Chương 405: Chapter 404: Moon Laurel Tree

"Ladies and gentlemen, Fellow Daoists. Thank you for attending White Emperor City's auction. This auction may have few items, but each is a rare treasure, hard to find elsewhere. Most come from the Central Continent. You've all seen the catalog and likely chosen your desired items, so I won't waste words… I hereby declare the auction officially begun!"

"The first item: The Flame Emperor Scripture! This is a Heaven-tier technique left by the Flame Emperor, who achieved true immortality. It's quite unique. When cultivated normally, it's only as potent as a low-grade black-tier technique. But by continuously fusing spiritual flames, its power grows.

"It's said that collecting and fusing all seventy-two spiritual flames in the cultivation world would make it rival the finest immortal scriptures… Of course, spiritual flames are rare, some even extinct, and thus we rank this as a high-grade Heaven-tier technique.

"But this Flame Emperor Scripture has no comprehension restrictions and can be passed down as a family legacy, covering every stage from Foundation Establishment to Mahayana. Acquiring this scripture is like securing a family heirloom. If a genius like the Flame Emperor emerges in your lineage, they might ascend to immortality. Bidding starts at one million top-grade spirit stones…" This auction lived up to its reputation as the Great Yan Continent's grandest event. It opened with a bombshell.

Though the audience had seen the catalog, they couldn't help but gasp. The scripture had limitations and a low floor, but its ceiling was immense—potentially matching an immortal scripture. It was a complete set with no restrictions, ideal for passing down through generations. Its value was enormous. Many great families bid to bolster their legacies. Newly established clans sought it as a foundation. Major forces, curious about its uniqueness, aimed to acquire it.

The auction kicked off with fervor, prices soaring rapidly. … In a private booth, Ye Chen lounged on a recliner, his arm casually around Fan Qinghe's slender waist. She'd worn a ceremonial robe entering the auction but shed it upon entering the booth, claiming it was too warm. Beneath was a revealing crop top, allowing Ye Chen's hand to rest on her soft skin. Fan Qinghe showed no shyness.

Over the past half-month, though they were still in a tug-of-war, their mutual attraction had led to frequent physical contact, now second nature. Knowing Ye Chen disliked spiritual grape skins, she meticulously peeled one and fed it to him. Then, she slipped her juice-stained fingertip into her own mouth. Her eyes lit up, and she offered it to Ye Chen.

"Holy Son, try this—it's sweeter than the fruit itself…" Ye Chen didn't refuse, savoring it before nodding in approval. Indeed, it was sweet. Fan Qinghe was truly made of honey, constantly teasing with subtle gestures. A veritable enchantress. Only Ye Chen's experience kept him from falling completely under her spell—another man might already be a devoted simp. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

At this auction, Ye Chen had his eyes on many items. Of the hundred lots, he was interested in over thirty, practically here to "stock up." Such boldness would draw attention. For an ordinary cultivator, this could invite assassination before leaving White Emperor City. But Ye Chen, as the Holy Son of the Holy Land, feared no such threats. It was like the difference between a beggar and a treasury holding a million spirit stones. People might target the beggar, but no one dared glance at the treasury.

The principle was the same. Ye Chen had no interest in the Flame Emperor Scripture. He already possessed the Hundred Flowers Scripture, an immortal scripture for his women to cultivate. There was no need for additional techniques. His primary goals for this auction were two items. The first was the visualization diagram of the Queen Mother of the West's back.

Upon breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, the spiritual sense transforms into a primordial spirit, and the Nascent Soul becomes a Heaven and Earth Manifestation. A fitting visualization diagram could enhance the Nascent Soul's grade and power, while shaping the manifestation, granting extraordinary abilities. Such diagrams were crucial for advancing to Deity Transformation. Ye Chen intended to secure it for Fan Qinghe, triggering a critical hit to obtain the perfect diagram for himself.

The second item was a fragment of the Moon Laurel Tree. The Moon Laurel Tree, a top-tier immortal root, was monopolized by the Moon Palace. Its annual osmanthus blossoms were supreme treasures for cultivating a spiritual sense. Cultivating near a Moon Laurel Tree greatly benefited the spiritual sense or primordial spirit development, significantly enhancing their quality. It was a divine treasure, exactly what Ye Chen needed as he approached Deity Transformation.

The Moon Laurel Tree had long vanished, shattered by the Heavenly Emperor. Legend had it that the Emperor held a grudge against the Moon Palace's immortal maiden, who hunted him dozens of times. After reaching the Mahayana stage, he stormed the palace, slaying her. In the process, the Moon Laurel Tree was collateral damage. Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh—the Heavenly Emperor seemed like a wrecking ball, destroying so many treasures. But this was no loss for Ye Chen.

The tree's destruction meant fragments existed, perfect for triggering a critical hit to obtain a new one. He'd already chosen the recipient: the fiancée, Yi Qingwu. With her Broad Cold Immortal Physique, Yi Qingwu was hailed as this generation's foremost female cultivator. Her presence in White Emperor City made her intentions obvious—she coveted the Moon Laurel Tree fragment. Ye Chen decided to claim it and gift it to her.

Though he had enmity with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, destined for a clash unless his senior brother killed him first, that was a matter between men. It didn't involve women. Ye Chen was magnanimous, never implicating others unjustly. Besides, it was better to resolve grudges than deepen them. His feud with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son was unavoidable, but there was no need to antagonize the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden too.

The cultivation world wasn't just about fighting—it was about relationships and favors. So, he'd gift it without hesitation. The Moon Laurel Tree fragment was the fourth item on the auction list. Ye Chen had set the tone for this gift: bold and direct. He planned to fiercely compete with Yi Qingwu for the fragment, securing it with a hefty bid. Then, with a grand gesture, he'd declare his desire to make friends and publicly announce the gift to her. The fragment was said to be vital to Yi Qingwu.

She'd surely accept. Her emotions, swinging from loss to gain, would likely trigger a massive critical hit, like a tidal wave. With a complete Moon Laurel Tree from the critical hit, placed in his inner world, could he invite her to visit often? If a fragment was so important, how could she resist a true tree? Of course, Ye Chen had no ulterior motives. It was purely about discussing the Dao and triggering critical hits.

"The next item, a Moon Laurel Tree fragment…" The auctioneer's voice snapped Ye Chen from his thoughts. In another booth, a pair of beautiful eyes slowly opened, gazing toward the auction stage…