Chapter 249: Ambush and Pursuit

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Ambush and Pursuit

In an instant, the hall erupted into an uproar. Everyone’s breathing grew ragged, but many gazes were filled with doubt.

"Nirvana Rebirth? Could it really bring someone back from the dead? How could such a wondrous item exist in this world!"

The auction host chuckled and said, "Of course, ’Nirvana Rebirth’ might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s fitting. If you consume this fruit, then in the future, should you suffer grievous injuries or find yourself on the brink of death, not only will you recover from all your wounds, but you can also break through your previous limitations. It’s like undergoing a metamorphosis, allowing both your physical body and your Cultivation to ascend to a higher level!"

"For example, if your Cultivation is at the Nascent Soul Realm and you suffer a mortal wound, when this fruit takes effect, not only will your injuries fully heal, it could even help you break through directly to the Nascent Soul Transformation Realm!"

At these words, anyone’s heart would pound with excitement. What did this mean? It was a second life!

But some remained skeptical. "If it’s so precious, why would anyone be foolish enough to put it up for auction?"

The auction host smiled. "Indeed, this is only a legend. No one knows if it’s true or false, because no one has ever eaten one. Even the most senior Appraiser at our Celestial Cloud Auction House is only fifty percent certain that the fruit possesses such effects. But I trust that all of you, even with a fifty-fifty chance, are still incredibly tempted, are you not?"

After that, the host said no more and started the bidding.

But when Yi Xiaoyao saw the starting price of ten million Spirit Stones, he, like the vast majority of people, gave up any thought of acquiring the item.

Everyone coveted the Nirvana Holy Fruit, but due to the price, not many people actually competed for it. Thus, a winner was decided quickly.

Although Han Yuan had come specifically for the Nirvana Holy Fruit, he failed to obtain it.

Because at the last moment, the Young Alliance Leader of the Jade Cauldron Alliance emerged and, with an astronomical price that would make one faint just hearing it, claimed the Nirvana Holy Fruit.

"Hmph!" Han Yuan cursed in a low, furious voice. "Just a few million more, and that Nirvana Holy Fruit would have been mine!"

He was now filled with immense regret for spending five million Spirit Stones on an Elixir, and he hated Yi Xiaoyao so much that he gritted his teeth.

"Young Alliance Leader, since the people from the Jade Cauldron Alliance got the Nirvana Holy Fruit, we’ll just have to take it back," the middle-aged man beside Han Yuan said in a low voice.

Hearing this, Han Yuan’s eyes flickered. After exchanging a look with the middle-aged man, he nodded with a sinister chuckle.

With the final, headline treasure sold, the auction came to a close, and the crowd began to depart.

After Yi Xiaoyao collected the Spirit Stones from the sale of his Elixir, he also left in a hurry.

...

In a dense forest, a dark shadow flashed past.

Behind a giant tree, Yi Xiaoyao’s gaze was fixed on something ahead.

Not far ahead were Han Yuan and the blue-robed, middle-aged man.

Although his targets were right in front of him, Yi Xiaoyao didn’t make a move to snatch back the Damaged Secret Treasure Map. He had just discovered that the blue-robed, middle-aged man with Han Yuan was a powerful expert at the fifth level of the Nascent Soul Transformation Realm.

’This is going to be troublesome...’ Yi Xiaoyao frowned to himself. He was certain his strength was no match for someone in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul Transformation Realm.

But just then, Han Yuan and the blue-robed man’s figures flickered, and they hid behind a large boulder ahead of them.

’Hm?’ Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes shifted as he watched the scene unfold.

’Could it be that those two are planning to ambush someone?’

Then, recalling the look on Han Yuan’s face after the Young Alliance Leader of the Jade Cauldron Alliance had won the Nirvana Holy Fruit, Yi Xiaoyao understood everything.

’More than likely, these two want to ambush the people from the Jade Cauldron Alliance and snatch the Nirvana Holy Fruit.’

At this thought, a strange smile touched the corners of Yi Xiaoyao’s lips. With a flash, he too concealed himself.

The place where Yi Xiaoyao, Han Yuan, and his companion now lay in wait was a canyon, which was the only way out from the area of the auction house.

Those who had won great treasures at the auction would certainly not fly away brazenly. The safest way to leave was to do so secretly and cautiously through the forest.

That was why Han Yuan and his companion had chosen this place to ambush the members of the Jade Cauldron Alliance.

Soon, a faint noise drifted from the distance, and the sound of two sets of footsteps approached.

"Hua, this canyon... I’m afraid it might be dangerous. We’re carrying a great treasure; we should be careful."

A clear, cool voice rang out—it was the Young Alliance Leader of the Jade Cauldron Alliance.

The Jade Cauldron Alliance, able to afford such an astronomical price for the Nirvana Holy Fruit, was naturally a major power, just like the Cold Blood Alliance.

The man called Hua, following the Young Alliance Leader of the Jade Cauldron Alliance, spoke calmly, "Don’t worry, Young Alliance Leader. Of everyone who attended this auction, not a single person has a higher Cultivation than I do. I’d like to see who dares to cause trouble for us."

The two continued talking as they passed the area where Yi Xiaoyao was hiding, heading toward the spot where Han Yuan and his companion were concealed.

"Hua, earlier I noticed that Han Yuan from the Cold Blood Alliance was giving me a hostile look. The man beside him is no weaker than you, Hua. We must be on guard against him," said the Young Alliance Leader.

Hua sneered. "Young Alliance Leader, you’re overthinking things. That man with Han Yuan is Black Red. His rank on the Chaos Alliance List is one below mine. Even if we run into him, he can’t do a thing to me."

However, just as Hua finished speaking these words, a black shadow shot out like a phantom from behind the boulder beside them.

SHHIIING!

In the next instant, the head of the Jade Cauldron Alliance’s Young Alliance Leader hit the ground.

"What! Young Alliance Leader!"

Yu Hua’s expression changed drastically. He stared in horror at the corpse on the ground, then turned his rage-filled gaze to the figure in the distance.

"Hehe, Yu Hua. It’s true I can’t do anything to you, but killing your Young Alliance Leader? That was effortless."

The figure was none other than the middle-aged man who had been with Han Yuan. In his hand, he held the Storage Pouch of the Jade Cauldron Alliance’s Young Alliance Leader.

"Black Red! You dared to ambush us and kill the Young Alliance Leader of my Jade Cauldron Alliance! I will destroy you today!"

Gritting his teeth in uncontrollable rage, Yu Hua unleashed a terrifying burst of Spiritual Power and lunged violently at Black Red.

Black Red sneered, glanced inside the Storage Pouch, and then tossed it behind a large boulder.

"Young Alliance Leader, the Nirvana Holy Fruit is in here! Take it and go. I’ll keep this guy busy."

With a shout, Black Red also erupted with terrifying Cultivation and clashed thunderously with Yu Hua.

Meanwhile, Han Yuan, who had been hiding behind another large boulder, caught the Storage Pouch tossed by Black Red and burst out laughing.

"Haha, the Nirvana Holy Fruit is mine!"

Before the words had even faded, Han Yuan transformed into a dark shadow and vanished into the forest.

Yi Xiaoyao, who had witnessed this entire scene, saw Han Yuan leaving alone with the Storage Pouch containing the Nirvana Holy Fruit. An excited smile touched his lips.

’Looks like my haul today will be far more than just that Damaged Secret Treasure Map... What an unexpected windfall.’

Muttering this to himself, Yi Xiaoyao’s figure flickered. He too became a shadow, closely pursuing in the direction Han Yuan had fled.

...