Chapter 341: Holy Lands and Imperial Dynasties Make Grand Moves
"Three hundred thousand catties of Source!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the auction hall fell into dead silence, stunning everyone present. The great figures from the Central Province, with a momentum that could swallow mountains and rivers, directly called out three hundred thousand catties of Source.
"Have they gone mad? A damaged divine medicine worth only one hundred fifty thousand catties of Source, and they doubled the price!"
In the hall, even the senior figures changed color. Faced with such a grand move, even the Holy Lands might have no recourse.
In the VIP room, the four mysterious great figures from the Central Province remained calm, as if that wasn't three hundred thousand catties of Source but just a pile of stones.
They were all middle-aged men, each bearing an extraordinary demeanor, like heavenly kings descending to the world! The four wore dragon crowns, exuding a majestic, soul-shaking presence.
Their true ages were unknown to anyone.
These four great figures did not belong to the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty, because the Great Xia Prince and the little nun were in another room, accompanying a royal uncle of Great Xia.
"Three hundred ten thousand catties of Source!" An old monk from the Western Desert spoke up.
"Three hundred thirty thousand catties of Source!" In the VIP room, a middle-aged man wearing a dragon crown calmly raised the bid.
The auction hall fell silent at once. Even someone as powerful as Xu Tianxiong sat down. Though he was a terrifyingly great figure, he was not yet qualified when it came to Source.
"In one breath, they added twenty thousand catties of Source. Truly swallowing mountains and rivers, treating Source as if it were nothing."
"These are indeed great figures from the Central Province. The immortal ancient imperial dynasties, ruling over billions of miles of land, are truly unmatched."
Everyone was stunned, whispering among themselves.
"The Central Province has four immortal imperial dynasties, plus the Hundred Schools of Thought and many ancient great sects. Which ancient dynasty do they come from?"
"Judging by their dragon crowns and attire, they should be from the immortal Guhua Imperial Dynasty, with a long and flourishing heritage!"
"They are definitely here for Purple Mountain, aiming for Emperor Wu Shi's legacy, buying the divine medicine to save their lives."
As the crowd deduced their identities, they became even more wary. An immortal imperial dynasty surpassed even the Holy Lands, and few major powers in the world could contend with them.
"Three hundred forty thousand catties of Source!" Yaoguang Holy Land bid. As a great sect of the Eastern Wasteland, they were determined to obtain the human-shaped divine medicine and naturally refused to fall behind at this critical moment.
"Three hundred fifty thousand catties of Source." One of the great figures from Guhua Imperial Dynasty spoke again, though not as aggressively as before.
In the VIP room, Ye Fan and Li Heishui exchanged glances. According to Yao Yuekong's analysis, if a Saint Lord returned severely injured from attacking Purple Mountain, the damaged human-shaped divine medicine could fetch up to three hundred fifty thousand catties of Source.
Now, that number had been reached, but it seemed there was still room to rise!
Sure enough, someone from the Primordial Jiang Family called out a bid, raising the damaged human-shaped divine medicine to three hundred sixty thousand catties of Source.
"Three hundred seventy thousand catties of Source!" Yaoguang Holy Land continued to raise the price.
The Saint Lord of Yaoguang had been severely wounded and needed this human-shaped divine medicine to heal and recover quickly. Otherwise, if delayed, he might not be able to participate in the next assault on Purple Mountain.
"Three hundred eighty thousand catties of Source." When a great figure from Guhua Imperial Dynasty reported this price, his expression was as calm as an ancient well.
At this point, the other Holy Lands and Primordial Aristocratic Clans stopped bidding, and the old monk from the Western Desert Buddhist sect also withdrew from the competition.
"Four hundred thousand catties of Source!" Yaoguang directly pushed the divine medicine to a round-numbered astronomical price.
A great figure from Guhua Imperial Dynasty, wearing a dragon crown, showed no change in expression and said, "Four hundred ten thousand catties of Source."
Yaoguang Holy Land fell silent for a long time. It wasn't that they couldn't afford it, but they felt that continuing would be futile. Their opponent came from an immortal imperial dynasty with deep reserves. If they were determined to win, it would become a sky-high price war.
"Four hundred ten thousand catties of Source, first call. Four hundred ten thousand catties of Source, second call..."
"Thump!"
The hammer fell. In the end, the great figure from Guhua Imperial Dynasty secured the human-shaped divine medicine for four hundred ten thousand catties of Source.
"They've gone mad. Its actual value is over one hundred thousand catties of Source, yet it reached this number..."
No one could believe it. The figure was too shocking, hard to accept.
"Even the Holy Lands can be overpowered by force. The major powers of the Central Province are truly unimaginable!" Li Heishui was dumbfounded.
It was even higher than the predicted astronomical price, truly beyond their expectations.
Ye Fan said, "It's just a convergence of circumstances and coincidences. If not for the appearance of the great figures from the Central Province and the Western Desert, such a sky-high price would never have happened."
The finale rare treasure—the divine medicine—was settled with a single hammer blow. People buzzed with discussion, and some stood up, ready to leave.
"Everyone, please stay. We have received a last-minute commission for another rare treasure auction." On the golden diamond dragon platform, the white-haired old man spoke.
"What else is there? Even the divine medicine has been auctioned. Is there something even more attractive?" someone asked.
The old man in charge of the auction smiled and said, "I think many people here will be very interested."
"What is it exactly?"
"The Human Origin Fruit!" the white-haired old man said, standing on the golden diamond dragon platform, uttering these three words.
"What?!" Many were shocked.
"A Human Origin Fruit cut from stone?" Many among the senior figures knew of it.
"Legend has it that this thing is extremely hard to find. Apart from an Origin Heavenly Master, only a demon king with some true dragon blood flowing in his veins can discover it through innate divine arts. This fruit is a false dragon pearl born from the earth."
"Exactly!" The white-haired old man nodded.
"Boom!"
The auction hall erupted in excitement. Everyone sat back down, no longer leaving.
"A Human Origin Fruit! This is a rare treasure for extending life!"
"To think something like this has been cut out. It's been many years since we last heard of it."
Everyone present was astonished, all discussing it. First, a divine medicine appeared, and now someone was auctioning this fruit. It was jaw-dropping.
"Although the Human Origin Fruit can't compare to ancient divine medicine, it is still a rare worldly treasure."
"Who told you it can't compare to divine medicine? That's because it hasn't matured yet. If it continuously absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, it can become an Earth Life Fruit, also called a false dragon pearl, and it won't be inferior to divine medicine."
Inside the VIP room, Ye Fan gained a lot of knowledge. This fruit, even when born in stone, could still grow by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon.
The people from the Holy Lands were the most unsettled, especially Yaoguang Holy Land. Having missed the human-shaped divine medicine, learning that there was still a Human Origin Fruit was an unexpected delight.
"Everyone, please be quiet!" The white-haired old man carried a jade cauldron onto the dragon platform and placed it at the highest point.
"Take it out and let us see it!" someone from below shouted.
The jade cauldron was opened. A somewhat damaged fruit, sealed in a transparent jade vessel, was displayed on the high platform. A faint, refreshing fragrance wafted through the air.
"Why is this fruit damaged?"
Everyone present was a cultivator, with eyes like lightning. They immediately spotted the key issue.
"It's been bitten by something. Most of its spiritual energy has leaked out. What a waste!"
"Who bit it? Such a waste of a heavenly treasure! The Human Origin Fruit is meant to be refined. How could someone bite into it? It's a miracle they weren't poisoned!"
...
Hearing these angry voices, Ye Fan's forehead was covered in black lines. He felt the urge to kick the Big Black Dog again. That damn dog really knew how to ruin things.
"Wait, those look like canine teeth marks. Could it have been bitten by a dog?"
These people had sharp eyes. Many senior figures had seen it all and immediately recognized the teeth marks.
"It really was bitten by a dog! Which dog deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces for this?"
"This is a Human Origin Fruit! Who's such a bastard to feed it to a dog?"
Ye Fan heard these words and couldn't say anything.
At the critical moment, the white-haired old man from the Heavenly Demon Treasure Pavilion calmed their dissatisfaction. "Everyone, this item was collected from the countryside. An old farmer casually broke a stone and found it, naturally unaware of its value."
"Still, you can't feed it to a dog?!"
"Damn it, this is infuriating! What kind of thing is this? A heaven-cursed wastrel!"
A group of old men glared, cursing repeatedly.
Inside the VIP room, Li Heishui was laughing wildly, while Ye Fan was so depressed he was speechless.
"This Human Origin Fruit has a reserve price of fifty thousand catties of Source," the white-haired old man announced, and the auction began.
Immediately, a wave of dissatisfaction rose from below.
"If it weren't damaged, it would be worth over two hundred thousand catties of Source. But now, it won't exceed fifty thousand. Why set the reserve price so high?"
"That's right. Most of its spiritual energy has leaked out."
Despite the complaints, everyone furrowed their brows and began bidding.
Even though it had been bitten by a dog, it was still a Human Origin Fruit, a rare worldly treasure with the divine effect of extending life.
Among them, the Holy Lands were the most conflicted. They wanted to give up but couldn't bear to, especially Yaoguang Holy Land, who bid with their noses pinched.
"Sixty thousand catties of Source!"
"Seventy thousand catties of Source!"
"Eighty thousand catties of Source!"
"Is there something wrong? This has been gnawed by a dog, and you're still fighting me this fiercely?"
"If you don't like it, then stop bidding. I bid ninety thousand catties of Source."
Li Heishui was laughing heartily. Seeing a group of old men fighting over a Human Origin Fruit bitten by a dog, he felt like pounding the ground in laughter.
But soon, his smile froze. His grandfather stood up and bid, "Ninety thousand catties of Source!"
"I... old man, why are you fighting over a fruit bitten by a dog?!" His black face was full of shock.
Ye Fan laughed and said, "This thing is second only to divine medicine. You should congratulate your grandfather."
"You're speaking without feeling the pain!" Li Heishui replied irritably.
"Hey, Great Bandit Li, you're in your prime with plenty of life left. Why are you competing with us?" an old man said, extremely dissatisfied.
Li Heishui's grandfather replied unhurriedly, "This is for my grandson. I want to refine a furnace of spirit pills to boost his cultivation."
"I..." Li Heishui was speechless, his mouth agape. He had been laughing wildly just moments ago, only to find that he might be the one to enjoy this dog-bitten fruit.
"One hundred thousand catties of Source." At that moment, Red Dragon Daoist, sitting in a corner, spoke. His voice wasn't loud, very calm.
When the group of old men saw it was him, they all sat down and refused to speak again. Even the Third Great Bandit, Xu Tianxiong, remained silent.
"One hundred twenty thousand catties of Source." Yaoguang Holy Land bid. Only a major power like this dared to defy the terrifying Red Dragon Daoist.
Red Dragon Daoist didn't bid again, as he truly lacked Source.
In the end, no one competed with Yaoguang, knowing they were determined to win. The Human Origin Fruit was sold for one hundred twenty thousand catties of Source.
The people from Yaoguang accepted the result with their noses pinched.
The four great figures from Guhua Imperial Dynasty, wearing dragon crowns and exuding an imposing aura, left first.
When they came out, everyone cleared a path, deeply wary. These were definitely the super-terrifying experts heading to Purple Mountain.
Then, several old monks from the Western Desert also left the Heavenly Demon Treasure Pavilion. Seeing the divine rings behind their heads, everyone was deeply shocked.
People knew that the third assault on Purple Mountain was about to begin.
As Ye Fan and Li Heishui walked out of the VIP room, they saw Wu Ziming, Li Chongtian, and the brocade-clad man.
"From today onward, if you dare show up at the Holy Land Stone Gambling Parlors, you'll understand the result. Heh!" Wu Ziming sneered coldly.
Li Heishui also sneered, "I remember what you said. You wanted to bet until our faces turned green, so we'd never dare set foot in this business again."
"You understand well!"
Li Heishui said, "Ridiculous. You think whatever you say goes? I just want to know who this gentleman you've invited is and what his background is."
The brocade-clad man walked straight ahead without even glancing at him, completely ignoring him. He only said lightly to Wu Ziming beside him, "Dealing with them doesn't even count as a bet. It's just a casual matter. I came to Divine City this time to cut a piece of Divine Source to take back as a birthday gift for my grandfather."
Li Heishui sneered, looking at his back, and said, "Good, good, good. Then we'll meet at the Holy Land Stone Gambling Parlors. A stone gambling showdown—let's see whose face turns green!"
"Fighting you counts as a showdown?" The brocade-clad man glanced lightly at the two and left directly.
"Rough country arts dare to compare with someone from the Tuoba Aristocratic Clan? In the past, even an Origin Heavenly Master visited their family." Wu Ziming laughed loudly, turning back to say, "As long as you show up at the stone gambling parlors, we'll naturally appear and show you what real Source Art is."
A fragrant breeze swept by as An Miaoyi passed by, smiling lightly. "Will there be a stone gambling showdown? Miaoyi will definitely come to watch."
"Oh, is that so?" The Great Xia Prince and the White-Robed Little Nun also happened to walk out of the VIP room. Hearing this, they were surprised.
Ahead, Wu Ziming stopped and turned back with a smile. "If Fairy An can come, we'd be more than happy. Such a duel might be even more interesting to watch."
Then, he invited the Great Xia Prince, "Your Highness, you must come. This is a world-shaking genius from the ancient Source Art Aristocratic Clan, the Tuoba Family. Three years ago, he found Divine Source in an ancient mine."
"Someone from the Tuoba Family?" The Great Xia Prince was startled. "This is one of the most ancient Source Art Aristocratic Clans. Legend has it they can fix dragon veins and lock down mountains and rivers."
"Someone has found Divine Source alone in an ancient mine?" Jiang Yifei, an outstanding talent from the Jiang Family, walked over in white clothes, a refined smile on his face.
Wu Ziming quickly introduced him. "This is the genius from the Tuoba Family. He cut out Divine Source alone in an ancient mine."
The brocade-clad man stopped as well. Even with his arrogance and conceit, he dared not ignore the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty and the Primordial Aristocratic Clan.
Ye Fan's heart stirred. The brocade-clad man from the Tuoba Family was indeed extraordinary, his Source Art truly astonishing. Otherwise, he couldn't have cut out Divine Source.
An Miaoyi's black hair danced in the wind, her bright eyes sparkling, her flawless jade-like face blooming with a moving smile. "A duel between Source Art geniuses will surely shake Divine City. Miaoyi will definitely come to watch."
"Indeed, we will certainly go. This will be a grand event. Who knows, we might cut out a rare treasure even more precious than ancient divine medicine!"
The Great Xia Prince and Jiang Yifei nodded in agreement, saying they would go to the Holy Land Stone Gambling Parlors to watch the Source Art duel. Even the White-Robed Little Nun's big eyes sparkled.
The brocade-clad man, Tuoba Chang, only glanced lightly at Ye Fan, as if he didn't even consider him an opponent. But in front of An Miaoyi, the Great Xia Prince, and others, he didn't say much.