Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

Chi Yu, Tong Ming, and those from Ling Ruogu were very efficient.

In just a few days, they had spread the news that Alkaid was planning to auction a flying treasure class Dao Artifact throughout the entire Heavenly Dao Sect.

Upon learning this news, the Vein Masters who were high in status and had amassed plenty of wealth were somewhat composed, but the Peak Masters, who were just slightly less influential than the Vein Masters, appeared quite excited.

Soon, the Peak Masters were scurrying about, informing one another, trying all means to gather resources in preparation for the upcoming Dao Artifact auction.

And concerning a Dao Artifact, this piece of news, naturally, did not escape the notice of Zong Wenxian, the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect.

However, regarding Alkaid bringing out a Dao Artifact for auction, the Heavenly Dao Sect Sect Leader was not surprised.

"When Alkaid was not yet a True Disciple of our Heavenly Dao Sect, Hou Feng, Jiang Heavenly Venerable, and their group could not catch up with him for a long time. I guessed then that he must possess a flying treasure class Dao Artifact."

Zong Wenxian looked at Xiang Zhenlong, who had brought the news, and frowned slightly, "At first, I thought this Dao Artifact might have been bestowed by Penglai Dao Lord, but now it seems..."

If it was a Dao Artifact given by Penglai Dao Lord, he would not be likely to sell it.

In other words...

Could Alkaid truly have received an extraordinary legacy, thus being favored by Penglai Dao Lord and sent to the Heavenly Dao Sect?

What was Penglai Dao Lord's purpose?

Did he have plans concerning the Heavenly Dao Sect?

Or was it just a casual move in the game?

Or maybe he simply wanted to watch the excitement?

But at that time, Alkaid was just a Deep Blue Golden Core cultivator. How could such a recreational aspect on a cultivator of his level attract the attention of a mighty Dao Lord?

In contemplation, Zong Wenxian had no intention to act hastily.

He decided to continue observing for a while.

"Him selling the Dao Artifact at this time does not seem like Penglai Dao Lord is backing him."

Xiang Zhenlong said, "Of course, it's also possible that this is a deliberate deception by that Dao Lord."

"Unlikely, if that Dao Lord really wanted to do something to our Heavenly Dao Sect, he certainly wouldn't resort to such means."

Zong Wenxian pondered, "If Alkaid really sells these Dao Artifacts, setting aside other considerations, at the very least it could prove his relationship with Penglai Dao Lord is not significant. If the relationship is not significant, perhaps we could try to make contact again and see if we can draw him into our circle..."

Speaking of this, he felt some regret, "With his Void Category special physique, the probability of him achieving Refining Void is inherently higher than others. Now he's selling a Dao Artifact and acquiring a vast amount of resources, the time he would need to achieve Refining Void might be further shortened. Even if someone told me he could achieve Refining Void within a hundred years, I wouldn't be surprised."

"Refining Void."

Xiang Zhenlong looked solemn.

A Refining Void cultivator, within the ranks of the Heavenly Dao Sect, definitely belonged to a highly influential level of power.

Within the Heavenly Dao Sect, there were only about twenty or so individuals at this level of power.

Especially if Alkaid stepped into Refining Void, he could completely move from Junior Sect Leader to Vice Sect Leader, taking over control of the Southern Region from the hands of the Sect Leader.

This meant...

He would have the qualifications to sit at the table and enjoy a slice of the cake.

"So, Sect Leader, he's selling the Dao Artifact within the sect, and we're not going to intervene?"

Xiang Zhenlong inquired.

"On one hand, we can't stop it; if the Heavenly Dao Sect doesn't buy it, he can totally sell it to other forces. Dao Artifacts are in demand by everyone. On the other hand, if we forcibly intervene, I fear it might cause dissatisfaction among many Peak Masters. Among the Thirteen Peaks of our Heavenly Dao Sect, only five people have Dao Artifacts at their side," Zong Wenxian explained, then waved his hand dismissively, "Let him sell it. It's a good opportunity to clarify his relationship with that Dao Lord from this transaction."

Hearing this, Xiang Zhenlong nodded, "Then we..."

"If you fancy it, you can also try to buy it. Moreover, you can use some tactics to probe Alkaid's confidence. What kind of trump cards a person possesses can typically be discerned through how they handle unexpected situations," Zong Wenxian said, pausing for a moment, "But be cautious with the approach. I don't want to see any untoward methods causing too much of a scene, do you understand?"

Xiang Zhenlong felt a chill in his heart, "I understand!"

Not to use unsavory methods to make the situation too unsightly...

Yet some regular approaches could be used.

There were only a few Peak Masters with the financial power to purchase a Dao Artifact; adding some obstacles for them before the sale of the Dao Artifact to complicate the smooth allocation of their funds might allow them to acquire the Dao Artifact at a somewhat lower price.

Having the same status, but the difference between having power and not having power was still very substantial.

...

The auction of the Dragon Steed Flying Boat Dao Artifact proceeded in an orderly fashion.

One month was obviously a very short period, so short that it left people no time to make adequate preparations or move sufficient assets for bidding.

Similarly, in a short month, some conflicts that had been lurking in the dark began to emerge from time to time due to the tighter timeframe.

It was then that Alkaid realized the truth of the Heavenly Dao Sect being seen as a grand alliance.

The Sect Leader balanced the entire sect, seeking benefits for all its members, while he himself took away the largest share of the benefit cake.

Next in line was the Supreme Elder Council. As they held strong military power, the benefits belonging to them within the sect were also indispensable.

The next in line were the Vein Masters of the Four Veins and the three Vice Sect Leaders.

Each Vice Sect Leader held sway over a region, equivalent to a true local emperor, but the "taxes" and "special tribute products" due to the Sect still had to be handed over every year.

After the Sect Leader and the Supreme Elders had their share of these resources, it was the turn of the Vein Masters of the Four Veins, and finally, the Peak Masters.

From this perspective, both Vice Sect Leaders and Peak Masters were akin to wage workers.

At most, the Vice Sect Leaders enjoyed some relative freedom due to the distance from the emperor's watchful eyes, yet they were still subject to the authority of the Sect Leader and the leadership system of the Four Veins.

In such a situation, Peak Masters would try to become Vein Masters, while Vice Sect Leaders would openly and secretly struggle against the Sect Leader, trying to retain as much profit as possible for their own use after completing their contributions to the Sect.

And the process of this...

Was definitely far from open and aboveboard.

Why had the position of Vice Sect Leader for the Southern Region been vacant for so long, managed by the Sect Leader himself?

It was because 800 years ago, Vice Sect Leader Song Youque of the Southern Region had attempted to assassinate the Sect Leader's delegation sent to audit the Southern Region's actual revenue more than once.

Murder was one thing, but the key point was that once, Sect Leader Zong Wenxian had caught irrefutable evidence of the act.

Nobody knew how he managed to convince the Supreme Elder Council, but half a month after the evidence was submitted, the Supreme Elder Council announced Vice Sect Leader Song Youque's betrayal of the Sect. At the same time, three Supreme Elders were dispatched, leading the ten great battle halls and several Hollow Void Elders, to enter the Southern Region and completely eradicate the lineage of Vice Sect Leader Song.

This was considered one of the Heavenly Dao Sect's significant internal actions in a thousand years.

As for smaller incidents, such as corruption and bribery among the Elders, these happened several times every century.

Just internal struggle, a common sight to all.

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...

"On the Northern Sea Star's Sect, heritage and history are never important. It is quite normal for internal factions to fight fiercely over interests, leading to death, and even the destruction of a Sect... If that happens, just gather people again and establish a new Sect. As long as there are people, there will be a Sect; if the Dao Lords do not perish, the flame of the Sect will last forever."

Alkaid glanced at the situations of the three Peak Masters.

One Peak Master had his flow of funds cut off.

Another Peak Master's territory was suddenly ravaged by a Demon King, necessitating his suppression.

And one more Peak Master was directly implicated in collusion with the Divine Race and was promptly taken by the Enforcement Hall for an investigation.

And these three, in theory, would be Alkaid's biggest buyers.

Whether this Dao Artifact could sell for an exceptionally high price depended on their performance at the time.

Now that all three had encountered problems...

"I hope it doesn't fall below ten billion, otherwise, don't blame me for reneging and not selling," Alkaid said.

While selling a Dao Artifact within the Heavenly Dao Sect seemed less risky, it was...

Too prone to manipulation behind the scenes.

...

A month swiftly passed by.

In such a short time, the people led by Wan Liugui couldn't even reach the Heavenly Dao Sect, so the auction of the Dao Artifact had to rely on the Ling Family and the Chi Family to exert effort, bustling about.

Fortunately, there were only so many people qualified to compete for this Dao Artifact within the entire Heavenly Dao Sect.

When the auction day finally arrived, only fifteen people reached the entertaining Peak designated for the auction.

Aside from the four great Vein Masters, six Peak Masters attended, the three Vice Sect Leaders didn't show up in person, but each had sent a Hollow Void Elder as their representative.

Besides, there were also two Hollow Voids attending to observe on behalf of the Supreme Elders.

If the price was low, they wouldn't mind picking up a bargain; if the cost was too high...

The Supreme Elders behind them didn't lack this one Dao Artifact.

...

The Peak Masters, Vein Masters, representatives of the Vice Sect Leaders, and the Supreme Elders didn't have to wait long, as Alkaid's figure appeared directly on a mountain peak specifically used for entertaining guests.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to participate in the sale of my Dao Artifact. Let's forgo the pleasantries," Alkaid said, stretching out his hand, and the Dragon Steed Flying Boat immediately soared into the sky, revealing its true body of five li in length and hovering in the sky above the entertaining Peak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please observe that this flying class Dao Artifact not only possesses extraordinary capabilities for Void Shuttle but also contains well-appointed rest spaces within..." Alkaid began introducing the Dao Artifact.

Meanwhile, the other Hollow Void and Refining Void cultivators activated their Divine Senses, investigating the Dao Artifact's specific effects.

Naturally, Alkaid did not hinder them.

After introducing for about ten minutes, and allowing everyone to gain a certain understanding of the Dao Artifact, Alkaid spoke again, "Now that you all have a fair grasp of the Dragon Steed Flying Boat, let us begin the bidding. The starting bid is ten billion Pure Yang Great Pills, with each increase no less than ten million Pure Yang Great Pills."

No sooner had Alkaid finished speaking than the Immortal Vein Master instantly said, "Bidding with Pure Yang Great Pills? We Refining Void cultivators don't usually prepare so many Pure Yang Pills. Why not trade with Void Dao Elixirs, and some heavenly treasures? How about exchanging twelve thousand Pure Yang Great Pills for one Void Dao Elixir?"

"Isn't a ten billion starting bid too high? Junior Sect Leader Alkaid, you seem unaware of the market for Dao Artifacts. Although the outside world's Dao Artifacts can often sell for ten billion Pure Yang Great Pills, those artifacts each have their mysteries. This Dragon Steed Flying Boat performs unremarkably in Void Shuttle and lacks other abilities. Besides a comfortable interior, there is nothing particularly noteworthy about it. Such a Dao Artifact should have a more appropriate starting bid of five billion," one Peak Master smiled and said, "I'll start with five billion. How about everyone else proceeds with that figure for bidding?"