Deep within the Netherworld Sea, an inconspicuous coral reef slowly shifted aside, revealing a deep passage leading to the seabed. Tang Xiaoqi, draped in a concealment cloak and holding a special invitation, sank into the deep sea along with a group of oddly-dressed cultivators. At the end of the passage stood a magnificent underwater palace where the most secretive auction in the three realms was being held—the "Netherworld Assembly."
"Please present your token." The guard at the palace gate had fish gills, his voice hoarse. Xiao Qi handed over a black scale found on the captured Demon Clan descendant. After inspection, the guard respectfully allowed entry.
Within the grand hall, lights and shadows were ethereal. Buyers from various races hid within specially-designed compartments. Xiao Qi, guided by an attendant, walked into Compartment Seven, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue. There were at least twenty compartments here, each emanating powerful auras—the weakest was early Nascent Soul stage.
"The demons really spared no expense this time." he thought to himself.
On the auction platform, a host wearing a ghost mask struck a bronze bell: "Welcome, honored guests, to the Netherworld Assembly. Rules remain unchanged: highest bidder wins, no questions asked about origins."
The first auction item was a sword blade emanating a bloody aura, said to have tasted the blood of a Spirit Transformation cultivator. After several rounds of bidding, it was sold at an astronomic price to the buyer in Compartment Three.
Xiao Qi wasn't interested in these. His target was the final auction item. According to information obtained from soul searching, this auction would feature a piece of "Outer Realm Star Iron" containing coordinates to an important void.
Midway through the auction, a special item caught his attention.
"Next is item number ten point three—ancient Demon Clan bloodline secret manual." The host unveiled a bone slip emanating faint ghostly light. "It is said to contain cultivation secrets of pure-blooded demons."
The venue immediately erupted in commotion. Demon Clan cultivation secrets held irresistible attraction for any cultivator.
"Starting bid, one million superior-grade spirit stones!"
Bidding instantly heated up. Xiao Qi noticed several compartments were particularly enthusiastic—likely hidden Demon Clan descendants. He deliberately joined the bidding, driving the price to three million, then suddenly withdrew.
Ultimately, the secret manual was sold to Compartment Two at an astronomic three million five hundred thousand. Xiao Qi secretly noted the compartment's characteristics for later investigation.
As the auction approached its end, the host finally presented the featured auction item.
"Everyone, now for the highlight of today's auction—" He carefully lifted a jade box. "Outer Realm Star Iron!"
The moment the jade box opened, the entire hall's space showed subtle distortion. Inside the box lay a fist-sized piece of black iron, its surface covered with star-like specks of light, emanating a rich void aura.
"This item comes from beyond the heavens, with natural coordinates to a certain void." The host's voice carried temptation. "It is said this void hides an ancient secret cache..."
Xiao Qi's spiritual sense swept over the Star Iron, and his heart. The astrolabe transmitted confirmation: the coordinates on this were precisely to the void rift where the demonic entity hid! Moreover, the coordinates were even more precise than the astrolabe's divination, even marking several safe paths.
"Starting bid, five million superior-grade spirit stones!"
This price made most buyers despair, but three or four compartments still joined the bidding. Xiao Qi noticed one of them was Compartment Two, which had just acquired the demon secret manual.
"Six million."
"Six million five hundred thousand."
"Seven million..."
Prices climbed steadily. When bidding reached eight million, only Xiao Qi and Compartment Two remained.
"Nine million." Xiao Qi spoke for the first time, his voice disguised to sound elderly and dignified.
Compartment Two was silent for a moment, then offered: "Nine million five hundred thousand."
"Ten million."
The entire hall erupted in commotion. Ten million superior-grade spirit stones—this was equivalent to the entire savings of a medium-sized sect. Compartment Two finally gave up, but Xiao Qi could feel the gaze the other party cast toward him.
Transaction complete, the Outer Realm Star Iron was delivered to Xiao Qi's hands. He immediately sensed the void power contained within, and more exciting—the Star Iron also concealed a detailed spatial map!
"Let's go." He transmitted to Liu Yun hidden in the shadows.
But just as they prepared to leave, the entire hall was suddenly sealed by a powerful barrier!
"Why rush to leave?" The curtain of Compartment Two opened, revealing a Demon Clan descendant with twin horns. "Since you're here, stay."
At the same time, other compartments also had demon cultivators emerge, surrounding the auction venue. So this was actually a trap—the auction was false; luring people who might know void secrets was the real purpose!
"Surrender the Outer Realm Star Iron," the demon leader. "Perhaps we'll let you keep your bodies intact."
Xiao Qi slowly removed his hood, revealing his true appearance: "Is that so?"
The Qinglian Domain instantly expanded, and pure purification power made the demons cry out in pain. They never expected this seemingly ordinary buyer to be Alliance Leader Tang Xiaoqi!
"It's you!" The demon leader was both shocked and furious. "Formation!"
The surviving demons quickly formed an ancient battle array. Demonic energy transformed into a massive demon head, opening its mouth to bite toward Xiao Qi. This demon head emanated the unique pressure of ancient demons, and even space twisted under its pressure.
Xiao Qi remained composed. The Nirvana Flame Sword unsheathed with a ringing sound. But this time, flowing on the blade was no longer the usual but silver radiance carrying spatial fluctuations!
"Spatial Slash!"
The blade swept across, and a tiny spatial crack suddenly appeared before the demon head. The demon head collided with the crack and was actually slashed in two! Residual demonic energy was devoured by the crack, vanishing without a trace.
"Impossible!" The demon leader's eyes widened. "How could you master spatial laws?"
Xiao Qi didn't give the opponent time to react. The Void Dragon Step materialized, his form ghost-like as he traversed among the demons. Each appearance meant a demon falling. In merely moments, except for the leader, all demons were subdued.
"Tell me," Xiao Qi's sword pointed at the demon leader, "what is your true purpose in seeking these void coordinates?"
The demon leader: "To welcome our Ancestor's return! When the Ancestor breaks through the void barrier, it will be your doom, ants!"
He bit the poison pill in his mouth, his body rapidly dissolving into a puddle of black water. The other captured demons also self-destructed one after another, clearly prepared for death long ago.
Xiao Qi frowningly put away the Outer Realm Star Iron. Although he successfully obtained the coordinates, the demons' desperation unsettled him. They seemed absolutely confident in the demonic entity's return, and there must be conspiracies unknown to him.
When Xiao Qi returned to Qingxu Temple with the Outer Realm Star Iron, the astrolabe's divination gave an shocking result: the void rift indicated by these coordinates would have a brief intersection with the main world in just three months!
In other words, they had only three months to prepare., either they would attack into the void, or the demonic entity would break free!
The day of final battle suddenly seemed imminent.