Chương 406: Chapter 405: The Fiancée Arrives!

"The Moon Laurel Tree, one of the rare immortal roots of the cultivation world. Its osmanthus flowers enhance the primordial spirit and possess numerous wondrous effects…"

"Cultivating beneath a Moon Laurel Tree while breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage elevates the Nascent Soul into a higher-grade primordial spirit. The resulting Heaven and Earth Manifestation, imbued with its dao charm, becomes far more powerful…"

"Most immortal roots benefit cultivators directly, enhancing physique or extending lifespan…"

"Only the Moon Laurel Tree and the Enlightenment Tea Tree aid in comprehending the Dao, smoothing the path to immortality. Regrettably, when the Heavenly Emperor destroyed the Moon Palace, the Moon Laurel Tree was shattered, leaving only a few fragments."

"This fragment was unearthed from a ruin in Central Continent. The other two have already been claimed by Central Continent prodigies. This is the last one. Though a million years have passed, this fragment remains vibrant, still flowing with lunar essence…"

"Moreover, generations of Moon Palace divine maidens cultivated beneath it, and many prodigies borrowed its power, leaving behind abundant dao charm, making it exceptionally divine."

"This small fragment holds boundless potential. It might even be used to cultivate a new Moon Laurel Tree. Bidding starts at 500, 000 top-grade spirit stones." The auctioneer's words caused a stir among the crowd, many raising their eyebrows.

"What a pity—the Enlightenment Tea Tree is gone, the Moon Laurel Tree is gone, even the Jianmu Tree is gone. Otherwise, today's cultivation world would be far more vibrant."

"They say the Heavenly Emperor achieved unparalleled feats for humanity, but his destruction was immense. After his rise, the ancient immortal era neared its end, and the cultivation world began its decline, with immortality growing ever harder."

"The Moon Laurel Tree fragment has some uses, but regrowing a tree? That's just boasting. If it were that easy, Central Continent powers wouldn't sell it!"

"It's still remarkable, though. After a million years, it looks freshly cut, shrouded in lunar essence." The crowd buzzed with discussion, some reflecting on the Heavenly Emperor's legacy. Though he'd left for the immortal realm a million years ago, his impact lingered. Some even rumored that his birth exhausted the cultivation world's destiny, fueling his invincible path but dooming the world to decline.

Post-Emperor, not only did immortal Qi vanish, but the spiritual Qi density also dwindled compared to the ancient immortal era. It was said to worsen in the future, making cultivation increasingly difficult. With spiritual qi scarce, spirit stones became essential. This was why White Emperor City's auction was so grand, offering rare treasures.

It wasn't just this year—Central Continent's Holy Lands, ancient immortal families, and undying dynasties planned to auction off unused treasures to amass spirit stones for the future. If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it. Ordinary cultivators were unaware of this broader context. Most focused on the Moon Laurel Tree fragment itself. A mere fingernail-sized piece, picked over by Central Continent powers.

Whether it truly retained dao charm or aided cultivation was uncertain. At 500, 000 top-grade spirit stones, many felt it wasn't worth it. …

"The bidding officially begins…" As the auctioneer announced the start, voices immediately rang out in the hall.

"500, 000 top-grade spirit stones!"

"510, 000 top-grade spirit stones!"

"550, 000 top-grade spirit stones!" Though many deemed it overpriced, bidders were relentless. It was, after all, a fragment of an immortal root, likely possessing unique effects. Even if it couldn't be revived, it would benefit cultivators practicing star or moonlight techniques. Its potential to enhance spiritual sense was even more enticing. If it could boost a clan member's or disciple's spiritual sense, aiding their breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage, it would be invaluable.

It could serve as a legacy treasure. Thus, many major forces bid fiercely. Under the astonished gazes of countless cultivators, the price soared rapidly, reaching one million top-grade spirit stones in the blink of an eye. At this point, most forces backed off. With the rising value of spirit stones, one million was no small sum for factions below the Holy Lands—it could cripple their finances. Then, a woman's voice rang out, melodious as a celestial tune, magnetic and gentle, captivating to the core.

"One million fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones." She raised the bid by 50, 000 in one go. The auction hall fell briefly silent. The bidder made no effort to conceal her voice, its distinctiveness unmistakable. It was clearly Yi Qingwu, the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden. This caused the few remaining bidders to hesitate and withdraw. With her Broad Cold Immortal Physique, Yi Qingwu would have been a Moon Palace divine maiden in the ancient immortal era.

She was the perfect match for the Moon Laurel Tree fragment and clearly determined to claim it. Having arrived half a month early, her preparation was evident. Since they likely couldn't outbid her, most chose to step back, preserving goodwill. More importantly, they didn't want to offend her. The Holy Maiden was formidable, and her fiancé, the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, was equally so. Both were destined to stand at the pinnacle of the immortal realm. The auction hall quieted, with no further bids.

In her booth, Yi Qingwu sat serenely, her oval face whiter than jade, her deep eyes glimmering with a faint smile. The Moon Laurel Tree fragment seemed all but hers. With it, her Broad Cold Immortal Physique could unlock greater potential. More crucially, she might glean secrets of the ancient Moon Palace, aiding her search in Central Continent for items beneficial to her physique. As she awaited the auction's conclusion, a sudden bid broke the silence. Yi Qingwu's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Even in her frown, she was breathtakingly beautiful, like a moonlit fairy, aloof yet enchanting. She wasn't angry, merely parting her red lips to calmly raise her bid… … In another booth, Fan Qinghe withdrew her slender finger from Ye Chen's mouth, pouting playfully.

"My hand isn't a spiritual fruit…" Ye Chen's lips curved.

"But the divine maiden's hand is far more tempting than any fruit." The earlier auction items hadn't caught his interest, so the two had been flirting in the booth, basking in the moment. Only when the Moon Laurel Tree fragment came up did Ye Chen shift his focus to the auction. He didn't bid immediately, waiting quietly. When that enchanting, bone-melting voice rang out, he raised an eyebrow. A system prompt sounded in his mind. The fiancée had made her move.

And when he saw the feedback multiplier displayed in the prompt, his eyes widened in shock. Yi Qingwu's system feedback multiplier exceeded his expectations!