"Goddess of Harvest?" Yi Tianxing looked at the goddess before him with a hint of surprise in his eyes and asked, "From which region of the Eternal World did you come from?"
"Eternal World?"
The Harvest Goddess showed clear astonishment on her face, puzzled as she said:"I've never heard of the Eternal World. The place I belong to is the Great World of Hill. This isn't my original world. What have you done to me? Why have I appeared here?"
Her tone carried strong vigilance.
To be suddenly pulled from her own world without warning—such a feat of power was simply unimaginable, shocking beyond belief. From Yi Tianxing, she sensed an unfathomable aura, elusive and profound.
That was a sensation she had never experienced before.
"So, it seems you were within a dream world."
Yi Tianxing nodded lightly and said with a smile:"Right now, within the scope of Heaven and Earth, there are three true worlds: the Eternal World, the Eternal Night World, and the Nightmare World. These are the three unique Real Realms. The Great World of Hill you speak of, most likely, is one of the worlds nurtured within the Nightmare Heavenly Pool. It belongs to the dream world. The dream world is born of the will and thoughts of all living beings—it may also perish because of them. In the framework of the dream world, only the Nightmare World is truly real. All else is illusion."
The Harvest Goddess's expression instantly became extremely grim and complicated.
With each of his words, her face shifted.
Real.
She could feel that Yi Tianxing was not deceiving her. Everything he said was the truth—her world turned out to be just a dream world, one that could collapse at any moment, existing merely as an offshoot of the Nightmare World.
The shock in her heart was indescribable. No matter who it was, if they learned their world could collapse at any time, and they themselves might vanish like foam, leaving nothing behind, such knowledge would never sit well. Countless thoughts surged in her heart.
"So, my world is but an illusion, destined to collapse at any time… then what am I?"
The Harvest Goddess murmured to herself.
The divine radiance around her body flickered uncertainly, clearly showing her inner turmoil, struggling with the question of whether she was real or false. If she could not resolve it, she would sink into self-doubt, self-denial—perhaps never able to escape it, lost in confusion for her entire life.
"You now already stand within the Nightmare World. One could say you've jumped out of your former illusion into reality. The current you is truly real. Of course, you still have a choice: you can follow me, break free from your former shackles, or you can return to your previous world. Everything there will remain as it was. Time flows differently between your world and the Nightmare World. You could live there for tens of thousands of years until you perish—or until the world collapses."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
He made no attempt to hide his intention of recruitment. However, he was not overly eager. The Great Yi was not desperate for her. Her presence would be good, but without her, it would not change much.
Her divine authority was harvest. Wherever she bestowed her blessing, there would be bountiful grain and rich harvests. Naturally, Great Yi had the Agricultural Clan, with their supernatural abilities ensuring an abundant grain yield—it was not difficult.
Still, having her join Great Yi and adding one more deity was certainly a benefit.
"This little goddess is willing to submit."
After a short while, the Harvest Goddess gave Yi Tianxing a complicated look, but ultimately chose submission. Yi Tianxing didn't say more, directly sending her into the Heavenly Emperor's Primordial Tower, to be taken away when he left.
"I have enjoyed myself enough. It is time to return."
Yi Tianxing smiled faintly, put away his fishing rod, and steered the fishing boat toward the shore. This fishing trip had brought him not only countless treasures, but also joy and mystery. The harvest was plentiful—there was no need to continue. Knowing when to stop was a virtue in itself.
He returned to the tavern and spent the night there.
The next day, Qianmian once again came to fetch him, and they strolled around the Holy City together.
Many special buildings that Yi Tianxing had never seen before appeared one after another before him, greatly enriching his experience.
Unknowingly, time flowed like water.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the auction arrived.
The auction began in the morning, with admission starting early. The venue was a grand auction hall within the Holy City, known as the Illusory Dream Auction House. It was a special building that had manifested naturally within the city. Inside, the auction space was virtually limitless, able to accommodate however many entered, each with their own seat.
The most marvelous part was that upon entering, one could experience the auction as if being there personally, feeling every change within it.
"Fellow Daoist Yi, this is the auction house. We can go in now."
Qianmian said with a smile.
"Is there any condition to enter?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"None at all. Anyone can enter the auction house. Here, there is no threshold—whether rich or poor, all may come. The auction house never refuses guests. The space automatically accommodates all who enter. And the facilities are the finest."
Qianmian spoke with a touch of admiration.
This was, after all, one of the most frequented places in the Nightmare Holy City by cultivators and experts alike. Normally, a grand auction was held once a year. At other times, consignments and trades were handled here, always fair and impartial. Its status was naturally high.
"Let's go in then. I've long been anticipating this auction."
Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
"Eh? We've met before! You're here too. Do you have any sheep?"
Just as they were about to step in, a familiar voice called out from behind.
Turning, they saw none other than the Grey Wolf.
At that moment, the wolf's eyes lit up as he stared at Yi Tianxing, full of desire.
These years he had not lacked sheep to eat, but ever since tasting the mutton Yi Tianxing had given him, he found no other sheep could compare in deliciousness. He had never forgotten it. Yet no matter how he searched, he could not find more. Now, stumbling upon Yi Tianxing here, his craving instantly rekindled.
"Sheep? Of course I have some. The question is—do you have treasures to trade?"
Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
"Heh heh, don't you worry! I, the Grey Wolf, have invented many things. You won't be disappointed. Let's trade privately later."
The wolf grinned, squinting his eyes, quickly making the arrangement.
Talking as they walked, they entered the auction house together.
Inside, they instantly found themselves within a vast void. Everywhere they looked were rows upon rows of seats.
With just a thought, Yi Tianxing landed on an empty seat. The chair was extremely comfortable—as if countless gentle hands were massaging him, making his spirit clear and refreshed. In front of him were all kinds of fruits, available for the taking. Though not precious, they were free—and in such vast quantities, the cost was astonishing. The generosity was clear.
Looking around, countless guests filled the space.
Voices of discussion filled the air, though all were kept to low tones, never becoming chaotic.
At the center was a vast circular auction platform, the main stage of the upcoming event.
Whoosh!
Once most of the guests had arrived, a flash of light shone on the stage, revealing a middle-aged man in a white robe, plump in stature, with a kindly, wealthy appearance. His smiling face exuded warmth and approachability, naturally evoking goodwill.
Upon appearing, he bowed in four directions.
"Honored guests, I am Fat Tiger, and I will once again host today's auction. The rules of the auction house, I believe, are well-known to all: here, as long as you have money, you may trade. The highest bidder wins. After the sale, a trading platform will appear before you. Place your payment upon it, and the exchange will be completed on the spot. However, no false bids are allowed. Anyone caught will be expelled immediately. Three offenses, and you are banned from the auction forever. Therefore, I urge everyone to act within your means."
"The auction follows the principle of payment in one hand, goods in the other. Now, let the auction officially begin."
Fat Tiger announced with a beaming smile.
He wasted no words. With a few simple sentences, the auction began.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
He clapped softly.
A maid entered, carrying a treasure covered with black cloth.
"Honored guests, please look—the first treasure."
With a sweep of his hand, the black cloth was removed, revealing a leaf—pure white like jade. On its surface, countless mysterious visions could be faintly seen, all kinds of beauty shimmering within it. Just one glance, and one could sense its mystery, Dao-rhymes hidden deep within.
Neither metal nor jade—it was extraordinary.
"This is a leaf born from the innate spiritual root, the Dream Immortal Spirit Tree. It is called a Dream Leaf. Within each Dream Leaf lies pure power of dreams. By making a wish upon it, one can realize their dreams—within the scope of its ability. This particular one is a ten-thousand-year Dream Leaf. It can fulfill wishes such as reviving the dead or ascending to immortality overnight. While it cannot directly manifest an innate spiritual treasure, it can grant the wisher a Heaven-and-Earth treasure most suitable for them, with immense potential."
Fat Tiger introduced with a smile.
This first auction item was truly rare. The Dream Immortal Spirit Tree was a top innate spiritual root within the Nightmare World, capable of realizing dreams. Its Dream Leaves were categorized by age: one thousand years, three thousand, six thousand, nine thousand, ten thousand—and the most miraculous, one hundred thousand years.