SWNOVELXO Chapter 358: Chapter 358
Ya Fei stepped to the edge of the auction platform, her crimson dress fluttering slightly as she surveyed the gathered elite—heads and representatives from various powerful forces. Amplifying her voice with Dou Qi, she declared with confidence:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this grand auction. I trust you're already aware of the items on display today, so I'll spare you the introductions. Let me make one thing clear—this auction follows a single rule: the highest bidder wins. I, Ya Fei, will not favor any side, and no power will receive special treatment. Whoever offers the highest price shall walk away with the treasure."
Her eyes sharpened as her tone cooled.
"However, if anyone dares stir trouble during the auction... don't blame me for being merciless. Now, let the bidding begin! First item: Light of Chaos, located atop Dingfeng Mountain. Starting price—10 million gold coins!"
"Ten million?" Ye Feng's eyes narrowed.
That price was absurd. The Xiao family of Wutan City, one of the three dominant families, had an annual revenue barely over 200,000 gold coins. Even if they starved themselves for fifty years, they wouldn't scrape together enough to qualify for this auction.
The moment the starting price was announced, it sent waves through the audience. The sheer number scared away many mid-tier factions on the spot.
"Eleven million," Yao Ye called out calmly.
"Twelve million," Nalan Yanran followed.
"Thirteen million," said Miteer Fujiyama, voice steady.
…
With a minimum increment of one million, the price began to climb. Although the steep numbers stunned several factions, those with deep coffers still joined the fray. After all, the Light of Chaos was no ordinary item—it possessed powerful defensive properties and dramatically increased cultivation speed. The benefits were on par with a ninth-grade spirit pill.
"One hundred million!"
Yao Ye's voice echoed throughout the mountain.
Ten minutes in, the price had already skyrocketed to nine digits.
"Princess Yao Ye of the Jia Ma Empire bids 100 million!" Ya Fei announced, her eyes gleaming. Clearly, she expected more. Raising her voice again, she added:
"The Light of Chaos can match the defenses of a Dou Venerate! Establishing your faction atop Dingfeng Mountain under its protection is like gaining a natural fortress! And the cultivation acceleration? Ten times faster than the outside world! What others take ten years to achieve—you can accomplish in one. What takes a lifetime? You'll finish in ten years! Dou Practitioner, Dou Master, Dou King, Dou Emperor… With the Light of Chaos, are any of these stages out of reach?!"
Her passionate words rekindled the ambition in those who had gone silent.
"One hundred ten million," Miteer Fujiyama called again.
"One hundred fifty million," Princess Yao Ye countered, her voice sharp.
She had increased the bid by a staggering forty million. It wasn't just to compete—she intended to shake Fujiyama's confidence.
Being part of the Jia Ma royal family, Princess Yao Ye had a purpose. Ye Feng could easily guess her motive. She wasn't bidding for herself, but for the empire. With the Light of Chaos, she could raise a powerful army. Her ambition wasn't just the mountain—it extended to the surrounding empires.
Five minutes later, Ya Fei raised her hand, smiling at Princess Yao Ye.
"The auction is closed. Congratulations to Princess Yao Ye for securing the Light of Chaos for 200 million gold coins! To all other guests, thank you for attending. Please take your leave now. If anyone dares disturb the Chaos Saint's peace... bear the consequences at your own risk."
With that warning, the forces gathered at the foot of Dingfeng Mountain dared not protest. One by one, they left.
Princess Yao Ye, though 200 million gold coins lighter, showed no signs of regret. Her great-grandfather, Jia Xingtian, had once warned her: if anyone could topple the Jia Ma Empire, it would be the Chaos Saint—Ye Feng. Their empire had no choice but to acknowledge the result.
"Greetings, Chaos Saint," Princess Yao Ye said respectfully, bowing to Ye Feng. Then she turned to Ya Fei and sighed. "Two hundred million is an enormous sum… Please allow a half-month delay for the payment."
"You'll need to discuss that with Young Master Ye," Ya Fei replied indifferently. "I only host the auction. I have no interest in gold."
Princess Yao Ye bit her lip, then turned to Ye Feng. "Then… may I request the Chaos Saint remain here for half a month?"
"There's no need," Ye Feng said flatly. "Use the gold to purchase a portion of the Magical Beast Mountain Range bordering the Tager Desert. Discuss the location with Cai Lin."
"Me?" Queen Medusa blinked in surprise.
"You want to buy land?" Princess Yao Ye's brows furrowed slightly.
Not only did Ye Feng want land—he intended to help the snake-people race, enemies of the empire, acquire territory.
"What, you're unwilling?" Ye Feng looked at her calmly.
"If not, I suppose we'll look somewhere closer to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital," he added lightly.
"Imperial Capital…?" Yao Ye clenched her fists. His words were a direct threat—refuse, and he'd assist Queen Medusa in taking the capital by force. Letting the snake-people thrive there would be a nightmare scenario.
Ye Feng ignored her frustration and turned to Queen Medusa. "Cai Lin, the Tager Desert's climate is too harsh. The Magical Beast Mountain Range is far more suitable for your people. You handle the details. I promised Nalan Yanran I'd return to the empire tomorrow."
Queen Medusa nodded and struck a deal with Princess Yao Ye—200 million in exchange for a vast stretch of land in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, where the snake-people could finally thrive.
That night, Queen Medusa quietly visited Ye Feng's room. Her tone soft, her face tinged with warmth and shyness, she expressed her thanks—not just with words, but with tender actions. In her heart, she had accepted her fate. Since she would follow Ye Feng sooner or later… why not give him something sweet first?
The next morning, Ye Feng gathered his people and departed Dingfeng Mountain, their home for several months. Before leaving, he asked Queen Medusa to choose a mountain, then used a portion of the Origin of Chaos to imbue it with a ray of Chaos Light.
He bid her farewell and headed toward the Jia Ma Empire's capital.
After his departure, the people who had been kneeling at the base of the mountain—aspiring disciples who had waited for months—began to disperse.
"He's really gone. What's the point of kneeling anymore?" one of them muttered, standing up with a sigh. The Chaos Light had already been claimed by the Jia Ma Empire's soldiers.
Some walked away, disheartened. But others, their will strong, believed this was still part of the Chaos Saint's test. They remained, kneeling silently.
Two among them had stayed the longest—an entire year.
"Sigh…" one of them breathed out. "A whole year… wasted."
The other man shook his head. "Still, I don't regret it."
But as their attendants helped them to their feet, something miraculous occurred. The energy around Dingfeng Mountain surged, flooding into their bodies. The numbness in their legs vanished as warm power filled them.
"Dou King!"
"Dou Emperor!"
They were stunned. In mere moments, the two of them had broken through from Dou Master to Dou King and Dou Emperor realms.
"Was… was this his test all along?" one of them gasped.
But just then, Ye Feng's voice echoed from afar.
"This is no test."
The voice was calm and distant—yet powerful.
"This was merely an opportunity I left behind. The longer you endure, the greater your reward. But let me be clear—when you walk the world, do not claim to be my disciples. You are not."
The two were left in awe.
Even after advancing through multiple ranks in a single year, Ye Feng didn't consider them worthy to be called his students. And yet, they felt no resentment—only gratitude and reverence.
Before leaving the mountain, they knelt one last time before the Light of Chaos, offering a silent bow of thanks to the man who had changed their destinies.