"An eighth-rank soul tool… the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade!"
As Xu Jiujiu's crisp announcement echoed through the hall, the entire venue instantly erupted, like a pot boiling over.
Countless blazing gazes locked onto the massive blade on the auction stage. Its chilling aura seemed to seep into the air itself, and heavy breathing rose and fell throughout the hall.
An eighth-rank soul tool!
That was a top-tier killing weapon on par with a Spirit Douluo-level powerhouse!
Outside the Sun Moon Empire, a spirit tool of this grade was practically a strategic asset. Once it appeared on the market, it was guaranteed to spark a frenzied scramble.
"Good stuff… this really is good stuff!"
Inside Shrek Academy's private booth, Xuan Zi abruptly stood up. His once-cloudy old eyes now shone with piercing brilliance as he stared fixedly at the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade.
His thoughts raced.
Why had Ma Xiaotao lost to Liu Yuan?
Wasn't it because her Phoenix Evil Fire had been completely suppressed by Liu Yuan's near-absolute "fire immunity"?
Once her flames were rendered useless, Ma Xiaotao was like a tiger stripped of its fangs—she couldn't even bring out twenty percent of her true strength.
But if she had this blade…
All those problems would disappear.
As that thought formed, Xuan Zi's gaze hardened with resolve. His desire for victory eclipsed everything else.
"This blade must be obtained at all costs! It's the key to our turnaround!"
At the same time, a spark of hope ignited in Ma Xiaotao's beautiful eyes.
She stared at the blade as though she were looking at her chance to wash away her previous humiliation.
…
In the opposing booth of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy—
Xiao Hongchen leaned against the one-way glass, frowning slightly as he looked at the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade. He turned and asked,
"Grandfather, is this really something from Mingde Hall?"
"Aren't our high-level soul tools strictly forbidden from being leaked out?"
Jing Hongchen let out a cold chuckle, a flash of disdain and gloom passing through his eyes.
"Hmph. 'Crafted by a certain Soul Engineer of Mingde Hall' is nothing more than a smokescreen from the Star Luo Empire."
"This blade was seized by their army during that war decades ago. They've kept it hidden all this time, and now they've deliberately brought it out for auction while spreading such rumors. It's nothing more than an attempt to disgust us—or even stir suspicion within our ranks, making us think there's a traitor colluding with outsiders."
"I've seen plenty of such low-grade schemes to sow discord."
As he spoke, Jing Hongchen's gaze turned solemn as he looked toward the Shrek booth across from them.
"However, this item really is a problem for us right now."
"You mean Shrek?" Liu Yuan spoke calmly.
"Exactly."
Jing Hongchen nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
"That old man Xuan Zi is like a drowning person grasping at any straw he can find."
"If Ma Xiaotao obtains this blade, she'll gain a physical attack method capable of threatening you. Even though you're immune to fire, Xiao Yuan, this is still an eighth-rank soul tool—its killing power cannot be underestimated."
"Tomorrow's match is crucial. I absolutely cannot allow any accidents."
A trace of ruthless dominance flashed through Jing Hongchen's eyes, befitting the Hall Master of Mingde Hall.
"Since they want to buy it to deal with us, then we simply won't let them."
"This blade is mine."
…
By now, Xu Jiujiu had pushed the atmosphere of the auction hall to its peak.
"Eighth-rank soul tool, Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade! Starting price—six hundred thousand gold coins! Each bid increase must not be less than ten thousand!"
"Let the bidding begin!"
The moment she finished speaking, bids erupted from all directions.
"Six hundred fifty thousand!"
"Seven hundred thousand!"
"Eight hundred thousand!"
The price skyrocketed at an astonishing pace. In just a few breaths, it had already broken one million and climbed to one million two hundred thousand gold coins.
At that point, many wealthy spectators who had merely been following along began to withdraw.
The blade was excellent, yes—but value mattered. At this price, the cost-effectiveness was already questionable.
Then, a steady, forceful voice rang out from the Shrek booth:
"One million six hundred thousand!"
The bidder was Dai Yueheng. Acting on Xuan Zi's instructions, he raised the price in one massive leap, clearly intending to use Shrek Academy's prestige and wealth to clear the field.
As expected, the hall immediately fell much quieter.
Countless eyes turned toward the Shrek booth, tinged with awe.
As expected of the continent's number one academy—when they made a move, it was grand.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Dai Yueheng's mouth. Victory seemed within reach.
Then, like a ghost drifting in from the opposite side, a lazy voice sounded:
"One million seven hundred thousand."
Jing Hongchen had entered the fray.
His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced straight into Xuan Zi's heart like a needle.
Xuan Zi's expression darkened instantly. The scenario he feared most had come to pass.
"Damn it! That fat bastard really is interfering!"
Grinding his teeth, Xuan Zi barked, "Yueheng, raise it! Don't let him look down on us!"
"One million eight hundred thousand!" Dai Yueheng shouted, bracing himself.
"Two million."
Jing Hongchen's tone remained utterly unhurried, as if the number he named wasn't money at all, but meaningless digits.
Hiss—
A collective gasp swept through the hall.
Two million gold coins! That was already an outrageous overpayment!
Dai Yueheng felt the pressure mounting. He turned to look at Xuan Zi, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
Xuan Zi drew a deep breath, slammed the table, and personally took over:
"Two million five hundred thousand!"
His voice carried a sharp edge of anger, like a direct challenge hurled at Jing Hongchen.
"Three million."
Jing Hongchen responded instantly, without the slightest pause.
"You—!"
Xuan Zi's beard trembled, his eyes bloodshot.
"Three million five hundred thousand! Jing Hongchen, don't push it too far!"
"Four million."
Jing Hongchen calmly took a sip of tea. That indifferent demeanor alone was enough to drive Xuan Zi mad with rage.
Four million!
This was already an astronomical sum!
Xuan Zi's heart bled.
He had brought tens of millions, yes—but that money was meant to buy many things. If he burned so much on the very first item, what would he do later?
But if he gave up now, Ma Xiaotao would be left without any effective physical attack method. How could they possibly fight tomorrow?
"Five million!"
Like a crazed gambler, Xuan Zi roared out the number, his eyes blazing red.
He was gambling—betting that Jing Hongchen wouldn't dare follow. After all, the Sun Moon Empire could produce such weapons themselves. Spending five million to buy one back would be a terrible loss.
But he underestimated Jing Hongchen's resolve.
And he underestimated the terrifying financial might of Mingde Hall.
Jing Hongchen didn't even glance at him. He simply raised a hand lightly, his voice cold and decisive:
"Ten million."
Boom!
It felt as though a heavy bomb had detonated in the auction hall.
Everyone—including Xu Jiujiu—was utterly stunned.
Ten million gold coins?!
For an eighth-rank soul tool?
This was madness. Pure insanity. It was like throwing gold coins away as if they were gravel.
Inside the Shrek booth, Xuan Zi stood frozen, as though struck by lightning. His mouth hung open, unable to close for a long while.
Ten million…
This wasn't just overpaying anymore.
This was outright burning money.
The moment that number entered his ears, Xuan Zi's urge to continue bidding was completely extinguished, as though ice water had been poured over his head.
He might have brought tens of millions, but he wasn't an idiot.
If he spent ten million on this single item, how would he compete for anything else later on?
Was it really worth sacrificing all future resources for an item that was already absurdly overpriced?
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
Xuan Zi trembled with rage.
"Jing Hongchen! You lunatic! You spendthrift!"
"You win! I don't want it anymore!"
-------------Author---------------
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