Chapter 33: Attending the Auction, Mysterious Thunder Pearl (1 / 1)
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Hearing this, Wu Zhangkong rolled up his sleeves and glanced at the time on his soul communicator. "Yes, the auction starts at 7:00. We still have a few hours left, so we'll make it."
"Let's go, then. There's something I must get."
"Okay."
Wu Zhangkong was a man of action. As soon as Tang Wulin finished speaking, he led the way.
A soul taxi arrived at the curb. Their destination was very far from Shrek Stadium.
Shrek City was unlike Aolai City. It was hundreds of times larger.
At their speed, even walking would take several hours.
Taking the bus would be even farther, and only a taxi was fast, but it still took nearly an hour to get there.
Because the stadium was in the outer city, while the auction they were attending was in the inner city.
The inner city wasn't open to anyone; they had to go through an inspection.
The former required attracting countless people to facilitate entry.
Even within Shrek's inner city, anyone who could enter wasn't a high-ranking official or someone with some skill.
It could be said that this security check between the outer and inner layers was the initial test for the auction.
Without some skill, one couldn't even approach the auction, let alone qualify to participate.
The auction was hosted by Shrek. For example, even Bibi Dong's soul bone, Tang Wulin's target, might not even be the most valuable item at the auction.
The various treasures attracted those who were either wealthy or powerful.
Either they were wealthy, powerful, or powerful, or all three—in short, none of them were easy to deal with.
Located in Shrek's inner city, the entire auction hall adheres to the style of its predecessor from 10,000 years ago.
It's a massive five-story building, over 50 meters tall. It occupies a significant area, its exterior resplendent with gold and jade, resembling a treasure trove.
Atop the main entrance, the characters "Jubao Pavilion" are inscribed in a flamboyant style.
"It's been 10,000 years. I didn't expect to see this familiar building again. It seems it's been expanded quite a bit. I remember it was only four stories back then, a little over 20 meters. Now it's over 50 meters, and the area has increased more than fivefold."
Looking at the building before him, a flicker of nostalgia crossed Tang Wulin's eyes. He turned to Wu Changkong and asked, "By the way, do you still have that treasure appreciation meeting?"
The Jubao Pavilion before them had existed for 10,000 years. Even 10,000 years ago, invitations were given to core Shrek Academy disciples to participate in an event called the Treasure Appreciation Meeting.
A variety of rare treasures were displayed at the treasure appreciation event for Shrek's core disciples to admire, and those interested in purchasing could even buy on credit.
This was essentially a campus loan, requiring regular annual payments, which could even begin after graduation, and the interest rate was very low.
This was a way to lock in or build a good relationship with the students.
For example, Tang Wulin even enjoyed the privilege of taking a piece of protected treasure from the treasure pavilion free of charge each year.
Of course, this was also part of the academy's attempt to further bind him to the Shrek empire.
As the saying goes, one should be grateful for what one has received. Even if one initially disliked Shrek, after receiving the benefits,
but having already taken advantage, one couldn't just take advantage and turn against the company.
So, in the end, Tang Wulin let them go. As long as Shrek didn't harm him, he wouldn't do anything to Shrek.
After all, Shrek hadn't technically provoked him, and had even offered him numerous benefits. He had also made some genuinely willing friends.
The mastermind behind all of this was Tang San. His series of dog-training schemes had even led to the deaths of his teacher and lover. That was a true blood feud.
As for Shrek, they were merely tools in Tang San's hands, unaware they were being used.
Revenge is for revenge, and favor is for gratitude.
He wasn't a good person, but he had his limits.
"A treasure appreciation party?! No, what is that?" Wu Changkong shook his head. He truly had no idea what a treasure appreciation party was.
"Then it seems it's over. Let's go." Tang Wulin didn't respond, striding into the Treasure Pavilion.
As soon as they entered, a voluptuous, uniformed woman in her twenties approached them. "Excuse me, are you two here for the auction? If so, could you please show me your invitation?"
Tang Wulin pulled a token from his interspatial bracelet. This token, given to him by Yun Ming and his companions, granted him access to any Shrek property.
The staff member's attitude immediately became respectful upon seeing the token. "So, it's you, the lord, who has arrived. Please come forward."
Tang Wulin had already informed Yali and the others about his participation in the auction.
The staff member, having received instructions from their superiors, immediately led Tang Wulin and his companions inside upon seeing the token.
They passed a red carpet embroidered with various gold patterns.
Finally, Tang Wulin and his companions arrived at a private room called Tianzi No. 1.
The entire room was lavishly decorated, approximately 200 square meters, resplendent with gold and jade, and decorated with a variety of jade and crystal ornaments.
Besides the soft sofas, even the tables were made of jade. In the center stood a massive soul-guiding screen, three meters long and 1.8 meters wide. Its immense size even took up half the wall in front of the sofa.
As soon as the two sat down on the sofa, drinks and cut fruit were brought to them. Two attractive waiters, both in their twenties, were waiting nearby.
Having just finished a fight, though it was over in seconds, Tang Wulin had also expended some energy.
He devoured the fruit and food brought by the staff, replenishing his depleted energy.
Time passed quickly, and the auction proceeded as scheduled.
The soul-guided screen on the wall lit up, and a pleasant voice rang out: "Welcome, distinguished guests, to our Treasure Pavilion for this premier auction. Today, we have 36 precious items on display. We hope you enjoy them."
The image on the screen grew clearer. On a platform surrounded by layers of walls, a woman in a dark blue dress, embellished with numerous white crystals, resembled a starry sky, framing her jade-like skin and graceful figure even more captivatingly.
The woman appeared to be around 30 years old, beautiful with long, jet-black hair, exuding an air of unparalleled elegance.
"Greetings, distinguished guests. I am Xinghe, today's auctioneer. It is my honor to preside over this auction.
The auction will now begin. Please appreciate today's first lot."
Xinghe smiled, crouched slightly in greeting, and gestured with his right hand.
Suddenly, the scene shifted, and a projection of an object, a completely black crystal about the size of a basketball, appeared beside her.
"First, let's take a look at the first lot, the Black Crystal. This is a crystal buried thousands of meters deep in a region rich in spiritual energy. After long periods of nurturing by that energy, it has the power to amplify soul power.
This crystal is also a metal. It can be refined to improve its quality, becoming the primary material for crafting battle armor.
It can also be ground into powder and incorporated into battle armor, increasing its soul power boost. It's the best known amplification material.
This crystal, roughly the size of a basketball, can boost the soul power of a four-character battle armor by approximately 40%.
The starting price is 100 million federal coins, and each bid must be no less than 2 million."
Listening to the introduction, Tang Wulin couldn't help but swallow. "Wow, this is such a treasure right off the bat! I'm actually quite tempted."
As a former Divine King, Tang Wulin had once attempted to research battle armor. However, due to the limitations of the technology at the time and time constraints, battle armor was just a concept in his mind.
In this reborn life, Tang Wulin had naturally considered crafting his own battle armor.
As a god himself, he would be disgusted if the quality or materials of his battle armor were too low.
The black crystal stone before him met his requirements for soul power amplification and could be used as one of the main materials for his battle armor.
"If you like it, just buy it." Wu Zhangkong, noticing Tang Wulin's interest, calmly suggested that at this auction, the highest bidder wins.
"It's too little. This amount of black crystal stone doesn't meet my requirements. If there were more, enough to make a set of battle armor, I'd be interested." Tang Wulin shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't have the money, nor that he didn't want to buy.
This black crystal stone was only the size of a basketball. At most, it could only be used to make a few battle armor parts. The quantity was too small.
Wu Zhangkong said nothing upon hearing this. The black crystal stone was quickly auctioned off and eventually went to the person in Tianzi No. 3 for 520 million federal coins.
The entire auction was divided into three distinct classes. Those seated outside were ordinary attendees. While these individuals were eligible to participate, most of them possessed only one of the following: wealth, power, or strength.
The VIP seats above were occupied by two of these categories, while the Tianzi private rooms possessed all three.
Those admitted to the Tianzi private rooms were at least powerful figures, such as the Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, Shrek, and the Federation-backed War God Temple. Of course, there were also a few, like the president of the Blacksmith Association.
Each of these individuals was a figure capable of shaking the entire continent.
"Hammer, the Blacksmith Guild?!" Tang Wulin glanced at Private Room 3. The shape of a hammer appeared in his Eye of Destiny. He muttered, then looked away.
He didn't bother to investigate the identities of the individuals involved; that would be too exhausting. He simply sought to understand the factions they represented.
Next, lot number two came up, a ten-thousand-year-old spiritual object. It was useless to Tang Wulin, and he had no interest in it at all. Bored, he even dozed off on the sofa.
Until the twelfth lot came up: a completely transparent blue bead, gleaming with what seemed like endless lightning.
"Next up, lot number 12, the mysterious Thunder Orb, is also a lot. We at Jubao Pavilion are still unsure of its origin.
We only know it contains endless thunder power. Inputting soul power releases thunder, amplifying a thunder-attributed martial spirit to a significant degree.
Our Jubao Pavilion has tested it, and a Soul Sage wielding this Thunder Orb can unleash attack power comparable to that of a Titled Douluo.
However, due to the sheer intensity of the amplified thunder, the Soul Sage's arm was injured, requiring a full month of recuperation."
The audience erupted in shock at these words. The difference between a Soul Sage and a Titled Douluo is far greater than simply a 20th level of soul power. Even if the wielder of this Thunder Orb were a level 79 Soul Sage without battle armor, they would undoubtedly be overpowered by a Titled Douluo.
As for unleashing thunder with attack power comparable to that of a Titled Douluo, that's a formidable feat.
This also demonstrates the Thunder Orb's amplifying power.
And this is only the currently apparent ability; there may be others hidden within. This instantly sent a surge of excitement through the hearts of countless Thunder-attributed Soul Masters. With this item, their strength would undoubtedly soar.
Tang Wulin opened his eyes curiously upon hearing the description. With a glance from his Eye of Destiny, he immediately saw through the orb's true nature: "A precious orb that's not far from becoming a god, a semi-artifact. It must have been left behind by a deceased Thunder-attributed Soul Beast. It holds the power of a thunder tribulation. Did it die during a thunder tribulation?!"
According to Tang Wulin's deduction, the Thunder-attributed Soul Beast must have experienced three thunder tribulations, dying during the 500,000-year tribulation period.
This orb could be the core of their long-cultivated efforts. The reason for its enormous amplification is entirely due to the thunder tribulation power stored within it.
Truly, a thunder tribulation targeting a Soul Beast is simply insane.
If it were on other immortal cultivation continents, breakthroughs would require experiencing thunder tribulations. These tribulations are tailored to the individual's situation, providing specific training. Surviving them would undoubtedly lead to a significant surge in strength, a meteoric rise.
But the thunder tribulations experienced by soul beasts on the Douluo Continent aren't merely a soaring experience; they're a literal death-defying threat.
Without the strength to challenge opponents of higher levels, surviving such tribulations would be exceedingly difficult.
For example, a 200,000-year thunder tribulation is simply impossible to overcome without the strength to fight single-handedly for 300,000 years.
Going up the ladder, even a priest might not be able to survive the 900,000-year thunder tribulation faced by the current demigod-level Beast God Di Tian.
Furthermore, for soul beasts like Thunder-types, which are naturally resistant to lightning, the thunder tribulations they experience are even more intense. A 500,000-year tribulation could easily rival an ordinary 800,000- or 900,000-year one.
It's no wonder this bead possesses demigod-level power, for it truly stores that level of thunder force.
While this thing is called a semi-divine artifact, don't mistake it for some amplified divine artifact. The thunder tribulation power stored within is no joke.
The Soul Sage who only sustained an arm injury after performing the technique was truly lucky and quite capable. To survive after enduring a wave of thunder tribulation power is truly remarkable.
"This mysterious thunder bead has a starting price of 50 million Federation coins, and each bid must be no less than 1 million Federation coins."