Chapter 899: Change
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Ming had not said those words. Instead, it was said by the young man in white in a voice filled with mixed feelings. Su Ming saw that he was sitting beside the table when the door to his room opened without a sound.
The young man looked quite handsome; he had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. There was a pride about him that seemed to come straight from his soul, and it was one that could not be dispelled. He was the same as how Su Ming had seen him the first time. He had that lonely but prideful air about him back then, and now… it was still the same.
He was like a sharp sword that was about to be drawn out from its scabbard, existing in a state of equilibrium in which his brilliance was shown to the world but in which he also kept some of that brilliance within himself. This demeanor was enough to make all cultivators who saw Ye Wang unable to help themselves but to look upon him and pay attention to him.
This was Ye Wang, the prodigy with the greatest potential in tens of thousands of years of Immortal history. He was highly valued by Morning Dao Sect and taken in as a successor disciple by the Sect Elder.
He was the pride of the Immortals, which was just like what he held within himself. He lived his life with that pride and his loneliness as his companion. His pride was born from his loneliness, and his loneliness was due to him being too outstanding, because no one by his side could compare to him.
In Ye Wang's mind, the only thing that remained after all that he experienced in his life was a teenager he saw in the land of Berserkers after he participated in the plan in the past.
That had been the first time Ye Wang had fought to a tie against someone, and it could even be said that he had lost during that time. With his pride, there was only losing and winning in his life. There was no such thing as reaching a tie with someone else.
When he was in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, he saw Su Ming once again… but he did not provide anyone with this piece of information. This was a secret hidden at the bottom of his heart. In fact, when Su Ming was forced into Western Ring Nebula's foreign land, Ye Wang had gone to the periphery and watched it quietly for a long period of time.
He had no grudge against Su Ming, but there was an obsession in his heart. That obsession was born from his pride, and that was why he wanted to kill Su Ming personally, to wipe off the traces of him ever reaching a tie with someone else from the same generation.
This obsession was also because of his loneliness. In his solitary and dull life, he believed there to only be one person who had the right to be his friend, but he had a limited understanding of that particular word.
"It's been a long while," Su Ming said softly and walked into the room, going in front of Ye Wang and sitting down. There was a table between them, and there was wine on that table. Ye Wang had brought it out to drink alone.
Su Ming looked at Ye Wang. This person was a man who had been the center of attention in what happened in the past. But it did not matter where he was, he looked as if he was used to being the center of attention all the time.
No matter if someone judged in terms of power, potential, or even appearance, he looked as if he was loved by the universe. This was a similarity he shared with Dao Kong, but there was still a difference between the two of them: One was cold, and the other sinister.
Su Ming picked up the pot of wine and poured a full cup for himself and another for Ye Wang. He gently picked his wine cup up and looked at Ye Wang.
The man was silent. The complicated emotions in him had yet to disappear. He looked at Su Ming, and after a long time had passed, he too picked up his wine cup.
"This cup is for the first time we met each other as Berserkers." Su Ming finished the wine in one gulp.
Ye Wang quietly finished the wine, and once he placed the cup by the side, the complicated emotions in his eyes became even greater. He looked at Su Ming and did not speak for a long period of time.
Su Ming, too, did not speak. The two of them sat quietly in the room. It was silent all around them. Not a single sound could be heard. It was as if this region had been wiped off from Worldly Star City.
When the time taken for two incense sticks to burn passed, Ye Wang sighed softly.
"You've changed a lot. The first time we met, you did not know what your preordained fate was. The second time we met, we were already in the Barren Lands of Divine Essence."
"You've also changed a lot. Right now, you're already in the middle stage of World Plane Realm, and by the looks of it, you will only need another thousand years before you reach completion in it." An ancient look slowly appeared on Su Ming's face, one that even he did not notice himself.
Ye Wang was already at the middle stage of World Plane Realm. With this sort of cultivation, it could be said that he had fully brought out his potential. Ye Wang had not been walking down the cultivation for a long time. Without many years behind him, he had reached the middle stage of World Plane Realm with just his own abilities. This was something… Su Ming could not hope to compare.
If he did not have his Ecang clone and the clone that practiced the Art of Swallowing Hollow Shadows Whole… In fact, if Su Ming was not an Abyss Builder, then at that moment, he would perhaps not even have the right to sit in front of Ye Wang.
After all, Su Ming's true level of cultivation was just at the peak of Heaven Cultivation Realm.
Even if he worked much harder than Ye Wang, even if he went through more hardships, and even if the things he had to give up far surpassed the amount Ye Wang had to give up since everything had gone off smoothly for him, it wouldn't matter. Sometimes, potential was something that could not be overcome no matter how much blood, sweat, and tears a person shed to try and surpass someone talented.
"Not small, hmm..? Compared to you, my speed of training is still too slow." Ye Wang picked up the pot of wine. Once he filled his and Su Ming's wine cups, he swallowed the contents of his cup in one gulp.
"I have always believed that the world is fair. The weak will remain weak; no matter how hard they will train, they will never become powerful. As for the strong, they will become stronger and continue until they reach the peak.
"This is the structure of the world I understand… Your potential… is very average, but you managed to walk in front of me. Is this what they mean when they say that the dumb bird flies first [1]?" Ye Wang poured another cup and drank. Even though his pride and his personality did not allow him to fit in with other people, his final sentence contained a hint of provocation.
Su Ming smiled faintly. He picked up his wine cup and drank from it. A profound look appeared in his eyes.
"This so called the dumb bird flies first is a huge cosmic lie and a joke, because there are far too many average people in the world. We… need a form of consolation and motivation. This lie is a form of happiness, a beautiful thing that brings joy and allows a person to willingly immerse themselves in it, until they can no longer free themselves.
"I am indeed a dumb bird. I don't have that shocking talent of yours which makes you the center of attention wherever you go. This is the meaning of unfair," Su Ming said after he put down his cup.
Ye Wang fell silent. A contemplative look appeared in his eyes. After a long while, he cast his gaze outside the window.
"You have indeed stepped in front of me. This has nothing to do with being fair or unfair, but I'd like to hear what sort of enlightening remarks you have about this so called fairness in the universe."
Ye Wang shook his head, and his gaze fell on Su Ming's face once again. His eyes were bright, as if there were emotions causing them to shine. He was an incredibly calculative man. Since his level of cultivation was not comparable to Su Ming's, then perhaps he could open a gap in Su Ming's heart. An error in terms of understanding and epiphany would usually cause a person's level of cultivation to stop at a certain Realm, and he would never be able to advance it any further.
However, to create this gap, he would need to find a crack in Su Ming's heart based on his words and then make that crack larger. This was a divine ability from Morning Dao Sect, and Ye Wang had seen it being used before.
"Someone asked me that question before. He asked why others treated him unfairly." Su Ming pondered over it, then looked at his empty wine cup before saying calmly, "This world has always been unfair. Those who have the delusion of seeking fairness will only meet a miserable end."
"Oh? Then why would they still have that sort of beautiful expectation for fairness?" Ye Wang's eyes flashed with a faint light, Su Ming's words were something worth contemplating. He felt that there was another meaning to them.
"These beautiful lies must exist. Even if people might seek something for their whole lives without obtaining any result… but they would still have sought something. As long as they search for it, there is a chance that they can turn something decaying into something amazing.
"Because as long as they continue searching, there is a chance that they will discover an area in which they are stronger than other people. Even if my potential in the path of cultivation is not great, perhaps I am better than others in terms of handling people. Even if I am not that good at handling people, perhaps I have something I am good with in terms of creation.
"There will always be something that suits me. There will always be a skill I am good with in which others can't compare to me. From this alone we can say that the universe is still fair." Su Ming looked at the wine cup and remembered his identity as an Abyss Builder as well as his inborn ability to Possess clones.
He was a dumb bird, but if he did not have the beautiful lie to support him and that desire to pursue something he was good at because he was unwilling to accept his current situation, he would not have found his forte while looking for his strength.
"What is it that you want to say?"
Ye Wang fell silent. After a long while, he lifted his head and looked at Su Ming. He had not found a single crack in Su Ming's heart from his words. Instead, he had a feeling as if he had been led into his train of thought.
"What was the plan against me which you participated in the past in True Morning Dao World?" Su Ming asked calmly as he smiled faintly.
"You won't want to know," Ye Wang said softly.
"This is also my answer." Su Ming smiled.
A focused glint appeared in Ye Wang's eyes. He looked at Su Ming, and a pensive look gradually appeared in his eyes.
Su Ming then said, "Let me tell you a story. This is a memory I saw in someone's mind. In a mortal world there was once a rich man who wanted to build a house, which was why he searched for a carpenter.
"The rich man looked down on the carpenter because he had plenty of servants and he could decide the carpenter's life and death as he pleased. He believed that the carpenter was a lowly existence. The carpenter behaved himself. He was used to gazes and words that made light of him. He quietly helped the rich man build his house, but when he finished it, he kept all the sharp corners of the wooden items in the house based on his knowledge. There were also quite a large number of thresholds on the ground, which made the house look incredibly gorgeous.
"It doesn't matter whether he left them around for Feng Shui or so that he could create potential dangers, since the carpenter did not expect himself to be able to get any money for his work. Ten years after he left, the rich man fell down and knocked into a sharp corner of one of the wooden objects. Then, he died." Su Ming put down the wine cup he had been toying with in his hand and stood up.
"If you understand this story and the things I said previously, then help me do one thing. If you don't, then I will bid farewell to you now." As Su Ming spoke, he turned around and walked towards the door.
Ye Wang was stunned as Su Ming's words echoed in his head. At the instant Su Ming moved one of his feet out the door, Ye Wang lifted his head.
"Are you telling me what constitutes as being strong? Being a prodigy with great potential is not strong for sometimes there are people who could devise fatal attacks with their own strengths?"
"When you return to the land of Immortals, please go to Yin Death Region and take care of my senior brothers." Su Ming did not turn his head back. He walked out of the room and disappeared into the darkness.
He walked through a quiet silver stream. When he was in Ye Wang's room just then, Su Ming had dispelled the final shred of thought of wanting to Possess him. This sort of person should not die from being Possessed.
If he lived, he would make this universe slightly more interesting.
If he lived, then the Dao Su Ming had planted in his heart with his words would slowly grow and change Ye Wang's entire life.
'What constitutes as being powerful..? You should find your own strength and persevere down that path. Don't care about how others are better than you in other areas, and then someday… we will all arrive at the same spot - the peak, even though we used different paths to come there. This is the true meaning of the dumb bird flies first. Ye Wang, if you do this, you will no longer be a prodigy, but will also become a dumb bird.'
Su Ming continued walking slowly. An enigmatic smile appeared on his face as he walked through the silver streams and past the people bowing respectfully to him as they continued hiding in the dark. Then… he walked out of Worldly Star City.
At the instant he did so, he turned his head around and cast a gaze at the air.
"I do not like being watched like this. I hope that such a thing will not happen a second time between us."
Translator's Note:
1. Dumb bird flies first: A Chinese idiom that means those who are not as good as the others have to start earlier than the rest. Since the dumb bird metaphor is repeatedly used, I thought it would be best for me to keep this as how it is.
Chapter 900: Preparation
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"They say that all forms of life in the world have a kismet…" In a chamber within Worldly Star City were Elder Feng and Elder Yu, standing quietly in the room. There was a screen of light in front of them, and in the screen was Su Ming turning his head around. His gaze seemed to be able to penetrate the screen of light and land on their bodies.
They heard what Su Ming said and fell silent.
"The Lord Fourth God of Berserkers is even more… sinister than the First God of Berserkers," Elder Yu said in a low tone with a slightly odd expression on his face.
"This Ye Wang is a person who has tens of thousands of years worth of kismet from the land of Immortals gathered on him, that is why his potential is incredibly great. In a short time, he managed to reach the middle stage of World Plane Realm, and his future was… boundless.
"After he joined Morning Dao Sect, he also took away part of True Morning Dao World's kismet in an unseen manner. This kismet is formless, and plenty of people believe that it doesn't exist, but it would allow him to grow strong in True Morning Dao World.
"Kismets are abstruse and insubstantial, but in the end, just like when the Lord First God of Berserkers gathered all the land of Berserkers' kismet on him, all those who have a kismet in their bodies must do something that coincides with it, or else… they will clash against that kismet, and at that time, their kismet will begin scattering away, and it will slowly disappear.
"If this Ye Wang continued walking down his path of cultivation with his understanding, which is to look down upon all lives while being a prideful and solitary existence, then he would have conformed to his kismet. He believed that the world is fair; the weak should be weak, and the strong should be strong. If he continued like this, then his power would have become the might of heavens. He would have fused those kismets into his body, and when he spoke, his words would have become law, and he would have… completed his Dao.
"But once the Fourth God of Berserkers used his epiphany to disrupt Ye Wang's heart, it was left in chaos. Ye Wang originally wanted to find a crack in the Fourth God of Berserkers' mind, but in the end, he was the one to fall into a trap.
"If he truly changed his mind, then from now onwards, he will no longer have a personality that will look down upon all lives. Instead, a new personality will form in his heart, and he will no longer believe that he was a prodigy from the bottom of his heart. At that time... he will truly cease to be a prodigy, and since his kismet will no longer conform to his personality, it will swiftly dissipate.
"Then, he will become a dumb bird."
Elder Feng and Elder Yu shook their heads. However, as they watched Su Ming leaving into the distance through the screen of light, a hint of surprise appeared in their eyes.
"I can only guess that he did so because Ye Wang wanted to kill him. That killing intent was related to Ye Wang's personality and the kismet in him. This prodigy's kismet would not allow him to have anyone oppressing him. Even if he reached a tie with someone, he would consider it a loss, and he would have to kill his opponent to maintain his outlook of looking down upon all lives.
"But I think that our Lord Fourth God of Berserkers should have other motives in doing this…" Elder Yu said with hesitation.
"Could it be related to Dao Kong?" A glint appeared in Elder Feng's eyes.
The two of them looked at each other, but they could not be certain of it.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During these three days, many cultivators from the worlds beyond Black Ink Planet arrived like a swarm of bees, turning Black Ink Planet incredibly lively. Members of alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean also came every single day. Their clothing, habits, and everything were different from cultivators, and as they arrived, they immediately caught plenty of attention.
On the fourth morning, Black Ink Auction was launched!
This was a grand auction that only occurred once every few hundred years on Black Ink Planet. It was not held in one of the three great cities, but high in the sky. With Black Water City being the main and Worldly Star City as well as Ink Kirin City being the subsidiaries, rays of powerful light shone up.
They intersected in Black Ink Planet's sky. The principle was similar to Worldly Star City's night city. As the powerful rays of light intersected with each other, an auction hall that surpassed the size of a city appeared out of thin air.
That auction hall was oval-shaped and immeasurable. It could accommodate millions of people and had a huge platform at the center. The edges of the platform were filled with illusory screens of light so that people from farther away would be able to see the item that was on the platform clearly.
When morning arrived, Relocation Runes shone ceaselessly within this gigantic auction hall. There were also long arcs that rushed to the place from all directions.
This time, there were about two million cultivators and members of the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean participating in Black Ink Auction. They would either arrive via Relocation Runes or fly up themselves. Gradually, the auction hall was packed densely with cultivators.
There were also various huge rooms located all around the auction hall. These were prepared for those of high status. The people from the forces of power from the four Great True Worlds were scattered in these rooms.
In fact, most of the members of the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean were also in the rooms.
There were also some cultivators who did not want others to know about their identities so they spent a large amount of crystals in exchange for the right to enter these rooms during Black Ink Auction.
This auction would last for a month, and every single day, a large amount of items would be put on auction, which was worthy of its reputation.
Su Ming sat in a room that belonged to him. The area in front of him was empty, and he could see the huge screens of light on the auction platform. He could also almost see the complete picture of the auction hall.
The thirteen old men from the Yu Family stood behind him quietly, and Yu Rou had also returned. She looked as quiet and elegant as ever, but there was something slightly different about her. At that moment, she stood beside Su Ming, her gaze on the auction hall.
"We've made arrangements for Dao Kong to enter Room 7. There are nine old men beside him, and these people practically never leave his side. There is also another one by his side. Based on Elder Feng's investigations, there is indeed a powerful warrior of Lunar Kalpa Realm by his side as well, and it is a woman.
"She is skilled in hiding, and she should have been sent to his side to protect him. Based on what we understand of Morning Dao Sect, this woman is definitely someone from True Morning Dao World's Phoenix Sect. According to their traditions, she should become Dao Kong's wife in the future," Lie Shan Kang Jiu explained as he stood by Su Ming's side.
"The three thousand fearless warriors from True Morning Dao World were left behind on the plains beyond Black Water City. They've formed a Relocation Rune, and the key to it is on Dao Kong. He only needs to send a divine thought, and the three thousand fearless warriors will be relocated to his side.
"Also…" When Lie Shan Kang Jiu said these words, a loud boom that sounded like a huge wave crashing on the surface of water suddenly rang through the auction hall. This sound was formed by the voices of millions of people in the auction hall, and it could drown out even a thunderclap.
A lyrical melody echoed throughout the entire auction hall. At that moment, three middle-aged men appeared on the platform surrounded by screens of light.
These three people had smiles on their faces, and they wrapped their fists in their palms to bow to all the people in the hall.
'The auction has started…' Su Ming cast a glance at the crowd creating all the noise. He lifted his right hand and swung his arm, and immediately, a screen of light appeared in the empty space in front of him. It dispelled all the sounds from the world outside, and the room immediately fell silent.
"Continue." Su Ming averted his gaze. He was not interested in the auction. The only thing he was interested in was Dao Kong.
"Dao Kong also has subordinates in the nine galactic ships. They are currently floating around Black Ink Planet, and they have already locked onto the auction hall. If any accident happens, they will attack and destroy the place.
"There might be quite a lot of internal strife among the four Great True Worlds, but there also some factions who are working together. If anything happens to Dao Kong here, the cultivators from the other three Great True Worlds will also attack," Lie Shan Kang Jiu said in a low tone. He did not know why Su Ming was aiming at Dao Kong, but while killing Dao Kong was easy, the troubles that would come afterwards would be hard to deal with.
"Has the rules in the auction been altered?" Su Ming asked calmly.
"We have already made arrangements," Lie Shan Kang Jiu quickly said.
"When Dao Kong disappears, I will need you to… buy the time to take thirty breaths." Su Ming lifted his right hand and swung it at the screen of light, which immediately distorted and revealed the sights of the world outside. At the same time, the sounds from the area outside once again reached his ears.
"... As a sign of gratitude for all of you fellow Daoists who attended Black Ink Auction, this time, all of the three greatest families and all other families within Black Ink Planet have made some changes in the rules of the auction.
"Do not worry, everyone. This change in the rules is incredibly beneficial for all of you.
"In the past, only when the auction had ended would we send the items you bought in the auction to you. However, this time, we have changed the rules. The moment you buy an item, it will be immediately delivered to your hands.
"Because of this, if you want to leave early, it will be much easier for you to do so. This matter has been mentioned by quite a number of Daoists in the past, and this time, the families in Black Ink Planet have decided to implement this suggestion."
Su Ming watched the auction outside and listened to the noise with his usual calm expression.
Lie Shan Kang Jiu looked as if he wanted to say something as he stood by the side, but in the end, he chose to obey Su Ming's words. He nodded, announced his leave, and left.
Su Ming's heart was calm at that moment. Everything was going according to his plan. Right then, all he needed was to wait for the fish to take the bait, and he would obtain his third clone… his cultivation base clone!
Su Ming narrowed his eyes and waited silently.
He looked at the items put on auction and listened to the intense cries from the people as they placed their bids. Their voices rose and fell, and the world seem to bubble with excitement because of them.
Up to that point, not a single sound calling out a bid came from the room in which Dao Kong stayed, but Su Ming was not in a hurry.
When noon arrived, the sun in the sky shone brilliantly. When another item was brought out and plenty of voices called out to place their bids, Su Ming heard a woman placing a bid from Dao Kong's room.
"Get ready," Su Ming said flatly.
The thirteen Progenitors from the Yu Family immediately sported solemn expressions on their faces. They swiftly sat down and surrounded Su Ming, forming a circle that was one hundred something feet big.
With brightly burning eyes, they started circulating their cultivation bases.
As for Yu Rou, she moved back and sat down by the door of the room. Her duty was to prevent all people from entering. By her side was the Duke of Crimson Flame. He would be defending that door with her.
Chapter 901: The Item from Morning Dao
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"I'm definitely getting that Sky Forest Branch! 4,000,000 crystals!"
"Everyone knows that the Sky Forest Branch can allow all of my juniors and my disciples to mould their spirits and gather their souls, even avoid running into all stone walls possible in their path of cultivation. I'll offer 4,500,000!"
"5,000,000," a woman's voice said airily from the room in which Dao Kong stayed.
At the instant the woman's voice rang out in the air, a soft-spoken voice immediately echoed in the auction from another room. "7,000,000."
Once that price was offered, all those who had been competing against each other fell silent. The price offered to buy that Sky Forest Branch was a little too high. Even the people in Dao Kong's room had fallen silent.
Su Ming frowned.
"It's someone from True Sacred Yin World," Yu Rou said softly.
Su Ming did not speak. He slowly stopped frowning, and his expression became calm once again. He knew that he could not afford to be hasty about this. Unless Dao Kong did not manage to buy any item from the auction hall, then he would definitely fall into the plan laid out just for him.
Dressed in his Sacred Constellation Robe, Dao Kong sat on a long chair within his room. At that moment, his emotions could not be told from his face. There was a wine cup in his hand, and he was swirling the wine inside it. His gaze fell on the auction hall beyond the illusory screen of light in front of him.
The nine old men with their eyes shut were sitting cross-legged behind his chair. Waves of power spread out faintly from their bodies and filled the entire room.
As for the woman with the pointy ears, she was kneeling beside Dao Kong's body with her head bent to reveal the tender skin on her neck.
"This is just the first day, and those people from True Sacred Yin World already can't wait to compete against me, hmm?" Dao Kong smiled, unconcerned, and finished the contents in his cup in one gulp. When he lifted his hand, a black ring could be seen on his right index finger.
This ring was not a physical item. It looked like a pattern of a thin thread had been branded onto Dao Kong's finger. This was a Relocation Rune, and with just one thought, he could immediately have all three thousand of his fearless warriors sent over.
"It's a pity, a pity…" Dao Kong's smile was a touch sinister. He put down the wine cup and closed his eyes.
In the blink of an eye, dusk arrived for the first day of Black Ink Auction. Ever since Dao Kong placed a bid, a woman's voice could be heard placing a bid once every few items.
The bids she placed were not high nor low most of the time. They were bids that were considered to be incredibly worthwhile if she won the item, that is, if no one else placed a bid higher than hers, but if someone else placed another bid, the item they bought would only be somewhat worthwhile.
In fact, if anyone continued placing bids, Dao Kong would fall silent and not place another bid on that item
As Su Ming watched the dusk-colored sky outside, his face remained calm. Black Ink Auction was not just held during the day, but also continued into the night, and this would last for an entire month.
To a mortal, their energy would not be enough for them to last through all of it. In fact, they might already be incredibly tired after lasting for two or three days. However, to a cultivator, going an entire month without sleep was something incredibly normal, which was why when evening passed and night fell, powerful rays of light immediately appeared in the auction hall. These rays of light intersected with each other in the sky, and in an instant, the world looked as if it was day, though from the distance, the starry sky could still be seen.
This perfection of being able to see the stars while one's surroundings were bright as if it were day created a picture of unparalleled beauty. All those who saw it could not help but sigh in admiration.
As day and night continued changing places with each other, three days passed. During this times, Su Ming paid close attention to every single action within the auction hall, but Dao Kong had yet to walk into his plans. During the three days, Dao Kong had behaved the same as he did during the first day. He continued placing bids once every few items, but it was clear that he did not want to buy them.
The people in the auction hall gradually realized what Dao Kong was doing, and slowly, no one paid any attention to him. After all, every single item brought out within Black Ink Auction had its own value, and usually, it would be incredibly difficult for them to obtain these items from other places, which was why every single item in the auction resulted in plenty of people competing over them.
'Is he waiting..?' Su Ming closed his eyes. If Dao Kong did not buy anything, then it would leave him unable to continue with his plan. In silence, Su Ming sat with a calm heart.
Time trickled by without anyone's knowledge as the voices from the area beyond became increasingly stronger. The further Black Ink Auction progressed, the more precious the items brought out were, and the attention placed upon them as well as the desire to absolutely obtain them also became greater.
"This item came from Divine Essence Star Ocean. It is a drop of Divine Liquid that gathered up the essence from an area of ten thousand lis. This liquid can transform into all sorts of forms and has endless amounts of uses. Fellow Daoists, the starting bid for this Divine Essence Star Liquid is 30,000,000 crystals. I can tell all of you that there are only five drops of this Divine Liquid during this Black Ink Auction, and this is the first drop!"
Seven days later, when Black Ink Auction was boiling with extreme excitement, the auction host brought out the first precious treasure that caused all the hearts of the people in the area to tremble.
This was the first important item brought out within the auction!
Almost at the instant the auction host finished speaking, excited, gloomy, and loud voices immediately rang in the air.
"33,000,000 crystals."
"37,000,000!"
"40,000,000!"
The powerful voices rose and fell, and some of the people in the rooms also started placing bids. The appearance of precious treasures such as this Divine Liquid caused all the people here to go mad for it, and in the blink of an eye, the price had already shot up to around sixty million.
Su Ming listened to the clamor within the auction with a calm expression. There was originally not just five drops of that Divine Liquid… but ten. However, five drops had been taken by him, and they were now in his storage bag.
Divine Essence Star Liquid could be drunk or inhaled. If one inhaled it, then they could inhale one drop for one hundred times. Every single time a person took a whiff of that liquid, their cultivation base would return to its peak. It was an item every cultivator dreamed of possessing.
Divine Liquid was not the only item that possessed such an effect, but the others were incredibly difficult to obtain. On top of that, if a person had a high level of cultivation, the effects would be reduced. However, this Divine Liquid could fully restore all those who were below Solar Kalpa Realm. In fact, if a monster from Solar Kalpa Realm drank one complete drop, they would also be able to achieve the same results.
During a crucial moment, this Divine Liquid would become a chance that would allow a person to survive.
If there was someone who was skilled in making medicinal cores, then with this liquid as the main ingredient, Star Ocean Core could be made, and the effects to the monsters in Solar Kalpa Realm would be even greater.
Because of that, it was not surprising that the price for the item shot up to such an extent.
'I'd like to see whether you'll be tempted by this item.' Su Ming cast his gaze on the room where Dao Kong was and waited silently.
In Dao Kong's room, Dao Kong stared at the Divine Liquid on the screen of light on the platform with bright eyes. The noise formed by people placing their bids reached his ears, and a hint of hesitation appeared briefly on his face.
When the Divine Liquid was bought by someone at the price of 75,000,000 crystals, Dao Kong sighed, giving up on the other four drops of Divine Liquid that were subsequently put on auction.
'This item is good, but even if I buy it and offer it as a gift to those of the older generation in the family, I wouldn't be able to obtain much benefit. As for personal use… There's a medicinal core that has a similar effect in Morning Dao Sect. After all, I'm only at the middle stage of World Plane Realm, so those medicinal cores can restore my cultivation base once I finish them. There is no need for me to pay an exorbitant price to buy this item.'
Dao Kong remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.
The remaining four drops of Divine Liquid were sold off, but Dao Kong never once placed a bid. This caused Su Ming to frown.
It had been seven days. A small part of the auction was over, but Dao Kong hadn't bought a single item. This caused him to frown, and a pensive look appeared on his face.
After a long time, Su Ming closed his eyes and continued waiting.
The eighth day, the ninth day, the tenth day…
When fifteen days went by, half of the auction was over, but most of the time, Dao Kong was only placing bids in an insincere manner. He had never shown any true interest in wanting to buy anything. When the twentieth day arrived and the auction brought out another precious treasure that caused an uproar among the people, Su Ming still did not manage to hear Dao Kong fighting for it.
Dao Kong could only watch in resignation as various items were bought by others. It was not that he did not want to buy them… but all of the crystals he had in hand could not be used here. He had a secret deal with the Hua Family. Once the auction ended, he would get that thing in exchange for his crystals and some slots to the True Morning Dao World.
This was the mission given to him when he came to the Barren Lands of Divine Essence. As for the auction, to him, it was really just an interlude.
"It's a pity… a real pity…" Dao Kong sighed, picked up his wine cup, and took a sip from it.
Time passed once again. When the twenty-third day arrived, Su Ming slowly opened his eyes. There was still seven days before Black Ink Auction would end. There were going to be plenty of treasures that would be brought out to be placed on auction during the last seven days, but Su Ming could already tell that Dao Kong… had no intention of competing for anything.
Thus, there was no need for him to wait seven more days.
A freezing glare appeared in Su Ming's eyes.
'Since you don't want to participate in this auction, then I will force you… to participate in it!' Su Ming smiled coldly, and he lifted his right hand to strike his body. Light left his body, a brilliant long arc flew out from him and charged towards Yu Rou.
"Take that and add it to the list of items that will be up for bidding next! The starting bid for that thing is 10,000,000 crystals," Su Ming said coldly. Yu Rou was stunned for a moment as she cast a glance at the brilliant object in her hands. Then, she lowered her head and walked out of the room.
After a moment, when Yu Rou returned and the next item was sold in the auction hall, the auction host's slightly excited voice rang in the air.
"This time, the item that will be put on auction is not a foreign treasure from Divine Essence Star Ocean and neither is it a strange item from Sinful Barren Lands. It… came from the four Great True Worlds!
"Among the four Great True Worlds, this treasure is the one that gains the most amount of attention from True Morning Dao World. It is incredibly difficult for others to obtain this treasure. In fact, it could be said that if anyone else obtained it, they would incite True Morning Dao World's Morning Dao Sect, and they would be hunted down till they died!
"This is because this treasure symbolizes a bloody battle, and means… that a direct descendant of Morning Dao Sect had died!"
As the host's voice echoed in the air, the auction instantly fell into dead silence. Dao Kong had his eyes closed in his room, but once he heard those words, they flew open, and he looked over at the platform.
Chapter 902: The Crazed Dao Kong
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
At the instant Dao Kong looked over, the excited voice of the host reverberated through the auction hall once again.
"Perhaps some of you have already guessed what this treasure is. That's right… It is… the item that only those who are direct descendants of True Morning Dao World's Morning Dao Sect can obtain, and every single one of them can only have one of them in their lives… the Sacred Constellation Robe!
"The Sacred Constellation Robe contains the most powerful divine ability of Morning Dao Sect which can make the person who wears it enslave all manner of lives, and this item will grow until the strongest person appears in each generation of direct descendants of Morning Dao Sect!
"If there are those who are afraid of True Morning Dao World here, then you must absolutely not buy this Sacred Constellation Robe, or you will bring a great disaster upon your heads. However, to my fellow Daoists from Divine Essence Star Ocean, this is the best chance for you to investigate Morning Dao Sect!
"Once you have understood this item completely, you might even be able to find the secrets of Morning Dao Sect. In fact, there is no need for you to be worried about Morning Dao Sect's revenge, since you are here!
"Those from the other three Great True Worlds, if you wanted to obtain a Sacred Constellation Robe normally, you would need to kill a direct descendant of Morning Dao Sect, and this would incite a war between several Great True Worlds. However, as of now, you can just buy this item and you will obtain the best way to research Morning Dao Sect's secrets!
"Those from True Morning Dao World, if you manage to buy this item and bring it back to Morning Dao Sect, then with how Morning Dao Sect values each of their direct descendants, this would surely be a great meritorious service for you!"
As that excited voice reverberated in the air, Dao Kong stood up from his chair. In his rush, he even knocked his wine cup away, and it spilled onto the ground.
However, he did not pay any attention to it. His gaze was fixed entirely on... the Sacred Constellation Robe that was brought out at that moment and revealed before the eyes of the people in the auction hall!
Shock appeared on his face, and booms rang out in his mind. With just one glance, he could tell that this was not an imitation, but a real Sacred Constellation Robe. This was something only the direct descendants of Morning Dao Sect could obtain. In fact, he could even sense a bloody aura about that Sacred Constellation Robe. He felt like he could even vaguely hear his family member's shrill roars before he died, which were left on that Sacred Constellation Robe.
"I can tell all of you with certainty that this is the first and only Sacred Constellation Robe Black Ink Auction has ever put for auction. It has never appeared before, and in the future… it might never appear again.
"This is your only chance. The starting bid for this Sacred Constellation Robe is 10,000,000 crystals!" There was an incredibly infectious force contained within the voice of the auction host. As his voice echoed in the air, all the people in the auction hall instantly fell silent.
Within their gazes were greed, surprised delight, and also mockery. There were also plenty of other gazes that instantly gathered on the rooms around the area, searching… for those who came from True Morning Dao World.
They longed to see the expressions of those from True Morning Dao World when they saw the Sacred Constellation Robe. It would definitely be a sight worth seeing.
"Damn it!"
Dao Kong's expression twisted, and he kicked away the woman who was kneeling by his side, then took large strides towards the screen of light in front of him to stare intently at the Sacred Constellation Robe. His relaxed attitude and composure were completely gone by then.
He hated Black Ink Planet for daring to put this item up for auction and despised the auction host down to very core of his being. That person had spoken in far too much detail, and those details had been offered as if he could not wait for the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean to immediately place their bids to buy the item.
Besides, it was just as he said, if those members of the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean bought the item, they would be too far from True Morning Dao World's reach, making it impossible reach them.
However, even if the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean did not buy this item, but one of the other three Great True Worlds bought it, then it would be just as the auction host had said. They would have bought the item from the auction, so there was no killing involved. If Morning Dao Sect wanted to retrieve that Sacred Constellation Robe, then they would need to offer a price that was even higher than what these people had offered when they bought the item.
However, this was not the worst-case scenario. The worst was… if he just watched someone else just buy that Sacred Constellation Robe before his eyes. No matter what reason it was, be it because he did not have enough crystals or something else, as long as he let someone else buy that Sacred Constellation Rob, Dao Kong would have to bear the rage of Morning Dao Sect. Even if he was a direct descendant, the Sect Elders would still show him the definition of ruthlessness.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Dao Kong growled out, and his eyes instantly became bloodshot.
He had never expected to run into such a thing in Black Ink Planet.
He knew well that each of Sacred Constellation Robes that belonged to a direct descendant of Morning Dao Sect was incredibly important, and they were recorded in detail within the sect's record books. Once a member of their family died, it meant that something big had happened!
However, he had been in Divine Essence Star Ocean for more than a thousand years and had never paid any attention to this. After all, the Sect Elders would definitely launch a full investigation if any of their family members died. He would need to return to the sect to know just who it was.
However, before he came to the Barren Lands of Divine Essence, he had heard about cased when Morning Dao Sect lost their Sacred Constellation Robes. Two of them had been retrieved after, but there was one that had been lost twenty thousand years ago and not a single clue of it had been found. No matter what sort of method Morning Dao Sect used to look for it, none of them yielded any results.
When blood capillaries filled Dao Kong's eyes, a light chuckle reached his ears. That chuckle seemed to echo in the air, and he could not see the person who had laughed.
"Shut up!" Dao Kong turned his head around and swept his gaze across the room.
"Whether I laugh or not is my business, what does it have to do with you? If Morning Dao Sect learns that you did not interfere and allowed someone else to buy that Sacred Constellation Robe, I'd like to see what sort of explanation you'll give," a woman said in a light voice.
Dao Kong's expression grew incredibly dark. Just as he was about to speak, after a brief period of dead silence, voices calling out to place their bids immediately rang in the air.
"Interesting. I'll offer 11,000,000 crystals for that."
"Haha! 15,000,000!"
"How could you all be so stingy with your money? I'll offer 30,000,000!"
The voices placing their bids landed heavy blows in Dao Kong's mind and heart. He clenched his fists. He understood deep within him that the people in the area knew that True Morning Dao World would definitely buy the item, which was why they intentionally jacked up the price.
In fact, if he did not manage to buy the item, then if Morning Dao Sect wanted to retrieve it afterwards, they would need to offer a price that was several times higher than at which it was initially sold. It could be said that this was a deal where they would definitely profit and not suffer any losses.
Of course, the prerequisite was that they had the right to stand as equals with Morning Dao Sect, or else, they would only be asking for death if they jacked up the price.
Su Ming looked at the things happening in the auction hall, and a smile appeared on his lips. He had originally not wanted to bring out that Sacred Constellation Robe, but since Dao Kong did not have any intention to participate in the auction, Su Ming needed to bring out an item that Dao Kong would be forced to buy.
Su Ming was not worried that there would be other people who would manage to buy the robe either. He knew that this was a robe that Dao Kong would be determined to get. If someone else bought it, then it would definitely be something that would cause Dao Kong to go mad.
"This thing is priceless. How could a mere 30,000,000 crystals be enough for this robe's status. True Sacred Yin World will offer… 50,000,000!"
"Since True Sacred Yin World offered this price, then the Emperor of Abyss' True World will naturally not fall behind. 70,000,000!"
"80,000,000!" a voice with a slightly strange accent stated. When everyone heard it, they instantly knew that the owner of it was not from the four Great True Worlds, but from… the alien race of Divine Essence Star Ocean!
"100,000,000 crystals!" Dao Kong could no longer just sit around. In fact, he did not have his followers offer a price but placed the bid himself. His voice echoed in the entire auction hall, stirring up plenty of chuckles.
"This robe belongs to True Morning Dao World, and all those who dare to compete will have to think about the vengeance True Morning Dao World will bring upon them. There is a bloody aura on that robe, and even though it has been there for a long time, this concerns the death of a family member from Morning Dao Sect!
"All of those who participate in this auction will make me suspect that this item actually belongs to you, and you are using this auction to make it legally belong to you instead of owning it in secret, thereby washing off the blood feud between you and Morning Dao Sect!"
Dao Kong was not a fool. He was a person with great potential and True Morning Dao World's kismet, so there was no way he would be an average person.
In just a moment, he had thought of these words, and it immediately made the people from the other Great True Worlds who wanted to place a bid unable to help themselves but to pause in their actions.
"That Dao Kong sure reacts quickly, but the more he reacts this way, the better." Su Ming smiled faintly while he watched the storm raging in the auction hall. He knew that Dao Kong would definitely walk into the trap he had set this time.
"130,000,000," the strange voice from Divine Essence Star Ocean's alien race said again. There was a raspy quality to that voice, and even though the accent was unusual, but the ancient feeling within it still showed the speaker's age.
Perhaps other bystanders would pay heed to True Morning Dao World, but the alien races from Divine Essence Star Ocean were not all bothered by some True World. The distance between them was too far great, and even if True Morning Dao World was enraged, it would still find it difficult to rain much vengeance on the alien races in Divine Essence Star Ocean.
"150,000,000!"
Dao Kong's expression was completely twisted, and a ferocious look appeared on his face. His heart was bleeding at the loss of his crystals, and he knew that there was no way he would be able to complete his mission this time, but if he obtained that Sacred Constellation Robe, it would be seen as a meritorious deed when he returned to Morning Dao Sect. No one would then be too bothered by the fact that he did not complete his mission.
"200,000,000." A light chuckle echoed in the air. The appearance of that voice immediately stunned the cultivators in the auction hall, because the woman's voice had come from Dao Kong's room.
"Xu Hui!" Dao Kong turned around and glared at the air around him, almost gritting his teeth in the process.
"I will buy this item and offer it as a gift to Morning Dao Sect in order to break off my engagement with you. That should be enough, don't you think?" The woman let out a tinkling laughter as she spoke.
There was no way Dao Kong would agree to this. Even if Xu Hui buying that Sacred Constellation Robe would result in no loss to him in terms of crystals and he could continue to finish his task, he would have actually suffered a loss. He would lose a wife and the opportunity to reach a breakthrough as he practiced his first dual cultivation when he reached Plane Kalpa Realm. On top of that, if Xu Hui broke off an engagement with him, his reputation in True Morning Dao World would suffer a heavy blow.
This was something the proud Dao Kong could not accept.
"300,000,000!" he said in a dark voice.
Chapter 903: Possessing Dao Kong
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Once Dao Kong raised the bid, the entire auction hall fell silent. Three hundred million was enough to be called an outrageous price!
It could not be said whether it was worth or not worth it to buy a single Sacred Constellation Robe for that sort of price. After all, those unrelated had only heard about the general functions of the Sacred Constellation Robes. The only ones who truly knew about them were still the direct descendants from Morning Dao Sect.
In fact, even Dao Kong himself felt continuous pain in his heart when he said the price, as if he had just been stabbed by a sharp sword. This price could be said to contain all his savings.
However, he now was holding a tiger by the tail. Even if he needed to borrow crystals, he had to buy that Sacred Constellation Robe. In fact, this matter concerned his fiancée as well. Because of that, he could simply not give up on that Sacred Constellation Robe. Even if he ended up crushing his teeth from clenching them too hard while competing for this robe, he would still have to buy it.
At the moment he placed that bid, Xu Hui chuckled softly. She knew that breaking off the engagement was definitely not an easy feat. This matter was tied to the traditions between Morning Dao Sect and Phoenix Sect, so there was no certainty that one Sacred Constellation Robe would be enough to break that tradition.
Besides, even though she found Dao Kong an eyesore, she knew in her heart that she was going to end up as his wife. By making him pay a few more crystals, she was simply venting her frustrations. After letting out a light chuckle, she did not continue placing anymore bids.
After a brief period of silence within the auction hall, even the alien race from Divine Essence Star Ocean did not continue placing any bids. After all, three hundred million crystals was really not a small sum.
The middle-aged man who was the host of the auction still maintained a smile on his face. Once he swept his gaze across the auction hall, he let out a hearty laugh.
"Since no one else is going to compete for this item, then this Sacred Constellation Robe that has been put on auction for the first time over the course of numerous years in Black Ink Planet will belong to True Morning Dao Sect!"
Once he said that, two graceful ladies walked out of the air behind him. They picked up the Sacred Constellation Robe and disappeared without a trace.
Only at that moment did Dao Kong breathe out a sigh of relief in his heart.
The auction continued. The middle-aged man continued bringing out one item after another, and the lively air that previously existed in the auction hall started rising once again.
The voices calling out to place their bids rose and fell, but Dao Kong heard none of that. He turned his head and looked towards the door to his room.
Another ten something breaths passed before the sound of someone knocking on the door rang in the air.
Once the door was pushed open, the Sacred Constellation Robe was brought in a box by the two graceful ladies into Dao Kong's room with respect radiating from their actions.
The woman with pointy ears in the room immediately walked forward to accept the box. Once she examined it carefully, she placed it in front of Dao Kong. His gaze landed on the box, and a glint appeared in his eyes.
"Nine seniors of mine, I would have to trouble you to help me check whether someone has done anything to this robe."
Once Dao Kong said these words, the nine old men who had their eyes shut and were not far away from Dao Kong lifted their right hands at the same time and pushed towards the box through the air. Distortions immediately appeared around the item.
As the air distorted, the box was reduced to powder and scattered without a single sound, revealing the Sacred Constellation Robe within. That robe floated up, and even though the air around it was twisting about due to the distortions, not a single ripple of power could be detected from it. The only difference was that the the stars on the robe began to shine in an incredibly clear manner, giving off a dazzling feel.
After a moment, one of the nine old men said flatly in a hoarse voice, "Everything is normal."
A hint of excitement that could not be concealed appeared on Dao Kong's face. His heart was filled with exhilaration. The appearance of this robe in the auction hall was good and bad for him. However, now that he had bought it, the cons of it no longer existed. Instead, the benefits that would come with it would be magnified endlessly.
'If I bring this robe back to Morning Dao Sect, I will perform a great meritorious deed!' A faint smile appeared on Dao Kong's face. He lifted his right hand and seized the Sacred Constellation Robe.
'Now let's have a look as to which direct descendant this robe belonged to!'
Dao Kong was a cautious person, which was why even after he had bought the Sacred Constellation Robe and even the woman had investigated it, he still had the nine seniors he trusted the most to work together and check it.
Each of these nine people had outstanding power, and when they were together, they could allow Dao Kong to ignore plenty of dangers. In fact, he just needed one single thought, and the three thousand fearless warriors would arrive in this place in the blink of an eye.
There was nothing he should be afraid of, and he did not believe that there was anything that could cause him danger, unless the threat was from… a Master of Fate, Lives, and Death. However, he did not believe that the powerful Masters of Fate, Lives, and Death would personally come and cause trouble for him.
That was why before he touched the Sacred Constellation Robe with his hands, the smile on his face grew wider. However, at the instant he touched the Sacred Constellation Robe with his hand, the nine old men's bodies suddenly shuddered.
"Let go of it!" the nine shouted at the same time and even stood up instantly. A vast presence spread out violently from their bodies with a bang, shaking the room like how a mountain would when a terrifying earthquake struck it.
Behind Dao Kong, an indistinct figure of a woman walked out from the air and lifted her hand to seize that Sacred Constellation Robe.
But… even she was too late!
In fact, Dao Kong had not even managed to register what was going on. Once he touched the Sacred Constellation Robe, a boom rang out in his mind, and his vision blurred. A power of relocation swiftly spread out from that Sacred Constellation Robe, sweeping up his body and disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
His expression changed swiftly. Without any hesitation, before his vision cleared, he thought to send a divine thought to have the three thousand fearless warriors arrive, but at the instant he was to do this, a powerful force rushed straight into his mind with a bang. Under that impact, a roar traveled through Dao Kong's mind, and it went blank for a short period of time.
He could only vaguely see that he had been relocated to an unfamiliar place. There were a dozen something people sitting around in the room, and their presences radiated mighty waves of pressure that trapped him completely in his spot, like a gigantic net.
The final thing he saw was a calm face. It did not belong to an old man, but someone young, and his appearance seemed rather familiar to Dao Kong. This person was looking at him, and the profound gaze in his eyes looked as if it contained the endless universe and could cause a person to instantly be lost within it.
He saw the young man lifting his right hand and placing it at the top of his skull. After that… Dao Kong's world turned black.
Su Ming had an indifferent expression on his face as he placed his right hand at the top of Dao Kong's skull. At the instant his hand landed, he closed his eyes. His soul instantly left his body and charged into Dao Kong's body.
Dao Kong started trembling viciously. His expression distorted, and red filled his eyes. However, there was an unfocused look within them. Yet from his expression, it could be seen that the pain he went through at that moment was definitely nothing common.
Yu Rou and the Duke of Crimson Flame who guarded the door of the room turned their heads back to look at Su Ming and Dao Kong. The Duke of Crimson Flame did not react much, but there was still a hint of surprise in his eyes. However, once Yu Rou saw Su Ming's actions, her expression immediately changed.
She had been trying to guess Su Ming's goal all along. After all, killing Dao Kong here was easy, but the problems that would come afterwards would be numerous. Yet only then did she realize that Su Ming's goal all along was not to kill Dao Kong… but to Possess him!
Compared to her, the thirteen Progenitors from the Yu Family beside Dao Kong were much calmer. In their hearts, Su Ming was their ancestor, their god, and they would question neither his orders nor his actions. Instead, they would follow them at all costs.
The silence and bizarre situation in Su Ming's room became a stark contrast to the area outside. Almost the instant Dao Kong was relocated to Su Ming's room, a loud bang swept outwards from Dao Kong's room with an intensity of a windstorm.
As that loud bang reverberated in the air, nine figures rushed out madly. Needless to say, these nine people where the nine old men with their eyes shut. At the instant they rushed out, they opened their eyes at the same time.
Right then, it could be seen that they had no pupils in their eyes; there was only white there. However, that white was not pale white, but was instead… a white hue that looked like the color of bone.
Booming sounds rang out everywhere. As they echoed thunderously, the nine people rushed into each of the rooms within the auction hall like nine livid dragons. Wherever they went, they would start searching in a frenzy, without caring for anything else.
They could sense that Dao Kong was not relocated far away… but was nearby!
"What are you doing?!"
"Enemy attack!"
"They're people from True Morning Dao World!"
Furious roars immediately came from the rooms within the auction hall as the nine people barged into them. As the booming sounds echoed in the air, the nine old men activated all their power and used the powerful force that belonged to those in the later stage of World Plane Realm on every single person they saw.
Right behind those nine people was a woman in a purple robe. She walked out from space with her long hair dancing in the air, and her beauty could rival that of Yu Rou's.
"He's over there!" Her voice was cold and aloof. After a purple light shone in her eyes for seven consecutive times, she pointed towards a room in the distance, and that room was precisely where Su Ming was located.
She could find Dao Kong because when her hand was given to Dao Kong, her life had been bound to his by Morning Dao Sect and Phoenix Sect, which was why she could find him in such a short period of time.
Once she said those words, the nine old men whose eyes were shining with white light lifted their heads and glared at the room at which Xu Hui had pointed. Then, with their full speed, they sliced through the air and charged towards that room.
There was another woman who moved with the nine old men to rush towards that room. In fact, she was even slightly faster than them. That woman was not Xu Hui, but the young married woman. She looked as if she had turned into a cat with sharp claws that were three inches long, and she was so quick that she closed in on the door to the room within an instant.
Xu Hui's eyes were freezing cold. With a single move, the illusion of a bright moon manifested behind her. She was… already in Lunar Kalpa Realm!
"How preposterous of Black Ink Planet! How dare they scheme against True Morning Dao World in such a brazen manner!" Xu Hui moved, and murderous aura appeared about her.
Yet the instant she said these words, a cold harrumph echoed in the air.
"People of True Morning Dao World, the auction is still going, yet you are here causing trouble. You will have to offer an explanation to Black Ink Planet."
As the cold harrumph echoed in the air, a gust of wind that could destroy space itself rushed in front of Xu Hui.
At the same time, nine figures appeared in front of the nine old men. There was also an old man who had appeared in front of the woman who had turned into a cat. He lifted his palm and stopped her from moving forward.
Chapter 904: Xu Hui, I'm Fine
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The thirteen old men sat cross-legged in Su Ming's room with their power completely activated. Once they gathered it up, they formed a powerful pressure that covered Dao Kong's body.
Su Ming closed his eyes, and Dao Kong, too, closed his eyes.
However, Dao Kong's body was trembling viciously. At that moment, he felt as if his mind had been turned upside down, and there were loud, booming sounds that spread throughout his mind, and they were so loud it sounded like the whole world had shattered. The echoed within his head without stop.
"Who are you?! Just who are you?!"
Dao Kong's world was an empty space with dazzling light. He stood there and roared with a hint of despair and fear, his voice spreading in all directions.
The only answer he received was a cold harrumph that came from a gigantic body.
That body was formed from Su Ming's soul. He stood in Dao Kong's mind like a god that had descended to the ground. That cold harrumph was so powerful that it could make Dao Kong's mind crumble, and it began n to tremble violently.
"You do not need to know my name," Su Ming said flatly. He lifted his gigantic right hand and pushed it swiftly towards Dao Kong. With this, his palm was instantly enlarged and charged straight towards its target.
Dao Kong's face twisted with ferociousness, and a crazed look appeared on his face. If he could still not understand what was happening, then he had no right to call himself a prodigy.
"You want to Possess me! Damn it! Even if you Possess me, it'll still be difficult for you to escape death!" As Dao Kong roared, he lifted his arms. His power, his soul, and all his thoughts gathered on his palms with an intensity as if they were boiling to block Su Ming's palm pressing down on him.
A loud bang rang out, and Dao Kong's body shuddered. In his eyes, Su Ming's right hand was still growing larger, as if it planned to replace the whole world. If the other pushed his palm down, there was no way Dao Kong could dodge it. In an instant, that palm covered his body.
At the same time, an intense pain as if he was being torn apart spread through Dao Kong's soul. He felt like there was a will that was ripping apart his soul with a powerful force, and the pain only fused with it, mercilessly wiping his own will away.
This was like a phenomenon that could not be altered. All forms of power could not change this reality. Upon this realization, Dao Kong's roars became biting and shrill, his madness turning into despair.
He had seen others execute Possession before, but had never expected that he would one day have it used on him. There were no words that could be used to describe this fear. It was a despair that was numerous times more wretched and miserable than death.
"Damn it! You're the one who brought out that Sacred Constellation Robe! Your goal was to lure me into buying it. You hid a Relocation Rune in your Sacred Constellation Robe. You… You killed the owner of that Sacred Constellation Robe! Even if you Possess me, Morning Dao Sect will absolutely not let you go!" Dao Kong roared shrilly, but the palm that covered his body made him feel as if the sky and earth had pressed down on him at the same time, leaving him unable to resist. His soul was torn, and the feeling that he was being invaded and wiped away became even stronger.
He could sense it. In ten breaths at most… his soul would scatter and disappear!
"Why are you Possessing me?! If you're talking about potential, there's Ye Wang from Black Ink Planet! He has even greater potential than I do! You… Let me go! I will help you capture Ye Wang! I'll help you Possess him!
"I-I can even recommend you to become Morning Dao Sect's guest. Let me go! I-I don't want to be Possessed!" Dao Kong was almost pleading at this point.
Once his words were spoken, he could sense the mighty pressure on his body relaxing slightly. In fact, the pain from the sense of his soul being torn apart stopped intensifying, and hope immediately rose in his heart.
The moment Dao Kong felt the pressure relaxing on him, a powerful killing intent rose in his heart. Without any hesitation, he used this chance to say a few complicated and difficult words that formed a chant.
"Vandaman, stutih, sanghasah! [1]" At the instant he said these three words, a powerful ray of light erupted from his body. That powerful light surrounded his body, and three complicated runic symbols appeared. As the powerful light swirled about violently, a vast presence spread out from the three runic symbols.
"Progenitor, save me!" Dao Kong roared furiously.
A barely noticeable cold sneer appeared at the corners of Su Ming's lips. He had been waiting for Dao Kong to use this sort of method, because he believed that with the potential he possessed, Dao Kong's position in Morning Dao Sect would definitely not be something Dao Ren could compare to. Due to that, there was a high possibility that there was a Protection Art cast by some powerful warrior on Dao Kong's body.
If it was forced out passively, then the Art would not be something he could control, and that was not part of Su Ming's plan, which was why Su Ming had intentionally lessened the pressure on the palm. Because of it, Dao Kong, who had been forced into despair, would definitely seize the chance and activate that Life Protection Art.
This would allow Su Ming to have time to seize control over that Life Protection Art which he could not originally control. Once that happened, he could complete the most crucial part of his plan to Possess Dao Kong, which was how to make the people from Morning Dao Sect believe that the future Dao Kong who would appear before them would be the real Dao Kong.
"I don't even need fifteen breaths to Possess you." Su Ming smiled coldly. At the instant power burst forth from the three runic symbols, he pounced on Dao Kong.
This scene made it seem as if Su Ming's gigantic body had turned into fog and surged into Dao Kong's body, clashing against the strong light and the runic symbols in the process.
Loud booming sounds echoed continuously in Dao Kong's mind. Su Ming's body looked as if he had been forcefully wiped off by the strong light, and he was swiftly disappearing.
At the instant his body completely disappeared, the terrified expression on Dao Kong's face froze for an instant. However, it disappeared soon. His face was still twisted, there was still fear lingering in his body, but there was a difference in the depths of his eyes that no one could notice. That difference turned the cold, sinister look in Dao Kong's eyes into a profound look.
Dao Kong lifted his head and roared, "Damn it, you want to Possess me?! No one can Possess me!"
The world where he was immediately distorted, and his body was covered by a vortex. Once it covered him completely, he disappeared without a trace.
…..
Outside Su Ming's room was Lie Shan Family and the people from Morning Dao Sect, and they were fighting against each other.
"The actions you took while Black Ink Auction is still going are against the rules of Black Ink Planet. Even if you are from True Morning Dao World, you are not allowed to be so preposterous!" an old voice said languidly from the wind that could destroy space in front of Xu Hui.
Elder Feng's ancient body manifested from the air. When he swung his arm, Xu Hui's expression changed, and she took several swift steps back, and her pupils shrank.
She was not the only one retreating, though. The nine old men who were beside Dao Kong and who had now opened their eyes moved back in unison as well. Each time their feet landed on the ground, it would tremble.
The nine people who blocked the nine guards were also nine old men. They belonged to different families, but they were all from Black Ink Planet and part of Black Ink Dao!
The incredibly quick catwoman let out a piercing cry and began retreating with movements that made it seem as if her body was twisting. She retreated several dozen feet backwards, but there was still a layer of rain that surrounded her. It made her body seem obscure, somewhat vague and indistinct.
Xu Hui's pupils constricted, and she said with a cold sneer, "Interesting. Are there so many powerful warriors in Black Ink Planet so you could mobilize your forces instantly… or have you been waiting here and appeared to stop us when Dao Kong disappeared!
"Black Ink Planet, I don't care how you appeared here, but if you intend to stop us, then you will incite a full scale battle between True Morning Dao World and Black Ink Planet!
"You will also have to offer us an explanation for the disappearance of Dao Kong, a direct descendant of True Morning Dao World's Morning Dao Sect!"
Elder Feng remained calm. Based on Su Ming's request, he only needed to block these people for fifteen breaths, and the time was almost up. He cast a glance at the people from Morning Dao Sect, and let his gaze linger a little while longer on Xu Hui.
"Might I know how the direct descendant of your sect disappeared? Please explain in detail. If he had truly disappeared from Black Ink Auction, then I will naturally not stop you. Instead, I will work together with True Morning Dao World and search for that direct descendant of yours," Elder Feng said faintly while he counted the time in his heart. Fifteen breaths had passed by then. He might not know what Su Ming's plan entailed, but to ensure that no accidents happened, it could only be better if he could stall them a little longer.
"But if you can't provide the reason, then based on how you have barged into the rooms carelessly just now, True Morning Dao World will never be allowed to enter Black Ink Planet ever again."
Right when Elder Feng finished speaking, someone let out a cold harrumph from among the nine old men.
"Once you brought that Sacred Constellation Robe to our room after our young master bought it, our young master touched it, and he was immediately relocated. I will absolutely not believe it if you say this has nothing to do with Black Ink Planet!"
"Oh? Kang Jiu, go and check True Morning Dao World's room and see whether there is any ripple of power from a Relocation," Elder Feng said calmly, and beside him, Lie Shan Kang Jiu immediately lowered his head and voiced his obedience before walking towards the room where the people from Morning Dao Sect previously stayed.
The nine old men who had been beside Dao Kong had incredibly dark expressions on their faces at that moment. However, this was Black Ink Planet, and they also had nine people whose levels of cultivation were not any weaker than theirs blocking their path, which prevented them from breaking through.
Xu Hui's lips curled up into a cold sneer. She stole a glance at the room where she could sense Dao Kong's presence and suddenly moved. Her body split into four, and from different directions, she charged towards the room in which Su Ming stayed.
Elder Feng frowned. As he swung his arm, violent gusts of wind immediately howled. Just as they were about to sweep towards the four Xu Huis, she laughed coldly. The four figures moved once again, and in the blink of an eye, sixteen Xu Huis appeared in front of the crowd.
"Rush in!" they all cried out at the same time. The catwoman immediately let out a shrill meow, and her body changed completely. Her beast form took up most of her body, because of which she looked like she had turned into a real cat as she charged into the room.
The nine old men spat out a mouthful of blood together as if they were activating some sort of Forbidden Art. Their power then increased exponentially, and like nine raging dragons, they rushed towards the door.
"Eighteen Strikes from the Lake of Phoenix! You're one of the Phoenix Sect!" Elder Feng's pupils constricted.
The sixteen Xu Hui's lifted their right hands together and struck the door to Su Ming's room through the air. As booming sounds echoed in the air, the seventeenth Xu Hui appeared outside Su Ming's door as it twisted. Her appearance made it seem as if she had borne the force from the sixteen figures' strike, and once that force gathered on her body, it turned into her seventeenth strike.
With a speed those from Black Ink Planet could not stop, her palm struck the door.
Bang!
The door was shattered, and at the moment that happened, a steady voice came from the room.
"Xu Hui, I'm fine."
Translator's Note:
1. Vandaman, stutih, sanghasah: Which means prayer, praise, and togetherness. They're Sanskrit. There's no meaning to it, it's just a chant, and since I recently became addicted to Sanskrit and since it's just a chant, why not? Right? Right? It's more awesome than "Dao, cheng, and zong!" isn't it?! When I have time I am SO changing the previous chants to Sanskrit versions as well.
Chapter 905: Cultivation Base Clone
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Along with the voice came a slender figure who walked out of the shattered door, and his presence had the pupils of Elder Feng and the members of the Lie Shan Family shrinking.
That person had a handsome face and looked like the world's serendipity had gathered on him and blessed his body. His black hair danced in the air, and his Sacred Constellation Robe shone with a dazzling light. As he stood there, the ethereal presence from him was powerful enough to attract the eyes of all those who saw him.
His own eyes were bright, and he had sharp, curving eyebrows that were in the shape of mountains. As he stood there, it looked like all the light around him had become dim so that he would become the focus of all attention.
He was a person who stole all serendipities in the world, who enjoyed the kismet from the universe - Dao Kong!
Xu Hui frowned and took several steps back, her sixteen figures dispersing. The nine old men swiftly went forward and surrounded Dao Kong like guards to protect him. The concern on their faces was incredibly clear.
"This is just a misunderstanding. I hope that the families of Black Ink Planet will not mind." Dao Kong smiled faintly and wrapped his fist in his palm, then bowed slightly to Elder Feng and the others.
A barely noticeable glint appeared in Elder Feng's eyes, and he moved his gaze from Dao Kong's body to the room in which Su Ming stayed. In the room, he saw Yu Rou, the thirteen old men, and also Su Ming, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a calm gaze.
"Fellow Daoist Su had a secret he wanted to discuss with me, which was why he had laid out this plan and Relocated me to his place. We have finished speaking now. Please do not blame fellow Daoist Su for this," Dao Kong said, still smiling faintly.
Su Ming also smiled, and a hint of regret appeared on his face as he looked towards Elder Feng, the nine old men beside Dao Kong, and also Xu Hui.
Xu Hui stared at Dao Kong. If it was not because she did not sense a single change within his presence, she would have definitely suspected that there was something wrong with this matter. However, the feeling she had in her soul was as usual at that moment, even if she thought that there was something off about this.
But she could not pinpoint it. With a glint in her eyes, she disappeared quietly into the air.
Elder Feng cast a profound look at Dao Kong, then aid flatly, "Since it is a misunderstanding, then fellow Daoists from True Morning Dao World, please return to your rooms. The auction is still in progress. Now, pardon me."
"My subordinates have been rude just now, do forgive us." Dao Kong remained elegant and refined. When he wrapped his fist in his palm, an expression of regret also appeared on his face. It was one suited for his status and also one that conformed to the feeling he usually gave to others. As he spoke, he turned around and cast Su Ming a look. Once he smiled and nodded towards him, he strode towards his room.
The nine old men cast hostile looks at the Lie Shan Family and left while trailing behind Dao Kong.
When they left, Elder Feng frowned and cast a glance at Su Ming once again. After a brief period of silence, he turned around and led the members of the Lie Shan Family away. As for Elder Yu, he had already disappeared into the air and was now nowhere to be seen.
The thirteen old men's faces were apathetic as they remained in Su Ming's room. They would not think about anything that was related to their progenitor. In their minds, they only needed to obey his orders.
But it was not so for Yu Rou. She looked at Su Ming with a complicated expression on her face. She had a vague guess in her heart, but it seemed rather inconceivable to her.
'This should not be a Possession; otherwise, how could that Dao Kong still have his intelligence intact. Su Ming also has his intelligence intact. Besides, judging by how the people from Morning Dao Sect reacted and were able to find this place immediately, it can only mean that there is someone among them who has a close connection to Dao Kong, so it he was Possessed, then that connection would definitely be broken…
'However, based on their reactions just now, it seems like… that connection is still around?
'But if it wasn't a Possession, then what was it..?' As Yu Rou thought about it, a deep wariness appeared in her eyes as she looked at Su Ming. He had become even more unfathomable in her mind.
"Let's go. There's no need for us to linger around here anymore." Su Ming stood up, and when he spoke flatly, he walked out. Yu Rou followed behind him. As for the thirteen old men, they bowed respectfully and disappeared into their rooms to act as garrisons for the auction.
"Prepare a chamber for me. I want to enter isolation." When he walked out of the room, Su Ming spoke in a calm manner, and Yu Rou lowered her head to voice her obedience.
After a moment, Su Ming sat down cross-legged in a chamber deep underground within Black Water City. It was quiet all around him. He had his eyes open, and his expression was calm. Not a single hint of emotion was revealed on his face.
He seemed to be waiting for something. When the time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed, a light breeze seemed to blow in the chamber, and Su Ming looked over.
Elder Feng walked out from the wind and sat down cross-legged in front of him.
"Lord God of Berserkers, please grant me an explanation," Elder Feng said hoarsely.
Su Ming did not speak. Instead, he lifted his right hand. Freezing air slowly appeared in the air above it, followed soon by snow manifesting itself above his palm. This was not an illusion. This was snow brought about by the cold of Midwinter's Chill, which was part of Su Ming's Life Matrix.
The few flakes of snow that appeared on Su Ming's palm floated down to the ground from his palm, and gradually, a layer of snow covered the area around him.
"Elder Feng, what did you see?" Su Ming asked languidly.
"Snow." Elder Feng frowned slightly.
Su Ming furled his right hand into a fist, and once he seized the snow floating down, he unfurled his palm to reveal the snowflakes which had not melted in his palm.
"What is this?"
"Snow," Elder Feng answered faintly.
Su Ming smiled. He flicked his wrist, and once he flung off the snow, he seized the layer of snow around him with a gentle grip.
"And what is this?"
"It is still snow." Elder Feng narrowed his eyes, as if he had come to an understanding.
"I have already provided you with an explanation." Su Ming swung his arm, and all the snow around him disappeared "I want to enter isolation now, and I will head to Divine Essence Star Ocean after that Once we part ways, I do not know when we will meet each other again. Elder Feng… please take care of yourself." Su Ming smiled and slowly closed his eyes.
Elder Feng remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and smiled. He got up and bowed to Su Ming before turning around, shaking his head, and leaving.
He understood now. Su Ming had indeed provided him with an explanation. As for the details, they would differ for each person.
When Su Ming entered isolation, the auction continued in the world outside and Dao Kong sat on the soft chair in his room as usual. In his hand was a wine cup, and as he watched the auction on the screen of light, he sipped at the wine.
The nine old men sat behind him, and all of them had their eyes shut, covering the white light that had shone within them when they had flown off in a rage earlier.
The beautiful woman was no longer in the form of a catwoman, but had turned into the shape of a delicate beauty. She knelt down beside Dao Kong as if she was terrified of him, and in her hands she held a pot of wine, occasionally filling up Dao Kong's cup.
"I need an explanation!" Xu Hui stated gloomily.
"Oh? What explanation do you need?"
When Dao Kong asked this in a light tone, a barely noticeable glint shone in his eyes, and he looked towards the woman by his side. Ever since she had entered the room with him, she had immediately put on this delicate appearance. The fear in her was not fake. She was truly afraid of him.
"That Relocation from the Sacred Constellation Robe. What happened when you were Relocated?" Xu Hui demanded again in a gloomy voice.
"Fellow Daoist Su from Black Ink Planet had a deal he wanted to form with me, and since it was not convenient for him to come to me directly, he used this method…" Dao Kong said languidly, but the moment those words left his lips, he immediately noticed the woman by his side freezing for a moment, then lifting her head to cast him a surprised glance.
In fact, some of the nine old men behind him also lifted their chins slightly.
Ripples immediately appeared from the space in front of him, and Xu Hui walked out from those ripples with a single step. She glared at Dao Kong, and hints of murderous aura as well as something strange appeared in her eyes.
"... because only with this method could he hold a secret talk with me," Dao Kong said flatly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Oh? What secret talk could that be?" Xu Hui asked once again.
"What secret talk..?"
Dao Kong lifted his head slightly, and a smile appeared on his face. He loosened his grip over the cup, and the cup in his hand plunged down, but before it fell, the woman by his side extended her hand to grab it. When Dao Kong aw this scene, the smile on his face grew wider. His right hand fell on the woman's face, and when he caressed it gently, the woman lowered her head. The surprise that appeared on her face previously also disappeared, replaced by obedience.
The couple old men behind him who had lifted their heads lowered them when they saw this scene.
In fact, even the focused glint in Xu Hui's eyes became different. She might look as she usually did, but the doubt in her heart had lessened due to Dao Kong's actions.
"Why should I tell you?" The ghost of a smile appeared on Dao Kong's face as his expression turned cold and he looked towards Xu Hui.
Xu Hui frowned. She greatly detested this sort of expression and tone Dao Kong used, but it was precisely this expression and tone that caused most of the doubt in her heart to disappear. With a cold harrumph, she fused into the air once again and disappeared.
Once Xu Hui disappeared, Dao Kong's gaze landed on the screen of light, the ghost of a smile still on his face; he was calm deep down in his heart.
He was not Dao Kong!
He was Su Ming!
Dao Kong's soul and mind had been Possessed by Su Ming. However, he would need some time to completely digest Dao Kong's memories, but it would not take too long. One month was enough.
At the moment Su Ming successfully Possessed Dao Kong, he could clearly sense how greatly Dao Kong's potential surpassed his, and more importantly, he could also vaguely sense the kismet gathered in Dao Kong's body.
This was the kismet of True Morning Dao World. With it around, this cultivation base clone could possess limitless growth.
'As the kismet on Ye Wang's body slowly disappears and eventually leaves him completely, this cultivation base clone of mine will have most of True Morning Dao World's kismet gather on him and because of that, this clone's potential… will reach an incredibly powerful state.
'Besides… my current status is that of Morning Dao Sect's direct descendant. Morning Dao Sect… I wonder how the grudge between us will erupt when I become the only young master in Morning Dao Sect in the future.'
Su Ming smiled. That smile was incredibly brilliant, but there was an incredibly strange and sinister feeling to it.
When the woman by his side saw that smile, her heart trembled, and she quickly lowered her head, simply allowing Su Ming to keep his right hand on her face, gently brushing her skin.
"This auction is boring and dull. Notify the warships in the galaxy. I want to leave by tomorrow," he said flatly as a glint appeared in his eyes.