Bugs

This auction quickly drew to a close.

"Next is our final lot. This item is extraordinary—an ancient treasure from primordial times. We have yet to discover its true use, only that carrying it can accelerate cultivation. A high-ranking member of the Divine Sect who wishes to remain anonymous hopes to sell it to someone wealthy," Qin Yue said slowly.

"Now, let us take a look at this final auction item."

Qin Yue gestured for the staff to bring out the item. She lifted the red cloth, revealing something that looked like a scroll before everyone.

"A scroll?"

But Qin Yue immediately picked it up and unfurled it. It was a landscape painting, with the four words "Myriad Mountains and Rivers" written beside it.

The instant the painting was unfurled, boundless intent shocked everyone present. Nie Li was especially dumbfounded.

"This thing actually appeared here! With it, I'll have even greater confidence in dealing with the Holy Emperor!" Nie Li clenched his fists.

"Brother Bei! Help me win this item! I'll pay for it!" Nie Li hurriedly transmitted.

"Understood." Seeing Nie Li's serious expression, Gu Bei nodded as well.

"Everyone, the starting bid for this item is one hundred thousand spirit stones," Qin Yue reminded them. The exorbitant price quickly discouraged many people.

"I bid one hundred and ten thousand." The moment Qin Yue announced the price, Long Tianming raised the bid.

"One hundred and twenty thousand." Yan Yang followed.

"One hundred and thirty thousand." Long Tianming bid again.

"One hundred and forty thousand."

In the end, Yan Yang bid one hundred and sixty thousand, and Long Tianming gave up.

"One hundred and ninety thousand. If anyone bids higher, I will withdraw." At that moment, Mingyue Wushuang made her bid.

Yan Yang turned and smiled.

"By rights, since Senior Sister Mingyue wants it, I should yield it to her. But I am truly curious about this Myriad Mountains and Rivers Painting, and my Cultivation Method is somewhat compatible with it. I hope Senior Sister will forgive me."

"No matter. Junior Brother, please bid as you wish." Mingyue Wushuang smiled faintly.

"Two hundred thousand." Yan Yang raised the price again.

"Two hundred and ten thousand." Gu Bei spoke up. Yan Yang glanced at Gu Bei.

"I heard that the Myriad Mountains and Rivers Painting was sealed with a Ten Thousand Spirit Lock by some great expert. I don't think Senior Brother Yan Yang would have much use for it, so why not let me have it?" Gu Bei explained.

"What are you saying, Junior Brother? This gathering of the three major sects is meant for mutual exchange, with harmony as the priority. Everyone may bid freely. The highest bidder wins; there is no need to consider status." Yan Yang was quite forthright.

"Then I bid two hundred and twenty thousand." Yan Yang raised the bid once more, though this was already his limit.

"Two hundred and thirty thousand." Gu Bei appeared completely unconcerned.

Yan Yang sighed and smiled.

"Then I'll yield it to Junior Brother Gu."

"Many thanks, Senior Brother Yan Yang."

"Now that the final lot has been sold, our auction has come to an end. Next comes our discussion of the Dao. The theme of this discussion is music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"It is about integrating one's understanding of the Dao into music, chess, calligraphy, and painting for everyone to appreciate. Since I initiated this segment, I shall offer a humble example first. I hope everyone will kindly offer their guidance," Qin Yue said with a smile.

Qin Yue sat before a guzheng and began to play.

Clang.

Melodious music rang out. In that moment, everyone felt as though they had been transported into mountains and forests, surrounded by grass and trees, their bodies and minds at ease.

"This performance is like music from beyond the heavens, refreshing the heart and delighting the spirit. The Dao contained within it leaves one with endless aftertaste," Ye Xuan said as he closed his eyes and enjoyed it.

Qin Yue's performance ended amid everyone's reluctance.

"Qin Yue merely offered a humble beginning and made everyone laugh. Now it is your turn."

At once, Ye Xuan rose and walked out.

"Then I shall make a fool of myself."

"Please, Senior Brother Ye Xuan."

"May I ask what Senior Brother intends to choose?" Qin Yue asked.

"Calligraphy."

"Then I shall grind the ink for Senior Brother Ye Xuan." Qin Yue prepared the ink for him.

Ye Xuan picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write. He was utterly focused, and the brush in his hand moved like a wandering dragon. Very soon, he finished a single character.

Qin Yue stepped forward and displayed it. It was the character for "love."

"Oh, every stroke of Senior Brother Ye Xuan's writing contains some marvelous realm. It is far more profound than even Senior Sister Qin Yue's."

Someone exclaimed in admiration.

Ye Xuan then looked toward Xiao Ning'er, but Xiao Ning'er did not even spare him a glance, occupied only with chatting with Shangguan Ye.

Ye Xuan looked somewhat dejected and walked back down.

"Senior Brother Long Tianming, Senior Brother Yan Yang, and Senior Sister Mingyue Wushuang are undoubtedly the three strongest people at this banquet. Why not show us something as well?" someone called out.

"Yes, Senior Brother Long, you should go first."

Thus, under everyone's insistent demands, Long Tianming "reluctantly" stepped onto the stage.

"Since others have already performed music and calligraphy, then I shall paint a picture."

Long Tianming wielded his brush with sweeping confidence. Soon, a Heavenly Blood Sacred Dragon appeared on the canvas. When Qin Yue displayed it, an overbearing aura burst forth, leaving everyone present deeply shaken.

"Long Tianming's ambitions are not small." Nie Li could see Long Tianming's towering ambition from the painting.

Next, Mingyue Wushuang and Yan Yang took the stage in turn. Mingyue Wushuang also performed music, but her understanding of the Dao was clearly far beyond Qin Yue's. Yan Yang chose chess and placed a single piece by himself.

"This trip was truly worthwhile. It is practically equivalent to several months of bitter cultivation."

"Indeed, indeed."

"Is there anyone else who wishes to come up and demonstrate?"

"I'll do it." At that moment, Nie Li stood up.

"Who is that? Even Long Tianming and the other three have already gone up. Is he coming up just to humiliate himself?"

"Perhaps his understanding of the Dao is uniquely exceptional."

"Gu Bei, be sure to watch carefully later. Feel it with your heart—it will be of great help to your cultivation," Nie Li said to Gu Bei before going onstage.

Gu Bei immediately realized what Nie Li intended to write. He had coveted Nie Li's Sword Dao for a long time.

"Alright!"

Nie Li quickly walked onto the stage.

"Since someone previously wrote the character for love, then this humble one shall also write a character. This character is only for those fated to receive it."

Nie Li picked up his brush and began writing, yet no Dao intent emanated from his body at all, immediately drawing laughter from the crowd.

Nie Li set down his brush, and Qin Yue displayed the character. It was the character for "sword."

I thought the newcomers of this generation would be impressive. Turns out he is another fool, truly disgracing the Feather God Sect, Long Tianming thought.

Gu Bei stared fixedly at the character, while Yan Yang and Mingyue Wushuang beside him also appeared thoughtful.

"Hahaha!"

Suddenly, Gu Bei burst into laughter.

"Nie Li, you're incredible! Your comprehension of the Dao is far stronger than Yan Yang's and the others'! You fools!"

Yet everyone else still believed Gu Bei was saying it deliberately, and they all dismissed him with contempt.

Seeing this, Nie Li was about to destroy the character when Yan Yang suddenly spoke.

"Wait. You are Junior Brother Nie Li, correct? May I buy this character from you? I am willing to offer one hundred thousand spirit stones!"

The entire hall was shocked. Since even Yan Yang held such an attitude, it meant they truly had no affinity with it and thus could not see what was special about it.

After thinking for a moment, Nie Li agreed. Even Mingyue Wushuang came to buy a copy of the character.

"This... it seems Junior Brother Nie Li's understanding of the Dao has already reached a transcendent realm. I was truly blind," Qin Yue said with a faint smile.

"Then, is anyone else coming up?"

"Junior Brother Shangguan, I heard that you are the top newcomer of this generation in the Feather God Sect. Would you also let us observe your understanding of the Dao? I believe Junior Sister Ning'er would like to see it as well," Ye Xuan suddenly said.

"Yes, I heard Shangguan Ye's cultivation has already reached the seventh realm of Heavenly Star. His understanding of the Dao should be no less than that of Yan Yang and the other two, right?" a hubbub rose from the crowd.

"Ye Xuan, don't go too far." Xiao Ning'er's expression immediately turned cold.

But Shangguan Ye grabbed Xiao Ning'er's hand.

"Since all my fellow brothers and sisters wish to see it, then I shall embarrass myself." Shangguan Ye vanished from where he stood and appeared directly on the stage.

"Ning'er, Nie Li, all of you must watch carefully. This character will be of great help to you," Shangguan Ye transmitted to Xiao Ning'er and the others. Their gazes immediately focused on him.

Shangguan Ye raised his brush. At that moment, the clear weather outside suddenly became overcast, dark clouds gathering as thunder rumbled. As Shangguan Ye's brush slowly descended, bolts of lightning struck the Sect Protection Array.

"This... he is merely writing a character, yet he has actually triggered heavenly lightning!"

"Just who is this kid?"

"I remember now! On the day Shangguan Ye arrived at the Feather God Sect, he received a Heavenly Dao Blessing. That is why even his slightest movements can trigger heavenly phenomena."

With only four strokes, Shangguan Ye finished writing. Qin Yue displayed the character, revealing a large character for "heaven."

Boom!

An incomparably powerful pressure descended, crushing everyone until they could barely breathe.

"My Heavenly Dao Power has become chaotic!"

"Why is my comprehension of Heavenly Dao Power getting weaker and weaker?"

"Eh? Why does my perception of Heavenly Dao Power seem to be growing stronger?"

Everyone experienced something different after seeing the character.

"It's that character! Don't look at it!" someone discovered.

Pfft!

Ye Xuan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, then fell to his knees, his expression listless.

"My Sea of Soul... is close to collapsing! Who exactly is he?" Ye Xuan glared fiercely at Shangguan Ye. At that moment, Shangguan Ye seemed to flicker in and out of existence, as though he existed as one with heaven and earth.

Shangguan Ye spoke indifferently.

"Puny insects, and you dare gaze upon the starry sky?" The moment those words fell, Ye Xuan spat out another mouthful of blood and completely fainted.

Seeing this, Shangguan Ye ignited flames in his hand and instantly burned the sheet of calligraphy. The thunderclouds outside gradually dispersed as well.