low: Super Artifact, Divine Artifact, Semi-Divine Artifact, Heaven-Mystic Weapon, Imperial Weapon, King Weapon, and General Weapon. Most auction houses could only provide up to the Heaven-Mystic level. Anything higher—Semi-Divine, Divine, or Super Artifact—was something a tool-soul master attained only through their own arduous cultivation.

The murmurs below faded as the host struck his gavel for the third time.

"Twelve thousand gold soul coins, third time! Congratulations to Miss Ning for winning another treasure: the Overlord Silver Dragon Spear!"

"Yay!" Ning Rongrong clenched her small, fair fist in excitement.

"Rongrong! Lengleng!"

Hearing their names, they turned to see Xiao Wu. Ning Rongrong said excitedly, "Sister Xiao Wu, you’re just in time! The final treasure of this round is about to be presented."

"Mm," Xiao Wu nodded gently.

"Xiao Wu, sit next to me; I saved a spot for you," Ye Lengleng beckoned.

"Mm, how many treasures have you bought?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"This is the seventh!" Ning Rongrong said proudly. "I bought a pair of cold-iron Ghost Night Claws for Zhuqing; they increase the attack power of any soul master below level fifty by thirty percent. And I bought you a pair of Heaven-Mystic Dancing Shoes; they increase both strength and speed by fifteen percent during combat."

"Thank you, Rongrong. Is that spear you just bought for Gu Chen?"

"Yes. Gu Chen has the Power Vajra Bear martial soul. This Overlord Silver Dragon Spear will grow stronger as his power increases, providing up to a 150% boost. It will serve him well until he reaches level sixty."

"Rongrong, you are so thoughtful!"

"It’s nothing, we’re all sisters!"

"Xiao Wu," Ye Lengleng asked, having held back all day, "have you and Gu Chen... you know? Is he very powerful?"

With ten minutes left before the main event of the auction, she had finally caught her chance to ask.