A king-grade weapon — every single one would consume limitless rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Even pouring out everything a major sect possessed could not necessarily produce one. Only sacred grounds, divine dynasties, and the most supreme great powers could possess them.

One can imagine: the weapon that a peerless divine king like Jiang Taixu spent an entire lifetime forging — how many people could ever obtain or wield such a thing?

Anyone who held one in their hands could sweep through a group of same-level opponents, invincible and matchless!

The bell body — no larger than a baby’s fist, dripping with emerald green, crystalline and bright. A single glance confirmed it was a treasure; one could not help but want to hold it and admire it.

“The Jade Bell…”

Inside the Nine Li Celestial Pavilion, the elderly auctioneer had only just spoken the name — had not yet announced the starting price — when the entire hall erupted.

“That is the legendary bell king!”

The entire hall broke into chaos, many faces trembling with shock, everyone talking at once. More than a few people pressed forward, wanting to get a closer look.

Simply at the words “Jade Bell,” the auction hall fell into chaos — the crowd was agitated, and many powerful figures emerged from their private boxes, activating divine vision to observe.

The Jade Bell — in former days its name had shaken the world. It was a mystical and formidable weapon: when its chime rang, all heaven and earth fell silent, heroes perished, and all things shattered.

Two thousand years ago, someone called the Jade Bell King had appeared in the Central Continent — just as the Divine King Jiang Taixu was to the Eastern Wastelands today, an invincible king. The weapon he had spent his entire life forging — one could imagine how precious it must be.

“Jade Bell” was the name given to the first heaven of the Daoist tradition, where jade-colored rosy clouds filled the sky — to dare claim kinghood under such a name, one must naturally have had something that stood alone under heaven.

The Jade Bell, known as the bell king, was as famous as the Nine Divine Weapons that the Feathered-Transformation King fifteen thousand years ago had spent his entire life forging — both were recorded clearly in many of the Central Continent’s ancient texts.

“The Jade Bell King and the Feathered-Transformation King — two of the Central Continent’s powerful king constitutions. The weapons they left behind are extraordinarily rare in this world, of inestimable value!”

“This Jade Bell King, I fear very few could afford to purchase it. No one knows how many rare materials were consumed in its making, before it was finally cast from the Nine Heavens Jade.”

“Most critical is its power. Held in the hands of a Saint-Master-level figure, in an age with no ancient sages and no fully-realized king constitutions, it could be invincible under heaven.”

People turned it over in their minds, all moved, knowing it would certainly fetch a divine price. Unless an ancient divine dynasty or sacred ground made a move, no one could afford it — it was far too precious.

“Starting at seventy thousand pounds of pure source!”

When the crowd settled slightly, the old auctioneer loudly announced the starting price. At those words — a brief silence — then a wave of uproar.

“How is this possible — only seventy thousand pounds of pure source?!”

Almost no one dared believe it. This was the legendary Jade Bell — a treasure forged through an invincible king’s lifetime of effort — how could it possibly be so cheap?

“It must be a fake — this certainly cannot be the real Jade Bell!”

“Could this be a replica, rather than the bell king recorded in the ancient texts?”

Many people voiced doubt, unable to believe a divine bell’s starting price could be so low. They suspected deception — that this was not the genuine article.

“Please, everyone, be calm.” Inside the Nine Li Precious Pavilion, the old auctioneer lightly struck the bell once. Instantly a clear, pure chime rang out, washing through people’s souls.

“It is that bell king — but a stain has appeared…”

The baby-fist-sized Jade Bell was turned over, and people saw on the inner wall of the bell a bloodstain — dark and lustreless, like a patch of grime.

“What happened?”

“Not long ago, someone found the body of the Jade Bell King in a place of deadly peril, lying in a blood cavern…”

The crowd heard this and immediately understood what had occurred. From beneath the earth, ancestral dragon veins produce dragon marrow, but can also produce corruption — even a battle treasure submerged in it for a long time will be eaten away.

To have been soaked in a pool of great earth blood corruption for two thousand years, and for the Jade Bell to not have been completely destroyed — that itself was already a miracle.

“What a pity. A divine object ruined just like this. To think the Jade Bell King came to rest in a blood cavern.”

“This is an incalculable loss. The legendary Jade Bell — extinguished just like that.”

People shook their heads. The fervor dropped at once.

“Dear guests — this is no ordinary weapon. It was cast from the Nine Heavens Jade, a divine material that can be used to forge a sage’s weapon — something even ancient sages struggled to find. If one could obtain supreme earth milk, or top-grade dragon marrow, the blood corruption could be washed completely clean, restoring the Jade Bell to its former glory. And with continued nurturing thereafter, it would become inviolable by all evil, impossible to destroy for all eternity.”

Many hearts stirred again, minds active with possibility — though quite a few people still shook their heads.

“Forget it. The cost would be too enormous — earth milk and dragon marrow are themselves priceless. And you would need the top grade of each. Who could afford all that?”

“Eighty thousand pounds of pure source!”

“Eighty-five thousand pounds of pure source!”

…

Although many people said aloud the cost was too great, when the bidding came, they still made their move — and the competition was fierce.

“One million two hundred thousand pounds of pure source!” Ye Fan also called out. He felt the Jade Bell was remarkable and ought to be able to dissolve the stain. After all, it had been forged from the Nine Heavens Jade — carefully nurtured, it should not only recover but continue to grow stronger over time.

He had raised the price by several hundred thousand pounds of pure source in a single stroke, drawing startled glances from all directions. Many people hesitated, uncertain whether to continue bidding.

“One million five hundred thousand pounds of pure source.” Another voice came — very steady and composed. It was Jin Chixiao of the Golden Clan, with ancient king’s blood flowing in his veins.

“One million five hundred fifty thousand pounds of pure source.” Yet another person spoke up.

“One million eight hundred thousand pounds of pure source.” Ye Fan continued raising.

“Two million pounds of pure source.” Jin Chixiao showed no change in expression, his manner that of a person who had already decided the item was his.

“Are they out of their minds? The Jade Bell already has a stain, and it’s still being competed for like this — they must be drowning in source!” The crowd was astonished.

One million eight hundred thousand pounds of pure source was Ye Fan’s actual limit — but seeing it was Jin Chixiao competing against him, he felt it necessary to stir the waters a little. He was not intentionally trying to trap the man — it was just that dragon marrow would soon be coming up for auction, and he felt it necessary to drain a bit more of Jin Chixiao’s resources, to prevent him from competing for the dragon marrow later.

“Two million one hundred thousand pounds of pure source.” Ye Fan’s tone was not firm — it sounded as though he had gritted his teeth to call out that price.

“Two million three hundred thousand pounds of pure source.” Jin Chixiao was extremely forceful, adding two hundred thousand pounds of source in one breath.

“Two million… four hundred thousand pounds of pure source.” Ye Fan seemed to hesitate even more — his bid came after a pause.

“Two million six hundred thousand pounds of pure source!” Jin Chixiao was utterly decisive.

“Brother Jin, you are going too far. The Jade Bell has developed a severe stain and is a shadow of its former self — its power is less than one-tenth of what it once was. One million eight hundred thousand pounds of source is the absolute limit.”

Beside him, the purple-robed young man offered this counsel, and several other disciples of the Hall of Exceptional Talents agreed that it was not worth it and all tried to dissuade him.

“I have already decided. Our Golden Clan possesses great earth divine milk — we can completely wash away the stain and restore this bell king to its original glory.” Jin Chixiao sent a secret transmission.

“What?!” The group was stunned, filled with envy. If it could be restored, no amount of source would be too much — it would recapture the style of an invincible king.

In the end, the entire auction floor went numb as Ye Fan increased his bids little by little and drove the Jade Bell all the way up to three million pounds of source — at which point he dared not push further, afraid of frightening the other party into withdrawing.

“Wait — something’s off. He’s determined to have it. He can still bid higher.” Ye Fan used his divine source awareness to observe carefully and felt a shift in the other party’s emotional state.

“Three million one hundred thousand pounds of pure source!”

“Three million two hundred thousand pounds of pure source!”

Ye Fan stoked the fire gently, driving the price up to three million five hundred thousand pounds of pure source before stepping back.

In the end, even Jin Chixiao panicked — he didn’t have that much source on him. After negotiating with the Nine Li Celestial Pavilion’s management and receiving permission to pay at a later date, he drove the price up to three million seven hundred thousand pounds of source in one breath and became the final winner.

“That absolute scoundrel!” Jin Chixiao ground his teeth. The cost had been devastating. He fixed his gaze on the private box where Ye Fan sat, his heart brimming with murderous intent — then he gave a cold smile.

The auction floor was in an uproar, the price so outrageous and frenzied that everyone felt it was not real.

Afterward, another prized item came up — a scroll of notes left by the Twin Kings of the ancient era, recording part of their Dao enlightenment process. Though it was only a fragment, its value was beyond all estimation.

Ye Fan thought it over and joined in again. Once more he faithfully played the role of the “bidding plant,” bidding each time with hesitation, yet steadily driving the price higher.

“Cursed plant — your performance is terrible!”

“Absolutely outrageous — the price-driving is far too obvious!”

In the end, the incomplete enlightenment scroll was also driven to an astronomical price, earning the fury of heaven and man alike.

“Next time go play by yourself!”

“Wretched plant — drop dead!”

Many people cursed, furious beyond measure.

Ye Fan did it deliberately — he was going to play the plant all the way to the end, making these people understand his usefulness, paving the way for bidding on the dragon marrow later.

And then, true to form, he went on to “plant” two more precious items, driving each one to its ceiling.

“The final precious item: one bottle of purple dragon marrow, containing twelve drops, starting price one million two hundred thousand pounds of pure source — to be auctioned only against an equivalent value in divine source.”

Another wave of uproar swept through the hall. At last the climactic dragon marrow had been brought out — a supreme divine substance, capable not only of extending one’s lifespan, but of assisting comprehension of the Dao.

A translucent jade bottle, through which every detail inside was clearly visible: twelve drops of dragon marrow, each radiating divine light. The entire hall was suffused with purple radiance, its fragrance intoxicating.

Each drop was the size of a thumbnail, none blending with the others, each crystalline and glimmering, purple-rosy light shimmering — as though purple qi had come from the east. The hall filled with ethereal mist, and the fragrance penetrated straight into people’s very souls.

Twelve drops — each with a floor price of one hundred thousand pounds of source. It was a price that could frighten people to death, making even those with resources feel genuine pain.

“Only twelve drops, and the starting price is already one million two hundred thousand pounds of source — why not just rob people openly?!” Many complained about the price. And most critically, the requirement of divine source for the transaction shut out far too many bidders.

“One million three hundred thousand pounds of source.” Just then, Ye Fan spoke up — his tone as uncertain as ever.

The hall instantly fell silent — then a wave of cursing erupted.

“That plant again — more of his theatrics!”

“Absolutely unacceptable. Go play by yourselves — the rest of us are stepping out!”

…

“One million three hundred thousand pounds of source, first call. One million three hundred thousand pounds of source, second call…”

Bang!

The hammer fell. Everyone had been too busy cursing. No one competed. Ye Fan won the dragon marrow at one million three hundred thousand pounds of source.

The hall fell silent — then another wave of cursing broke out. People were convinced this was a plant, that the auction hadn’t even been intending to sell, and that this time the plant had simply failed to catch anyone.

“You filthy plant — you were far too greedy. If you don’t want to auction, then don’t. Why put on this show?”

Nearby, the person in charge of the auction house was in tears, speechless and choking. Just moments earlier he had been completely in awe of Ye Fan — and now he wanted to slap him senseless with a shoe.

Good heavens — that was a bottle of dragon marrow. Impossible to come by in all the world. It had been the climactic final act, certain to be bid up to a terrifying price — and now this person who had been looking so presentable a moment ago had slammed it down at the floor price.

“Plant!”

The cursing echoed through the auction hall.

The person in charge of the auction house felt like weeping without tears, wanting to strangle Ye Fan.

The original estimate had been conservative: a floor price of at least four million pounds of source, because this was not ordinary low-grade dragon marrow — it absolutely could not have been acquired for over a million pounds of source. Its value was beyond calculation.

As many people fumed and railed, the auction house manager beat his chest and nearly choked to death on the spot.

After every last person in the hall had dispersed and the place stood empty and cold, Ye Fan paid his divine source in his private box and tucked the bottle of purple dragon marrow into his chest.

“A pleasure doing business. I’ll be a regular patron from now on.”

“Have you no conscience? That was no ordinary dragon marrow — and you pinned it to the floor at one million three hundred thousand pounds of source?”

The auction house manager was beside himself with rage.

“That’s exactly what makes this a successful collaboration — the earlier items, I drove them up to those prices for you. You didn’t lose out at all. Just consider the last one as my compensation.”

“We at this establishment conduct honest business. We never use plants — it ruins our reputation.” The manager was still furious.

“It was just one bottle, not a whole cauldron.”

“Do you know what kind of dragon marrow that was? It was excavated from a purple dragon ancestral vein. Do you know how many people died for those twelve drops? It was a place of supreme deadly peril, with terrifying creatures standing guard — powerhouses suffered heavy casualties!”

Ye Fan’s heart stirred. “Where was it excavated? There are ancient creatures standing guard inside underground dragon veins? Perhaps we could cooperate — tell me about it.”

“What is there to discuss? This has nothing to do with you. Just go — I don’t want to see you again!”

“Elder, don’t be upset — there’s no harm in telling me. I have extensive research into mountains and rivers, and when the time comes, perhaps I can be of great help to your organization.”

“Just leave!”

In the end, Ye Fan was chased out by a group of old men — several veteran auctioneers glaring at him and blowing out their beards, adding him to their list of least-welcome guests.

“Elders, you’ll come asking for me eventually. Across all of heaven and earth, only I can help the great power behind you.” Ye Fan lingered.

“Go, go, go! Don’t let us see you here again.”

“The Moon Spirit Princess of the Nine Li Divine Dynasty has gone to invite a great expert — you little swindler, hurry up and leave!”

Ye Fan was inwardly startled. The Moon Spirit Princess of the Nine Li Divine Dynasty was the second most beautiful woman in the Central Continent, breathtakingly stunning and of extraordinary renown — almost no one among the younger generation had not heard of her.

“I wonder which great expert she has gone to invite?” He rubbed his nose. It was the first time he had ever been chased out of a place in such an embarrassing manner. He turned and departed.

Not long after, Ye Fan left West Dam City and set about finding a place to enter seclusion and endure his tribulation.

“Cursed Yin-Yang Sect — if you dare appear before me again, I’ll endure my tribulation over your lair and blast your ancestral graves flat!”

Ye Fan moved far from West Dam City and into a mountain range — he needed to choose an uninhabited area for his seclusion.

“You’ve finally come. We have been waiting for you for quite some time.” A voice reached him — languid, as though everything were already under control.

“Delivered our purple dragon marrow, have you?” Another person mocked, bursting into laughter.

Around him, seven figures appeared, surrounding him from all directions — Jin Chixiao and his group, closing in from all four sides, with him trapped at the center.

“I believe it is you who have come to deliver the Jade Bell to me. I’ve had that bell king in mind for quite some time — how very considerate of you.” Ye Fan said.

Jin Chixiao smiled slightly, slowly shaking his finger. “You have no opportunity here.”

Without a sound, four old men appeared at the four cardinal directions, sealing off the sky and trapping Ye Fan at the center.

“What a pity — you only bid on one bottle of dragon marrow. If you had also taken the Twin Kings’ scroll, those would have been two extraordinary gifts.”

“Let us be grateful for what we have. The dragon marrow at the climax of the auction is a priceless divine substance — we should count our blessings.”