For someone like this, Yi Tianxing naturally would not refuse to make ties. Every being has their own path—men have the way of men, mice have the way of mice. Everyone has their use. When it came to familiarity with the Holy City, Thousand Faces was without question far beyond himself. Many times, things that he himself could not accomplish, Thousand Faces could easily achieve. Moreover, to survive in the Holy City—how could that possibly be simple?
"Fellow Daoist, do you still need human slaves? Recently, that slave master has been bringing you up quite often, saying he wishes to continue trading with you. In his hands, he has stockpiled a massive number of human slaves. Supposedly, there are even great surprises among them."
Thousand Faces suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? In that case, I really must go and meet him."
Yi Tianxing's eyes revealed interest as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Back then, he had asked the slave master to seek out as many human talents as possible—anyone with special skills or expertise could be purchased at a high price. However, because the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda had devoured Nightmare power so recklessly, enraging the Nightmare Will, Yi Tianxing had been forced to leave. The deals had abruptly come to a halt.
In that time, without a doubt, Altai must have collected a massive number of human slaves, even those he had specifically been instructed to gather—various types of human talents. There must be a considerable stockpile. After all, during the Eternal World's fusion of the Myriad Worlds, countless human geniuses suffered calamities before they could grow, hunted by myriad races, paying the ultimate price with their lives.
Yet, those fallen human geniuses had a chance to be reborn in the Nightmare World. If given opportunity, they too could rise with the storm and create unbelievable legacies. Trendsetters of their age—such reputations were not in vain. What they lacked was simply opportunity.
Of course, the Nightmare World was far more perilous. Survival was never easy. Truth and illusion intertwined, reality collapsed in an instant, life and death shifted between meals. Only by entering a Nightmare Sacred Ground could one hope to endure.
Naturally, only by joining Great Yi could they truly be given a vast and limitless stage, a future without bounds, the chance to grasp their fate and climb toward the once-unreachable peaks of their hearts.
Great Yi's demand for talent had always been endless.
With each newly annexed realm, the original stock of talents was consumed, each person swiftly stepping onto their stage, shining in their own way. Judging by the pace of Great Yi's expansion, it would never cease. And with expansion, the demand for talent would only increase, endlessly.
So, if Altai truly had collected a massive batch of human geniuses, Yi Tianxing's interest was naturally immense. He was even willing to pay a high price. Perhaps among them, there might be peak-level prodigies—cut down early, only to be reborn here.
In the Nightmare World, everything was possible.
"Besides Altai's matter, has anything else interesting happened?"
Yi Tianxing asked calmly, not in a rush.
"Of course. Many great events have occurred. Reportedly, the Eternal World is about to hold a Chaos Heavenly Ladder. Even the geniuses of the Eternal Night World are getting involved. And now, many young prodigies of the Nightmare World have begun to voice their intent to intervene. When the time comes, our Nightmare geniuses will also enter the battlefield, contending with both worlds' prodigies, to see which world's Heaven's Chosen are truly supreme."
When Thousand Faces said this, his expression could not hide the intense excitement.
Do not think the Nightmare World lacked prodigies—that would be a grave mistake. Survival here was far harsher, and those who rose were even more terrifying. Their survival abilities were extraordinary, and they possessed all kinds of bizarre powers. If they truly fought, at equal realms, it definitely would not be the Nightmare World's prodigy who fell.
"The geniuses of the Nightmare World also wish to meddle in the Chaos Heavenly Ladder? Then this battle may very well turn into a tripartite struggle."
Yi Tianxing revealed a flicker of surprise.
Had Thousand Faces not mentioned this, he truly would not have known the Nightmare World intended to intervene. It had come without warning. Without question, this would make the Chaos Heavenly Ladder even more complex, its outcome impossible to predict. Accidents could happen at any moment. With Buzhou Mountain still evolving, the Nightmare World, with its unfathomable strangeness, could indeed insert itself into the process.
Who knew what form Buzhou Mountain would take then?
Exciting, yes—but infinitely more dangerous.
Thus, Yi Xianhuang and the others would undoubtedly face greatly increased danger. Yet, at the same time, the opportunities they encountered might be even greater, more astonishing.
"This time, it is not that your father is unwilling to aid you. Rather, if you can cut your way through this, your future achievements will be limitless. It would mean you have truly grown and can take responsibility. Some heavy burdens of Great Yi could then be entrusted to you. This is also your own choice. Life and death are decreed by fate. Your father respects your decision."
Yi Tianxing inhaled deeply, thoughts flickering across his mind.
As for stopping them from participating—he did not. To shrink back at the sight of danger—how could one accomplish great deeds afterward? That would be a crippling blow to both temperament and Dao-heart.
Once a choice is made, even if on your knees, you must walk the entire path.
This was his way of raising children.
"There's one more thing. In the Holy City, a grand auction is about to be held. This is a once-in-a-century event in the Nightmare World. Every Nightmare Sacred Ground will send representatives to attend, bringing all sorts of rare treasures they've gathered. The auction will last nine days and nine nights. The treasures involved are countless, beyond measure. Even Innate Spiritual Treasures will appear, along with many unique supreme artifacts. This is a first-class, large-scale auction in the Nightmare World. Miss this one, and you must wait another hundred years."
Thousand Faces spoke with unrestrained excitement.
Leaving aside the prodigy matters, this auction was truly a dream event for countless powerhouses. Many hoped to acquire the treasures they had long sought. Many things that never appeared normally would surface at such a time.
"To think I came just in time for such a grand occasion… naturally, I cannot miss it. Do you know when exactly it will be held?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes brightened, and he smiled.
An auction attended by the Nightmare World's Sacred Grounds—the treasures revealed would be extraordinary. To miss it would be a great pity. Any treasure that could be taken into his hands would never be a loss. Eternal Coins, which he had proven were freely usable in the Nightmare World, could purchase anything. For one who could mint currency, coins were merely numbers.
But to exchange them for rare and precious treasures—that was the true maximization of value.
"It won't be long. Just half a month from now. This time, the Nightmare Holy City will even allow visitors to remain longer, so there's no need to worry. Moreover, the auction hasn't even begun, yet the prelude has already started. Several treasures have been revealed—each one an extremely rare divine treasure."
Thousand Faces explained in detail.
"Come, let's find a tavern and chat over a meal. I won't take your news for free—consider it my hiring you."
Yi Tianxing nodded. This was clearly not the best place to talk. A quieter setting would be more natural.
Following Thousand Faces, he came to an establishment called the Immortal Dream Tower.
They requested a private room.
After ordering an array of fine dishes, the two sat and continued their talk.
"Among the auction items, the most precious revealed so far is the Nightmare Immortal Dew. And not just a drop—an entire bottle. You must know, Nightmare Immortal Dew is usually counted by the drop. A bottle has at least a hundred drops. Its value is immeasurable."
Thousand Faces' face was full of envy.
"Oh? What is the origin of this Nightmare Immortal Dew? Please, Fellow Daoist, enlighten me."
Yi Tianxing asked curiously.
"It is an extremely rare Immortal treasure. In the Nightmare World, there is an Innate Spiritual Root called the Nightmare Flower. This flower is dazzlingly beautiful. Anyone who sees it will feel as though they've entered a wondrous dream, unwilling to awaken. Even the firmest minds are affected. Countless beings, upon beholding it, fall completely, dying within endless dreams. The Nightmare Flower then absorbs the countless beautiful dreams of all beings, and from this nourishes a supreme Immortal treasure—the Nightmare Immortal Dew."
"The Nightmare Immortal Dew has the power to make dreams come true. Whatever you desire, it can realize—reviving the dead, reversing time, manifesting any treasure you imagine. With enough Nightmare Immortal Dew, even ascending to sainthood in a single dream is possible."
Thousand Faces spoke with unconcealed yearning.
It was easy to sense his desire.
Nightmare Immortal Dew was simply too miraculous, the dream of countless Nightmare World powerhouses. Owning it meant one could make up for all regrets, soothe every unwillingness in one's heart. For this reason alone, its value was limitless.
Now that word had spread, who knew how many strong figures were eyeing this batch of Nightmare Immortal Dew, waiting for the chance to strike.
Of course, the contest here would not be one of blood, but of wealth—who had the deeper foundation, the stronger resources.
A war without blood.