Two years later, Bibo Immortal City.
Above the endless emerald waves, a towering giant city stands suspended in midair.
Constructed entirely from azure spirit jade, it refracts a myriad of gleaming ripples under the scorching sun, as if it embodies the vastness and spiritual essence of the entire ocean.
This is Bibo Immortal City, the largest city under the jurisdiction of the Mystic Water Sect.
At this moment, inside and outside the city, Escape Light weaves through the air, treasure ships shuttle back and forth, cultivators come and go like a school of fish, bustling and clamorous, unprecedentedly grand.
Two days later.
The auction finally reached its climaxâthe last day, the Nascent Soul exclusive session.
The auction is held at the core of the Immortal City, in the "Vast Sea Hall".
Amidst occasional bidding voices, an invisible sense of majesty and suppression permeates the air.
Whenever an old Nascent Soul cultivator places a bid, powerful divine senses sweep through the hall, causing nearby Core Formation cultivators to hold their breath, as if sitting on needles and pins.
Especially when the Life Creation Pill, a Longevity Treasure Pill, is up for auction, it triggers fierce competition among numerous Nascent Soul cultivators.
"Is there a higher bid?"
"Otherwise... this Fourth Rank Middle-grade Treasure Pill, Life Creation Pill, will go to Fellow Daoist Xu."
The auctioneer, an aged white-haired elder, casts a kindly glance at Xu Ping and Duan Shuang.
Xu Pingâs divine techniques and combat prowess are renowned throughout the outer sea.
Even forces possessing late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivators are reluctant to provoke such powerful cultivators.
However, naturally, there are those who stand opposed.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, this pill is of great use for extending life and breaking through realms for me. Would you give some face to Hundred Cloud Hall and part with it? I would be most grateful!"
On one jade platform, a middle-aged cultivator with a sturdy face like rock, dressed in a wide-sleeved robe of black and yellow, speaks in a domineering tone.
His aura is calm and heavy, revealing a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, none other than Yun Feng True Monarch of Hundred Cloud Hall.
As he spoke, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became subtle.
Hundred Cloud Hall, once vaguely the top force of the outer sea, although now declined, is still a top force presided over by late-stage Nascent Soul great cultivators.
They have always been domineering, swift to hate evil.
Yun Feng True Monarchâs "request" in public is more of a subtle pressure than a negotiation.
Numerous eyes focus on Xu Ping, filled with curiosity, amusement, and schadenfreude.
Xu Ping doesnât lift his eyelid, sipping the spirit tea in his hand, speaks plainly and calmly, clearly resonating throughout the hall:
"I am also greatly interested in this pill. I appreciate Yun Feng Daoistâs kind intentions."
A refusal, straightforward and without beating around the bush.
"Hmph!"
Yun Feng True Monarchâs face suddenly darkens, his aura slightly sank, eyes cold as knives: "Fellow Daoist Xu is truly... unmatched in dominance!"
He has been stuck in mid-stage Nascent Soul for years, with limited longevity.
If he could acquire this pill, extend his life, it would naturally provide enough leeway for future breakthroughs.
He naturally doesnât want to give up easily.
"Itâs about auction bidding, with the highest bid prevailing, where is the talk of dominance?"
Xu Ping puts down the teacup, finally lifts his gaze towards Yun Feng True Monarch, eyes calm and profound like an ancient cold pond.
"Yun Feng Daoist, if wealthy, simply place a bid, but if lacking funds, do not use the sectâs name to pressure others."
A confrontation.
The scent of gunpowder instantly permeates the air!
Backed by the Golden Spirit Mouse clan, the threat from the outer sea human race to him has greatly diminished.
He naturally doesnât need to excessively tolerate.
Two powerful divine senses, like invisible angry dragons, collide in the void.
Buzz
An invisible spiritual storm spreads with them as the center.
A few nearby early-stage Nascent Soul cultivatorsâ faces change slightly, instinctively strengthening their protective spiritual light.
What surprises people more is that the divine sense clash only lasted a brief moment.
Yun Feng True Monarchâs rock-like body visibly trembled slightly, a trace of abnormal redness flashed across his face.
On the contrary, Xu Ping remains as steady as a mountain, his expression unchanged.
"Hiss..."
Amidst the hall arises a series of suppressed inhalation noises.
Yun Feng True Monarch is an old mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
This Xu Ping not only has boundless divine techniques... but his divine sense is also so terrifying?
Could he have reached the pinnacle of mid-stage Nascent Soul?
The chief auctioneer atop the platform sees the tense atmosphere, hurriedly plays mediator: "Since no one else is bidding, this Life Creation Pill will go to Fellow Daoist Xu!"
Yun Feng True Monarchâs face turns livid, chest heaving, eyes burning with fury, but ultimately says no more.
This pill has reached this level, already exceeding its normal value.
More critically, competing in financial resources... he indeed canât outbid Xu Ping, a Fourth Rank Talisman Master.
Forcing bids may empty his coffers, affecting his subsequent realm breakthrough plans.
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Xu!"
The chief auctioneer decisively drops the hammer, with a gentle smile on his face, his gaze upon Xu Ping carries obvious goodwill.
Anyone who can single-handedly battle three mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and possess such formidable divine sense, the Mystic Water Sect is willing to forge good ties with.
The auction continues.
Though the subsequent items were precious, Xu Ping had no major need for them.
He merely bid for several top-grade spirit materials radiating extreme cold for Duan Shuang.
A trace of joy sparked in Duan Shuangâs cool and clear eyes.
Once the final auction item was secured by a mysterious figure in black robe for an astounding price, this auction, amassing the top resources of the outer sea, finally came to an end.
....
"Despite the interlude, the gains were decent."
Walking out from the grand doors of Vast Sea Hall, bathed in the bright sunlight of the Immortal City, Xu Ping said softly to Duan Shuang beside him.
With the Life Creation Pill and Purifying Spirit Soul Cleansing Pill obtained, and Duan Shuang securing the spiritual materials, the primary goals of this trip were achieved.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, Immortal Duan, please stay."
A familiar voice called, it was Liang Ming waiting outside.