Before the Auction Grand Event began, the Zhou Tian Clan Leader passed by the private box where Ye Chen was located, pausing briefly.
"Clan Leader Zhou!"
Ye Chen nodded politely. Although he had been assigned to the lowest-grade box, he held great respect for that imposing Zhou Tian Clan Leader. Even now, when many major powers wished to distance themselves from him immediately, the Clan Leader still treated them with such courtesy—a venerable senior worthy of respect.
The Zhou Tian Clan Leader merely gave a faint nod in return, offering no verbal response, and departed directly.
This scene further confirmed for many important figures that the Zhou Tian Clan Leader also seemed to be giving this Master Qian the cold shoulder, intentionally avoiding him.
Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged, though he sighed inwardly. Had he misjudged the Zhou Tian Clan Leader as well?
Just then, the voice of the Zhou Tian Clan Leader suddenly echoed in his mind: "Young Friend Qian, during the Auction Grand Event, take the opportunity to leave Zhoutian City via the teleportation array in your box. Leave as soon as possible, and do not return."
Ye Chen was momentarily stunned, then felt an even deeper reverence for the Zhou Tian Clan Leader.
This clan chieftain, a Nine Tribulation Divine King, though unwilling to overly offend the Three Alien Imperial Clans for the sake of the entire Zhoutian Clan, still harbored intentions to help him. He had arranged this seemingly shabby box, yet left within it a teleportation array for a safe departure.
"Thank you!"
Ye Chen transmitted his voice back, expressing sincere gratitude.
Inside the box, Ye Chen indeed discovered the teleportation array. It was very well concealed. With his mastery of formations, he naturally deduced its corresponding coordinates—it could teleport him to a region millions of miles beyond Zhoutian City.
Moreover, this was a single-use teleportation array. Once used, it would immediately disintegrate, leaving no trace.
Ye Chen engraved this kindness from the Zhou Tian Clan Leader firmly in his heart.
Although Ye Chen's enmity with the Three Alien Imperial Clans came first, with the commencement of the Auction Grand Event, many quickly immersed themselves in the proceedings, beginning to bid.
"The decennial Auction Grand Event is about to begin. With all you esteemed figures present, I dare not waste words. Let us commence the auction directly. The first auction item is now up for bid—"
As the auction items were presented, accompanied by the auctioneer's inflammatory commentary, the atmosphere was instantly ignited, becoming lively.
One extraordinary treasure after another appeared in succession. These included unique manuscripts from Nine Tribulation Divine Kings, treasures related to alchemy, pills, and more. From time to time, they sparked genuine exclamations and excitement throughout the auction hall. Important figures from various major powers competed fiercely in the bidding, causing a fervent uproar.
"Thirty million for the first time! Is there anyone else who wishes to bid? This is a treasure for the ages, indispensable—"
"Thirty million for the second time! Is there truly no one else? Once this opportunity passes, it's gone. In the future, chances to obtain such an item will be few and far between in a lifetime—"
"Thirty million for the thir— Someone has placed a bid! Thirty-five million! Is there anyone offering a higher price—"
The auctioneer conducted the auction with great flair, driving the prices of the items higher and higher, often reaching tens of millions, shaking the entire venue.
Some auctioned treasures even surpassed a hundred million early on. Although spirit stones within the Ten Heavens Ancient Domain were far less abundant and more scarce compared to the outside world, for the important figures of the major powers, sparing no expense to obtain their desired treasures was only natural.
Overall, the entire Auction Grand Event was quite lively.
During the auction, some unexpected incidents also occurred.
For instance, when the fifteenth treasure was being auctioned, a seductively clad, partially exposed woman presented a fruit on the auction stage. Its entire body was covered in dense scales, each scale inscribed with unique Great Dao patterns. Though it was a fruit, it emanated a faint, supreme pressure—
Dragon Might!
The auctioneer addressed the numerous important figures: "Esteemed guests, this is no ordinary fruit. It is a Dragon Scale Fruit. As is widely known, the Dragon Race is a powerful race. Pure-blooded True Dragons, in particular, are hailed as Supreme beings. Once they reach their peak, they invariably become Supreme-level existences revered throughout the ages."
"Where pure-blooded True Dragons reside, extraordinary rare fruits and herbs often emerge. For example, the Dragon Soul Grass, which was originally scheduled for auction at this event, is one such item. Legend says it contains the soul of a pure-blooded True Dragon. If a dragon consumes Dragon Soul Grass, there is a certain hope it can shed its old form, transform into a pure-blooded True Dragon, and soar across the heavens."
"Unfortunately, before the Auction Grand Event began, the Dragon Soul Grass was privately traded between its owner and another party. Therefore, it cannot be auctioned."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of many important figures changed. Quite a few had come specifically for the Dragon Soul Grass, especially alchemists.
"The Dragon Soul Grass was privately traded? Impossible! Who was it?"
"Who took the Dragon Soul Grass?"
The auction hall erupted into noisy commotion. Because it was the Dragon Soul Grass, many important figures had prepared specific means just to win it at auction. But now the auctioneer claimed it had been privately traded before the auction even began.
They all wanted to know who had managed to secure the Dragon Soul Grass ahead of them.
The Three Alien Imperial Clans were no exception. Their faces darkened one by one. Their arrival served a dual purpose: to investigate and obtain information on the Battle Saint King, and also because they had heard the Dragon Soul Grass would be auctioned at the Zhoutian Grand Ceremony's Auction Grand Event.
If the Alien Emperor Clans obtained the Dragon Soul Grass, their goal would be to cultivate a pure-blooded True Dragon belonging to their alien race—a future Supreme being, and perhaps even a chance to locate that mysterious Dragon Race homeland.
It was said that within the Chaos Sea, aside from a limited few pure-blooded True Dragons, all others either resided in or were buried within the mysterious Dragon Race homeland.
The primordial Ancestral Dragon was also thus...
Looking at the shocked and clamoring important figures from various major powers below, the auctioneer felt somewhat flustered. If not for the supreme treasure stabilizing the auction hall and the presence of the Zhou Tian Clan Leader and other Zhoutian Clan elders, he would have been panicked. Even now, he was somewhat anxious and explained with a bitter smile: "Esteemed lords, regarding the owner of the Dragon Soul Grass and the trading party, that is confidential information. Our Zhoutian Clan must beg your pardon and cannot disclose it."
"Unacceptable! This lord came specifically for the Dragon Soul Grass. The Zhoutian Clan must provide an explanation!"
"Many of the powers present came precisely for the Dragon Soul Grass. Now you tell us it was privately traded? How are we supposed to accept this?"
"Breaking trust with others—is this how the Zhoutian Clan operates?"
"Tell us, who privately traded for the Dragon Soul Grass!"
Many important figures in the hall spoke up, the atmosphere growing very tense. Unconsciously, many began to release their auras.
The auctioneer on the stage paled slightly. Everyone present was a true decision-maker from a top-tier power. There wasn't a single one he could afford to offend.