The Demon Soul Great White Shark, much like the Evil Spirit Orca, another apex predator of the ocean, boasted not only formidable physical strength but also exceptional spiritual power, even wielding several innate spiritual attack abilities.
It was precisely due to this advantage that the Demon Soul Great White Shark species could hold its own despite being naturally restrained by the Evil Spirit Orca.
The soul bone before them, although originating from a Demon Soul Great White Shark with only 9,000 years of cultivation, was undoubtedly of extraordinary quality. Not only was the soul bone completely intact, but as per Zhu Yao's earlier introduction, the soul skill it carried appeared to be solidified.
In the world of Soul Masters, there was a well-known saying about soul bones: "Soul bones that require specific attributes or possess solidified soul skills are inherently more powerful."
Soul bones that demanded attribute compatibility from the Soul Master were only suitable for a select few of the same attribute. However, when perfectly matched, the enhancements they provided far surpassed those of normal soul bones.
As for solidified soul skills, they were a rare and highly coveted feature of soul bones. Only soul bones derived from exceptionally powerful soul beasts were capable of possessing solidified skills. Most Soul Masters' martial souls could not compare to the innate abilities of these superior soul beasts, making it nearly impossible to alter the solidified skill during fusion.
Successfully fusing with such a soul bone meant the Soul Master essentially replicated a top-tier soul beast's signature skill in its entirety.
In the VIP room, Yao Yang studied the soul bone intently, his expression contemplative. After a moment, he turned toward Xu Zihuang and asked seriously, "Zihuang, although this soul bone comes from a Demon Soul Great White Shark with lower cultivation years, its attributes and solidified skill should suit you well. If you're interested, I can secure it for you."
His tone was brimming with confidence and composure.
Having established himself on Moon Hub Island for many years, the wealth Yao Yang commanded made acquiring this soul bone a trivial matter. The only complication would be further provoking the already strained relations with a few major pirate factions.
"There's no need for that, Brother Yang," Xu Zihuang replied, meeting Yao Yang's gaze with a meaningful smile. "Honestly, this soul bone seems fairly average to me. It's not worth such a high expense on my account. Moreover, Brother Yang, given your determination to auction off this soul bone despite opposition from the Crocodile Pirate crew, I assume your intent is to sow discord among the five major pirate factions, correct?"
"Indeed, that was my intention," Yao Yang admitted, his eyes flashing with approval as he regarded Xu Zihuang.
He had only given a brief explanation of the situation in the Southern Moon Islands, yet Xu Zihuang had effortlessly discerned his underlying strategy.
Of course, if Xu Zihuang truly desired this soul bone, Yao Yang would abandon his initial plans without hesitation to secure it for him.
"In that case, let's sit back and enjoy the show," Xu Zihuang said, stretching lazily before shifting his gaze toward the other VIP rooms. His deep purple eyes, previously calm and unperturbed, now glinted with an enigmatic intensity.
Logically, the 9,000-year-old Demon Soul Great White Shark skull soul bone should have sparked fervent bidding among the auction participants. Surprisingly, however, only four groups made bids, all from the VIP suites occupied by the four major pirate crews, excluding the Silverfin Pirates.
In mere minutes, the price had soared to 1.8 million gold soul coins.
Unlike the earlier bidding frenzy for the thousand-year-old Evil Spirit Orca, the other auction participants, though captivated by the soul bone, understood their limits. This soul bone was far beyond their reach.
They knew the Southern Moon Islands were not part of the Sun Moon Empire or the former three major empires of the Douluo Continent. Here, chaos reigned supreme. Without significant backing, winning the bid meant little if one couldn't leave alive.
Their only safe haven would be Moon Hub City itself, governed directly by the Moon Hub City Viscount and protected by 500 Moon Hub City Guards. Even the five major pirate crews wouldn't dare cause trouble here.
The bidder who had just raised the price to 1.8 million was Jing Gu, the leader of the Whale Shark Pirates. As their name suggested, Jing Gu's martial soul was the Whale Shark, a powerful oceanic soul beast. This soul bone, perfectly suited to his martial soul, was something he was determined to obtain.
In the next room, Zi Jing, the leader of the Purple Serpent Pirates, twirled a lock of her violet hair around her finger as she coquettishly pressed the metal block on the table to activate the voice transmission soul tool. "Since Brother Jing has offered such a high price, it seems I'll have to bow out gracefully," she said, her voice dripping with charm.
The voice transmission soul tool, which was connected to the other VIP rooms, allowed her words to be heard by everyone.
Xu Zihuang's group in the top-tier VIP room naturally heard Zi Ying's voice.
"Much appreciated," came a deep and terse response from Jing Gu, who seemed to choose his words sparingly.
Meanwhile, the face of Eyu Luo, leader of the Crocodile Pirates, darkened considerably. His grandson, Eyu Cheng, who had been brimming with arrogance earlier, now looked visibly anxious as he turned to his grandfather with a clenched fist.
"Grandfather…" he began.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Eyu Cheng's eyes changed dramatically, his originally brownish yellow eyes turned, one icy blue, the other fiery red. A chilling cold and searing heat radiated from him, spreading outward from his body.
Eyu Luo cast him a cold glance, prompting Eyu Cheng to sit upright, subdued and trembling slightly with some fear.
"Don't worry. This soul bone will be yours. What belongs to you will always be yours," Eyu Luo declared, his remaining tawny eye gleaming with resolve as he raised the bid to 1.9 million gold soul coins.
"Two million!" Seeing that Eyu Luo's bid, Jing Gu gritted his teeth, his face turned gloomy as he raised the bid once more.
"Hmph!" Eyu Luo snorted, pondering for a moment, his expression darkening as he forcefully slapped his wide palm heavily on the table before him.
Cracks spread silently across the marble surface, and within moments, the entire table crumbled into fine dust.
"Return to the ship," Eyu Luo commanded.
Eyu Cheng froze for a moment before realizing his grandfather's intentions. His heart swelled with elation as he rose, and even his steps became more arrogant as he walked through the exit, a smug smile curling his lips as he cast a contemptuous glance at the crowd in the auction center.
Do you know the biggest difference between me and the rest of you? It's simple it's the things that I want, I can get them.
Because the gap between us is in our background.