The sheer number of top-tier powerhouses, more than I've ever seen even at Starfall Fortress, is astounding. I never expected this Oasis Mall, which has only been open for a few months, to draw such a crowd.
Perhaps it's the Root of Origin and the Pure Divine Radiance among the auction items that have attracted them.
Two figures walked through the bustling market at the city gate and entered the increasingly lively mall, their eyes scanning their surroundings. One was dressed elegantly, like a noblewoman, while the other, though burly, wasn't rough in appearance. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore two large drums at his waist. Such attire wouldn't stand out in the Burning Flame Mall.
If Fang You had glanced their way, he would have undoubtedly recognized them. It was Dean Rose and Dean War Song! Unlike their doll-like avatars used when entering Blue Star, they were now here in their true forms! Two Six-Awakened individuals had personally arrived. Yet, the two deans showed no hint of their strength; there were simply too many powerful beings around them.
The top Six-Awakened in Starfall City are far stronger than us. To think that those from the Shattered Sea are even more formidable, titled Six-Awakened! My intuition is constantly sending warning signals; the pressure is immense.
The gap between Six-Awakened individuals is wider than that between a human and a dog. Some have merely broken through to the Six-Awakened realm by chance, their contamination severe, making them hesitant to unleash their full power. Others, however, have immersed themselves in the Six-Awakened state for decades or even centuries, mastering various esoteric techniques. They can even hold their own against divine avatars for a few moves. This refers to normal combat, not the kind of power boosted by external forces at great cost, as seen on Blue Star.
Dean Jianhua and Dean War Song had been in this Burning Flame Mall for some time. Thanks to the numerous caravans passing through, their horizons as Six-Awakened individuals had broadened considerably.
We are ordinary Six-Awakened individuals. Not only is our combat strength quite average among peers, but we also occasionally hear ominous whispers. After all, the degree of our erosion and contamination is not low. The Six-Awakened from the direct lineage of Starfall City's great nobles or royal families, as long as they are not newly promoted, are definitely stronger than us. However, such Six-Awakened individuals still have a significant gap compared to titled Six-Awakened. These are the pinnacle Six-Awakened thrones. In Starfall City, perhaps only a few individuals like the Lord of Starfall Fortress possess such combat power.
Dean War Song hadn't known precisely what level such combat power represented, or the extent of the gap between himself and the top-tier Six-Awakened. They hadn't witnessed many Six-Awakened powerhouses in action, and the number of life-or-death battles against peers was few and far between. But this time, during their two-month stay at the Burning Flame Mall, he had the fortune to witness it.
One day, Dean War Song and Dean Rose went out exploring, reminiscing about their youth. From afar, they heard a deafening roar emanating from the thick gray mist, accompanied by the earth shaking as if the heavens and earth were splitting apart.
"It's a Cataclysm-level anomaly!"
They avoided such anomalies whenever possible. Unless a Cataclysm-level anomaly was blocking a resource point that was particularly tempting, they would gladly abandon ordinary resource points. With their strength, hunting a six-star Cataclysm wasn't easy. If they were injured or their contamination worsened as a result, the loss would outweigh any gain.
As the thick fog gradually dissipated, a colossal, two to three hundred-meter-tall eight-armed giant appeared before their eyes. The two widened their eyes, not in shock at the Cataclysm-level anomaly itself, but at a burly man wielding a giant axe, his beard thick and bristly. Supported by countless ice shards, he ascended, his axe glowing with a heavy earthy-yellow light. He swung the axe down.
With the first axe, he severed two of the giant's arms. With the second axe, he made the giant stagger, leaving it wide open. With the third axe, its blade illuminated the sky, cleaving off the giant's massive head.
An anomaly of six-star Cataclysm was annihilated with three axe strikes. Afterward, Dean War Song learned the name of this powerhouse from other merchants: Frost Three Axes. Officially recognized as a top-tier Six-Awakened within the Seven Star Alliance.
In this era, myths were rare and seldom appeared in the world. Top-tier Six-Awakened individuals were the common topic of conversation among merchants and mercenaries. The Shattered Sea once had an enthusiast who compiled a "Top 100 Six-Awakened" list, but soon after, the enthusiast mysteriously disappeared without a trace. The general public didn't agree with the rankings on the list; it was difficult to conclude who was stronger or weaker without actually fighting. However, it was universally agreed that Six-Awakened individuals with formidable battle records and recognized titles were far superior to ordinary Six-Awakened. Battle records don't lie.
"And this Frost Three Axes is merely the patriarch of a long-standing noble family under the Seven Star Alliance, not a direct descendant of the Seven Star Alliance itself."
"How strong would a 'mythical seed' be if cultivated with full effort by powers like the Seven Star Alliance, the Crimson Lotus Empire, or the Ancient Moon Dynasty?" Dean War Song mused.
Dean Rose remembered Meidisha, on whom she had pinned great hopes, believing she had some chance of reaching the mythical realm. She also sighed. Stepping out this time revealed that there were always people better than you, and heavens beyond heavens. Although Meidisha was outstanding, she was still far behind the young prodigies of these top powers. After all, their Sword Flower City was merely a large oasis, far inferior to those powers with long histories and deep foundations.
"However, speaking of top-tier Six-Awakened, it reminds me of Blue Star. Those three on Blue Star, An Jianyou, the White-Robed Mentor, and the Black-Clad Instructor, even setting aside their external aids, weren't they close to being top-tier Six-Awakened? They are true children of destiny, monstrous geniuses! It's just a pity they were born on Blue Star."
"Yes, if they had originated from a top power, they would likely be preparing for the mythical realm by now. It's lamentable that they have to strive for the survival of the world and its people while still children."
After a pause, Dean War Song conveyed some information from Blue Star. "It is rumored that these three have rarely appeared recently, especially the black-haired girl who commands anomalies. Meidisha hasn't seen her again."
Anomalies are inherently representatives of chaos, madness, and contamination. What price would one have to pay to forcefully command them with a Six-Awakened body and even merge with a seven-star anomaly? Dean War Song felt immense regret just thinking about it.
"Our main targets for bidding this time are Ability Fruits and Clear Heart Tea, which can alleviate contamination. As for other items..." He shook his head. They certainly coveted the Root of Origin, Pure Divine Radiance, and so on. However, they simply couldn't afford them, and even if they could, they wouldn't dare to covet them. Even the Ability Fruits and Clear Heart Tea would have to be bought within their means.
"If we have the opportunity, we need a core component of a legacy site to build our Sword Flower City's true legacy. Unfortunately, the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce doesn't sell them. But fortunately, there are enough merchants gathered in this oasis, many from the Shattered Sea. We didn't have these conditions at Starfall Fortress, so we must seize this chance."
"Yes, we must find a buyer during this auction. Otherwise, we might not have such an opportunity again."
Many powerhouses harbored the same thoughts as the two deans from Sword Flower City. Perhaps initially, they were only drawn by the goods sold at the Burning Flame Mall. But now that merchants from various major regions had gathered here, the channels for purchasing treasures had consequently increased. This was a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. Some keenly sensed the business potential.
"Take a look, take a look! The latest issue of the Great Mi Chaotic Report is out, featuring information on various merchant guilds. Only 998 Chaotic Crystals per copy, and contact information for each guild ranges from 3998 to 6998 Chaotic Crystals. Take a look, take a look!"
The Great Mi Chaotic Islands were a special region in the Shattered Sea, a neutral and chaotic territory composed of numerous loose, large and small forces. But precisely because of the multitude of forces in the Great Mi Chaotic Islands, some of which were disguises or front organizations for super-powers, or forces they invested in and supported, their information network was the most comprehensive in the Shattered Sea region. The Great Mi Chaotic Report was founded by the governing force of the Great Mi Chaotic Islands – Great Mi Chaotic City. It was sold in many places in the Shattered Sea and had very high sales. The editor who compiled the "Top 100 Six-Awakened" list before was from the Great Mi Chaotic Report, but after his disappearance, that business was shelved. The Great Mi Chaotic Report had a good reputation, and some forces from distant regions had heard of this newspaper. The guild information listed in it, including contact methods, genuinely struck a chord with them, but...
"Thousands of Chaotic Crystals for a communication rune, are you trying to rob us?"
"Even if we pool resources with other factions to buy it, it's not much cheaper."
Thousands of Chaotic Crystals would be a small price to pay if a transaction could be negotiated to purchase the desired items. The problem was that these thousands of Chaotic Crystals only bought a phone number, and another few thousand would be needed for another number. Furthermore, whether they could achieve cooperation with external forces was still uncertain. On the other hand, they, as representatives of major oases, were in a weaker position. Approaching them directly for cooperation might lead to them being heavily fleeced.
Dean War Song cursed. Whether to buy or not, it felt like a scam. If they didn't buy, the opportunity would be missed forever. He hesitated.
The events in the oasis were also compiled by the intelligence department and presented on Fang You's desk. He propped his chin with one hand and tapped the desk with his fingers, his gaze scanning the list of contacts in the newspaper.
"Selling information can yield a substantial profit from the various outer oases. At the same time, the descriptions of the merchant guilds in this information likely contain many hidden details." The guilds prominently displayed, with the most detailed descriptions, had probably paid off the people of Great Mi Chaotic City. After all, these were ordinary major guilds. Qianqiu had even assassinated a high-level executive of one of these guilds. They were making money from both sides. The person in charge of Great Mi Chaotic City here was very good at making money!
"What a scoundrel deserving of hanging from a lamppost!" Great Mi Chaotic City making a small profit was acceptable, but making so much, right before his eyes, was unacceptable to Instructor Fang. If someone is making money on his territory, shouldn't they at least pay taxes? But they hadn't. The emergence of the Great Mi Chaotic Report showed Fang You the demand from many major oasis factions. They needed to connect with various top merchant guilds. But not just contact; they also needed a platform to help reduce risks.
Thus, less than half a day after the Great Mi Chaotic Report was distributed, an official institution of the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce opened next to the Burning Flame Grand Bazaar. — The Burning Flame Trading House. Individuals or factions could post their purchase requests and consignment information here, and anonymous transactions could be conducted. The entire transaction process was guaranteed by the strong individuals of the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce, ensuring safety and peace of mind. Furthermore, the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce also undertook cross-regional express delivery services. This provided Sword Flower City, the Black Stone Alliance, and many other major oases with additional, safer options.
However, both the Trading House and the Great Mi Chaotic Report were merely interlude events before the auction. Top powers from the Shattered Sea and other regions did not hold high hopes for this trading house. The basis for the trading house's existence depended on a sufficient number of merchant caravans from outer regions to facilitate mutual communication. But after this auction ended and the caravans returned, the next time they would arrive... might not happen again.
"Treasures like the Root of Origin are rumored to only appear in the early stages of world formation. I never expected the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce to possess multiple portions and put them up for auction directly... If it weren't for this, we wouldn't have traveled all this way."
"Hurry up and start the auction. We'll leave immediately after bidding for treasures. I don't want to stay in this rural outer region for another moment."
"I'll meekly say, though this place is backward, the food is incredibly delicious. I've never seen many of the dishes before."
"Hmph! We wouldn't eat rural food. We brought enough provisions for two to three months for this trip."
"Don't get your hopes too high. We don't even know if the Root of Origin, and the Pure Divine Radiance that we've never heard of, are genuine. If they're fake... Hahaha! We will absolutely not let the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce off!"
As the time approached, the atmosphere in the entire mall gradually became tense. Sometimes, guards from two merchant guilds could get into a conflict in a teahouse over a small remark. After all, there were too many powerhouses and elites. Many people were famous local overlords, all gathered in this small oasis, like a barrel of gunpowder waiting to be ignited. It was only out of consideration for the mythical beings stationed here that many merchant guilds ordered their subordinates to exercise restraint.
Even so, BANG—
"This is the first time. Just a verbal warning. If you cause trouble with anyone else in the oasis again, you'll be squatting in the Heavenly Prison." In a teahouse, two non-human awakened individuals were about to fight when they were picked up like chicks by a fierce-looking burly man and thrown onto the road outside the teahouse. His fierce eyes swept over them, making them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. The heated conflict instantly cooled down.
Everything returned to peace. The storyteller on the stage, unperturbed, struck his wooden clapper and recited his engrossing story with dramatic flair: "A golden elixir from heaven grants three years of life to its earthly owner. Chapter Thirty-Nine concludes here. Today's tale of the Journey to the West ends. To know what happens next, tune in tomorrow."
As soon as his voice fell, the crowd below began to stir. Some cursed the cliffhanger-loving storyteller, while others rolled up their sleeves. But after glancing at the fierce man Xue Tu standing nearby, they slowly pulled their sleeves down, though their faces still showed dissatisfaction.
"This is already the sixth conflict today. There are two days left until the auction, yet the conflicts are intensifying. I fear the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce might not be able to suppress them."
"Yes, perhaps the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce never expected that the Root of Origin would attract so many top factions."
"Rather, that mysterious sound is too powerful; it spread the news too widely and too quickly. You know, even in our Shattered Sea, it's not that easy to spread news on a large scale."
"I hope nothing happens on the day of the auction. Everyone be alert, and if anything happens, retreat outwards."
"It wouldn't come to that, would it? Doesn't the Burning Flame Mall have a mythical being guarding it?"
"Money moves people's hearts. Moreover, there are too many representatives from top factions and super factions here. The reputation of a mythical being might not be enough to deter them. And within this small oasis, besides the Burning Flame's Empress, the mythical being, there might be a second or even a third mythical being."
"Are you suggesting... hiss—"
"In short, let's pray that no mythical battle occurs."
In teahouses, inns, and restaurants, numerous powerhouses sensed the suppressed undercurrent. They were unwilling to leave directly but were worried about accidents, so they made arrangements. For a time, the undercurrents within the small Burning Flame Oasis became even more turbulent.
Thus, two days passed, feeling both long and fleeting. The auction venue, prepared for two months, officially opened, and representatives from various factions, along with their guards and attendants, entered one after another.
Whoosh—
The lights flickered on, illuminating the scattered brilliance of treasures.