In a secluded cave on the outskirts of the Black Wind Mountains in the Spirit Ruins Realm, Jiang Li was sitting cross-legged in meditation.
The pine torches stuck in the cave walls flickered, casting a red glow on the silver mask on her face.
The rusty iron sword leaned against the stone wall, its blade shimmering with a faint spiritual light—a result of the sword's spontaneous tempering after absorbing the spiritual power of four late-stage Dao-proving elders.
"Creation Realm..." Jiang Li slowly opened her eyes, a trace of solemnity flashing in them.
After killing four late-stage Dao-proving elders, she did not venture deeper into the heart of the Xu Sha Sect, but instead chose to retreat to the outer perimeter.
She knew very well that a sect like the Xu Sha Sect, which had been passed down for thousands of years, could not possibly only have elders at the Dao Proving Realm; it must also have ancestors at the Creation Realm.
With her current peak Dao-seeking strength, she can still hold her own against late-stage Dao-proving opponents with her speed and swordsmanship, but if she encounters a Creation Realm expert, she might not even be able to escape.
No rush.
Jiang Li's fingertips traced the scabbard. "Hunting their disciples and elders can weaken their strength and hone my swordsmanship and mental state. It's not too late to come and collect my debts when I can cleave through the world with a single sword strike."
She took out a jade slip from her storage ring, which she had taken from the Fourth Elder. The slip contained the patrol routes of the Xu Sha Sect disciples.
A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. He stood up, blew out the torch, and his figure once again disappeared into the night outside the cave—it was time to change the "prey" for tonight.
In the Xuanqiong Realm, on the vast land.
"Snap—"
A crisp sound rang out in the silent forest. Shi Tou took a big bite of the golden fruit in his hand, juice dripping from the corner of his mouth, and said indistinctly, "Senior Brother, this fruit is so sweet, even better than the snake meat last time!"
Xiao Chen also took a bite of the Barrier-Breaking Fruit. The flesh melted in his mouth, and a warm spiritual energy slid down his throat, nourishing his limbs and bones.
He smiled but didn't say anything—this treasure, which could be a chance for a breakthrough in the eyes of a Dao-proving cultivator, had become a mere treat for him and Shi Tou.
If any old cultivators from the Xuanqiong Realm were to witness this scene, they would probably be so angry they'd vomit blood—what a waste! It's utterly a waste!
After completing the Bai family's mine mission and receiving their reward, Xiao Chen and Shi Tou did not take on any new missions. Instead, they bought a simplified map of the Xuanqiong Realm and planned to travel around.
They had already witnessed the dangers of the Chaotic Star Belt, and now they wanted to see the prosperous land of the Xuanqiong Realm, and perhaps find a suitable opportunity to break through.
The two walked and stopped frequently, roasting some exotic beast meat when they were hungry, finding a spiritual spring when they were thirsty, and meditating and cultivating when they were tired, which was quite comfortable for them.
That afternoon, they saw a city floating in mid-air in the distance.
The city was built entirely of seven-colored glazed stone, which reflected a dazzling light under the sun, like a dream. A huge jade plaque hung at the city gate, with three golden characters "Illusory City" written on it. It was surrounded by spiritual energy, and it was clear at a glance that it was a rich and prosperous city.
"This city is so beautiful!" Stone exclaimed, tilting his head back with wide eyes. "It's much more impressive than Windless City!"
Xiao Chen was also somewhat surprised—the fact that a city in the Xuanqiong Realm could be built in mid-air was far beyond the imagination of the Cangxuan Realm.
The two followed the crowd through the city gate. As soon as they entered the city, they noticed that the cultivators on the street were in a hurry, most of them looking anxious. Some were even flying on their swords, almost crashing into roadside stalls, which drew angry curses.
"What's wrong?" Stone scratched his head. "It's like being chased by a dog."
Xiao Chen stopped a cultivator in blue robes who was running out of the city and cupped his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please wait. May I ask why there is such a rush in the city?"
The cultivator didn't stop, and said urgently, "The Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce is going to hold an auction! I have to hurry back to inform the sect elders and get them here quickly! If I'm late, all the good stuff will be gone!"
"Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce?" Xiao Chen was hearing this name for the first time.
"You don't even know the Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce?" The cultivator in green robes looked at him as if he were a monster, speaking rapidly, "That's a top-tier chamber of commerce that's all over the Xuanqiong Realm! A hundred times more powerful than the lousy chamber of commerce in your small world!"
The cultivators could tell from the fact that Xiao Chen didn't even know about the Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce that they were from a small world.
"Their auctions are held only once every ten years, and each time great treasures are revealed. Last time, they auctioned off a 'Qiankun Bag' and half a fragment of the 'Creation Scripture'!"
After saying that, she disappeared in a flash before Xiao Chen could ask any more questions.
Xiao Chen seemed to be deep in thought—this auction was indeed extraordinary, capable of driving the entire city into such a frenzy.
He then stopped an elderly man who was setting up a stall, stuffed a low-grade spirit crystal into his hand, and asked, "Sir, is it possible for anyone to enter the Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce's auction?"
The old man weighed the spirit crystal in his hand and chuckled, "How could that be! The threshold for the Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce is extremely high! Either you're a member of a prominent family or sect in the Xuanqiong Realm, and you can enter with your family token; or..."
The old man paused, then lowered his voice: "You have to be tested to see who has the strength. You must reach the late stage of the Dao Proving realm to be qualified to enter as a 'rogue cultivator'! Otherwise, no matter how many spirit crystals you have, you can only listen to the noise from outside!"
Xiao Chen understood. The Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce clearly wanted to use the auction to screen its clients, allowing only the wealthy, powerful, or extremely influential to enter.
Stone, gnawing on the last bite of the Barrier-Breaking Fruit, mumbled, "Senior Brother, shall we go take a look? Maybe there's something delicious..."
Xiao Chen chuckled and shook his head: "Let's go take a look first."
He wasn't particularly interested in the auction itself, but the fact that it could make the entire Fantasy City buzz must mean it was going to be quite a spectacle.
Moreover, he might find something useful for cultivation at the auction—such as materials suitable for tempering the body with stone, or treasures that could help him break through to the Dao Proof Realm.
The two followed the flow of people toward the city center. The closer they got to the center, the stronger the aura of the cultivators became. Dao Proving Realm cultivators were everywhere, and some even exuded the pressure of Creation Realm cultivators, clearly important figures from various major forces.
"The Sanyuan Chamber of Commerce's auction house is just ahead." Xiao Chen pointed to a huge building in the distance, made entirely of white jade. Three golden characters, "Sanyuan Pavilion," floated on the top of the building. It was surrounded by spiritual energy and was even more magnificent than the city lord's mansion in Huancai City.
A long queue had already formed in front of the pavilion. The cultivators were holding tokens or undergoing strength tests. The guards were all at the mid-stage of the Dao Proving Realm. Their eyes were wary as they scanned the people in line. The order was well maintained, but the eagerness in the air could not be concealed.
Xiao Chen looked at the long queue, then at his own and Shi Tou's cultivation levels—he was currently at the peak of the Tribulation Transcending stage, Shi Tou's strength should be sufficient, but he was still far from the threshold of "late stage of Dao Proving".
"I can't get in." Stone was a little disappointed. He had hoped to see if there was any novel food inside.
Xiao Chen was in no hurry. His gaze fell on a small door on the side of the Sanyuan Pavilion, where several cultivators were entering with some kind of black token. The guards didn't even check them.
"There will always be a way." Xiao Chen smiled faintly.
He didn't want to miss out on the excitement.
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