In the Star River Empire, within the residences of the honored guests of the Imperial Palace.
The living quarters of Futu, a peak eighth-tier Great Emperor.
"Hmm!?"
Nearly two hours had passed, and still no news had arrived from Huyan Qing of the Sky Wolf Empire. "Could something have gone wrong?"
"Impossible, Huyan Qing is an eighth-tier Great Emperor, someone who can contend even with peak eighth-tier Great Emperors. How could two mere brats not be dealt with?"
With this thought, Futu cast aside his worries and his gaze shifted towards the location of the Qiong Cang Planet Auction House.
"It is said that this auction will feature the ancestral bloodline remains of a young dragon, coveted even by the strong of the Star River Empire. If I can refine its essence..." he mused, his eyes flashing with fervor. "Reaching the ninth-tier Great Emperor realm will be just a matter of time!"
At the thought, Futu's eyes blazed with ardor. He then flashed and made his way towards the Qiong Cang Planet Auction House.
Little did Futu know that all the strong individuals from the Sky Wolf Empire, including Huyan Qing, had been annihilated by Ye Xuan and his two clones. If he were to discover this, would he still be so calmly attending the auction?
...
Half a day later.
Three men clad in black cloaks appeared before the Qiong Cang Auction House. These three were none other than Ye Xuan and his two clones.
However...
At this moment, the auras of the three were fully unleashed. Ye Xuan was at the peak of the seventh-tier Great Emperor realm, his Ice River Giant Beast clone was an eighth-tier Great Emperor, and his Elf clone was a fifth-tier Great Emperor.
All three were undoubtedly powerful. The two fourth-tier Great Emperors guarding the entrance to the auction house were visibly shaken.
"Three esteemed sirs, are you here to bid?"
The two auction house guards bowed respectfully, clearly aware that these were powerful individuals beyond their ability to offend.
"Yes."
Ye Xuan replied, then added, "And to auction off some items as well."
As he spoke, Ye Xuan flipped his right hand, revealing a brocade box. A sliver of the box opened, and a rich medicinal fragrance immediately wafted out. The Ice River Giant Beast clone and the Elf clone, upon smelling the fragrance, froze.
Holy cow!
That was the Honored Master's 'Emperor Breaking Pill'!
Honored Master, are you... planning to stir up trouble again? The two clones could tell with their toes what their Honored Master was up to.
"Please, esteemed sirs!"
Although the two fourth-tier Great Emperors didn't know what kind of pill it was, based on the faint fragrance that emanated from it, this pill was undoubtedly extremely precious. If it were to be auctioned, it would surely cause a sensation among all parties.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering the quest: Consume 1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals at the Qiong Cang Auction House!"
"Quest Option One: Accept the quest, gain 100,000 Star River Coins, and receive 100 high-grade Emperor Crystals as a bonus!"
"Quest Option Two: Reject the quest, wealth will be reduced by 30%!"
Stepping into the Qiong Cang Auction House, a woman of exceptional demeanor led the three, and they were soon brought to the appraisal area.
The process was largely similar to the Atlantean Star Auction House, but the decorations and amenities of the Qiong Cang Auction House were several times superior to those on Atlantean Planet.
The brocade box was opened!
The next moment, the eighth-tier Great Emperor responsible for appraisal, who was also an honored guest of the Star River Empire, had his pupils constrict. "Esteemed sir, pray tell, what is this?"
"Emperor Breaking Pill!"
Ye Xuan got straight to the point. "This is an Emperor Breaking Pill. It can, to a certain extent, enhance the breakthrough of Great Emperor level powerhouses. It is limited to those below the ninth-tier Great Emperor realm, though it will also have an effect on ninth-tier Great Emperors, albeit greatly diminished."
"Great Emperor realm breakthrough, this!?"
The eighth-tier Great Emperor in charge of appraisal gazed at the 'Emperor Breaking Pill' again, his expression becoming solemn. "Excellent!"
"This item, our auction house guarantees to secure the highest price for you!"
After a brief explanation, Ye Xuan and his two clones were led to a VIP private room.
"Ahem, Honored Master."
The Elf clone coughed dryly. "May I ask, how many of those 'Emperor Breaking Pills' do you have?"
The Ice River Giant Beast clone, ears perked, was also listening. The Honored Master was becoming increasingly inscrutable. Such means were not possessed by ordinary individuals.
"Why do you ask?"
Ye Xuan glanced at the Elf clone. "Not many, just about a hundred or so."
Elf clone, "!!!!"
Ice River Giant Beast clone, "!!!!"
Holy cow!
Not many, and yet a hundred or so? Does the Honored Master have to show off to survive?
Of course, they didn't know that as long as they had enough Star River Coins, he possessed an endless supply of 'Emperor Breaking Pills'.
Next, a figure appeared on the auction stage. This person was Dai Liubai, one of Mo Yu's most trusted individuals, holding a status similar to Huyan Qing of the Sky Wolf Empire. Although he was at the eighth-tier Great Emperor realm, his combat power was sufficient to contend with peak eighth-tier Great Emperors.
It is worth mentioning that Dai Liubai was also a sword cultivator.
It could be said that even Futu would not willingly offend Dai Liubai, for offending a sword cultivator would be a very troublesome matter.
"Welcome everyone for attending this auction amidst your busy schedules."
"I believe everyone has their own desires for coming here, and I hope everyone will return with a full harvest today!"
After a brief opening, Dai Liubai moved on to the main event. "Alright, let us now introduce the first auction item: the peak Emperor Weapon, the Ice Profound Sword!"
"The starting bid is 100 high-grade Emperor Crystals!"
As Dai Liubai's voice fell, the entire venue erupted in murmurs.
A peak Emperor Weapon of the ice attribute, the Ice Profound Sword. Ice cultivators were already rare, and a peak Emperor Weapon of the ice attribute was even rarer. However, if an ice cultivator wielded this sword, their combat power would likely soar by several levels.
"Holy cow!"
The Ice River Giant Beast clone was taken aback by Dai Liubai's words. Immediately, his eighth-tier Great Emperor aura surged outward. "100 high-grade Emperor Crystals, I want it!"
Before Ye Xuan's main body could act, the Ice River Giant Beast clone spoke up. If he could bid for it himself, of course, he didn't want to trouble his Honored Master.
"Heh heh, the Ice Profound Sword is quite interesting. 200 high-grade Emperor Crystals!"
This time, another eighth-tier Great Emperor's aura surged forth, accompanied by a chilling sensation. It was another ice cultivator.
"Damn it!"
The Ice River Giant Beast cursed loudly upon hearing someone vying for his weapon.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan smiled slightly, unconcerned. His gaze fell upon the auction stage. "500 high-grade Emperor Crystals."
His voice, calm and even, echoed through the hall, bringing immediate silence. The ice cultivator in another private room's expression grew serious. Dai Liubai at the auction stage looked towards Ye Xuan's private room, his expression shifting, for the 'Emperor Breaking Pill' had been provided by this peak seventh-tier Great Emperor.
"600 high-grade Emperor Crystals!"
The ice cultivator pondered for a moment before calling out another price.
Ye Xuan remained unfazed, his voice, as calm as ever, stating, "1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals!!"
At this moment, the aura of a peak seventh-tier Great Emperor surged forth. However, despite his cultivation being at the peak seventh-tier Great Emperor realm, everyone could sense that this person undoubtedly possessed terrifying cross-level combat ability, as this intensity was unlike that of an ordinary peak seventh-tier Great Emperor.
The ice cultivator in the other private room felt an extremely dangerous aura emanating from them and fell silent. Not only him, but others around them also dared not bid, lest they offend the two powerful individuals in that private room.
"1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals for the first time!"
"1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals for the second time!"
"1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals for the third time!!"
With a final "dong," Dai Liubai let out a sigh of relief. "Congratulations to the esteemed sir for acquiring the peak Emperor realm Ice Profound Sword for 1000 high-grade Emperor Crystals!"