Chapter 5 Master Tang San's First Defeat.
The outer perimeter of the Starry Sky Forest was bustling with activity.
Compared to three days ago, the number of forces participating in the auction this time has almost doubled. Many sects and families that had previously adopted a wait-and-see attitude could no longer contain themselves after learning of the grand success of the first auction and have sent important figures to attend.
In the open space in front of the auction hall, carriages and horses moved like a dragon, and banners fluttered in the wind. The various factions were clearly divided, maintaining a wary distance from each other, talking in hushed tones, but their eyes were all drawn to the gate of that mysterious building.
Among the crowd, an ordinary-looking group went unnoticed—it was Flander, Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and their entourage from Shrek Academy. They were blending in with a small sect's group, attempting to enter discreetly.
"Is that the Heavenly Auction Pavilion?" Tang San gazed at the magnificent building in the distance, a subtle glint of something unusual flashing in his eyes. His Mysterious Heaven Skill activated spontaneously, allowing him to keenly sense the terrifying energy field surrounding the building.
Yu Xiaogang nodded solemnly, clutching the simple invitation tightly in his hand: "It seems ordinary, yet they can easily produce those treasures... It's either a shocking scam, or..." He didn't finish his sentence, but his eyes held deep confusion and resentment.
Flander pushed up his glasses, a shrewd glint in his small eyes: "Whether it's a scam or not, with so many people gathering, the entrance fees alone will be a considerable income! What a pity..."
Xiao Wu, somewhat uneasily approaching Tang San, whispered, "Brother, I have a feeling there's something scary inside that building..."
Tang San gently held her hand: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
At this moment, the auction hall doors slowly opened, and Mo Chen appeared as if he were a guardian deity. His powerful aura instantly silenced the noisy scene.
"Please enter in order after verifying your funds." Mo Chen's voice was calm yet extremely penetrating. "Let me repeat the auction house rules: the use of force is prohibited within the territory, and violators will be severely punished."
Having learned from the previous example of Mad Rhinoceros Douluo, no one dared to act recklessly this time, and they all obediently lined up to verify their qualifications.
When it was Shrek's turn, Flander stepped forward with a forced smile and placed his hand on the verification ball—a faint white light appeared, indicating that they had just met the entry requirements.
"Please take a seat in the regular seating area," Mo Chen instructed expressionlessly.
Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly, but he could only lead everyone into the auction hall.
Upon entering the hall, everyone was awestruck by its luxury and wonder. The spacious and bright space, the exquisite decor, and the noticeably expanded sense of space all exceeded their expectations.
"What a grand undertaking..." Flanders muttered to himself, his professional instincts kicking in as he began to estimate the construction costs, growing increasingly alarmed with each calculation.
Tang San's sharp gaze swept around, his Purple Demon Eyes quietly activating, trying to see through the illusions of the place, but he was blocked by an invisible force, which instead made his eyes hurt slightly.
"Third Brother, what's wrong?" Xiao Wu asked with concern.
Tang San shook his head, his expression grave: "This place is not simple. Even my Purple Demon Eyes cannot see through it at all."
Everyone found their seats and waited for the auction to begin.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose at the entrance. A group of people dressed in the attire of the Spirit Hall strode in, led by a woman in a magnificent papal robe, wearing a purple-gold crown and holding a scepter. Her beauty was exquisite, yet she exuded a suffocating majesty.
"Pope Bibidon!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
The entire hall fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on that figure. The Pope of the Spirit Hall had personally arrived—this was an event of immense importance!
Ignoring the stares of those around her, Bibi Dong walked straight to the verification sphere. When she placed her hand on it, the sphere burst forth with an unprecedentedly brilliant blue light, with even a faint trace of gold flowing within it.
"Spirit Hall, please go to the VIP box on the third floor." Long Yi bowed slightly, his attitude clearly more respectful than that of the other forces.
Bibi Dong nodded slightly and gracefully walked up to the third floor amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of the crowd.
Tang San stared intently at Bibi Dong's retreating figure, his fists clenching unconsciously. The Spirit Hall, his mother's killer...
Yu Xiaogang's expression was even more complicated. Looking at that once-familiar figure, pain, resentment, and a trace of barely perceptible longing flashed in his eyes.
"Alright, the auction is about to begin," Flander whispered, drawing their attention back to the auction.
The lights dimmed, beams of light shone on the auction stage, and Lin Yue's figure reappeared.
"Welcome back, everyone." He smiled and surveyed the room. "Today's auction will feature six rare items, which I believe will not disappoint you."
The first item was quickly presented – a set of soul-guided artifacts called "Seven Star Array Flags," capable of setting up a simple defensive array, with a starting bid of 3,000 points.
The bidding started quickly and was eventually won by a medium-sized sect with 8,500 points.
Next came the second and third items, both rare medicinal herbs and soul tools, which sparked considerable competition.
Yu Xiaogang frowned the whole time and said in a low voice, "These things are valuable, but they are still within the normal range... Could it be that last time was just a gimmick?"
Just then, the fourth item was brought up. It was a peculiar crystal, emitting a soft glow.
"This item is called the 'Eye of Appraisal'," Lin Yue explained. "By integrating it into one's eyes, it can significantly enhance one's appraisal abilities for a short period, allowing one to see through parts of the item's essence and energy flow. The effect lasts for one hour and can be used three times. Starting bid: 8000 points!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang sat up straight, his eyes flashing with intense light!
This is practically a treasure tailor-made for him! If he could see through the essence of this object, it would be a revolutionary breakthrough in his theoretical research!
"Teacher?" Tang San noticed Yu Xiaogang's unusual behavior.
Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled with excitement: "This...this thing is too important to me! I have to take a picture of it!"
However, Yu Xiaogang quickly despaired when the bidding began.
"10,000 points!" Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was the first to bid.
"12000!" A faint voice came from the Spirit Hall's private room.
"15,000!" The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family was not to be outdone.
The price soared rapidly, quickly surpassing the 20,000-point mark. Yu Xiaogang's face grew increasingly pale; all his wealth combined wasn't even a fraction of what he had.
Flander shook his head with a wry smile: "Xiao Gang, this price is outrageous, we..."
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and suddenly stood up: "I...I can use my theoretical research notes as collateral! They contain the essence of my life's research!"
The room fell silent for a moment, then bursts of snickering erupted.
"Theoretical research notes? What are those?"
"Is he out of his mind? He dares to use something like that as collateral?"
"Looks like he's gone crazy for the treasure..."
Even Lin Yue shook his head slightly: "Sorry, our bank only accepts collateral in kind."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale, and he slumped back into his seat. Tang San quickly comforted him, "Teacher, don't worry about it. This kind of thing is flashy but impractical; it may not really be that magical."
But Yu Xiaogang's eyes were filled with disappointment and resentment. He had dedicated his life to theoretical research, yet he couldn't even obtain a single valuable artifact that could aid his work...
Ultimately, the "Eye of Treasure Appraisal" was auctioned off to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for a high price of 32,000 points.
Ning Fengzhi took the crystal and nodded in satisfaction: "With this, the sect's ability to appraise treasures will be greatly improved, and commercial revenue can increase by at least 30%."
The next two items also sparked fierce bidding, but the Shrek group had lost interest. Yu Xiaogang was immersed in frustration, while Tang San clenched his fists, developing a strange aversion to the auction house.
Just as the auction was about to end, Lin Yue suddenly spoke up: "One last special item to be auctioned—the 'Map of the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire'."
An exquisite map appeared on the display stand, clearly marking the location and terrain of a certain valley.
"This map points to a treasure land containing a large number of rare herbs, which are of great benefit to the cultivation of Soul Masters." Lin Yue smiled meaningfully. "Starting bid: 5000 points."
Tang San suddenly looked up, a look of shock flashing in his eyes—the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well? Isn't that Dugu Bo's herb garden?
He subconsciously looked in the direction of Dugu Bo and found that the other man's face was ashen, clearly not expecting this secret to be revealed.
"10,000 points!" Dugu Bo practically roared. He had to keep this secret!
However, the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also made bids, and the price quickly soared.
In the end, Dugu Bo had to offer a large number of rare herbs and poisons as collateral, bidding an astonishing 58,000 points to acquire the map and preserve the secret of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye.
The auction ended, and everyone gradually left.
Shrek and his group silently walked out of the auction house, the atmosphere heavy with tension.
"Damn it!" Dai Mubai couldn't help but punch a tree. "Those big sects are bullying us too much! They don't give us small forces a chance at all!"
Oscar gave a wry smile: "There's nothing we can do, we're just poor."
Yu Xiaogang remained silent, his eyes vacant. Today's experience had been a huge blow to him.
Seeing his teacher's distraught state, Tang San's resentment towards the auction house reached its peak. He secretly vowed that one day he would make this arrogant auction house pay the price...
Unbeknownst to them, on the top floor of the auction house, Lin Yue was watching their departing figures through the crystal window, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"The seeds have been sown; now it's just a matter of when they'll sprout..."