Chapter 9: Three Days Later
"By the way, in three days, the Star Dou Auction Pavilion may have three Ultimate Douluo-level powerhouses attending. If something unexpected happens, do you think you could handle all three of them by yourself?"
At that moment, Jiang Li suddenly thought of a crucial question and asked curiously.
"No problem. With Ling Yun by my side to heal me, I'll definitely be able to fight all three of them without falling behind."
Lei Yao answered confidently, his face radiating full assurance.
After delivering the invitations, he had more or less figured out the strength of the three individuals.
They were indeed powerful, but they still weren't a match for him, especially with Ling Yun, an Ultimate Douluo with the Ultimate Life Attribute, assisting him.
Even if he were injured, he would recover in an instant, so there was no need to worry.
"Since that's the case, then the security of the Star Dou Auction Pavilion in three days will be up to you."
Jiang Li nodded. With Ling Yun's ability to resurrect, there was indeed no need to worry too much.
...
Time passed, and three days flew by.
Today was the day of the auction, and Jiang Li had already prepared everything.
He had entrusted the auction to Ling Yun temporarily, while Lei Yao was tasked with staying hidden in the shadows, like a cheetah lurking in the dark, constantly vigilant for any unknown dangers.
...
Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.
Xuan Lao, who had been his usual casual self, now appeared in front of Mu Lao with a serious expression.
At that moment, there was a slight solemnity in his eyes.
"Mu Lao, three days have passed. Today is the day of the auction at the Star Dou Auction Pavilion."
Xuan Lao spoke respectfully.
"Let's go."
Mu Lao, who had been lying on the chair, slowly opened his eyes upon hearing this.
He leaned on his cane and slowly stood up.
Xuan Lao and Mu Lao left Sea God Island together and headed toward the Star Dou Auction Pavilion.
At this moment, Mu Lao saw three people walking toward them in the distance.
The three ahead were two men and one woman. One of the women was wearing a flowing purple gown, exuding a cold aura like a full moon. It was none other than Zhang Lexuan, the senior sister from Shrek Academy's inner courtyard.
The two people beside her were Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei.
"Xuan Lao, Mu Lao!"
When Huo Yuhao and the others saw the two men ahead, their faces immediately showed respect, and they bowed in greeting.
"By the way, do you have something to do right now?"
Mu Lao, remembering something, turned his head to look at the three in front, his eyes softening slightly.
"No,"
Huo Yuhao and the others shook their heads upon hearing this.
"Since that's the case, why don't you three accompany this old man to attend an auction?"
Mu Lao smiled lightly and said to Huo Yuhao and the others.
"Mu Lao, this doesn't seem appropriate. What if a conflict really breaks out? We might not be able to protect the three of them."
Xuan Lao spoke with a worried expression, clearly filled with concern.
He understood that Mu Lao's trip to the Star Dou Auction Pavilion already contained some unknown dangers.
Bringing Huo Yuhao and the others along could prove problematic if things went wrong.
These three were the future hope of Shrek Academy, and if something happened to them, it would be a huge loss for the academy.
"It's fine. This old body can still protect them."
Mu Lao knew deep down that his time was running out, and he had to hurry to cultivate Huo Yuhao and the others as soon as possible.
This trip was meant to expose them to the world and help them gain more experience.
Huo Yuhao and the others did not refuse Mu Lao's proposal, though all three showed varying degrees of shock.
They knew Mu Lao's personality well—he wouldn't leave Shrek Academy unless absolutely necessary.
What kind of auction was so important that Mu Lao had decided to personally attend, along with Xuan Lao?
The two strongest figures of Shrek Academy attending an auction? It was inconceivable.
Moreover, from what they had heard from Xuan Lao, this auction was not simple, and it might involve some danger.
Although they didn't know why Mu Lao had asked them to go, they didn't speak further.
They quietly followed Mu Lao and Xuan Lao as they left Shrek Academy.
Before long, Mu En and his group arrived at the magnificent Star Dou Auction Pavilion.
Mu En looked up, his gaze firmly locking onto the plaque that read "Star Dou Auction Pavilion."
After a long moment, an elusive and strange glimmer flashed in his eyes.
Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Zhang Lexuan were all stunned by the scene before them, especially the plaque.
It emitted a peculiar allure, causing them to stand motionless, their eyes blank.
"Don't keep staring at that plaque."
Mu En quickly noticed the others' abnormal reactions and gently waved his right hand.
In an instant, a pure and gentle light filled the air, like ripples spreading, precisely enveloping Huo Yuhao and the others.
The power gently awakened them, pulling them out of their dazed state.
As Huo Yuhao and the others regained their senses, they felt as if they had been struck by a heavy blow and could not calm down for a long time.
But they quickly forced themselves to calm down, their hearts secretly panicking.
This seemingly ordinary plaque had nearly caused them to fall into a trance from which they might not have been able to escape.
"Mu Lao, what's going on with that plaque?"
Zhang Lexuan asked with lingering fear, her expression as serious as if covered by a layer of frost, her voice trembling slightly.
Her gaze instinctively avoided looking at the plaque again.
Mu En's expression remained calm as he slowly spoke, "In my opinion, this plaque was most likely crafted by a soul master with a very strong mental attribute."
"It seems to contain a powerful mental illusion, capable of easily confusing people's hearts."
"Let's go!"
After saying this, Mu En didn't linger on the plaque and led the group steadily into the Star Dou Auction Pavilion.
"Welcome to the Star Dou Auction Pavilion."
Jiang Li, who was standing at the entrance, suddenly heard Lei Yao's voice. He was momentarily taken aback, and a subtle, almost imperceptible change flickered in his eyes.
Shrek Academy?
Not only was Huo Yuhao, the protagonist of Douluo Continent, here, but also Mu En and Xuan Lao, the most powerful figures in Shrek Academy.
Xuan Lao, seeing this, immediately took out the invitation he had received earlier from his chest and handed it to Jiang Li.
Jiang Li took the invitation, briefly glanced at it, and with a calm expression, said, "You are all special invited guests. Please feel free to take a seat on the second to fifth floors."
Since the auction pavilion was short-staffed at the moment, Ling Yun was about to host the auction, while Lei Yao was tasked with staying alert for any potential threats.
The other miscellaneous tasks naturally fell to him.
"Hmm?"
Mu En, who had previously been indifferent, suddenly noticed something as he approached Jiang Li.
His gaze sharpened as it fixed on Jiang Li, his expression turning strange.
However, he didn't speak out. After a brief silence, he slowly walked into the auction pavilion.
(END CHAPTER)