As the final moments of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven approached, Nine Cloud Peak was shrouded in mist, while the Alchemy Room within the cave mansion was still steaming hot.
Chen Sheng, dressed in a dark alchemist robe, was placing the last batch of Tier Three Spiritual Materials, "Purple Patterned Dragon Scale Grass," into the Myriad Transformations Cauldron. In the past few months, he had refined all of his materials into elixirs, except for the basic cultivation resources.
At this moment, dozens of jade bottles were neatly arrayed on the jade shelf, each filled with various Elixir Pills such as Realm-Breaking Pills, Longevity Pills, and Healing Pills. The rich aroma of these elixirs seeped through the cracks of the Alchemy Room, permeating the entire cave mansion.
"In a few days, the cultivators from the Grotto Heaven will emerge."
Chen Sheng gazed at the elixirs on the jade shelf, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
Every time the Ancient Yue Secret Realm ends, a large number of Tier Three and even Tier Four Spiritual Objects flood the market in Yue Country. Some Golden Core Cultivators urgently need to exchange for elixirs, or they want to cash in their unused spiritual materials, making it the perfect time for him to trade elixirs for materials.
In preparation for this trade, Chen Sheng not only refined a sufficient amount of elixirs but also had the Chen Clan Commerce Association plant informants in various markets to ensure they could receive news of the materials at the earliest possible time.
After dealing with the Alchemy Room affairs, Chen Sheng's figure flickered and appeared amidst the Cloud Sea at the peak of Nine Cloud Peak.
He gazed at the surging Cloud Sea below, took a deep breath, and his mana suddenly surged around him. His robe fluttered without wind, making a hunting sound.
With a low and majestic dragon roar echoing through the sky, the Cloud Sea suddenly froze for a moment. In the next second, his form began to change dramatically, and his entire outline expanded under the encasement of mana!
First, a dense pattern of red-gold lines appeared on the surface of his skin, quickly spreading into palm-sized scales with a faint golden glow at the edges.
His arms and legs transformed into sharp dragon claws. The claw tips glistened with a cold light, and with a light scratch, they tore through the surrounding air, leaving a faint sound of breaking through space.
Two impressive dragon horns slowly emerged atop his head, engraved with ancient cloud patterns that glowed faintly with the flow of mana. His eyes transformed into golden vertical pupils, reflecting the Cloud Sea within, exuding an overwhelming intimidation as if piercing through all illusions...
In just a few breaths, Chen Sheng was no longer in human form but had become a red-gold Flood Dragon tens of zhang long!
Een lepel voor het slapengaan, en de wormen zullen binnen een dag uit het lichaam verdwijnenOpen
The Flood Dragon's body coiled atop Nine Cloud Peak, its head held high, overlooking the Cloud Sea below. A faint golden spirit light surrounded its body, and wherever the spirit light touched, the Cloud Sea automatically parted, forming a vacuum area.
The dragon's tail swayed gently, creating a howling wind with each sweep, making the surrounding air restless, fully displaying the majesty of the Flood Dragon.
"Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand!"
Chen Sheng's mouth emitted a low and powerful dragon roar, and his right claw, transformed into a Flood Dragon, abruptly lifted — the dragon claw was more than a zhang in size, with five sturdy fingers like columns, and the claw tips glistened with dazzling golden light.
With his movement, the surrounding Cloud Sea was irresistibly drawn and converged wildly beneath the dragon claw, forming a massive mana vortex several zhang in diameter. The air at the vortex's center was compressed to the extreme, emitting a "sizzling" sound.
Following the technique of the "Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand," he infused his entire body's mana into the claw tips. The golden patterns on the surface of the dragon claw suddenly brightened, revealing ancient runes.
As the runes circulated, a terrifying force capable of tearing the void gradually spread, making the entire Nine Cloud Peak faintly tremble.
He saw the right claw suddenly strike down towards the Cloud Sea, and golden light surged like a scorching sun. The void was forcibly torn open by this force, creating a several feet long fissure, from which pitch-black void energy emanated.
The Cloud Sea below was instantly torn in half, forming a blank area tens of zhang wide. The split Cloud Sea cascaded to both sides like a waterfall, unable to close for a long time.
This seemingly simple strike contained a mighty and domineering power, enough to directly break a Tier Three High Grade Magical Treasure if landed upon it.
Compared to the formidable attack power, Chen Sheng valued the control over the Void Power even more. He carefully sensed the void rift, steadily suppressing its agitation until after the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the rift gradually became imbalanced.
Chen Sheng lightly shook his dragon head, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his golden vertical pupils:
"Not bad, finally a Minor Success!"
These days, besides refining elixirs, he never neglected his cultivation. Now, the "Great Wilderness Heaven-tearing Hand" had reached Minor Success, bringing him closer to his original goal.
Just as he was about to continue cultivating, the Communication Jade Talisman at his waist suddenly lit up, a swift mana fluctuation penetrating the Flood Dragon scales and entering his perception.
A trace of unease suddenly arose in Chen Sheng's heart. This Communication Jade Talisman was his agreed-upon contact method with Master Shi Fang, who should be exploring inside the Grotto Heaven at this time.
He quickly withdrew his mana, and the massive Flood Dragon's body began to rapidly shrink, the red-gold scales, dragon wings, and dragon horns gradually dissipating, reverting to human form in a few moments.
He took the Communication Jade Talisman from his waist, injecting his Divine Sense. In the next second, a voice full of sorrow entered his mind:
"Uncle Master Micro-Image, my master... my master's Soul Jade has shattered."
The speaker was Master Shi Fang's eldest disciple, whose voice was filled with grief, unable to control his trembling mana.
Chen Sheng's expression instantly darkened, the relaxed aura around him vanished entirely. He listened quietly to Master Shi Fang's disciple describing the final images the Soul Jade transmitted, and in the end, he could only nod gently:
"Accept my condolences, if you encounter trouble, you can come to Nine Cloud Peak to find me..."
Meanwhile, images of him brewing tea and discussing Dao with Master Shi Fang at the tea room on Nine Cloud Peak involuntarily surfaced in Chen Sheng's mind. Shi Fang had been holding a teacup, cheerfully laughing about seeking opportunities in the Grotto Heaven, and promised to bring back High Tier Spiritual Materials for him...
Just a few days left to safely come out, yet unexpectedly, he couldn't avoid the dangers of the secret realm and fell before dawn.
A moment later, Chen Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing the sadness in his heart—those who have passed are gone, the living must move forward.
He slowly exhaled a turbid breath:
"Fellow Daoist Shi Fang, safe journey."
Chen Sheng looked out at the still surging cloud sea, silently praying for Chen Xihua, hoping he would return safely and not repeat Master Shi Fang's fate.
...
Time slowly passed, and finally, it was the last moment before the grotto heaven closed.
According to past patterns, at this time all cultivators should be transported out, and the bloody storm within the grotto heaven would completely end.
Within the Soul Hall, Chen Sheng's gaze was fixed on the pale cyan Soul Jade. On the Jade Throne, the Soul Jade remained lustrous, with Spirit Light stable as before, showing no signs of cracking.
Even due to Chen Xihua's own cultivation progress, the Spirit Light appeared even more condensed than before, a trace of relief and comfort flickered in Chen Sheng's eyes, and he softly sighed:
"It seems this kid has good luck."
...
Time slowly passed.
The Shifting Power of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven receded like a tide, and the last group of cultivators was transported to various parts of Yue Country, leaving the once murderous grotto heaven in peace.
Arts uit Antwerp: 's Ochtends komen er wormen uit je lichaam. Probeer hetOpen
Subsequently, the attention of the entire cultivation realm of Yue Country focused on one matter—the ownership of the Nascent Fruit.
As the core treasure of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven, the Nascent Fruit can greatly increase the probability of Golden Core cultivators breaking through to Nascent Soul. Each opening of the grotto heaven would provoke fierce competition among the major sects.
Sure enough, in just three days, the ownership of the Nascent Fruit surfaced completely—seven Nascent Fruits were divided among the six Nascent Soul sects of Yue Country.
With their deep foundations, the six major sects had equipped their core disciples with Tier Four methods usable continuously within the secret realm even before entering the grotto heaven.
The Three Elements Dao Sect's Talisman Infant and Tier Four Array, Myriad Swords Sect's Mountain-Slaying Sword Order, Six Paths Saint Sect's Million Souls Banner... these Tier Four methods are either for attack and defense or unfathomable and treacherous.
Each use was accompanied by violent spiritual power waves and the screams of cultivators, causing the entire Creation Floating Island to be shrouded in a bloody storm.
It was precisely by relying on these trump cards that the six Nascent Soul sects managed to hold onto their fundamental bases, each securely obtaining a Nascent Fruit.
And the last Nascent Fruit, each of the six factions used their own skills, ultimately landing in the hands of the Mirage Daoist from the Western Wilderness Mirage.
The top experts of the other five sects, the Sword Child of the Myriad Swords Sect, the Saint Child of the Six Paths Saint Sect, the True Inheritor Daoist of the Three Elements Dao Sect... eventually joined forces to pursue the Mirage Daoist for two months.
However, this generation's Mirage Daoist was exceptionally talented, astonishingly mastering the Western Wilderness Mirage's Supreme Divine Technique, "Mirage Thousand Shadows Technique."
This technique can create numerous illusions identical to oneself, capable of mimicking the aura and spiritual power of a cultivator, and even able to cast the same magic, making it difficult to discern the real one.
It was precisely by relying on this Secret Technique that the Mirage Daoist managed to escape unscathed amidst the pursuit, making the Western Wilderness Mirage the biggest winner of this Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven event.
...
At the same time, it's as if the entire cultivation realm of Yue Country was pressed with the "start button," and markets and auctions across regions suddenly became lively.
Just like Chen Sheng expected, the market indeed saw an influx of numerous high-tier rare spiritual objects.
Tier Three Top Grade "Celestial Thunder Grass," Tier Three Top Grade "Flowerless Wood," Tier Three Top Grade "Golden Jade Spirit Fruit," Tier Four Lower Grade "Celestial Sunflower"...
These were treasures brought out from the grotto heaven, rare high-tier spiritual objects in the outside world, yet common within the grotto heaven.
At this moment, some cultivators urgently needed Elixir Pills for healing, while others were eager to convert them into cultivation resources, making the once silent spiritual materials market suddenly very lively.
"Father, reports from each market indicate that the quantity of spiritual materials far exceeds previous years!"
Chen Xixing hurriedly entered Chen Sheng's cave abode, holding a thick roster in his hands, his face full of excitement:
"The Elixir Pills we prepared have all been delivered to each branch, the business of trading pills for materials has already begun!"
Hearing this, Chen Sheng's tense nerves finally relaxed completely. He glanced at the roster, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"Good, proceed as planned. Prioritize acquiring the spiritual materials listed in the roster I gave you, no matter how high the price, and purchase the other materials at market price."
"Now that a large quantity of spiritual objects is emerging, the previous market price is already quite high."
Chen Xixing quickly nodded: "Understood, father!"
...
Three months later, at the most renowned Three Elements Auction in Three Elements Immortal City, it was already bustling with voices.
The auction hall was circular, with hundreds of Luminous Beads embedded in the dome, illuminating the entire hall like daylight.
The center of the hall featured an auction stage about one zhang high, covered with specially made Dust-Resistant Brocade, which best preserves the Spiritual Qi of the materials.
Hundreds of private boxes were located on both sides of the hall, each equipped with soundproof restrictions and spiritual barriers, allowing cultivators with status to bid privately.
In one of the boxes named "Cyan Cloud Pavilion," Chen Xixing, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, sat on a soft couch, holding a cup of Spirit Tea.
He did not directly participate in the hall's bidding but maintained contact with Chen clan members scattered across various markets in Yue Country through the Communication Array in the box.
This auction saw thirteen Golden Core and Fake Pill cultivators of the Chen Clan's second generation dispersed according to plan among the auctions in Sunset and Cold Water Immortal Cities, forming a 'treasure-hunting network' covering Yue Country.
"Big brother, a Tier Three High Grade 'Ice Soul Bead' has appeared at the Sunset Immortal City auction; the current bid is... should we continue to follow?"
The voice of Chen Ximo, a Golden Core Early-Stage Cultivator responsible for bidding at the Sunset Immortal City, came through the Communication Array.
Chen Xixing put down the teacup:
"The Ice Soul Bead is not on the list. According to the previous estimated price, if it exceeds this price, give it up and prioritize retaining funds for the spiritual materials on the list."
"Yes, big brother!"
Just after ending the communication with Chen Mo, another message came in, from Chen Shuang, who was in charge of the Cold Water Port auction:
"Big brother, there has appeared a Tier Four Spiritual Material, 'Water Pattern Jade,' at Cold Water Port, and currently there are Nascent Soul clan members bidding..."
A flash of sharpness crossed Chen Xixing's eyes: "Directly give it up, do not sacrifice the greater for the lesser."
"Understood!"
As Chen Xixing was coordinating the overall situation, the chief auctioneer of the Three Elements Auction took the stage.
The chief auctioneer, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator with graying hair, held an auction hammer inlaid with jewels, and his loud voice spread throughout the entire hall:
"Fellow Daoists, the next item up for auction is a rare spiritual material that has flowed out from the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven—Tier Three Top Grade 'Thick Earth Elemental Crystal'!"
As his words fell, a maid cautiously carried a jade box onto the stage. When the jade box was opened, a wave of heavy earth spiritual qi rushed forth.
Inside the box lay a crystal stone the size of a fist, wholly dark brown, with a gentle sheen on its surface. The internal flow of earth spiritual power could be vaguely seen circulating within the crystal stone.
It was precisely the main target of Chen Xixing in this auction—Thick Earth Elemental Crystal.
"The Thick Earth Elemental Crystal can be directly used to temper the Earth Dao Foundation, also serving as the core material for refining a Tier Three Top Grade Earth Element Magical Treasure, and it is an invaluable treasure for cultivating techniques like 'Thick Earth Technique'!"
De parasieten verlaten het lichaam! Doe het voor het slapen gaanOpen
The chief auctioneer slowly introduced:
"The starting bid is 200,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones, with each increment not lower than 5,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones. Now, the bidding begins!"
"205,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones!" As soon as the chief auctioneer's voice fell, someone in the hall was the first to bid.
"210,000!"
"220,000!"
The price rose like a tidal wave, quickly breaking through 300,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones in the blink of an eye.
Chen Xixing sat in the private box, calmly observing the bidding situation through the Communication Stone—the participants included Loose Cultivators, Sect Cultivators, and even members from other Commerce Associations.
"400,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones!"
When the price reached 350,000, Chen Xixing finally offered a bid through the Communication Stone.
With this price announced, the hall instantly quieted down a bit, and many Loose Cultivators and Sect Cultivators shook their heads and gave up; this price far exceeded what they could bear.
It even exceeded the price of most Tier Four Spiritual Objects. Although the Thick Earth Elemental Crystal was precious, it was not worth this price.
With the auction hammer's fall, the Thick Earth Elemental Crystal officially belonged to Chen Xixing.
The maid quickly delivered the jade box to the private box, and Chen Xixing opened the jade box, touching the Thick Earth Elemental Crystal, as a wave of heavy earth spiritual qi flowed into his body through his fingertips, making him nod in satisfaction.
This Thick Earth Elemental Crystal was the top item on the auction list Chen Sheng had entrusted to him, concerning his father's Dao journey.
No matter how high the price may be, he had to obtain it. Now, merely 400,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones was entirely acceptable to him!
Meanwhile, other Chen clan members sent back victorious news through the Communication Array:
"Big brother, the Ice Soul Bead at the Sunset Immortal City has been acquired!"
"Although we did not acquire the Water Pattern Jade at Cold Water Port, I did acquire a Tier Three Top Grade 'Flame Crystal'!"
"I acquired a Tier Four Spiritual Material, 'Heaven-Burning Grass,' at the Red Flame City auction!"
Listening to the stream of victorious news, Chen Xixing showed a gratified smile on his face.
In just a short period, the Chen clan members had taken over a dozen high-tier spiritual materials at major auctions, along with various high-tier resources obtained through exchanging pills.
With the opening of the Ancient Yue Grotto Heaven, although only one person from the Yunlan Chen clan entered, their gained harvest far exceeded expectations.