Chapter 61: Lanling Holy Palace
Chapter 61: Lanling Holy Palace
“I overlooked that. Senior Sister, you’re more thorough. The auction starts tomorrow—how are your preparations?”
“Not perfect yet, but close. Your move to wound Lian Yunxiang today was profound, but it drained you too much. It shows your cultivation level is still too low.”
Cheng Lingyu sighed. “The Gathering Lake Stage and River Stage both require accumulation. Without enough cultivation resources, progress is slow. My Constitution is stronger than most, making advancement even harder.”
Caiyun said, “Patience. I have plans for this. Go heal your wounds. I’ll check the city’s situation.”
Caiyun’s slaughter of ten Xuanhuo Sect experts—all late-stage Soul Martial Realm cultivators—had thrown the city into chaos. Even the mighty Xuanhuo Sect struggled to absorb such a loss.
When she’d killed Lin Tianfeng, the Shenhuo Sect’s alchemist, it caused a stir. The Xuanhuo Sect had gloated then, but now they faced greater humiliation.
Worse, Caiyun openly vowed to kill Ye Xiaoyun, the sect leader’s daughter—a direct challenge.
When Cheng Yun heard this from Miao Sanxu, he marveled at Caiyun’s audacity. Defying the Xuanhuo Sect alone was unprecedented.
Miao Sanxu muttered, “Miss Caiyun’s a fearless legend. Little Yuzi’s lucky to have such a formidable, stunning Senior Sister. Everyone’s jealous.”
Cheng Yun nodded. “She’s extraordinary. But can she truly withstand the Xuanhuo Sect’s retaliation?”
“Who knows? Just like no one expected Little Yuzi to kill Lian Yunxiang.”
The Xuanhuo Sect erupted in fury upon learning the news. Their higher-ups convened urgently but took no concrete action.
Ye Xiaoyun nearly collapsed in terror. The gravely injured Cheng Zhaolong paled, consumed by regret.
The city lord’s residence, Shenhuo Sect, four great families, and five major gangs buzzed about Caiyun’s sudden dominance. Even the rival Shenhuo Sect had never dared openly slaughter Xuanhuo disciples in Yunyang City—yet Caiyun had.
Previously, the three major auction houses’ joint event dominated conversations. Now, Caiyun overshadowed it entirely.
At dawn, Guangju Building bustled. Cultivators of all ranks—True Martial, Soul Martial, Blood Martial—flocked to witness the auction.
Cheng Lingyu, dressed sharply, entered with his radiant Senior Sister. Members of the Two Sects, Four Families, and Five Gangs glared, especially Xuanhuo Sect experts.
Mysterious outsiders also mingled among Yunyang City’s locals.
The auction began at 9:45 AM. Tianbao Building, Qibao Pavilion, and Jubao Studio took turns presenting items.
Tianbao Building opened with Golden Moon Herb, a crucial alchemy ingredient, starting at 1,500 Tianyang Pills. The Shenhuo and Xuanhuo Sects bid stubbornly, driving the price high.
From the second floor, Cheng Lingyu scanned the crowd, unease prickling him.
“Senior Sister… something feels wrong here today.”
Caiyun laughed. “Sharp eyes. Many unfamiliar faces showed up today, all experts. The local forces in Yunyang City noticed too, making the atmosphere tense.”
The stage saw fierce bidding, with Shenhuo Sect ultimately winning the Golden Moon Herb.
Qibao Pavilion presented their first item next – a high-quality treasure artifact, an attack-type weapon in the form of a long whip.
“Nothing special so far. The real showstoppers come later.”
Cheng Lingyu showed no interest in the ongoing auction. Common treasure artifacts meant little to him.
When Jubao Studio took their turn, the initial items from all three auction houses remained ordinary.
The first round ended quickly. The second round proved more exciting.
Qibao Pavilion unveiled a strange flower that caught Cheng Lingyu’s attention.
“This Monster Spirit Flower is precious to monsters. Eating it gives hope of evolving into spirit beasts.”
Hearing this, Cheng Lingyu thought of his celestial cat and resolved to bid.
“Starting price: two thousand Tianyang Pills. Minimum bid increment: two hundred.”
Though valuable, the flower held little use for ordinary cultivators, resulting in sparse bidding.
Cheng Lingyu won it after three bids totaling three thousand two hundred Tianyang Pills.
“Dragon Pattern Purple Gold Stone – the finest grade of purple gold ore, perfect for crafting artifacts.”
This spiritual pattern stone caused a stir in the third round, its final price soaring tenfold.
The day’s auction planned eight rounds per house. Three rounds had passed.
During the fourth round, Tianbao Building presented a damaged low-grade spirit artifact – a purple gold glazed umbrella.
The opening bid hit fifty thousand Tianyang Pills, attracting both local powers and outsiders.
Even damaged spirit artifacts sparked cutthroat competition due to their immense value.
Cheng Lingyu watched closely. Though unneeded, observing rare items broadened his knowledge.
The fifth round brought a sensation from Qibao Pavilion – a palm-sized human skin fragment bearing partial patterns.
“This skin comes from a Sacred Martial Realm unparalleled expert. Though incomplete, these mysterious patterns hold boundless secrets. Impervious to weapons and elements. Starting bid: three hundred thousand Tianyang Pills.”
The price shocked the crowd, but the origin stunned them more.
Sacred Martial Realm experts, called saints, appear once in millennia. They supposedly live ten thousand years with undying life.
A saint’s skin containing eternal mysteries and aura became every cultivator’s dream.
Bidding erupted immediately.
Two Sects, Four Families, Five Major Gangs – even City Lord Yun Ao joined. Strangers offered sky-high prices, soon breaking one million.
Cheng Lingyu studied the luminous skin with its faint patterns and mysterious aura.
Caiyun grew solemn. This skin’s value surpassed spirit artifacts, driving men mad.
Yet it brought danger – only the powerful could keep such a treasure.
“One million two hundred thousand!”
The commanding voice belonged to City Lord Yun Ao.
The bid for the human skin had surged from three hundred thousand, multiplying fourfold.
Many withdrew from the competition, yet some remained fiercely determined.
“One million three hundred thousand.”
A jump of ten thousand – this bidder meant business.
The new challenger was an unfamiliar man dressed in black robes, strikingly handsome with an eerie aura clinging to him.
“One million three hundred fifty thousand.”
City Lord Yun Ao held his ground, countering without hesitation.
“One million four hundred thousand.”
The dark-clad man’s tone remained icy, but his resolve rang clear.
“One million four hundred fifty thousand.”
“One million five hundred thousand.”
The staggering sum silenced the crowd. After a tense pause, City Lord Yun Ao seemed to recognize the futility of continuing.
The black-robed man claimed his prize, leaving the crowd buzzing with speculation about this mysterious bidder.
Subsequent auction items drew little excitement until the seventh round arrived.
“The final two offerings will be tonight’s crown jewels!”
Every eye locked onto the stage as the auctioneer from Tianbao Building emerged, wooden box in hand.
“This treasure originates from Lanling Holy Palace.”
Puzzled murmurs spread through the crowd – few recognized the name. But some attendees gasped, their faces alight with recognition.
“Allow me to explain. Lanling Holy Palace is actually the tomb of Orchid Saintess, a Supreme Spirit who mastered the Sacred Martial Realm. Her power once shook the Nine Heavens and the earth itself.”
The revelation electrified the room. A supreme saint’s tomb?
“Legends speak of multiple Holy Palaces dedicated to her. Days ago, explorers found one in an abyss eight hundred miles from Yunyang City. Of dozens who entered…” The auctioneer paused dramatically, “…most perished. Only handful survived with artifacts.”
“Is the palace still accessible?”
A cultivator’s shout echoed the crowd’s burning question.