The Xu Residence.
Under the Withered Glory Tree.
Xu Chuan cultivated in silence.
Moyue descended from the sky, sounding slightly indignant. "Xu Chuan, you're really not being a good friend! Connate Spirit Objects are incredibly useful to our demon race too.
Not to mention it's a high-grade one!
And you actually put it up for auction!"
"If you wanted it, why didn't you just say so?" Xu Chuan chuckled softly.
"Given my... my exalted status, how could I act like someone begging for food!" Moyue stubbornly retorted.
"There were two portions of the Profound Origin Heavy Water. I had originally thought of saving one for a certain someone, but since they don't appreciate it, I suppose I'll just use it myself."
"You don't even major in water-attribute techniques, giving it to you is a waste!"
Raising a hand, Moyue instantly snatched the Profound Origin Heavy Water into his palm. He grinned, "Seeing as you handed it over on your own initiative, I won't hold it against you!
Once I comprehend the true intent of this heavy water, all my spell arts will transform. A casual strike will carry the might of a divine ability! Let's see how that old bastard Qi Tianxiong fights me then!"
"I hope you truly can comprehend it and won't let it go to waste."
"Stop looking down on me, I'm going to work hard on it right now!"
"Go patrol first!"
"Got it!"
Moyue waved his hand, transforming back into his flood dragon true form. He opened his maw, swallowing the Profound Origin Heavy Water before soaring into the sky.
While Connate Spirit Objects were precious, as long as they were put to good use, there was no such thing as a waste.
Xu Chuan even considered whether he should use five elements Connate Spirit Objects to comprehend the Five Elements Creation Palm.
The more he meditated on it, the more he realized that to fully comprehend it, the most basic prerequisite was to reach the entry-level of the Five Elements True Intent.
Only then could he reach the realm where the Five Elements give birth to Creation.
The threshold and difficulty of comprehending this divine ability were the highest he had ever encountered in his life.
Even Nascent Soul cultivators might not be able to cross its threshold!
It was just like the Life-Death Intent. Everyone in the world experienced birth, aging, sickness, and death, but comprehending its true essence was exceedingly difficult.
Xu Chuan had also started by comprehending wither and glory, gaining enlightenment step by step. Only after encountering some opportunities was he able to convert wither and glory into life and death.
And currently, he had only barely crossed the threshold.
As for the subsequent stages of minor success, great accomplishment, and eventually perfection, who knew how many years it would take.
There were also the ever-present laws of space and time. Unless one possessed heaven-defying talent, how many could ever comprehend their corresponding divine ability true intents?
That very night.
Some rogue cultivators thought themselves clever and quietly left Cloudstream City. Yet, after traveling barely ten miles, they were intercepted and killed by two or three waves of ambushers.
The items they had won at auction changed hands several times.
Although Moyue could sense the commotion, he couldn't be bothered to intervene.
Xu Chuan had instructed him early on: anyone attempting plunder within Cloudstream City was to be killed on sight.
But outside the city, even right at the gates, they didn't need to care!
Life and death were up to fate; everything was their own choice!
Moyue's dark golden dragon pupils turned toward the area outside the east city gate, not far from the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range. A look of disdain crossed his eyes. "A bunch of idiots. If they had just obediently stayed in Cloudstream City, nothing would have happened to them.
They just had to try and outsmart everyone else!
What a bunch of geniuses!"
In the past, Moyue certainly wouldn't have known what this sarcastic phrase meant, but having stayed by Xu Chuan's side for so long, he understood it was used as an insult.
The night deepened.
Within Cloudstream City, all remained calm and tranquil, but outside the city walls, bloody battles erupted in multiple locations.
The victors even boldly returned to Cloudstream City, enjoying the protection its rules afforded!
The next day, as the morning light broke.
The area outside the Cloudstream Auction House was much quieter. Only streaks of formidable auras quietly descended, passing straight into the towering building.
Today was the high-level trade assembly, exclusively for Golden Core cultivators and above.
Its threshold was far higher than yesterday's.
The auction house's doors were tightly shut, and its formations were fully activated.
All participating Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators were randomly guided into different private rooms.
The doors to these rooms were sealed tight with their restrictions completely enabled, thoroughly cutting off any outside divine sense probing and sound. The only exception was a specially made one-way glass window that offered a clear view of the auction stage below.
Inside every room, there were writing materials, specially crafted Zitan wood boxes that blocked divine sense probing, and an attendant responsible for passing along transaction details.
Up on the high platform, Chen Changge stood in a plain robe, his expression solemn.
"Seniors and Daoist friends," his voice transmitted clearly into every room through the formation. "The rules for today's trade assembly are as follows: If you have a treasure you wish to trade, you may press the red button in your room.
The red button indicates you have an item for trade, and the lamp hanging outside your room will glow red. Green means the room is idle or a trade has been completed, in which case the lamp will emit a green light.
To prevent confusion, only one red lamp can be lit across all rooms at a time.
When it is your turn, hand your treasure and a list of what you desire in exchange to the attendant in your room, who will deliver it to me.
I will then present the treasure to all rooms and announce the owner's demands."
"If any of you are interested in an item, write down what you are willing to offer on a piece of paper and have the attendant give it to me. After reviewing them one by one, I will forward the offers to the treasure's owner for them to choose.
Rest assured, I am only acting as a notary and will not leak the contents of the trade. This is to prevent anyone from cheating or backing out afterward.
Each person only gets one chance to trade per item, and others also get only one chance to bid, so please choose carefully.
Of course, if the treasure's owner is unsatisfied with all bids, they can reject them all."
"To ensure fairness, during the trading period, speaking and casual divine sense probing are forbidden across the venue.
Our Xu family's Grand Elder, Senior Moyue, is personally overseeing the assembly. Anyone caught breaking the rules will be immediately expelled and stripped of their qualifications for this trade assembly."
As his words fell, Moyue appeared on the auction stage, radiating a vast, oppressive true dragon pressure.
His pair of dark golden dragon pupils swept across all the private rooms.
His deep, resonant voice rang out, "Your little divine sense tricks cannot hide from me. If anyone violates the rules, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
Following that, Moyue withdrew his pressure and sat down on a seat to the side.
"Furthermore, every room is equipped with a hidden passage. Once the assembly concludes, you may leave under the guidance of your attendants," Chen Changge announced loudly one last time. "Does anyone have any objections?"
After waiting for a dozen seconds with no response, Chen Changge declared, "Then I announce that the high-level trade assembly officially begins!
First, allow our Cloudstream City to start by Casting a Brick to Attract a Jade."
An attendant walked onto the stage carrying a tray. On the tray sat a white porcelain bottle.
Chen Changge spoke clearly, "Inside this porcelain bottle is a high-grade Golden Origin Pill. Many of you present should have heard of this pill.
This is a realm-breaking pill for the Golden Core stage.
A high-grade Golden Origin Pill targets the bottleneck of the mid-stage Golden Core.
It offers over a seventy percent chance to break through to the mid-stage. If consumed by someone at the peak of the mid-stage Golden Core, they have a fifty percent certainty of advancing to the next level.
Furthermore, there is even a twenty percent hope of helping a late-stage Golden Core cultivator break straight through to the Golden Core perfection stage!"
As soon as this was said, the auras within many rooms shifted drastically!
There were quite a few Golden Core cultivators present who were trapped at bottlenecks. None of them could resist being moved by this!
Chen Changge continued, "The preferred item for this trade is a Qingming Flower. If there are no Qingming Flowers, it can be exchanged for other rare third-tier or fourth-tier spirit grass. The higher the quantity, the better your chances of winning the bid!
Now, Daoist friends in the rooms, those who are interested may write down your trade offers."
For a time, many rooms plunged into deep thought and intense deliberation.
The value of a Golden Origin Pill was unquestionable. Figures like the Yan Clan Ancestor and the Ancestor of the Tang Family had been trapped at the peak of the early-stage Golden Core for over two hundred years.
The Ancestor of the Yan Family had been trapped at the peak of the mid-stage Golden Core for over a hundred years!
The Greedy Wolf Sect, Heavenly Azure Sect, and Ancient Nether City all had cultivators at the late-stage of the ninth tier of Golden Core, yet they struggled to break into the Golden Core perfection stage.
Naturally, the Greedy Wolf Sect and Heavenly Azure Sect had some stockpiles of realm-breaking pills, but a high-grade pill might not appear even once in a sixty-year cycle!
"A Qingming Flower... This spirit medicine is extremely rare, highly toxic, and basically useless for cultivation. What does the Xu family want it for?" Xi Fengyue muttered to himself.
"Perhaps it's for refining a specific pill, or for some other purpose," True Lord Green Wood said. "There is no such thing as useless spirit grass in this world; it's just that the exact uses of most remain unknown."
Xi Daoyun added, "I have never heard of a Qingming Flower being used to refine pills either. However, some demonic cultivation methods might require it."
Many harbored similar doubts.
Although the Qingming Flower was only a third-tier spirit grass, it was exceptionally rare.
Its intrinsic value alone approached that of fourth-tier spirit grass, but compared to a high-grade Golden Origin Pill, it still fell quite short.
Those who did not have a Qingming Flower began tallying the rare spirit grasses in their storage pouches, weighing how to combine them to sway the Xu family.
Fifteen minutes later.
Attendants consecutively arrived at the auction stage, presenting the Zitan wood boxes.
There were sixteen offers in total!
Chen Changge opened them and inspected the contents one by one.
Quite a few had offered seven or eight stalks of third-tier spirit grass along with a few stalks of fourth-tier spirit grass. Some even offered over a dozen fourth-tier spirit grasses.
Among them, two parties possessed a Qingming Flower.
Chen Changge selected the person who offered a Qingming Flower along with a fourth-tier Qiyou Orchid.
"Cloudstream City has made its choice!"
He immediately had the attendants return to the various rooms via the hidden passages.
Inside Room 312.
"Congratulations, Senior, on successfully bidding for the high-grade Golden Origin Pill. Please bring out your trade items. Once both parties have verified there are no errors, the transaction will be considered complete."
Gu Xuanyou gave a slight nod.
An elder beside him handed a restriction-sealed wooden box over to the attendant, who in turn presented the white porcelain bottle.
Both sides inspected the goods meticulously.
A moment later.
The attendant said, "The items provided by Senior are correct. I wonder if there are any issues with the pill? If not, the trade is finalized, and this junior will take his leave."
The elder replied, "It is indeed a high-grade Golden Origin Pill!"
"Congratulations once again on acquiring the precious pill. This junior will now withdraw."
The attendant left through the hidden passage, returning to the auction stage and handing the items over to Chen Changge.
Storing them in his storage pouch, Chen Changge smiled and announced, "Next, any Daoist friend with a trade request may send their items and demands up to the stage."
Immediately, a red lamp lit up outside one of the rooms.
"We invite the Daoist friend in Room 18 to send up their trade item!"
"Fourth-tier low-grade spirit material, Earth Fire Jade Marrow. Condensed deep within subterranean fire veins tens of thousands of meters underground, it contains the essence of earth fire and serves as a prime material for refining earth and fire attribute high-grade magic treasures.
The owner wishes to exchange this for a metal-attribute fourth-tier spirit material of equal value, or a complete metal-element evasion divine ability!"
"Those interested may now make your offers!"
Room 7.
Xu Chuan, Xu Deling, and Ye Fan were stationed here.
"Grandfather, this material is quite good," Xu Deling remarked with a smile, her eyes flashing.
"Then let's try to trade for it."
Among the Five Elements divine abilities, the Xu family only lacked a complete earth-attribute one. They possessed all the other combat, evasion, and defensive divine abilities.
Xu Chuan wrote down the words "Haobai Golden Light Evasion" and had someone deliver it.
Not many had their eyes on this material, only about six or seven parties in total.
After weighing their options, the occupant of Room 18 chose the Haobai Golden Light Evasion.
"A five-thousand-year Nine-Leaf Purple Spirit Mushroom. Its medicinal energy is boundless yet gentle, rivaling that of a fourth-tier spirit medicine. It is a primary or supplementary ingredient for refining various high-tier pills.
The owner wishes to exchange this for three high-grade spirit stones, or a bottle of pills that advance mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. High-grade pills are preferred; if mid-grade, two bottles are required, and if low-grade, three bottles!"
"Not bad. This spirit medicine happens to be one of the three supplementary materials for the fourth-tier cultivation-advancing Purple Dragon Pill. I'll exchange two bottles of high-grade Azure Cloud Pills for it!"
"A segment of fourth-tier high-grade Thunder Sound Bamboo. Although it's only about a foot long, it has roots. Those skilled in wood-attribute divine abilities can attempt to cultivate it.
Its bamboo body is densely covered in lightning patterns and hides heavenly might. It can be used as material to refine top-tier lightning-attribute magic treasures, though given its size, it can only be fashioned into a dagger, an awl, or silver needles.
The owner wishes to exchange this for spirit medicine or pills that offer at least a thirty percent chance of breaking through a late-stage bottleneck."
"Buy it!" Xu Chuan's eyes lit up, and he brought out another high-grade Golden Origin Pill for the exchange!
Many of the subsequent items sought pills to advance cultivation or breakthrough aids.
Some asked for mid-grade magic treasures, and a few wildly overestimated themselves, attempting to trade fourth-tier spirit materials for high-grade magic treasures, which ultimately resulted in their items going unsold.
Time slowly passed.
As the sun slanted westward, the trade assembly neared its end.
However, the atmosphere in the venue grew increasingly heavy. Everyone knew the true main event was about to begin.
Chen Changge took a deep breath, his expression more serious than ever. "Everyone, is there anyone else who wishes to trade? We will wait another fifteen minutes. If not, I will proceed with the final item of this assembly."
"It's finally here!" Many felt a jolt in their hearts, staring hotly at the auction stage.
Fifteen minutes later.
"It seems all of you have been waiting for this grand finale item!"
Chen Changge smiled faintly. He patted his storage pouch and withdrew a long, narrow wooden box heavily inscribed with restrictions.
The moment the wooden box opened, there was no earth-shattering celestial phenomenon. There was only a crisp, profound, and exotic fragrance that quietly drifted outward, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul and enlightening the mind.
"What is this?" Many were astonished, unable to recognize the item.
Even the two Nascent Soul cultivators, Qi Tianxiong and Xi Daoyun, frowned in bewilderment.
Across all the rooms, only Mo Wentian recognized it. It was the very same core of the Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree left over from his own Nascent Soul formation.
Inside the wooden box lay a quietly resting object, about a foot long and as thick as an infant's arm.
Its color resembled the finest ancient ink, yet it faintly exuded a warm, jade-like texture. Its surface was covered in natural wood grains that looked like tree rings or inscribed Dao patterns.
Looking closely, those patterns seemed to slowly flow, emitting a hazy glimmer.
Just making visual contact with it cleared one's spiritual altar, making thoughts exceptionally sharp and lucid.
Chen Changge's mood was rather agitated as he spoke, "This item is the core of a Spirit-Awakening Tree. The Spirit-Awakening Tree is a fifth-tier spirit wood that naturally possesses the ability to clear the mind, nourish the soul, and ward off external evils.
Its core is the absolute condensation of its essence.
If kept nearby by a Golden Core completion stage cultivator while attempting to break through to Nascent Soul, it will drastically increase soul stability and effectively fend off inner demon invasions.
Its value goes without saying."
"The older a Spirit-Awakening Tree is, the stronger its warding effects. This core comes from a Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree, enough to raise the success rate of surviving the inner demon tribulation by thirty percent.
Given the size of this core, it is sufficient to protect one person through their tribulation!
If there is any left over after the tribulation transcendence, it can be carried on one's person to slightly nourish and strengthen the soul, as well as calm the mind."
"Whoa—!"
Despite anticipating something great and trying their best to restrain themselves, low gasps and sharp intakes of breath uncontrollably echoed from within the various rooms!
Many figures stood up involuntarily, their eyes locked dead onto that seemingly archaic piece of wood!
"Over ten thousand years old! The core of a Spirit-Awakening Tree!"
"This item has supreme miraculous uses for forming a Nascent Soul, nourishing the soul, and warding off inner demons!"
"It truly is a Nascent Soul formation opportunity!"
Chen Changge paused before continuing, "For this trade, Cloudstream City has no specific demands. You may write down whatever trade items you believe match its value.
Of course, I must remind everyone not to leave things to chance. You only have one opportunity to bid on this.
Miss this chance, and there might not be another Nascent Soul formation opportunity for decades, a century, or even two to three hundred years!
If no one offers a satisfactory price, this item will also go unsold!"
This essentially meant the reserve price was zero—bidders could offer whatever they wished!
However, the power to decide if the trade succeeded lay entirely in the hands of the Xu family.
"Your Xu family is truly ruthless!"
Qi Tianxiong's expression fluctuated wildly. This was clearly forcing them to wager their entire fortunes, otherwise, they could not easily walk away with this Nascent Soul formation opportunity!
The only ones capable of affording it were the Greedy Wolf Sect, Heavenly Azure Sect, Mo Family, Lei Family, Ancient Nether City, the Sima Family, Nie Clan, Chao Clan, and the Heavenly Plume Sect.
Inside the Mo Family's room.
"Big Brother, are we going to compete for it?"
Mo Wenshang stared at the Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree's core with a burning gaze before looking away to ask Mo Wentian.
After pondering for a moment, Mo Wentian finally shook his head and sighed. "Let it go. The Xu family won't give this opportunity to our Mo family, even if we offer our entire family's wealth."
Mo Wenshang furrowed his brow but said nothing more.
However, as he looked toward the auction stage, his eyes held a tinge of regret.
Ultimately, his older brother made the decisions for the Mo family.
Inside the Heavenly Azure Sect's room.
Xi Daoyun listed a series of rare and precious spirit materials on a piece of paper, even including a third-tier spirit vein!
He handed the paper to an attendant to take away.
Then, his gaze fell upon the core of the Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree, and he said coolly, "Let's see how you choose, Xu Chuan!"
"Grand Elder, could it be that Xu Chuan never intended to sell this Nascent Soul formation opportunity to any faction here, and this is merely a publicity stunt?" Xi Fengyue mused.
"It's possible. But in terms of benefiting the Xu family, selling it to the Heavenly Foundry Sect would be the most suitable choice. True Lord Fierce Sun is Xu Deling's senior brother, so because of her relationship, the Heavenly Foundry Sect is on good terms with the Xu family!
If True Lord Fierce Sun breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage using this, the Heavenly Foundry Sect will owe them a massive favor."
"Senior Brother Green Wood is right, that's the most likely scenario!"
Inside the Lei Family's room.
Although Lei Wuji had already been rejected when he previously visited their door to beg for a Nascent Soul formation opportunity, he was still a little unwilling to give up. He wanted to make one last attempt, so he wrote down the Lei family's trade offer on a piece of paper.
"Grand Elder, didn't you say the Xu family wouldn't agree to give the Nascent Soul formation opportunity to our Lei family? Why are you still..." said Lei Yunpeng, the young Golden Core cultivator of the Lei family.
"Do our utmost and leave the rest to fate!"
"It's just writing a few extra lines of text anyway."
The Greedy Wolf Sect, Ancient Nether City, Sima Family, and other factions also sent forth their trade offers one after another.
Chen Changge opened the wooden boxes and flipped through the contents written on the papers one by one.
He felt his own heart pounding!
The value of any single person's offer far exceeded ten times the total wealth of his Chen family. Almost every single faction had offered a third-tier spirit vein.
Three factions had even offered third-tier high-grade spirit veins in trade.
In addition, there were numerous rare treasures, spirit medicines, precious materials, and even a few Connate Spirit Objects.
"This person's offer is the most abundant, it should belong to the Greedy Wolf Sect. The second should be the Heavenly Azure Sect, the third is Ancient Nether City, and the fourth includes top-tier magic treasures, which should be True Lord Fierce Sun and his group.
It seems True Lord Yanzhen really does possess the ability to refine top-tier magic treasures!
Spirit veins are the foundation of a faction, and top-tier magic treasures can vastly increase one's personal strength!
If it were me, I'd truly find it hard to choose. What a pity..."
Regarding top-tier magic treasures, if Xu Deling were to truly ask, True Lord Yanzhen would definitely help refine them, but Xu Chuan wouldn't let her ask lightly.
After all, every request incurred a favor that would have to be repaid.
That was why they had used the Dragon Blood Fruit for the trade involving the Origin Magnetism Shield last time.
Although a six-thousand-year Dragon Blood Fruit was precious, to ordinary immortal cultivators, it didn't even hold a tenth of the value of the Nine-Pattern Origin Magnetism Shield.
It just happened to be incredibly useful to Yan Longzi.
Nascent Soul sects generally stockpiled pills for breaking through Golden Core bottlenecks.
But items that aided in breaking through the Nascent Soul bottleneck, like the Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree's core, were not things ordinary Nascent Soul sects could accumulate.
Otherwise, Great Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn't be so rare!
Only apex Nascent Soul sects with incredibly long inheritances, like the Azure Cloud Sect and the Feather Transformation Sect, likely had stockpiles, but even they would only use them during critical moments.
For example, if a great cultivator's lifespan was nearly exhausted, yet no new great cultivator was ready to take their place.
Only then might such deep heritage be mobilized.
For newly risen apex Nascent Soul sects like the Profound Moon Sect, unless they encountered exceptional opportunities, they would usually only bask in glory for a millennium before fading away once their great cultivator perished.
Fifteen minutes later.
Chen Changge raised his head and announced loudly, "Our Cloudstream City has chosen its trading partner. Because this item is so valuable, I will personally handle the transaction. Please wait patiently."
The attendants returned to their respective rooms.
When Qi Tianxiong, Xi Daoyun, and the others saw that Chen Changge had not appeared in their rooms, their faces sank like water!
Lei Wuji, True Lord Fierce Sun, and a few others sighed softly.
Inside Room 312.
Gu Xuanyou originally had no confidence that he would be chosen, but the moment he saw Chen Changge step out of the secret passage behind the attendant, he froze!
Immediately, unbelievable surprise erupted in his eyes!
He shot to his feet, barely able to maintain his usual calm demeanor, his voice carrying an imperceptible tremble. "Daoist Friend Chen? You..."
The elders beside him were even more dumbfounded, irrepressible excitement and ecstasy surging across their faces!
One white-haired elder even lost his composure, whispering hoarsely, "It worked?! The Xu family actually chose us?!"
Chen Changge smiled and cupped his hands in a bow. "City Lord Gu, Elders, congratulations. It is indeed your Ancient Nether City that has successfully bid for this Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree's core."
"This is actually real?!"
Gu Xuanyou took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his churning emotions.
A sharp light flickered in his eyes—a mix of wild joy at getting what he wished for, and a deep sense of confusion and vigilance.
"Daoist Friend Chen, forgive my bluntness, but Ancient Nether City's bid wasn't the most substantial one, was it?"
"Indeed, purely in terms of the items offered, Ancient Nether City ranked third!"
"Then why choose Ancient Nether City?"
Gu Xuanyou's doubts deepened; he firmly believed that pies did not drop from the sky for free!
Chen Changge's expression turned stern. Stowing his smile, he said solemnly, "Actually, the transaction is not truly complete yet. In addition to your Ancient Nether City's offer, you must agree to three conditions.
Only if you agree will this Nascent Soul formation opportunity truly belong to Ancient Nether City!"
Gu Xuanyou's heart skipped a beat. He raised a hand, signaling Chen Changge to speak freely, "Please go ahead, I am all ears."
"First," Chen Changge raised his index finger, "after the trade is completed, City Lord Gu must temporarily remain in Cloudstream City and enter secluded cultivation here until you either successfully form your Nascent Soul or fail."
An elder of Ancient Nether City frowned, "Is the Xu family trying to imprison us?"
Chen Changge glanced at him but ignored the comment, locking eyes with Gu Xuanyou instead to continue, "Our Xu Family Head has stated that this item was not easy to obtain, and he absolutely does not wish to do all the work just for someone else to reap the rewards.
The Greedy Wolf Sect, Heavenly Azure Sect, Mo Family, and even the Sima Family will certainly probe and investigate from all sides afterward.
If the City Lord were to take this treasure back to Ancient Nether City, the journey is long and fraught with too many variables. With Ancient Nether City's current strength, I'm afraid you would find it hard to ensure absolute safety.
Only by remaining in Cloudstream City and borrowing the might of our Xu family and Grand Elder Moyue to deter the scoundrels, can the City Lord focus his mind without distractions and fully commit to breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.
City Lord, do you understand our intention?"
Gu Xuanyou's eyes widened slightly in sheer surprise.
'The Xu family actually wants to protect my Nascent Soul formation?!
My Ancient Nether City shouldn't have any ties with the Xu family, so why are they doing this?'
However, thinking carefully, what Chen Changge said was true.
An innocent man gets into trouble for possessing a treasure.
Leaving Cloudstream City with the core of the Spirit-Awakening Tree was no different from a toddler parading through a market with gold—the risk was immense.
The Xu family's suggestion was purely beneficial to Ancient Nether City.
If they had wanted to harm him, they wouldn't have bothered making this deal with Ancient Nether City in the first place.
After weighing the options for a long while, Gu Xuanyou nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Those words make sense.
For the sake of the Great Dao, I accept. Only, regarding the location for secluded cultivation..."
"Rest assured, City Lord, it will definitely be a top-tier grotto-residence brimming with spiritual qi, complete with flawless restrictions, and absolutely free from any outside disturbances. Our Cloudstream City will not restrict the City Lord's freedom during your seclusion."
Chen Changge immediately made the promise, "But do not leave Cloudstream City. Furthermore, we won't act as your personal bodyguards.
Ancient Nether City currently cannot afford that kind of compensation!"
"Naturally!" Gu Xuanyou replied. "May I ask what the second condition is..."
Chen Changge said coolly, "In the future, if the City Lord successfully attains the Nascent Soul stage, you must go make trouble for the Greedy Wolf Sect. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. Additionally, Ancient Nether City must guarantee not to covet Heavenly Azure Prefecture for a hundred years."
At the mention of the Greedy Wolf Sect, a cold glint flashed in Gu Xuanyou's eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled into a chilling arc. "Even if Daoist Friend Chen hadn't mentioned it, I would have done exactly that.
As for not invading Heavenly Azure for a hundred years, that is also perfectly reasonable.
The great war between the two prefectures just concluded not long ago. Nobody is idle enough to launch wars every single day.
Even if I had the heart for it, I lack the strength."
"How straightforward, City Lord." Chen Changge nodded, then continued, "Third, if our Xu family's businesses ever expand into Greedy Wolf Prefecture's territory in the future...
Or if we need to pass through Ancient Nether City's sphere of influence, we hope the City Lord can offer some convenience and not make things difficult for us.
After all, providing convenience to others is providing convenience to oneself."
Hearing this, Gu Xuanyou was momentarily stunned before coming to a sudden realization. He couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, "True Lord Withered Glory is truly far-sighted. I admire him!
Given the Xu family's current momentum, outward expansion is inevitable.
Your noble family is willing to aid me today, so my Ancient Nether City will surely repay the favor in the future.
If required, you may expand the Immortal-Ascension Pavilion and other businesses into the territories controlled by Ancient Nether City.
Just as Daoist Friend Chen said, the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Who knows, in the future, my Ancient Nether City might even form an alliance with the Xu family to combat our common foes together!"
"In that case, let us proceed with the trade." Chen Changge smiled faintly.
A short while later.
"The trade is complete. Congratulations, City Lord Gu. I wish you early success in verifying your Nascent Soul Dao!" Chen Changge cupped his hands in congratulation.
"Many thanks to you, Daoist Friend Chen, and many thanks to True Lord Withered Glory for facilitating this!" Gu Xuanyou held the jade box containing the wood core tightly, his heart surging with emotion.
Chen Changge cupped his hands again before leaving through the secret passage.
Returning to the auction stage.
Chen Changge smiled and announced, "The Ten-thousand-year Spirit-Awakening Tree has found its owner. This high-level trade assembly is now concluded, and everyone may depart.
However, I have one last piece of advice for everyone. If you are not confident in leaving safely, you might as well linger in Cloudstream City for a while longer.
In addition, the Cloudstream Grand Assembly will not be a one-time event. Going forward, it will be held once every sixty years. But please don't expect another Nascent Soul formation opportunity like this one.
Even our Cloudstream City doesn't know how long it will take to acquire another one!
That is all. I shall respectfully see everyone off!"
He bowed and cupped his hands toward the numerous rooms.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort echoed from Room 7, clearly the voice of Qi Tianxiong.
"What, are you dissatisfied with our Cloudstream City's choice?!" Moyue directly erupted with his True Dragon Pressure, which pierced through the rooms' restrictions and slammed heavily onto every single person.
"If you want to fight, I'll oblige you. I'm just afraid none of the people you brought with you will make it back alive!"
Moyue wasn't exaggerating. As long as Moyue tied down Qi Tianxiong, there was no one else in the Greedy Wolf Sect who was a match for Xu Chuan.
What's more, if he made a move, the Lei Family, Mo Family, and Ancient Nether City would all target the Greedy Wolf Sect together, and even the Heavenly Azure Sect would take the chance to hit them while they were down to avenge past grudges!
"Your Xu family is truly wonderful. But you'd best pray the people of my Greedy Wolf Sect never run into your Xu family members outside..."
"So what if they do? With the paltry few weaklings in your Greedy Wolf Sect, how many can actually put up a fight?"
"We're leaving!"
Qi Tianxiong said no more, leading his people away openly without taking the hidden passages at all.
As for the others, they all left via the hidden passages.
When they bumped into each other in the passages, they still exchanged pleasantries.
But what kind of thoughts were hidden beneath those smiles was hard to say.
Qi Tianxiong and his group quickly exited through Cloudstream City's east gate, stopping tens of miles outside the city.
"I will wait here for that old ghost Xi. Even if we didn't obtain the Nascent Soul formation opportunity, if we can snatch the massive wealth of the Heavenly Azure Sect, this trip will not have been in vain.
As for the three of you, each of you guard one of the remaining three city gates."
Aside from True Lord Heavenly Wolf, the other two were also peak-tier demonic cultivators at the ninth tier of the Golden Core, not far from Golden Core perfection.
In terms of means and strength, they were not weaker than True Lord-level experts at the seventh tier of the Golden Core who had mastered divine abilities to great accomplishment!
The group of people participating in this high-level trade assembly were all incredibly shrewd old ghosts.
Carrying massive amounts of wealth, they naturally proceeded with the utmost caution.
Moreover, Chen Changge had specifically warned them.
The vast majority chose to stay comfortably in Cloudstream City.
Only the Mo Family and Heavenly Azure Sect departed directly.
"We'll take the west gate!" Xi Daoyun ordered.
"Yes, Grand Elder!"
The moment they exited the west gate, Xi Daoyun unleashed an evasion divine ability, sweeping up the other two and fleeing far away.
True Lord Heavenly Wolf, who was stationed there, immediately sent a message to Qi Tianxiong upon seeing this.
Qi Tianxiong instantly set off in pursuit.
But in this boundless, vast world, intercepting Xi Daoyun and his group was no easy feat.
Even if he waited outside the Heavenly Azure Sect, Qi Tianxiong's divine sense couldn't possibly cover the entire sect.
He was destined to have made a futile effort.