Seeing the tempting mission rewards displayed on the system panel, a spark of excitement ignited in Liu Yuan's otherwise calm eyes.
Gold of Living Beings.
This was an extremely rare heaven-and-earth treasure on the Douluo Continent. The vast vitality contained within it was enough to drive any Spirit Master mad with desire.
He had originally planned to claim such an item for himself no matter what.
What's more, obtaining it would also grant him a system reward.
"Good thing the System reminded me," Liu Yuan thought with a faint smile. "Otherwise, I really might've forgotten about this auction."
This auction was absolutely non-negotiable.
Without any hesitation, Liu Yuan stood up, pushed open the door, and headed straight for Jing Hongchen's room.
At that moment, Jing Hongchen was deep in thought, considering tactical arrangements for the upcoming stages of the competition.
Seeing Liu Yuan enter, he immediately stopped what he was doing and broke into a warm, welcoming smile.
"Xiao Yuan, what is it? Do you need something?"
In Jing Hongchen's eyes, Liu Yuan was already a living treasure—both the future pillar of the Sun Moon Empire and the academy's greatest hope. He naturally treated him with the utmost care.
"It's nothing serious." Liu Yuan casually found a seat. "I heard there's a top-tier auction in Star Luo City tonight. I'd like to go take a look."
"An auction?"
Jing Hongchen paused for a moment, then waved his hand boldly, laughter in his voice.
"Go! Of course you should go! Everyone's been working hard these past few days—consider it a chance to relax."
As he spoke, he turned toward Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the others nearby and said loudly,
"Since Liu Yuan brought it up, we'll all go together tonight! I'll cover everything!"
"If you see rare metals or high-level spirit tools you like, just bid. As long as it helps your cultivation, I won't be stingy!"
"Wow! Long live Grandpa!"
Meng Hongchen was the first to cheer, her face lighting up with excitement. Even Xiao Hongchen looked pleasantly surprised—although their grandfather was usually generous, it was rare for him to be this extravagant.
"Then I'll thank you, Dean." Liu Yuan smiled faintly.
This was exactly what he wanted.
With a true financial powerhouse like Jing Hongchen backing him, he could bid without restraint tonight.
…
Night fell, and Star Luo City was ablaze with lights.
As one of the largest auction houses on the continent, the Starlight Auction House was exceptionally lively this evening.
Liu Yuan and his group, dressed in the uniforms of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, arrived at the entrance in an imposing manner.
By coincidence, just as they were about to enter, they ran straight into the Shrek Academy group, who had arrived at nearly the same time.
Xuan Zi walked at the very front, still carrying his trademark wine gourd. Behind him were Dai Yueheng, Ma Xiaotao, Bei Bei, and the rest of the team.
Although Shrek's mood had improved somewhat thanks to Xuan Zi's earlier promise of generous rewards, the moment they saw the Sun Moon team—and Liu Yuan standing calmly at the center—their expressions stiffened.
That deep-rooted fear and sense of defeat surged up uncontrollably once again.
"Hmph."
Upon seeing Jing Hongchen, Xuan Zi let out a cold snort and deliberately turned his head away, pretending not to notice him.
He was already in a foul mood and had no interest in dealing with this old rival.
After all, having lost so miserably, speaking now would only invite further humiliation.
Jing Hongchen naturally noticed Xuan Zi's darkened expression.
A playful curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. Unlike his usual self, he didn't step forward to mock him. Instead, he cast a meaningful glance at the Shrek members behind Xuan Zi, then waved to Liu Yuan and the others.
"Let's go. We're heading in as well."
Even without words, the tension between the two sides was unmistakable.
Under the guidance of the attendants, both teams entered their respective VIP boxes.
Interestingly, whether by design or coincidence, the Sun Moon team's box and Shrek Academy's box were right next to each other, separated only by a layer of special soundproof glass.
Through the one-way viewing window, Jing Hongchen could clearly see the movements of the Shrek group next door.
He narrowed his eyes, the playful smile on his face growing even deeper.
"Since we've met like this," he thought, "don't blame me for being impolite."
…
Before long, the auction officially began.
Soft, melodious music filled the hall as a beautiful female auctioneer in a red dress stepped gracefully onto the stage, her figure both elegant and alluring.
"Good evening, distinguished guests," she said with a sweet, pleasant voice. "I am today's auctioneer."
After a brief introduction, she went straight to the point.
"Without further delay, let us present the first item of the evening!"
At her signal, several attendants pushed forward a small cart. As the red cloth was lifted, three exquisitely crafted metal devices were revealed.
"These are three Class Four stationary soul tool cannons, crafted by a Class Six Soul Engineer," the auctioneer explained. "Although they are only Class Four, their power and stability are exceptional. They are excellent weapons for low- to mid-level Spirit Masters, allowing them to defend themselves or challenge stronger opponents."
"Starting price: one thousand gold coins!"
At the mention of spirit tools, He Caitou's eyes immediately lit up in the Shrek box.
As Fan Yu's personal disciple, he had an almost obsessive fondness for spirit tools.
"Elder Xuan, these… seem pretty good," He Caitou said honestly, scratching his head as he looked toward Xuan Zi.
Xuan Zi glanced at the three cannons and curled his lips.
In his eyes, tricks that relied on external equipment could never compare to cultivating one's own strength. And Class Four spirit tools? To him, they were barely worth considering.
Still, he had already made his promise. Backing out right at the start would be embarrassing.
"If you like them, then bid," Xuan Zi said with a wave of his hand.
"One thousand gold coins!"
The Shrek side immediately placed the first bid.
"One thousand five hundred!"
"Two thousand!"
Several people in the hall were interested, and the price quickly rose.
"Three thousand gold coins!"
Growing impatient, Xuan Zi directly called out a higher price, intending to settle it in one stroke.
As expected, the hall quieted down.
For three Class Four spirit tools, three thousand gold coins was already excessive.
"Three thousand gold coins, once!"
The auctioneer smiled as she raised the hammer.
Xuan Zi nodded in satisfaction and lifted his wine gourd, ready to take a celebratory sip for this "opening victory."
But at that very moment—
"Four thousand gold coins."
A lazy, faintly playful voice drifted out from the adjacent VIP box, echoing clearly through the auction hall.
Xuan Zi froze on the spot.
The wine gourd stopped at his lips. Before he could take a sip, he was nearly choked by the sudden bid.
"Cough—cough—cough!"
He coughed violently, his face turning red as he snapped his head toward the neighboring box.
That voice… was far too familiar.
And raising the bid by a full thousand in one go—who was so rich and so overbearing?
Inside the adjacent box, Jing Hongchen calmly set down the bidding paddle and leisurely lifted his teacup, a smug smile spread across his face.
Seeing this, Liu Yuan nearly laughed out loud.
The dean was truly ruthless.
He was deliberately competing with Xuan Zi in wealth.
And when it came to money, even ten Xuan Zis put together wouldn't stand a chance against Jing Hongchen.
Xuan Zi was about to lose face—badly.