Chapter 487: Auction of the Eclipse

Chapter 487: Auction of the Eclipse

In an array on Donghuang Island, a burly True Dragon man appeared, his tall frame over two meters tall clad in heavy dragon-patterned battle armor, with a Celestial Fire Dragon-Tooth Spear slung across his back.

His face was cold and fierce, clearly not one to be trifled with, and the pedestrians around him instinctively kept their distance.

"Sir," a Pseudo-Dragon man in charge of the array mustered up his courage to approach.

Ji Xinghuo casually tossed over several True Dragon coins to pay for the teleportation fee without giving the man a second glance before striding out of the public array.

He scanned his surroundings.

The three starmoon hunt in the Sea Abyss had felt like half a year on Earth, and he felt somewhat detached from the world.

Upon leaving the Sea Abyss, he had immediately teleported back to Donghuang Island via the nearest public array in the Tianxu Domain.

Without lingering on the island, Ji Xinghuo took off towards the east.

His speed was unhurried.

Soon enough, he arrived at a picturesque island over three hundred kilometers away, which rose gracefully from the azure sea. A beautiful manor stood on the island, and within its artificial lake dwelt a colossal Azure dragon.

This was Cang Ya's home.

When he had first returned to Donghuang Island, Ji Xinghuo had used the Macro Cosmic Eye to confirm that Cang Ya was indeed at home.

He flew boldly towards the island, and just as the manor's guards had spotted his distant silhouette, before they could even sound an alert, he had already appeared on the island, descending directly into the manor.

"All of you, withdraw," a gentle voice rang out across the small island, and the guards and servants alike recognized the excitement and delight in their mistress's voice, so unlike her usual tranquil self.

On the balcony of the manor's master bedroom, Cang Ya gazed at the man before her, unable to hide the joy in her eyes.

She heaved a soft sigh of resentment, "I thought you wouldn't dare to come."

"Why ever not?" Ji Xinghuo replied with a smile.

He took in the sight of Cang Ya, whom he hadn't seen in a long while. She wore a plain-colored long skirt, exuding an elegant aura that complemented her unparalleled beauty. Her pale blue eyes, like the vast ocean, held a distant calm, yet beneath it lurked a surging tide of emotions, as if she had a thousand words to say.

"Are your injuries healed?" he asked softly.

"Almost," Cang Ya replied, her heart brimming with joy as he inquired about her well-being. "With a little more rest, I'll be fully recovered."

Ji Xinghuo nodded, "That's good."

His gaze swept over the guards in the manor, having already noticed something amiss. The defense of Cang Ya's home had been bolstered significantly, with a large number of additional Dragon Guards from the Cang Dragon Clan, and the vigilance was much higher than before.

"What's the story with them?" Ji Xinghuo asked, already having a guess, "Is it related to the Xu Kun Sky Unicorn?"

"Let's talk inside," Cang Ya said, leading Ji Xinghuo away from the balcony, out of the guards' sight.

She suddenly turned and threw herself into Ji Xinghuo's embrace, her fragrant breath washing over him, her rosy lips mere inches away. Ji Xinghuo, of course, wasted no time in wrapping his arms around her waist, savoring the moment.

After a long while, they parted, and Cang Ya's eyes were filled with allure. If not for the many eyes in the manor, she would have taken the initiative already.

Ji Xinghuo's heart was equally inflamed.

However, he had never been one to let his passions control his rationality, and he soon regained his composure.

"Next time, I'll have my fill of you," he teased, and only then did they take their seats in the living room, host and guest. With a serious expression, he asked, "Did the Xu Kun family cause you trouble?"

"Yes," Cang Ya nodded slightly, her face still flushed with lingering passion. "The day after I returned to Donghuang Island, Xu Kun Tianlin came looking for me. He demanded that I reveal your whereabouts and said he was willing to offer an adequate price for the return of the Azure Sky Ring."

"What price?" Ji Xinghuo asked curiously.

"Five hundred thousand ether crystals," Cang Ya replied, "as a starting point."

"Tsk..."

Ji Xinghuo scoffed. The Bicu Round Ring was an artifact of the Tianqi Three Stars, and not just any ordinary Three Stars, but one of the very best. Its power was comparable to a Four Star artifact and could be considered a treasure worthy of a race's heritage.

The value of such an item was immeasurable.

If put up for auction, the starting bid would be at least a million ether crystals, and it could easily fetch two or three times that amount.

"Not sincere at all," Ji Xinghuo said with contempt. "How did you respond?"

"I did as you suggested and told Xu Kun Tianlin your name, saying that you were a temporary teammate I had hired, and that I knew nothing else," Cang Ya said calmly. "Of course, he didn't believe me, but he didn't dare to make a move on me in the Xingyu Domain. A few days later, the Xu Kun Dragon King himself made an appearance and requested an audience with the Dragon Emperor, but he was not granted one."

Ji Xinghuo was startled.

The Dragon Emperor that Cang Ya referred to was the strongest member of the Cang Dragon Clan, the Dragon Emperor of the Bipo Dragon Domain, an Infinite Domain Lord.

This matter had actually drawn the attention of the Bipo Dragon Emperor?

"What was the Dragon Emperor's response?" Ji Xinghuo asked cautiously.

"I paid my respects to the Dragon Emperor as soon as I returned to Donghuang Island and reported the matter. His Majesty indicated that he was aware and gave no further instructions," Cang Ya said gravely. "However, after the Xu Kun Dragon King made his move, His Majesty sent a group of Dragon Guards to station at my home."

"The Bi Po Dragon Emperor hasn't given any explicit instructions, but he's making a statement by sending them here. He's warning the Xu Kun family not to harass you, Cang Ya."

"Of course, I understand that. As for the Bicu Round Ring, that's the Xu Kun family's business. The Dragon Emperor has no interest in interfering," Cang Ya said.

"Naturally, I understand that as well. But these past few days, there have been people secretly keeping watch in the waters near my home. As soon as you appeared, Xu Kun Tianlin will likely be informed. You must be careful," Cang Ya warned.

"Okay, I understand," Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Cang Ya held his hand and said, "You can stay at my manor. Even if Xu Kun Tianlin finds out, he wouldn't dare do anything. It's absolutely safe here."

"I can't stay at your place forever," Ji Xinghuo smiled. "This time, I came back because I heard that Donghuang Island will be holding a large-scale auction. Do you have any inside information about it?"

"So you came back for the auction." Cang Ya gave a light hum, thinking that Ji Xinghuo had returned because he missed her.

"Well, mainly to see you," Ji Xinghuo quickly added.

"Really?" Cang Ya teased, staring into his eyes. "You know, I'm quite skilled at observing others through their eyes."

"It's for the auction and for you," Ji Xinghuo corrected himself.

"Alright, I believe you," Cang Ya said, no longer teasing him. "Actually, I do have some inside information about this auction."

"Every three Stellar Years, our Cang Dragon Clan hosts the 'Cang Ming Auction' to collect and consolidate treasures and resources, generating profits while also enhancing the clan's prestige and creating a high-end brand."

"Originally, this Cang Ming Auction was supposed to be held towards the end of the cold season when the Sea Abyss enters its hunting low season, and the Sea Abyss hunters return to rest."

Ji Xinghuo nodded, as he had some prior knowledge about the Cang Ming Auction. It was usually held towards the end of the cold season, and currently, they were only halfway through.

"Why is it being held earlier?" he asked.

"It was the Dragon Emperor's request," Cang Ya said in a low voice. "Not long ago, His Majesty acquired an Eclipse Exotic, but it wasn't suitable for him, so he decided to put it up for auction and exchange it for other treasures or resources."

"An Eclipse Exotic!"

Ji Xinghuo was astonished.

Although he already possessed two Eclipse Exotics, it was precisely because of this that he understood the power and rarity of such beings. Almost no one would willingly miss out on an Eclipse Exotic unless it was completely incompatible with them.

Moreover, most people wouldn't dare to sell Eclipse Exotics. Those who obtained them would keep them hidden, making it difficult even to consider an exchange.

Only the Dragon Emperor could make such a move without fear of arousing greed.

The opportunity to directly purchase an Eclipse Exotic was incredibly rare; it might not occur even once in a hundred years.

This Eclipse Exotic would undoubtedly be the highlight of this Cang Ming Auction.

It was easy to imagine that it would attract countless powerful beings.

Ji Xinghuo asked curiously, "Has His Majesty revealed what kind of Exotic it is?"

"Multiple Personalities," Cang Ya replied.

"Never heard of it," Ji Xinghuo shook his head, guessing from the name that it was probably a psychic ability.

Cang Ya continued, "This Eclipse Exotic has many different names in various civilizations and races. In the Empire, it's called Multiple Personalities, but some also call it 'Soul Devourer', 'Unity', or 'Body Snatching'."

"What does it do?"

"It can plunder the minds of Exotics, merging their consciousness with its own, thus acquiring their Exotic abilities, knowledge, and memories. It becomes one of the host's control personalities, and through personality switching, the host gains all the powers of that personality."

"It can also integrate its own consciousness, Exotic abilities, and powers into one, directly entering the target Exotic's body and seizing control."

As Cang Ya explained the ability, a hint of fear flashed in her eyes.

Ji Xinghuo's scalp tingled as he listened.

Any fused abilities were permanently off-limits for further fusion, a fundamental rule that maintained order in the Stellar World and among the various racial civilizations.

Without this rule, everything would descend into chaos.

However, Multiple Personalities broke this rule, allowing the plunder of others' abilities by seizing their minds.

Imagine if a Mu Xing Saint, or even an Infinite Domain Lord, discovered your secret and possessed Multiple Personalities. They would have no hesitation, pursuing you to the edges of the Milky Way if necessary.

One's abilities, knowledge, and memories were essentially equivalent to one's soul.

"I think, therefore I am."

To have one's soul plundered was a torment far worse than death.

Such a terrifying Exotic... Cang Ya seemed to read Ji Xinghuo's thoughts and smiled softly, "You seem very worried about Multiple Personalities. Is it because you have too many secrets?"

"Don't overthink it," Cang Ya comforted her lover. "Multiple Personalities isn't that terrifying. It actually has its flaws."

"Oh?" Ji Xinghuo's eyes gleamed with interest. "What flaws?"

"Each time it plunders a soul, whether it's the host or the target, including personalities it already possesses, there is a mental struggle. The victor becomes the dominant personality and gains control over all personalities," Cang Ya explained.

"And after the plunder, it has to constantly suppress the other personalities."

She pointed to her head, "No one can guarantee they will always win the mental battle. If you lose, you might end up being possessed instead."

"The more personalities there are, the more chaotic the mental world becomes."

"Eventually, it might turn into a lunatic."

Hearing this, Ji Xinghuo's expression cleared.

No wonder the Bi Po Dragon Emperor was unwilling to fuse with this Eclipse Exotic. Aside from the mismatch, the bigger reason was that he didn't want to take the risk.

As an Infinite Domain Lord, the Dragon Emperor already possessed overwhelming power that dominated the Star Realm. There was no need to risk creating a vulnerability in his mind and consciousness for the sake of an Eclipse Exotic.

Considering the flaws, most Mu Xing Saints probably wouldn't dare to fuse with Multiple Personalities either.

However, this didn't concern him.

Ji Xinghuo asked, "Will there be any polarity-based kinetic slash Exotics at the Cang Ming auction this time?"

"Yes."

Cang Ya smiled, "I knew you would ask about this, so I paid special attention. A few days ago, the Chao Ge family sent a polarity-based kinetic slash Exotic for us to auction. The starting bid is 100,000 ether crystals."

A hundred thousand ether crystals...

Ji Xinghuo was speechless. And that was just the starting bid.

With such a large-scale Cang Ming auction, there would undoubtedly be many bidders eyeing the polarity-based kinetic slash Exotic, and the final transaction price would likely break records.

"Are you going to bid?" Cang Ya knew that he had always wanted this Exotic.

"It's too expensive."

Ji Xinghuo shook his head, but he didn't plan to give up just yet. There might be a chance to snag a bargain, so he needed to prepare his funds.

While in the secret realm, he had taken stock of his assets.

He had just over 120,000 ether crystals, along with 13 Shenying Pearls, 5 Doomsday Dragon Eyes, 3 Heart-devouring Demon Eyes, 25 True Marrow Injections, 1 Red Emperor Blood Crystal, and 2 portions of Azure Sea Essence.

These were all very valuable, especially the Shenying Pearls and Doomsday Dragon Eyes, each worth around 10,000 ether crystals.

He also had a batch of Starfall Exotics.

However, he only planned to sell the "Hydrokinesis" Exotic. Out of the seven Hydrokinesis Exotics, he would keep two for himself.

As for the others, like Three-Phase Transformation, Cloud and Sea Reversal, Gravity Field, and Meteor Fire Dragon Body, he intended to keep them and bring them back to Earth to see if his family and friends had any use for them before selling the rest.

"Can you help me sell all of these?"

Ji Xinghuo took out 5 Shenying Pearls and 5 Hydrokinesis Exotics, along with a large pile of rare materials collected by Zogres.

"So many Shenying Pearls!"

Cang Ya's eyes widened in surprise as she examined the items, then smiled, "Looks like you had quite the harvest in the Sea Abyss."

"Not bad, I did gain a little something," Ji Xinghuo replied, half-truthfully.

"You should be able to sell all of this for over 100,000 ether crystals." Cang Ya was quite knowledgeable in this area and quickly gave an estimate.

Ji Xinghuo suddenly remembered something else.

He took out a shield-like piece of lightweight dragon armor, densely covered in dragon patterns as if it were forged from countless dragon scales. However, there was a broken blade-like crack in the center. "Can you find someone to repair this Inverse Dragon Armor?" he asked.

"Inverse Dragon Armor!"

Cang Ya's eyes widened in shock. "A defensive equipment of the Tianqi Two Stars, and this is what you call a little harvest?"

"Hehe..." Ji Xinghuo laughed.

It took a while for Cang Ya to regain her composure. She took the Inverse Dragon Armor and examined it carefully, "I'm not a professional restorer, so I can't make any promises. The damage to your Inverse Dragon Armor isn't too severe. It can be repaired by at least 90%, but it won't be cheap. It might cost around 30,000 ether crystals or even more."

"As long as it can be repaired, that's fine." Ji Xinghuo didn't hesitate. A fully intact Inverse Dragon Armor was worth far more than 30,000 ether crystals.

Equipment of the Tianqi Two Stars could easily sell for two to three hundred thousand ether crystals.

Cang Ya stood up.

"I'll take you to meet a restoration master and ask him to help. While we're at it, let's make a trip to Donghuang Island to sell all your items and convert them into ether crystals." She looked at Ji Xinghuo, "Do you want to come along?"

"Of course," Ji Xinghuo readily agreed.

The two walked to the center of the manor.

A long-bodied dragon with billowing clouds and mist descended from the sky—it was the Cloud Sea Dragon.

Upon seeing Ji Xinghuo, its eyes lit up, and its massive head moved forward affectionately, wanting to lick Ji Xinghuo, but it stopped when Ji Xinghuo glared at it. Its eyes were filled with grievance, but it couldn't help trying to curry favor with him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end