Chapter 78: A Great Harvest
Tang San's social death incident was something Ye Cheng had no idea about. After leaving the area, he continued sweeping through Star Dou Forest with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, utilizing the treasure seeking ability of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to collect numerous soul bones. To his surprise, most of these bones, just like the one from the Pig Beast, were buried underground or hidden in other concealed locations. Their age wasn't particularly high mostly ten year, hundred year, and thousand year soul bones, with only a small number of ten thousand year ones.
By the time they left Star Dou Forest, Ye Cheng's storage ring was stocked with an astonishing number of soul bones. After counting, he found he had a total of 861 soul bones:
206 ten year soul bones.
361 hundred year soul bones.
209 thousand year soul bones.
85 ten thousand year soul bones.
This trip had been nothing short of a massive haul! Initially, Ye Cheng thought that obtaining soul bones would require him to kill a large number of high level soul beasts in the forest. However, through the use of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's treasure seeking ability, he was surprised to discover that the place was practically littered with soul bones, even if not quite to the point of being everywhere.
Out of over 800 soul bones, the number he personally harvested from defeated soul beasts was only around thirty. The vast majority had been dug up from the ground, retrieved from water sources, or found in hidden spots. It was simply unbelievable.
But thinking about it carefully, it made sense. Star Dou Forest had existed for countless years, and with its vast population of soul beasts constantly fighting and killing each other, it was inevitable that numerous soul beasts perished every day. With such an endless cycle of life and death spanning thousands upon thousands of years, it wasn't hard to imagine that many soul bones had accumulated over time, buried deep beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
Soul bones were of no use to soul beasts. The vast majority of them lacked high intelligence aside from a few exceptional bloodlines, even most ordinary ten thousand year soul beasts didn't have intelligence comparable to humans. So when they killed enemy soul beasts and soul bones dropped, they simply ignored them. Instead, they focused on devouring their opponent's flesh. A few soul beasts might take the bones back to their nests out of curiosity, treating them as toys or chewing objects.
Only one hundred thousand year soul beasts who possessed intelligence comparable to humans knew that soul bones were valuable to soul masters. They might collect and store them, but other soul beasts simply left them behind like discarded leftovers. Over countless millennia, the sheer passage of time ensured that even with a low drop rate, the number of soul bones accumulated would inevitably grow.
Thus, this vast, hidden treasure trove had unknowingly formed beneath Star Dou Forest, waiting for someone to dig it up.
And now, Ye Cheng had claimed it all.
"With this many soul bones, funding the construction of the Forbidden City is no longer a concern."
Ye Cheng understood the insane value of soul bones in the soul master world. Even the most worthless ten year soul bone could still fetch a high price, let alone ten thousand year ones, which could be sold for an astronomical sum.
"Once I sell these bones and gather enough funds, the next step is to find skilled craftsmen and recruit some forces to help build White Cloud City." He muttered to himself.
To establish White Cloud City, Ye Cheng couldn't do it alone. He needed to recruit people to populate the city after all, a city without residents wasn't a real city.
With his current status and power, if he announced the establishment of White Cloud City, there would be countless people clamoring to join. Various factions, both big and small, would rush to pledge allegiance just like in ancient times, when a rebel king rose to power, there were always wandering warriors and displaced people eager to follow.
One word from him, and countless groups would fight for the chance to serve under his banner. Countless citizens would beg to settle in White Cloud City and be ruled under his protection.
All he needed to do was construct his own palace the Forbidden City. As for the other residential buildings, noble estates, and defensive walls, he could leave them to the clans and forces that joined him.
It was a win win situation.
Ye Cheng needed followers to help construct White Cloud City, while those who joined needed a powerful leader to protect them. Both sides benefited, and neither could say they were at a loss.
A massive, uniquely shaped building stood before them. It was completely round, resembling a giant half sphere embedded in the ground. There was no nameplate on the structure just a hammer symbol. However, this wasn't the forging hammer of a blacksmith but rather the auction hammer of an auction house.
This was the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House, located in the capital of Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City.
Ye Cheng, carrying Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing on his sword, had just arrived here. As they descended, he observed the magnificent structure up close. The building alone spanned nearly 500 meters in diameter, and its highest point exceeded 80 meters an architectural marvel.
Moreover, as the capital city of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was one of the most expensive places in the entire continent. The fact that the auction house occupied such prime real estate spoke volumes about its importance and powerful backing.
"Brother, why are we at the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House?" Ning Rongrong asked, recognizing the place immediately. "Are you here to buy something?"
"No, I'm here to sell something," Ye Cheng replied plainly.
There was nothing to hide he needed money, and selling valuables at an auction was nothing shameful.
"Eh? Brother, do you need money? Before I left, my father gave me some. If you need it " Ning Rongrong pulled out a golden card, a high level bank card used for transactions across major financial institutions.
With this card, she could withdraw money at any bank or swipe it for direct purchases at select establishments.
"No need. What kind of brother would take his sister's money?" Ye Cheng shook his head.
It wasn't that her amount was insignificant Ye Cheng instantly recognized the golden card in her hand. It was a high tier account card, with a minimum balance of one million gold soul coins. A little rich girl indeed.
"Let's go inside first."
With that, he strode toward the auction house entrance.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances but didn't ask further, quietly following behind him.
The entrance was semi circular, matching the dome like architecture of the auction house. Four tall, elegant women stood at the doors.
Clearly, these women had been carefully selected they were all around 1.75 meters tall, with graceful figures. Though not stunning beauties, their refined features and poised demeanor were still very appealing.
Dressed in pure white gowns embroidered with silver patterns, they exuded an air of nobility and professionalism. Their dresses were long and form fitting, covering their arms and leaving not an inch of unnecessary skin exposed, yet the tight design perfectly outlined their elegant curves.
Standing at the entrance, their hands folded neatly in front, they greeted visitors with polite, professional smiles smiles that, despite being rehearsed, still left a good impression.
As Ye Cheng and his group approached, one of the women stepped forward with a welcoming bow.
"Greetings, honored guests. How may I assi "
Mid sentence, her words abruptly stopped as she caught sight of Ye Cheng's face.
Then, in an instant, all four women fell to their knees in perfect unison.
"We greet Your Excellency!"
At that moment, Ye Cheng had not altered his appearance, so they immediately recognized him not just as a powerful soul master, but as a peerless Titled Douluo, standing at the pinnacle of the world.
Overcome with awe and reverence, they bowed their heads deeply.
Ye Cheng's expression remained calm.
"No need for formalities. Rise."
"Y yes, Your Excellency."
They stood, their postures humble and respectful.
The lead woman bowed again and said, "Please, Your Excellency, this way."
They did not ask for his purpose. After all, in an auction house, one either buys or sells and a man of Ye Cheng's stature was most certainly not here to cause trouble.
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