Chapter 249: The Difficulty of Ascension
They had planned to bid on the last few treasures before taking their leave.
But this revelation reignited their spirits.
Heaven truly rewarded persistence—at last, a divine-grade treasure capable of guiding someone to godhood had appeared.
"Zhongli Wu, we must go all in," Long Xiaoyao said gravely. "This Immortal Spirit Energy must not fall into the hands of other factions—or worse, the Soul Beasts."
"The continent is entering a chaotic era. Though our Holy Spirit Cult possesses three Ultimate Douluo, it will not be enough to survive what's coming. The future of our plans depends on a god-level power to anchor us, or disaster will be inevitable."
His tone left no doubt of his determination; the Cult could not afford to lose this chance.
"Understood. Even if it costs the combined wealth of our sect, I'll obtain this Immortal Spirit Energy," Zhongli Wu replied firmly, preparing for the bidding to begin.
They already suspected its function, and now they would devote everything to securing it.
Jiang Li looked over the audience, noting the excitement shimmering in countless eyes.
In truth, the concept of Immortal Spirit Energy shouldn't exist yet in this era. It wouldn't appear until millennia later, when the Douluo Continent merged with the Abyssal Plane—creating this very essence that allowed mortal beings to ascend to divinity.
It was that energy that would one day foster the rise of true gods.
"I believe most of you have already guessed the function of the Immortal Spirit Energy," Jiang Li said. "You are correct. It can help an Ultimate Douluo shed their mortal limits—body and spirit alike—allowing them to transform into a true divine vessel, both physically and spiritually."
The confirmation swept across the hall like thunder.
Many had already predicted this, but hearing it official from the Pavilion's master still sent waves of relief—and then pure, fevered excitement.
A chance to reach the level of gods? None would dare miss it again.
A month ago, Bi Ji of the Soul Beast race had ascended to the divine rank, filling every human with envy and regret.
Many now cursed themselves for not bidding on the Divine Stone earlier when they had the chance.
Yet fate had granted them a second opportunity—and this time, no one would hesitate.
"This is bad," muttered Yan Shaozhe of Shrek Academy as realization struck. "We spent too much on the Heart of Origin earlier. Competing for this will be nearly impossible."
Shock and worry replaced his earlier awe.
Shrek Academy had already drained much of its treasury in both healing their teachers and participating in earlier auctions.
Now, facing this divine opportunity, they lacked the means to challenge the other great factions.
The Sea God Pavilion elders shared his concern; each bore a heavy expression.
"Let's just do what we can," Mu En said with a sigh. "Even if we fail, we must try. It would be cowardice not to."
"Understood," Yan Shaozhe replied. Though disappointed, he quickly rallied, beginning to tally what little resources remained to see if there was any hope of success.
"When one reaches the third stage of the Ultimate Douluo realm—the quasi-god level—consuming Immortal Spirit Energy grants around a fifty percent chance of attaining godhood," Jiang Li continued.
"But this also depends heavily on one's foundation. The closer you are to divinity and the deeper your accumulation, the greater your chance of success."
"Conversely, if someone has only recently reached the Ultimate Douluo stage, the Immortal Spirit Energy may merely strengthen them, improving their rank by a small margin but giving almost no real chance of divine ascension."
This clarification didn't dishearten the crowd.
Everyone knew such a treasure would only favor those standing at the absolute peak of cultivation.
For those near the threshold of godhood, however, this was a golden key.
"Now that you understand its true value," Jiang Li said, "this auction item will include both the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo and the surrounding Immortal Spirit Energy."
"The starting bid is five hundred million gold soul coins, with minimum increments of fifty million. The bidding begins now!"
He struck the gavel.
"Five hundred million gold soul coins!"
Poison Undying of the Body Sect was the first to raise his paddle. Despite knowing the odds were slim, he couldn't ignore the temptation of godhood.
"Six hundred million!"
Zhongli Wu of the Holy Spirit Cult followed immediately, and the contest began in earnest.
Jiang Li observed the energy rising in the room with quiet satisfaction.
The fiercer the competition, the higher the price—and the greater the Pavilion's profit.
"Should we intervene and claim the Immortal Spirit Energy for ourselves?" Di Tian asked softly. "Even if we can't use it, doing so would prevent new human gods from emerging."
Gu Yuena shook her head lightly.
"There's no need. You overestimate the simplicity of these energies."
"The chance of success with Immortal Spirit Energy is already less than fifty percent, even under ideal conditions. To maximize the effect, one must remain at the quasi-god stage for several years, refining strength until no further progress can be made. Only then can they use the energy—and even then, success isn't guaranteed."
"Right now, on this continent, there are precious few who have even reached that realm. There's little to worry about."
"Furthermore, even if a human does ascend with this energy, the process takes decades or centuries. When such a person finally attains godhood, our Soul Beast race will long have prepared for it. And remember—newly born gods are weak. They pose no real threat to us."
Her calm reasoning silenced Di Tian and the other beasts.
They understood. Their perspective had been shortsighted.
With their Master watching over them—and the Starry Auction Pavilion the only power they truly respected—the Soul Beast race had little to fear.
All they needed now was patience. Time, after all, was on their side.
(END CHAPTER)
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