Ascension of the Immortal Asura

One Billion!

Two Billion!

Five Billion!

Ten Billion!

Formation holograms flared all over the auction theater as the bidding frenzy started, although the bidders were mostly those seated in the upper part of the theater, as well as the private booths. Within seconds the price had already surged past ten billion spirit crystals, and so only the wealthiest of auction members could participate in the bidding.

In the private booth of the Trade Master, John watched calmly as the bidding war continued to intensify. The Trade Master gave John a sideways glance, watching him during the bidding process.

Shortly after sending the attendant away, the same attendant returned to the room with several others, each carrying fine wine and delicious food. They placed the platters of food and jars of wine on the table before John and the rest, and left the room quickly after.

"Are you not going to bid? I thought you wanted to obtain this Seal?" the Trade Master asked John as he poured himself a cup of wine.

"Oh, I intend to get the Seal, but the bidding right now is being done by the desperate who hope that the price won't get too high. Only once the old monsters join in to bid will I join as well, which is still tens of billions away," John replied calmly.

"Oh? And how did you come to this conclusion?" the Trade Master asked curiously, as it was completely spot on.

"Caz told me," John explained, while the Trade Master glanced at Caz for a moment before nodding his head in approval.

"And your analysis of the situation is completely correct, Caz," the Trade Master praised in approval, which caused Caz to blush at being complemented by the Trade Master himself.

"I don't deserve your praise," Caz replied sheepishly, although he felt ecstatic at the moment.

"Nonsense. Your growth has been tremendous this last year, and you were the one to find the perfect trading partner. If anything, you deserve more praise than I have given you thus far," the Trade Master replied, revealing that he had been keeping tabs on Caz for at least a year.

His words caused Caz to feel complete shock, as well as elation.

"Thank you, Trade Master," Caz replied respectfully.

"However, you were wrong with one assumption," the Trade Master spoke up, causing both John and Caz to look at him with curious expressions.

"What was I wrong with? Please instruct me," Caz asked sincerely.

"Your analysis of the bidding war on this Seal would have been good for most years, but this year is different," the Trade Master replied.

"Not only is a war between the top powers of this world brewing on the near horizon, there are three ancient monsters in attendance today that are part of the powers that will be involved in that war. Each of them has broken through to the Middle World Expansion Realm in the last few decades, and each has outgrown their weapon's use. Only by finding an ancient weapon, or getting one crafted by someone like Daoist Eternal Weapon will they be able to obtain a new weapon that raises their combat prowess to a new level. With these three in attendance, the price will most likely be at least twice the amount you predicted," the Trade Master explained.

"So that's what it was. Thank you for the enlightenment," Caz replied respectfully, while John frowned at the Trade Masters words.

"Three ancient monsters? Who are they?" John asked curiously.

"One is from the Forbidden Alliance, part of the Council of Nine. Her name is Daoist Ashenblood. The next is from the Monster Race, Monster Prince Xalgul Plaagoth. He's the younger brother of the recently slain Monster King, and is one of the potential candidates for taking over the Monster Race in their Ascension Tournament next month," the Trade Master explained, and paused for a moment before continuing.

"And the last one…you should already be familiar with them," the Trade Master smirked.

"I am? Who is it?" John asked.

"It is none other than your Sect Leader…Daoist Thunderfist!"

"What? Sect Leader Thunderfist is here?" John exclaimed, completely shocked to hear that. He had not expected his very own sect leader to be in attendance.

"That he is. He's in that private booth opposite us," the Trade Master said as he pointed to a booth on the opposite side of the auction theater, one of equal quality to the one they were in.

"Tch," John clicked his tongue, disappointed to hear that one of the three powerful cultivators that required a new weapon was none other than his sect leader. However, he needed that scythe at all costs, and could only bet against his sect leader.

"Are you going to give up on the weapon?" the Trade Master asked curiously.

"As if. I'll apologize to Sect Leader Thunderzen later, but that Seal is mine," John replied firmly, to which the Trade Master nodded in approval.

"Good. Steadfast and firm in your path. That is how a cultivator should be. It's no wonder why you were named as Prime Disciple," the Trade Master complimented John and took a sip of wine from his cup, and spoke out once more, "Although I'm sure your status as 'Asura' also came into the equation," the Trade Master said as he placed his cup back on the table before him and glanced at John with an amused smile.

His words caused John to calmly raise his guard, although he appeared as if he was unconcerned.

"Relax. I have no interest in your identity," the Trade Master assuaged, "I only care for trade, and making money. Anything else matters not."

"What? John is 'Asura'!" Caz exclaimed, shocked once again by news he was not expecting to hear.

The identity of 'Asura' was the number one mystery on the continent, and everyone was eager to know who it was. While Caz knew John's combat prowess was beyond freakish, he never expected John to actually be the mythical 'Asura' who had achieved twenty steps on the Talent Testing Steps.

"It seems news of my identity has spread faster than I had expected," John sighed as he lowered his guard once more, as against someone as strong as the Trade Master, he wasn't able to do much, guard raised or not.

"The identity of 'Asura' is far too interesting for it not to spread like wildfire. Very soon the entire continent will know, so it's best you move forward carefully with this in mind," the Trade Master replied.

"So that's why you've purchased so many tea leaves," John mused as he finally figured out why the Trade Master would purchase so many at once. "You expect me to fall in the near future, at which point obtaining more leaves might not be possible."

"No, I have no expectations or hopes for your demise, but as Trade Master, I must still tread carefully when it comes to trade. With the danger enclosing on you in the near future, this is just my way of ensuring maximum profits for my Trade Hall," the Trade Master replied.

"That makes sense," John replied, not annoyed at all by the Trade Masters actions or words, and his eyes shifted to the opposite side of the auction theater as a formation hologram flared, coming from Sect Leader Thunderfists booth.

Thirty Billion Spirit Crystals!

"It appears the big spenders have started to bid," the Trade Master said, an expectant smile on his face at the entertainment to come.

"Sorry Sect Leader, but this weapon is mine," John said as he placed his hand on the bidding formation, entering the bid as well.

Forty Billion Spirit Crystals!