"Four eighth-grade elixirs with six-colored Dan Lei!"
"Two eighth-grade elixirs with eight-colored Dan Lei!"
"Three..."
The appearance of the remaining diagram of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire brought the trade fair to a head.
There weren't many interested, only about ten, but each one was a wealthy individual, driving the price up steadily.
"One eighth-grade elixir with nine-colored Dan Lei!"
a skinny old man stood up and shouted angrily, clearly feeling the pain even for him.
Nine-colored Dan Lei was already the limit for elixirs below the ninth grade, and even those present were of high status, few would be willing to part with such a price.
As expected, the moment this price was announced, several of them immediately shook their heads and gave up.
The remaining diagram of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire was precious, but the experts present had their own opinions. It was clearly not worth giving up a more valuable elixir for such a fleeting opportunity.
Yao Chen, sitting in the back, frowned slightly. He hadn't been informed of the appearance of the remaining diagram of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire at this spatial trade fair, and therefore, his preparations hadn't been thorough.
Of course, even then, he could still produce a elixir more valuable than the withered old man's.
But no one was sure if the withered old man would continue to compete. Judging by his impulsive demeanor, retreat was unlikely.
After much deliberation, Yao Chen gave up.
His mental perception had already suggested the withered old man's identity.
"Well, I'll let you have your turn. Let's settle all those old grudges together."
With this thought in mind, Yao Chen simply closed his eyes and began to formulate his strategy.
After all, he wasn't at his peak yet, and his apparent realm wasn't as good as the other man's. Fortunately, the enemy was in the clear, while he was in the dark. Furthermore, he understood the other man's tactics, and with careful planning, he had a good chance.
"This guy is truly insane."
Seeing the withered old man actually produce an elixir of the Nine-Colored Pill Thunder caliber, many of the experts present gasped and shook their heads inwardly.
The Nine-Colored Pill Thunder and the Eight-Colored Pill Thunder might seem only slightly different, but their value was vastly different.
If properly nurtured, an eighth-grade Nine-Colored Pill Lightning elixir has a chance of ascending to the ninth grade!
"Haha, are there any other friends bidding higher?"
Elder Baoshan smiled faintly, shaking his head wherever he looked, his attitude clear.
"In that case, then..."
"Two eighth-grade Nine-Colored Pill Lightning elixirs!"
Just as Elder Baoshan was about to make his final bid, Chen Guan, sitting in the front row, spoke up.
He hadn't participated in the previous bidding, awaiting this final 'final'.
While Nine-Colored Pill Lightning elixirs were indeed precious, that was only for eighth-grade alchemists, or even those who weren't alchemists themselves, as they rarely obtained true ninth-grade precious elixirs and naturally treasured them immensely.
But for Chen Guan, such a concept simply didn't exist.
He was now a ninth-grade alchemist himself. With the right mindset, Danta materials, and a bit of time, he could refine a handful of ninth-grade precious elixirs.
"You!"
The skinny old man had never expected someone to raise the price, and he was instantly enraged. His gaze, filled with murderous intent, swept across him, radiating a powerful pressure. Had he not considered the three major sects organizing the sale,
he would have likely attacked. Chen Guan, enveloped by the old man's aura, remained unaffected, but the intense killing intent still made him frown.
"If you raise the price again, it's yours,"
Chen Guan said, glancing at the fragmented map in the Baoshan old man's hand.
He was determined to obtain it, and he wanted to do so fairly and with the simplest means. Unfortunately, it seemed someone else had taken the initiative.
Given that, Chen Guan didn't mind the extra effort; killing someone for the treasure wouldn't be a burden.
And he could save two pills, too.
That was Chen Guan's thinking.
However, the skinny old man seemed to share his thoughts.
His gaze from beneath the black robe was fixed on Chen Guan, trying to discern his identity. But Chen Guan's mental strength was so great that even Yao Chen couldn't see through him, let alone him.
"I'll leave it with you first!"
the old man said coldly, then sat down in silence.
Clearly, this matter wasn't over yet.
"Haha,"
Chen Guan gave a mischievous smile, filled with anticipation.
"My friend..."
Seeing no one was willing to bid any more, the old man Baoshan looked at Chen Guan.
Chen Guan nodded gently, raised his hand, and a pair of white rabbits leaped from his ring, securely restrained by the old man. A fleeting moment of intuition led to a smile.
"My friend, this fragment of the ancient map is yours."
Carefully storing the two Dan beasts, the old man Baoshan flicked his finger at the tattered ancient map, which transformed into a ray of light, darting towards Chen Guan like lightning. Over a
decade of preparation finally paid off, and even Chen Guan couldn't help but smile, his mood brightening.
Watching Chen Guan accept the fragment, the skinny old man clenched his fists beneath his sleeves, his murderous intent growing even more intense.
Yao Chen, in the back row, frowned, his gaze shifting between the skinny old man and Chen Guan, before a long smile crept into his own.
That seems like a good idea!
"Everyone, the last item of our Space Trade Fair isn't an item, but a piece of intelligence. While this information may soon spread across Zhongzhou, we should still have first-hand knowledge here."
After completing the transaction for the ancient map, Elder Baoshan smiled, looked at the audience, and said, "Please rest assured, Elder Baoshan will not charge any compensation for this information. It will be shared free of charge. It's just because it's so sensational, so it's been placed last."
Hearing Elder Baoshan's words, everyone present frowned, looking at him with some confusion. What kind of information could possibly attract Elder Baoshan's attention?
Chen Guan knew it well, but he had no expectations at all. However, under the cover of his black robe, no one could see his expression clearly.
As he expected, Elder Baoshan's next words also confirmed this point.
"Information expression... The legendary ancient Bodhi tree, said to be capable of instantly achieving sainthood, has finally reappeared after ten thousand years!"
"Ancient Bodhi Tree!!!"
With a resounding roar, numerous powerful figures leaped to their feet, their gazes blazing through their black robes.
Ninety-nine percent of those present in this hall were Dou Zun powerhouses. For them, this piece of information was a thousand times more alluring than the remaining diagram of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire!
After all, the prospect of gathering the map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire and devouring and refining it was too elusive.
While the opportunity to obtain the Ancient Bodhi Tree was still dangerous, the chance was a thousand times greater.
Furthermore, the Ancient Bodhi Tree's value far surpassed that of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire!
If one were to rank the natural treasures of the Dou Qi Continent, the Ancient Bodhi Tree would undoubtedly be in the top three!
"What a great opportunity! I'm afraid this will be another bloody storm. The Ancient Bodhi Tree, also known in some ancient texts as the Wisdom and Reincarnation Tree, grows once every thousand years, reaching maturity only after reaching its hundredth cycle. Such a long time would allow time to corrode anything, but the Ancient Bodhi Tree transcends time, practically one of the most ancient species on the continent.
Legend has it that this tree only appears once every thousand years, and each appearance inevitably causes a tremendous sensation. In the few recorded appearances, even true Dou Shengs have perished fighting for the Ancient Bodhi Tree!
Speaking of which, this time the Ancient Bodhi Tree's reappearance is our chance!"
Skyfire Venerable hummed, his tone tinged with disbelief.
Upon hearing this, Little Medical Immortal and Qing Lin glanced at Chen Guan. Clearly, they were all thinking the same thing: to condense a poison pill for Little Medical Immortal, Chen Guan had found the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva and even obtained a Bodhi seed from it.
Therefore, they had some prior knowledge of the Ancient Bodhi Tree.
The reappearance of the ancient Bodhi tree might allow them to take advantage of this opportunity to be one step ahead of others!
"No matter what, this opportunity cannot be missed,"
Chen Guan nodded in response. This was also a major event he had been planning for a long time.
Of course, this shouldn't make them complacent. The allure of the Ancient Bodhi Tree is too great. Instant sainthood is the dream of every Dou Zun expert.
Chen Guan knew full well that in this battle, the Dou Zun experts of Zhongzhou were merely appetizers; the true competition lay with the geniuses of the Eight Ancient Clans!
"Old Man Baoshan, may I know where the Ancient Bodhi Tree was born?" The hall was filled with shock for a moment before someone finally took the initiative to ask.
With this question, all eyes were once again fixed on Old Man Baoshan, as if they were ready to force him to speak if he refused.
Indeed, under the allure of the Ancient Bodhi Tree, not only the three major sects, but even the Danta Soul Palace might dare to charge.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'm telling you what I'm saying. As far as I know, the ancient Bodhi tree was born in the Wild Ancient Realm on the northeastern border of Zhongzhou. You should be familiar with that place. Even if you haven't been there, you've heard of it."
The Wild Ancient Realm is considered a forbidden area in Zhongzhou and one of the most ancient places.
Its harsh environment, filled with miasma and roaming with poisonous insects, is enough to deter countless people.
Furthermore, it is home to countless powerful and ferocious beasts. Aside from the elusive Taixu Ancient Dragon, who possesses innate advantages, no one or any Warcraft clan dares to guarantee survival after entering.
The Warcraft here are isolated from the rest of the world, and their unique living environment has made them extremely ferocious, brutal, and bloodthirsty, even affecting their intelligence. This is similar to the Dan Realm that Chen Guan once visited.
However, that Dan Realm pales in comparison to the Wild Ancient Realm.
"No wonder the old fellow was willing to share information. This is a dangerous place where even peak Dou Zun masters face life-or-death danger. Revealing this information will attract more people to explore and die, allowing them to take advantage of the situation. It's a brilliant plan."
Thinking of the dangers of the Wild Ancient Domain, the experts present immediately understood the key.
But understanding was no use; this was a blatant conspiracy.
Unless you can resist the allure of instant sainthood
, knowing the danger, you'll have no choice but to brave the storm.
"Alright, everyone, the emergence of the ancient Bodhi tree will inevitably trigger phenomena in heaven and earth. Then everyone will know the truth. This spatial trade fair concludes here. I thank you all for your support."
Elder Baoshan chuckled, unconcerned with the opinions of the experts, calmly announcing the end of the fair and sending the guests away.
A momentary silence fell within the hall, many still in shock, pondering their thoughts and remaining silent.
After several breaths, the first person to leave the scene emerged. Coincidentally, it was the withered old man competing for the Remnant Map of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.
After him, Yao Chen, who was in the back row
, followed suit. Chen Guan and his group walked in the middle, neither fast nor slow.
Even so, many eyes were watching them with interest.
They all knew that as soon as Chen Guan and his companions left Space Town, a spectacle would unfold.
This thought immediately stirred the hearts of some powerful individuals.
"A lot of people are watching us,"
Little Medical Fairy frowned, but remained undaunted.
Not to mention the strongest Chen Guan, even she, Qing Lin, and even Skyfire Venerable were not merely superficial in their capabilities.
"Don't worry, if things get tough, they'll tactfully leave."
Of course, that meant displaying enough strength to intimidate others.
"Let's go, let's meet that old fellow."
...
Skilled and daring, without the slightest preparation, Chen Guan led the three of them out of this dimension, watched by a host of powerful figures.
Outside, the yellow sandstorm continued,
though with a new, murderous aura.
Chen Guan, seemingly oblivious, soared into the sky.
Just as they were about to depart for their return, three figures, accompanied by ripples in space, quietly emerged in the distance, surrounding the four in a triangular formation.
One of them was the gaunt old man from the trade fair.
The other two were unknown, evidently hidden helpers. It was only natural to have such preparations, to prevent anyone from photographing the valuables and potentially killing them for the treasure.
"You're quite anxious, afraid we'll escape."
"Hmph, I told you, you can't leave. Hand over the incomplete map and you'll live, otherwise you'll die!"
The gaunt old man's name was Scorpio, and he and the other two were known as the Scorpio Three Ghosts.
Together, they were confident they could hold their own against even a semi-saint.
Though disguised, Chen Guan's voice still held a distinctly different kind of life from the old men. It was clear he wasn't some century-old immortal, and his strength could be roughly estimated.
The presence of over a dozen Skyfire Venerables, clearly led by Chen Guan, gave Scorpio even more confidence.
However, to prevent Chen Guan from destroying the remaining map in desperation, he decided to use a deception.
Little did he know, even Chen Guan, in his current state, couldn't destroy it.
Chen Guan, gazing at the menacing three, remained unfazed, the remaining map appearing in his hand.
"It's right here. Want it? Come and get it."
Scorpio wondered where he got the confidence to speak so confidently, but he felt the combined strength of the three Scorpion Demons was undeniable, and he could sense that there were still many lurking in the shadows, making him unwilling to compromise.
Immediately, he gave his two companions a look and slowly advanced.
Thousands of feet...
hundreds of feet...
just then, Scorpio saw Chen Guan produce a jade flute, its melodious sound almost invisible.
"Thinking of calling for help now? Too late!"
Their pace suddenly increased, and they were a hundred feet away in an instant. With a fierce palm strike, they slammed Chen Guan's chest, firmly grasping the ancient parchment.
"Hmm? An illusion!" The
situation was so unbelievably smooth that the three Scorpion Demons instantly realized something was wrong.
As expected, the next moment, the four figures before them vanished, and a hundred-foot-long spear descended from the sky with a terrifying power that even a Nine-Transformation Dou Zun would not dare to underestimate.
The three Scorpion Demons were shocked, but not afraid. Their internal Dou Qi surged out, instantly unleashing powerful fighting techniques. They transformed into a pair of giant black hands, like the giant pincers of a scorpion, and charged forward with a fierce, gripping force.
Boom!
After a mere moment of stalemate, the massive spear shattered, and even the surrounding sky seemed to be torn apart, revealing four terrified figures not far away.
Facts proved that the combined might of the three Scorpion Demons was truly formidable.
"Hmph, an ant trying to shake a tree—you're overestimating yourself..."
Before he could finish his words, Scorpio felt a sharp pain in his chest. His strength drained away like a madman, and the space before him blurred. The panicked four vanished, leaving only a crimson blade piercing his heart.
He glanced around with difficulty, only to find his two companions' heads and bodies severed.
In that moment, Scorpio understood everything.
The moment he thought he had successfully shattered the illusion was the moment his mind was at its most relaxed.
"I never thought I'd die so miserably!"
Just as he was about to utter a final harsh word, Chen Guan gave him no chance. With a single swipe of his blade, a head, possessed of its own thoughts, flew off, startling away a group of self-righteous "birds.
" "I've killed more than one Semi-Saint, so who do you think you are?"