Chapter 993: Kailu Deer Cauldron
Two burly half-blood wolf-men carried a three-zhang-tall bronze cauldron onto the auction stage.
Even though they were quite careful, when the cauldron landed on the ground, it still emitted a clanging sound, and its four legs pressed the stage surface slightly downward.
This showed just how heavy the bronze cauldron was.
"This bronze cauldron must weigh at least eight hundred thousand jin. It's not made from ordinary materials."
The crowd stared at the bronze cauldron on the auction stage, all whispering among themselves.
The massive bronze cauldron was completely covered in green patina. Beneath the patina, dense characters were carved, exuding an ancient charm.
Qi Feiyu stood below the cauldron and began to introduce it: "This cauldron is called the Kailu Deer Cauldron. It was an ancestral artifact that the Holy Bright Central Empire of old used in its rituals to honor ancestors, gods, and heaven and earth."
"During the war eight hundred years ago, the Holy Bright Central Empire fell, the imperial city was breached, and the entire city was engulfed in slaughter and looting. Amidst the flames of war, the Kailu Deer Cauldron, which carried the nation's destiny, was lost. It changed hands several times before finally falling into the possession of the Moon-Worshipping Cult."
"..."
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on the bronze cauldron, and familiar memories surged back like a tide, seemingly transporting him eight hundred years into the past.
Every year on the Winter Solstice, amid heavy snowfall, Zhang Ruochen, attended by palace maids, would bathe and burn incense, don a clean and neat python-dragon imperial robe, and follow the Ming Emperor and the civil and military officials to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, to the gods, beneath the Kailu Deer Cauldron, praying for the nation's fortune in the coming year.
In his ears, it seemed he could hear the maids calling him to rise, and the Grand Tutor reading the sacrificial text aloud.
The Kailu Deer Cauldron was indeed a treasured ancestral artifact of the Holy Bright Central Empire, but it was not a particularly powerful war weapon; its value was limited.
For the remnants of the Holy Bright Central Empire, however, it held extraordinary significance, carrying the nation's destiny of that empire.
Obtaining it would allow one to rally forces and contend for the realm.
Perhaps the Moon-Worshipping Cult, seeing that the Kunlun Realm was on the verge of chaos, had put the Kailu Deer Cauldron up for auction to stir the muddy waters even further.
Murong Yue's eyes showed surprise. She immediately turned her head and fixed her gaze on Zhang Ruochen, saying, "Your Highness..."
Zhang Ruochen raised a hand to stop her from continuing, saying, "Later, you will bid on our behalf. No matter what, we must secure the Kailu Deer Cauldron."
"But, Your Highness, I don't have that many sacred stones on me." Murong Yue showed a hint of worry.
"Don't worry about sacred stones. I will use divine blood to replace them. I believe the cultivators of the cult would prefer to receive divine blood." Zhang Ruochen said.
With Zhang Ruochen's full support, Murong Yue felt relieved.
"The Kailu Deer Cauldron, starting bid: ten thousand sacred stones. Each bid must increase by no less than one hundred sacred stones."
When Qi Feiyu announced the starting price of the Kailu Deer Cauldron, a loud chorus of sighs erupted in the auction hall.
After all, the Kailu Deer Cauldron was just an ancient bronze vessel, not even a hundred-pattern sacred artifact. If it weren't for its status as the ancestral artifact of the Holy Bright Central Empire, no one would buy it even at a starting price of one sacred stone.
"The Pearl Light Pavilion is really asking for a sky-high price. They're clearly trying to fleece Kong Hongbi." A sect master-level figure said with a low laugh.
The cultivators present all knew that the Kailu Deer Cauldron was important to the Bright Hall, and Kong Hongbi would definitely bid for it.
A cold glint flashed in Kong Hongbi's eyes. He felt a hint of hatred toward the Moon-Worshipping Cult and silently resolved to find a way to retaliate in the future.
Ten thousand sacred stones was indeed an exorbitant price, but it was still within Kong Hongbi's tolerance.
"Ten thousand sacred stones." Kong Hongbi called out the price.
In the auction hall, the three stewards of the Pearl Light Pavilion all nodded with satisfaction, feeling pleased.
Just when everyone thought Kong Hongbi would secure the Kailu Deer Cauldron for ten thousand sacred stones, Murong Yue, sitting beside Zhang Ruochen, called out a price: "Eleven thousand sacred stones."
The crowd exchanged glances and turned to look at Murong Yue, murmuring among themselves.
An old man, revealing Murong Yue's background, said, "Murong Yue is an outstanding heir of the Murong Clan, and the Murong Clan was once a powerful noble family of the Holy Bright Central Empire. Could it be that the Murong Clan also wants to contend for the realm and rebuild the Holy Bright Central Empire?"
Various speculations arose in the auction hall.
Of course, it was only in the Black Market headquarters' auction hall that they dared to speak such treasonous words. If it were in the Martial Market's auction hall, anyone who mentioned rebuilding the Holy Bright Central Empire would surely have their family exterminated.
Kong Hongbi glanced at Murong Yue with disdain, saying, "I didn't expect the Murong Clan to be so interested in the Kailu Deer Cauldron. Unfortunately, the orthodox line of the Holy Bright Central Empire lies with the Bright Hall. Even if the Murong Clan obtains the Kailu Deer Cauldron, they won't be able to command the heroes."
Then, Kong Hongbi raised the bid: "Twelve thousand sacred stones."
"Thirteen thousand sacred stones."
"Fifteen thousand sacred stones."
...
The price skyrocketed.
When Murong Yue called out the exorbitant price of "twenty thousand sacred stones," even Kong Hongbi hesitated slightly.
On the other hand, the three stewards of the Pearl Light Pavilion grew happier and happier, beaming with smiles, hoping Kong Hongbi and Murong Yue would drive the price even higher.
Guigu Saint General frowned and transmitted a message to Kong Hongbi, saying, "Young Hall Master, Murong Yue clearly came prepared and is determined to win the Kailu Deer Cauldron. If you two keep raising the price, it might not stop even at fifty thousand sacred stones, and in the end, it will only benefit the Moon-Worshipping Cult."
Kong Hongbi, already harboring resentment toward the Moon-Worshipping Cult, asked upon hearing Guigu Saint General's words, "What do you mean?"
Guigu Saint General gave a sinister smile: "Murong Yue will have to transport the Kailu Deer Cauldron back to the Eastern Domain. But the Central Domain is the Bright Hall's territory. How easy will it be for her to leave the Central Domain? We can ambush her halfway, seize the Kailu Deer Cauldron without spending a single sacred stone."
"That's true. The Murong Clan's sacred stones are also the Bright Hall's wealth. Why should we let the Moon-Worshipping Cult benefit?" Kong Hongbi squinted his eyes, a murderous intent hidden in his pupils.
Kong Hongbi did not bid further on the Kailu Deer Cauldron, and in the end, Murong Yue secured it for twenty thousand sacred stones.
Murong Yue was somewhat surprised, saying, "Kong Hongbi wouldn't give up the Kailu Deer Cauldron so easily. He must have ulterior motives."
"Forget about him. The Kailu Deer Cauldron belongs to the Holy Bright Central Empire, not the Bright Hall."
Zhang Ruochen handed ten thousand sacred stones to the Grand Minister of Works and two jars of divine blood to Murong Yue, instructing them to retrieve the elephant soul of the Green Armored Saint Elephant and the Kailu Deer Cauldron respectively.
After paying one hundred and twenty sacred stones to retrieve two Withered Wood Pills, Zhang Ruochen, accompanied by the Stone Beauty, left the auction hall first.
As the two walked out of the auction hall, a pattering sound came from outside. Unbeknownst to them, a thunderstorm had begun.
Bolts of lightning, like dragons and snakes, streaked across the sky, emitting dazzling light. Then, ear-splitting thunderclaps rolled out from the clouds.
The rain fell even harder.
Ouyang Heng, holding an oil-paper umbrella, walked through the rain, exuding a calm and composed aura. Smiling, he said, "Brother Gu, I've prepared the best room for you at the Heavenly Music Pavilion."
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the Stone Beauty, gently brushing the hair from her face with his fingers, then turned to Ouyang Heng and said, "Thank you."
"Take Young Master Gu to the Heavenly Music Pavilion."
Ouyang Heng lightly beckoned with his finger, and two elegant and dignified maids walked out.
The two maids led Zhang Ruochen to the Heavenly Music Pavilion and then withdrew.
The three-story redwood pavilion came with a courtyard, where ancient pines and bamboos were planted. They swayed in the rain, making a rustling sound.
On the third floor of the pavilion, a single red candle was lit.
As the cold wind blew, the candle flame flickered continuously, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Zhang Ruochen and the Stone Beauty sat cross-legged on the floor, facing each other from a distance of one zhang.
Zhang Ruochen stared into her eyes and said, "Ling Feiyu, I don't know what happened to you. But you need to wake up. Otherwise, the two of us might not see tomorrow's sun."
Just now, Zhang Ruochen had released his spiritual power and detected over a dozen powerful auras around the pavilion. They were hidden in the wind and rain, carrying killing intent.
The Stone Beauty sat on the ground, her long hair scattered like a rain waterfall. Under the candlelight, her skin appeared exceptionally crystalline, like a layer of fine jade wax.
Zhang Ruochen observed her eyes and probed, "Did that battle with the Azure Heaven Blood Emperor crush your will?"
The Stone Beauty's eyelashes trembled slightly.
At the same time, her ten slender fingers also trembled incessantly, like a fragile quail.
Seeing her reaction, Zhang Ruochen immediately continued, "Ling Feiyu, the unparalleled genius of three hundred years ago, unmatched among her peers, never once defeated. You are proud, your heart is full of confidence, and you look down on everyone."
"Your path of cultivation has been too smooth, without any setbacks. Or rather, any setback before you could be easily resolved."
"That is precisely why your sacred path has a huge flaw."
"You are like an exquisite and flawless ceramic vase, without any blemish, full of beauty, drawing the most attention wherever it is placed. But with just a gentle tap of a hammer, you shatter into pieces, never to be repaired..."
"Stop it!"
Tears flowed from the Stone Beauty's eyes, delicate like pear blossoms in the wind and rain.
At that moment, Zhang Ruochen finally confirmed that Ling Feiyu's state of mind was indeed broken. Her spiritual will had been severely damaged, causing her to collapse.
Zhang Ruochen stared at her and said, "Losing to the Azure Heaven Blood Emperor is nothing to be ashamed of. Who hasn't lost before? How many times have I lost to you, and have I ever fallen?"
"I am no longer the Ling Feiyu of before. I am just a Stone Beauty."
The Stone Beauty closed her eyes, not daring to meet Zhang Ruochen's gaze, and gently shook her head, saying, "Tonight, we will not die."
Then, the Stone Beauty slowly removed her clothes, revealing a delicate and translucent body. She took the initiative to approach Zhang Ruochen, pressing her soft red lips against his cheek.
Her body, like warm jade and fragrant incense, fell into Zhang Ruochen's arms, and she tried to untie his belt.
"Slap!"
A resounding slap echoed.
Immediately after, the Stone Beauty flew backward, crashing heavily into a table with a thud, knocking over the candle stand.
The candlelight went out, plunging the entire room into darkness.
"Whoosh."
The cold wind from outside continuously poured in.
Zhang Ruochen walked over, staring at the Stone Beauty lying on the ground and crying. He clenched his fingers and shook his head, saying, "I have never hit a woman, but you made me break that rule. I hit you because I don't want to see you continue to sink."
If Zhang Ruochen had compromised tonight and taken the Stone Beauty's virginity, he could indeed have fooled the cult's cultivators and left the Pearl Light Pavilion safely.
Moreover, the Stone Beauty clearly didn't want Zhang Ruochen to be troubled, so she had taken the initiative.
But Zhang Ruochen knew very well that if he did that, she would truly die, and her spiritual will would never recover.
From then on, there would only be the Stone Beauty, and never again Ling Feiyu.
Zhang Ruochen ultimately couldn't bear it. He let out a soft sigh, helped the Stone Beauty up, and redressed her, saying, "Don't worry. Heaven never seals off all exits. Tonight, I will do everything in my power to carve a bloody path and take you out of here." (To be continued.)