The sword measured three chi and seven cun in length. Its guard and hilt were dark, as if stained by ancient blood that had then discolored into black rust. Though visibly powerful restrictions suppressed its power, a boundless fiend qi burst forth the moment it rested in Leng Ruolan's hands. The aura spread in all directions, unseen yet unmistakable.

Leng Ruolan's face turned pale. The slender hands holding the sword trembled slightly, and even her lips quivered as she spoke, "We don't know the original name of this sword. But we do know that it was originally a top-tier True Artifact, and it was used to slay an Ascendant. During the process, it was stained with the Ascendant's blood, and over time, it developed a trace of sentience and gained the power of a spirit treasure. Sage Jadecold later named it Godslayer. As you can see, the blood on the sword is from that fallen Ascendant. That Ascendant had mastered the Dao of Blood and comprehended its laws, so traces of that power remain within the blood essence. If someone with exceptional talent obtains this sword, they may be able to grasp the laws of blood, and maybe even use them to advance to the Divine Transformation Realm. Even if your attributes don't align, it still has many uses. At the very least, the sword's power is unmatched in this age!

"Of course... it does have its drawbacks. What remains isn't just the blood essence but also the resentment of that fallen Ascendant. That resentment has infected the sword spirit, and subduing it will take a great deal of effort. Sage Jadecold has failed multiple times and even suffered backlash. That's why it's being put up for auction. We're hoping that someone fated will be able to claim it."

Her explanation came in fragments, but the meaning was clear. Even cultivators at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realm, who did not grasp the mysteries of the Nascent Soul, let alone Divine Transformation, could follow and reflect on it. In fact, Leng Ruolan held nothing back. She laid out both the strengths and weaknesses of the sword. If a powerful figure obtained it but failed to refine it, Jadecold City could not be blamed.

From his private room, Luo Chen stared at the sword with envy. Ever since his Mystic Flame Sword had been destroyed, he had lacked a suitable offensive treasure. If he could obtain this one, it would be perfect.

"A spirit treasure...That's incredible!"

However, Han Zhan's voice came at the same moment. "That is not a true spirit treasure. It's close enough, but it isn't one."

Luo Chen was stunned. "A pseudo spirit treasure?"

Han Zhan explained carefully, "As you know, I have close ties with Skysail City. Even my Nascent Soul breakthrough was thanks to their help. So I'm fairly familiar with the basics of artifact creation. Heaven Smelter often borrowed the Demon Locking Pagoda from the Valley of Ghosts and Divinities from me because he was trying to refine treasures capable of targeting Nascent Souls. We ended up talking about artifact creation quite a bit, so I picked up a lot along the way."

Luo Chen nodded. He was already aware of these things. Heaven Smelter had indeed made some progress after years of research. Luo Chen's Primordial Unity Cauldron incorporated those findings and could already seize Golden Cores from afar. Once he reached the Nascent Soul Realm and refined the cauldron into a True Artifact, the cauldron might actually end up fulfilling Heaven Smelter's vision to directly target Nascent Souls.

"From what Heaven Smelter told me, the grading of weapons is strictly defined—enchanted artifacts, then enchanted treasures, followed by True Artifacts and spirit treasures. Each tier is higher than the last. And beyond spirit treasures, there are even Dao artifacts and immortal artifacts. I don't know what those higher ones are like, but a spirit treasure definitely shouldn't be as simple as Leng Ruolan described. If the blood and resentment of a dead Ascendant were enough to produce an artifact spirit, then crafting spirit treasures would be far too easy."

Luo Chen clicked his tongue. Since when is killing an Ascendant simple? Those people stand at the very peak of the world! Most people never even see one in their entire lives!

Han Zhan paid no mind to Luo Chen's thoughts and continued with his explanation—or, rather, with the view held by Heaven Smelter and Skysail City.

"A true spirit treasure is no different from a cultivator. It starts as an extremely powerful True Artifact, and after integrating with the laws of heaven and earth, it naturally gives birth to its own spirit. But that's not enough. It's only a spirit treasure when it gains proper intelligence."

Weapons can comprehend the laws of heaven and earth? Luo Chen was bewildered. But soon, he realized Han Zhan might be right. Otherwise, those methods that bound souls of demonic beasts or cultivators to artifacts in order to enhance their power would have literally created spirit treasures. But that was very much not the case. Weapons born from merging with vengeful spirits were merely shortcuts, heretic and cruel creations.

If this so-called Godslayer was a True Artifact and had fused with the lingering resentment of an Ascendant, acquiring some traits of a spirit treasure, then calling it a pseudo-spirit treasure was indeed more appropriate. Even so, Luo Chen still found it hard to resist.

"Don't get any ideas. A treasure like that won't fall into your hands," Han Zhan said. He was completely calm now, with no trace of his earlier urgency. It seemed that with the Soul-Nurturing Wood in hand, he was feeling reassured.

Luo Chen was just as composed. "I know. I was just indulging in a bit of fantasy. Who knows when I'll ever have a spirit treasure of my own... or even just a True Artifact."

He immediately dismissed those unrealistic thoughts. Such thoughts had no place in the minds of any Initiates or Adepts here; only those seated on the fourth floor were qualified to compete for it.

As expected, the silence did not last long before someone spoke. However, the first to speak did not place a bid. Instead, they asked about the sword's origins. "Where did this sword come from?"

On the stage, Leng Ruolan paused. She did not know how to respond. But at that moment, a clear female voice sounded from elsewhere. "Fellow Daoist Wensong, allow me to clarify. This sword is just like that Black-Green Treasure Basin Fish King; both are from the Sunken Sea."

The Sage called Wensong said in surprise, "So the rumors about you venturing into the Sunken Sea are true? But over the past two or three hundred years, no one's ever heard of you leaving Jadecold City."

Sage Jadecold replied calmly, "I did go. But that was three hundred years ago, when I was only at the Golden Core Realm."

Before Wensong could respond, another Sage cut in, "At the Golden Core Realm, it is impossible to cross the Sunken Sea. Jadecold, do you take us for fools?"

"Hold on, Mulan Gaoxiong. Three hundred years ago, Sage Jadecold was not alone!" Wensong reminded him.

Everyone was stunned, then recalled the past. Three hundred years ago, Sage Jadecold had indeed been involved with a Sage of the Primordial Devil Sect. By that timeline, Jadecold City had only come under her control within the past two to three hundred years. The implications were obvious. Even Sage Jadecold did not look pleased at the revelation. That past was a humiliation to her, and bringing it up in public was no different from exposing her shame.

At that moment, Blood Nightmare spoke in surprise, "Don't tell me... it was Grand Elder Blood Sea from our Primordial Devil Sect's Blood Sea Lineage who took you to the Sunken Sea?"

Sage Jadecold sneered. "I will not go into the details. The only question is, do you want the sword or not?"

All the Sages were shaken! The destruction of the Primordial Devil Sect was a major event that loomed over all cultivators in the Northern Sea. No one knew the details. It was only known that three Ancient Demons from the Demon Sea had led an army of countless demons into the Heaven of Northern Yama and destroyed the Primordial Devil Sect. The scale of the siege was beyond imagination.

Yet the Primordial Devil Sect had a formidable foundation. Its three lineages—Primordial Devil, Soul Refinement, and Blood Sea—each had an Ascendant behind it. The sect also possessed grand formations, advantageous terrain, and ten thousand years of accumulated strength. How could it have been destroyed by only three Ancient Demons? There were rumors that the three patriarchs of the Primordial Devil Sect were not all present and only two took part in the battle. The missing one seemed to be Grand Elder Blood Sea.

Now, when this was considered alongside the description of Godslayer, which had once slain an Ascendant who comprehended the blood laws, a possibility began to form in everybody's minds.

No way... Could it be that...

"I'm taking it! I'd appreciate it if you'd all yield this to me," Blood Nightmare said coldly.

Blood Nightmare had always appeared amiable, but now his voice turned as cold as the Nine Hells. Everyone understood his intention. If this blood sword was what they suspected, then in his hands it would be like giving wings to a tiger. It might even give him a shot at the Divine Transformation Realm. But precisely because of that, how could anyone let him have it so easily?

At once, Mulan Gaoxiong of the Blue Sea Alliance spoke up. "Sorry, but I also cultivate the Dao of Blood Sea. Though I haven't fully grasped its principles, if I obtain this sword, it may help me take another step forward."

After speaking, he immediately called out a bid. Blood Nightmare snorted and refused to give ground. The other Sages had been watching, but once the bidding began, they joined in. This was a spirit-treasure sword! Once it was subdued, its offensive power would be unmatched.

The fiercest bidding war unfolded in the Cold Palace, yet not a sound reached below. It played out only among the Sages. Those at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realms could not take part, and they could not even hear what was being discussed.

Inside the private room on the second floor, Luo Chen asked quietly, "What is going on right now?"

Han Zhan replied, "Hard to say. I can't extend my divine consciousness to listen in. But it seems intense. There have been repeated clashes of divine consciousness."

Luo Chen frowned slightly. "They're not going to lose control and start fighting for real, are they?"

If Sages truly started fighting, small fry like them would all be caught in the fallout.

"Hard to say. But they'll at least show the host some respect. If they're going to fight, it'll be after the auction ends," Han Zhan replied.