Chapter 143: Sword Slashes the Barbarian Bearded One

In the end, one copy of the Void Heaven Remnant Map was purchased by Yan Taibai at the high price of 30,000 Spirit Stones.

Speaking of this price, if one can gain something in the Void Heaven Palace, it is not considered expensive and can be said to be worth the value.

But if one loses their life in the Void Heaven Palace, then it is a loss of both person and wealth.

There are too many such cases, so this matter is a gamble; if the bet is won, the opportunity is obtained, the realm is broken through, and longevity is in sight.

If the bet is lost, naturally everything vanishes like smoke, and there is nothing more to say.

After obtaining the Void Heaven Remnant Map, Yan Taibai successively purchased many more metal-attribute materials or spiritual medicines, and moreover, he swallowed and refined them directly in front of Red Moon Fairy, without the slightest concern for anything.

And these scenes could not help but make Red Moon Fairy suspect whether Yan Taibai was truly the legendary Tenth Level Transformation Stage Demon Beast.

But how could a Tenth Level Transformation Stage Demon Beast possibly enter Heavenly Star City?

One must know that Heavenly Star City was built by ancient cultivators, and the various Restrictions and arrays arranged within are mostly targeted at Demon Beasts; especially for Transformation Stage Demon Beasts, they are extremely sensitive, and once one appears, it will surely be detected, leaving them nowhere to hide.

Yet if he were not a Tenth Level Transformation Stage Demon Beast, how could Yan Taibai be able to swallow so many metal-attribute materials, spiritual medicines, and even Seventh-Level Demon Cores raw?

This completely exceeded Red Moon Fairy's understanding, but she was clear that Yan Taibai was not showing this to her, but to others.

She believed that the Nascent Soul cultivators in the neighboring private rooms were already just as shocked as she was, not knowing what to say.

But there was one thing Red Moon Fairy could basically confirm, which was that Yan Taibai would almost certainly not be in any danger.

And after confirming that the Nascent Soul cultivators in the neighboring private rooms had all left, he finally abandoned his "pica," which made Red Moon Fairy heave a sigh of relief.

Time flew by, and this auction also reached its most important segment.

"Fellow Daoists, this is a piece of sharp metal treasure that our Four Great Merchant Alliances went through great hardships to obtain: Geng Essence. The starting price is 200,000 Spirit Stones. Each increment must not be less than 1,000 Spirit Stones."

As the auctioneer let these words fall, the atmosphere in the entire auction hall instantly became much hotter, with scorching gazes fixed tightly on the egg-sized Geng Essence on the auction platform's tray.

Such a rare piece of Geng Essence, if not unique in the world, had not appeared for a thousand years.

"This piece of Geng Essence is truly large enough."

At this moment, when he saw the Geng Essence, Yan Taibai was also unable to sit still, and his originally indifferent expression showed signs of being moved for the first time.

Although the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash" could refine any metal-attribute material, spiritual medicine, and a series of things related to "gold," the more of this quality, the better, naturally.

And in the entire Human World, there was almost no metal-attribute material better than Geng Essence.

Although this piece of Geng Essence was only the size of an egg, it was worth more than a small half of a metal-attribute Spirit Stone vein.

Yan Taibai could be said to be determined to win it; even if he knew this was a trap deliberately set for him, he had to jump into it.

In any case, he had the confidence to leave this trap.

"I hope the people who come are not too small."

After Yan Taibai muttered to himself, the scorching gaze in his eyes was also suppressed.

Afterwards, he opened his mouth to increase the bid.

"300,000 Spirit Stones!"

Increasing the bid by 100,000 Spirit Stones in one breath—there are not many people in the entire Chaotic Star Sea who could do that, but for Fang Yu, it was absolutely nothing.

"400,000 Spirit Stones."

Someone else increased the bid by 100,000 Spirit Stones as well.

"It is the Three Yang Old Demon of the Qingyang Sect."

"Indeed, it is him."

"450,000," Yan Taibai continued to increase the bid.

This time he chose to halve it, only increasing by 50,000 Spirit Stones.

Although he had many Spirit Stones, he could not squander them, especially since he needed too many resources, so he could not do that.

Seemingly countless, in reality, Yan Taibai was also a person who was quite strapped for cash.

"500,000!"

This time it was a man in another private room, his voice thick and incomparably majestic.

Clearly, he was also a person who held a high position.

"It is Sect Master Wan Tianming of the Wanfa Sect."

"The Wanfa Sect Master, the Righteous Path has come after all."

Hearing this, Yan Taibai gave a light laugh.

And Red Moon Fairy, who was serving on the side, showed a bit of embarrassment on her cheeks, but she did not say much, only continuing to add tea and pour water.

"510,000 Spirit Stones." Yan Taibai took a sip of spiritual tea, moistened his throat, and continued to increase the bid.

"550,000 Spirit Stones."

Wan Tianming laughed.

"600,000. If you fellow Daoists continue to compete, I will have to give up."

Yan Taibai's laughter rang out in the entire auction hall.

Once this voice came out, the originally slightly noisy auction hall quieted down.

And the auctioneer below, although not satisfied with the price of 600,000 Spirit Stones, also knew that Yan Taibai was not joking.

If others continued to compete, nine times out of ten he would indeed give up; although this would not affect the overall situation or change the plan targeting Yan Taibai.

It would, however, cause many Nascent Soul cultivators who were originally neutral to give up on hunting down Yan Taibai and extinguish their thoughts of killing to seize the treasure.

This was not a good thing.

After a silence that lasted for a full cup of tea's time, Yan Taibai's voice broke the silence again, saying.

"Is it time to announce the ownership?"

Hearing this, the auctioneer looked around at the private rooms and asked one more time; when he confirmed that no one else was continuing to bid, he then announced.

"The Geng Essence belongs to this fellow Daoist."

These words fell.

Clatter!

In unison, whether they were in the grand hall's private rooms or the Nascent Soul cultivators sitting on the stone seats below, all looked toward Yan Taibai's private room; hundreds of various divine senses infiltrated and invaded, not caring in the slightest about the restrictions outside the room, which, in reality, could not stop them anyway.

Seeing this, Yan Taibai only smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned that so many divine senses had passed through the room's restrictions and landed on him.

His smiling, indifferent expression, however, caused many Nascent Soul cultivators in the private rooms to feel wary.

"An interesting kid; his True Essence Magic Power is actually thick to such a degree that even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators cannot compare. What kind of cultivation art has he practiced? It looks like it is truly possible that there is a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage behind him. It is better for the Wanfa Sect not to provoke him for now; after all, this is his grudge with Shengmo Island. As for that Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage behind him, as long as he does not interfere with matters concerning the Star Palace, it is better not to offend him."

Wan Tianming thought silently in his heart and withdrew his divine sense.

Regarding this matter of Yan Taibai, their Wanfa Sect would not get involved; as for whether other Righteous Path sects would get involved, that was not for him to manage.

After all, although the Wanfa Sect was the number one sect of the Righteous Path, it was not the Alliance Leader and could not command many Righteous Path sects; on the contrary, it had quite a few grudges with many Righteous Path sects.

This position of the number one sect of the Righteous Path was coveted by who knows how many Righteous Path sects.

If it were not for Wan Sangu, it would not be the Wanfa Sect's turn.

Therefore, Wan Tianming decided not to get involved in this matter for now.

……

A quarter of an hour later, Yan Taibai, having finished paying the Spirit Stones and putting away the Geng Essence in the private room, laughed once and strode toward the outside of the room.

"I'm leaving; no need to follow. The matters that follow are not things you can get involved in."

As the voice dissipated, Red Moon Fairy in the private room wore a complex expression, bowed with a curtsy, and watched Yan Taibai leave until his figure disappeared from her field of vision, only then letting out a faint sigh.

She knew very well what the consequences of Yan Taibai leaving so directly would be.

This time, who knew how many Nascent Soul cultivators wanted Yan Taibai's "life"; some wanted to kill him and seize his treasures, not believing that the Nascent Soul cultivator behind Yan Taibai would follow him every step of the way.

Even the biological son of a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator probably would not receive such treatment.

Others were hindered by orders, such as Wen Tianren of Shengmo Island.

In short, everyone had their own thoughts and their own reasons.

But to summarize, there was only one goal: that was to take Yan Taibai's life, or to find out whether there was truly a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage behind Yan Taibai.

If there was, they would pay a visit to apologize; if there was not, Yan Taibai having toyed with the entire Chaotic Star Sea for so long, he would naturally die without a doubt.

Of course, before dying, a soul search would be inevitable.

……

And regarding these various matters, Yan Taibai was equally well aware, but he also knew that this hurdle had to be crossed.

He wanted the entire Chaotic Star Sea to know: those who offend him must be killed!

Therefore, Yan Taibai did not stay on the islands built by the Four Great Merchant Alliances, but swaggered toward Heavenly Star City.

Naturally, hundreds of figures followed silently behind him.

Most of these figures were Nascent Soul cultivators; one could imagine just how great Yan Taibai's crisis was this time.

Yet Yan Taibai did not care in the slightest and continued to rush toward Heavenly Star City.

"Hahaha."

When he was less than a thousand miles from Heavenly Star City, a burst of loud laughter erupted; the laughter was so loud that even the originally calm sea surface below rippled.

It was enough to prove that the person who arrived was not simple!

And the facts were indeed so!

The person who arrived was a strange man with curly yellow whiskers wearing a blue robe, but with every step he took, the sea surface below stirred up huge waves; one could imagine just how terrifying this person was.

"This old man is Man Huzi; presumably you should have heard of this old man's prestige. As long as you hand over the Geng Essence you bought at auction, as well as the many treasures on your person, this old man will let you leave, how about that?"

Man Huzi grinned and laughed, stating his purpose.

"I never thought that with Senior Man's status, you would actually do something like blocking the road to rob a junior Golden Core Stage cultivator; this is truly a disservice to your prestige in the Chaotic Star Sea."

Yan Taibai was also completely unafraid and mocked him coldly.

"You have guts, a mere Golden Core Stage cultivator actually daring to speak to this old man like this. Could it be that the Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage behind you is following? As long as you are willing to come out and meet, this old man will immediately apologize and promise to serve for thirty years."

While praising him, Man Huzi also asked full of probing.

And Yan Taibai's answer was surprising, even making the Nascent Soul cultivators following behind feel shocked.

"Senior Man, rest assured, my Uncle-Master is not following by my side, nor is he specifically protecting me. He only gave me a few strands of sword Qi; if Senior can withstand these few strands of sword Qi, I will let you extract my soul and refine my spirit, never to be reincarnated, but if you cannot withstand them, Senior will surely die without a doubt." Yan Taibai's smile did not fade, and even became increasingly radiant.

"Sword Qi, hahaha! A mere few strands of sword Qi and you want this old man's life? Even Liudao Jisheng, Wan Sangu, and the Heavenly Star Sages would not dare to say such things; do you really think you are a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator?"

After hearing Yan Taibai's words, Man Huzi seemed to have suffered a great humiliation and laughed out of extreme anger.

"Whether it is or isn't, Senior Man will know once you try; as long as Senior can withstand it, my life will naturally be at Senior's whim, but if Senior cannot withstand it, you surely won't be lonely on the road to the Yellow Springs; Senior should know that as well."

Yan Taibai grinned and sneered, his voice filled with murderous intent.

"You don't know what's good for you!"

Man Huzi was angry, completely angry; to be so humiliated and looked down upon in front of so many Nascent Soul cultivators of the Chaotic Star Sea, Man Huzi's entire body surged with monstrous killing intent and golden light.

Following the appearance of this golden piercing light, one could see that dense, copper-coin-sized golden scales had grown on the hands, feet, and face of Man Huzi where his skin was exposed from his robes.

These scales were as bright as if they were forged from red gold, and they flowed with a chilling, grim light, making it clear at a glance that they were incomparably sturdy, as if they could never be destroyed.

"The 'Heaven-Supporting Demon Art' is indeed somewhat interesting, but unfortunately, it is still lacking."

The smile on Yan Taibai's face gradually disappeared, and then he spread his palm; an equally dazzling, golden, and incomparably sharp sword Qi flowed and swirled above his palm, condensing into the shape of a sword.

Seeing this scene, Man Huzi narrowed his eyes, feeling a fatal danger from the golden light of the golden sword shape, and immediately let out a roar, striking out fiercely.

Suddenly, a sky-covering golden hand, a zhang in size, appeared out of thin air high above Yan Taibai's head, and then, carrying ten thousand catties of force, slammed down toward Yan Taibai; clearly, he wanted to slap Yan Taibai to death with one palm.

But at the same time, the golden sword light in Yan Taibai's hand also shot out, carrying an indestructible, sharp power, and charged toward Man Huzi.

Seeing this, a small green shield appeared in front of Man Huzi's chest. The shield was circular, extremely small and exquisite, and a transparent crystal the size of a soybean was embedded in the center of the shield, radiating brilliant light.

Clearly, he wanted to use this Ancient Treasure shield to block the golden sword Qi shooting from Yan Taibai's hand.

"Crack!"

And when the golden sword Qi landed on the shield, the Ancient Treasure shield that had helped Man Huzi block attacks from strong enemies many times failed at this moment, being directly cut in two by the golden sword Qi, which then went on to split Man Huzi behind it in two.

Yet just as the entire body of Man Huzi split into two halves, a ball of golden light fled desperately toward the distance. Inside the golden light was an infant with pale golden skin. This infant's face was identical to Man Huzi's, and it stood two and a half inches tall.

It was precisely the Nascent Soul of Man Huzi; at this moment, his Nascent Soul's face was filled with panic and terror, wanting only to escape with his life and not wishing to stay for even another second.

Too terrifying, simply too terrifying!

Only by personally facing the Golden Sword Qi of Yan Taibai could one know just how horrific and terrifying that streak of Golden Sword Qi truly was!

His Heaven-Supporting Demonic Art, which he had bitterly cultivated for hundreds of years, was of no use at all, and his Ancient Treasure had not even held out for a moment; this terror was just like when he had first stepped into the cultivation world and encountered his first Nascent Soul cultivator, completely devoid of any power to resist.

And this was merely a single streak of sword Qi; one could imagine just how terrifying the person who bestowed the sword Qi upon Yan Taibai must be.

Spirit Severing Stage!

Spirit Severing Stage!

It must be a Spirit Severing Stage cultivator.

This was the only thought in Man Huzi's mind at this moment, but this thought subsequently vanished into thin air.

Because his Nascent Soul was also struck by the Golden Sword Qi following closely behind, turning into golden specks of light that filled the sky and disappeared.

(End of chapter)