Chapter 148 Careful Consideration, Paying Out of One's Own Pocket
As the man in the light screen forged the soul tool, the soul engineers below quickly recognized what he was working on.
It was an ordinary Grade 7 soul tool: the Annihilation Sword.
The forging process for this soul tool was quite difficult, with a high risk of failure. Even if it were successfully completed flawlessly, it would only reach the standard of a Grade 7 soul tool.
Jing Hongchen of Mingde Hall carefully watched the forging techniques displayed within the light screen. Satisfied, he nodded, concluding that this man was without a doubt a genuine Grade 9 soul engineer.
Every one of his movements was smooth and precise, as if he had become one with the tools in his hands, showcasing exceptionally refined forging skills.
As the forging neared its conclusion, at the critical moment of success, the man within the light screen suddenly grabbed a handful of Heavenly Fire Refined Sand and tossed it into the flames.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the entire soul tool was enveloped in a layer of crimson fire.
The next second, a powerful aura belonging to a Grade 8 soul tool burst forth.
The Annihilation Sword, originally only a Grade 7 soul tool, had truly transformed into a genuine Grade 8 soul tool!
This scene left the crowd utterly stunned, their voices filled with awe at the miraculous properties of the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand.
Exclamations of shock rippled through the venue, eyes brimming with astonishment and envy.
Jing Hongchen's breathing grew rapid as he saw that using only a small amount of Heavenly Fire Refined Sand allowed a Grade 7 soul tool to be upgraded into a Grade 8.
On the auction stage, the amount of Heavenly Fire Refined Sand available was dozens of times greater than what had been used in the demonstration.
He was certain that with this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand, Mingde Hall's plans would surely succeed.
He could already envision the glory of Mingde Hall becoming the strongest force on the entire Douluo Continent after acquiring the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand. And in that future, he himself would become a top soul engineer renowned throughout the continent.
"This is the case study of successfully evolving a soul tool using Heavenly Fire Refined Sand!"
"I believe you've all seen for yourselves its specific effect. Since that's the case, I won't keep you in suspense any longer."
"I hereby announce that the starting bid for this batch of Heavenly Fire Refined Sand is 20 million gold soul coins, with each increment no less than 1 million gold soul coins. The auction officially begins!"
Ling Yun, seeing the eagerness in everyone's eyes, no longer kept them waiting. She immediately struck the auction gavel, formally beginning the bidding.
"Twenty million gold soul coins!"
The moment the auction began, Jing Hongchen of Mingde Hall instantly raised his bidding paddle.
No matter what, he had to secure this batch of Heavenly Fire Refined Sand.
This directly concerned Mingde Hall's future plans, and also whether he himself could take another step toward a higher level as a soul engineer. There could be no mistakes.
As Mingde Hall made the first bid without hesitation, other powers quickly joined the competition.
For example: the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Body Sect, the Sun Moon Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and so on.
Though their interest in the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand was not as strong, this was still a treasure capable of advancing a soul tool to the next level.
On one hand, they could use it to commission others to forge stronger soul tools.
On the other, they could use it to recruit powerful soul engineers.
Thus, obtaining the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand was of great benefit to them as well.
Of course, this was provided the bidding price did not surpass their expectations. After all, they still intended to save more gold soul coins for the later auction items—whose value would far surpass this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand.
"Twenty-two million gold soul coins!"
"Twenty-five million gold soul coins!"
"Twenty-six million gold soul coins!"
The major factions called out their bids one after another, the atmosphere at the venue growing increasingly heated.
"Elder Xuan, should we try to secure this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand? The Soul Tool Department of Shrek Academy is at a disadvantage, unable to develop more advanced soul tools."
"If we could combine our efforts with this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand, perhaps our academy could one day truly forge a Grade 9 soul tool."
Yan Shaozhe, sitting nearby, also wanted to obtain this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand. Although he was Dean of the Martial Soul Department, he still hoped the academy could win this treasure.
Unfortunately, these old rivals had already made their moves. With their financial power, Shrek Academy might not be able to easily compete.
Especially Mingde Hall—whose members lived and breathed soul tools. They certainly wouldn't let this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand slip away.
Xuanzi fell into hesitation, recalling the previous Sea God Pavilion meeting, where Elder Mu had emphasized the importance of vigorously developing soul tools.
But the gold soul coins they carried now were directly tied to Elder Mu's life.
Thus, Xuanzi was torn—unsure whether to go all in for this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand.
"No matter what, we must obtain it. This time, even if I must pay from my own pocket, I will ensure that this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand goes to us. As for the gold soul coins needed for Elder Mu's treatment, we will rely on the Starry Auction Pavilion to help save him."
At that moment, Xian Lin'er's expression grew firm.
She understood very clearly how important their mission was—Elder Mu's life and safety were on the line.
There could be no mistakes.
Yet as Dean of the Soul Tool Department, she also poured her heart and soul into its future.
Now, the appearance of the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand could fill the gap left by Shrek Academy's lack of a Grade 9 soul engineer.
No matter what, for this auction item—she would stake everything, even if it meant exhausting her entire personal fortune, to secure this Heavenly Fire Refined Sand for Shrek Academy.
"Dean, rest assured. I still have a considerable amount of savings. I can help the academy secure the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand."
Fan Yu, sitting beside her, also voiced his opinion.
As a Grade 8 soul engineer of the Soul Tool Department, how could he let such a miraculous forging material slip away?
Moreover, since this concerned the future development of the department, he was willing to contribute and lend the Dean a helping hand.
"If you wish to fight for it, then go ahead. If the academy funds aren't enough, you can use my private funds. I still have plenty of savings."
Xuanzi let out a deep sigh. At this point, there was no way to balance both sides.
After much thought, he decided not to touch the academy's gold soul coins, but instead to use his own private savings.
After all, over the years he had accumulated quite a lot.
And he could not bear to see Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department continue to decline. It was time to begin seriously investing in its development.
"Count me in as well!"
Yan Shaozhe and the others also expressed their willingness to help the Soul Tool Department secure the Heavenly Fire Refined Sand.
"Thank you!"
At this moment, Xian Lin'er sincerely expressed her gratitude.
"Thirty-five million gold soul coins!"
Xian Lin'er decisively raised her bidding paddle, joining the competition in earnest.
As the fierce bidding continued, Jiang Li sat quietly on the fourth floor, watching the auction unfold with an expression as calm as still water.
The five auction items in this session had all been carefully chosen by him.
Of course, compared to the treasures of previous auctions, these items were not nearly as precious overall.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997