The Lower Realms trembled.
Every major sect, clan, and dark force had turned its gaze toward a single location—one built in secret over the past month under the direct command of Li Xuan. A black floating fortress had emerged above the skies of the Million Supporting Realms, hovering silently like a god's judgment. It was known simply as the Heaven Auction Hall.
This auction wasn't like the ones before. It wasn't meant for show. It was meant for domination.
And yet, Li Xuan wasn't present.
He sat deep within a concealed chamber miles beneath the fortress—his figure surrounded by floating karma threads, his eyes closed in ruthless concentration. His body remained still, but the influence he exerted over the world was absolute. Above, his seven generals stood like kings, each backed by seven elite auctioneers and guardians.
"Begin the auction," said General Bai, his voice calm but firm, the first speaker of the Seven.
The hall shimmered. Millions of cultivators from the Lower Realms and beyond filled the vast stadium-like structure. Projection arrays allowed even distant factions to witness the event. Illusions and barriers ensured secrecy and safety. Each seat cost a fortune—only those with authority and resources could attend.
The first item was a shocker: a single drop of Eternity Flame Essence. A heaven-tier treasure able to forge immortal weapons or evolve fire-based dao laws.
"Starting bid—one million spirit jade stones!"
Within seconds, prices soared into the tens of millions.
In the depths below, Li Xuan's eyes snapped open slightly.
Karma thread response… overwhelming desire, desperation, and bloodlust…
He focused his will. The karma threads quivered. A dozen threads pulsed crimson—he traced them and smiled coldly. These were the bidders who would bring chaos. One would win, and eleven would fall in due time. He would profit from all.
The auction continued.
A Soul Mirror of Past Lives, fragments of Celestial Bone Marrow, and even a Dead God's Tear—each item was priceless, and each came with manipulation carefully layered by Li Xuan's karmic will.
Behind the stage, the Seven Generals coordinated.
General Yun whispered, "Two major clans from the Upper Realms sent spies. One tried to plant assassins here."
"They've already been taken care of," said General Jue. "Their corpses are being auctioned in secret to soul-refiners as we speak."
This was the Heaven Auction Hall's true power—everything, even corpses and secrets, could be sold.
Then came the Unknown Item.
Its box was sealed with six formation locks. Even the Seven didn't know what lay within.
"Starting bid—fifty million soul jade stones," announced General Bai.
No one moved.
Until a cold, unfamiliar voice whispered from the shadows of a private chamber.
"One hundred million."
The room fell silent.
All eyes turned to the chamber. It bore no clan mark, no emblem. The bidder had bypassed the registration entirely—something only possible with the highest-level credentials.
General Bai narrowed his eyes. "By whose authority?"
A projection bloomed.
A sigil in the shape of a broken lotus appeared. All who saw it shuddered. It was an ancient symbol. One that hadn't been seen for tens of thousands of years.
"The Immortal Burial Sect…" someone whispered.
Li Xuan's eyes slowly opened in the depths below. So even the dead begin to stir. Perfect.
Suddenly, assassins launched a surprise attack—twelve of them, all in the Earth Saint realm. Their target: General Yun.
Before they struck, karma threads had already wrapped around them. Li Xuan flicked a finger.
Twelve heads rolled in silence.
The auction didn't pause.
This was the statement: not even assassination could stop this auction.
More items were revealed: a Time-Frozen Dao Seed, a Karmic Ink Brush, a bottle of Heavenly Rebirth Elixir, and even a remnant soul of a slain immortal who whispered truths from another era.
The final item brought the realm to silence.
A mask.
Black, smooth, featureless.
It pulsed with divine aura—and a chilling pressure.
"The Mask of the Void Sovereign," General Bai declared. "A relic of the one who ruled the Forbidden Realms… before vanishing."
The crowd descended into madness.
Bidding reached realms beyond logic. Entire clans wagered their inheritance. Secret sects from the shadows emerged. Civilizations pledged lifetimes of servitude.
Li Xuan watched it all with detached calm.
Greed. Desire. Madness. All leads to karma.
With each transaction, he absorbed karmic power. With each broken oath, betrayal, or sacrifice—his strength grew. The Voidheart Enlightenment Sutra within him howled in ecstasy and pain.
He vomited blood silently—his body wracked with pain as the forbidden art surged.
But his enlightenment soared.
Even the forbidden realms trembled faintly.
The auction ended after seven days.
When it was over, two ancient sects were annihilated through secret schemes. Five major factions owed eternal debts. Dozens of divine artifacts had changed hands
And Li Xuan?
He gained everything—and remained unseen.
In the silent void beneath the earth, he whispered to himself:
"One realm conquered. A million bound. Now… the gods will stir."