Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi
Chapter 879 - 877: Determined to Win

"The auction officially begins!"

With a calm announcement from the white-haired and youthful-looking Dugu Li, all the formidable figures in the hall promptly closed their mouths, watching quietly as treasures began to appear on the auction block.

This was, after all, an auction organized under the royal auspices of Nantian Wen.

Compared to those organized by other commercial companies, it seemed much more solemn.

Only top leaders of various forces were able to attend the auction, each aware of Xiao Yi's identity, and none dared to step forward and provoke him.

The entire auction process went particularly smoothly.

Each auction item fetched a decent price, making Nantian Wen's smile increasingly radiant.

Finding it strange, Little Lin asked, "Your Majesty, you control the existence of the Nantian Dynasty, why would you host an auction?"

"..."

Nantian Wen rolled his eyes and said with a speechless expression, "Little fellow, this is because you haven't managed a household and don't know the cost of necessities! It's true that I wield power over the Nantian Dynasty, but precisely for that reason, I also have to spend countless wealth to build up the dynasty."

Nearby, Nantian Ao nodded and added, "Not to mention anything else... just the city's defense forces. Excluding weapons, armor, and cultivation resources, the mere yearly allowance of a regular soldier is ten thousand Silver, one hundred thousand for regular soldiers... fifty thousand for a captain, one hundred thousand for a major captain, five hundred thousand for a Deputy Commander, and one million for a Commander, not to mention deputy generals and main generals..."

"Just the annual expenses of the city defense forces, plus the cultivation resources, amount to no less than a trillion..."

Nantian Wen gave a wry smile and continued, "And the Nantian Dynasty altogether has over eighteen million troops. Aside from them, we also have the royal family members, and the annual budget for the Nantian Holy Institute is no less than one hundred trillion Silver..."

Sharp intakes of breath echoed throughout the crowd.

Little Lin was even counting on his fingers, looking at Nantian Wen with a face full of sympathy, "Your Majesty, being an emperor has left you quite poor!"

Nantian Wen's eyelid twitched: "…"

Nantian Ao cornered his mouth and sneaked a look at Nantian Wen.

Xiao Yi rubbed Little Lin's head, "Little Lin, hold back a bit. Can't you see his Majesty's face is almost the color of a pig's liver?" He looked towards Nantian Wen, "The little guy only speaks blunt truths, please don't take offense!"

Nantian Wen looked deeply at Xiao Yi, his mournful gaze as if to say: Are you really comforting me?

It was then that Dugu Li's voice sounded, "Coming up next is the last item of today's auction, and I am sure everyone here is aware of the Hall of Longevity, the sole ruler of Qingtian Realm during the Ancient Times..."

"At last!"

"Our ancestor strictly ordered that we must obtain this treasure!"

"Gentlemen, this treasure is destined for Tian Yun Temple, and we are determined to have it. I hope everyone will give this poor monk some consideration!", said a monk with a scar on his head as he stood up and gave a Buddhist salute to the crowd, all smiles.

For a moment.

The noisy hall became silent, and the intense gazes of many powerful individuals fixed on the monk grew more solemn.

"Monk Xue of Tian Yun Temple? Unexpectedly, they are also determined to acquire this object. It seems we have to give up this time...", someone sighed with reluctance.

Another person simply gave a bitter smile, "Tian Yun Temple? Can't afford to provoke, can't afford indeed..."

Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and turned to Nantian Wen, asking, "Is Tian Yun Temple very strong?"

"This Tian Yun Temple follows the path of demonic monks, and their abbot, Abbot Tian Yun, possesses the cultivation of the Fifth Layer Heaven Honor Realm, which is exceptional!"

Nantian Wen nodded in response, a hint of disgust in his eyes as he frowned and questioned Nantian Ao, "How did the people from Tian Yun Temple even get here? Didn't I say not to send them an invitation?"

Nantian Ao replied with a bitter smile, "It was the Crown Prince who sent them an invitation…"

"Lang'er?"

Nantian Wen was stunned, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.

It seemed that he was not too satisfied with the crown prince.

Nantian Wen looked apologetically at Xiao Yi, "I didn't expect the people from Tian Yun Temple to intervene, Xiao Yi. Maybe you shouldn't compete this time. The monks' ways are extremely cunning, and they are ruthless and vengeful..."

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "No worries. Let's first see what this treasure is. If it's useful to me, it isn't just a group of pretend monks I'm willing to contend with—even if it were the Buddha himself, I would be determined to get it!"

At that moment,

the last treasure had been brought onto the stage, protected by a golden cover that obscured its true form.

Dugu Li placed his palm on the golden cover, his calm gaze sweeping over the crowd, his words laced with a bewitching magic power, "This ultimate treasure happened to fall into the hands of our royal family by a serendipitous twist of fate. Our royals have researched it and believe that there should be eight metal pieces in total—this is only one of them. What we can confirm is that it has a close connection with the Hall of Longevity..."

Swish!

Dugu Li lifted his hand, and the golden cover flew off.

Hum!

A beam of treasure light shot into the sky.

It was a metallic piece that shone with a golden light, with mysterious runes upon it.

Dugu Li pointed to the metal piece in front of him, his words tinged with regret, "Unfortunately, despite our royals' best efforts, we were only able to deduce its origins but couldn't comprehend the mysterious runes on it. That's why we've decided to auction this treasure. The starting bid is ten billion silver, with each increment not less than one billion…"

Xiao Yi's body tensed, his eyes fixated on the golden piece.

The royals of the Nantian Dynasty didn't recognize these runes.

However, Xiao Yi could see them clearly—they were characters from Ancient Times, long lost. But for Xiao Yi, they presented no difficulty; the metal piece was marked with spatial coordinates.

These spatial coordinates pointed exactly to the location of the Hall of Longevity in the depths of the void!

That meant this was a map leading to the Hall of Longevity!

Although it was only one-eighth, it was still priceless.

Not to mention ten billion silver.

Even if it was a trillion silver, it would be worth it!

However,

Xiao Yi didn't immediately speak up to vie for it, instead, he observed quietly. But Monk Xue had already taken the lead, "Tian Yun Temple is willing to offer fifty billion silver to purchase it, the abbot insists on acquiring it. I hope everyone can offer us some courtesy!"

"Monks renounce worldly possessions—why vie for such extraneous things? I bid one hundred billion!" Someone in the crowd spoke up.

Monk Xue's eyes narrowed, his cold gaze turning to the speaker.

Nantian Ao whispered, "This man is Luo Feng from the esteemed Luo Family, at the peak of the Peak of Earth Revered Realm, also a very formidable master."

Xiao Yi nodded slightly, watching the two opposing figures with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

The price had already been pushed to five hundred billion.

Luo Feng looked at Monk Xue triumphantly, "Monk, didn't you say you were determined to get it? If you have the ability, keep bidding!"

"Amitabha!"

Monk Xue pressed his palms together, his expression serene and kind, "The benefactor jests. We of the Buddhist sect do not compete with the world, so we will let you have it! However... this item is ominous, obtaining it might not bode well for the benefactor. This poor monk wishes the benefactor's family peace and everlasting grace from Buddha..."

Monk Xue's face was all smiles, but his words carried a thick threat.

Luo Feng's expression darkened as he scoffed, "Others may fear your Tian Yun Temple, but my Luo Family does not!" He stood up, looking towards Dugu Li, "Li, should this treasure be mine now?"

Dugu Li hesitated, just about to speak.

Xiao Yi slowly said, "One trillion silver, this item is mine!"