Outside the Heavenly God Auction House, three earth-shattering auras of the Heavenly God realm erupted simultaneously. The entire auction house trembled violently, and the Dao marks inscribed within by its founder in ancient times were stimulated into full activation, descending to autonomously protect the establishment.
Yet, it nearly collapsed, for these were genuine Heavenly God realm experts, and three of them arriving together. The pressure they exerted was far beyond what the Dao marks left behind by a peer from the past could withstand.
Fortunately, the pressure released by the three Heavenly God experts vanished as quickly as it appeared, immediately retracting. Otherwise, under the stimulation of these three auras, the Heavenly God Auction House might very well have disintegrated.
Still, it was enough to make one's heart pound. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear—and they had actually dispatched super experts of the Heavenly God realm. One had to admit, the depth of the four superpowers' foundations truly made one's heart race.
The Heavenly God realm. Even across the one hundred and eight kingdoms and the various first-rate powers, individuals of this level were lofty existences, revered by the world as god-like supreme beings. Yet now, these superpowers—the three great empires and the one great academy—had sent experts of precisely this supreme level to participate in the auction event.
Such depth of foundation was truly incomparable to any other force.
Looking over, three groups appeared simultaneously at the main entrance. They were the experts arriving from the other three superpowers. Each was led by a supreme Heavenly God realm expert, followed by super Martial Gods. The lineup of any single group was astonishing enough to sweep through everyone present, causing hearts to flutter and an irresistible urge to prostrate.
The four superpowers of the Tian Du Continent were the three great empires and the one great academy: the Tian Qi Empire, the Jiu Hua Empire, the Teng Long Empire, and the Tian Du Academy.
The first to arrive was the Tian Qi Empire. The remaining groups naturally belonged to the Jiu Hua Empire, the Teng Long Empire, and the Tian Du Academy. The Heavenly God experts they dispatched were all of middle age, appearing quite young compared to the Xia Feng Kingdom's ancestor, further showcasing the astounding depth of the four superpowers.
Although these Heavenly God experts were far older than they appeared—each certainly over five hundred years old—given the thousand-year lifespan of a Heavenly God, they were still in their prime middle years. To reach the Heavenly God realm at such an age meant they still had considerable room for progress. Perhaps one day, there was even a sliver of hope for them to ascend to the legendary Divine Spirit realm.
The representative of the Jiu Hua Empire appeared sharp and unyielding, his entire person like a divine sword. Even with his pressure retracted, that terrifying sharpness was fully exposed on the surface. His gaze was piercing, making many dare not look directly at him. He merely gave a slight nod to the representatives of the other three superpowers before striding directly into one of the private boxes, appearing quite arrogant.
Yet no one felt displeased, for these representatives of the superpowers were also among the strongest Heavenly God experts present. They indeed had the qualification to look down upon others.
People like themselves might be major figures who dominated the rise and fall of a region, but in the eyes of these experts from superpowers that governed the entire Tian Du Continent's destiny, they were hardly worth mentioning—to put it bluntly, they were completely disregarded.
The representative of the Teng Long Empire appeared quite majestic. This Heavenly God was imposing and awe-inspiring, wearing a purple dragon brocade robe and a jade crown. Wisps of dragon qi coiled and roared around his body, creating an even more oppressive presence. However, compared to the Jiu Hua Empire's representative, he seemed much more approachable. He even smiled and nodded slightly towards the Kingdom's ancestor before entering his private box.
Finally, there was the representative of the Tian Du Academy. Compared to the Tian Qi Empire's aloofness, the Jiu Hua Empire's arrogance, and the Teng Long Empire's majesty, he appeared refined and gentle. Dressed simply in a blue robe, he looked less like a peerless Heavenly God realm expert and more like a refined scholar filled with literary air, causing people to look at him with admiration and immediate goodwill.
This man had a fair, beardless face like polished jade, a smiling expression, appearing amiable and approachable without the slightest hint of Heavenly God pressure emanating from him.
Yet his appearance even made Ye Chen glance over, for someone who could so effortlessly and completely retract their aura and pressure was the most terrifying kind of person. One only needed to see the faint trace of wariness in the gazes of the Heavenly God experts from the three empires towards this refined man to understand.
The Kingdom's ancestor hurriedly greeted him: "Heavenly God Chao Xue, it's been a long time."
The refined man, Heavenly God Chao Xue, clasped his hands towards the Kingdom's ancestor with a gentle smile: "Fellow Daoist Xia, many years have passed, yet your body remains so robust. Truly, age brings vigor."
The Kingdom's ancestor, however, shook his head with a bitter smile. He had met this Heavenly God Chao Xue once in the past. At that time, he was already a powerful Heavenly God expert, while the other was merely a Martial God. Yet over the years, the other's cultivation had long since caught up to his own. Even he could sense a hint of unfathomable depth.
Then, Heavenly God Chao Xue looked towards the Crown Prince behind the Kingdom's ancestor, his eyes shining as he nodded in praise: "This generation's Crown Prince of Xia Feng Kingdom is truly a top-notch seedling, with exceptional bone structure and meridians. At this age, probably only twenty-two or twenty-three, he has already reached the eighth level of Xiantian. Truly extraordinary. Moreover, I observe faint traces of seven-colored radiance hidden within his flesh and blood. Hmm, could it be..."
Speaking to this point, Heavenly God Chao Xue's expression suddenly changed. Looking at the Crown Prince, he couldn't help but reveal a look of astonishment.
For he recalled an ancient legend, instantly shocked beyond measure. Then he looked towards the Kingdom's ancestor, as if seeking confirmation.
At this moment, sensing Heavenly God Chao Xue's anomaly, the Heavenly God experts from the other three empires couldn't help but emerge from their boxes, causing astonishment throughout the hall, though no one understood why.
But the four Heavenly Gods paid no heed to others. Their gazes now shone brilliantly, solidifying into substance as they lingered on the Crown Prince's body, as if trying to see through him. Then, they all couldn't help but show looks of shock, recalling that same legend.
Though subjected to the intense scrutiny of four Heavenly God experts, the Crown Prince maintained his usual calm composure, neither arrogant nor humble—a temperament that inspired admiration. However, his body, triggered by this, actually shot out a brilliant seven-colored pillar of light from the crown of his head. Dazzling and eye-catching, it illuminated the entire auction hall, drawing the attention of countless people.
Seeing this scene, everyone was filled with shock and awe, for they all knew of an ancient legend. Looking at the Crown Prince now, they couldn't help but exclaim—
"Possessor of Divine Qualification!"
The Tian Du Academy had an immensely long history, having produced one powerhouse after another renowned across the Tian Du Continent. But within this mysterious and ancient academy existed an extraordinary stone monument named the Divine Testing Monument, originating from even more ancient times. It could not only measure power but also test a person's innate talent.
Legend had it that anyone who could produce seven-colored radiant light upon striking the monument would be recognized as a possessor of divine qualification, one with the potential to advance into the Divine Spirit realm.
The Power Monument brought back by the Xia Feng Academy in history was a replica of that monument. Though far inferior to the Divine Testing Monument, it similarly possessed the effect of testing for possessors of divine qualification.
Once someone met this standard, a trace of seven-colored radiant light would be infused into their flesh and blood, triggered at critical moments.
At this moment, the Heavenly God experts of the four superpowers all focused their gazes, carrying a trace of fervor.
Although a possessor of divine qualification did not necessarily guarantee entry into the Divine Spirit realm, it represented such potential. Throughout history, more than half of all Divine Spirits had been among those who possessed divine qualification.
Moreover, even if such individuals did not truly achieve the Divine Spirit realm, barring accidents, reaching the Heavenly God realm was absolutely assured.
Such fine talent and excellent quality—no one was willing to miss it. Almost everyone hoped to take them as a disciple. For if they truly achieved the Divine Spirit realm in the future, then when one person attained the Dao, even their chickens and dogs would ascend to heaven. The disciple's master would also gain immense honor and respect.
Teacher of a Divine Spirit—that was the greatest honor.
Furthermore, a disciple who was a Divine Spirit realm expert—no one would dare to offend them. In the cultivation world, the relationship between master and disciple was one of the most stable bonds. No one would truly betray their master and ancestors. Even a Divine Spirit who did such a thing would be despised by the world.
Heavenly God Chao Xue was the first to speak: "Fellow Daoist Xia, I wonder if you would consider sending this young man to the Tian Du Academy for further study? I, Heavenly God Chao Xue, can guarantee here that he will certainly enter the Heaven-tier Academy, receive the highest-level cultivation methods and guidance from Heavenly Gods, and I can even recommend him to the supreme Old Academy Head. Perhaps he might even be taken as a disciple. What do you think?"
His opening offer was an immense temptation, causing even the Kingdom's ancestor to tremble, shock and joy mingling within him.
He naturally knew of the Tian Du Academy's supreme Old Academy Head. Legend said he was a truly supreme ancient Divine Spirit-level existence, a peerless figure unmatched and invincible across the entire Tian Du Continent.
If he could become the disciple of an ancient Divine Spirit and receive his guidance, it would undoubtedly bring Xia Yang incomparable benefits. The guidance of a Divine Spirit was something even Heavenly God experts coveted and yearned for.
But at this moment, the Heavenly God expert from the Teng Long Empire stepped forward, his dragon qi pressing: "Fellow Daoist Xia, I hope you can send him to our Teng Long Empire for cultivation. There will be dedicated Heavenly God experts to guide his progress, and even the ancestor will likely appear to give pointers."
Subsequently, the Heavenly God experts from the Tian Qi Empire and the Jiu Hua Empire spoke in turn, each promising at least guidance from Heavenly God experts, and even that the legendary Divine Spirit ancestors might appear to take him as a disciple.
Although they couldn't guarantee success, a possessor of divine qualification was a true heaven's favorite. Even ancient Divine Spirits would value them, at the very least appearing to offer some guidance.
Moreover, although this Crown Prince was still quite young, he had already reached the eighth level of Xiantian, sufficient to demonstrate his potential and great malleability. No one was willing to miss such fine talent and excellent quality. If he achieved the divine throne in the future, even if he belonged to Xia Feng Kingdom, they would still share a reliable relationship.
The Heavenly God experts of the four superpowers successively extended their olive branches, making many experts present feel tempted and envious. Such an opportunity was not something one could obtain just by wanting it.
At the very front of the auction hall, Shuangshuang watched all this, unable to help but say enviously: "The Crown Prince truly has immense luck, actually receiving olive branches from all four superpowers. Is being a possessor of divine qualification really that good? I'm jealous."
Li Yun nodded. To be hailed as a possessor of divine qualification represented at least the hope of advancing into the Divine Spirit realm. No one was willing to give up such fine talent and excellent quality. In the future, barring accidents, he would at least become a powerful Heavenly God existence. Not to mention dominating the Tian Du Continent, but at least he could awe an entire region.
Then, he looked towards Ye Chen beside him, who remained as steady as a mountain, calmly resting with his eyes closed, and sighed softly. The possessor of divine qualification was not just the Crown Prince alone; there was also this even younger youth before him.
Only, this youth was far more mysterious than the Crown Prince. Even faced with a situation where four superpowers were vying for him, he could maintain a heart as still as water, not actively seeking the limelight. This level of temperament was truly admirable and worthy of respect.
Of course, perhaps it was because of the mysterious Sir Qian behind this youth.
Faced with the tempting olive branches extended by the four superpowers, even the Kingdom's ancestor was moved. But he dared not rashly agree to any one of them, lest he offend the other superpowers. Moreover, the choice mainly rested with Xia Yang himself. He said: "Yang'er, this ancestor will not make the choice for you. What do you think?"
Xia Yang, facing the gaze of countless people in the auction hall, also felt a flicker of excitement in his heart. But after looking towards the private box further ahead in the auction hall where Ye Chen was resting with his eyes closed, he calmed down and made his decision: "My apologies, esteemed seniors. For now, this junior does not wish to make a choice. Because there is an opponent, a very powerful one. This junior hopes to enter the Trial Path during this year's enrollment trials of the Tian Du Academy and test my skills against this opponent."
The four superpowers were stunned. They hadn't expected Xia Yang to refuse. Especially the Heavenly God experts from the three empires couldn't help but frown. Was this an indirect way of choosing the Tian Du Academy?
At this moment, Heavenly God Chao Xue chuckled: "Fellow Daoists need not worry. Our Tian Du Academy has no ambition for domination. He is merely participating in this year's Trial Path. Moreover, if he wishes to join your empires afterwards, that is fine. Our Tian Du Academy will not obstruct."
Hearing this, the Heavenly God experts from the three empires no longer voiced objections, nodding in acknowledgment.
When the Trial Path concluded, they would approach him again. Surely then he would have to make a choice.
At this moment, the Heavenly God experts of the four superpowers and the Kingdom's ancestor suddenly trembled. For they all sensed the appearance of several obscure yet powerful auras. Without a doubt, these were also Heavenly God experts, arriving mysteriously.
This auction event was likely far more unpredictable than imagined.
Half an hour later, everyone had gradually arrived. At this moment, the light in the entire auction hall suddenly dimmed. Even the pearls embedded in the ceiling instantly lost their luster, plunging the scene into darkness—
The grand auction event had begun!