Chapter 1996: The Arrival of the Primordial Era

The night was uneventful, and dawn arrived in a blink.

In the early morning, before the sky had fully brightened, people on the streets had already gathered towards the city center with a tacit understanding. There stood a magnificent pavilion, grand and imposing, resembling a palace from afar.

This was Youming Ge, the venue for this auction.

Ye Chen left his small garden, concealing his true appearance with a technique that distorted his aura, and then covered himself entirely in a black robe.

It had been many years since he had attended an auction, and there was a sense of nostalgia.

By the time he reached Youming Ge, the place was already packed with people. Without exception, everyone was cloaked in black robes. This sight had become commonplace. After all, an auction was essentially a bloodless battle, easily attracting enemies. Unless one possessed overwhelming power, it was best to maintain a low profile.

How lively!

Ye Chen tucked his hands into his sleeves and scanned the crowd. Although everyone was hidden under black robes, it didn't prevent him from seeing through them. His Liu Dao Lunhui Yan were in a sealed state, but his vision remained sharp.

In a corner of the crowd, he spotted the thin old man who had sold him the flame the previous night.

That old man was quite amusing, wrapped tightly from head to toe, leaving only his eyes exposed, which darted around sneakily, looking utterly unreliable no matter how one viewed him.

Soon, Ye Chen cleared his throat and looked away.

Not everyone present was a male cultivator; there were female cultivators too. With a single glance, he saw a sea of white, clear enough to discern what undergarments the female cultivators were wearing.

What a sin!

Ye Chen touched the tip of his nose. It wasn't intentional; he still had that much self-control.

As he was thinking, the gates of Youming Ge opened.

Immediately, bursts of colorful light sprayed out from within, dazzling and splendid.

The people attending the auction surged in like a tide.

Ye Chen wasn't in a hurry. He waited until the very end before stepping inside. This was an auction, essentially a treasure grab; entering early made no difference.

Once inside Youming Ge, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, curiously looking around.

The interior of Youming Ge formed a vast realm, radiating with divine splendor, adorned with carved railings and jade pavilions, easily accommodating tens of thousands. Each table was already set with fruits and fine wines, alongside displays of rare herbs and treasures glistening with light. The entire pavilion was filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs.

What intrigued Ye Chen the most was the prohibition array of Youming Ge, truly profound and mysterious. The array patterns were hidden invisibly, undetectable without careful scrutiny, revealing the powerful formations lurking beneath.

However, compared to the demonic clan's Canglan Realm, Youming Ge still fell slightly short.

As he pondered this, he found a table in the corner and poured himself a cup of wine.

Then, he subtly scanned his surroundings again.

Many of those attending the auction were alchemists, mostly drawn by the true fire being auctioned. As alchemists, they each possessed flames within them, be it beast fire or true fire, in various forms.

The immortal fire in Ye Chen's dantian sea was restless, leaping up and down, unable to stay still.

The immortal fire possessed high spirituality, likely sensing the presence of true fire nearby, and of a high level at that, which was causing the agitation.

Ye Chen smiled and soothed it with his divine sense, finally calming it down.

More people continued to enter from outside, including many great saints and even quasi-emperors, all maintaining a low profile by concealing their true appearances and shrouding themselves in black robes. Each one was extremely cautious.

Could a single true fire attract even quasi-emperors?

Ye Chen stroked his chin, paying close attention to those few quasi-emperors. They didn't stand out, choosing seats in the corners. Although all were quasi-emperors, none had reached the peak; the highest was at the eighth heaven.

"Hong... Hong Huang race?"

Someone exclaimed in surprise, drawing everyone's gaze to the entrance.

Ye Chen looked up as well.

Stepping in was a man in a purple-gold python robe, exuding a surging aura. His divine eyes shone like the scorching sun, radiating brilliance that made it hard to look directly at him, with an extremely thick Hong Huang aura.

Ye Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing the race.

It was a member of the Taotie race, and a quasi-emperor at that, already at the eighth heaven, not far from the ninth.

The Taotie quasi-emperor wasn't alone.

Behind him followed over a dozen figures, all Hong Huang race members and all quasi-emperors.

How exciting!

The arrival of over a dozen Hong Huang quasi-emperors was unapologetically bold. They didn't conceal their appearances, laughing mockingly, their eyes flickering with a sinister light, occasionally licking their scarlet tongues, exuding a menacing air.

Their presence instantly suppressed the atmosphere in Youming Ge.

It would be strange if it didn't. After the Hong Huang race was unsealed, these great clans had caused countless calamities. Back then, if not for the forbidden zones stepping in forcefully, the heavens would likely be drenched in blood right now.

"How come there are still Hong Huang race members, and so many quasi-emperors have come at once?"

"Won't they cause another massacre?"

"It's possible. The Hong Huang race suffered heavy losses yesterday; they're probably here for revenge."

"Should we leave?"

Whispers erupted everywhere, making everyone feel like they were sitting on pins and needles, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

Amid the murmurs, the Hong Huang quasi-emperors had already found their seats.

They remained quiet, sitting down to meditate with eyes closed. However, the seats around them were left empty; no one dared to sit nearby, lest they lose their life in a moment of carelessness.

Ye Chen frowned, his expression turning unpleasant.

"Come on, scoot over a bit; let's share a table."

Another person arrived, sitting next to Ye Chen. It was the thin old man, as sleazy as the night before, and thick-skinned enough to act like he belonged. Once seated, he swept all the fruits on the table into his lap.

Ye Chen didn't speak but secretly observed the thin old man.

Just as he had suspected earlier, the old man possessed true fire, suspended in his dantian sea. It was a purple flame, extremely yang and rigid. As Ye Chen watched, waves of heat rolled towards him.

"Nanming Lihuo," Ye Chen murmured lightly, recognizing the flame.

"You're here for the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish, right?"

While Ye Chen was observing, the thin old man nudged him and winked suggestively. As he spoke, his set of large yellow teeth was on full display.

"Immortal Gold that doesn't perish?" Ye Chen was taken aback. "What's that?"

"The star item of this auction—didn't you know?"

"There's such a thing?" Ye Chen was surprised and looked around again. He had thought all these people were here for the true fire, but who knew another treasure like the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish had appeared.

He had heard of it before.

Legend had it that the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish was formed from the flesh of the Undying Immortal Body, transformed over endless ages. As for the Undying Immortal Body, it was merely a legend—a supreme immortal body whose origins were unknown, and no one could confirm if it truly existed.

Since it bore the word "immortal," it spoke volumes about the terror of the Undying Immortal Body.

Derived from the flesh of such a body, the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish was undoubtedly frightening. In a certain sense, its level surpassed even Da Luo Divine Iron.

The two were not in the same category.

"No wonder so many experts were drawn here, even alarming the Hong Huang race. I get it now—a single true fire wouldn't attract so many quasi-emperors."

Ye Chen murmured to himself, and subconsciously glanced at the Hong Huang quasi-emperors, who sat as steady as mountains.

At that moment, he also understood why so many Hong Huang people had come yesterday—they were likely advance scouts.

But he couldn't figure out why Youming Continent would auction the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish. Wouldn't it be better to keep it for themselves? Knowing it would attract the Hong Huang race, why hold the auction? Wasn't that asking for trouble?

"With such a lineup from the Hong Huang race, the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish is out of reach!"

The thin old man sighed.

"Does Youming Continent dare to auction the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish with so many Hong Huang quasi-emperors around?" Ye Chen asked doubtfully.

"You're underestimating Youming Continent, aren't you?" The thin old man said, taking a bite of fruit. "Youming Continent is far more than what meets the eye. Daring to hold this auction and auction the Immortal Gold that doesn't perish proves their foundation. The Hong Huang race can cause chaos outside, but they absolutely won't make a move in Youming Ancient City. Over a dozen quasi-emperors still can't shake Youming Continent."

"Is it that strong?" Ye Chen asked, disbelief on his face.

"Strong, ridiculously strong."

"Then I don't get it." Ye Chen rubbed his brow. "Yesterday, the Holy Body was nearly wiped out. Youming Continent is so powerful—why didn't they step in to help? The Hong Huang race was right at their doorstep."

"That's because they didn't enter Youming Ancient City. Let those few thousand Hong Huang great saints try coming in. If they dare cause trouble, they'd be wiped out." The thin old man said slowly. "Don't just look at the surface. Did you really think there were no Hong Huang quasi-emperors present yesterday? There were, definitely. If not for Youming Continent holding them back in secret, the Holy Body would've been killed countless times over. That's the tacit understanding among quasi-emperors."

The thin old man's words made Ye Chen shiver involuntarily.

The presence of Hong Huang quasi-emperors yesterday was beyond his expectation.

That meant when he had slain Jin Ni Wang, the Hong Huang quasi-emperors were watching? What a thrill! It had been a massive gamble; one slip-up, and he would've met a gruesome end.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.

Amid his fear, he felt an inexplicable gratitude towards Youming Continent.

At that moment, a beam of immortal light descended from the center of Youming Ge, transforming into a white-haired elder. He was hosting this auction for Youming Continent, known throughout the heavens as Youming Laoren.

Youming Laoren's cultivation was not low; he was a genuine quasi-emperor.

His appearance plunged Youming Ge into instant silence.

"I am honored by the presence of all you fellow daoists; Youming thanks you all." Youming Laoren cupped his hands in greeting, and while speaking, he subtly glanced at the Hong Huang quasi-emperors, his expression as calm as still water, without a trace of fluctuation, like a kind and amiable elder.

"Enough nonsense—let's get started!" The Taotie quasi-emperor said with a faint smile.

"Hong Huang's fellow daoists, please be patient." Youming Laoren's tone was flat. "Before the auction begins, I think it's best to clarify the rules: Anyone causing chaos in Youming Ancient City will be killed without mercy."

Youming Laoren spoke these words with force and conviction, not for the heavens' sake, but specifically for the Hong Huang race.

His statement gave the Hong Huang race quite a boost; Youming Ancient City's audacity indicated they had the backing to say so.

"Old man, between Youming Continent and Da Chu, which is stronger?"

Ye Chen nudged the thin old man.

"That's nonsense; of course Da Chu is stronger."

"Then why is the Hong Huang race so wary of Youming Continent?"

"It's not wariness; it's about rules." The thin old man laughed. "Most peak quasi-emperors are currently in the midst of tribulation, and the Hong Huang race is no exception. Whoever dares start a war recklessly would disrupt this tribulation, and the Hong Huang race would suffer even more than the heavens. If it really came to a fight, Youming Continent wouldn't be a match for the Hong Huang race, but don't forget the deterrence of the forbidden zones. Ultimately, what the Hong Huang race fears within the rules is still the five great forbidden zones. Skirmishes at the great saint level are fine, but if quasi-emperors get involved, the former Teng She race is a bloody example. All these factors mean the Hong Huang race won't ignite war again, at least not with their quasi-emperors acting freely."