Chapter 278: Zhongli Wu's Scheme
From the Golden Tree's previous revelations, the Sea God Pavilion had gained partial insight into the Abyssal Plane.
That realm harbored power surpassing even the divine—multiple beings above god-level resided there. The God Realm could not directly intervene in Douluo's affairs, leaving the continent's defense entirely in the hands of its native soul masters.
And among them, aside from the Star Auction Pavilion's mysterious master, there were no true god-level beings.
The Pavilion remained neutral, never declaring allegiance to any force. If the Abyss were to invade one day, who could say whether it would act in aid—or stand aloof?
It was for that reason that Shrek Academy sought to purchase the Sword of Causality—a last-resort weapon intended to protect the world itself.
Perhaps it could one day sever the very fate that tied the Abyss to the Douluo Plane.
But the cost to wield such an artifact was beyond even Elder Mu's estimation. It might be a price the academy could not afford to pay.
Even so, there was no other option. They could never allow the Abyss to bring ruin to their world.
The elders of the Sea God Pavilion agreed without dissent. After brief discussion, they had all recognized the Sword of Causality's unparalleled importance—not just to Shrek, but to every soul master on the continent.
It had to be secured.
Above all, it could not fall into the hands of the Holy Spirit Church.
Those deranged killers would wield it without hesitation, spreading misery and slaughter across the lands. If they acquired this weapon, they would surely use it to annihilate entire nations, plunging the Douluo Continent into chaos.
Even compared to the Abyss, the Holy Spirit Church's cruelty was something they could not stomach witnessing.
"One hundred million gold soul coins."
A rasping voice broke the silence from the Holy Spirit Church's section—it was Zhongli Wu himself.
He, too, desired the Sword of Causality, though his mind worked differently from the others'.
He was already plotting how to wield it—when to strike, and whose fate to sever.
The Star Auction Pavilion's introduction had not exaggerated its power.
Even as a Limit Douluo, Zhongli Wu understood that using such a weapon recklessly could destroy him. The price for meddling with causality was beyond imagination.
Yet, the more he pondered, the more fascinated he became.
Causality—this invisible law that governed life and death—was the true ultimate weapon.
He could hardly control it… but if he could claim possession of it, perhaps it would one day shape the world to his design. Perhaps the sword could serve as his key to unifying the continent.
And if Shrek Academy obtained it first?
Then he would face a weapon capable of severing every thread of destiny he'd ever woven—a fatal threat to his grand ambitions.
No. He would not allow that.
He had to win it—or, at the very least, make Shrek pay dearly for taking it.
Soon, other powerful factions joined the fray: the Sun and Moon Empire, the Clear Sky Sect, and more.
All of them stood atop the Douluo power hierarchy—none of the smaller forces dared bid.
To them, risking their entire heritage for a weapon so unpredictable was utter lunacy.
Safer, far safer, to stay clear and watch which titan would claim the blade.
"Two hundred million!"
"Two hundred fifty million!"
The numbers rose steadily, building to a fever pitch.
Within minutes, the price crossed five hundred million.
At Shrek Academy's seats, tension thickened by the second. The auction had devolved into a standoff—between Shrek and the Holy Spirit Church.
Whatever price they called, Zhongli Wu's side matched instantly.
Elder Mu's expression darkened. Both sides were now fully committed; retreating would mean surrendering the blade—and their hope to safeguard the continent.
Even if it meant sacrificing some of their future bids, so be it.
"Six hundred million!"
"Seven hundred million!"
As the minutes crawled by, the crowd watched with bated breath.
All other factions gradually withdrew, leaving only two—Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Church—locked in fierce, silent war.
Finally, as Shrek's last offer echoed through the hall—
"Thirteen hundred million gold soul coins!"
The Star Auction Pavilion fell utterly silent.
Across the hall, Zhongli Wu smiled faintly under his hood—a subtle, malicious grin.
He didn't raise his hand again.
He had no intention of winning anymore.
In truth, he had only wanted to drive the price higher, knowing full well Shrek would fight to the end.
The more money they spent here, the less they would have for the final items of the night—the true pinnacle treasures.
It was a simple game of attrition. Let them bleed themselves dry now so that the Holy Spirit Church could dominate later.
These so-called guardians of humanity would soon find themselves too poor to protect anything.
Back onstage, Ling Yun observed the crowd carefully. No more bids came. She understood instantly who had prevailed.
"Thirteen billion gold soul coins—going once!"
"Thirteen billion—going twice!"
"Thirteen billion—going three times!"
Bang!
Her golden hammer fell.
"The Sword of Causality," she declared, "is sold for thirteen billion gold soul coins!"
Relief flickered across Elder Xuan's face. The weapon was theirs, at last.
But at what cost?
Shrek had spent a fortune—so much that their position in the remaining auctions would be precarious at best.
Still, they had achieved what they came for. With the Sword of Causality, they had secured a final defense for the continent itself.
As murmurs settled and anticipation turned toward the next reveal, Ling Yun smiled faintly and gestured again.
A streak of black light shimmered into existence above the stage.
There floated a diamond-shaped crystalline object, pitch-black from edge to core.
Even the light around it seemed to vanish—absorbed completely by the surrounding darkness. The hall dimmed ominously, drawing startled gasps from the crowd.
"What kind of item can devour the very light around it? Even illumination can't pierce that darkness!"
(END CHAPTER)
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