On the seventh floor of the Imperial Heaven Pavilion, within a private chamber of the hall that housed numerous high-grade Dao Swords, Shopkeeper Wang stood stunned.
"Thirty-two?" he blurted out instinctively. "Fellow Daoist, are you joking?"
Realizing his words might have been impolite, he quickly added, "Please don't misunderstand. I can authorize the sale of one or two high-grade Dao Swords, but for such a large quantity, my authority is insufficient. I'll need to bring in a higher-ranking manager to meet your needs."
Han Yi's expression remained unchanged. Shopkeeper Wang was only at the Dao Fruit Realm, so it was understandable that he lacked the authority to handle such a large transaction. The quantity of Dao Swords Han Yi wished to purchase far exceeded the capacity of the Dao Fruit Realm. Even most Outer Path cultivators couldn't possibly acquire such a number of high-grade Dao Swords in a single transaction.
"You heard correctly," Han Yi emphasized. "I want to purchase thirty-two Dao Swords, and no less."
Shopkeeper Wang took a deep breath to steady himself. Clasping his hands, he said, "Please wait here, Fellow Daoist. I'll fetch another manager."
Having heard Han Yi's declaration, Shopkeeper Wang naturally followed procedure. He wasn't worried about Han Yi making things up; this was the established rule of the Imperial Heaven Pavilion, and having managed the shop for so many years, he wouldn't dare break it.
Shopkeeper Wang left and returned within half a minute, accompanied by a cultivator who entered the private chamber. To Han Yi's surprise, it was a female cultivator, and her cultivation realm was even more unexpected: she was at the Dao Harmonization Realm.
An Outer Path cultivator fuses their Dao Fruit and Dao Realm into a single entity, giving birth to a Heretical Dharma Manifestation. A Dao Harmonization cultivator, however, integrates their Dao Body and Dao Soul into this manifestation—or rather, achieves a harmonious unity with it, rather than a fusion.
When the Dao Body and Dao Soul harmonize with the Heretical Dharma Manifestation, it can harness their power to condense the cultivator's entire strength into a single, unified force. This is the essence of Harmonization with the Dao.
Cultivators at the Dao Harmonization Realm exude a profound aura of harmonized Dao resonance, a flawless resonance that permeates every movement. Han Yi could naturally sense this aura.
This female cultivator, having achieved Harmonization with the Dao, appeared externally as a graceful woman of about thirty years of age. However, Han Yi wouldn't underestimate her. Any cultivator at the Dao Harmonization Realm is a powerhouse who has, to some extent, reached the pinnacle of the Dao path.
Although Han Yi was confident that his full capabilities would grant him combat power equivalent to the Dao Harmonization Realm, he knew that every cultivator at that level possessed hidden trump cards. It was possible that his opponent also held a Heavenly Venerate-level trump card.
The female cultivator entered the compartment and calmly greeted Han Yi without any visible disturbance in her gaze. She sat across from him and smiled gently. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist. I am one of the Vice Pavilion Masters of the Imperial Heaven Pavilion. You may call me Suyin. How should I address you?"
Han Yi met Daoist Suyin's gaze, seeing the unfathomable depth of her Dao Intent within her eyes. He replied calmly, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Suyin. You may call me Taiyi."
The name Taiyi wasn't chosen casually. In the Great Luo Realm, as his strength grew, many cultivators had come to respectfully address him as Taiyi Dao Ancestor. Within the Profound Pill Sect on Heavenly Kui Mountain, some even referred to him as Reverend Master Taiyi. Thus, Taiyi could be considered his formal title.
A flicker of surprise arose in Daoist Suyin's mind. He hadn't concealed his Dao Harmonization aura with any Dao Technique. Yet, from her initial assessment, the cultivator before her appeared to be only at the Dao Fruit Realm. Though he carried a high-grade Dao Sword on his back, there was nothing else particularly remarkable about him.
Upon first meeting, the newcomer showed no discernible change in expression or subtle physical reactions. This suggested that he wasn't treating the Dao Harmonization Realm cultivator as someone two realms below him, implying that he likely wasn't intimidated by the Dao Harmonization Realm.
There were several possible explanations. First, he might frequently associate with Dao Harmonization Realm cultivators, making them seem ordinary to him. This would suggest he belonged to a major Great Power. Second, he might be concealing his true cultivation realm, actually being at the Dao Harmonization Realm himself. Third, he might be concealing his true strength. Though currently at the Dao Fruit Realm, he might not fear the Dao Harmonization Realm, perhaps even having fought and defeated cultivators at that realm before.
If the first explanation were true, he wouldn't have come alone to the Imperial Heaven Pavilion. The third explanation seemed highly unlikely. Therefore, Daoist Suyin guessed that the second explanation was most likely correct.
The newcomer was using some method to conceal his true cultivation realm, a method so sophisticated that even the Imperial Heaven Pavilion's Ancient Artifacts couldn't detect it. His original cultivation realm was likely the same as hers: the Dao Harmonization Realm.
Various thoughts flashed through Daoist Suyin's mind before she returned to the main topic. "I heard from Manager Wang that Fellow Daoist Taiyi needs to purchase a batch of high-grade Dao Swords?"
Han Yi nodded. "That's correct, but I don't have enough Dao Crystals. I need to sell some items I don't need to your pavilion first."
"Manager Wang has already appraised a batch of items. Do you agree with his valuation, Fellow Daoist? Or do you need a reevaluation?"
Daoist Suyin shook her head. "There's no need to reevaluate items that Manager Wang has already appraised."
Han Yi nodded and produced another item, placing it before her. "In that case, let's continue."
Daoist Suyin acknowledged this and took the item to begin her appraisal. Her assessment was much faster than Shopkeeper Wang's.
However, as time passed, Daoist Suyin's astonishment grew. Han Yi continued to produce items in an endless stream, their quality steadily increasing until even high-rank Dao Artifacts appeared. The variety of items was striking, clearly originating from different cultivators.
Has this fellow robbed treasure vaults from multiple Heavenly Venerable factions? Daoist Suyin wondered inwardly.
Three full hours passed before the appraisal finally concluded.
The final tally revealed over ten thousand Dao-grade treasures.
Of course, given Daoist Suyin's vast experience and discernment, these items merely astonished her; they were far from shocking.
She placed Han Yi's treasures into a Jade Box. Though small, its interior contained a miniature cosmos—a Dao Artifact specifically designed by the Imperial Heaven Pavilion for storing precious items.
"In total, 11,376 items. Valued at 9,630,000,000 Dao Crystals. Fellow Daoist, this is a substantial transaction. I'll round it up to 9,640,000,000 Dao Crystals. How does that sound?"
Han Yi nodded, accepting the price.
This appraisal had liquidated over 90% of the treasures he had accumulated during his eight millennia in the Dao Realm.
He was selling so much because, in addition to purchasing a high-grade Dao Sword, he needed to reserve enough Dao Crystals to participate in the Source Crystal auction.
If he could obtain a Source Crystal, he could transform it into a Life Seed, dramatically increasing his cultivation efficiency.
As for why he wanted to purchase high-grade Dao Swords, it was because he intended to restructure his Sword Realm.
After being modified by the Panel, his Sword Realm had transformed into the Void Sword Realm.
The Void Sword Realm was currently at the basic level of Dao Technique. When Han Yi first comprehended the Void Sword Realm, he learned that if this Dao Technique were advanced to the high-grade level, it could utilize thirty-three high-grade Dao Swords to form an extraordinarily powerful Sword Realm, one that could even wield the preliminary power of a Heavenly Venerable.
Han Yi's purchase of high-grade Dao Swords was a preemptive measure.
Seeing Han Yi agree, Daoist Suyin waved her hand, and the private chamber they were in expanded dramatically. Simultaneously, nearly two hundred Dao Swords hanging on the hall's walls trembled slightly before transforming into streaks of light that shot down and landed in the chamber.
This spectacle caused the shopkeepers and cultivators in the other private chambers to exchange bewildered glances. In one chamber, an Outer Path cultivator asked the Outer Path Manager before him:
"What's going on? How can buying high-grade Dao Swords allow for such a massive selection at once?"
The Outer Path Manager nodded. "Indeed, it's possible. However, I cannot do it myself. Only the Vice Pavilion Masters at the Dao Harmonization Realm have the authority to mobilize more than three Dao Swords at once."
"But mobilizing over two hundred Dao Swords at once... I've never seen anything like this before."
"It is rather peculiar."
Upon hearing the mention of a Dao Harmonization Realm Vice Pavilion Master, the questioning cultivator's gaze sharpened.
The Pavilion Master of the Imperial Heaven Pavilion held a lofty position as a Heavenly Venerable. However, this Heavenly Venerable rarely resided within the pavilion, preferring to cultivate at the Imperial Heaven Dao Palace. In reality, the day-to-day operations of the Imperial Heaven Pavilion were overseen by seven Vice Pavilion Masters, all of whom were at the Dao Harmonization Realm.
With such a formidable background and immense power, the Imperial Heaven Pavilion remained impervious to the covetous eyes of other cultivators.
In another compartment, Han Yi observed Daoist Suyin's actions, and his eyes flickered slightly. He could tell that Daoist Suyin wasn't mobilizing over two hundred high-grade Dao Swords through her own Dao Power. Instead, she was channeling the power of a far more potent 'Spirit' to control them.
After all, the power of high-grade Dao Swords was inherently formidable. Even for a cultivator at the Dao Harmonization Realm, suppressing over two hundred such swords simultaneously would be a daunting task.
"These are some of our high-grade Dao Swords. Feel free to choose one, Fellow Daoist. If you're not satisfied, I'll gladly exchange it for another," Daoist Suyin said with a smile.
Han Yi's gaze swept across the array of swords hanging before him. Each emitted a distinct aura: some as gentle as flowing water, others blazing with fiery intensity, some shimmering with phantom shadows, and others radiating razor-sharp brilliance.
He beckoned and took hold of a sword that radiated overwhelming slaughter intent. The sword trembled violently, its heaven-shaking killing intent surging, yet it couldn't break free from Han Yi's grasp. Han Yi remained utterly unaffected, as if the sword's murderous aura couldn't even ripple his mental state.
This display stirred something within Daoist Suyin, further solidifying her earlier suspicion: Han Yi was likely a cultivator of the Dao Harmonization Realm, concealing his true aura to appear as a Dao Fruit Realm cultivator.
As for why he would do such a thing, she neither knew nor cared to speculate.
"This sword is called Life-Slayer, a blade of slaughter par excellence. Its path is extreme, devoted solely to slaughter, which makes it prone to recoil against its wielder. Fellow Daoist, if you choose this sword, you must be mindful of this," Daoist Suyin explained.
Han Yi nodded. This Life-Slaughtering Dao Sword possessed an even sharper killing intent than the Autumn Water Sword he carried on his back—exactly what he needed.
Han Yi wasn't concerned about potential backlash. When the Void Sword Realm reformed, it would be led by the most powerful peak high-grade Dao Sword, serving as its sovereign. While the Life-Slaughtering Dao Sword was formidable, it still fell short of that standard.
"What is the price of this Dao Sword?" Han Yi asked.
"The Life-Slaughtering Dao Sword is priced at 170 million Dao Crystals," Daoist Suyin replied concisely. Her brevity stemmed from her realization that Han Yi didn't need a detailed explanation; he simply wanted to know the price.
"Good." Han Yi set the sword aside, indicating his interest in it.
He then picked up another Dao Sword, one radiating an even more ferocious aura than the Life-Slaughtering Dao Sword's slaughterous energy.
"The Great Awakening Dao Sword," Daoist Suyin explained succinctly, "is an utterly ferocious blade, priced at 230 million Dao Crystals."
Han Yi placed it beside the Life-Slaughtering Dao Sword and turned his attention to a third.
As time passed, Daoist Suyin began to discern the pattern in Han Yi's sword selection.
Slaying Sword, Ferocious Sword, Ruthless Sword, Slaughtering Sword...
Each shared a common trait: they were all offensive, killing-oriented blades.
She gave Han Yi a deep look. If the swords used by this Daoist were the ones being selected, his combat prowess could not be underestimated.
Han Yi made his selections quickly. As a Sword Cultivator, his intuition for Dao Swords was remarkably accurate, requiring little deliberation.
After half an hour, having cycled through several batches of Dao Swords, he finally selected the thirty-two high-grade Dao Swords he needed.
Among them was one particularly exceptional sword, a peak Dao Sword that rivaled the Taosi Divine Axe in quality. Its name was Profound Abyss.
The total cost of these thirty-two Dao Swords came to exactly 8.5 billion Dao Crystals, with the Profound Abyss alone accounting for one-sixth of the total, or approximately 1.4 billion Dao Crystals—a truly exorbitant price.
After settling the account, Han Yi exchanged over ten thousand Dao-grade treasures for the thirty-two high-grade Dao Swords, including the peak sword Profound Abyss, leaving him with a remainder of 1.14 billion Dao Crystals.
This result left Han Yi feeling somewhat helpless.
He knew that with only 1.14 billion Dao Crystals remaining, he would struggle to purchase any significant amount of Source Crystals at the upcoming auction, even if he managed to secure some.
Yet he had already sold all his surplus treasures; what remained were essential items he couldn't afford to part with.
"No need to rush," Han Yi thought. "Treasures like Source Crystals should appear periodically. Even if I can't secure one this time, there will be ample opportunities in the future."
With a wave of his hand, he stored all thirty-two Dao Swords into his Divine Aperture World and suppressed them.
This display caused Daoist Suyin's pupils to constrict slightly. Even she would need considerable effort to suppress thirty-two high-grade Dao Swords within her inner Dao Realm. Yet Daoist Taiyi accomplished it with such ease, and without the slightest aura leakage after storing them, proving his overwhelming control over these advanced artifacts.
This was beyond the capabilities of a mere Dao Fruit Realm cultivator.
He must be concealing his true strength, actually a Dao Harmonization Realm expert—perhaps even surpassing an ordinary member of that realm, given his display just now. He was undoubtedly far stronger than she was.
Daoist Suyin remained unaware that Han Yi was a High-Rank Immeasurable. After his recent advancement, he had mastered suppressing his Divine Race aura to the point where only Heavenly Venerate-level beings could discern it.
"By the way," Han Yi continued, "I heard from Manager Wang that your pavilion will be auctioning a Source Crystal. Fellow Daoist, what qualifications are required to participate in this auction?"