ISWI Chapter 766-767

Chapter 766: Without Me, the Auction Won't Start!

Beyond the immortal roots, everything in Ye Chen's cave heaven struck Luo Bingling with wave after wave of shock. A Dragon Blood Heavenly Gold Tree soared ten thousand meters tall—golden bark veined with crimson leaves, each leaf a priceless material for Extreme Dao weapons. Yet here, they grew thick as forests, blotting out the sky.

Further in, vast fields of supreme spiritual herbs stretched in every direction, dense as common cabbage. On one floating peak, she even saw heaps of spatial divine stones casually piled into small hills.

Luo Bingling's mind went numb. She once tried to win his favor with a single spatial divine stone—thinking back now only made her cringe. In truth, the value of any one medicinal field here likely surpassed a million years of accumulation by a top ancient clan.

Throughout history, no one but the Heavenly Emperor himself could achieve this—and even for him, it must have been extraordinarily difficult. So the rumors were true: Ye Chen was the Heavenly Emperor's own son.

In the past, such sights would have ignited greed—she would have schemed without end, or alerted her clan elders to seize them. But now, amid the astonishment, only joy welled up in her heart.

She had unwittingly chosen the most exalted man in the entire cultivation world. Son of the Heavenly Emperor. True heir to the Devouring Lineage.

Those titles alone crushed the Celestial Prince a thousand times over. Her husband... was truly exceptional.

…

Ye Chen noted the absence of greed in her eyes. Satisfied, he smiled faintly. He led her downward, landing beneath the Enlightenment Tea Tree. His voice warm, "From now on, cultivate here beneath this tree. As for the Dao Cauldron—though its full might remains sealed, its cultivation aid triggers passively. Draw a mere phantom, and your progress will accelerate dramatically. Moreover, when nearing a bottleneck, enter the Nine Transformations Heavenly Furnace to breakthrough. Not only will your realm cap rise higher with greater power gains—your aptitude itself will sublimate further…"

Ye Chen explained the wonders and uses of each immortal artifact calmly. Luo Bingling trembled faintly, excitement surging. Cultivating in this transcendent, immortal-misted realm alone would propel her forward by leaps and bounds. Beneath the Enlightenment Tea Tree? Like strapping on an accelerator.

Add the heaven-defying aids of Dao Cauldron and Nine Transformations Furnace. Not just further speed. But aptitude elevation too. Such supreme conditions—she had never dared dream of them before. Now they lay tangibly before her.

With them, her future cultivation speed might defy even her own imagination, surpassing even the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, famed for velocity. Overtaking the divine son who stole everything from her—no longer impossible.

As a War God Clan member, cultivation speed mattered most to her. Her eyes glistened with emotion. One thought dominated her heart. She had truly offered herself too late.

Had she devoted herself fully sooner, with these resources, how could her cave heaven lag behind Yao Yuezhi's?

When Yao Yuezhi raged and tried to uproot her foundation, she wouldn't have been so powerless, relying solely on Ye Chen's rescue.

"Husband…"

Luo Bingling twisted her slim waist, the gem at her navel glinting, sensual dimples faintly visible at her lower back. She called softly to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen smiled at the sight. "Stay here and cultivate in peace. I'll attend the auction. Before leaving, I'll return to fetch you."

Luo Bingling nodded obediently. She had always been obsessed with cultivation. Conditions here were unparalleled. She could remain in Ye Chen's cave heaven forever without tiring. Moreover, realizing he was the true heir of the Devouring Lineage sparked an even bolder idea.

"Husband, perhaps I should step out briefly and contact the clan elders. I'll tell them you possess countless priceless treasures. Suggest they send more prodigies to assail you—securing greater spoils afterward. The War God Clan has several Half-Saints in seclusion. I might persuade them to emerge and join the ambush!"

Luo Bingling knew Ye Chen's strength remained unscathed. His cave heaven vast—she couldn't even gauge its full extent. Everything he did was a mere pretense to devour origin. The more assailants, the stronger her husband grew.

Ye Chen's mouth twitched faintly. Luo Bingling's transformation was profound. Pitting the War God Clan to death? Unnecessary—truly unnecessary!

"Enough. Overdoing it risks exposure. I have plans already…"

He waved dismissively, preparing to leave. Watching his commanding, masterful demeanor—casually scheming to cripple myriad races' prodigies—sent waves through Luo Bingling's heart. Husband possessed strength, cunning, and foundations. She adored him utterly!

Charm filled her eyes. "Husband, I just recalled—I didn't clean you thoroughly. You're still a bit sticky…"

Ye Chen noted her twisting waist and guessed her intent. He shook his head. "No time. The auction starts soon—late arrival means no entry. And Yuezhi waits outside…"

Luo Bingling grew bolder. "This auction exists for you, Husband. If you're late, they'll find excuses to delay. Otherwise, who buys their overpriced treasures? As for Yao Yuezhi—waiting a bit for Brother won't hurt. Don't overthink. I'll be quick…"

Ye Chen fell silent. Since offering herself, Luo Bingling had truly changed.

…

A full hour later.

Ye Chen finally emerged. He joined Yao Yuezhi—who had waited long outside, mind swirling with wild guesses—and headed to the auction house.

As Luo Bingling predicted, though past the scheduled start, they entered without issue. The excuse: too many treasures and guests—preparations flawed, requiring a one-hour delay. Ye Chen chuckled at the reason.

Seeing him arrive at last, the myriad races' higher-ups behind the auction exhaled in relief, smiles blooming. The star had arrived. They eagerly anticipated his frustrated expression. Today, they would bleed him dry!

Chapter 767: I'll Make Ye Chen Bleed Dry!

Originally, the auction's higher-ups had grown anxious when Ye Chen failed to appear on time. Many treasures on offer had been tailored specifically for him—exclusive "custom editions."

Across the cultivation world, only he—driven by urgent need—might willingly endure the absurd, malicious bidding: premiums of tenfold or more. And afterward, they could kill him and reclaim everything. They had already agreed privately.

After Ye Chen's death, auctioned items would return to their original owners. His own coveted treasures would be divided based on each young prodigy's contribution in slaying him.

Fortunately, Ye Chen arrived at last. Smiles spread across their faces. Clearly, everyone stood to profit immensely.

…

Guided by an attendant, Ye Chen prepared to enter the auction house. Just then, he encountered Little Peacock King approaching with his usual aloof demeanor.

Spotting Ye Chen, his mouth twitched faintly. Ye Chen had expected the boy's temperament to keep him far away. Yet after a brief freeze, Little Peacock King walked straight over.

"Uncle, you really came…" he greeted awkwardly.

Ye Chen found it amusing. Seeing him alone, he asked casually, "Just you? Where's Auntie Yan?"

Little Peacock King disliked hearing Ye Chen mention his mother. He swiftly changed the subject. "How did you know I broke through to mid-fourth heaven? My mother went to fetch a treasure for me."

Ye Chen fell silent. Who asked?

Noting Auntie Yan's absence, he lost interest in his "nephew." He waved dismissively and moved to enter.

Little Peacock King hurried closer. "Uncle, you already have my mom! You can't covet my aunt too…"

Ye Chen's mouth twitched as he stared at him. He had never felt so speechless in his life. No wonder the kid approached today. Still guarding his aunt? Myriad races truly defied logic!

Sorry, but your aunt was part of your mother's "repayment" package. He wanted them both!

…

Ye Chen and Yao Yuezhi entered their private box together. The long-impatient auctioneer immediately struck the gavel, launching the highly anticipated bidding.

The first item was carefully presented onstage. A fist-sized, crystalline diamond—transparent and pure. Liquid-like light flowed within, radiating a gentle yet intensely rich spiritual aura. Clearly, no ordinary object.

The auctioneer cleared his throat and began enthusiastically. "This item is called Spiritual Qi Origin Essence! It contains extremely pure and vast Spiritual Qi. Placed in a cave heaven, the crystal will automatically release it—continuously replenishing energy and nourishing every blade of grass, tree, mountain, and river!

"Like sweet rain upon parched earth, it rapidly elevates spiritual density, creating an environment far more suitable for cultivation. Exceedingly rare—especially with the Age of Dharma's End approaching. It maintains cave heaven spiritual concentration far above the outside world, lasting at least ten thousand years once activated. For clan legacies in that era, its significance is immense."

The moment the item appeared, the entire hall erupted in exclamations. Though the auction catalog had listed it, seeing the real object still drew gasps of awe. After all, Spiritual Qi Origin Essence was extraordinarily rare—seldom surfacing in public auctions.

The auctioneer continued eagerly. "For this bidding, there are no special requirements. You may offer top-grade spirit stones, Mahayana pills, Extreme Dao weapons, or any treasures useful to Mahayana or Unity cultivators. Highest bidder wins!"

The announcement ignited the crowd. Many cultivators who had come merely for the spectacle stared in stunned silence, then burst into ecstatic grins. In past premier auctions, sellers often imposed strict conditions—demanding specific items, techniques, or pills. Essentially, bartering in disguise.

Unrestricted bidding like this was exceedingly rare. The atmosphere heated instantly. Eager shouts rang out.

In mere dozens of breaths, the price rocketed to ten million top-grade spirit stones. At that level, enthusiasm cooled for many. Though Spiritual Qi Origin Essence was priceless, its actual boost remained limited—perhaps raising spiritual density in a ten-thousand-li cave heaven by twenty percent. Crushing ten million spirit stones and scattering them might yield better raw energy gains.

Were it not for its nourishing quality—promoting robust spiritual plant growth, deepening realm foundation, and accelerating cultivation—it would barely justify the sum. Thus, the price neared its ceiling.

…

In his private box, Ye Chen lounged with Yao Yuezhi in his arms, sipping tea leisurely. Hearing the long-legged auctioneer's rules, he chuckled inwardly. This auction clearly feared the Spiritual Qi Origin Essence wouldn't land in his hands.

As bidding below slowed, Ye Chen called unhurriedly, "Twenty million top-grade spirit stones."

Uttering the figure, he sighed inwardly. Good thing he had reached Mahayana—near the cultivation world's peak, soon ascending to the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, these prices might collapse the economy. His bid struck like a boulder into calm waters—the hall fell deathly silent.

Doubling it outright? Who was this tycoon?

In one box, several purple-haired men with vertical pupils at their brows—radiating Half-Saint fluctuations—grinned upon hearing him. "Ye Chen couldn't hold back—he bid."

"Of course. His cave heaven origin drained dry—he needs nourishment most."

"Raise it. Make him bleed."

"And the essence dissipates slowly—we'll reclaim it easily after he dies."

"Honestly, Luo Bingling was useless. By his side so long, yet no share of cave heaven origin!"

"Once Ye Chen falls, she'll return to minor status—serving the divine son dutifully."

They traded words, then bid boldly. "Treasures worth thirty million top-grade spirit stones!"

They intended to bleed him dry!