Inside Room Seven of Auction Hall One.
The students from Shrek Academy curiously examined the elegant furnishings of the VIP room. Zhu Ziyang listened quietly as Jiang Nannan evaluated the decor, while Huo Yuhao and He Caitou discussed the Soul Tool screen technology. Meanwhile, Wang Yan was having a spirited conversation with the auctioneer Qing Ya.
Before long, the auction officially began. The host appeared before the crowd — a stunning young woman in a flowing red dress. She looked no older than eighteen or nineteen. Her beauty was astonishing, just a touch less than Jiang Nannan's. But what made her stand out even more was her noble, elegant air — entirely different from Jiang Nannan's style.
"Greetings, esteemed guests. I am today's auctioneer, Jiujiu. It is my honor to host this top-tier auction. Time is precious, so let us begin. Please take a look at today's first item." Her sweet smile and crisp, melodious voice were like a gentle breeze on a spring day.
She performed a complex court-style bow before gesturing with her right hand. Instantly, the walls turned to display a high-resolution image of the first item.
Qing Ya leaned in to explain, her face filled with admiration. "Miss Jiujiu is the Starlight Grand Auction Hall's chief auctioneer, and our only Gold-ranked auctioneer. Only the grandest events are graced by her presence. Moreover, she's actually the youngest daughter of the late emperor — the current emperor's youngest sister. An imperial princess. However, she once declared that in this hall, she is only an auctioneer, so we don't address her as 'Your Highness.'"
"An imperial princess?" Everyone, including Zhu Ziyang, was visibly surprised. None of them expected a princess of the empire to work as an auctioneer. Truly, the thinking of nobles was beyond them.
After the initial shock, everyone quickly shifted focus to the auction itself.
This was truly a top-tier event — nine items total, each one extraordinary. Among them were a seventh-grade close-combat Soul Tool, twelve sixth-grade Linked Stationary Soul Cannon Shells, a left arm bone, a right arm bone, a right leg bone, an incredibly rare precious metal, and an eighth-grade long-range attack Soul Tool.
The students didn't feel the urge to bid, but Teacher Wang Yan made a move — purchasing the twelve sixth-grade Linked Stationary Soul Cannon Shells. Judging by his expression, he clearly intended to donate them to Shrek's Soul Tool Department for research.
Though Wang Yan was a Martial Soul Department teacher, his insight and academic knowledge were among the best. His cultivation wasn't high, but when it came to supporting the Soul Tool Department, no one in the Martial Soul Department cared more than him.
Soul Tool Department: 'He really does care — we're crying tears of joy!'
The first major highlight of the auction was up next — a left arm bone.
It was a 50,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone, with the fixed soul skill Ice Explosion. There was no doubt this was a top-tier soul bone. For any cultivator with an ice-type Martial Soul, this was a peerless treasure — not only for its compatibility with ice element affinity, but also for the devastating power of Ice Explosion. Though it didn't match a 100,000-year soul bone, it was certainly at the peak of anything below that.
Zhu Ziyang was quite impressed. Though he already had a similarly exceptional left arm bone, that didn't stop him from wanting this one to bolster his foundation.
The auction for the Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone began with a starting price of 1.2 million gold soul coins, and a minimum increment of 50,000 per bid.
That price left many shocked. For some hopeful bidders, it instantly crushed their dreams. But for Zhu Ziyang, it was nothing.
Without hesitation, he raised the bid to 1.3 million.
Other guests and VIP rooms turned their heads. The price quickly jumped to 2.5 million, driving many bidders to retreat. In the end, Zhu Ziyang won the Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone for 2.5 million gold soul coins.
"Brother Ziyang is so rich!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed. "He didn't even blink at spending two and a half million!"
"Mhm!" Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement. Tang Ya even had stars in her eyes. "Zhu Ziyang, how'd you get so rich? Did you strike it big or something?"
"Haha, it's nothing. One day, when you also have a wealthy teacher, you'll be spending money like I do," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.
Indeed, Mu En had given him quite a hefty allowance. As an Ultimate Douluo who had lived over two centuries, Mu En's wealth was immense — likely among the richest in all of the Douluo Continent. And since he had little interest in spending it, he left 20% to the Academy, 40% to his descendants, and the remaining 40% to his disciples. Among those five disciples, only Zhu Ziyang hadn't yet graduated or set up his own industry. The others — Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Qian Duoduo — had all moved on.
As a result, almost all of that final 40% ended up with Zhu Ziyang.
To him now, 2.5 million was hardly anything. He wasn't the same Zhu Ziyang who used to sell pills to make ends meet — a bright future awaited him.
After the Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone came the final item of the auction — the second and ultimate highlight.
To everyone's surprise, it was a carving knife. But not just any knife — a ranked soul carving knife.
The moment it appeared, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou sprang up and pressed themselves against the Soul Tool display screen, staring in awe at the gleaming blue-silver blade.
"The Arcane Blue Silver Carving Knife. Ranked 11th on the Carving Knife List. Though not in the top ten, its quality and value are on par with those elite knives. For any soul engineer, it's far more valuable than a 100,000-year soul bone. I don't need to say more — I'm sure you all understand its worth," Jiujiu explained. By now, she had changed into a golden dress — signifying that this item's estimated value exceeded 100 million gold soul coins.
"Enough talk. Arcane Blue Silver Carving Knife, ranked 11th. Starting price: 50 million gold soul coins. Minimum increment: 500,000. The bidding begins!" she declared without delay.
"Teacher Wang! We must get this!" Huo Yuhao and He Caitou shouted in unison, eyes red with desire. They looked like two wolves who'd just seen a beauty bathing.
Wang Yan was startled by their intensity but quickly responded. "I don't need you two to remind me! This could greatly boost our Soul Tool Department. How could we pass it up?"
"Exactly!" He Caitou nodded furiously. "If we get that Arcane Blue Silver Carving Knife, my teacher will definitely become Shrek's first Rank 9 Soul Engineer!"
"Yes! Fan Yu uses a standard carving knife now. Every time he engraves a ninth-grade formation, he has to swap tools multiple times. It kills his success rate. But with this knife, he'll break through to Rank 9 for sure!" Huo Yuhao added, his voice full of passion.
Seeing how important the knife was to the two of them, Wang Yan felt even more determined. Even Zhu Ziyang, Ma Xiaotao, and the others were beginning to believe this knife was essential for Shrek Academy's future.
In a way, this was a major realization for them — Soul Tool development could no longer be ignored. If Shrek hoped to stay ahead of the times, it had to embrace this evolution. More importantly, if the Academy gained a Rank 9 Soul Engineer, the future leadership could all enjoy ninth-grade Soul Tools for free!
Who wouldn't want such a top-tier "tool user" on their side?
So, the group quickly reached a consensus — this Arcane Blue Silver Carving Knife had to be theirs.
"One hundred million!" Wang Yan didn't hesitate and placed a bold bid, shocking all the guests still raising by small amounts.
This was the limit of Wang Yan's financial authority. If he'd had more leeway, he would've gone even higher.
Everyone knew 100 million wasn't the knife's true worth, but Wang Yan hoped to surprise everyone and win it before anyone could respond.
But he underestimated the competition.
After the first hammer dropped, Jiujiu dramatically drew out the pause before the second. Before it fell, another voice called out — "One hundred fifty million!"
That shattered Wang Yan's plan completely. Helpless, he looked toward Zhu Ziyang, a plea in his eyes.
Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly.
It was his turn now.
(End of Chapter)
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