As that crisp sound of the hammer fell, this soul-stirring top-tier auction, worthy of being recorded in the annals of history, finally came to a close.
The crowd slowly dispersed like a receding tide, but the expressions on everyone's faces were filled with a lingering sense of shock.
Everything that happened tonight, whether it was Xuan Zi's frantic shopping spree or Jing Hongchen's domineering display of spending money like water, would become the hottest topic of conversation in Star Luo City for a long time to come.
The buyers who had successfully bid on items were guided by attendants to the backstage for the handover.
Xuan Zi led the Shrek group; although he felt a bit of a sting in his heart while walking, seeing his team members armed to the teeth made his back straighten with pride.
"Hmph, as long as we can win tomorrow, everything will be worth it!"
...
Backstage, in a luxuriously decorated private lounge.
Xu Jiujiu, who had just stepped off the auction stage, hadn't even had time to change out of her magnificent gown before she hurriedly pushed the door open and entered.
"Imperial Brother."
Xu Jiujiu gave a slight bow to the imposing figure standing before the floor-to-ceiling window. Her delicate face carried a trace of fatigue, but even more excitement.
Xu Jiawei turned around, his usually majestic face now covered with a gentle smile. He stepped forward quickly and lightly patted Xu Jiujiu's shoulder:
"Jiujiu, well done! You have truly rendered a great service in this auction."
Xu Jiawei was clearly in an excellent mood. He walked to the wine cabinet, personally poured two glasses of red wine, and handed one to Xu Jiujiu:
"This time, we not only went with the flow to help Shrek and gave them the capital to fight the Sun Moon Team..."
"But we also heavily fleeced that old fox Jing Hongchen."
Xu Jiujiu took the wine glass and took a sip, a smug smile appearing on her face:
"Naturally. Although Jing Hongchen is shrewd, in the face of such a must-have treasure, he could only obediently fork over the money."
At this point, Xu Jiujiu's tone shifted, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly as if she were a bit worried:
"However... Imperial Brother, that hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast embryo has truly fallen into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire."
"It matters not."
Xu Jiawei waved his hand with a calm expression, as if everything was under his control.
He gently swirled his wine glass, looking at the crimson liquid inside, a meaningful cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Although that embryo is precious, wanting to absorb or utilize it is by no means an easy task."
"As for research..."
A glint flashed in Xu Jiawei's eyes. "Given the nature of those Sun Moon people, after obtaining such a treasure that cannot be immediately digested, they certainly won't carry it with them. Instead, they will immediately send it back to the underground laboratory of Mingde Hall for so-called 'scientific analysis'."
"And this is exactly what I want."
He turned his head to look at Xu Jiujiu and lowered his voice, his tone carrying a heart-palpitating chill:
"I have already contacted the people from the Body Sect. They have long coveted such a top-quality Spirit Beast embryo. When the time is ripe, I will reveal this information to them..."
"When that time comes, let them go and cause a huge scene at Mingde Hall to snatch the item back."
"This way, we earn the money, and the item might not end up being theirs in the end. This is called—killing two birds with one stone!"
Xu Jiujiu listened in stunned silence. Looking at her usually elegant and refined Imperial Brother, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart, followed immediately by deep admiration.
"Imperial Brother is wise!"
...
Meanwhile, at the Star Emperor Grand Hotel, the base of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Jing Hongchen's group did not make a grand display like Shrek; instead, they returned to the hotel quickly and low-key through the VIP passage.
As soon as they entered the room, that suppressed sense of excitement finally erupted.
"Grandfather! We really got it!"
Xiao Hongchen looked at the large cage wrapped tightly in black cloth that Jing Hongchen had taken out from his storage spirit tool, his voice trembling with excitement.
Jing Hongchen's face was also flushed with joy. He carefully lifted a corner of the black cloth, revealing the god sealing platform inside that emitted a soft halo.
Through the Seal, that snow-white figure curled up in the ball of light was still sleeping quietly, radiating a heart-palpitating chill and nobility.
"One hundred and fifty million... Although it was a bit expensive, it is definitely worth the price!"
Jing Hongchen praised, "It really wasn't easy!"
But he didn't hesitate at all. He immediately covered the god sealing platform again, then turned around and solemnly pushed it in front of Liu Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan, for you."
The room suddenly fell silent.
Although Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the others all showed looks of envy in their eyes, not a single person spoke up in opposition.
Liu Yuan looked at the god sealing platform within reach and took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions.
He did not pretentiously decline; instead, he reached out his hands and steadily took over this priceless treasure.
It was cold to the touch and heavy, as if he were holding the ice and snow of the entire Far North.
"Hall Master..."
Liu Yuan raised his head, looking at Jing Hongchen with sincere eyes. "Thank you."
A thousand words finally converged into these two.
But the determination in his eyes surpassed any flowery language.
"Liu Yuan will remember this kindness."
Jing Hongchen laughed loudly, stepped forward, and patted Liu Yuan's shoulder, his eyes full of affection and expectation:
"Silly child, what nonsense are you saying?"
"I said before that as long as you join our Sun Moon Royal Academy, I will definitely do my best to cultivate you. Although this one hundred and fifty million is not a small amount, in my eyes, your future is much more precious than this one hundred and fifty million!"
"You are the hope of our Sun Moon Empire and the future pillar of Sun Moon. This bit of investment is something I am willing to part with."
"Take it and make good use of it. I am waiting to see the day you stand at the Peak of the continent!"
Liu Yuan nodded heavily, carving this weighty trust deep into his heart.
Regardless of what kind of person Jing Hongchen was in the original work, at least towards him, the man truly had nothing to be criticized for.
...
Returning to his own room.
Liu Yuan double-locked the door and specifically activated the spirit tool isolation barrier in the room to ensure that no aura could leak out.
Only after doing all this did he carefully place that large god sealing platform on the carpet in the center of the room.
Under the light, the god sealing platform emitted a faint, eerie glow.
Liu Yuan sat cross-legged in front of the god sealing platform, his eyes burning as he stared at the small platform.
"Finally... it's time for the most crucial step."
He murmured softly to himself, and with a flip of his palm, a special Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
This was exactly the Heal Ball he had obtained through the System earlier.
Opening the lid of the god sealing platform, Liu Yuan threw the ball directly, his gaze solemn.
There was only one Heal Ball, which meant there was only one chance.
Therefore, the following result was extremely important!
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