237: It's time for a change in the heavens of the cultivation world.

Su Hongling patted her chest, which, though lacking in substance, still rose and fell with her breathing, and let out a long sigh.

"I thought there would be another one competing for food."

"Since it's an Artifact Spirit, it's just an object."

Luo Ximei retracted her Killing Intent, returning to her lazy demeanor, even having the leisure to twirl her hair with her fingertips. "Objects, if broken, are just broken. No need to feel heartache, and certainly no need... to be jealous."

Although Chu Weiwei had put away her poison needles, she still circled the girl named Little Star twice with some unease, wrinkling her nose.

"Although it doesn't smell like a living person, this pure Law aura... if used for Alchemy..."

"I'll refine you next."

Su Lin interrupted the dangerous thoughts of these unruly disciples with annoyance.

He turned to look at Little Star.

The girl remained in her dazed state, her golden pupils reflecting Su Lin's face, neither sad nor happy.

"Go in."

Su Lin said softly, a flash of starlight appearing between his eyebrows as the phantom of the Myriad Heavens Star Chart slowly materialized.

Little Star nodded, her body transforming into a stream of light that seamlessly merged into the scroll.

The scroll trembled violently; what was once a lifeless Magic Treasure now seemed to possess breath.

Su Lin could clearly feel that the space within the Star Chart was undergoing a dramatic transformation.

The previously lifeless starry sky began to operate on its own, the Law lines becoming orderly under Little Star's arrangement.

If the previous Myriad Heavens Star Chart was a sharp sword, then now, this sword had acquired a sword soul.

"Alright, sit down."

In high spirits, Su Lin sat back down on the large beast-skin chair.

"The auction isn't over yet. Since we're here, we might as well see what other good things are available."

Although the main target had been acquired, as the "Star Evil Ancestor," it would be anticlimactic not to watch the rest of the show.

Seeing the crisis resolved, the disciples returned to their normal states, each finding a seat.

Of course, the process of finding seats was another undercurrent of tension.

Su Hongling plopped down on the carpet, resting her head by Su Lin's leg, securing the most advantageous "leg-rubbing" spot.

Cold Moon sat gracefully on the left, peeling a Spirit Fruit with a virtuous wife and mother demeanor.

Luo Ximei squeezed onto the right armrest, while Chu Weiwei massaged Su Lin's shoulders from behind.

Mu Qingxue... she silently lowered the temperature of the entire private room by three degrees to express her dissatisfaction at not securing a spot.

The auction below continued.

However, after the earth-shattering "five billion" gamble earlier, the next few auction items seemed rather dull.

Things like ten-thousand-year Mysterious Iron, seventh-grade Yao Race cores, or maps to ancient Cultivator's Immortal Caves... to this group of nouveau riche disciples who had just raided an alien race's home and had more resources than they could spend, they were like rotten cabbage by the roadside.

"Boring."

Su Hongling yawned, idly drawing circles on Su Lin's thigh with her finger.

"Old Man, shall we leave? The stuff down there isn't even as hard as the stones I picked up on the roadside earlier."

"Exactly."

Chu Weiwei also seemed unenthusiastic. "Those so-called poisonous herbs can't even kill a mouse. They look boring."

"Wait a bit longer."

Su Lin, however, remained composed.

His gaze passed through the one-way crystal wall, looking toward the direction of Private Room Number Two.

There, although Li Qingyun's aura was restrained, his suppressed anger was like a volcano about to erupt.

"The real good show is often saved for the finale."

Su Lin chuckled lightly. "Moreover, I'd like to see what interesting expression the so-called leader of the Righteous Path will have if he returns empty-handed."

Sure enough.

Not long after, Old Ancestor Cang Ming stepped onto the stage again.

This time, his expression was even more solemn than when he introduced the world spirit earlier.

"Fellow Daoists."

He cleared his throat, a glint of sharpness flashing in his turbid old eyes.

"Originally, the world spirit was today's finale item."

"But just now, a mysterious distinguished guest entrusted our pavilion with auctioning a rare treasure."

"This Old Man can guarantee with his reputation that the value of this item is enough to cause a bloody storm even in the Immortal Realm!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the venue.

The previously somewhat subdued atmosphere was instantly ignited.

Something even the Immortal Realm would fight over?

What kind of treasure could that be?

In Private Room Number Two, Li Qingyun abruptly sat up straight, hope rekindling in his eyes.

"Mysterious distinguished guest? Immortal Realm treasure?"

"Could it be... that kind of thing?"

Su Lin also raised an eyebrow slightly.

A last-minute addition?

This script is getting interesting.

Two strongmen struggled to carry up a stone box sealed with layers of Talismans.

The stone box wasn't large, but with each step, the ground emitted a dull thud, as if it contained a mountain.

Old Ancestor Cang Ming carefully removed the Seal.

A golden sharpness instantly shot into the sky, piercing through the auction hall's protective Formation and straight into the Void Realm!

That sharp aura made all Cultivators practicing sword arts feel their swords wailing in sorrow, and even their Divine Souls felt a stinging pain.

Inside the stone box.

Lay a piece of metal, only palm-sized, entirely golden, with natural Dao patterns covering its surface.

"This is..."

Su Hongling suddenly stood up, her eyes wider than copper bells, drool actually dripping down.

"Essence of Geng Metal? No... it's even more Advanced than that!"

"This is [chaos immortal gold]!"

For the first time, Su Lin's voice carried a noticeable tremor.

The ancient sword [destiny] in his hand emitted an extremely eager sword hum at this moment; if not for Su Lin's suppression, it would have flown out to devour that piece of metal.

chaos immortal gold.

A divine material said to be born before the heavens and earth were formed, it is the core material for forging true Immortal Artifacts, even Divine Artifacts!

Just a fingernail-sized piece mixed into a Magic Treasure can give it the potential to advance to an Immortal Artifact.

And the piece before them... was a full palm-sized!

"This thing must be acquired."

Su Lin's gaze sharpened as he stated resolutely.

Although his [destiny] was extraordinary, its material was limited by the Lower Realm and was starting to lag behind his growth speed.

If this piece of chaos immortal gold could be integrated... then [destiny] could potentially transform into a true Life-Bound Immortal Sword!

"Starting bid!"

Old Ancestor Cang Ming took a deep breath and announced an astronomical figure.

"One billion Top-Grade Spirit Stones! Or equivalent value in Heaven And Earth Treasures!"

The entire hall fell dead silent.

One billion starting bid?

This price directly deterred ninety-nine percent of the people.

But for the true giants, this was just the entry ticket.

"One hundred and fifty million!"

From Private Room Number Two, Li Qingyun's voice was nearly a roar.

His eyes were bloodshot, clearly having gone all-in.

He failed to acquire the world spirit; if he could bring back this Immortal Gold, it would be enough to report to the Alliance Leader, perhaps even with greater merit!

"Two hundred million."

A sinister voice came from Private Room Number Five, belonging to a previously silent Demonic Path magnate.

"Two hundred and fifty million!"

A Yao Race great power from Private Room Number Three also joined the fray.

The price soared, quickly breaking through the three hundred million mark.

Su Lin wasn't in a hurry to bid.

He leaned back in his chair, lightly tapping his fingers.

"Cold Moon."

"Here."

"How much liquid assets do we have left now?"

Cold Moon coughed awkwardly.

"Revered Master, we just spent five billion on the world spirit... Spirit Stones... I'm afraid we have less than two hundred million left."

"Two hundred million?"

Su Lin frowned slightly.

That's not enough.

Judging by the momentum, this Immortal Gold couldn't be acquired for less than five or six hundred million.

"Out of money?"

Su Hongling overheard the conversation, looking incredulous.

"Senior Sister, aren't you an empress? Aren't you very rich? How are you so poor?"

"Do you think the national treasury grows on trees?"

Cold Moon shot her an annoyed glance. "And most of it is in resources and fixed assets. Who carries that much cash Spirit Stones when going out?"

"Then what do we do?"

Chu Weiwei grew anxious. "That stone looks delicious... I mean, very useful. We can't let others have it!"

"How about... we just rob them?"

Luo Ximei suggested, a proposal very fitting for her identity as a Demon Lord.

She licked her lips, looking dangerously at the auction stage below.

"This is the Black Market, after all. Isn't it normal to engage in black-on-black?"

"No."

Su Lin shook his head.

"Old Ancestor Cang Ming is at the Late Stage of Undergoing Tribulation. If a fight breaks out, this Void Black Market will definitely collapse, and the Immortal Gold will fall into the Void turbulence, lost to everyone."

"Then..."

Just as everyone was at a loss.

The bidding below had reached a fever pitch.

"Four hundred million!" Li Qingyun's voice was already hoarse.

He had mortgaged a semi-Immortal Artifact he carried to scrape together this amount.

"Four hundred million, once..."

Old Ancestor Cang Ming raised his gavel.

"Four hundred million, twice..."

Were they really going to miss out?

A flash of unwillingness appeared in Su Lin's eyes.

At that moment.

"Um..."

Mu Qingxue, who had been silent all along, suddenly timidly raised her hand.

She took out a small, seemingly unremarkable ice crystal bottle from her bosom.

"Revered Master, is this... valuable?"

Su Lin took the bottle and opened it.

An extremely pure chill instantly overflowed, making even his Divine Soul tremble.

At the bottom of the bottle lay a drop of liquid.

It was... [Taiyin True Water]!

The ultimate Yin and cold substance between heaven and earth, a single drop could transform into a ten-thousand-mile ice plain. It is the dream foundation for water and ice attribute Cultivators seeking the Dao!

"Where did you get this?!" Su Lin was shocked.

"In the Eternal Frozen Time Ravine."

Mu Qingxue lowered her head and whispered.

"I... I missed Revered Master too much at the time and cried once."

"My tears fell on Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow, and somehow turned into this... I thought it looked pretty, so I kept it."

"..."

Everyone: "..."

Taiyin True Water from crying?

Is that even possible?!

What kind of humblebrag is this?!

"Valuable! Extremely valuable!"

Su Lin took a deep breath, looking at this usually quiet Seventh Disciple who always pulled out a trump card at critical moments, and felt like hugging and kissing her.

"This drop is worth at least five hundred million!"

"Four hundred million, three times..."

The gavel below was about to fall.

"Wait!"

Su Lin's voice rang out again, carrying an unhurried dominance.

"I bid... [Taiyin True Water]!"

The entire hall erupted once more.

Taiyin True Water! That legendary substance!

Old Ancestor Cang Ming's hand trembled violently, almost dropping the gavel.

He scanned with his Divine Sense, feeling the terrifying chill emanating from the small bottle, his beard trembling with excitement.

"Taiyin True Water! It really is Taiyin True Water!"

For an old monster like him with dwindling Lifespan, this divine substance that can cleanse the Divine Soul and delay aging is more precious than any Immortal Gold!

"Sold! Sold!"

Old Ancestor Cang Ming didn't give Li Qingyun a chance to speak, directly finalizing with a strike of the gavel.

"The chaos immortal gold belongs to Celestial Private Room Number One!"

"NO!!!"

From Private Room Number Two came Li Qingyun's despairing roar.

"I will never coexist with you under the same sky!!!"

... The transaction concluded.

Su Lin obtained the chaos immortal gold, fully satisfied.

"Let's go, retreat!"

A fierce battle was sure to follow.

Wealth shouldn't be flaunted, and he hadn't just flaunted it—he had practically slapped others in the face with a gold brick.

But Su Lin wasn't afraid.

With several disciples possessing Mahayana Stage combat power, he could strut through the cultivation world!

Just outside the main gate.

"Where do you think you're going!"

Dozens of powerful auras instantly locked onto them.

Li Qingyun, leading over a dozen Body Integration Stage experts and several other old monsters who failed to acquire treasures and harbored ill intentions, surrounded Su Lin's group.

"Hand over the treasures! We'll leave your corpses intact!"

Li Qingyun's face was twisted, bearing no resemblance to the leader of the Righteous Path.

"Oh, couldn't hold back anymore?"

Su Lin stopped, looking at these greedy Cultivators, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"I said."

"Don't cause trouble."

He turned to the four disciples behind him, his tone casual.

"But if someone seeks death..."

"Then... grant their wish."

"Understood!"

The four Female Demon Lords responded in unison, their expressions instantly shifting from obedient to bloodthirsty fervor.

"I've been itching for a fight!"

Su Hongling swung her great sword. "Who's not afraid of death and wants to go first?!"

"Don't move, that Sword Saint is mine."

Luo Ximei unleashed her Devilish Qi fully. "This Lord will teach him that the Demonic Path is not to be insulted!"

"Poison them!" Chu Weiwei had already started scattering powder.

"Freeze." Mu Qingxue said succinctly.

A great battle instantly erupted.

But this wasn't a battle.

This was... a one-sided beating of children.

The so-called Body Integration Stage experts Li Qingyun brought were as fragile as paper in front of these four Prodigies who had touched or even surpassed the Mahayana threshold.

"Ah! My sword!"

"Why is my spiritual power gone?!"

"What kind of poison is this?! Help!"

In less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The ground was littered with wailing Cultivators.

Li Qingyun was smashed into the ground by Su Hongling's sword, only his head visible, bruised and battered, utterly disgraced.

"This is the leader of the Righteous Path?"

Su Lin walked up to him, looking down from above.

"Nothing special."

"You... you..."

Li Qingyun's eyes were filled with fear.

He finally understood what kind of existence he had provoked.

"Get lost."

Su Lin couldn't be bothered to kill him.

"Go back and tell your Alliance Leader."

"The heavens of the cultivation world should change."

With that, he led his disciples, swaggering out of the Void Black Market.

Leaving behind only a dashing silhouette and a ground full of shattered Dao Hearts.