Dai Yuheng stroked his chin in surprise. "That's the court etiquette of the Star Luo Empire. Could this auctioneer, Jiu Jiu, be from the Star Luo royal family?"
Huo Yuhao nearly facepalmed. 'What a brilliant question.'
'You, the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, don't even recognize Princess Jiu Jiu of Star Luo? That's a bit much.'
Qing Ya smiled and explained, "You have a sharp eye. Auctioneer Jiu Jiu is the youngest sister of the current emperor. However, she once said that within the auction house, her identity is simply that of an auctioneer—hence, we do not address her as 'Your Highness.'"
The group exchanged glances. As Yuhao had suspected, they already knew the Starlight Auction House had deep connections, but they hadn't expected them to be this deep.
Dai Yuheng flushed with embarrassment at his oversight, but his attention was quickly seized by the first auction item—the Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade.
The private room's optical screen displayed the item in flawless 360-degree detail. Xu Jiu Jiu introduced it with a graceful smile:
"The Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade is an class 8 close-combat soul tool..."
As the saying goes, a fine sword suits a hero, just as a beautiful scene suits a beauty.
The moment Dai Yuheng laid eyes on the tiger-headed saber, he was captivated.
Crafted from the right arm bone of a ten-thousand-year Tyrannical Tiger, this blade could be wielded by a Soul Saint with seven rings.
Who could be more suited for it than him, bearer of the White Tiger Martial Soul?
Though he couldn't unleash its full power yet, he was nearing the threshold of Soul Saint. In three to five years at most, he'd break through—and then?
Punch Ma Xiaotao. Slash Huo Yuhao. No problem.
Better yet, this soul tool was a product of Mingde Hall from the Sun Moon Empire—synonymous with excellence.
In the end, Dai Yuheng gritted his teeth and secured the blade for 1.56 million gold soul coins.
Of course, this was a personal purchase.
He didn't have that kind of money lying around. After serving as an inspector at Shrek Academy, his savings barely reached a few hundred thousand.
But Star Luo City was his home turf. Raising funds wasn't impossible—just humbling. He'd have to swallow his pride and borrow from acquaintances.
…
Excluding his priceless treasures, Huo Yuhao's net worth hovered near 30 million gold soul coins.
Not everyone in the Shrek delegation could afford the auction's offerings, but the academy had prepared for this.
Wang Yan carried an unlimited credit certificate issued by Shrek. Any expenses would be settled by the academy afterward.
Credit certificates weren't cash but collateral-backed guarantees. Only top-tier factions—like royal families or elite academies—could issue them with no upper limit.
And Shrek? Undeniably a top-tier force.
"Of course," Wang Yan had warned before departure, "don't splurge recklessly. Buy only what's necessary. We can't abuse the academy's trust."
Beibei and the others understood. Even with Shrek's backing, they'd still have to work off any debts.
What Wang Yan didn't mention was that among them, only Huo Yuhao's purchases had no spending cap. The others? Their limits varied.
As in the original timeline, He Caitou persuaded Wang Yan to bid on the second lot—twelve fixed soul cannon shells. After that, Shrek stayed quiet.
Among the next five items were three high-quality soul bones, an extremely rare metal, and an class 8 ranged soul tool.
In top-tier auctions, soul bones always dominated, followed by soul tools.
Soul tools were external aids with limited lifespans.
But soul bones?
They could be passed down for generations, becoming a faction's foundation.
Top-tier soul bones surpassed even the finest soul tools in value.
The Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade. for instance, had been forged into a soul tool because the soul bone was flawed.
Soul bones directly enhanced a soul master's foundation—even altering fate, cleansing meridians, and refining marrow.
Their rarity made them highly sought-after.
Among the three bones, one was versatile and suited for most. But with reserve prices starting at one million gold soul coins, Wang Yan hesitated.
His authority had limits.
Unless a bone perfectly matched one of them—especially Huo Yuhao—he'd hold off.
Beibei and the others sighed inwardly. 'Teacher Wang, you overestimate us.'
Even with Shrek's credit, none wanted to recklessly amass debt.
Huo Yuhao, who could afford them, showed no interest. Ten or twenty-thousand-year soul bones? It was beneath his notice.
…
Princess Jiu Jiu's figure reappeared on-screen, her voice laced with anticipation: "The next two items are today's highlights. I urge all guests to seize this opportunity."
A magnified image of a soul bone materialized—a complete, dark-blue skull, crystalline like sapphire.
A liquid-like blue aura swirled around it, adorned with icy patterns and veiled in mist.
The previous three bones paled in comparison. This was in a league of its own.
Even Huo Yuhao's 50,000-year Dread Dragon King Skull Bone couldn't match its presence.
He suspected it rivaled the 70,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone in his vault.
'Star Luo's pulling out all the stops.'
'Are they trying to win me over?'
But his skull slot was already reserved.
Still, this bone was unique—and sparked a theory:
'Did Star Luo capture another unlucky soul beast?'
No—the God-Conferring Platform was supposed to secure the Snow Empress.
If a 100,000-year soul beast embryo appeared now?
This was definitely Star Luo's scheme.
Princess Jiu Jiu's voice deepened, weaving intrigue: "Among the six soul bone types, the skull ranks among the highest. This one—the finest our auction house has procured—was originally reserved. But coinciding with the Tournament, we've decided to offer it."
She paused. "As for its sole drawback? An ice-attribute restriction. Only ice-affinity soul masters can fuse with it."
Wang Yan nearly scoffed.
"Drawback"?
Attribute-specific bones were rarer—and far more potent—than generic ones.
"Now, its merits," Jiu Jiu continued. "This Deep Blue Glory Skull hails from a 40,000-year Deep Cold Blue Dragon—a creature with pure ice-dragon bloodline. Fusing it enhances mental power, ice affinity, and may even grant an ice-attuned physique."
"Though it won't bestow Ultimate Ice, any ice-affinity soul master will find it invaluable."
Ten minutes later, bidding began.
The Ice Empress's voice echoed in his mind: "This skull's quality matches your Dread Dragon King Skull Bone's. The difference lies in compatibility—one suits your Spirit Eyes, the other your ice body."
Skydream added: "If you must absorb one, the Deep Blue Glory is better. It boosts mental power too."
Huo Yuhao understood.
But truthfully? He wasn't interested in either.
The Evil Eye Tyrant's skull was his true target—ideally from a 100,000-year specimen.
With his Time and Space Demon Eye, his mental power had no ceiling.
'Why should I settle for less?'
The Shrek team stared at Huo Yuhao enviously—especially Ling Luochen.
This bone wasn't just expensive—it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For her, it meant elevating her talent to Ma Xiaotao's level.
Yet she knew: Huo Yuhao benefited more.
The mental and ice-affinity boosts? It was tailor-made for him.
How could she compete?
Wang Yan broke the silence: "This bone suits Yuhao's dual martial souls. We'll bid for him."
Ling Luochen's face fell, but she nodded. "I understand."
'If it's meant to be, it'll be.'
Then—Huo Yuhao dropped a bombshell.
"Teacher Wang, this bone isn't right for me. Let Senior Sister Ling have it."
Shock rippled through the group.
Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Yuhao, don't be rash. Trust Teacher Wang's judgment."
Ling Luochen sighed. "There's no need to console me. You're the better fit."
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "I've already secured a skull from the academy—one better suited for my Spirit Eyes. This one should go to Senior Sister."
Gasps filled the room.
The reserve team marveled at the academy's generosity.
Others pondered: 'No wonder his mental power's so monstrous.'
What they didn't know was that Huo Yuhao had never absorbed it.
By yielding the bone, he'd fulfill an achievement mission—and earn goodwill.
As for the best part? He wasn't paying a single coin.
Profiting from generosity?'
Now that's a bloodless victory.
…
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