Slave masters collected slaves in staggering numbers. Naturally, it was impossible to raise them as if they were ordinary people. With such astronomical numbers in the tens of trillions, the daily consumption of food and resources would be beyond imagination—an ocean of consumption, every single day. Over the years, such consumption would exceed what anyone could fathom, a scale so vast it was enough to make people furious. There was no way they would leave them here to waste food. For them, wasting food meant wasting money, and reducing their own profits.
For a slave, if they were fed and maintained normally for just a year, would the master still make any profit? Absolutely not. They would lose so much they'd be ruined.
How could they possibly be willing to do such a thing?
Naturally, Altai would not raise them for free.
He had other means.
In his possession was a Cave Heaven treasure called the Eternal Slumber Dreamscape. Inside this treasure, any living being who entered would fall into slumber, entering a state of eternal sleep. In this eternal sleep, it was as if snakes entered hibernation—their own consumption would be drastically reduced, weakened to the extreme. With only a single replenishment, they could maintain a full year of eternal sleep, ensuring their lives would not be extinguished. It was a very peculiar state.
Moreover, replenishing nourishment was simple. The Eternal Slumber Dreamscape contained special substances that could sustain their lives from being entirely consumed. But this sustenance did not fill them, it merely kept them alive in a half-dead state, unable to truly live, but unable to die.
Only this way could the interests of these slave masters be perfectly protected.The consumption of resources was extremely low.The profits gained were enormous.
Otherwise, how could Altai possibly have kept so many human slaves until now?
Of course, now that the time had come to hand them over, it was the best outcome, avoiding any unexpected incidents. He had no desire to keep a crowd of human slaves here. They weren't very useful. Human female slaves weren't as good as fox race ones, nor as pure and holy as elves. If Yi Tianxing hadn't asked for them, he wouldn't have gathered so many.
"Good. Calculate the price. We'll trade—money for people."
Yi Tianxing nodded slowly.
"Please, this way."
Altai smiled broadly.
He immediately led Yi Tianxing and his group to the entrance of a grand hall. On the hall were the words Dreamscape Hall. This palace was precisely the Eternal Slumber Dreamscape, within it lay an internal Cave Heaven world.
Following Altai inside, they immediately felt a strange aura. Within this hall lingered a faint trace of life force, allowing the beings within to naturally maintain vitality without eating or drinking. Even the passage of life itself slowed dramatically, as if time itself had grown sluggish, the marks of years fading.
"Please take a look. All the goods you requested are here. This is the first level of the Eternal Slumber Dreamscape, where ordinary human slaves are stored. You may take them now."
Altai gestured ahead.
At once, an immense, boundless space appeared before their eyes. In the void floated countless people—some poorly dressed, some richly clothed, some old, some women, some children and youths, even infants.
Each one lay within a transparent bubble, as though immersed in a dreamlike slumber, all breathing faintly. Their life force was genuine. The bubbles themselves, some as small as dust motes, were packed so densely across the void that they spread like mountains and seas. The sight was truly shocking. Their number—trillions upon trillions—was absolutely no exaggeration.
The quantity was real, and overwhelming.
"Very good. Since that's the case, let's proceed with the trade."
Yi Tianxing nodded. With a wave of his hand, a massive Gate of Space appeared within the Cave Heaven.
As soon as it appeared, the aura it released exerted indescribable pressure upon Altai and Thousand Faces. In that instant, the surrounding space seemed to freeze, unable to move in the slightest.
"Innate treasure—an Innate Treasure of the Space attribute!"
The same thought flashed simultaneously through their minds.
The sensation was far too overwhelming.
Their gazes toward the Gate of Space burned with longing, but they knew this was something they could never obtain. Innate Treasures were not something they could ever hope to grasp. This one clearly bore the aura of a Life-bound Treasure, impossible to seize. And besides, who among those capable of wielding an Innate Treasure was not a supreme powerhouse?
Harboring unworthy thoughts here would only lead to death.
Their respect for Yi Tianxing instantly skyrocketed, secretly giving rise to fear.
Whoosh!!
The Gate of Space released an invisible devouring force, instantly sweeping across the entire Cave Heaven. Countless bubbles and the humans within surged like tides into the gate, disappearing as if falling into a bottomless abyss.
In just moments, trillions of humans were taken away.
The space was instantly emptied of all slaves.
They had been sent into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower.
Within the Tower, there already existed vast, complete worlds. In them, officials of the Great Yi Immortal Court governed affairs, albeit more simply. Inside, the people could live ordinary lives, marry, raise families, and have children. Upon reaching a certain age, they would be placed in suspended animation, waiting for the opportunity to enter the Eternal World.
Yi Tianxing already had many plans for this population. For the Great Yi, they would be of immense use. It was a timely boon for the plans he was secretly nurturing.
"Next, we'll go to the second level of the Dreamscape. That's where the specially reserved talents are kept."
Altai chuckled.
This transaction was far too satisfying. He had no worries at all. As for money—he'd seen Yi Tianxing's wealth firsthand, how boldly he spent. Paying was never an issue. Whatever he said, Yi Tianxing paid without hesitation. Doing business with him was utterly reassuring.
"This is the payment for the previous batch of slaves. One deal at a time. Check it."
Yi Tianxing nodded and, with a wave, unleashed a tidal wave of Eternal Coins. Each one shone with a noble violet-gold light, piled up like a golden mountain.
Altai did not hesitate, waving to have them collected.
"The number is correct. This isn't our first trade. How could I not trust Brother Yi?"
As he spoke, a wave of invisible power carried them into a brand-new space—the second level of the Eternal Slumber Dreamscape. This Cave Heaven was divided into layers, each space separated from the next.
"Brother Yi, take a look. These are craftsmen: doctors, blacksmiths, carpenters, tailors, all sorts. Each with real skill. When they were brought here, my men tested them. And there are also many scholars here—men of letters, people of knowledge, educated and literate, able to read and write. All carefully selected. Many once held official posts, with experience governing territories."
Altai smiled as he introduced them.
In many worlds, in every era, those who could stand out were always a cut above ordinary folk, at least in intellect. To commoners, such people were talents—men of ability.
Including these among the ranks of "talents" was certainly not wrong.
"Not bad."
Yi Tianxing nodded.
Anyone with a skill could be considered a talent. After joining the Great Yi and receiving proper training, with their abilities they could study and refine their craft, embark on new paths, and accomplish much more with less effort. The benefits were immense.
"Hehe, come this way and take a look. I even captured a few big figures—top-level human talents."
Altai, seeing Yi Tianxing's satisfaction, spoke confidently and pointed to another area. There, too, floated bubbles. Inside each slumbered individuals of unusual bearing.
"These, I personally investigated. In the dream-worlds they once ruled, they were high officials, wielding great power, even reaching the pinnacle of ministerial rank. Their value is worth a fortune."
Altai treated them with special care, recognizing their different identities and statuses. Pointing to a man in official robes, he said:
"He is called Gao Qiu. In his world, he rose to the rank of Grand Marshal, holding immense power, virtually controlling the court. Truly a rare talent. To say he's worth a thousand gold is no exaggeration."
"Gao Qiu, Grand Marshal Gao?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching.
This is a talent?
In history, Gao Qiu was indeed famous—or infamous. Not without ability: he wrote elegant calligraphy, had some talent in poetry, even practiced martial arts with some skill. But his name in history was not for virtue.
"And this one—Qin Hui, Grand Chancellor, who dominated the court with unmatched power. Surely worth a thousand gold, no less."
Altai proudly pointed to another middle-aged man.
"Qin Hui?"
Yi Tianxing's mouth twitched even more violently.
Good heavens. As if Gao Qiu weren't enough, now he'd found Qin Hui. This one was even worse. And yet… yes, technically, he was a "talent."
"This one—Yan Song, Grand Chancellor Yan."
"This is Wei Zhongxian, also known as 'Nine-Thousand-Year-Old.' Now that one was truly formidable. Absolutely a top-level talent."
Altai introduced them one by one with great enthusiasm, listing their names like prized treasures. In the past, each had been a mighty minister, dominating their courts, wielding power as if summoning the wind and rain.