CHAPTER 221: FANG WU, THE ETERNAL BATTLE SOVEREIGN

"Then before leaving, please make sure to collect your items and complete your payments. I hope the UFC Auction Hall has not disappointed you, see you all next time!"

The auctioneer said brightly, her voice carrying the practiced grace of someone who had just made a fortune. She descended from the stage, leaving a trail of envy and admiration behind.

The crowd below slowly dispersed, many heading toward the collection counters while still buzzing about the final bid. Conversations ranged from awe to disbelief, most revolving around the mysterious guest in VIP Room Seven.

A few moments later, a polite knock sounded on the trio’s door.

"Esteemed guests, may I come in? I’ve brought your items," came a familiar, melodic voice.

Ming Tianmei did something with the talisman in her hand, then door slid open, and Manager Huan stepped inside with her usual poise, a polite smile gracing her lips.

Behind her, a disciple carefully carried a lacquered tray holding their purchases.

"My, my~" Huan began, a teasing lilt in her tone.

"I never imagined you would be the one to buy that item. Had I known, I might’ve reconsidered that discount, hm?"

Her laugh was soft and elegant, but a trained ear could hear the faint hint of regret beneath it — ten million sect points was not small.

"Please, have a look," she gestured gracefully.

The disciple stepped forward and presented the tray.

Yu Xuan reached first, taking a small golden pill that shimmered faintly, the only hidden item of the auction.

Ming Tianmei followed, accepting the pair of elegant hairpins with a quiet smile.

Finally, Lingluo extended her hand toward the remaining object — the Heavenly Lightning Rock.

As her fingers brushed its surface, arcs of faint blue lightning danced across it, crackling softly.

Yu Xuan glanced at Lingluo, who was grinning like a cat that had just robbed the heavens themselves.

’Oh great... but what about payment?’ he thought grimly, already feeling phantom pain.

"The total amount, after applying the discount, comes to nine million six hundred and twenty-one thousand sect points," Huan said with her usual polished smile, producing a medallion that suspiciously resembled something out of a modern mall—complete with what looked like a glowing spiritual QR code on its surface.

Lingluo, completely unfazed, took out her own disciple medallion and tapped it against Huan’s. A pleasant chime echoed in the air as the transaction completed.

"Huhu~ thank you for using the UFC Auction Hall," Huan said cheerfully. "Next time, please inform me before coming. I’ll make sure a VIP room is reserved just for you."

She chatted with Lingluo for some time then with a quick flick of her wrist, she added Lingluo as a friend on her personal medallion, networking, even in the cultivation world was important.

Then she departed gracefully, her robes fluttering behind her.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Yu Xuan blinked, then finally asked the question clawing at his mind.

"Hey... how come you have this much money?"

Lingluo tilted her head, her expression innocent but her tone smug.

"Oh, that? The shorty gave me some for random purchases."

Yu Xuan’s eye twitched.

’Her Senior Sister?!’

He slumped slightly, his face falling into a deadpan stare.

’So this is what real privilege looks like. I suddenly feel my master is poor.’

Across from them, Ming Tianmei quietly admired her new hairpins, tucking one into her hair and watching it catch the lamplight.

Yu Xuan sighed, putting his golden pill away in his storage ring.

"Alright, let’s go. It’s already late."

The three of them rose and left the VIP room, stepping into the night air outside the auction hall.

The grand building behind them glowed, its silhouette magnificent against the dark sky.

They walked down the path toward their humble cottage, the sounds of the still-bustling city fading behind them.

Lingluo cradled the Heavenly Lightning Rock in her hands, its faint electric arcs illuminating her face.

She hummed softly, pleased.

Yu Xuan glanced at the glowing rock once more.

’Please don’t explode,’ he thought grimly.

’The last thing I need is a Lightning party.’

***

Few Days Ago...

In the Martial Heaven Peak, within the Peak Master’s Abode.

From the outside, the abode appeared modest almost like a small, unassuming house at the top of the peak.

Yet inside, it was deceptively spacious, filled with quiet authority, as if the very walls themselves had been made from various precious treasures.

Within this sacred hall, a meeting of monumental importance was underway — one that could decide the future of the Martial Heaven Peak itself.

All the Elders had been summoned, whether by projection, clone, or in person. They had arrived swiftly, their expressions grave, sensing immediately that the unusual summons portended something of immense consequence.

At last, two figures entered the room. They moved slowly, deliberately, their presence radiating power.

The first was a handsome middle aged man whose aura exuded immense authority.

Beside him walked a seemingly simple old man, his white beard flowing, his presence was no different than a mortal.

Every Elder in the hall, numbering in the thousands — bowed instinctively, some startled, some awed, at the appearance of the old man.

"We greet the Peak Master and the High Elder!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing like a wave of reverence.

In the sect, the status of a High Elder exceeded even that of the Peak Master.

These were legendary figures, retired seniors who had withdrawn from worldly affairs long ago, yet whose authority and judgment remained unimpeachable.

To become a High Elder, one had to possess terrifying martial power and complete an impossible mission decreed by the sect.

The title was both honor and achievement.

Though High Elders rarely interfered in day-to-day affairs but wielded authority second only to the Peak Master, influencing major decisions across the peak.

And above the Peak Master and High Elder’s there are Grand Elders, pillars of the sect’s power, each a living legend whose martial might surpassed that of even the High Elders.

They governed vast territories within and beyond the Immortal Realms, their autonomy near absolute, and most cultivators of the sect rarely met them.

Now, standing at the center of this assembly was the current Martial Heaven Peak Master, Fang Wu, The Eternal Battle Sovereign.

His eyes scanned the hall, and his nod carried the weight of command itself.

"Everyone is here," Fang Wu declared, his voice cutting through the room like a sharpened blade.

Domineering yet calm, it brooked no interruption.

He paused, allowing the silence to settle before continuing.

"What I am about to reveal concerns the peak and it is of the gravest importance. It involves the legacy of the Martial Ancestor, with whom I have communicated... in my dreams."

The moment the name "Martial Ancestor" passed his lips, a ripple of shock went through the gathered Elders.

Every heart — whether singular or multiple, skipped a beat.

Eyes widened, breaths were held, and even the most stoic cultivators present here could feel the weight of history pressing down upon them.

Fang Wu’s gaze swept across the room, steady and unwavering, as he prepared to unveil the secrets that would determine the fate of Martial Heaven Peak.

"The Ancestor has decreed," he began solemnly, "that here, within the Mini Heaven Immortal Sect in the lower realm, the destiny to inherit his legacy has appeared. He will personally make an appearance."

For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then—

"W-What!?"

"Peak Master, are you serious?! Truly!?"

"How can this be possible!?"

"The Ancestor... will appear!?"

The once composed assembly erupted into disbelief and awe. The very mention of the Ancestor sent ripples through the hall like divine thunder.

After all, who was a Ancestor?

A being of unfathomable power — either a reclusive ancient being, or one of the founders of the Heaven Immortal Sect itself.

And the Martial Ancestor was the latter, his name had long become a legend.

The thought of his reappearance stirred the hearts of the Elders present here.

"But Peak Master," one Elder stood up, voice trembling slightly, "is such a monumental matter to be decided without notifying the other High Elders or Grand Elders?"

Fang Wu’s expression didn’t waver.

"That," he said evenly, "is precisely why this meeting was called. The representative of the High Elders for this matter will be Senior Wuji, and as for the Grand Elders..."

He paused briefly.

"...The Ancestor himself said he will handle that personally."

A heavy silence descended once more. Even the air seemed to still, weighed down by the implications of his words.

"So the Ancestor is truly taking action himself..." someone muttered.

Another Elder said voice cautious.

"But Peak Master, if the Ancestor merely said that a successor has appeared within the sect, does that not include all peaks? Are we certain the chosen one will emerge from our Martial Heaven Peak?"

Fang Wu gave a slow, confident nod, his tone unyielding.

"The Ancestor did not specify which peak, that much is true. However..."

His eyes sharpened, blazing with pride.

"I refuse to believe that any other peak harbors disciples more suited to the Ancestor’s path than our Martial Heaven Peak. The true genius must surely be among us."

His words carried the weight of conviction and arrogance befitting The Eternal Battle Sovereign. A murmur of agreement rippled through the hall.