After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 114

The life-and-death ordeal in the Southern Desolate Monster Domain refined the bond between Ye Li and Qin Yixuan to an unbreakable degree, like a scorching furnace. The deep affection that had blossomed in despair and been confirmed in blood and fire, though left unspoken, was deeply etched in their souls. A single glance, a light touch of the fingertips, was enough to convey a thousand words.

The two rested for several days in a secluded valley on the edge of the Monster Domain. Aided by some spiritual medicines obtained from the domain and the mutual nourishment of their spiritual powers, their injuries gradually stabilized. Qin Yixuan’s hidden injuries, caused by forcefully activating her divine essence, were also significantly alleviated by the careful guidance and warmth of Ye Li’s extremely cold spiritual energy, though not completely healed. Ye Li took note of this, and finding a cure became her next important goal.

Leaving the Southern Desolate, and following the latest intelligence from Sun Xiaohou and the increasingly clear pull within Qin Yixuan’s body, they decided to head east toward the boundless East Continent Sea Territory. The East Continent is not a single large landmass but is composed of countless scattered islands. The largest powers there are the “Star Palace,” which dominates the Eastern Sea and is famous for artifact forging and commerce, and the mysterious “Sea God Pavilion,” which excels at water manipulation. Commerce is highly developed there, and rare treasures frequently appear. Perhaps they could find the rare medicine needed to treat Qin Yixuan’s hidden injuries, or possibly news about a fragment of the Samsara Mirror.

After a difficult journey using a cross-domain teleportation array, they arrived at the largest trade hub in the East Continent Sea Territory: the colossal city of “Tian Shu Sea Pavilion,” which is suspended over ten thousand fathoms of waves. The city was built and controlled by the Star Palace, constructed entirely from a rare “Floating Crystal Stone.” Beneath it was the surging, azure ocean, and above were cloud-shrouded, immortal-like pavilions. Countless spiritual ships, flying shuttles, and even massive樓(lou) ships navigated the skies, a level of prosperity that far surpassed any city in the Northern or Central Domains.

The air was filled with the scent of salty sea breeze mixed with the unique aroma of various spiritual materials, elixirs, and sea beast components. The streets were packed with people. In addition to the common Human Race cultivators, they could also see many Sea Race beings with scales and gills behind their ears, and even some overseas cultivators who were incompletely transformed, retaining some features of monster beasts. The vibrant and peculiar scene was an eye-opener for Ye Li and Qin Yixuan.

Sun Xiaohou’s Shadow Chamber team had already established a stronghold here and immediately delivered crucial intelligence: in three days, Tian Shu Sea Pavilion would host a top-tier auction, held once every ten years, jointly managed by the Star Palace and the Sea God Pavilion. Many rare treasures would appear, including a wondrous item of heaven and earth called “Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow,” which is incredibly effective for nourishing the soul and repairing fundamental hidden injuries! Furthermore, the auction list included an ancient, unidentified remnant map, rumored to point to an overseas relic, whose aura description was somewhat similar to that of a Samsara Mirror fragment!

This news greatly boosted Ye Li’s spirits. She was determined to acquire both the “Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow” and the remnant map!

The entry qualification for the auction was extremely strict, requiring a wealth verification of one million high-grade Spirit Stones. This was an astronomical figure for ordinary Core Formation Realm cultivators, but it was not a problem for Ye Li and Qin Yixuan, who possessed part of the resources of the Profound Cloud Sect and Azure Water Pavilion, and had also acquired much during their travels. Ye Li even secretly took out some unused precious materials obtained from the Ice Soul Profound Palace and during her journeys, sold them through the Shadow Chamber’s channels, and prepared ample funds.

Three days later, the auction took place in the “Star Palace Hall” on the top floor of the Tian Shu Sea Pavilion. The hall’s dome simulated the stars of the universe, with light flowing everywhere, and the seating below was arranged in rings, elegant and luxurious. Everyone who could enter this place was a representative of a major power from the East Continent Sea Territory or other regions, or a wealthy rogue cultivator.

Ye Li and Qin Yixuan chose a relatively rear, inconspicuous position, restrained their auras, and waited for the auction to begin. They could sense several obscure yet powerful auras hidden in the hall, clearly strong experts from the Star Palace and Sea God Pavilion stationed there to prevent trouble.

The auction commenced, and one precious item after another was presented on the high platform, triggering waves of bidding fervor. There were ancient treasures of immense power, elixirs that could extend life by a hundred years, rare deep-sea mineral deposits, and even fragmented lost ancient cultivation techniques… The scene was heated, and prices repeatedly reached new highs.

Ye Li and Qin Yixuan did not make a move easily; their goals were clear.

Finally, the auctioneer presented a cold jade box. The moment the lid opened, a cool, pure aura that penetrated the soul diffused, instantly invigorating every cultivator present.

“The next item is the Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow! This item condensed from the soul essence of the ocean over ten thousand years through sheer chance at the bottom of ten thousand fathoms. It has an unimaginable miraculous effect on nourishing the soul and repairing fundamental hidden injuries! Starting bid, five hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones!”

As soon as the words fell, bidding voices erupted one after another. Heavenly and earthly treasures related to the soul are inherently rare, let alone a top-grade item like the Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow! Many old monsters whose lifespans were nearing their end or who carried hidden injuries, as well as representatives of some major sects, joined the scramble.

The price quickly soared to eight hundred thousand, one million…

Ye Li remained silent until the price reached one million two hundred thousand, and the bidding voices began to thin. She slowly raised her bidding sign, and her cold voice rang out: “One million five hundred thousand.”

An increase of three hundred thousand in one go! This move immediately attracted many gazes. Many curiously looked towards the black-clad woman seated in the back row, her face obscured by the shadow of her hood.

“One million six hundred thousand!” A sinister voice came from a private room, belonging to an elder from the “Phantom Soul Island,” an overseas evil sect known for controlling ghosts.

“One million eight hundred thousand,” Ye Li’s tone remained unchanged.

“Two million!” The Phantom Soul Island elder seemed determined to win.

Ye Li frowned slightly. This price was already a bit inflated, but she would never give up. “Two million two hundred thousand.”

There was a slight uproar in the audience. To bid so high for a single medicinal ingredient showed how urgently it was needed.

The Phantom Soul Island private room was silent for a moment, and eventually, there were no more bids. The elder let out a cold snort, clearly marking Ye Li.

The Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow successfully fell into Ye Li’s hands. She felt the grateful gaze of Qin Yixuan beside her, gently squeezed her hand, and signaled that there was no need for thanks.

The auction continued. After a few more items, the auctioneer took out a piece of dark, ancient-looking remnant map, with irregular edges, made of a material that was neither metal nor jade.

“The origin of this map is unknown. Its material is special, impervious to water and fire, and the patterns inscribed upon it are suspected to be some kind of ancient map, but it is severely incomplete. After appraisal by the Grandmasters of our Star Palace, its age is extremely distant, and it might point to an undiscovered overseas secret realm or relic. Starting bid, thirty thousand high-grade Spirit Stones!”

Not many people were interested in this fragment of unknown use and uncertain authenticity; only a handful made scattered bids.

However, Ye Li’s heart stirred. The Samsara Mirror fragment in her Sea of Consciousness sent a clear tremor! This remnant map was definitely related to the Samsara Mirror!

“Fifty thousand,” she bid again.

This price was already high for a fragment of a map, and the original few bidders gave up.

However, just as the auctioneer was about to strike the gavel, an arrogant voice rang out from a luxurious private room at the very front: “One million! This remnant map has caught the eye of this young lord!”

Everyone looked over. Through the private room window, they saw a handsome young man in luxurious brocade robes, leaning lazily on a soft couch with a hint of arrogance, surrounded by several beautiful maidservants. The jade pendant hanging from his waist, engraved with a pattern of waves and a trident, revealed his identity: the Young Lord of the Sea God Pavilion, Ao Qing!

When the Young Lord of the Sea God Pavilion set his sights on something in the East Continent Sea Territory, few dared to compete.

The auctioneer also looked troubled, glancing in Ye Li’s direction.

Ye Li’s eyes slightly chilled. What if he was the Young Lord of the Sea God Pavilion? She would never yield a clue to the Samsara Mirror!

“One million one hundred thousand,” she calmly increased the bid.

“Hm?” Young Lord Ao Qing clearly did not expect anyone to dare to compete with him. His gaze swept towards Ye Li, tinged with displeasure and scrutiny. “One million five hundred thousand!” He immediately added four hundred thousand, demonstrating his wealth and determination.

“Two million,” Ye Li did not back down.

Whoosh! The entire hall gasped again! A broken remnant map fetching a sky-high price of two million? And the two bidders seemed to be completely at loggerheads!

Young Lord Ao Qing’s face darkened. Two million five hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones was no small amount, even for him. It was somewhat unworthy for an unknown map fragment. More importantly, under the gaze of the crowd, if he insisted on raising the price again, it would appear petty. He glared fiercely at Ye Li, let out a cold snort, and remained silent.

In the end, this mysterious remnant map was successfully bought by Ye Li for the astronomical price of three million high-grade Spirit Stones.

With two consecutive moves—one a lavish expenditure for her companion, the other a direct confrontation with the Young Lord of the Sea God Pavilion—Ye Li (though her true face was hidden) instantly became the focus of the entire auction hall. Everyone was curious: what was the background of this wealthy and exceptionally bold black-clad woman?

After the auction ended, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan calmly completed the transaction procedures under countless scrutinizing eyes, receiving the Ten Thousand Year Sea Soul Marrow and the ancient remnant map, then swiftly left the Star Palace Hall.

They knew that trouble might soon come knocking. Whether it was the resentment of the Phantom Soul Island or the displeasure of the Sea God Pavilion Young Lord, it meant that their journey in the East Continent Sea Territory would not be peaceful.

But Ye Li didn’t care. Having obtained the crucial medicine to treat Qin Yixuan’s hidden injuries and an important clue to the Samsara Mirror, this bit of trouble was nothing. The immediate priority was to find a safe place to heal Qin Yixuan and study the secret hidden within the remnant map. The winds and clouds of the East Continent Sea Territory seemed to be quietly surging because of the arrival of these two unexpected guests.