Chapter 515: Treasure Contest

"So many cultivators."

Meng Chuan arrived in front of the Black Dragon Palace. The Black Dragon Palace covered an enormous area, yet he could still see a vast number of cultivators, either in groups or alone, continuously entering the palace. Meng Chuan exclaimed in admiration, "In the Sky Peak Galaxy, at least 20 to 30 percent of the cultivators must be attending this treasure auction."

The treasure auction was a grand event; even if one couldn't afford anything, it was a good opportunity to broaden one's horizons.

At this moment, Meng Chuan was clad in luxurious black robes, with a sword at his waist and white hair falling over his shoulders. He possessed a unique aura, the aura of one who practiced the 'Sword of No Self, No Form.'

Perhaps because the 'Sword of No Self, No Form' was exceptionally suited to Meng Chuan, or perhaps his 'Cloud Mist Dragon Serpent Movement Technique,' which was at the Cavern Heaven Perfected Realm, was far superior to typical Cavern Heaven Perfected Realm techniques, Meng Chuan had already found a path to break through to the Heaven and Earth Realm while cultivating the 'Sword of No Self, No Form.' He was confident that within ten years, he would elevate the 'Sword of No Self, No Form' to the Heaven and Earth Realm.

Currently, the Emperor's aura, disguised by the exotic treasure 'Mirage Dragon Token,' also leaned towards the 'Sword of No Self, No Form,' making the disguise flawless.

"Lord Emperor, please come in." The Black Dragon Palace had a vast number of attendants. These attendants, varying in appearance, warmly welcomed every cultivator, escorting them into the enormous hall where the treasure auction was about to be held.

Meng Chuan also entered this hall.

"Lord Emperor, please rest here. The treasure auction will begin in approximately one hour." An attendant led Meng Chuan to a seat. As Meng Chuan sat down, he was amazed to discover that although he could see misty, veiled figures all around him with his naked eye, he couldn't discern them clearly, nor could he approach them! Each cultivator's area was a separate space.

Unless companions wished to stay together, others could not approach or observe them.

For a treasure auction, every cultivator must feel confident to bid! To prevent them from fearing ambush or assassination by powerful individuals, the identity of each cultivator had to be protected.

On Black Dragon Star, the 'Black Dragon Palace' and 'Eternal Tower' had the best reputations.

Only in these two places did Meng Chuan dare to purchase a Six-Tribulation Realm secret treasure weapon.

Meng Chuan sat, patiently waiting, partaking in the free drinks, snacks, and other provisions prepared by the Black Dragon Palace. Soon, the hour passed. The indistinct figures in the hall already numbered over ten thousand. Among them, there were certainly 'Tribulation Realm Grandmasters.'

"Everyone."

In the center of the grand hall, a silver-haired woman appeared. Dragon scales adorned her face, and she faintly exuded a draconic aura. Her voice resonated throughout, and the entire hall fell silent.

"Is that her? Cang Yu, one of Old Ancestor Black Dragon's followers." Meng Chuan immediately recognized her.

Cang Yu was a Three-Tribulation Realm Grandmaster and one of Old Ancestor Black Dragon's followers.

"I will be presiding over today's treasure auction." The silver-haired Dragoness smiled. With a flick of her hand, a talisman floated before her. "The first treasure is an 'Immortal Talisman'."

All cultivators, whose true essence and divine sense could not directly examine it, could clearly see the talisman with their naked eyes, and the runes displayed on its surface were also visible.

"Everyone, please take a close look," the silver-haired Dragoness said, simultaneously describing it. "The Immortal Talisman can maintain an 'immortal body' for approximately one hour. Most importantly, it contains extremely profound mysteries of the temporal lineage, which can be used for observation and comprehension."

After ten breaths of time, she spoke again: "The starting bid is ten Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals. As per tradition, if there are no new bids for three breaths of time, the item will be sold."

"Ten Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," a powerful voice immediately resonated.

"Fifteen Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals."

The price immediately soared.

Even with an Immortal Talisman, if one encountered a powerful enemy with too great a disparity in strength, one might still be captured alive! The 'immortal body' lasting for one hour did not enhance one's other abilities, so one could still be captured alive.

Only in critical situations could this Immortal Talisman truly demonstrate its miraculous effect.

The Immortal Talisman's greater utility lay in comprehending the temporal mysteries within it. If one could fully grasp its essence and gain the 'immortal body' ability, they could maintain an immortal body indefinitely! Among Tribulation Realm Grandmasters, this was a rare and powerful method, though it could, of course, be easily countered by a Seven-Tribulation Realm Grandmaster.

"Sixteen Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals."

"Eighteen Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," a hoarse voice rang out.

The hall fell completely silent.

After three breaths of time.

"The Immortal Talisman, eighteen Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals." The silver-haired Dragoness put away the Immortal Talisman and immediately announced, "The next treasure is the exotic artifact, the 'Incomplete Stone Tablet'..."

One precious item after another was brought out, inciting rounds of competitive bidding among the numerous cultivators.

The 'starting bids' set by the Black Dragon Palace were quite low. Even if one didn't use the item themselves, buying it at the starting price and selling it at the 'Eternal Tower' would yield a profit! So, initially, even Venerables dared to bid! However, after prices climbed higher, only those who truly desired the items dared to speak.

"The Five-Colored Thunder Flower, three hundred seventy-three Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," the silver-haired Dragoness continued. "Next, the Sun God Fire Furnace, a Five-Tribulation Realm secret treasure..."

The bidding progressed relatively quickly, yet even after three hours, only about half of the items had been auctioned.

"The Drunken Dream Flower, thirty-seven Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," the silver-haired Dragoness said. "Next, the Ash Tower, a Six-Tribulation Realm secret treasure."

The silver-haired woman flipped her hand and produced an ancient, simple tower.

The tower flew from her palm, floating in the air, and under the activation of Tribulation Realm power, numerous runes appeared on its surface.

"The Ash Tower can accelerate time..." The silver-haired Dragoness described it, while also allowing the cultivators to carefully examine this Six-Tribulation Realm secret treasure.

Time caverns were rare, and their refining difficulty was much higher than that of the Immortal Talisman.

However, their effects were limited.

For instance, they could be used to cultivate 'spiritual plants and fruits,' or to quickly enhance one's strength for a short period when encountering difficulties. They could also be used to comprehend the 'temporal lineage' mysteries within the time cavern.

"The starting bid for the Ash Tower is three hundred Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," the silver-haired woman announced.

Meng Chuan stared intently.

He hadn't made a single bid this entire time.

"Three hundred twenty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," a calm voice came from his left rear.

"Three hundred thirty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," Meng Chuan bid. Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals were precious, and if the price exceeded the secret treasure's true value, bidding usually ceased.

"Three hundred fifty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," a startling voice suddenly rang out.

Meng Chuan's expression changed. "Such a large jump in price?" The other party's intention was clear—they were determined to win it!

While Meng Chuan and the others were bidding, in a hidden chamber of the Black Dragon Palace, Old Ancestor Black Dragon and a red-haired man were leisurely drinking and chatting.

"Old fellow, are you really unable to hold on any longer?" The red-haired man looked at his friend, his emotions complex.

"Yes," Old Ancestor Black Dragon nodded slightly.

It had to be kept secret from others, but there was no need to hide it from a lifelong friend.

"On the path of cultivation, old friends depart one by one," the red-haired man sighed softly. "Back then, the seven of us joined forces to battle that old demon. After our success, our names resounded far and wide. Now, even you are reaching the end of your lifespan. Of the seven of us... only I remain."

"You are still quite young," Old Ancestor Black Dragon chuckled. "As a pure-blooded Dragon, with your long lifespan, you will travel much further than us."

As a pure-blooded Dragon, one could possess a lifespan of a hundred thousand years even at the Emperor Realm.

After reaching the Tribulation Realm, their lifespan could be further extended.

Although he was already over thirty thousand years old, the red-haired man was indeed considered very young.

"I am also stuck at the Five-Tribulation Realm, unable to take that next step," the red-haired man said. "Without a qualitative breakthrough, I wouldn't dare enhance my physical body to trigger the Sixth Heavenly Tribulation."

"Your lifespan is still very long, what are you worried about?" Old Ancestor Black Dragon said. "The day you can challenge a Six-Tribulation Realm cultivator across realms, that will signify your realm is high enough, and you can then enhance your physical body to trigger the Sixth Heavenly Tribulation. Your chances of successfully transcending the tribulation will be very high."

The red-haired man smiled. "That's too difficult."

As pure-blooded Dragons, once they broke through to the Tribulation Realm, they could usually advance to the Five-Tribulation Realm relatively quickly.

"Chifeng," Old Ancestor Black Dragon said, "How about I hand over my Black Dragon Star to you? From now on, the Sky Peak Galaxy will be yours to govern."

"Me?" The red-haired man shook his head. "You know my nature; I simply can't stay in one place for thousands of years. I still want to explore the vast extraterrestrial regions."

Old Ancestor Black Dragon sighed slightly. "I painstakingly built Black Dragon Star and painstakingly arranged its grand formations, but none of the three friends I wished to entrust it to are willing."

The main reason was that for a Five-Tribulation Realm Grandmaster, controlling a galaxy held little allure.

Because, on average, there was only one Five-Tribulation Realm Grandmaster for every two or three galaxies in the same era.

"Why concern yourself so much? The Sky Peak Galaxy will naturally have its own future generations to take charge," the red-haired man said.

"You don't know," Old Ancestor Black Dragon shook his head. "Those lunatics from the Black Demon Hall have already set their sights on the Sky Peak Galaxy."

The red-haired man was slightly startled.

"Never mind, never mind. Without sufficient compensation, who would be willing to protect the Sky Peak Galaxy?" Old Ancestor Black Dragon shook his head. If he were to expend several tenths of his treasures, he could naturally invite a Grandmaster to guard it. But his treasures were meant for his homeworld!

"You've protected the Sky Peak Galaxy for tens of thousands of years; that's more than enough. As for anything else? Let the future generations determine their own fates," the red-haired man said casually. "Perhaps a harsher environment is more suitable for cultivators to grow."

"Ordinary cultivators must be extremely careful; their path of cultivation is much more arduous. As a pure-blooded Dragon, you can't possibly comprehend that," Old Ancestor Black Dragon said. Dragons and Phoenixes roamed the River of Spacetime with impunity. Even Six-Tribulation Realm Grandmasters were quite wary of them, fearing that dealing with the young would provoke the old! Of course, Seven-Tribulation Realm Grandmasters didn't care; killing them and refining their bloodlines was common practice.

Under normal circumstances, within the endless River of Spacetime, Seven-Tribulation Realm Grandmasters were already peerless, legendary figures.

An Eight-Tribulation Realm? Patriarch Cang Yuan had only encountered one in his entire life.

"Four hundred thirty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," Meng Chuan's bid came through.

"Hmm?" Old Ancestor Black Dragon looked over with some surprise. "The Ash Tower has been bid up to four hundred thirty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals?"

"A single time cavern, bid up so high?" The red-haired man was also astonished.

The starting bid was three hundred Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals; typically, three hundred sixty was already considered a high price. Four hundred thirty? That was a bit excessive.

"Four hundred fifty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," an eerie, piercing voice rang out.

Silence.

The entire hall fell completely silent.

Meng Chuan frowned.

"Why is it so high?" Meng Chuan hadn't expected the Ash Tower to reach this price. This price was truly excessive and not worth it.

Although he had acquired the treasure of Grandmaster Pang Ming, he still had to use his resources carefully. While the Ash Tower was important for his cultivation, it wasn't irreplaceable.

Soon, three breaths of time passed.

"Hmph."

In one area of the hall, an unsightly old man wore a slightly annoyed expression.

"The Ash Tower is the fastest time-accelerating cavern I could find. I traveled across more than ten river domains to get here... only to find someone bidding against me. If it weren't for exploring the ancient cavern and needing to quickly cultivate the insects, I really wouldn't have wanted to spend so many Primordial Crystals." The old man felt a slight pang of regret, though it was indeed just a slight one.

"The Ash Tower, four hundred fifty Extraterrestrial Primordial Crystals," the silver-haired woman smiled as she announced the final auction result. "Next, the Primordial Stone."

As her words fell, among the countless, densely packed figures in the hall, over a dozen powerful individuals suddenly stiffened, their purpose in coming here being none other than the Primordial Stone.

"The Primordial Stone is a fragment from 'Primordial Star,' the most mysterious star in the extraterrestrial starry sky," the silver-haired woman explained. "Primordial Star can only be discovered and entered by legendary Eight-Tribulation Realm Grandmasters. Therefore, any piece of Primordial Stone... must have been collected by an Eight-Tribulation Realm Grandmaster." She added that for the legendary Eight-Tribulation Realm Grandmasters, it might have been merely casually collecting some stones.

Yet, a single Primordial Stone was incredibly precious.

As the silver-haired woman spoke, she also waved her hand, and a smooth stone, about the size of a baby's fist, floated into view.

The instant it appeared—

"Hm?" Meng Chuan immediately felt his Dantian, where the 'Chaotic Hole' within it began to tremble. It was incredibly greedy and ravenously eager to obtain the object before him.

"My Dantian's Chaotic Hole?" Meng Chuan's expression changed.

The Chaotic Hole Realm was a very unique stage in the God-Demon cultivation system. Only Meng Chuan had cultivated to the Chaotic Hole Realm. Despite being at the Venerable level, he possessed a lifespan of five thousand years.

As the first pioneer of such a unique realm, Meng Chuan had to explore everything himself. How should one cultivate the physical body in this system? How should the Dantian be perfected? Were external objects needed? Everything was unknown.

Meng Chuan had seen many treasures on Black Dragon Star, but this was the first time his Dantian's Chaotic Hole had shown such immense craving, a desire to devour that 'Primordial Stone.'

"My Dantian's Chaotic Hole, does it not only absorb the power of heaven and earth and extraterrestrial primordial energy, but can it also absorb the Primordial Stone?" Meng Chuan felt his entire body tremble; the Dantian's craving caused even his Essence Soul to vibrate.

This was a primal instinct of life.

A lifeform at the Chaotic Hole Realm deeply craved this Primordial Stone.

"Fortunately, I didn't buy the Ash Tower; otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to bid for the Primordial Stone now." Meng Chuan understood that if he were to buy both treasures, their combined price would be enough to alarm Old Ancestor Black Dragon, potentially causing complications.

For now, buying just one item was fine.

Meng Chuan felt at this moment how wondrous fate could be: he had just lost a desired treasure, only to immediately encounter something even more important.