Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

"Someone as smart as you should know how to choose."

Xuanbin, carrying the disbelieving head, arrived at the Wood Crystal Spirit's base, Wolfwood Rock, and placed it in front of a towering giant tree.

Though the body has perished, the soul remains.

Having no other choice but to recite incantations to transfer the wood spirit energy into Xianbin's body, he had to disregard the evil spirits.

"Shepherding the primordial essence of heaven and earth, transforming plants and trees into crystalline spirits."

As the last wisp of wood spirit disappeared, Bu Xinxie himself was absorbed by Xuan Bin and became part of Xuan Bin's essence.

Shortly after they left, Yama arrived at the Black Sea Sky Road.

"Hmm? The aura of a Wood Crystal Spirit, and Xuan Bin as well?"

Although Yama knew there were doubts, he still summoned the five Heavenly Generals who had been sleeping in the ground as planned. He had used his Dark Power to put the five generals to sleep in the past, so that they could fight again today.

He channeled a dark energy containing the imperial aura of the first Yama King into the ground, then opened his arms:

"Awaken, Five Heavenly Generals who guard the five passes of the Black Sea for me! Eternal imperial power and immortal glory are about to arrive!"

An eerie aura arose, and strange light shot into the sky. In the thick fog, the giant bone was seen to transform into five magical figures, which appeared one by one in the narrow path.

"dark!"

"dismiss!"

"Damn it!"

"Cheer!"

"blacken!"

"For the sake of Yama's dominance, we swear to serve him to the death, without hesitation!"

"Hahaha! Follow me on this dark journey!"

At this moment, in the Paradise Forest, Jin Jinglingxiangranyi stared wide-eyed at a strange creature, following closely behind.

Just as it was about to arrive, the strange flower suddenly sprinted away.

Chase.

The exotic flowers darted about, twisting and turning, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, endlessly circling in the forest.

Just as they were galloping along, a soft murmur suddenly reached their ears:

"When wine comes, songs are sung again, and joy abounds in our delight. The moon's reflection plays on the water, and the gentle breeze cannot dispel our sorrows. The moonlight shines on the waves, and the breeze flutters someone's clothes. We pour wine into our cups, and leisurely compose poems."

Xiang Ranyi was shocked: "What kind of monster are you? You can even recite poetry."

The strange flower did not answer, but continued its frantic run.

"Three days of drinking and composing poems, just waiting for the Lingxiao Barbarians."

Xiang Ranyi followed him to a stream, where she saw a green-haired scholar drinking alone by the moonlight, reciting poetry as he poured.

She quickly stopped in her tracks, wondering if this person was the transformed form of the strange flower from before.

Unexpectedly, the person turned to look at Xiang Ranyi and asked the same question: "Am I drunk? The Lingxiao Manhua has actually turned into a person."

"Don't play tricks. The strange flower I was chasing just ran past here. Did you see it?"

The scholar opened his folding fan and, seemingly drunk but not quite, said, "You are the flower, and the flower is you."

"What do you mean?"

"The moment I saw Lingxiao Man, you appeared. What else could you be but a flower?"

Lingxiao Man?

"It turns out to be a legendary flower from the flower encyclopedia, but its appearance is not the same as that described in the book."

"It is still in its infancy. During its growth, the trumpet creeper will keep changing its environment until it produces flower buds. Then it will find a secluded place to stay and wait to bloom."

Xiang Ranyi couldn't tell whether the scholar was telling the truth or not, so she asked again, "This is the Paradise Forest, which belongs to the Black Sea Hell. Why have you come here?"

"Like you, I'm chasing the Lingxiao Barbarian. I've discovered that the local climate is suitable for it, so I've been waiting here for three days."

"I never expected to encounter such an interesting flower, and such an interesting person. It's a pity that the flower has disappeared."

“It’s no pity, because the person is still here. Since you are a kindred spirit among flowers, I, Qingyi, a guest merchant from Xiafeng Valley, would like to invite you to my residence to appreciate the flowers and share your understanding of floral philosophy.”

Xiang Ranyi saw that although this person had a bit of a drunken and wild air about him, he was also gentle, reasonable, and exceptionally handsome.

He immediately agreed: "Why not? Qiu Linxiang has already dyed my clothes and made them excellent."

"Hehe, please."

Shang Qingyi tidied up the wine jugs and cups by the stream and led Xiang Ranyi to the Realm of Nothingness.

A moment later, only a string of elegant verses remained in the Paradise Forest:

"Drunk in the mountains and forests, I find leisure amidst the white clouds. Laughing at the mortal world, it is always filled with love, hate, greed, anger, and delusion. If you ask where true freedom lies in the world, it is in the valley where the wind blows, where guests come from the mountains."

Chapter 297 Heavenly Capital Artifact Auction

Yi Se Qiu only lasted until the fourth day before handing over all his collection. Luo Hou left him one-tenth, and packed the rest to take back to Tian Du.

Before leaving, Luo Hou promised not to reveal his true identity.

Isshiki Akira also promised to retire from the martial arts world, return to Daozhen, and lead the Southern Cultivation Sect in fighting against the Forest Prison.

Instead of distributing the spoils of war to everyone, Luo Hou held an internal auction.

Aside from gold and silver jewelry, there are five other items in the collection.

Upon receiving the news, the people of Tiandu were filled with enthusiasm and took out their savings, ready to be the first to participate.

In addition, Luo Hou also issued auction invitations to Tianxia Fengdao, Baitaolue City, Yungu Leifeng, Dengdaoan, Siguo, Wanyi Shangbao, and Lunjianhai.

That evening, the main hall of Tiandu was brightly lit, as bright as day, and the hall was packed with wealthy bidders who came to participate in the auction.

Ji Xiashang served as the host.

"Friends and guests, the purpose of this auction is to raise funds to build a relief center. Therefore, it will be held by auction, and the highest bidder will win."

Chi Zixin came with Lady Xi. He had seen many treasures since childhood, and said dismissively, "There's plenty of money in Luecheng. Uncle Master, don't let me leave empty-handed!"

Xianling and Xiaoyue squeezed among the guests, followed by Suiyu and Lou Jingyun.

Suiyu asked, "Sister Xiaoyue, what does 'auction' mean?"

Jingyun bit her finger: "Sister Xiaoyue, what does 'auction' mean?"

Xianling turned around and replied, "I have a piece of candy. Suiyu wants to eat it, and Jingyun also wants to eat it. What should I do?"

"Of course, I'll let Jingyun have it."

Xianling rolled her eyes.

Xiaoyue then answered them: "I have a piece of candy that sells for one coin. Xianling will pay two coins, but Jingyun wants to eat it. What will you do, Suiyu?"

Suiyu scratched his head: "Am I supposed to pay three coins?"

“Smart, that’s what auctions are all about.”

"Quiet down, it's starting."

At this point, Ji Xiashang began introducing the items for this auction.

[First Item: The Unbreakable Protection]

In ancient times, a demon wielded five divine artifacts, unleashing waves of blood and bringing calamity upon all living beings.

Later, two divine monks used a sacred artifact and a supreme Buddhist secret technique to kill the demon, and the five divine artifacts were lost.

The extraordinary strategist Wolong Xing foresaw that the appearance of the divine artifacts would inevitably cause disaster, so he went so far as to create the Legend of Xuanyuan to seal the five divine artifacts.

However, the divine artifacts were still created in response to the calamity, and four of them fell into the hands of the schemer Gui Liang Tianxia.

Gui Liang Tianxia was ultimately killed by Yi Ye Shu and Fo Jian Fen Shuo. Cang Tian Zhi Xing, Rui Gan Zhi Ying, and Han Qiong Zhi Neng were severely injured by the "Buddha Zen Seal" and turned to ashes on the spot.

Only the incomprehensible protection was picked up by Zhaomu Zun and returned to the seal of Xuanyuan's legacy.

"The Unbreakable Protection can withstand any sword, blade, or palm strike, making it the strongest protective gear. The starting bid for this item is 10,000 taels of gold."

"What! Gold?"

Before the people of Tiandu could even marvel at the divine artifact, they were shocked by the auction price.

One tael of gold is equal to one hundred taels of silver, and ten thousand taels of gold is equal to one million taels of silver. This price is beyond the reach of the working class.

Tiandu is not without wealthy people, but the rich Huang Quan, Cui Luo Han, and Chao Yi Zhu are all away on business trips, leaving only two women who run businesses and Ya Shao, who inherited the legacy of the Shanghai-style Tian Lao Ye.

Ya Shao was naturally calm and composed, so he wouldn't speak first.

Shuangliu Yueke's martial arts skills were not high, so a protective artifact was tailor-made for her. She immediately said, "I'll offer 15,000 taels."

Lady Xi shared the same thought: Chi Zixin was always running around outside, and if he could wear this protective garment, she would feel much more at ease.

"I'll offer 20,000."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was shocked again. These two women were making far too extravagant bids.

Then another voice came: "Thank you for the 30,000 taels. I'm not trying to show off my wealth, but rather to give it as a gift to my little Yueyue."

I didn't expect the competition for the first item to be so fierce.

The host smiled slightly: "Thirty thousand taels, is there anyone else bidding? If not, this item belongs to Butterfly Lord."

Lady Xi smiled and said, "My son is older than Xiaoyue, so let him go to my younger sister."

Shuangliu Yueke naturally couldn't compete anymore: "This princess has already given up, Butterfly Lord, I won't give up the next item."

Butterfly Lord clasped his hands in thanks to the two of them.

[Second item: Xuanjue Flow Technique]

This is the martial arts technique practiced by the former martial arts villain, Xuan Yuan Bubai.

This is a special skill that, once mastered, makes one impervious to swords, spears, palm strikes, and all kinds of poisons.

Although this technique has seven fatal weaknesses, it can only be broken by using a person's seven souls to forge a spiritual sword and breaking them simultaneously or in sequence.

No one in the world knows how to use the Seven Souls Spirit Sword anymore, so mastering this technique will allow one to roam the world freely.