Shrouding the Heavens

Chapter 599: Chapter 603: Super Auction Event

In the early morning, the rosy dawn erupted, bathing West Dam City in golden splendor. The black walls seemed trimmed with strands of gold, lending them a sacred aura.

Ye Fan arrived at a small restaurant, ordered a bowl of tofu pudding and a basket of small buns, then sat down to eat while watching the pedestrians on the ancient street.

The morning sun was just rising, and the rosy dawn felt very gentle, spilling warmth over people. There was no noise, no battle cries, no dazzling spiritual treasures, and certainly no blood—only tranquility and simplicity.

In recent years, Ye Fan’s life had been a whirlwind of activity. He had constantly faced life and death, growing accustomed to scenes of severed heads and blood-drenched skies as he wandered between existence and oblivion. At this moment, however, he felt profoundly serene.

To an ordinary person, this was merely a normal morning; perhaps some might even complain that the dawn was a bit dazzling. But to Ye Fan, it was an indulgence.

The brilliant dawn, the warm morning sun, the clean porcelain bowl, the glossy tofu pudding, and the sight of each passing pedestrian—all of it made him feel a sense of simple, vivid, and natural beauty.

Cultivators… they’re all a group of non-humans, finding it difficult to appreciate the beauty of the Red Dust. It’s too monotonous, Ye Fan sighed lightly.

During this time, many cultivators would be deep in the mountains, by cliffs, or before Ancient Caves, practicing their breathing techniques, far removed from the mortal world. Many more would be in secluded, life-or-death retreats, not seeing the Sun and Moon for years on end.

Ordinary people envied those who could fly through the sky and tunnel through the earth, unaware that such abilities required years of accumulation. One had to endure immense boredom, cultivating silently and alone, with no guarantee of success.

Ye Fan had recently planned a retreat. He intended to use the bottle of Dragon Marrow to attempt the fourth transformation of the Dragon Transformation realm. These past few days, he had been relaxing his mind and experiencing the Red Dust, preparing to break through and undergo his tribulation in one fell swoop.

The street suddenly trembled, and the bluestone slabs on the ground quivered lightly. From the direction of the city gate, a dozen strange and powerful beasts rushed in. Each was exceptionally majestic; some were qilin-like, shimmering with purple light, while others resembled dragon steeds, their bodies wreathed in searing flames.

As they charged through, the entire ancient street shook and rumbled loudly. Then, they entered the city’s largest inn.

Before long, more people arrived riding clouds, descending from the sky. It wasn’t just one or two groups; people continued to arrive, entering West Dam City.

This was one of the ten ancient cities of the Central States. Many powerful cultivators were hidden here, and quite a few others frequently made appearances. The citizens, long accustomed to such sights, did not panic.

“The super auction held every two months is about to start! This time, it’s at the Treasure Palace of the Jiuli Divine Dynasty. Many people rushed here overnight.”

“I wonder what divine items will be revealed. Most likely, many Emperor Master-level figures will come.”

At a nearby table, people whispered amongst themselves. West Dam City hosted a grand gathering every two months, with various auction houses taking turns to host, often attracting Saint Master-level figures.

The morning’s tranquility was broken as people flew in, landing in the city. Some within the city speculated that extraordinary spiritual treasures were likely to appear this time; otherwise, such a crowd wouldn’t have been drawn.

Hoofbeats resounded, carrying the sound of wind and thunder. Six or seven riders sped towards the city gate like streaks of light, moving incredibly fast. All their mounts were unique species: some had wings growing from their flanks and bodies that glowed, while others were covered in dense Scale Armor and possessed giant hooves.

All the strange and powerful beasts trod upon the air, half a foot above the ground, their hooves never touching the earth. Yet, they produced sounds of wind and thunder, louder than if they were stepping on the bluestone ground, and each one was matchlessly majestic.

At the forefront were a golden divine Tiger Dragon and a purple qilin, with golden divine flames and Purple Heavenly Fire blazing fiercely around them, making their riders appear astonishingly majestic.

“Those are people from Qi Shi Mansion, joining in the excitement. They are all the finest disciples of the Five Great Domains. Their presence here will be frequent in the future.”

Qi Shi Mansion opened once every ten thousand years, and now it was destined to make this city even more prosperous. These individuals would not lack Source; most were future leaders of their respective Sects.

Ye Fan squinted. He saw an old acquaintance. The knight on the golden divine Tiger Dragon wore golden battle attire, looking sturdy and powerful, with eye-catching tiger-like eyes and flowing black hair.

Jin Chixiao, heir of the Golden Family from the northern region, with the blood of an Ancient King flowing in his veins.

Ye Fan hadn’t expected to encounter this person here. The last time had been at the Holy Spirit’s fall site in the Eastern Wastelands—Fire Demon Ridge—where thirteen Saint Son-level figures, including this man, had besieged him.

I triggered a Heavenly Tribulation and killed a group of them. Back then, the Dayan Saint Heir escaped, but I killed him later too. I didn’t expect this one to be a fish that slipped through the net, Ye Fan thought.

Having been involved in setting the trap to kill him, Ye Fan naturally had no goodwill towards this person. If they weren’t in West Dam City, he certainly would have acted.

The six or seven strange and powerful beasts stopped. Everyone dismounted and headed directly to the front of the small restaurant, clearly intending to have breakfast there.

DING!

A silver block landed on Ye Fan’s table, making a light sound. It spun a few times before settling.

“Go, lead our mounts to the inn up ahead.”

The speaker walked in alongside Jin Chixiao. He wore purple clothes and only gave Ye Fan a cold, cursory glance before finding a seat and sitting down without a further look.

“Hey, I’m talking to you! Didn’t you hear?” one of them asked, noticing Ye Fan hadn’t moved. He gave Ye Fan a strange look; it was just an ordinary person, yet he was unfazed by the silver block.

“Is it too little? I’m just asking you to walk a few steps,” Jin Chixiao said, glancing Ye Fan’s way. He then tossed a gold leaf, aiming it at Ye Fan’s face.

DING!

Ye Fan caught the gold leaf between two fingers and casually tossed it onto the table. He looked at the group, his eyes emitting two beams of clear light, and slowly said, “You want to order me around by throwing a gold leaf at my face?”

The group was surprised. They immediately understood that this was no ordinary person; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare speak to them this way.

“If you don’t even want a gold leaf, we’ll find someone else to lead the horses,” one of them sneered. The others said no more, afraid of stirring up unnecessary trouble.

Ye Fan flicked several gold leaves, which landed before Jin Chixiao and the one who had spoken. He said, “These are for you. Be quiet and don’t make so much noise.”

“You…” Several of them flared up and stood abruptly.

Jin Chixiao’s expression changed slightly. He said, “Enough. Let’s eat first. We need to rest a bit later; we still have to go to the Treasure Palace of the Jiuli Divine Dynasty.”

“Apologies, friend. If you’re unwilling, then we were disturbing you earlier,” the man in purple clothes also spoke, obviously not wanting to escalate matters.

“Since you’ve said so, then forget it.” Ye Fan stood up and left.

“You…” one of them muttered, clearly unwilling, but he didn’t act out.

Jiuli was one of the Four Immortal Divine Dynasties of the Central States. With an ancient inheritance and vast power, it had Weapon Halls and auction houses in various ancient cities.

At this moment, in front of its Treasure Palace, people were packed shoulder to shoulder, a veritable sea of humanity. Many had arrived to participate in this super auction event.

The Jiuli Heaven Palace was remarkably grand, occupying a vast area, like a city within a city.

Upon entry, there was a Light Gate. It flashed once for each person who entered, displaying their strength. People were stationed there to guide individuals based on the light emitted.

Ye Fan attempted to conceal his strength, but found the light still flashed a few times. A young woman came forth and led him into a floating pavilion. Upon careful observation, one could notice that all those present here were cultivators of the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm.

In the end, he made a request and got a private room. He sat in the suspended palace, overlooking the auction hall below, with a clear and unobstructed view of everything.

I hope there’s some Supreme Dragon Marrow. If so, I can attempt my breakthrough immediately, Ye Fan thought. He sat in the building, watching everything in the auction hall. The auction had already begun.

“A six-thousand-year-old spiritual medicine, starting price of ten thousand jin of Source.”

“Eleven thousand jin of Source.”

“Twelve thousand jin of Source.”

…

Finally, this spiritual medicine was sold for twenty thousand jin of Source, marking the first transaction in the Jiuli Heaven Palace.

The auction hall was somewhat tepid, but everything proceeded in an orderly manner. So far, no particularly rare treasures had appeared.

“A Leaving Fire Sword, starting price of one hundred thousand jin of Source.”

Finally, a commotion stirred in the hall below. Many people were attracted by this item and immediately started bidding.

This sword was as red as blood, bursting with colorful mist. Waves of fire rose from it, emitting an unbearable heat. It was an Ancient Sword interwoven with Laws, a Saint Master-level Weapon.

“One hundred fifty thousand jin of Source!”

“One hundred eighty thousand jin of Source!”

“Two hundred thousand jin of Source!”

…

In the end, the Leaving Fire Sword was auctioned off at a shockingly high price, falling into the hands of a young man. Many were surprised; he was a disciple of Qi Shi Mansion.

Afterwards, the atmosphere in the auction hall grew more and more intense. One treasure after another appeared, eliciting gasps of amazement, and the transaction prices became increasingly astonishing.

When a piece of iron, as white as jade and as flawless as mutton fat jade, was placed on a jade plate and brought into the hall, it pushed the auction to its climax.

“A piece of Mutton Fat Jade Divine Iron, starting price of five hundred thousand jin of Pure Source.”

BOOM!

The hall erupted. Many people stood up, their eyes flashing as they looked towards the stage.

It was a piece of divine iron the size of a human head, as white as snow, without a single flaw. It lacked any metallic qualities, resembling a piece of Mutton Fat Jade.

However, everyone knew it was a rare treasure. Even if a Saint Master were to use it to refine a Weapon, adding just a small piece during the sacrificial refining process would be sufficient. It was extremely valuable.

It was said that such precious materials could even be used to refine King’s Weapons, materials needed when various King Bodies reached Great Success, and thus were extremely rare.

“Six hundred thousand jin of Source!”

“Seven hundred thousand jin of Source!”

“Eight hundred thousand jin of Source!”

Many people were very excited, increasing the bid by a hundred thousand jin of Source each time, all wanting to get their hands on it.

Ye Fan clicked his tongue. There really are many wealthy people here. Although I am a successor of the Heavenly Source Master, I’ve never been in a position to nonchalantly throw around hundreds of thousands of jin of Source like it’s nothing, he thought.

“One million five hundred thousand jin of Source,” a young man suddenly said calmly.

All noise at the scene vanished. This person had jumped from one million jin of Source straight to one million five hundred thousand jin, showing his absolute determination to win it.

“Who is he? Although this kind of thing is precious, the risk of refining it into a Vessel is very high. It’s easy to waste it, rendering it worthless. He really dares to make a bid.”

“Xu Zixuan, the King Reborn of the Central States’ younger generation! It has been fifteen thousand years since such a physique last appeared.”

“If it weren’t for the Central Emperor being too astonishingly powerful, his name as a prominent figure of the Central States’ younger generation would have long since spread throughout the world.”

Finally, the King Reborn bought the head-sized Mutton Fat Jade Divine Iron for one million seven hundred thousand jin of Pure Source. An elderly person beside him helped with the payment.

Obviously, he had a powerful background, supported by an ancient family; otherwise, he would not have been able to produce so much Source by himself.

“The next auction item is a King’s Weapon!”

An uproar swept through the crowd. Everyone stood up. To think they would finally auction something like this—it was beyond everyone’s expectations.

Holding a King’s Weapon, one could dominate the world, capable of standing alone against a group of formidable peers. Its power was unparalleled!

Ye Fan was also shaken. He had held the Nine Divine Weapons before and had truly felt their terrifying power—invincible and unstoppable.

Now, he still possessed a black War Chariot, only an inch or so long. It was a King’s War Chariot, equally terrifying. When Wang Chong wielded it, Ye Fan had only managed to suppress it by using the Nine Divine Weapons.

This auction item was a small bell, about the size of a baby’s fist. The body of the bell was emerald green; it was a Divine Jade Bell, like green agate.

The King’s Weapon appeared crystal clear and gentle, yet it possessed an unparalleled, terrifying power that tugged at the Heart Spirit of everyone present.

“This weapon, I must obtain it!” Jin Chixiao declared, strands of golden light appearing in his eyes.

Even in the Central States, at such a grand super auction, it was almost impossible to see a King’s Divine Weapon being auctioned. They were simply too scarce. Anyone who obtained one would nurture it themselves, merging it with their own flesh and blood, and would never sell it.

This is truly a treasure, likely Heaven Rank. I still want to buy Dragon Marrow, but it seems I can’t afford this beauty, Ye Fan sighed softly in the floating building.