Ye Ling appeared at the center of the auction stage, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
The powerhouses from all states turned their gaze towards Ye Ling, trying to guess his identity.
Although Ye Ling, the City Lord of Tianren City, was already renowned, no one had ever seen his true face. His sudden appearance left many present stunned, unable to react for a moment.
Seeing Ye Ling emerge, Bai Ling respectfully stepped aside, yielding the entire stage to him.
Ye Ling, holding the Chaos Heart in one hand, swept his gaze across the assembled cultivators and said with a smile, "I am the City Lord of Tianren City. Esteemed lords of the First Heaven, I am deeply honored by your presence in my humble Tianren City today."
A hot-tempered Heavenly Void Emperor, impatient with Ye Ling's words, immediately interjected, "Stop the pleasantries. Since you've decided to auction the Chaos Heart, you owe us an explanation! Our respective families have brought out their sacred artifacts for bidding. Who will you sell the Chaos Heart to?"
After speaking, the Heavenly Void Emperor unleashed his oppressive aura towards Ye Ling, attempting to pressure him into handing over the Chaos Heart!
The current situation was beyond the scope of ordinary auction bidding.
The value of each state's sacred artifact was immeasurable. The fact that all states had brought out their sacred artifacts for bidding indicated their unwavering determination to obtain the Chaos Heart.
No matter whom Ye Ling sold the Chaos Heart to, it would be justifiable in principle.
Of course, by selling the Chaos Heart, Ye Ling was bound to offend all the other powerhouses who did not acquire it!
Furthermore, the one who acquired the Chaos Heart might not necessarily be grateful to Ye Ling.
The situation on the scene was no longer easily manageable.
However, Ye Ling remained unfazed by the Heavenly Void Emperor's oppressive aura. He merely smiled and continued addressing the assembled powerhouses, "Esteemed lords, since you are here to bid, mere verbal offers will not suffice. You must present your sacred artifacts here for me to witness your strength."
Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, a commotion erupted among the powerhouses in the air, their eyes showing hesitation.
Their sacred artifacts were kept under heavy protection within their respective sacred lands. Even they could not simply retrieve them at will.
If they could be certain of acquiring the Chaos Heart in exchange for their sacred artifacts, they would not hesitate to return and retrieve them. However, with so many people coveting the Chaos Heart present, no one on the scene could guarantee they would obtain it with 100% certainty!
If they brought their sacred artifacts and failed to acquire the Chaos Heart, they would be held accountable for any unforeseen accidents that might befall their sacred artifacts in the outside world.
Seeing the powerhouses in the air hesitate, Ye Ling was not in a hurry. He immediately manipulated Ancestor Moon Wheel to bring forth the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou, while also instructing Ancestor Moon Wheel to announce loudly, "These are the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou. If City Lord Ye deems them worthy, please bestow the Chaos Heart upon me!"
The appearance of the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou in Tianren City unleashed their immense power, sweeping across the entire city and causing a tremendous uproar!
Ye Ling chuckled, "Very good… Since Ancestor Moon Wheel has shown such sincerity, this Chaos Heart shall go to…"
"Wait!"
An old woman from Bonezhou quickly called out to Ye Ling. She then swiftly employed a divine ability, opening a spatial passage before herself and ushering forth the Four Sacred Artifacts of Bonezhou!
The manifestation of the Four Sacred Artifacts of Bonezhou in Tianren City also unleashed their power, engulfing the surroundings, even surpassing the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou presented by Ancestor Moon Wheel.
The oppressive aura emanating from the Four Sacred Artifacts of Bonezhou caused the entire Tianren City to distort!
The old woman, having presented the Four Sacred Artifacts of Bonezhou, said to Ye Ling, "City Lord Ye, these are the Four Sacred Artifacts of my Bonezhou, and their power surpasses that of the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou. Surely, I am qualified to bid for the Chaos Heart, am I not?"
Ye Ling's smile was radiant. "Of course, you are qualified. Compared to the Three Sacred Artifacts of Lingzhou, I prefer those of Bonezhou."
With that, Ye Ling prepared to send the Chaos Heart towards the old woman. Her eyes lit up as she saw the Chaos Heart flying towards her, her heart beating rapidly.
"Hold on! These are the Three Sacred Artifacts of Sacred Spiritzhou!"
A supreme immortal from Sacred Spiritzhou, seeing the Chaos Heart about to be claimed by Bonezhou, could no longer remain composed. He immediately emulated the old woman from Bonezhou and presented the sacred artifacts of Sacred Spiritzhou.
"Sacred Spiritzhou's sacred artifacts, I like those too."
Upon seeing the Sacred Spiritzhou sacred artifacts, Ye Ling retracted the Chaos Heart, leaving the old woman from Bonezhou empty-handed.
With the individuals from Bonezhou and Sacred Spiritzhou leading the charge, the powerhouses from other major states, fearing they would miss out on the opportunity to bid for the Chaos Heart, also displayed their divine abilities and brought forth their sacred artifacts.
In an instant, a dense array of sacred artifacts from various states hovered in the sky above Tianren City. Their combined oppressive power threatened to collapse the very space, and the sky even turned a vibrant, seven-colored hue!
The cultivators within Tianren City stared blankly at the dazzling array of sacred artifacts in the sky, utterly stunned, their minds ceasing to function.
Such a grand spectacle, with the sacred artifacts of all states in the First Heaven gathered in one place, was likely only seen during the ancient era when the Emperor's Palace distributed sacred artifacts!
Now, Tianren City was reliving that ancient splendor, a veritable miracle!
The World-Ending Spirit Fire looked at the sky filled with sacred artifacts and sighed, "Tsk, tsk… these fellows truly couldn't hold their patience. With a little nudge, they've revealed their entire treasure trove. I wonder if it's due to overconfidence in their own strength, or if they're simply fools?"
Ye Ling chuckled, "The Chaos Heart has made them lose their reason. I suspect all they see now is the Chaos Heart. Moreover, these sacred artifacts are only useful for stabilizing the First Heaven; in reality, they hold little value for those Heavenly Void Emperors and supreme immortals."
The Heavenly Void Emperor who had initially exerted his pressure on Ye Ling, seeing that everyone had brought their sacred artifacts, urged Ye Ling again, "Ye Ling! We've all brought our sacred artifacts. Who will you give your Chaos Heart to?"
As he spoke, the Heavenly Void Emperor once again applied pressure to Ye Ling, stating sternly, "Let me remind you, my Dragonzhou is adjacent to Lingzhou, and we can march our armies at any time!"
Ye Ling looked at the Heavenly Void Emperor and asked with a smile, "Are you threatening me?"
The Heavenly Void Emperor replied, "I am not threatening City Lord Ye. I am merely stating facts… After all, I have brought the sacred artifacts of Dragonzhou this time, demonstrating sufficient sincerity. I will not interfere with City Lord Ye's choice."
Hearing the Heavenly Void Emperor's words, Ye Ling shook his head and smiled, "That is a threat… However, when it comes to playing these overt and covert games with me, you are still too inexperienced."
As his voice fell, Ye Ling raised his hand and beckoned. The sacred artifacts of Dragonzhou that had been circling the Heavenly Void Emperor suddenly flew towards him!
The Heavenly Void Emperor's pupils constricted sharply as Ye Ling suddenly seized his Dragonzhou sacred artifacts. He sternly questioned Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, what do you intend to do?"
Not only the Heavenly Void Emperor of Dragonzhou, but the expressions of the powerhouses from other major states also changed drastically upon witnessing Ye Ling's sudden move, a sense of unease creeping in.
Ye Ling played with the three sacred artifacts of Dragonzhou in his hands and said with a smile to everyone, "Esteemed lords, let me be direct… I desire all your sacred artifacts!"
Boom!!!
As Ye Ling's words landed, the Devouring Domain expanded from his center, instantly enveloping the entire Tianren City. The sacred artifacts suspended in the air flew towards Ye Ling like meteors, gathering around him.
Seeing Ye Ling suddenly seize their sacred artifacts, the powerhouses from all states unleashed their terrifying might and shouted at Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to make an enemy of the entire First Heaven?"
Ye Ling moved all the sacred artifacts from the various states behind him, then held the Chaos Heart in one hand and smiled at the powerhouses from all states, "Esteemed lords, from this day forward… Tianren City will be the sole ruler of the First Heaven. The major states must bow down and pledge allegiance to Tianren City."
"As for this Chaos Heart, forgive my bluntness, but none of you present are worthy of possessing it."
With that, Ye Ling slightly clenched his five fingers.
Crack!
The Chaos Heart, which had drawn the eager pursuit of the powerhouses from all states, was thus crushed into pieces by Ye Ling!
Boom!
A violent surge of Chaos Qi swept outwards in all directions. The hearts of the powerhouses from all states shattered at that very moment, along with the Chaos Heart.