Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 246

Chapter 246: Burning Heaven World III

After purchasing the jewelry, Aiden continued his search for other valuable finds, hoping to discover more hidden treasures like the ring he had just acquired. Although it appeared to be an ordinary ruby ring, it was, in fact, a Blood Essence Bead of a Fafnir—a Flame Spirit Dragon. The Fafnir was entirely composed of spirit energy, making it a unique and potent artifact.

The Spirit race, to which the Fafnir belonged, was one of the top three races in the Immortal World. Their prominence stemmed from their unique method of cultivation. Unlike most cultivators who focused on Immortal energy, the Spirit race cultivated Soul Energy, enhancing their soul power. This made their attacks incredibly dangerous, as they directly targeted the soul rather than the physical body, making them a race few would dare to challenge.

Aiden continued meticulously examining each and every stall, searching for hidden treasures, while Nexus and Myne were fully engrossed in enjoying themselves. They flitted from one stall to another, buying whatever caught their fancy. For them, it was like an all-you-can-eat buffet of shopping, and Aiden didn’t mind at all. After all, he had more than enough money after wiping out an entire sect and looting their possessions.

This sect had been located in Skyfire City and belonged to the Immortal Ancestor who had attacked them. Naturally, after killing the ancestor, Aiden looted the entire sect, eliminating anyone who tried to resist. The amusing part was that no one came to stop them; with the sect’s top leaders dead, chaos ensued as the survivors began a frenzy of fighting and looting among themselves.

Aiden moved from one shop to another, his eyes scanning the various items on display. The marketplace was bustling, filled with vendors offering a wide array of goods. There were stalls selling exotic herbs, rare metals, and even peculiar artifacts that pulsed with faint energy. Some shops specialized in weapons, their shelves lined with gleaming swords, spears, and other tools of war, each promising unique abilities.

Yet, as Aiden examined each item, his Akashic Insight revealed the truth behind their appearances. What looked like a powerful artifact was often just a cleverly disguised trinket, or a weapon that claimed to be forged from the bones of ancient beasts turned out to be nothing more than a cleverly crafted replica. Even the supposed rare herbs were often of common variety, though some were disguised with minor enchantments to seem more valuable than they were.

Aiden felt a slight twinge of disappointment as he moved through the market. The ring with the Blood Essence Bead of the Flame Spirit Dragon had been a rare find, but so far, nothing else in the market seemed to match its value. Most items were either overpriced or lacked any real hidden potential. Despite the market’s vastness and the sheer number of stalls, it seemed that genuine treasures were either well-hidden or had already been snapped up.

Nexus and Myne, however, were having the time of their lives. They continued to indulge in the shopping spree, purchasing beautiful accessories, clothing, and various other items that caught their eye. Aiden watched them out of the corner of his eye, smiling slightly at their carefree attitudes. Despite his unsuccessful treasure hunt, seeing them happy and enjoying themselves was a small comfort.

As the day drew to a close, Aiden was about to call the two free-spirited ones when a shady-looking man approached him.

“Hello, fellow cultivator,” the man greeted with a sly smile. Aiden instantly recognized the type.

“I’m not looking for prostitutes,” Aiden responded calmly.

“No, no, nothing like that,” the man replied, waving his hand with a grin. “I’ve got something better.”

“What?” Aiden asked, curious.

“Slaves,” the man leaned in and whispered.

“Hmm,” Aiden nodded, though his mind was already racing. ‘Slaves, huh? I remember they’re banned in this world, so how is this possible?’

This world is under Atlantis Sect and the detest the Save traders cause in past when they have yet to have their own foot holding in this vast world many like them as Slaves for their beauty.

But a genius from their race emerged, reaching such heights that others began to take them seriously. This led to a counterattack, with the genius revising the cultivation technique to better suit his race. As a result, they created a powerful Atlantean Sect, eventually beginning to take over many worlds. Their advance was halted when other major sects warned them to stop their expansion.

Now, the Atlantean Sect controls many worlds but has refrained from further conquest after being cautioned by other powerful sects.

Aiden then turned his attention back to the man who introduced himself as James. He began to follow him as James led him to a dead end.

“Nothing here,” Aiden remarked, seeing the dead-end.

“Don’t worry, young master,” James replied, pulling out a ring and handing it to Aiden.

‘The usual stuff,’ Aiden thought as he put on the ring and placed it against the wall. Soon, the wall began to twist and transform into a portal.

“Please, young master,” James said, bowing.

Aiden nodded and stepped inside.

As Aiden stepped through the portal, he expected to find a secretive marketplace hidden away from prying eyes, filled with rare artifacts and treasures. Instead, he found himself in a large, dimly lit chamber. The walls were made of rough-hewn stone, and the air was heavy with the smell of damp earth. It was eerily quiet, save for the faint sound of shuffling feet.

Aiden’s instincts flared as he noticed the figures lurking in the shadows. They moved with a predatory grace, slowly closing in on him. Their faces were obscured, but he could feel their gazes, cold and calculating. A sense of dread hung in the air, but Aiden remained composed, though his mind was already analyzing the situation.

“What is this?” Aiden asked, his voice firm as he turned to James, who stood a few paces behind him. His earlier polite demeanor was gone, replaced by a smug expression that made Aiden’s blood boil.

James chuckled darkly, the sound echoing ominously in the chamber. “Oh, this is indeed a slave trading ring,” he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “But the difference here is that you, my dear cultivator, are the one who’s going to be traded.”

Aiden’s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening as he processed James’s words. The figures around him began to close in, their intentions now clear. They were here to capture him, to subdue him and sell him off like cattle.

The room seemed to grow smaller as the attackers moved closer, weapons glinting in the faint light. Aiden could feel their killing intent, their confidence that they had already won. But they didn’t know who they were dealing with.

Aiden took a deep breath, his muscles tensing as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation. “I see,” he said calmly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “But you’ve made a mistake. You should’ve brought more people.”

With those words, Aiden’s aura surged, filling the room with an oppressive force. The temperature seemed to drop as a cold, dark energy emanated from him, causing the would-be captors to hesitate. Aiden’s eyes gleamed with resolve as he unleashed a fraction of his power, the ground beneath him cracking under the pressure.

James’s smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of fear as he realized they had gravely underestimated their target. The aura Aiden released was dark and oppressive, emanating from the Authority of Pride, Lucifer. This power made everyone around him feel insignificant, as if they were mere insects beneath his feet. Even those who were stronger than Aiden felt the weight of his presence, their confidence waning under the pressure.

As Aiden assessed the situation, he noted the number of enemies surrounding him. Among them were at least a few Immortal Emperors, making the odds seem daunting. But Aiden knew he could turn the tide in his favor, especially with the right bluff.

Fortunately, bluffing was not new to him. His aura, bolstered by the Authority of Pride, worked perfectly, reducing all their powers by 50%. The enemies, once full of confidence, now looked uncertain, their strength sapped by Aiden’s overwhelming presence.

Aiden drew his sword, channeling his Immortal energy into it. The blade hummed with power, the air around it crackling with energy. The sight of the sword, combined with the oppressive aura, caused everyone to pause, their earlier bravado replaced by fear.

“As I said,” Aiden’s voice was calm but laced with a cold edge, “you should’ve brought more people.”

The room was silent as Aiden’s words hung in the air. The enemies, once so sure of their victory, now realized they were up against someone far more powerful than they had anticipated. Aiden stood tall, his sword gleaming with deadly energy, ready to strike down anyone who dared to challenge him.

And then the massacre began.

In just five minutes, the room was transformed into a scene of carnage. Aiden moved with lethal precision, his sword cutting through his enemies as if they were nothing more than paper. Heads flew, bodies fell, and the once confident attackers were reduced to a panicked, desperate mob. The difference in power was so stark it was like watching an adult fight against newborns.

James, now sitting in a puddle of his own piss, looked at Aiden with terror. His body trembled uncontrollably as he took in the blood-soaked scene around him. Aiden stood amidst the carnage, untouched and unmoved by the death he had wrought.

Seeing this, James nearly fainted, the reality of his situation crashing down on him. But somehow, he managed to maintain his composure, clinging to the last shreds of his sanity. He knew that the only way to survive was to beg, to offer everything he had in exchange for his life.