Immortal of the Nine Realms-Chapter 1297: Immortal Marrow

Chapter 1297: Immortal Marrow
The crowd was astonished. No one could have anticipated that so many sixth-transformation immortals would conceal their identities within the Immortal Exchange, only to reveal their true forms during the final auction.
Judging from their tone, they clearly knew Li Shanzi. Since Li Shanzi was from the Enlightenment God Palace of Upper Three Realms, the identities of these new figures couldn't be simple either. They had to be from the Upper Three Realms!
Immortal Taixu, who remained indifferent all along, showed a trace of solemnity when he saw these people emerge.
Li Shanzi's face still bore that same innocent smile, like that of a young man newly set out on his journey, full of bright expectations toward the world. He clasped his hands, the curve of his lips deepening until the smile reached his eyes. "To meet so many fellow Daoists here today, this is truly a surprise for me."
Everyone had seen the young cultivator who had spoken earlier. He was clad in a spiritual robe imprinted with mountains and water patterns.
The aura that emanated from his robe carried a faint tremor that shook the hearts of those who sensed it.
It was likely that this, too, was a spiritual treasure.
Furthermore, there was a special insignia on his robe. Some cultivators instantly recognized it. The insignia belonged to the Taiyi Chamber of Commerce!
The Taiyi Chamber of Commerce originated in Upper Three Realms, but its business had already spread throughout all corners of the Lower Six Realms. It was an immensely renowned commerce chamber to all cultivators, let alone these fifth and sixth transformation immortals present today.
They were perfectly well aware of what a colossal presence the Taiyi Chamber of Commerce was. The number of immortal crystals flowing from the Lower Six Realms into the coffers of the Taiyi Chamber of Commerce each year was beyond mortal comprehension.
A power of such scope had naturally cultivated innumerable formidable experts. Even seventh-transformation Ancient Immortals might not be qualified to serve as high-level decision makers within the Taiyi Chamber of Commerce.
"Fellow Daoist Li, would you care to introduce them?" Immortal Longfu suddenly asked.
The young cultivator smiled faintly, clasping his hands respectfully toward the sixth transformation immortals. "There's no need to trouble Daoist Li. I am Yan Tong, of Taiyi Immortal Sect."
His salute seemed courteous on the surface, but every sixth-transformation immortal present sensed a trace of loftiness and superiority from his smiling face.
"Chi Jun of the Taiyi Immortal Sect."
"Zhen Hao of the Taiyi Immortal Sect."
Three sixth-transformation immortals—all hailing from the Taiyi Immortal Sect!
Everyone's smiles grew strained. First came the Enlightenment God Palace, then the Taiyi Immortal Sect, and in between was the Ten Directions Immortal Sect.
With all these hegemons coming into the game, how could these rogue, disunited sixth transformation-immortals manage to seize the Golden Body!
Jidu Kongyuan calculated the time and coughed lightly. "Fellow Daoists, it's growing late. Today's auction—"
Yan Tong interrupted with a smile. "You are Daoist Ji, right? The auction may begin. Taiyi Immortal Sect is determined to obtain the Golden Ancient Immortal Body. The sooner the auction begins, the sooner it is finished."
Immortal Longfu's expression turned a little unpleasant, while Li Shanzi's smile remained unchanged.
Ji Gang clenched his fist. He couldn't help but send a voice transmission. "
Senior Brother Li—
"
"Ignore him," said Li Shanzi faintly. "The Taiyi Immortal Sect might have come prepared, but so have we of the Enlightenment God Palace. This time, we will obtain the Immortal Register. Your master has already become a Half-Step Ancient Immortal. With the immortal herb bestowed by the Enlightenment God Palace, stepping into the Ancient Immortal Realm will be easy."
"Then I must extend my deepest thanks, Senior Brother Li."
"There's no need for thanks. Senior Taixu has always been one of our own in the Enlightenment God Palace. He has rendered great service to the palace within the Lower Six Realms. Years ago, the palace decided upon a promotion list, and your master was right at the very top."
It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the scene was divided into four major factions at this point:
The Ten Directions Immortal Sect, led by Immortal Longfu, with experts like Immortal Dayu.
The Taiyi Immortal Sect, headed by Yan Tong.
The Enlightenment God Palace, with both Li Shanzi and Immortal Taixu.
And finally, the remaining sixth-transformation immortals with average backgrounds, most of whom had only learned of the Immortal Register today and came ill-prepared.
Fang Chen analyzed the situation calmly.
Those four onstage, I wonder whose side they are on? Logically speaking, they should stand with the Ten Directions Immortal Sect. If their sect could gain another Ancient Immortal, that would benefit the four of them greatly.
He had no desire for the Immortal Register, nor was he interested in the Golden Ancient Immortal Body. His trip to Nanqing Constellation was already completed. He had also slain Ji Tiandu and delayed Ji Tianjun's chance of advancing to the Immaculate Immortal Path. All his objectives were fulfilled.
The only unresolved matter was Xie Zhi's mission, but since the target was a sixth-transformation immortal, Fang Chen wouldn't force the attempt without the right opportunity.
Fang Chen's gaze shifted as he wondered.
Hmm, the Killing Spiritual Division and the Spirit God Sect should not turn a blind eye to this matter. Immortal Dayu may be standing with Immortal Longfu, but it's possible he also came with a Killing Spiritual Division mission.
The Spirit God Sect
....
Among these sixth-transformation immortals, who might be a disciple of the Spirit God Sect? Immortal Longfu seems suspicious for now. What about Jidu Kongyuan and the other three?
Just then, Jidu Kongyuan and the others suddenly pulled out an item and interrupted Fang Chen's train of thought.
It was a statue, about three feet tall, in a seated posture. It was like a dried-out corpse whose flesh had nearly withered away, with sparse hair clinging to its head. It didn't bear a shred of an Ancient Immortal's aura.
"This... is the Golden Ancient Immortal Body?"
"No way..."
The crowd looked at one another in confusion.
Had it not been brought out by Jidu Kongyuan's group, most cultivators would have assumed it to be the remains of an ordinary cultivator who had perished in meditation, not the body of an Ancient Immortal.
No one would ever associate it with an Ancient Immortal.
Seeing the crowd’s disbelief, Jidu Kongyuan remained calm. He slowly raised his hand and placed it on the head of the corpse. Immediately, immortal essence surged forth. The corpse emitted a golden brilliance.
Cultivators raised their arms to shield themselves from the dazzling radiance.
As the golden brilliance gradually faded, the residual terrifying aura lingering around the place still shrouded everyone's hearts, unable to disperse for a long time.
The crowd's faces filled with shock and dread. In their hearts, not the slightest doubt remained.
Other than the Golden Ancient Immortal Body, what other remains could retain such fearsome might even after death?
That golden radiance might have looked harmless, but for cultivators below the fourth transformation, it could easily have been lethal.
If it had appeared in the mortal world, every inch of land touched by the golden light would have been reduced to nothing!
Yan Tong smiled faintly and said, "This is without question the Golden Ancient Immortal Body. Let's begin the auction. Announce your starting price."
Seeing how calm and at ease he was, the crowd’s hearts grew heavier.
The Taiyi Immortal Sect was the Taiyi Chamber of Commerce. Such a colossal power truly had confidence to spare when it came to immortal crystals.
Jidu Kongyuan instinctively glanced at Immortal Longfu. Seeing him nod lightly in response, he then slowly announced, "The starting price for the Golden Ancient Immortal Body is six thousand immortal crystals—and one tael of immortal marrow."
The crowd had not yet recovered from the shock of six thousand immortal crystals when the demand for immortal marrow left them completely puzzled.
Immortal marrow? What's that?
Only a few of the sixth-transformation immortals present reacted with visible astonishment at the mention of that name.
Yan Tong's smile gradually faded. Even Li Shanzi's gentle expression darkened slightly.