Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 518: Chapter 514: Flood Dragon King and Celestial Treasure King

”Three hundred million... The Flood Dragon Clan’s resources are truly profound.”

”After all, the Flood Dragon Clan was once the overlord of the East Sea. If not for the rise of the Dragon God Celestial Palace, they would still be ruling the East Sea to this day. Their resources are indeed far greater than ours.”

”From the looks of it, three hundred million is nowhere near Ao Lie’s limit.”

The eyes of the various Demon Races were all fixed on Ao Lie, their expressions growing heavy.

They weren’t nearly as wealthy as the Flood Dragon Clan. As things stood, their chances of winning were slim, even if they continued to bid.

”What should we do? The Flood Dragon Clan obviously came prepared. If this turns into a bidding war over Spirit Stones, we’re no match for them.”

”There’s no other way. Our only chance to compete with the Flood Dragon Clan is to join forces with the other clans!”

At that moment, the various Demon Races all had the same idea. ’We can’t win this map on our own, so we should join forces and share it later.’

Immediately, streams of Divine Sense communication began flitting between the pavilions.

Meanwhile, Ning Jiang was also lost in thought.

’Since all the other clans got word of the Life Divine Spring and came to bid, there’s no reason for the Dragon God Celestial Palace, the number one power in the East Sea, not to show up.’

’If the Dragon God Celestial Palace were to make a move, with their wealth, this item would be as good as theirs. But Other Shore isn’t here either.’

A cold smile touched Ning Jiang’s lips at the thought.

’Right now, the two strongest powers in the East Sea are the Dragon God Celestial Palace and Other Shore, yet neither of them has made an appearance.’

’Are they holding each other in check? Or is there some other unknown reason?’

While Ning Jiang was pondering, the first voice rang out. ”The Blood Shark Clan and the Water Ape Clan will bid for this item together! Three hundred and ten million!”

”The Three-headed Snake Clan and the Electric Crocodile Clan will bid for this item together! Three hundred and twenty million...”

One after another, the Demon Races began to place bids, forming alliances of two or three clans.

Seeing this, Ao Lie’s expression turned grim.

Although the Flood Dragon Clan was wealthy, their advantage dwindled in the face of these Demon Races banding together. Even if they did win the Dragon Skin Map, it would come at a staggering cost.

”Four hundred million!” Ao Lie spat out icily.

”We offer—”

”Enough!” Ao Lie barked, slowly rising to his feet. His icy voice echoed through the venue. ”The Flood Dragon Clan will have this item. Anyone who tries to take it will be our mortal enemy!”

”Hmph. Ao Lie, are you threatening all of us?” The numerous Demon Races glared at him, their faces filled with anger.

Individually, they might not be a match for the Flood Dragon Clan, but if they all banded together, they would be even stronger.

”This isn’t a threat. I’m merely stating our position.”

Ao Lie’s gaze swept across the crowd, radiating an extraordinary dominance. ”I know you all want this Dragon Skin Map, but if we continue fighting over it like this, no one will benefit. I have a proposal. If you are all willing to withdraw, the Flood Dragon Clan is willing to share the Bloodline Evolution Technique from earlier.”

”The Bloodline Evolution Technique alone is far from enough, isn’t it?” The various Demon Races naturally knew which was more valuable.

The Bloodline Evolution Technique was precious, but it paled in comparison to the Life Divine Spring.

”In addition to the Bloodline Evolution Technique, I can promise on behalf of the Flood Dragon Clan that if we do find the Life Divine Spring, we will take only half. The other half can be divided among your clans.”

”Furthermore, if the Flood Dragon Clan is ultimately unable to find the Life Divine Spring, we will release the map and share it with all of you. How does that sound?”

At these words, the various Demon Races began to hesitate.

It had to be said, Ao Lie’s terms were very tempting.

For one thing, they weren’t confident they could find the Life Divine Spring themselves. For another, they truly didn’t want to make an enemy of the Flood Dragon Clan.

’A rather clever strategy,’ Ning Jiang remarked from his pavilion.

’The Flood Dragon Clan is taking a step back to move forward, avoiding making enemies of all the other Demon Races.’

’But this kind of farsighted plan doesn’t seem like something Ao Lie could have conceived. After all, I easily swindled five million Spirit Stones from him earlier.’

’It seems someone else is pulling the strings behind Ao Lie,’ Ning Jiang murmured.

And what happened next directly confirmed his suspicion.

”Ao Lie, what guarantee do we have that you’ll honor your word? What if you’re deceiving us?”

An expert from the Water Ape Clan asked. After all, talk is cheap. If the Flood Dragon Clan were to go back on their promise, what could they do?

”My word alone may not be convincing enough,” Ao Lie said calmly. ”But what about the word of my Flood Dragon Clan’s ancestor?”

”What? The Flood Dragon King is here?” Everyone was stunned.

Ao Lie straightened his expression and bowed toward the thousand-zhang-tall tower in the center of Celestial Treasure City. ”Junior Ao Lie requests a sign from the ancestor.”

”Agreed.”

A single word drifted down from the top of the tower. Though spoken plainly, everyone could feel its immense authority. In the face of such power, countless Martial Artists nearly fell to their knees.

’The Flood Dragon King is actually here! What is he doing here?’

A tremor ran through the hearts of the crowd.

The Flood Dragon King was a legendary figure who had once dominated the East Sea. His combat strength had reached the Eight-Stars level, and as a Flood Dragon, he was far more powerful than an ordinary Eight-Stars King!

It would be no exaggeration to call him the strongest expert in the East Sea, second only to the Undying Celestial King.

’When did the Flood Dragon King arrive?’ At that moment, Gu Huaying’s elegant brows furrowed as well. She had no idea why this great personage had suddenly appeared.

’Is my father, the Celestial Treasure King, hosting him right now?’

”Everyone, you should have no more doubts about my word now, correct?” Ao Lie said calmly, observing the crowd’s shocked reactions.

”Very well. Since the Flood Dragon King himself has spoken, we naturally have no doubts. A man of his station would never go back on his word. We agree.” A short while later, the Three-headed Snake Clan was the first to declare its position.

”In that case, I agree as well.”

”Then allow us to congratulate the Flood Dragon Clan in advance on finding the Life Divine Spring.”

”Heh, we just hope the Flood Dragon Clan won’t forget today’s promise and will save a slice of the pie for us.”

One after another, the various Demon Races agreed and withdrew from the bidding for the map.

With the Flood Dragon King himself having made an appearance, continuing to bid would be foolishly shortsighted.

On the auction stage, Gu Huaying watched the fierce bidding war draw to a close. ”Since there are no further bids,” she announced, ”this map to the Life Divine Spring is sold to the Flood Dragon Clan for a price of four hundred million Spirit Stones.”

”This concludes the auction!”

As her voice faded, the many Martial Artists gradually dispersed, their hearts still reeling from the events.

「Meanwhile.」

Atop the thousand-zhang-tall tower, two figures stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing out at the vast expanse of heaven and earth.

”Celestial Treasure King, tell me... exactly how many years does the Undying Celestial King have left to live?”

The question was world-shattering.