Chapter 22: The Tense Atmosphere
Lingyun wore a faint, confident smile on her face.
After hearing the soul master's inquiry, she slowly responded to the confusion in the crowd.
"Yes, any valuable item can be exchanged for the corresponding amount of gold soul coins in our auction house."
"However, these gold soul coins will be stored on a special auction card made by our auction house. The gold soul coins on the card can only be used for bidding in our auctions and cannot be withdrawn."
As soon as Lingyun finished speaking, a slight stir arose in the auction hall.
Some of the powerful individuals, who had been feeling discouraged due to insufficient funds, finally relaxed, and their eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Since Star Auction Pavilion could indeed provide such a special exchange method, allowing them to trade valuable items for gold soul coins, they now had the opportunity to join the ongoing competition.
Jing Hongchen, Xuan Lao, and the others also showed delighted expressions upon hearing the news.
They all had a strong thought in mind—no matter what, they must secure this ultimate fire weapon spirit.
Next, soul masters who had valuable items began to take action. Their eyes were filled with excitement and expectation.
These soul masters carefully placed their precious items into the Equivalent Exchange Device.
At the same time, the Equivalent Exchange Device emitted a soft glow, and an exquisite auction card materialized. The exchanged gold soul coins were stored inside.
As this process unfolded, the competition grew even fiercer.
...
Soon, half an hour passed like a fleeting moment.
An astonishing price rang out in the auction hall, and in an instant, all the soul masters fell into silence.
"1.1 billion gold soul coins!"
Xuan Lao's voice was firm and powerful, echoing throughout the auction hall.
This ultimate fire weapon spirit must be secured by Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy had a long history of cultivating ultimate weapon spirits, and each owner of an ultimate weapon spirit was like a brilliant star, helping Shrek Academy shine once more.
"Sigh!"
When Jing Hongchen heard the price, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh, filled with helplessness and regret.
He hadn't expected Shrek Academy to come so well-prepared this time.
It was his own fault for not thinking things through. Earlier, he had exchanged several level 8 soul guides and a precious level 9 soul guide in order to participate in the auction.
Even so, he still lacked enough gold soul coins.
If he had been willing to exchange all his remaining level 9 soul guides for gold soul coins, he would have had a good chance to compete with Shrek Academy and secure a spot in this auction.
But what would the final outcome be? No one could predict.
If he spent his precious level 9 soul guides and still couldn't secure the ultimate fire weapon spirit, it would be a huge loss.
Not only would Mingde Hall's treasures be wasted, but this news, once it spread, would surely bring unnecessary trouble and chaos.
In the end, he could only sigh and give up the intense competition.
As for Xu Tianran, the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, he also wore a gloomy expression.
"Heh, I actually miscalculated this time!"
Xu Tianran muttered softly.
Although he had received an invitation from Star Auction Pavilion, he had always been skeptical about the auction of an ultimate weapon spirit.
Therefore, he hadn't brought many gold soul coins.
He hadn't expected that the ultimate weapon spirit would actually be real.
But now, Shrek Academy had successfully secured it, and even if he regretted it, it was too late.
Xue Chen, the Shadow Douluo who protected Xu Tianran, still looked shocked.
"Your Highness, all of this is due to Star Auction Pavilion being too mysterious. After all, an auction of weapon spirits has never been seen in Douluo Continent, and the fact that this weapon spirit is an ultimate one is even harder to believe."
Xue Chen sighed.
"No wonder Shrek Academy, the number one academy in Douluo Continent, with one of the three ultimate Douluo, has such sharp insight!"
Xu Tianran snorted coldly, knowing this to be true.
After all, when it came to wealth, the Sun Moon Empire was definitely not weaker than Shrek Academy.
But it seemed that Mingde Hall and other forces came with doubts, and were not well-prepared.
This allowed Shrek Academy to get an advantage.
As Xu Tianran had guessed!
Apart from Shrek Academy, any force that could offer billions of gold soul coins was now looking downhearted.
If they had believed in the auction of the ultimate weapon spirit, they would have given everything for it.
After all, having a soul master with an ultimate weapon spirit would bring unimaginable benefits.
No amount of gold soul coins could compare.
"1.1 billion gold soul coins once!"
"1.1 billion gold soul coins twice!"
"1.1 billion gold soul coins three times!"
Lingyun's voice was clear and pleasant, like a silver bell ringing throughout the auction hall.
After confirming that no one else was bidding, she raised the auction hammer and brought it down with a loud thud, announcing:
"Since no one is continuing to bid, I hereby declare that this ultimate fire weapon spirit has been won by Shrek Academy!"
When Xuan Lao and Mu Lao heard that the ultimate weapon spirit had been secured by Shrek Academy, both showed relieved expressions, breathing a sigh of relief.
They both knew that they had almost exhausted their funds to secure this weapon spirit.
Once the payment process was completed, the ultimate fire weapon spirit was finally in Mu Lao's hands.
Only when they touched this weapon spirit did Mu Lao and Xuan Lao truly feel the overwhelming pressure contained within.
The power felt like a surging flame, intense and overwhelming. It was indeed an ultimate weapon spirit, and they couldn't help but be shocked.
Quickly, Mu Lao stored the precious weapon spirit away.
He knew that a fierce battle would be unavoidable in the near future.
"Alright, everyone, this auction hosted by Star Auction Pavilion has come to an end."
"In the future, we will hold an auction every month. Please feel free to join us again in a month, and the final auction items will surely not disappoint you."
Lingyun smiled and announced the next auction's starting date.
With the end of this auction, the ordinary soul masters realized that something major was likely about to happen, and they all began to leave the venue.
Some of the top-tier experts from the Sun Moon Empire, Star Luo Empire, and Mingde Hall remained seated. They wanted to observe how things would develop next.
Each of them looked at Shrek Academy with unfriendly eyes.
Though they knew the strength of Shrek Academy was incredibly formidable, they secretly wondered whether Shrek Academy would really be able to face the upcoming crises.
At this moment, Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui stood up and slowly approached Mu En.
Their steps were steady and powerful, each step seeming to tread on the hearts of those watching.
"Mu En, long time no see."
Long Xiaoyao and Ye Xishui greeted Mu En, their voices carrying a complex mix of emotions—both old camaraderie and a desire for the ultimate fire weapon spirit.
As for their thoughts, they were as clear as day, like Sima Zhao's intentions, known to all.
(END CHAPTER)
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