The auction for the 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo was underway.
The auctioneer's voice sounded through the hall:
"Even if the fusion fails and the second martial soul is not obtained, there is no need to worry—the soul ring and soul bones will not vanish. However, should the fusion fail, the soul beast will perish, and its soul ring and soul bones will detonate."
"But let me remind our distinguished guests: If you wish to attempt fusion, it is best to be at the bottleneck of Level 90. Otherwise, even if the fusion fails, absorbing a 100,000-year soul bone will be impossible without sufficient physical strength."
"Of course, if you lack the strength now, that's not an issue. This God Conferring Platform possesses the power to seal time and space. Even after tens of thousands of years, the soul beast embryo inside will remain intact."
"Therefore, the esteemed guests who purchase this item must also acquire this Class 9 soul tool, which is essential for preserving the embryo."
"I now grant all guests a thirty-minute break. After this, our final major auction will commence. This auction house accepts mortgages, though with a 20% handling fee."
"Esteemed guests, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a treasure truly unprecedented in history. With it, you can nurture a peerless powerhouse. Do not let this golden chance slip away!"
…
VIP Room No. 7
Wang Yan sat on the sofa, frowning as he watched the enlarged projection of the God Conferring Platform.
"Yuhao, will you bid again this time?"
His thoughts were tangled, but he quickly dismissed them.
Huo Yuhao shook his head firmly. "No need. The value of this soul beast embryo isn't worth it. The success rate of fusing a second martial soul is far too low, and there may be hidden risks."
Ma Xiaotao, as the current captain of Shrek Team, agreed. "Yuhao's right. This thing sounds impressive, but the price is outrageous. For that much money, we might as well ask some of our academy's elders to hunt a 100,000-year soul beast for us."
Wang Yan nodded and said nothing more.
The other students shared similar sentiments.
A 100,000-year soul beast embryo guaranteeing a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone was undeniably rare—but it was useless to them now. Why wade into this mess?
Besides, their pockets weren't deep enough.
They'd just sit back and enjoy the show.
Unlike the original timeline, Huo Yuhao had already obtained the Ice Jade Scorpion's left arm bone, so Xu Jiawei had no reason to exploit flaws in the auction item.
Moreover, the one absorbing the Dark Blue Glory Skull was Ling Luochen.
…
VIP Room No. 1
Princess Jiu Jiu whispered, "Brother, the bait's been taken. After we reduced the handling fee for Mingde Hall's products to 10%, they've already sold a large number of soul tools!"
A small earpiece—clearly a sound-transmitting soul tool—was plugged into Xu Jiu Jiu's right ear.
Xu Jiawei smiled faintly. "Just as I predicted. Xiao Hongchen, the greatest genius in Mingde Hall's history, will stop at nothing to obtain this embryo. If he succeeds in fusing it, he could even reach Super Douluo."
"And financially? Mingde Hall is the wealthiest force on the continent. They won't let this slip away."
Xu Jiu Jiu's eyes gleamed slyly. "I hope they take their time finding a Class 9 soul engineer after they return… hehe."
"Once they acquire the soul tool, send it to the research institute immediately," Xu Jiawei reminded before continuing:
"Three months from now, Jiu Jiu, announce a mission in the Adventurer's Guild: Plunder Mingde Hall's treasure. Set the reward at 100 million gold soul coins."
"No matter how talented Xiao Hongchen is, he won't attempt fusion for at least ten years."
Xu Jiu Jiu chuckled. "Brother, your scheme is truly an inescapable trap. You're getting more ruthless by the day."
Xu Jiawei's eyes darkened. "We're still too weak. If we had enough power, why resort to this? The empire may seem prosperous, but beneath the surface, we're walking on thin ice."
"These schemes can only restrain Mingde Hall. To truly resist the Sun Moon Empire's invasion, we must unite all forces!"
"After this competition, we must strengthen ties with Shrek Academy. Halve the trade taxes for their affiliated merchant groups."
"Understood, brother."
Jiu Jiu consoled him, "You've worked hard. It's not your fault—we started too late in soul tool development."
Xu Jiawei waved his hand. "Excuses won't change reality. We must keep striving."
"Soon, I'll visit Shrek Academy personally. If the Sun Moon Empire makes a move, they're our only reliable ally."
"How are the competing sects reacting?"
Xu Jiu Jiu replied, "Two have shown clear intentions and sold us valuable items. Estimated profit: at least 50 million gold soul coins."
Star Luo Emperor's eyes turned cold. "Stir conflict between them."
"Understood."
…
Thirty Minutes Later
The break ended—enough time for all bidders to prepare.
As Xu Jiu Jiu announced the start of bidding, the Shrek Academy team relaxed, content to watch the tigers fight.
The starting price? 100 million gold soul coins—a record for the Starlight Auction House.
What followed was a brutal bidding war.
At first, increments were steady—millions at a time.
Then, at 130 million, the pace slowed…
Until one party suddenly raised the bid by 20 million!
"150 million!"
…
VIP Room No. 2
Xiao Hongchen clenched his fists, exhilarated. "Let's see who dares challenge me now!"
Behind him, over a dozen people sat with mixed expressions—envy, jealousy, resentment.
Teacher Ma frowned. "Xiao Hongchen, was such a drastic increase necessary?"
Ma Rulong also questioned, "Is this really worth the cost?"
Xiao Hongchen scoffed. "I'm not using the academy's funds! This is my family's money!"
"With this, I'll gain a second martial soul—maybe even reach Super Douluo or Ultimate Douluo! The Hongchen family's future rests in my hands!"
Silence fell.
Privilege spoke louder than words.
After securing the embryo, Xiao Hongchen turned serious. "Teacher Ma, this treasure is a hot potato. We must return to Mingde Hall immediately. Once we're inside, no one will dare touch us."
Teacher Ma nodded. "We'll use the secret passage in Star Luo City."
…
VIP Room No. 3
Lang Ya and Yu Tao of the Body Sect exchanged glances.
Yu Tao cursed. "Who the hell bid 150 million?! I'll kill them!"
Lang Ya's eyes turned fierce.
A mental pulse rippled through the room.
"Find out who placed that bid."
The black-tier auctioneer and two attendants—seemingly under some mind control—obeyed without question.
Lang Ya sneered. "The Body Sect takes what it wants."
Yu Tao nodded grimly. "If the Young Master obtains this treasure, perhaps he can…"
Similar schemes brewed in other VIP rooms.
With the Starlight Auction House's tacit cooperation, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's identity was accidentally leaked.
…
VIP Room No. 1
Xu Jiawei smiled in satisfaction. "150 million… I hope Master Mingde enjoys my 'gift'."
As the auction concluded, secret passages opened for VIPs to depart discreetly.
Of course, Shrek's team stayed behind—Ling Luochen was still fusing with the soul bone.
…
The Next Day – Star Luo Square
The arena was packed, buzzing with excitement.
As the defending champions, Shrek Academy would face their first opponent in the Top 16.
In contrast, the contestant area was sparse—only the strongest sixteen academies remained, representing the continent's finest young talents.
Among them, the Dou Ling Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy—boasting five Soul Kings and two Soul Ancestors—stood out.
Yet, facing Shrek, their team was drenched in cold sweat.
During the group stage, they'd forfeited against a dark horse team to conserve strength.
Their reward? A match against Shrek.
The team leader was already mentally preparing for the next tournament in ten years.
"This is our home turf! We can't lose in the Top 16!"
As for the next tournament in the Sun Moon Empire?
Hopeless.
Just look at Shrek's reserve team:
Five Soul Elder - Light Holy Dragon, Xuanwu, Blue Silver Grass, Soft Bone Rabbit, and an unknown variant.
Two prodigious Soul Grandmasters.
In five years, they'd likely produce multiple Soul Emperors—plus Huo Yuhao's inevitable growth.
There was no chance.
The match rules were as follows:
Day 1 & 2: Team battles
Day 3 & 4: Individual battles
Top 8: determined within four days
One rest day, then quarterfinals.
Today, both Shrek and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy would compete—though the latter's match was in the afternoon.
Yet, they'd come early to scout Shrek's strength.
Xu Sanshi elbowed Huo Yuhao teasingly. "Yuhao, that silver-haired beauty from Sun Moon keeps staring at you. Seems like she's very interested."
Huo Yuhao: "…"
'Is this the price of being handsome?'
'I'd only met Meng Hongchen once.'
'Or is it a honey trap?'
Dai Yuheng, in high spirits finally getting to fight, joined the teasing, followed by Beibei and Xu Sanshi.
The girls, however, frowned.
"Where did this vixen come from?!"
Unlike the tense Dou Ling team, Shrek's players were utterly relaxed.
Wang Yan sighed but didn't interfere.
With the main team fully recovered. Dou Ling wasn't a threat.
Still, he warned: "Dou Ling gave up first place in their group to face us. They might have hidden cards. Don't get careless."
…
Before the match, he had assigned role to everyone:
Huo Yuhao: Main attacker
Dai Yuheng: Minimize exposure especially White Tiger's power
Ling Luochen: Control the field, but hide Deep Blue Glory's abilities
"Understood, Teacher Wang!"
Dai Yuheng agreed—but inwardly, he thought: "Hold back? No way! This is my stage!"
"The White Tiger would roar today."
…
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