As the crisp sound of the gavel fell, this soul-stirring, top-tier auction—one worthy of being recorded in the annals of history—finally came to an end.
The crowd slowly dispersed like a receding tide, yet the shock lingering on everyone's faces showed no sign of fading. Everything that had happened tonight—whether it was Xuanzi's frenzied spending spree or Jing Hongchen's overwhelming display of wealth—was destined to become the hottest topic of discussion in Star Luo City for a very long time.
Those who had successfully won their bids were guided backstage by attendants to complete the handover procedures.
Xuanzi led the Shrek group forward. Though his heart ached with every step he took, seeing his students fully armed from head to toe made his back straighten with pride.
"Hmph! As long as we win tomorrow, everything will be worth it!"
…
Backstage, inside a luxuriously decorated private lounge.
Xu Jiujiu had barely stepped off the auction stage when she pushed the door open and entered, still wearing her magnificent gown.
"Imperial Brother."
She bowed slightly to the imposing figure standing before the floor-to-ceiling window. A trace of fatigue lingered on her delicate face, but it was overshadowed by excitement.
Xu Jiawei turned around. The usual majesty on his face softened into a gentle smile as he stepped forward and lightly patted Xu Jiujiu on the shoulder.
"Jiujiu, well done! You've rendered a great service through this auction."
He was clearly in an excellent mood. Walking over to the wine cabinet, he personally poured two glasses of red wine and handed one to her.
"This time, we not only went along with the situation to support Shrek and give them the capital to contend with the Sun Moon team…"
"But we also took a hefty bite out of that old fox, Jing Hongchen."
Xu Jiujiu took the glass and sipped lightly, a smug smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Of course. No matter how shrewd Jing Hongchen is, when faced with a treasure he simply couldn't give up, all he could do was obediently pay the price."
Her expression soon changed, however. Her brows knit slightly, a hint of concern surfacing.
"Still… Imperial Brother, that hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo has ultimately fallen into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire."
"It doesn't matter."
Xu Jiawei waved his hand calmly, as though everything were already under his control.
He gently swirled the wine in his glass, gazing at the crimson liquid as a cold, meaningful smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"Although that embryo is precious, absorbing or making use of it is by no means an easy task."
"As for research…"
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Given the nature of those people from Sun Moon, after obtaining a treasure they can't immediately digest, they definitely won't keep it on them. Instead, they'll send it straight back to Mingde Hall's underground laboratory for so-called 'scientific analysis.'"
"And that is precisely what I want."
Turning to Xu Jiujiu, he lowered his voice, a chilling edge seeping into his tone.
"I've already contacted the Body Sect. They've long coveted a top-grade soul beast embryo like this. When the time is right, I'll leak the information to them…"
"When that happens, let them stir up chaos at Mingde Hall and snatch it away."
"We earn the money, and the treasure may not even end up in their hands. That's what you call killing two birds with one stone."
Xu Jiujiu listened in stunned silence. Looking at her usually elegant and refined Imperial Brother, she felt a chill rise in her heart—followed immediately by deep admiration.
"Imperial Brother is truly wise!"
…
Meanwhile, at the Star Emperor Grand Hotel—the temporary base of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Unlike Shrek's high-profile departure, Jing Hongchen's group returned quickly and quietly through a VIP passage.
The moment they entered their room, the excitement they had been suppressing finally erupted.
"Grandfather! We really got it!"
Xiao Hongchen stared at the massive cage wrapped tightly in black cloth that Jing Hongchen had taken out from his storage soul tool, his voice trembling with excitement.
Jing Hongchen's face was flushed as well. He carefully lifted a corner of the black cloth, revealing the God-Sealing Platform inside, which emitted a soft, hazy glow.
Through the sealing barrier, the snow-white figure curled up within the ball of light remained quietly asleep, radiating a heart-stirring chill and an aura of innate nobility.
"One hundred and fifty million… Expensive, but absolutely worth it."
Jing Hongchen sighed in admiration. "It really wasn't easy."
Without the slightest hesitation, he covered the God-Sealing Platform again, then turned and solemnly pushed it in front of Liu Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan. This is for you."
The room fell completely silent.
Although Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the others all showed undisguised envy, not a single person voiced any objection.
Liu Yuan looked at the God-Sealing Platform before him and took a deep breath, forcefully calming the turbulent emotions in his heart.
He didn't put on airs or refuse out of politeness. Instead, he reached out with both hands and steadily accepted this priceless treasure.
It was icy to the touch and incredibly heavy, as though he were holding the ice and snow of the entire Far North.
"Hall Master…"
Liu Yuan raised his head, meeting Jing Hongchen's gaze with sincere eyes. "Thank you."
Countless words ultimately condensed into those two.
Yet the resolve burning in his eyes surpassed any flowery speech.
"I, Liu Yuan, will remember this kindness."
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, stepping forward to pat Liu Yuan on the shoulder, his eyes filled with affection and expectation.
"Silly child, what are you saying?"
"I already told you—once you joined the Sun Moon Royal Academy, I would do everything in my power to cultivate you. One hundred and fifty million is no small sum, but in my eyes, your future is far more valuable than that."
"You are the hope of the Sun Moon Empire and a future pillar of Sun Moon. This investment is one I'm more than willing to make."
"Take it and put it to good use. I'll be waiting for the day you stand at the very peak of the continent!"
Liu Yuan nodded firmly, engraving this heavy trust deep into his heart.
No matter what kind of person Jing Hongchen might have been in the original story, at the very least, in how he treated Liu Yuan, there was nothing to criticize.
…
Back in his own room.
Liu Yuan locked the door twice, then deliberately activated the soul tool isolation barrier to ensure that not even the slightest aura could leak outside.
Only after completing all of this did he carefully place the massive God-Sealing Platform onto the carpet in the center of the room.
Under the light, the platform emitted a faint, eerie glow.
Liu Yuan sat cross-legged in front of it, his eyes blazing as he stared at the small stage.
"Finally… the most critical step."
He murmured softly. With a flip of his palm, a special Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
It was the Heal Ball he had previously obtained from the system.
Opening the God-Sealing Platform, Liu Yuan threw the ball without hesitation, his expression solemn.
There was only one Heal Ball.
Which meant—only one chance.
The outcome of what followed would decide everything.