"No need. We dragons lack nothing when it comes to currency casting methods. Though using spirit shells and spirit pearls as currency may seem inferior or even outdated, there's no rush. The Dragon Clan has its own minting technique — the True Dragon Coin. Once minted, it contains energy equivalent to other currencies, but it doubles cultivation speed. Although it falls short of the Eternal Coin, it's still a top-tier currency, surpassing even the one being auctioned."
The Sea Dragon King responded without hesitation.
Naturally, there are varying levels of currency quality.
The top-tier currency is the Eternal Coin, capable of tripling cultivation speed and considered nearly flawless. It occupies the number one position in the world, partly because Yi Tianxing seized the opportunity early and named it "Eternal," granting it a sense of divine legitimacy. The name alone evokes admiration, making its status hard to challenge.
The Dragon Clan, with its profound heritage, naturally has its own minting methods. However, compared to Eternal Coins, its currency falls short. Minting also demands rare materials, considerable effort, the creation of minting furnaces, and most importantly — convincing the masses to accept it. None of this is easy.
The Dragon Clan's currency — the True Dragon Coin — is not only rich in energy but also has an innate twofold cultivation acceleration, as if a dual-layered spirit-gathering array is embedded within each coin. Once the energy is depleted, the coin crumbles into dust.
Unlike the Eternal Coin, which, even after losing energy, can absorb ambient spiritual energy and regenerate, making it infinitely reusable, the True Dragon Coin is consumable.
This singular difference — 1x, 2x, or 3x boost — creates vast disparities in value.
If one were to compare the auctioned currency with the True Dragon Coin, it might take ten of the former to equal one True Dragon Coin, and ten True Dragon Coins might be needed for a single Eternal Coin.
Of course, this value is fluid and heavily tied to the power of the issuing faction. The stronger the issuer, the greater the value of their currency.
According to current understanding, a threefold boost is the limit of what currency can carry.
So if the True Dragon Coin is fully released, it too could become a major power player in the monetary system.
In fact, the Dragon Palace has already minted a large batch of True Dragon Coins. But without sufficient reserve quantities, a functioning economy can't be sustained. Hence, they're not yet in circulation.
Given that, it's no wonder the Dragon King disdains this currency minting technique from the auction.
But other forces were desperate to get their hands on it.
No one knew who had actually submitted the minting method to auction.
After the secret bids were completed, many leaders frowned in silence, faint anxiety surfacing in their hearts. Even with their status, this event was rare and unsettling.
Soon, Prime Minister Turtle smiled and announced, "Fellow Daoists, the mysterious party offering the currency minting method has selected a satisfactory offer. The auction is now officially concluded. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves. On behalf of the Dragon Palace, I declare the auction officially closed."
As he spoke, the scroll on the stage vanished — the transaction complete.
No one could say who had won the bid. But one thing was certain — the exchanged item was a priceless treasure, or it wouldn't have secured the minting method.
"Esteemed guests, by order of the Dragon King, after the auction, all guests may remain in the Dragon Palace for three more days, or leave at their leisure. Whether you travel through the sea or return to your territory, you will not be obstructed. The invitation talismans remain valid for the next three days. After that, the power within will dissipate," Prime Minister Turtle added.
This officially brought the Dragon Palace's banquet to an end.
"Three days..." Yi Tianxing murmured thoughtfully.
He could leave immediately — but since he was already here, he had no intention of leaving so soon.
Many cultivators did choose to leave, streaks of light flashing as they teleported away.
Almost half the guests departed on the spot.
Suddenly, an angry roar echoed outside the palace.
"Who stole my Qiankun Pouch? Damned thief! You dare steal from me? You're courting death!"
Yi Tianxing had just stepped outside when he heard the furious cry. The sheer rage radiating from the man's voice felt like it could ignite his organs.
"A thief?! Who would dare?"
"They waited until we exited the Dragon Palace to act! That coward didn't dare strike inside. But even doing it just outside is a provocation to the Dragon Clan!"
Clearly, someone's Qiankun Pouch (space pouch) had been stolen just outside the Dragon Palace. And though technically outside, it was still Dragon territory. Stealing here was asking for trouble.
Cultivators nearby surged forward out of curiosity.
"Stolen pouch!?"
Yi Tianxing frowned. A bad premonition struck him.
"Please don't let it be Sikong Zhaixing…"
That thieving master, famed for his "Star-Snatching Hand", was the best in the world. It wouldn't be surprising if he had targeted the departing guests, all likely carrying precious loot from the auction.
Yi Tianxing's head throbbed. Sikong Zhaixing was a Tongtian Pavilion enshrined master of Great Yi. If he committed grand theft here and got caught, the fallout could implicate the entire Great Yi Dynasty. That would be disastrous.
"I wonder who had the audacity to steal right in front of the Dragon Palace," said Madam Gongsun, appearing beside Yi Tianxing, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"This thief's got guts. But we'll only know the details if we go see for ourselves," Yi Tianxing said, a faint floral fragrance drifting from Madam Gongsun's presence. He smiled and added, "Care to join me?"
"Gladly."
She returned his smile, and the two walked together toward the commotion.
They weren't the only curious ones — a crowd was forming.
They soon reached the source of the disturbance.
A muscular man with long blue hair roared in fury, his eyes sweeping madly in every direction. His massive frame trembled — not from fear, but from boiling rage.
"No matter who you are, if I find you, I'll tear you apart! How dare you steal from me, Haitian Kuang?! Do you think the Sea Giants are soft targets?!"
As his anger erupted, the man's body suddenly swelled, towering hundreds of meters tall. Mist and sea vapor surrounded him — this was clearly a Sea Giant.
Sea Giants are born of the ocean, wielding water power instinctively. They move freely through the sea, unhindered, and wield immense strength, especially within oceanic environments. They rank among the top races of the sea.
This one had attended the auction and made quite a few successful bids. But just as he exited the Dragon Palace, his Qiankun Pouch vanished.
Even with his abilities, he couldn't stop it. The pouch had been marked with his mental imprint, so he felt it vanish immediately — but after that, the connection was severed.
This was the work of a grandmaster thief.
What enraged him most was the fact that the thief dared target him. Did they take him for an easy mark?
"Whoever can help me catch this bastard, I, Haitian Kuang, will reward you handsomely — and you'll earn the friendship of the Sea Giants!"
He bellowed to the crowd, offering reward and alliance.
Suddenly—
"Ahhhh!"
A blood-curdling scream echoed from the distance.
The voice was filled with agony.
"Who—who dares knock me out with a shovel?! My spatial pouch... I was mugged! This is outrageous! I'll kill you!!"
The voice was shrill, panicked, and full of grief.
"What the—someone got ambushed with a shovel?!"
The crowd turned toward the new disturbance.
Excitement swelled in many hearts.
A storm was brewing.