You've Followed Me for So Long. Aren't You Coming Out Yet?
He casually brought up the system panel and took advantage of the free time to check his progress in Idle Cultivation.
After the five Heaven-Stepping Tokens were combined, the AFK efficiency of the Invincible Immortal Ascension Technique increased dramatically. Based on the current speed, it should take about another six months to reach the threshold of the True Lord Peak.
Half a year.
The timeframe isn't particularly tight, but it's not exactly generous either.
Items on the auction stage were sold off one after another.
A High-grade Spirit Treasure -level Soul Devour Blade was auctioned off to a Nascent Spirit Transformation Realm Ghost Cultivator for 800,000 Top-Grade Spirit Stones.
A fragmented Ghost Dao Cultivation Method for the Tribulation Transcendence Stage sparked a frenzied bidding war, ultimately being snapped up by a private room on the third floor for a staggering 3.5 million.
A 10,000-year-old Yin Spirit Mushroom even fetched a high price of five million.
The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heated.
But everyone knew that the real show was yet to come.
Time ticked by, second by second.
After the thirty-first item was sold, auctioneer Hu Jiu suddenly stopped.
He looked around, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Next up is the final item of today's auction."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Thousands of eyes were fixed on the auction stage.
Behind Hu Jiu, two guards pushed forward a Black Iron handcart. On the cart was a three-foot Obsidian box, the surface of which was engraved with sealing Array Patterns, and a faint blue light could be seen shining through from inside.
Hu Jiu reached out and lifted the lid of the box.
Five ancient black Tokens were neatly arranged on a cushion woven from silkworm silk. Each Token exuded a strong Yin Baleful Intent energy, and the patterns on its surface were ancient and mysterious, clearly indicating its great age.
"Nine Nether Ghost Domain Entry Token!"
"A total of five pieces, all of which have been jointly verified by three expert appraisers from our Nine Provinces Auction House, guaranteeing their authenticity."
"The holder of the Token can safely pass through the deathly aura barrier surrounding the Nine Nether Ghost Domain and reach the core area of Ghost Domain directly."
Hu Jiu paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"However, I must state this first: the Tokens only guarantee your entry; whether you emerge alive depends on your own abilities. Those of you present should know better than I do the dangers within the Nine Nether Ghost Domain."
A buzz of discussion arose in the hall.
"Each item has a starting price of 30 million Top-Grade Spirit Stones; all five will be auctioned separately. Each bid must increase by at least one million."
"First one, begin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sounds of bidding erupted throughout the hall.
Thirty-five million!
Forty million!
Forty-five million!
Prices are skyrocketing at an alarming rate.
In less than twenty breaths, the price of the first Token was pushed up to 60 million Top-Grade Spirit Stones.
"Sixty million for the first time!"
"Sixty-three million!" came an old and domineering voice from a private room on the third floor.
The hall quieted down a bit. Those who could sit on the third floor were not people to be trifled with.
"Sixty-five million," another private room retorted.
Seventy million!
Ultimately, the first Token was sold for 78 million Top-Grade Spirit Stones.
The buyer was a mysterious guest in room number six on the third floor, who never showed up.
The bidding for the second and third Tokens was equally fierce, with final prices of 80 million and 83 million respectively.
It gets more expensive as you progress, because there are fewer and fewer Tokens left, and the competition becomes increasingly fierce.
The bidding for the fourth Token has begun.
"Fifty million!" A gruff voice immediately raised the price.
"Sixty million." Another private room was added on the third floor.
Seventy million!
Seventy-five million!
Chen Changqing put down his teacup and nodded to Qingyue.
"The fourth one, one hundred million."
Qingyue immediately transmitted her bid to the auction stage through the sound transmission array in the elegant room.
Hu Jiu's eye twitched violently when he heard the price.
"The price for the VIP room on the ninth floor: 100 million Top-Grade Spirit Stones!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
One hundred million?
It more than doubled?
All eyes turned to the highest room, the VIP room that was never lit. Each branch of the Nine Provinces Auction House had a VIP room, but they were mostly empty.
There was someone inside today?
There was a lot of discussion in the hall.
The private rooms that had been shouting loudly just moments before fell silent. It wasn't that they didn't want to fight, but the figure of one hundred million had exceeded their tolerance limit.
More importantly, who would dare to easily offend someone who sits in the most prestigious private room?
"One hundred million Top-Grade Spirit Stones, for the first time."
"The second time."
"Third time, deal!"
Hu Jiu brought his hammer down heavily.
"Congratulations to our distinguished guest in the VIP room!"
Chen Changqing remained calm. One hundred million Spirit Stones for a ticket to enter safely wasn't expensive.
The bidding for the fifth Token was even more brief. Chen Changqing directly bid 120 million, and no one in the room dared to accept.
Two Tokens obtained.
It's good to have an extra one as a backup. In case of any unforeseen circumstances in the Ghost Domain, having an extra Token is always a good thing.
The auction was drawing to a close.
Qingyue carried a Black Iron tray into the elegant room, on which were placed two black Tokens emitting a faint blue light.
"Distinguished guest, here is the Token. Please take a look."
Chen Changqing picked up a Token and probed it with his Divine Sense.
The Token contains an extremely ancient Spatial Laws fluctuation, seemingly a pass specially crafted by some High Antiquity powerful being. Activating the Token will open a safe passage within the deathly barrier of the Nine Nether Ghost Domain.
"Good."
Chen Changqing put the two Tokens into his Heaven-Stepping Ring and glanced out the window.
The sky over Xuanming City is always gloomy, making it impossible to distinguish between day and night.
"Qingyue, what's the fastest route from Xuanming City to the outer edge of the Nine Nether Ghost Domain?"
Qingyue thought for a moment and replied, "If you travel at full speed, with your cultivation level, you can arrive in about two days. However, I suggest you take the Netherworld Ancient Road outside the Xuanming City. Although that road is longer, about three days' journey, it is relatively safer along the way, and you will not encounter the Fierce Ghosts wandering on the outskirts of the Ghost Domain."
"Two days." Chen Changqing stood up.
He didn't choose the safe option.
Time is tight; we must return to Mount Shu within a month, and not a single day can be wasted.
Thank you for your hospitality.
Chen Changqing nodded slightly to Qingyue, then turned and walked towards the door of the elegant room.
Qingyue opened her mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.
It's not her place to ask about the important matters of our distinguished guests.
"Please take care, esteemed guest, and have a safe journey."
After leaving the Nine Provinces Auction House, Chen Changqing did not linger in Xuanming City.
He ascended directly from the North Gate on his sword, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the gloomy sky.
When Late True Lord Stage unleashes their full speed, it is more than a hundred times faster than that of an ordinary Cultivator.
The barren wasteland, withered forest, and lifeless lake beneath my feet receded rapidly.
The further north you go, the denser the yin Yin Qi becomes.
The air became thick and cold, and even the breath exhaled was covered with a layer of frost.
The earth gradually changed from grayish-brown to dark black, and all the vegetation on the ground withered, leaving only twisted, dead branches that looked like countless withered arms pointing to the sky.
This place is nice!
It's a place of murder!
Chen Changqing said in a low voice, then looked around at the void. "They've been following me for so long, aren't they coming out yet?"