"One billion and one hundred million, once!!"
"One billion and one hundred million, twice!!"
Grand Minister Turtle wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and once again scanned the entire auction hall, hoping someone would break the stalemate or that the Dragon Palace would call out a higher bid. Unfortunately, no one continued bidding.
It was a price that left people helpless.
Though he didn't want to, he still had to call out, "Alright, One billion and one hundred million, three times—sold!! Congratulations to this fellow Daoist for successfully bidding on the Nirvana Immortal Brew."With a decisive strike of the auction hammer, Grand Minister Turtle concluded the auction.
This marked the end of the bidding for the Nirvana Immortal Brew, now falling into Yi Tianxing's hands.
Of course, the price was steep—One billion and one hundred million Eternal Coins. No matter where you were, that amount was a literal mountain of wealth. Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate. He immediately transmitted the auction payment. At the same time, the gourd containing the Nirvana Immortal Brew materialized before him.
Gripping the gourd, he peered into it with his Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, and it felt as if a vividly lifelike phoenix was spreading its wings inside, soaring in the air. A dense aura of law and Daoist rhythm was perfectly integrated into the spiritual wine. This wasn't just spirit wine—it was Dao Wine, a supreme divine brew, peerless under heaven, nearly impossible to find even in ten thousand years.
Gulp!!
A sound of swallowing came from Yi Tianxing's throat.
The moment he laid eyes on the Nirvana Immortal Brew, every cell in his body screamed with mad longing. He wanted nothing more than to uncork the gourd and drink it all on the spot. The urge was nearly uncontrollable.
As a gourmet, the temptation was downright terrifying.
He had a strong feeling that if he drank this gourd of spirit wine, his body cultivation would undergo a massive breakthrough—a tremendous, earth-shaking leap. Even though his mouth kept involuntarily swallowing saliva, he didn't open it. Instead, with great self-restraint, he sent the gourd into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda, sealing it in the deepest layer.
He avoided thinking about it altogether—just imagining it was unbearable torment.
If he didn't seal it immediately, he might really not be able to resist drinking it.
"It was actually bought..."
"This guy doesn't treat money as money at all."
Similar thoughts flashed through the minds of many cultivators.
They wanted the Nirvana Immortal Brew too, but they simply couldn't muster the money. What's more, the Dragon Palace had never announced ahead of time that something like this supreme treasure would even be auctioned.
"Alright, the first finale item has been auctioned off. The second and final finale item is somewhat special—it's provided by a mysterious VIP and will not be auctioned with Eternal Coins, but instead traded via bartering. Everyone, please take a look at this finale treasure."
Grand Minister Turtle took a deep breath and composed himself before announcing the next item. This was the second and final finale item of the auction.
The first was the Nirvana Immortal Brew. Now, nearly every cultivator's focus shifted to the next item. Since it was also a finale item, it couldn't be inferior. However, this time, it wasn't a monetary auction—it would be an exchange of goods.
This sudden shift reinvigorated many cultivators who had already given up hope.
They might not be able to outbid Yi Tianxing in money, but when it came to rare treasures, they had plenty. Each major faction ruled vast territories and had collected treasures beyond ordinary imagination. Some of them were even peerless rare items, usually hidden away and never shown in public.
If this finale item proved useful to them, they were willing to part with their most prized treasures.
Countless eyes focused on the auction stage.
"Here is the final item of the auction. Please take a look."
Grand Minister Turtle waved his hand, and a scroll appeared before him.
"What is that?"
A wave of confusion swept through the minds of everyone present.
If it was a finale item, it certainly wasn't ordinary.
"This scroll contains a coin forging technique. The coins produced from this method are not only exquisite in form but also contain energy that can be absorbed and refined, improving one's cultivation. When the coins are absorbed, a unique restriction within them activates, pulling in surrounding world energy and increasing the user's cultivation speed by roughly one-fold. Once the energy is depleted, the coin naturally disintegrates into powder and vanishes."
"In other words, anyone who obtains this method can forge a new form of currency, one far superior to regular crystal coins. Although not as potent as Eternal Coins—which triple cultivation speed—this method still offers a significant boost. For any major court or kingdom, this is a priceless opportunity."
"This coin forging method is a heavenly treasure, born from the will of the heavens themselves. The coins it produces will be naturally accepted by the world and carry pure essence energy. They can be widely circulated as currency. Miss this chance, and there might not be another."
Grand Minister Turtle smiled as he explained.
Indeed, this was a coin forging scroll—a secret method containing a unique restriction technique named the One-Origin Spirit Coin Seal. This seal was the key to forging these coins. Without it, they'd just be ordinary crystal coins. With it, the coins could increase cultivation speed—a currency with real power.
At this moment, fierce light flashed in the eyes of many powerful figures across the auction hall.
These were rulers of great factions or even dynasties.
To rule a force or found a dynasty—let alone establish an operation court (运朝)—one couldn't afford to be foolish. No fool could survive this long. They were fully aware of how vital currency was to a functioning society. A barter economy could never develop into a true civilization, nor support the operations of a dynasty.
Currently, many dynasties used crystal stones to mint crystal coins for transactions. While these coins were accepted and circulated widely, they lacked uniqueness. They stood no chance against Eternal Coins, which easily crushed any competitor. That's why, in this Dragon Palace auction, no one opposed the use of Eternal Coins—they didn't have the means or grounds to oppose it.
They couldn't produce Eternal Coins in bulk, nor could they replace it.
This all underscored the importance of a mature and powerful currency system.
Currency was the lifeblood of a dynasty.
No one wanted an uncontrollable foreign currency like Eternal Coins to circulate in their lands, but they had no choice. They could only watch helplessly.
However, if they could obtain this coin forging method, everything would change. They could establish their own monetary systems and at least gain some resistance against Eternal Coins—not be left entirely helpless. Currency was of utmost importance.
At that moment, the leaders of various factions were burning with desire.
This forging method was something they all desperately wanted.
In their eyes, this scroll was no less valuable than the Nirvana Immortal Brew. In fact, it was perhaps even more important. The Immortal Brew only benefited one person. The coin forging method could benefit an entire kingdom.
Which was more important depended on one's perspective.
"A coin forging technique? It might not match the Eternal Coins, but it far surpasses crystal coins."
Yi Tianxing's eyes glinted with interest.
Such forging methods were incredibly rare in the world. Every single one was extraordinarily valuable. A technique that allowed for one-fold cultivation speed increase made its coins far more valuable than crystal coins. They could circulate widely and hold real economic value.
It was a way to turn stagnant waters into flowing rivers for a kingdom.
Of course, they still didn't compare to Eternal Coins. Yi Tianxing had no plans to acquire it. For him, it would be like eating chicken ribs—tasteless yet a pity to discard. It wasn't worth the effort to obtain. As marvelous as it was, it couldn't challenge the supremacy of Eternal Coins.
"This item was put up by a mysterious Daoist. He doesn't want Eternal Coins or any other currency. Instead, he wants to barter for a treasure that can become a life-bound artifact—specifically, a heavenly treasure. Anyone can bid. This will be a sealed bidding process. Submit your proposed exchange item in writing, and all proposals will be forwarded to the seller. If selected, the trade will be completed immediately."
Grand Minister Turtle explained.
To be honest, this method of auction was new even to him. Whether it would succeed was still unknown.
"A heavenly treasure that can become a life-bound artifact... that's no small request. Anyone bidding will have to bleed heavily."
Yi Tianxing calmly watched the now-silent auction hall.
He had no intention of participating in this round, but he knew that those who did would pay dearly. Sadly, since it was a sealed auction, no one could see what others offered. But one thing was certain: the contenders would offer only the finest and most potent treasures. Nothing less would be accepted for such a powerful scroll.
Time passed silently.
Soon, those determined to win the scroll began submitting their offers.
"Father, should our Dragon Palace participate in the bidding?"
Ao Qi blinked and asked inquisitively.