The grand auction finally commenced!
The venue plunged into darkness, even the pearls embedded in the vaulted ceiling instantly dimming, making it impossible to see one's own hand before one's face.
Silence fell over the scene. Everyone unanimously stopped speaking, sitting calmly in their seats, yet their eyes were fixed on the auction stage, awaiting the opening.
The next moment, dazzling, eye-catching beams of light instantly illuminated the magnificent and towering auction platform. The pearls sparkled, and light from all directions converged upon it, making it the instant focus of everyone's attention.
On the auction stage, a handsome man in splendid attire had appeared at some unknown time. Facing the distinguished guests from all sides, he stood unafraid, a warm and charming smile on his face. His voice, infused with True Yuan power, resonated loudly throughout the vast auction hall: "Today marks the once-every-five-years grand auction hosted by our Heavenly God Auction House. Not only do we have esteemed guests from within the Xia Feng Kingdom, but we are also honored to have representatives from a total of thirty-three kingdoms across the continent, seventy-three sects, and even representatives from the three great empires and one major academy gracing us with their presence, making our Heavenly God Auction House shine with glory. Here, on behalf of the Heavenly God Auction House, I welcome you all."
It must be said that to be the host of such an auction, one's own quality and substance must be outstanding. To remain calm and composed, eloquent and witty before representatives of nearly one-third of the continent's forces and even the four superpowers, was truly remarkable.
As his words fell, representatives from the major forces all gave the warmest applause, affirming the host with their actions. Even among the representatives of the four superpowers, some clapped. Chao Xue Tian Shen even nodded repeatedly, smiling and chatting.
Ye Chen also awoke from his meditative state, his gaze fixed motionlessly on the auction stage, while his perception spread out silently. Even a Heavenly God wouldn't sense it unless they were paying close attention.
Within this perception, he sensed several familiar auras. Only then did he withdraw his perception, his expression shifting slightly as if something had stirred within him.
The host smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping across the entire auction hall. "I believe all our distinguished guests have waited long enough. Next, I won't waste any more words and will directly announce the official start of the grand auction. Now, please welcome the first auction item to the stage—"
He deliberately paused at the end, piquing everyone's curiosity.
Behind the auction stage, the curtain parted. Two stunningly beautiful women walked out, dressed in revealing attire, their chests exposing two halves of snow-white, crystalline skin, with voluptuous figures boasting ample curves. As they walked, the two half-exposed mounds of snow-white, crystalline flesh trembled and swayed, almost on the verge of bursting forth, revealing the most eye-catching rouge.
However, the gazes of everyone present did not linger on the women's snowy chests. Instead, they focused more on the auction item the two women were carrying out on a flat tray, covered with a silk cloth.
The brocade cloth was lifted, revealing a blue demonic core the size of an adult's fist lying upon it. But an extremely astonishing wave of energy rippled out from it, capturing everyone's attention.
Many esteemed Martial God realm figures from various major forces had fiery looks in their eyes, unable to help but swallow hard. Even Ye Chen instantly narrowed his pupils and couldn't help but exclaim: "A Martial God demonic core!"
Indeed, this was a Martial God demonic core, as large as an adult's fist, emanating a powerful energy fluctuation. One could imagine just how potent the energy contained within was, enough to stir the heart of even a Martial God powerhouse.
Upon reaching the Martial God realm, the energy within a demonic core is not merely pure Xiantian energy; it also contains a trace of the might of the Dao.
If one obtained this Martial God demonic core and absorbed the Martial God energy within, their cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds, saving much time in cultivation and allowing them to grow stronger more quickly.
Truly worthy of an auction that could attract the four superpowers. The very first item up for auction was a divine object like a Martial God demonic core, far more precious than a Xiantian demonic core by who knows how many times.
Martial God-level demonic beasts are not existences that can be easily slaughtered. Within the same realm, demonic beasts are stronger than human cultivators. One could imagine the preciousness of this Martial God demonic core.
Ye Chen's eyes were also blazing with heat. Although he also possessed a Martial God demonic core, obtained from the Eight-Horned Green Ox, the energy required to achieve the Human Yuan Body was simply too vast. He even suspected that one Martial God demonic core might not be enough. If he added the one before his eyes, he believed he could certainly achieve great completion.
Therefore, he was almost determined to obtain this Martial God demonic core.
And the Xia Feng royal family and the four superpowers all seemed somewhat interested.
Just then, in a fleeting moment, everyone seemed to sense a sharp, murderous aura flash into existence before vanishing. Most people thought it was an illusion, but only a few Heavenly Gods' expressions changed slightly.
Ye Chen stirred slightly, then chuckled lightly, confirming one thing: as expected, they had all come.
"Now, the first auction item is presented. This is a Martial God demonic core. Xiantian demonic beasts can give birth to Xiantian demonic cores, and Martial God demonic beasts can naturally give birth to Martial God demonic cores. Moreover, the demonic cores born from Martial God demonic beasts are far more precious than Xiantian demonic cores. Even a Martial God powerhouse, by holding and cultivating with it, can increase their cultivation by two to three minor realms, greatly reducing cultivation time."
"Furthermore, this is from a sea demon obtained overseas, so the demonic core is also rich in water-attribute energy. The energy is vast yet gentle, relatively easy to absorb. Even Xiantian cultivators can absorb it. Therefore, the starting price for this Martial God demonic core is two hundred thousand gold coins, with a minimum bid increment of fifty thousand gold coins. The auction begins now!"
It must be said that this auction host's verbal skills were extraordinary. With just a few words, he ignited the passion of countless people. Coupled with the seemingly very low starting price, a crowd was instantly stirred—
"Two hundred and fifty thousand gold coins!"
"I bid three hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Five hundred thousand!" ...
Many important figures in the audience seats of the auction hall competed to offer bids, causing the price of the Martial God demonic core to skyrocket. In just a short moment, it had already risen from the starting price of two hundred thousand to six hundred and fifty thousand, and it was still climbing. Everyone's eyes were burning with desire, stunning Shuangshuang.
To be able to throw gold coins around so lavishly in bidding, it was probably only those esteemed major figures who were leaders of first-rate forces in their own right who possessed such substantial financial resources.
"One million!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, interrupting many others and causing exclamations of surprise.
Looking towards the owner of this voice, it was none other than the ancestor of the Xia Feng Kingdom, a Heavenly God powerhouse, causing many people's expressions to change.
After all, this was a Heavenly God powerhouse, not someone anyone would dare to offend lightly.
Moreover, this Martial God demonic core was clearly intended for Crown Prince Xia Yang's cultivation. Anyone could see this young man's talent—a possessor of divine qualification. Even the powerhouses of the four superpowers were vying to extend olive branches to him. At this moment, if one spoke up to bid, they would not only offend the Xia Feng royal family but also the four superpowers.
Immediately, many people's expressions changed, and they fell silent. The auction hall instantly sank into a deep quiet, and the four superpowers did not open their mouths to bid.
Seeing this situation, Ye Chen in the private booth said, "Li Yun, lend me some money."
Li Yun's face changed slightly. "Young Friend Ye Chen, you intend to..."
"That's right, I want to bid," Ye Chen nodded in acknowledgment.
At this moment, on the auction stage, the host was also somewhat stunned. He had originally thought the Martial God demonic core could fetch a higher price, but as soon as the kingdom's ancestor spoke, no one dared to bid anymore. Clearly, it couldn't reach the price he had anticipated.
After a pause, the host said somewhat unwillingly, "Is there anyone who still wishes to continue bidding? This is a Martial God demonic core. If a Martial God powerhouse obtains it and fully absorbs all its energy, it is enough to increase their cultivation by two or three minor realms or more, greatly reducing cultivation time. The opportunity is truly rare; Martial God demonic cores are not auctioned at every moment."
Hearing the host's words, many people were extremely tempted. But after seeing the slightly cold expression on the face of the kingdom's ancestor from the Xia Feng royal family, they had no choice but to suppress the restlessness in their hearts.
Although they yearned for it immensely, offending the ancestor of the Xia Feng royal family at this time was undoubtedly a rather unwise move.
Seeing that still no one was bidding, the host had no choice but to say, "In that case, one million gold coins for the first time—"
"One million gold coins for the second time—"
"One million gold coins for the thir—"
Before the words could finish, a clear, bright voice suddenly interrupted. It was a handsome young man speaking: "I bid one million one hundred thousand!"
The entire hall fell silent. Following the gaze, it was clearly from the Alchemist Heart Palace's private booth. There, a handsome young man had spoken, calling out a higher bid!
"It's Ye Chen!"
The kingdom's ancestor was stunned, clearly not understanding why the other party would go against his wishes and oppose him.
Everyone else was dumbfounded. Who didn't know that the Crown Prince was currently being courted by the four superpowers? To oppose the Xia Feng royal family at this time was undoubtedly very unwise.
Ye Chen cupped his hands from afar towards the kingdom's ancestor and said, "My apologies, Senior. This junior also has great use for this Martial God demonic core; it is indispensable."
This concerned the great completion of the Human Yuan Body Art; he could not yield.
The kingdom's ancestor's expression sank slightly, not looking too pleased. This Martial God demonic core was intended for Xia Yang's cultivation; he naturally could not yield. So he said, "Since Young Friend Ye Chen wishes to bid, then this old man would like to see what wealth you possess that can compare with my royal family. One million five hundred thousand!"
He raised the bid by four hundred thousand gold coins in one go. Truly worthy of a kingdom's royal family, indeed rich and imposing.
And by the looks of it, the kingdom's ancestor was clearly angered at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen smiled slightly. "One million six hundred thousand!"
Then, Ye Chen handed a note to an auction house staff member, asking him to deliver it to the kingdom's ancestor.
The kingdom's ancestor snorted coldly, originally intending to call out another bid. At that moment, a staff member carefully handed him a slip of paper, saying it was entrusted by Ye Chen. The ancestor was puzzled, but upon opening it, his expression changed drastically. He actually no longer spoke up to bid. All of this left everyone utterly stunned.
What on earth had this young man written on that slip of paper for the kingdom's ancestor, making him stop bidding? It made everyone intensely curious.
The first auction item ultimately fell into Ye Chen's hands for one million six hundred thousand gold coins, causing countless esteemed figures to burn with envy. Because that was a Martial God demonic core; its true value was actually far more than one million six hundred thousand gold coins. But since the royal family's ancestor didn't speak up, others naturally didn't dare to either.
In the private booth, Shuangshuang asked curiously, "Brother Ye Chen, what exactly did you write on that note you gave to the kingdom's ancestor?"
Even Li Yun was somewhat curious.
Ye Chen smiled slightly, not hiding it either, and slowly said, "Great Sage Hong Tian, Slaying the Heavens Holy Alliance!"