Money? I have never been afraid of spending it.
A confident look appeared on Yi Tianxing's face. For this batch of Nightmare Immortal Dew, he was clearly very interested. Such treasures were specialties of the Nightmare World. If he missed this opportunity, who knew when he would encounter them again. This time, he was determined to win them.
"Besides the Immortal Dew, there is another unique Immortal treasure called Nightmare Immortal Gold. This Immortal Gold is a supreme treasure. When fused into divine weapons or magical treasures, it grants them a unique ability—evolution. It can make dreams come true, allowing acquired-grade treasures to return to innate grade. Acquired spiritual treasures can transform into innate ones, reversing their origin and washing away acquired qi. It can turn the impossible into possible. A single piece of Nightmare Immortal Gold can transform an acquired divine weapon into an innate one. For cultivators who had missed the chance to obtain an innate treasure and instead refined an acquired one as their life-bound treasure, this is a second chance at fortune. Its value is beyond measure."
Qianmian (Thousand Faces) spoke excitedly: "Many powerful figures have come this time for treasures like Nightmare Immortal Gold. Though acquired and innate treasures may not always differ much in immediate power, the potential is vastly different. Their upper limits are worlds apart. For this auction, it is said that there are nine pieces of Nightmare Immortal Gold available. Already, countless people have declared they will spare no cost to obtain them."
This great auction was destined to be a clash of dragons and tigers.No one knew how many would laugh and how many would weep.
"Interesting. It seems this auction is one Yi must attend." Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
The fact that Nightmare Immortal Gold could reverse acquired into innate was an irresistible trait. Countless cultivators longed for it. Such a treasure was rare in any world.
For example, the Nuwa Empress's Heaven and Earth Cauldron could also return acquired into innate. But each use consumed the cauldron's Creation Qi of Heaven and Earth, making large-scale transformations impossible. Otherwise, Nuwa's hands would already be overflowing with innate treasures, and countless eyes would covet her cauldron. Its limited scope was precisely what kept it safe.
Otherwise, no one—even Nuwa—could protect such a supreme treasure.
All in all, Yi Tianxing's interest was completely stirred. And this was only what had been publicly revealed; the treasures hidden behind the scenes would surely be even more abundant. Such a grand auction could not be missed.
"Yes, we mustn't miss it. It only happens once every hundred years. Some treasures appear only once in hundreds or even thousands of years, never to appear again. Many are exceedingly rare."
Qianmian nodded in agreement.
They then began chatting about the geniuses of the Nightmare World. Only then did Yi Tianxing learn that in Nightmare Sacred City there existed a ranking list—the Nightmare Sacred Spirit Rankings, divided into three tiers: Heaven, Earth, and Man. The Man Ranking included ordinary prodigies below the Yang God Realm. The Earth Ranking recorded true top talents between Yang God and Dao Platform Realm. The Heaven Ranking contained only those who had reached the Dao Proving Realm. Those listed there were not just prodigies—they were the true heritage-level powers of the Nightmare World.
Anyone on the Heaven Ranking was a figure who could shake the entire Nightmare World. Each one held immense power and status. To even mention their names would cause one to be sensed by them.
After food and drink, Yi Tianxing said to Qianmian: "Let's go. Now we'll find Altai and see what surprises he has prepared for me."
His tone carried a hint of expectation. After so many years of accumulation, he didn't believe Altai had failed to find some top-tier human talents.
Qianmian said no more and led the way.
Before long, they arrived at a shop. Its style was reminiscent of ancient Rome—savage yet solemn. A plaque hung above the entrance, with bold words: Slave Manor!!
At first glance, a sense of fear and chill naturally rose in the heart.
"It still hasn't changed." Yi Tianxing said calmly, shaking his head.
"Altai has been in the slave business for a long time. His reputation is excellent, and his connections are vast, linked to many holy lands. Anyone who has done business with him has secretly praised him. His name is established, and now his business is flourishing. I've heard that recently he acquired a batch of top-grade stock and plans to invite wealthy buyers for transactions. If you are interested, Brother Yi, you must not miss it."
Qianmian explained.
Altai's network was extensive. His business was thriving. Whether one needed top slave warriors or beautiful and obedient maidservants, he could provide anything.
"Hahaha!!"
At that moment, a hearty laugh came from within. A large, burly figure strode out. Each step seemed to make the ground tremble, radiating an invisible pressure.
"Brother Yi, you're finally here! All these years I've searched for you, fearing you'd met misfortune. But now I see, fortune has smiled on you! Come, come inside. I've prepared a feast for you. Tonight we'll not leave until we're fully satisfied!"
Altai welcomed them with a broad smile. Clearly, he already knew Yi Tianxing had arrived in Nightmare Sacred City, or else he wouldn't have rushed out so quickly.
"Thank you for your concern, but I've already eaten. I came because I heard you'd acquired a batch of top-grade stock, so I couldn't resist coming to take a look. Also, it's time to collect the accumulation of these years and settle our accounts. I'm sure you've been waiting impatiently. Rest assured, Yi always keeps his word. You will not lose a single coin."
Yi Tianxing replied with a faint smile.
He naturally understood that Altai was eager to resume their business. The massive number of slaves Yi had commissioned years ago would be a disastrous burden if left unsold. The numbers were far too great for anyone else to absorb. If Yi didn't take them, Altai would be left holding the bag—an unimaginable loss.
At the same time, Yi was deeply curious what kind of surprise Altai had prepared.
"Haha, you jest."
Altai chuckled and squinted his eyes with joy. "Come, come inside. Your stock has long been prepared. But the numbers this time… they far exceed what we dealt with in the past. To absorb them, Brother Yi, you'll need to bleed quite a bit this round."
As he spoke, he led them into the manor.
"How many?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"Ten quadrillion!!" Altai said with a broad grin.
"What!?"
Qianmian's legs nearly gave out, almost collapsing to the ground.
The number was terrifying. Ten quadrillion! Even for him, the mere thought conjured visions of an endless sea of humanity. The scale was unimaginable. Who would have thought Altai could accumulate such an astronomical number of human slaves?
"Ten quadrillion? And the price?" Yi Tianxing's eyes shone with excitement. Now this was a true surprise.
Such an immense population base was the very foundation of a Destiny Dynasty. With people, one could suppress all lands, occupy countless domains, and prevent vast stretches of wilderness from being deserted. Abundant population meant endless talent. Already, Da Yi was overflowing with new generations of prodigies, some rivaling or even surpassing historic figures. With a proper cultivation system, this was fact, not possibility.
Ten quadrillion souls could propel Da Yi's expansion and territory to levels previously unthinkable.
"The price remains the old rules."
Altai smiled: "The elderly and children are free, a gift. They account for roughly one quadrillion. Young men—ten per Nightmare Coin. Young women—ten per Nightmare Coin. As for skilled talents you asked me to look for—artisans, specialists—they're priced at ten Nightmare Coins per person. How about it?"
This price was already extremely fair. One would not find cheaper anywhere in the market.
"Good. Then let's settle at that price. Where are they? This time I intend to take them directly." Yi Tianxing said calmly.
This time, he didn't intend to expose his Nightmare Holy Land. Instead, he would store them directly into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda. There, they could live, reproduce, and create endless descendants—supplying Da Yi with an inexhaustible stream of population.
"Please rest assured, Brother Yi. The stock has long been prepared, all within this Sacred City. You can take them at any time. I guarantee that every single one will be delivered exactly as they arrived—not a hair missing."
Altai's smile grew even brighter.
As far as he was concerned, it didn't matter what Yi wanted so many people for. He only cared about seeing the money.
In the slave trade, he was a seasoned master. As for how to house them—he had his methods.