Xu Tianzong never imagined that the rumor of him, a cultivator at the seventh heaven of Dao Integration, defying a cultivator at the ninth heaven of Dao Integration would be so terrifying.
After the first visitor, Chen Yixian, the lord of the Minglun District plane, left, at least a dozen regional powerhouses, ranked among the top one hundred, came to visit Xu Tianzong in the Void Black Market.
After seeing off the last regional powerhouse, a long silence fell outside the courtyard gate, with no more knocks.
Xu Tianzong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
While entertaining the regional powerhouses, each at the ninth heaven of Dao Integration, Xu Tianzong had been under immense pressure.
If Li Qi hadn't been by his side, he might have collapsed.
Finally, it was over.
At this moment, Li Qi patted Xu Tianzong on the shoulder.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, calm down, relax, don't panic."
Hearing this, Xu Tianzong looked at Li Qi with a wry smile.
If he had Li Qi's strength, he naturally wouldn't be panicking.
It was all due to his insufficient strength. If his strength were a little greater, he wouldn't have to worry about all these trivial matters.
He had to go back and cultivate in seclusion! This thought grew increasingly firm in Xu Tianzong's heart.
Silence returned to the small courtyard.
And at this very moment.
"Rumble."
The entire Void Black Market seemed to shake with a great roar, and two terrifying auras were transmitted from far beyond the market.
Even from such a distance, their terrifying power sent shivers down the spine.
Li Qi and Xu Tianzong's gazes immediately turned in the direction from which the two auras originated.
They saw, not far outside the Void Black Market, two figures radiating terrifying power entangled with each other.
Every passing second, an incredibly fearsome energy erupted between them.
"This... this is a battle between two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators."
Xu Tianzong's eyes widened slightly at the sight.
A trace of astonishment appeared in Li Qi's eyes as well.
With more and more powerhouses gathering in the Void Black Market, it was normal for conflicts to arise and battles to ensue.
However, this was the first time Li Qi had witnessed a battle between two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators during his stay.
As time went on, the two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators fought with increasing ferocity.
Meanwhile, within the Void Black Market, many figures instantly shot into the sky, heading rapidly towards the direction where the two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators were battling.
Good heavens, they dared to watch a battle between ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators, truly fearless of death.
Li Qi thought to himself, in the past, it was him who was watched by the onlookers of the Void Black Market, and now it was someone else's turn.
However, Li Qi had no intention of joining the crowd to spectate from up close.
"The battle over there has nothing to do with us. For safety's sake, let's continue to stay in the Void Black Market. After all, news will likely emerge from the market once things settle down."
"Fellow Daoist Li speaks wisely. Let us remain cautiously hidden."
Xu Tianzong nodded, strongly agreeing with Li Qi's words. Regardless of the storm outside, the two remained steadfast in their small courtyard.
After more than half a day, the battle fluctuations of the two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators gradually subsided, likely indicating the end of the fight.
However, from such a distance, Li Qi could faintly sense that this battle had not resulted in a clear victor. It was likely that after fighting for so long, both sides had calmed down.
The date for the Azure Blue Auction was drawing nearer.
In the following days, Li Qi remained within his room, patiently waiting. The second innate spirit puppet residing in its own abode was also safe and sound, with no unexpected events.
Xu Tianzong, on the other hand, went out a couple of times occasionally.
However, these were not major affairs.
On his way back, Xu Tianzong also learned the reason for the battle between the two ninth-heaven Dao Integration cultivators a couple of days prior.
Apparently, their respective regions had a history of conflict, with countless private battles fought and many small worlds belonging to their subordinates destroyed.
Now, due to the Azure Blue Auction, they had encountered each other in the Void Black Market.
A single glance between them immediately reignited their past animosity.
And so, the battle that Li Qi had witnessed ensued.
As for the conclusion, it was much as Li Qi had speculated. Neither could defeat the other. After calming down, they exchanged a few meaningless threats, such as vowing to annex each other's regions, and then departed.
After all, if either of them could have truly dealt with their opponent, the matter likely wouldn't have remained unresolved until now.
However, a strange phenomenon occurred. Compared to the initial chaos, in the final days leading up to the auction, the entire Void Black Market suddenly became unusually calm. Any minor skirmishes that occurred had completely ceased.
It seemed as though everything was making way for the commencement of the Azure Blue Auction.
The final few days passed in a flash.
Inside Li Qi's small courtyard.
Li Qi and Xu Tianzong had now emerged from their respective rooms.
"The Azure Blue Auction has finally begun."
The two exchanged glances, then walked out of the small courtyard together, heading towards the Azure Blue Auction.
Simultaneously, in another direction of the Void Black Market, the second innate spirit puppet, which had been waiting for days, emerged from the temporarily rented courtyard for the first time, also heading towards the Azure Blue Auction.
With its cultivation barely at the third heaven of Dao Integration, it appeared utterly ordinary amidst the crowd, not attracting any attention whatsoever.