Nine times in a row, every single one was an empty hook. Something bit the bait, yet each time Yi Tianxing pulled it up, the hook was bare, the bait gone without a trace. That was pure loss, wealth thrown straight into the water without even a splash in return. The sense of disappointment was unbearable—anyone with slightly weaker mental fortitude would have collapsed on the spot.
Fortunately, it was only money lost, and money was what Yi Tianxing lacked the least.
One Eternal Coin could directly be exchanged for ten Nightmare Coins.
This exchange ratio was recognized by the laws of heaven and earth in the Nightmare World itself, even warmly welcomed, since Eternal Coins were also forged from the power of will, condensed from the aspirations of countless beings. To the Nightmare World, this was of immense benefit.
There was no reason to refuse.
In the Nightmare Heavenly Pool, Eternal Coins could also be used to obtain bait for fishing. Eternal Coins could freely circulate across heaven and earth, without restrictions—a capability other currencies simply did not possess.
After ten consecutive empty hooks, Yi Tianxing put the scarlet rod away and looked at the other rods, muttering to himself:
"It seems the luck on the scarlet rod has been exhausted this time. Still, a single Golden White Jade Shrimp isn't a loss. I'll bring it back, let the imperial chefs in the Gourmet Hall prepare it—it'll become another top-tier delicacy. I'm looking forward to it."
If the scarlet rod could no longer catch anything, then it was time to switch.
After a brief pause, he picked up the azure rod.
This was a treasure rod, best suited for fishing up rare and wondrous treasures.
The Nightmare Heavenly Pool itself was a vast lake formed entirely from unfathomable Nightmare Power. Every single drop of water here was the ultimate condensation of Nightmare essence, each a world of dreams in itself. Fishing here was drawing out corresponding treasures from within those dreamscapes.
The fishing rod was the medium, drawing the Nightmare essence into tangible forms of wondrous artifacts. Whether one could truly obtain anything depended on luck and fate.
The fishing continued. The first three casts yielded nothing.
But on the fourth, the rod suddenly pulsed with a completely different power—something had bitten the hook.
"It's here."
Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up with excitement. That anticipation of the unknown was a thrill rarely found in everyday life.
Swish!
With his refined skill, he quickly pulled the catch up. What landed on the deck was a golden chest, inscribed all over with ancient runes forming a mysterious sealing array. It was impossible to see what lay inside.
"There's something in here."
Yi Tianxing's gaze sharpened as he broke the seal and opened the chest. Inside lay three scrolls.
He picked one up and slowly unrolled it.
"Void Annihilation Rat Blueprint."
Golden ancient characters glowed on the surface.
It was indeed a design, an alchemy blueprint—not an ordinary one, but of exceptionally high quality. It described the construction of an alchemical puppet called the Void Annihilation Rat.
Once crafted, they would appear as silver-white rats, but these were no ordinary rodents. They wielded bizarre spatial powers, able to slip swiftly through the void—vanishing without trace.
For concealment, they were unrivaled. Powered by alchemical soul stones as their cores, they bore a trace of spiritual intelligence, capable of following complex commands. Their most terrifying trait lay in "annihilation"—these rats could self-destruct, instantly turning into annihilation force, unleashing catastrophic destruction on everything nearby. More terrifying than any ordinary self-detonation.
The blueprint noted that Void Annihilation Rats came in grades. Yellow-rank ones could devastate beings within the Fate Map realm. Profound-rank could destroy opponents within the Yang God realm. By Earth-rank, they could fatally threaten even those at the Dao Proving realm.
As for Heaven-rank… the blueprint contained no records, either because none had yet been made, or because they remained theoretical. Should someone perfect the research, even Hunyuan experts could fall within their threat. These were truly vicious weapons.
"A fine treasure indeed. Concealed movements, sudden detonation—a devastating strike to the enemy. Space-Shattering Stones, Soul Crystals, and hundreds of auxiliary materials… all of these, Great Yi already possesses. If I can bring the Alchemist clan of the Five Elements fully under my banner, our alchemical attainments will surge forward, filling in our shortcomings. The Void Annihilation Rats we craft will certainly be of excellent quality."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed with inspiration.
Their greatest value was obvious: they were battlefield weapons, strategic-level killing tools. A swarm of Void Annihilation Rats unleashed in war would give any enemy nightmares.
He set the scroll aside and picked up the second.
"Void Spirit-Devouring Rat Blueprint."
Another silver-white rat, but this one was different—not for annihilation, but for devouring.
The Void Spirit-Devouring Rat could consume spiritual energy, gnaw through all manner of barriers, restrictions, and even fortified defenses. Before them, even the strongest protective arrays could be chewed apart. Their destructive ability was absolute. The stronger their grade, the greater their power.
They required a special material—Spirit-Devouring Stone, an extremely rare accompanying mineral. Finding it would be no easy task.
"Another good one. With these, even forbidden zones and perilous lands will no longer be impassable. Their strategic use is enormous."
He nodded inwardly and reached for the third scroll.
As expected, it too was a blueprint. With the earlier surprises, his anticipation only grew.
"Void Plague Rat Blueprint."
At the name, Yi Tianxing's face turned grave.
These were alchemical rats designed to spread plague. Their speed and destructive power depended on quality, but the top-tier ones could plunge entire realms into despair within moments.
This was biological warfare.
Yi Tianxing fell silent. Once released, their impact would be catastrophic. But against Eternal Night, he would not hesitate—no moral qualms stood in his way. Against enemies, all means were justified.
Having decided, he quickly stowed the three scrolls away. They were treasures beyond measure, of immense strategic value to any Dynasty. Since they had landed in his hands, he would undoubtedly see them made.
There was no question.
"Continue fishing."
Without delay, he cast again.
There was still time. The main reason he had come to the Sacred City was to attend the auction, and before that, his schedule was free. Rather than wandering aimlessly, it was better to fish here, reaping unexpected surprises.
The subsequent fishing was more balanced—some empty hooks, some good harvests. Many treasures were caught, all of fine quality. Among them was even a Resurrection Crystal, a priceless find, which he carefully stored away.
He rotated through the various rods, each bringing its own unique delights. The diversity of what he pulled up was staggering, a true kaleidoscope of wonders.
Time slipped by unnoticed. He had been fishing for hours.
By now, dawn of the second day was approaching. The rod in his hand was the blue one—the rod for fishing up living beings, of any race. With it, he had once hooked a powerful cultivator.
Swish!
Suddenly, without warning, the rod jerked violently, as if something alive was resisting, trying to drag him into the Heavenly Pool itself.
"Interesting. Something's hooked. What will it be this time? Rise!"
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly, flicked his wrist, and poured strength into the rod. Its power surged.
Splash!
With a clear sound of water, a ball of light was pulled from the pool. When it hit the deck, the glow dispersed—revealing a woman in divine robes. She possessed a perfect figure, noble and holy, yet radiated a natural aura. At a glance, she was unmistakably a goddess.
"Who dares summon me here?"
Her face was cold, her eyes flashing with divine light as they fixed on Yi Tianxing. A moment ago, she had been within her own divine kingdom, and suddenly a hook had yanked her into this unknown place. No matter who one was, being dragged away so abruptly would never sit well.
Yi Tianxing calmly asked,
"You are a deity? What is your godhood?"
The woman's expression grew solemn as she replied:
"I am the Goddess of Harvest."