The moment the figure in the blood light made its move, the golden-masked person who had been sitting quietly in one corner of the formation array also rose to their feet, a sharp gleam flashing through their eyes.
If someone truly caused a disturbance at the exchange meeting, the Black Domain, as the organizer, naturally could not stand idly by.
"Don't misunderstand, friend — I mean no harm. It's simply that these Sinister Clouds are extremely useful to me. Please wait a little longer and allow me to think of another way to obtain the spirit treasure you want. If I still can't manage it, I absolutely won't stop you from leaving." The figure in the blood light waved its hands repeatedly, hurriedly explaining in an anxious tone.
"Wait a little longer? Very well. For the sake of how badly you truly want the Sinister Clouds, I'll give you one more cup of tea's time. If I still can't get what I want by then, I won't waste any more of my time here." After a brief moment of hesitation, the figure in the black qi nodded in agreement.
It was clear that the blood-light figure was determined to obtain the Sinister Clouds at all costs, while the black-qi figure placed extreme importance on the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure it desired, unwilling to let even the slightest chance slip away.
Seeing that the other party had agreed to the request, the blood-light figure let out a slight sigh of relief. Its mind raced, and with a deeply pained expression, it slapped its storage bracelet. A golden scroll appeared in its hand, which it promptly held up for all to see.
"In the past, I risked my life exploring an ancient ruin, where I obtained an unknown sealed scroll. Because the seal upon it is extremely sophisticated, I determined long ago that I could not open it without destroying the scroll, so I have kept it carefully preserved ever since. However, I firmly believe it contains an astonishing secret, for the seal was written in Golden Seal Script. I am willing to trade this item, along with the Purification Pill, for an offensive spirit treasure from the Myriad Spirit Rankings." The blood-light figure spoke with a grave expression.
"Golden Seal Script?"
"Could it be something from the
The blood-light figure's words naturally stirred yet another wave of commotion, and many people immediately showed signs of keen interest.
They had no fear of being deceived — whether a seal had already been broken or not was something one could tell at a glance.
Unfortunately, while many were tempted by this offer, none of them possessed the item required for the exchange, and could only watch helplessly.
As time crept by and it became clear that no one from the surrounding stone pavilions was coming forward to make a trade, not only did the black-qi figure grow increasingly disappointed, but the blood-light figure became frantic with anxiety.
Sinister Clouds refined from tens of millions of evil spirits — miss this Black Domain exchange meeting, and they would absolutely never appear at any other auction.
Even if the owner departed, they would carefully stow away the Sinister Clouds and never let a trace of them be seen. Even if he later managed to acquire the treasure the other party wanted, finding them again for an exchange would be nearly impossible.
These Sinister Clouds were directly tied to whether he could survive the next Great Heavenly Tribulation. Without them, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance he would perish. How could he not desperately want to obtain them?
Could it truly be that no one attending this exchange meeting possessed an offensive Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure?
As the time allotted by the black-qi figure neared its end, the blood-light figure gritted its teeth and abruptly slapped the strange blue pouch at its waist.
Immediately, a swirl of blue radiance swept out, and a crystalline blue ice cage materialized in its hand.
The cage stood roughly a foot tall, its surface covered with several gold-and-silver talismans. Inside, a snow-white spirit bird of crystalline transparency stood proudly on a silvery perch, surveying everything beyond the cage with an expressionless gaze.
"A Heaven and Earth spirit bird that has inherited the blood of the Heavenly Phoenix — an adult Ice Phoenix. Though its aura may seem only at the Core Formation stage, that is in fact because it was injured, causing a being that had already achieved transformation to regress to its current form. With just a little nurturing, it could easily recover its original cultivation level within a few centuries. Furthermore, I can guarantee that once this Ice Phoenix assumes human form, she will be a peerless beauty who still retains her Primordial Yin — a perfect cauldron. If one were to absorb her Heavenly Phoenix Primordial Yin energy, the benefits of Yin-Yang harmonization go without saying. Even if its miraculous effect in breaking through bottlenecks doesn't quite match the Purification Pill, it certainly wouldn't be far behind. And even without taking her Primordial Yin, if one could subdue her, she would be a spirit beast of limitless potential — I believe she won't disappoint any of you, fellow Daoists. I offer this Ice Phoenix, which I obtained by chance, along with the two items I presented earlier, in exchange for the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure this friend desires. This is everything I own. Miss this exchange meeting, and there will never be another opportunity like it." The blood-light figure's voice had grown somewhat hoarse, and faint bloodshot threads could be seen in its eyes — the very picture of someone pushed to the absolute limit.
This was hardly surprising. Anyone who watched the very thing that could save their life sitting within arm's reach, yet found themselves powerless to obtain it, would surely be driven to the same state of mingled fury and desperation.
But the surrounding flying pavilions remained silent.
"Friend, if I use these three items to trade for your..." The blood-light figure, left with no recourse, turned toward the black-qi figure to negotiate.
"No. I've made myself perfectly clear. Unless it's an offensive spirit treasure from the Myriad Spirit Rankings, I won't trade for anything else, no matter how rare." The black-qi figure shook its head once more without the slightest hesitation.
Hearing this, the blood-light figure's expression turned uglier than ever, a creeping sense of despair settling into its heart.
But just at that moment, a calm male voice suddenly rang out, drifting into the blood-light figure's ears like celestial music.
"Fine. I'll make the trade."
When the blood-light figure first heard these words, it could hardly believe its own ears. After a moment of stunned silence, it blurted out in wild elation.
"Is that true? Please, come up to the stage at once!"
At the same time, its gaze snapped toward the flying pavilion from which the voice had come.