The Ten-Thousand-Year Dream Leaf was said to be able to directly manifest an innate spiritual treasure. Although only of the lowest grade, it was still an innate spiritual treasure—a supreme treasure of its level. Moreover, it condensed according to one's own heart, forming the innate treasure most suited to oneself. Such a Dream Leaf was incredibly rare in the Nightmare World, nearly impossible to obtain. It was a supreme treasure belonging exclusively to the Nightmare Clan, controlled by the Dream Immortal Spirit Tree. In the outside world, such a thing was never seen. It was even said that the innate spiritual root's apparent grade might not be its true one.
What heights it could truly reach, no one knew.
Now, the appearance of even a ten-thousand-year Dream Leaf was already of incalculable value. Such a treasure was rarely circulated beyond the smallest of circles and almost never leaked outside. Yet now it had appeared at an auction. Without surprise, it must have been provided by the Nightmare Clan themselves.
But that did not change its precious value in the least.
"A Ten-Thousand-Year Dream Leaf. Starting price: one billion Nightmare Coins. Each bid must increase by no less than one million. The auction begins now, you may place your bids."
Fat Tiger announced with a smile.
This was just the first auction item, yet the scale and grandeur of the auction could already be felt—it was beyond imagination.
"I bid one billion one hundred million."
"One billion three hundred million. I've wanted a Dream Leaf for a long time."
"I bid one billion…"
Almost as soon as the words were spoken, bids echoed one after another, resounding rapidly throughout the auction hall.
The price climbed swiftly, rising higher and higher. Such a Dream Leaf was unimaginably rare and priceless, the dream of every cultivator. For an ordinary cultivator, it could mean leaping directly to the heavens in one bound.
The intensity of the struggle could well be imagined.
"Ten billion Nightmare Coins."
At the peak of the frenzy, Yi Tianxing calmly gave an astronomical figure.
The moment that price was spoken, silence fell over the entire auction hall. Gasps of shock could be heard everywhere. Ten billion Nightmare Coins—converted into Eternal Coins, that was one hundred million Eternal Gold Coins. A sky-high price indeed.
"Who is this? Who dares to make such a move, opening with ten billion? That's far beyond the value of a Dream Leaf."
"Too rich, inhumanly rich. How can the rest of us even compete? If only we knew who was bidding. But alas, the rules here conceal all identities. Otherwise, I'd love to see what kind of person is so extravagantly bold."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
But within the auction house, all identities were veiled. Outwardly, only shifting mists could be seen. Each bidder had a unique number, and bids were placed directly by intent. Secrecy was absolute and flawless—except by revealing oneself, no one's identity could ever be discovered. Even neighboring seats could not discern each other.
This strict confidentiality was precisely one of the reasons the Illusory Dream Auction House held such prestige in Nightmare Holy City. No one ever had to fear exposure or safety concerns, unless they themselves revealed their identity—something for which the auction house bore no responsibility. For years, no accidents had ever occurred in this regard.
"Ten billion. Is there any bid higher than ten billion? If not, then this Dream Leaf belongs to our honored guest."
"Ten billion, once!"
"Ten billion, twice!!"
"Ten billion, thrice! Sold!!!"
Fat Tiger scanned the room, beaming with satisfaction as he loudly declared the result.
For a Ten-Thousand-Year Dream Leaf, ten billion was already within his expectations. After all, it was only one leaf. The upper limit of its value was clear. Expecting a higher heaven-defying price was unrealistic—unless someone had an extremely special need.
Thus, the auctioneer did not drag it out, sealing the deal at a normal pace.
Clap!!
With a crisp sound, the first item concluded. Sold on the spot at the astronomical price of ten billion Nightmare Coins.
As the auction concluded, Yi Tianxing noticed the small platform before him glow with light. Without hesitation, he moved a storage pouch into the transfer array, containing one hundred million Eternal Gold Coins—the equivalent of ten billion Nightmare Coins.
As the Eternal Coins were transmitted, the glow flashed, and the Dream Leaf appeared before him.
"As expected of an innate spiritual object. The dream power it contains is pure and flawless. It can indeed make dreams come true—just a shade weaker than the wishing power of the Seven-Star Dragon Pearl."
Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly with approval.
This was a fine treasure. Even if he did not use it personally, keeping it as a foundation for Great Yi was worthwhile. Besides, with this leaf, he could manifest any worldly treasure he desired without expending effort to search for it.
Silently, he stored the Dream Leaf within the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower.
The auction continued.
"The Nightmare World's laws are ever-shifting, flickering between reality and illusion. Accidents are everywhere. A mere ant can become a towering giant, while a titan can shrink to the size of a thumb. Such situations are called Strange Realms. Unless you are a Saint, even those at the Dao-Proving Realm can be cast down into mortal dust. The destruction caused by a Strange Realm is immense. No one can predict if they will encounter one, unless they remain in the Nightmare Holy Land for life."
At these words, countless guests in the auction hall nodded deeply in resonance, their hearts stirred.
Everyone dreaded being swallowed by a Strange Realm. One could die in an instant—if not die outright, survival would still be a near-impossible struggle.
"However, this danger is not unavoidable. Even when confronted with a Strange Realm, there is a way to preserve oneself against its bizarre rules. That way is the Strange Talisman. Forging such a talisman is no easy task. The materials required are unimaginably rare, especially the Strange-Transforming Heavenly Jade—a divine material of extreme rarity. Refined with heavenly treasures, the talisman can shield its bearer from the rules of a Strange Realm, rendering them unaffected. Moreover, it is not a consumable treasure but a permanent one. Owning it means one can move freely within Strange Realms without fear."
Fat Tiger's voice carried a tone of fervor.
A treasure that allowed one to ignore the Nightmare World's unpredictable rules—its value could well be imagined.
Such a Strange Talisman was priceless in the Nightmare World. Even if offered an innate spiritual treasure in exchange, few would agree. Its protective power was too immense, offering a sense of absolute security.
With a Strange Talisman in hand, one could roam the Nightmare World with impunity.
Take for example the collapsing scene Yi Tianxing had once encountered—that too was born of shifting Nightmare Power. With the talisman, there would be no need to flee. One could stand amidst the chaos unharmed. That was its sheer power.
"There really is such a treasure. Truly, the Nightmare World is full of surprises."
Yi Tianxing marveled inwardly, though he was not overly shocked. Knowing the Nightmare World's strangeness, any true powerhouse would naturally seek ways to overcome it. The Strange Talisman was clearly one such method—though not necessarily the only one.
"Still, the Strange Talisman is of little use to me. I already possess the Nightmare Life Aperture and have condensed the Nightmare Tree. Anywhere I go, I can open a Nightmare Holy Land, suppressing strangeness innately. Having one won't change much. Besides, this talisman surely won't be unique. I'll watch first. If the price is reasonable, I'll take it. If too high, I'll let it go. No need to make myself a target."
Yi Tianxing thought quietly.
"One Strange Talisman. Starting price: one billion Nightmare Coins. Each bid must increase by no less than ten million. The auction begins now, you may place your bids."
Fat Tiger announced cheerfully.
"I bid one billion one hundred million."
"Two billion! A Strange Talisman—legendary treasure. I've only heard of it before. This is my first time seeing one. I won't miss it. Even if I must exhaust my fortune, I must have it!"
"Three billion!!"
Almost instantly, the auction hall erupted in bids.
The price soared rapidly, climbing to insane heights. Such a treasure was priceless in the Nightmare World. The pace of the bids was unbelievable, leaping in billions with each increment—only to be instantly overtaken the next second.
Many guests without the strength to compete could only watch in shock, their jaws hanging open. None had expected the auction to devolve into such madness.
Yi Tianxing did not bid, simply watching quietly.
It was clear the bidders were all powerful factions with vast foundations.
At last, the Strange Talisman was sold for the astronomical price of one hundred billion Nightmare Coins.
The buyer remained unknown, but the transaction was completed smoothly, money and goods exchanged.
Afterward, item after item continued to appear. Each was a treasure so rare that outside, countless people would fight to the death for it. Every piece was invaluable, commanding staggering sums.
Yi Tianxing also made several successful bids, acquiring a number of remarkable treasures for himself.