Chapter 510 Treasure Auction
Meng Chuan arrived in front of Black Dragon Palace. So many cultivators are here.
Black Dragon Palace occupied an incredibly vast area, but he could still see a large number of cultivators entering Black Dragon Palaceeither alone or in groups.
Meng Chuan couldn’t help but sigh in amazement. “At least 20-30% of Heaven Peak River System’s cultivators will participate in the Treasure Auction.”
The Treasure Auction was a grand event. Even if one couldn’t afford the treasures, they could broaden their horizons by looking at them.
Meng Chuan was currently dressed in a luxurious black robe. He had a sword by his waist, and his white hair draped over his shoulders. He also had a unique temperament, one that he attained after cultivating Selfless Formless Sword.
Perhaps it was because Selfless Formless Sword was extremely suitable for Meng Chuan; it could also be because his Cloud Dragon Snake Movement Technique-which was at the perfected Grotto-Heaven realm-was much stronger than ordinary perfected Supremacy-level ultimate techniques, but Meng Chuan had already deduced how he should reach the Heaven Earth realm after cultivating Selfless Formless Sword. He was confident that he could upgrade his Selfless Formless Sword to the Heaven Earth realm within ten years.
His fake Imperial Lord aura-courtesy of the Sea Serpent Token—was now inclined towards the Selfless Formless Sword. His disguise was perfect.
“Imperial Lord, welcome.” Black Dragon Palace had a large number of attendants. These attendants-all with different appearanceswarmly welcomed every cultivator and brought them to the large hall where the auction was being held.
Meng Chuan also arrived at the hall.
“Imperial Lord, please rest here. The auction will be held in about two hours.” The attendant led Meng Chuan to a seat. When Meng Chuan sat down, he was astonished to discover that, although he could see figures covered by fog with his naked eye, he couldn’t see them clearly; he also couldn’t approach them! Every cultivator’s seating area was a separate space. Unless a group of fellow companions was willing to stay together, nobody could approach them or spy on them. Black Dragon Palace wanted to give every cultivator the courage to bid during the Treasure Auction! Thus, they had to conceal every cultivator’s identity so that they wouldn’t be hunted down by experts.
On Black Dragon Planet, Black Dragon Palace and Eternal Tower had the best reputations.
Meng Chuan only dared to buy Sixth Tribulation treasures in these two places.
Meng Chuan sat down and consumed the free alcohol and snacks provided by Black Dragon Palace. He waited patiently, and two hours soon passed. The number of blurry figures in the hall had already exceeded 10,000. Tribulation Eminences were definitely among them.
“Everyone.” In the middle of the hall, a silver-haired woman appeared. Her face was covered in dragon scales, and she emitted a faint dragon aura. Her voice spread throughout the hall, causing the entire hall to fall silent.
It’s her? Patriarch Black Dragon’s follower, Cang Yu. Meng Chuan immediately recognized her.
Cang Yu was a Third Tribulation Eminence. She was one of Patriarch Black Dragon’s followers.
“I will be hosting today’s Treasure Auction,” said the silver-haired dragon woman with a smile. With a flip of her hand, a talisman token floated in front of her. “The first treasure is an Undying Talisman.”
None of the cultivators could see the talisman with their Quintessential Essence or consciousness, but they could clearly see the runes on the talisman token.
“Everyone, take a closer look,” said the silver-haired dragon woman. She began describing the talisman’s properties. “The Undying Talisman grants one an Undying body for about two hours. Most importantly, it contains extremely profound time lineage laws. One can study this talisman.” Thirty seconds passed in silence.
She then said, “The starting price is ten Outer Realm Essence Crystals. As per the normal rules, if there are no new bids after three counts, it will be considered sold.”
“Ten cubes.” A powerful voice immediately rang out.
“Fifteen cubes.”
The price immediately went up.
Even if one had an Undying Talisman, one would probably be captured alive if they were to encounter a powerful enemy! Although one would have an Undying body for two hours, they would still die after being captured alive. After all, the talisman didn’t increase one’s strength at all.
The Undying Talisman was only useful during certain situations. Thus, the Undying Talisman was more useful for comprehending the time lineage’s profundities. If one could fully comprehend the profundities within, they could gain a permanent Undying body forever! Even among Tribulation Eminences, a permanent Undying body was a rare and powerful technique. Of course, Seventh Tribulation Eminences and stronger could easily counter this.
“Sixteen cubes.”
A hoarse voice rang out. “Eighteen cubes.”
The hall fell silent.
Three counts later.
“Undying Talisman, sold for 18 Outer Realm Essence Crystals.” The silver-haired dragon woman put away the Undying Talisman and immediately said, “Next treasure, an incomplete stone tablet…”
She took out treasures one by one, placing them before the cultivators as they vied for them.
The starting prices set by Black Dragon Palace were considered very low. Even if one didn’t use it, one could still buy it for the starting price. They could then sell it to Eternal Tower and earn a profit! Therefore, even Supremacies dared to bid in the beginning! However, after the prices rose, only those who truly wanted an item would continue bidding.
“Lightning Five-Colored Flower. Sold for 373 Outer Realm Essence Crystals,” continued the silver-haired dragon woman. “Next, Grand Yang Divine Fire Cauldron, a Fifth Tribulation treasure…”
The Treasure Auction progressed relatively quickly, but only half of the treasures had been shown after six hours.
“Drunken Dream Flower, sold for 37 Outer Realm Essence Crystals,” said the silver-haired dragon woman. “Next, Ashen Pagoda, a Sixth Tribulation treasure.”
The silver-haired woman flipped her hand and took out an ancient pagoda.
The pagoda flew out from her palm and floated in midair. With her Tribulation realm powers, many runes appeared on the pagoda’s surface.
“The Ashen Pagoda can accelerate time…” The silver-haired dragon woman began describing the treasure’s functions. At the same time, she allowed the cultivators to scrutinize the Sixth Tribulation treasure carefully.
It was rare for one to see a temporal cave abode. It was much harder to refine a temporal cave abode than it was to refine an Undying Talisman. However, temporal cave abodes had limited usefulness.
One could grow flowers, grass, and fruits in them. They could also be used to help one increase their strength quickly in a short time when they were faced with a difficult situation. One could also study the time lineage profundities contained within the temporal cave abode.
“The Ashen Pagoda’s starting price is 300 Outer Realm Essence Crystals,” said the silver-haired woman.
Meng Chuan stared at the Ashen Pagoda carefully.
He had not bid on a single item all this while.
“320 cubes,” said a calm voice from the left.
“330 cubes,” said Meng Chuan. Outer Realm Essence Crystals were very precious. People typically didn’t bid for treasures that far exceeded their market value.
Suddenly, a terrifying voice rang out. “350 cubes.”
Meng Chuan’s expression changed. The price increased by so much in a single bid?
The other party’s intentions were clear-he had to obtain it!
While Meng Chuan and company were fighting over treasures, Patriarch Black Dragon was chatting with a red-haired man over drinks in one of Black Dragon Palace’s secret halls.
“Old fellow, you really can’t hold on any longer?” The red-haired man looked at his good friend with mixed emotions.
Patriarch Black Dragon nodded slightly. “Yes.” He had to keep his situation a secret from outsiders, but he had no need to do so for close friends.
“On this path of cultivation, my old friends are passing away one after another.” The red-haired man sighed softly. “Back then, the seven of us joined forces to kill that old fiend. After we succeeded, our fame spread throughout the outer realm. Now, even you are about to reach the end of your life. I will be the only one left among the original seven.” “You are still young,” said Patriarch Black Dragon with a smile. “As a pure-blood dragon, you have a long lifespan. You will go further than us.”
A pure-blood dragon at the Imperial Lord realm could live for 100,000 years. After reaching the Tribulation realm, a pure-blood dragon’s lifespan would increase again. Although he was over 30,000 years old, the red-haired man was considered a very young pure-blood dragon.
“I’m still stuck at the Fifth Tribulation realm. It’s difficult for me to take that next step,” said the red-haired man. “Without a qualitative breakthrough, I don’t dare to improve my body. After all, I’ll trigger the sixth Heavenly Tribulation if my body improves further.”
“Considering your lifespan, you’re still very young. What are you worried about?” said Patriarch Black Dragon. “When you can fight a Sixth Tribulation Eminence, it means your realm is high enough. You can then improve your body and trigger the sixth Heavenly Tribulation. Your chances of transcending the tribulation will be very high.”
The red-haired man smiled. “It’s too difficult.”
As a pure-blood dragon, as long as he broke through to the Tribulation realm, he could reach the Fifth Tribulation realm in a short period.
“Chi Feng,” said Patriarch Black Dragon, “I’ll hand this Black Dragon Planet to you. How’s that? In the future, Heaven Peak River System will be yours. You will be in charge.”
“Me?” The red-haired man shook his head. “As you know, I’m not the type that can stay in one place for thousands of years. I still want to travel the vast outer realm and adventure.”
Patriarch Black Dragon sighed slightly. “I worked hard to build Black Dragon Planet and set up the array formation. The three friends I wanted to entrust it to were also unwilling.”
Gaining control over a river system wasn’t very tempting for a Fifth Tribulation Eminence. This was because, during this era, there was only one fifth Tribulation Eminence in two to three river systems on average. “Why do you even care? Heaven Peak River System’s other cultivators will bear the responsibility,” said the red-haired man.
“You don’t understand.” Patriarch Black Dragon shook his head. “That bunch of lunatics from Black Fiend Hall have already targeted Heaven Peak River System.”
The red-haired man was slightly taken aback.
“Forget it. Without paying an appropriate price, who would be willing to protect Heaven Peak River System?” Patriarch Black Dragon shook his head. If he expended all his treasures, he would naturally be able to hire a Tribulation Eminence to guard the area. However, he had left his treasures for his homeworld!
“You’ve protected Heaven Peak River System for tens of thousands of years. You’ve already done enough for it. As for the rest? It depends on the juniors’ fates,” said the red-haired man casually. “A crueler environment might be more suitable for cultivators.”
“Ordinary cultivators have to be careful. Their cultivation paths are much more difficult than yours. You are a pure-blood dragon, so you won’t be able to understand the struggle,” said Patriarch Black Dragon.
Dragons and phoenixes were domineering forces in the River of Spacetime. Even Sixth Tribulation Eminences were afraid of them. They were afraid of provoking the older ones after dealing with the younger ones! Of course, Seventh Tribulation Eminences didn’t care. Killing them and refining their bloodlines was a normal thing.
Under normal circumstances, Seventh Tribulation Eminences were invincible in the endless River of Spacetime. They were legends.
Eighth Tribulation Eminences? Ancestral Master Archean Eon had only encountered one in his entire life.
“430 cubes.” Meng Chuan bid again. “Oh?” Patriarch Black Dragon looked over in surprise. “Ashen Pagoda’s price has reached 430 cubes?”
“Why have they bid such a high amount for a temporal cave abode?” The red-haired man was shocked as well.
Ashen Pagoda’s starting price was 300 cubes. Typically, it would be considered a high price at 360 cubes. 430 cubes? That was too much.
“450 cubes.” An evil, ear-piercing sound rang out.
Silence.
The entire hall fell silent.
Meng Chuan frowned.
Why is the price so high? Meng Chuan didn’t expect the Ashen Pagoda to reach such a price. This price was too high. Furthermore, it wasn’t worth it.
Although he had obtained Eminence Pang Ming’s treasures, he still needed to be thrifty. Although the Ashen Pagoda was important to his cultivation, it wasn’t without substitutes.
Three counts passed quickly.
Humph.
In a corner of the hall, an ugly elder had a look of anger.
The Ashen Pagoda is the best temporal cave abode for me. I traveled across more than ten river zones to arrive here… To think that someone had a bidding war with me. If it weren’t for the fact that I need to nurture my worms quickly so that I can explore the ancient cave abode, I wouldn’t have spent so many Essence Crystals. The elder’s heart ached slightly. Of course, it was just a tiny ache.
“Ashen Pagoda, sold for 450 Outer Realm Essence Crystals.” The silver-haired woman smiled as she announced the final price for the treasure. “Next, the Primordial Stone.”
The moment she said that, more than ten experts snapped to attention among the countless figures in the hall. They had come here for the Primordial Stone.
“A Primordial Stone is a piece of rock that can only be found on the most mysterious Primordial Star in the outer realm. Only legendary Eighth Tribulation Eminences can discover a Primordial Star and enter it. Therefore, all Primordial Stones… have been collected by an Eighth Tribulation Eminence at the very least,” said the silver-haired woman. To the legendary Eighth Tribulation Eminences, obtaining Primordial Stones was as simple as picking up some rocks.
However, a Primordial Stone was extremely precious.
As the silver-haired woman spoke, she waved her hand, causing a round stone—the size of a baby’s fist-to appear. The moment it appearedOh? Meng Chuan immediately felt the Chaos Hole in his dantian trembling. It yearned for the Primordial Stone greedily. It was extremely eager to obtain the object that was just in front of it.
My dantian’s Chaos Hole? Meng Chuan’s expression changed.
The Chaos Hole realm was a very special realm in the Godfiend cultivation system. Only Meng Chuan had reached the Chaos Hole realm. Although he was a Supremacy, he had a 5,000-year lifespan. As the first pioneer of this special realm, Meng Chuan had to figure out everything about it himself. How was he to cultivate his body? How was he to perfect his dantian? Did he need external objects? Everything was unknown.
Meng Chuan had seen many treasures on Black Dragon Planet, but this was the first time his dantian’s Chaos Hole had reacted. It was yearning to devour the Primordial Stone.
My dantian’s Chaos Hole doesn’t only absorb the Heaven and Earth powers and the outer realm essence energy. It can also absorb Primordial Stones? Meng Chuan felt his entire body tremble. The desire in his dantian made his Essence Soul tremble.
This was his body’s innate instinct. A Chaos realm lifeform yearned for Primordial Stones. Luckily, I didn’t buy the Ashen Pagoda. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to bid for the Primordial Stone. Meng Chuan understood that he would alarm Patriarch Black Dragon if he bought both treasures. After all, they both cost a pretty penny. Buying both treasures would cause a lot of trouble for him.
However, he would be fine since he was only buying a single treasure now.
At that moment, Meng Chuan felt that fate was magical. He had clearly lost a treasure he wanted, but a more important treasure had now appeared.
