Immortal Beings, Lined Up Like Hemp

"The first auction item is the Ice Sky Snow Lotus from the Extreme North. It's said that this Ice Sky Snow Lotus only blooms once every hundred years. It needs to be harvested from the mountaintop amidst extreme cold and blizzards, and there's only an hour to collect it before it withers."

"The starting bid is thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins. Each bid increment must be no less than three thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"That's quite the undertaking," Jiang Mian leaned back, clicking his tongue in amazement. "An ordinary Spirit Master probably wouldn't save up that much Gold Soul Coin in their entire life."

"This isn't a place for ordinary Spirit Masters to come in the first place," Qian Renxue said lightly. "This Ice Sky Snow Lotus can help Spirit Masters increase their Soul Power, so it's naturally a highly sought-after rare item."

"Understood. I'll get some for you guys later," Jiang Mian said, looking at Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing with a smile. "Eat them as snacks."

Qian Renxue subtly glanced at him. Although she knew a bit about Jiang Mian's background, his words were too boastful. Treating the Ice Sky Snow Lotus as a snack?

Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena believed him completely. Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, knew Jiang Mian's strength better than anyone.

Below, the wealthy patrons continued to bid, and the Ice Sky Snow Lotus was eventually won with a bid of thirty-nine thousand Gold Soul Coins.

"Xue Qinghe said the auction would be lively. What exactly is going on?" Jiang Mian looked at Qian Renxue and asked, "Miss Xue'er must know, right?"

"Mm," Qian Renxue nodded. "I heard that the final item in this auction is a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."

"A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone?" Jiang Mian exclaimed in surprise. "Why would someone auction off a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone instead of using it themselves?"

"The owner of this Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone just died," Qian Renxue said casually. Jiang Mian instantly understood. Innocent people are often punished for possessing valuable items.

After a few more items of moderate importance were auctioned, the host's tone shifted. His eyes darted around mysteriously as he said, "The next auction item is something that can be encountered but not sought after. I'm sure many friends are here tonight for it. Your long-awaited final secret treasure… a Ten Thousand Year Head Soul Bone!"

A roar erupted from the crowd. Uninformed wealthy merchants exchanged bewildered glances, while the old foxes in the VIP boxes remained still. They didn't know each other's identities, but this Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was so precious that none of them wanted to let it go easily, so they were all probing each other.

Jiang Mian scoffed at this. A mere Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was something he played with in the Star Dou Great Forest. Di Tian had offered him a complete set back then, but he had refused because he didn't care for it.

Jiang Mian glanced at Qian Renxue and noticed her attitude towards this Soul Bone was similar to his. After all, with her Angel Martial Soul, she had a complete set of Soul Bones passed down from her own lineage, so she didn't need any extra ones.

Furthermore, Jiang Mian didn't want to be the first one to act, with so many people eyeing this Soul Bone in the auction house today. He had no powerful protectors with him. If Bear Lord or Crimson King were here, Jiang Mian wouldn't need to spend money to get this Soul Bone; he'd just snatch it!

"Zhuqing, Nana-jie, there's not much point anymore. Let's go," Jiang Mian said, standing up. "Miss Xue'er, let's go get your Soul Ring now."

"Now?" Qian Renxue hesitated slightly, but she quickly agreed. "Alright, let's set off now."

Jiang Mian nodded and, with the three women, walked out of the auction house as if no one else was present.

"Uncle Sword, look quickly! That person who just passed by looks like Jiang Mian!" In a VIP box at the auction house, Ning Fengzhi rubbed his eyes, filled with regret. "The news we spread was suppressed by Spirit Hall. Judging by this, he must have already joined Spirit Hall now."

"That's right," Chen Xin said with a bitter smile. "It was our mistake back then, and then one wrong step led to another. Jiang Mian's future is limitless. If he seeks to hold the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect accountable, I am willing to bear his wrath."

"No, Uncle Sword," Ning Fengzhi said angrily. "Uncle Bone has already fallen to Level 80. If something happens to you, what will become of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"That is only known to heaven," Sword Douluo said, looking deeply at Ning Fengzhi. "Rongrong's state of mind is shattered. It remains to be seen if she can even reach Level 70. Fengzhi, for the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, necessary sacrifices can be made."

"There will definitely be a better way," Ning Fengzhi said, his hands trembling as if Jiang Mian had become his inescapable nightmare, a phantom he couldn't shake off or kill.

Chen Xin patted Ning Fengzhi's shoulder and said, "Live in the present. Don't worry about things that haven't happened."

Outside the auction house, Jiang Mian was driving a carriage, carrying the three beautiful women as they hurried towards the Star Dou Great Forest.

Di Tian's revival of the Silver Dragon King was still uncertain, and Jiang Mian didn't want to bring Qian Renxue to the core area and disturb them.

Three days later, on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, the carriage slowly stopped. The group disembarked and breathed in the fresh air of the Great Forest freely.

Zhu Zhuqing and Jiang Mian exchanged glances. Hu Liena and Qian Renxue, having never stayed in the Star Dou Great Forest before, naturally didn't sense anything unusual. However, Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing were too familiar with it. The density of Soul Power in the Star Dou Great Forest now was more than double what it was before.

What exactly had Di Tian done? Was the effect of that drop of Divine Blood really so significant?

Within the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, several fierce beasts simultaneously opened their eyes. At this very moment, the place was filled with an unimaginable aura!

Among the Ten Fierce Beasts, Zi Ji, Bear Lord, Crimson King, Ice Empress, King of Ten Thousand Demons, Bi Ji, Snow Empress, and Di Tian were all present. Only the most mysterious Evil Emperor from the Demon Spirit Forest and the Evil Emperor from the Sun Moon Continent's Demonic Forest were absent.

In addition to them were Auspicious Beasts and a series of Spirit Beasts with ages no less than a hundred thousand years.

They were meditating and waiting here. Di Tian had completed all arrangements, awaiting the absorption of the divine blood by the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena, to recover from her injuries and awaken.

"Jiang Mian has arrived," Snow Empress said softly.

"I sense him too," Bear Lord nodded in agreement.

"Jiang Mian is accompanied by three women."

King of Ten Thousand Demons said with closed eyes. As the ruler of all plant-type Spirit Beasts in the world, his information network within the Star Dou Great Forest was the most extensive, as all plants were his eyes.

"One of them is that young girl who has been cultivating with Jiang Mian here for several years," King of Ten Thousand Demons continued. "I don't recognize the other two."

"Jiang Mian really has good romantic luck," Crimson King couldn't help but tease. "As expected, handsome men are all fickle."

"What are you talking about?" Bear Lord slapped Crimson King with annoyance. Crimson King immediately realized he had said something wrong and quickly covered his mouth, daring not to speak further.

"Jiang Mian deserves the most credit for our Lord's revival. He is already an honored guest among our Spirit Beasts," Di Tian said. "Crimson King, you and Bear Lord go over there."

"Crimson King, watch those young ladies. Bear Lord, escort Jiang Mian here alone," Di Tian explained. "After our Lord successfully awakens, I want to introduce Jiang Mian to her."

"Perhaps only Jiang Mian can help our greatest Dragon God master return!"

"Yes." Bear Lord and Crimson King received their orders and departed. Di Tian looked at Snow Empress and said calmly, "Although Jiang Mian can enhance Spirit Beast attributes, the higher the year, the greater the enhancement for him. To help him reach that level quickly, I intend to take some measures."

"I just remembered something," Snow Empress's eyelashes trembled slightly, and snowflakes seemed to drift around her and Ice Empress. "Weren't you guys absorbing the energy of that Million Year Spirit Beast back then?"

"Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm?" Ice Empress said. "Yes, although the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm's combat power isn't great, its age is a solid million years, which is unique among our Spirit Beasts, isn't it?"

"He escaped," Di Tian shook his head. "Back then, we saw that Jiang Mian could rapidly improve Spirit Beast strength, so we relaxed our guard on him. We never expected him to seize the opportunity and slip away."

"So the measures you're talking about involve the Evil Emperor?" Ice Empress tilted her head slightly. She truly hadn't expected Di Tian to have designs on the Evil Emperor.

The Evil Emperor's strength was second only to Di Tian, and the entire Demon Forest was his territory. If it came down to a one-on-one fight, even the Snow Empress wasn't confident she could defeat the Evil Emperor.

"He's a good choice," Di Tian said calmly. "When Jiang Mian went to the Extreme North to find you, I took Zi Ji and the King of Ten Thousand Demons to see him."

"Are you planning to beat him into submission and then drag him here to be Jiang Mian's sixth Spirit Beast?" the Snow Empress chuckled. "That sounds exactly like something you'd do."

"He just wouldn't listen to reason," Di Tian replied. "Jiang Mian once told me that he would lead Spirit Beasts to ascend. In other words, whether or not they were his subordinates, as long as their strength was sufficient, he would help them ascend to godhood. This is a path worth my full support."

"Interesting," the Snow Empress smiled. "Jiang Mian is a child with many ideas."

The ley lines of the Star Dou Great Forest suddenly trembled, as if the Silver Dragon King had also heard Di Tian and the Snow Empress's conversation and was responding to Jiang Mian's thoughts.

"Star Dou Great Forest, I feel so much closer every time I return," Jiang Mian said, spreading his arms and laughing heartily.

A large bird flew overhead, and a splatter of bird droppings landed precisely in Jiang Mian's embrace.

Qian Renxue frowned, being a bit of a neat freak. Zhu Zhuqing struggled to suppress her laughter, while Hu Liena openly mocked Jiang Mian, "Little Mian has truly arrived home, with a special delivery of a gift package."

"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Mian pouted. He took off his shirt, revealing his fair and muscular physique. Hu Liena's smile instantly vanished, replaced by a look of longing and shyness.

Qian Renxue wasn't as vulgar, but she still couldn't help but glance at him a couple more times. He was indeed good-looking, like a piece of art.

"Jiang Mian, why are you running around naked right after getting back?" Bear Lord's voice sounded at an inopportune moment. A golden light and a red light landed in front of Jiang Mian simultaneously. Bear Lord casually slapped Jiang Mian's shoulder and laughed, "Not bad, your muscles have grown. You can't be like the King of Ten Thousand Demons, skinny as a little girl."

"Bear Lord, Crimson King," Jiang Mian's eyes lit up, and he said in surprise, "What are you two doing here?"

"We sensed your presence," Crimson King said, patting Jiang Mian's head and smiling. "Why didn't you come see us when you got back?"

"I was afraid I'd mess up Di Tian's business," Jiang Mian said, scratching his head apologetically.

Qian Renxue, standing to the side, was already stunned. She felt that the aura emanating from these two powerhouses was no less than that of her grandfather, Qian Daoliu.

Jiang Mian actually had such powerful Spirit Beasts obedient to him, so this kind of genius had to be won over!

"Zhu Qing and Nana are back too," Crimson King smiled. "Has that kid Yan been slacking off?"

"He's been doing well. Brother and Yan have both been working hard, and they miss you two seniors too," Hu Liena replied, with her hands behind her back.

"As long as they don't curse at us," Bear Lord said, patting Crimson King's chest and laughing. "With our training intensity, those two little brats, Xie Yue and Yan, curse us secretly every day."

"I've heard it," Crimson King said, clenching his fist and a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "That's why their training gets harder every single day."

Qian Renxue was greatly shocked. Were the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall being supervised by these two powerhouses? Then, wouldn't their future attainment of Titled Douluo be a sure thing?

"Alright, enough small talk," Bear Lord said, looking around. He looked at the three beauties and said, "You three little ones, follow Crimson King. Jiang Mian has some things to do, so he won't be accompanying you three."

"Bear Lord, what's going on?" Jiang Mian asked in surprise.

"You're back, and Di Tian wants to see you too." Bear Lord, though seemingly boisterous, was actually very thoughtful. He didn't reveal any information about the Silver Dragon King, even though these people were all familiar with him. This was shrewdness.

"Crimson King, Zhu Qing and this young lady have both reached their bottlenecks and need to obtain Spirit Rings," Jiang Mian said, pointing to Zhu Zhuqing and Qian Renxue. "Could you find suitable ones for them?"

"Leave it to me," Crimson King said. "Has Nana not reached her bottleneck yet? She's a bit slow."

"I've disappointed you, senior," Hu Liena said somewhat flustered and bowed her head. "I will work harder."

"Have Jiang Mian find you an Immortal Herb later. I guarantee your Soul Power will skyrocket," Crimson King said, patting Hu Liena's shoulder reassuringly. "Alright, you guys follow me. Bear Lord, hurry up and take Jiang Mian with you. Don't keep Di Tian and the others waiting."

"Do I need you to tell me?" Bear Lord never backed down from Crimson King in an argument. He raised his hand, placed Jiang Mian on his back, and transformed into a rainbow as he sped away.

"Such strength," a powerful longing erupted in Qian Renxue's eyes. She wanted to reach this level, she absolutely had to reach this level!

"Everyone, I'm here," Jiang Mian and Bear Lord landed in front of the assembled Fierce Beasts. He greeted them one by one, smiling, "Long time no see, did you miss me?"

"Miss you? Don't we?" the King of Ten Thousand Demons chuckled. "Now that you're back, everyone's peace is gone."

"Can't you say something nice?" Jiang Mian looked at the King of Ten Thousand Demons disdainfully. He sat down to the side and asked, "Di Tian, what's the situation with the Silver Dragon King?"

"She is about to recover, but the exact time is still unclear," Di Tian replied truthfully. "After all, the Master's injuries were too severe. This single drop of Divine Blood, while it can play a significant role, is still like a drop in the bucket."

"It's good that it has an effect," Jiang Mian had been eagerly anticipating seeing the Silver Dragon King for a long time. After all, since he had first pursued her, the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena, had been his eternal goddess. Now that his distant, unreachable goddess was about to be within reach, anyone would be excited!

Boom!

The ground suddenly trembled, and the water level of the Lake of Life rose, as if something was about to emerge.

"Is the Silver Dragon King coming?"