After Wang Baole and the others entered the palace, what met their eyes was a long corridor.

Along both sides of the corridor stood tall jade pillars.

Each pillar was carved with lifelike images of demonic beasts. Nie Xiuyuan recognized at a glance that the figures carved on the jade pillars were Taotie.

What was most astonishing was that each Taotie pattern emanated Dao Truths, making it seem as if it could come to life at any moment.

The North Abyss Prince and his two companions also noticed something unusual about the jade pillars. They subconsciously slowed their pace while becoming vigilant.

Each time the group passed a pillar, a ray of light would emanate from its previously dim surface.

By the time the group reached the end of the great hall, the once-dim chamber was now brilliantly illuminated, as bright as day.

At the end of the great hall stood a Taotie statue several tens of feet high.

Unlike the carvings on the pillars, this statue not only emanated Dao Truths but also the Might of the Dao.

Although it was merely a statue, it felt as if a Saint were standing before them.

Even though four of the five people present had already comprehended Dao Truths, seeing the statue before them still gave rise to an unprecedented fear in their hearts.

"You juniors, why do you not bow upon seeing this Saint?"

An incomparably majestic voice emanated from the statue, and its sound shattered the last line of defense in the hearts of the five.

No matter how unwilling they were, they couldn't help but kneel on the ground.

Nie Xiuyuan's face remained calm. "We only bow to heaven, earth, our parents, and our masters. As for other experts, no matter how powerful they may be, using Saintly Might to force us to our knees is something our hearts cannot accept."

Although the North Abyss Prince, the Golden Cicada Spirit Son, and the Heartless Saintess did not speak, they all nodded slightly.

Nie Xiuyuan had spoken their minds. They were all the top-tier Heavenly Pride of this Xuan Continent; even if their bodies knelt, their hearts would not.

"Good, very good. It has been a long time since this Seat has seen people with such backbone. But if you wish to gain benefits from this Seat, is it not only natural that you kneel?"

The statue continued its questioning.

Just as Nie Xiuyuan was about to speak, the statue's gaze fell upon Wang Baole.

"Little fatty, you will answer this Seat."

Wang Baole spoke neither humbly nor haughtily. "Senior, you yourself said you are merely offering us benefits. Presumably, these benefits are not free. Therefore, this can be considered a fair transaction between us. Since it is meant to be fair, why must we kneel?"

"What a sharp-tongued kid," the statue said. "If not for the fact that you have awakened the bloodline of my Taotie clan, this Seat would have swallowed you in one bite."

Hearing this, Wang Baole knew they were temporarily out of danger. He cupped his hands and said, "This junior thanks you for sparing our lives. May I ask what you wish to use to trade with us?"

"Hmph!" The statue let out a cold snort. "That depends on what you need. This Seat has cultivation methods, divine weapons, and Heavenly and Earthly Treasures of all kinds. It merely depends on what price you are willing to pay. Of course, it would be best if you were to trade the most precious things you possess."

There's a chance. Hearing these words, the five people present began to consider making a trade with the Holy Beast before them.

At the same time, they felt the terrifying pressure that had been enveloping them had largely dissipated, and they unconsciously rose to their feet.

Seeing that they did not speak, the statue continued, "This Seat has a rule. Among the cultivators who come to this Immortal Palace, the first one to trade with me will receive the most abundant treasures."

As soon as these words were spoken, the five people, who had been at peace with each other, subconsciously maintained a certain distance from the other three factions, fearing that someone might launch a sneak attack.

The Golden Cicada Spirit Son was the first to speak. "Amitabha. This little monk has never been fond of fighting. The rest of you may decide who goes first."

His words instantly enlightened the others present. Everyone who had reached their current status was no fool; fighting here was not a wise move.

The Heartless Saintess also chimed in, "I previously lost to Daoist Friend Nie. I invite Daoist Friend Nie to go first."

With just these simple sentences, the Heartless Saintess and the Golden Cicada Spirit Son withdrew from the competition.

The statue saw the scene before it and thought to itself: This batch of Heavenly Pride is not so easy to fool. But it doesn't matter. As long as the treasures I trade are abundant enough, I'm not afraid they won't be moved to fight over them.

Once someone falls in this North Jade Mountain, I can devour all their fortune.

The fortune on these five little ones before me is truly mouth-watering!

Nie Xiuyuan said with a smile, "Your Highness the Prince, as the saying goes, it is better to resolve a grudge than to cling to it. We had some conflicts before. How about I give up this opportunity today, and we turn our weapons into gifts of jade?"

"Very well."

The North Abyss Prince naturally knew that Nie Xiuyuan was just being polite, but he didn't mind being the first to trade to see what good things he could get.

He turned his gaze to the statue and asked, "May I ask what Senior requires us to pay?"

The statue said, "What do you consider the most important thing you possess?"

Identity, status, strength, and wealth.

These thoughts flashed through the North Abyss Prince's mind one after another, but he quickly dismissed them.

What he possessed was completely insignificant in the eyes of a Saint. He said, "Could it be lifespan?"

The statue said, "That is something of some value. However, you are merely a member of the human race. How can your lifespan compare to that of an ancient demon race like this Saint? Your lifespan is not worth mentioning in this Seat's eyes. Think again."

The North Abyss Prince immediately fell into deep thought. He truly could not think of anything he possessed that a Demon Saint would not.

Nie Xiuyuan, Wang Baole, the Golden Cicada Spirit Son, and the Heartless Saintess also fell into deep thought.

After a good while, the Golden Cicada Spirit Son spoke. "This little monk knows."

The statue said with a smile, "I have heard that the bald donkeys from the West all have a root of wisdom. It seems you kid are not bad either. Speak, what is it?"

"You flatter me, Senior."

The Golden Cicada Spirit Son paused for a moment, then said, "Presumably, what Senior needs is fortune."

As these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present varied. For ordinary cultivators, fortune was indeed an intangible and invisible thing.

However, given their current cultivation and status, they were naturally aware of the importance of fortune.

The struggle of a great era is a struggle for fortune. Only with sufficient fortune does one have the qualification to carry the Mandate of Heaven.

Everyone subconsciously turned their gaze to the statue, wanting to know the answer.

"Correct."

The Taotie statue glanced at the Golden Cicada Spirit Son with an appreciative gaze. "Here at this Seat, only fortune can be exchanged for treasures. As long as you want it, I have it here."

As the words fell, the entire great hall fell silent. Everyone's gaze turned toward the North Abyss Prince...

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