Chapter 101: The Auction Begins, Featuring the Gold of Life and the Snow Empress Embryo
Fortunately, the round-robin group matches for the day concluded quickly.
As the chief referee announced the successful completion of the day's schedule, the suffocating wave of discussion in Star Luo Plaza—which had been drowning Elder Xuan—finally showed signs of receding.
Elder Xuan did not strike his usual pose as a Shrek veteran to critique the juniors. Instead, his face was livid. He did not even wait for the host to announce the end of the session before standing up. Gathering that team of bandaged, low-morale Shrek students, he hurried away from the competition venue.
Under the strange, mocking gazes of the entire crowd, his usually broad back appeared hunched and disheveled. He only wanted to return to the relatively enclosed room at the Star Luo Hotel, escaping those judgmental stares that pricked his skin like steel needles.
Sitting in the preparation area opposite the main stage, Du Busi watched Elder Xuan's retreating figure. It looked less like a departure and more like a panicked flight. A sneer of extreme contempt escaped Du Busi's nose.
"Hmph, the old dog runs quite fast." Du Busi brushed the dust off his hands, his tone dripping with undisguised mockery. "Since he dared to commit such a blind and stupid act back then, he should have expected a day like this. He brought it upon himself. Does he know what shame is now?"
Du Busi turned his head to look at Liu Yuan. The youth was still bathed in the lingering afterglow of his breakthrough. The cold, ruthless edge on the Body Sect Master's face instantly melted away, replaced by genuine, heartfelt ecstasy and overwhelming pride.
"Let's go! Today, not only did we achieve a total victory and successfully advance to the Round of 16, but Liu Yuan even turned a misfortune into a blessing. Leveling up three times right in front of that trash, slapping Shrek's face into the dirt!"
Du Busi's laughter boomed across the preparation area. "This is a huge cause for celebration. I'll take you all to the best restaurant in Star Luo City. We must celebrate properly today!"
Led by Du Busi, the group from the Heavenly Soul Imperial Academy quickly left the scene. Compared to Shrek's suffocating gloominess, they walked with high spirits, their heads held high all the way.
Half an hour later, inside a private room at the most luxurious restaurant in the center of Star Luo City, the massive circular table was already filled with a dazzling array of delicacies. The rich, savory aroma of roasted meat mingled with the fragrant steam of broth brewed with rare soul herbs, permeating the air and making mouths water.
Du Busi raised his wine glass and stood up first. He looked directly at Liu Yuan. "Liu Yuan, I toast you with this cup."
He raised the cup higher, his voice thick with emotion. "You are the pride of the Body Sect, and the most brilliant child I have ever seen in my life. Level 48. A twelve-year-old at rank 48! Hahaha, those idiots at Shrek must be regretting it so much their intestines are turning green."
Everyone raised their glasses. The clinking of crystal rang out, and the atmosphere in the private room became extremely lively.
Long Aotian, while vigorously chewing on a thick cut of high-level soul beast meat, gave a greasy thumbs-up to Liu Yuan. "Junior Brother, that punch you threw on the stage, and the aura you displayed when you jumped three levels later, really made my blood boil. I reckon your name will spread across the entire continent by tomorrow morning."
Vina sat on the side, elegantly sipping a glass of chilled fruit juice. Looking at Liu Yuan's calm, unbothered face, she smiled softly. "Liu Yuan, you are a celebrity now. However, while we should celebrate, the road ahead is still long."
When everyone had eaten their fill and the boisterous atmosphere at the table gradually calmed down, Vina put down her silver utensils. Seeming to remember something, she turned to ask the others.
"Oh right, there is a high-level auction taking place later tonight at the top auction house in Star Luo City."
She wiped her mouth with a silk napkin. "It is said that because of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, the Star Luo Imperial Family has specially brought out some rare treasures that are usually hard to see. Should we go take a look? It can just be for some post-match relaxation."
Long Aotian wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looking entirely uninterested. "An auction... those places are mostly filled with flashy antiques or impractical defensive soul tools. It doesn't matter if we go or not. I'd rather go back and study the soul power execution I just broke through with."
Mu Xue, Gu Tong, and the others also nodded, their attitudes indifferent. They were martial artists first and foremost; bidding wars held little appeal. It was up to the team leader to decide.
However, Liu Yuan, who had been quietly pouring and drinking tea by himself, felt a flash of lightning strike his mind the moment he heard the word 'auction'.
His Double Pupils contracted slightly. Details from deep within his memory regarding this specific session of the Star Luo City auction quickly surfaced.
'Auction...' Liu Yuan pondered to himself.
He clearly remembered that in the original timeline, this auction was not just a simple exchange of resources. Hidden beneath that dark red velvet cloth were divine objects capable of completely changing the landscape of the Soul Master world.
First was that piece of Life Gold containing ultimate vitality. It was the absolute best carrier for enhancing one's mental origin and even opening the Eye of Life.
And more, that grand finale piece listed as top secret by the Star Luo Imperial Family—the Snow Empress Embryo! That was the true Dominator of the Far North, the Snow Empress who possessed the attribute of Ultimate Ice.
Setting aside the Snow Empress Embryo for now, the Life Gold alone was a heaven-defying treasure. If Liu Yuan could obtain it, his physical and mental strength would inevitably soar yet again.
This was absolutely not an opportunity to be missed.
Thinking of this, Liu Yuan raised his head. He set his teacup down with a soft clink. Although his tone was calm, it carried an unmatched sense of determination.
"Go. We must go to this auction."
Seeing Liu Yuan's serious expression, everyone at the table was somewhat surprised.
Du Busi raised a thick eyebrow. He knew his disciple's temperament perfectly. Liu Yuan was pragmatic to the core; he would never waste time on ordinary trinkets or flashy vanity items. Since he spoke with such certainty, there must be something extremely important hidden inside that auction house.
"Since Liu Yuan wants to go, we will go and broaden our horizons." Du Busi waved his large hand, setting the tone directly.
An hour later, night fell completely, but Star Luo City became as bright as day under the warm illumination of countless soul lanterns.
The group arrived at the Star Luo Grand Auction House located in the bustling center of the city. The magnificent building was constructed entirely of pristine white marble, with strict security cordons established at the entrance. Those entering and exiting were all gorgeously dressed dignitaries, wealthy merchants, or powerful Soul Masters.
Coincidentally, just as the group from the Heavenly Soul Imperial Academy was preparing to step through the towering main gates, another team happened to walk up from the side path.
It was the Shrek Academy team, led by Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan's complexion was still extremely ugly. Even though he had washed up and changed into a clean, unwrinkled robe, the fresh fabric could not hide the heavy gloom and the deep sense of defeat lingering between his brows.
When he saw Du Busi and Liu Yuan standing at the entrance, his footsteps visibly paused. A flicker of intense wariness and deep disgust flashed through his already gloomy eyes. His jaw tightened, the muscles ticking under his beard.
Du Busi let out a sneer of absolute disdain, not even sparing Elder Xuan a second glance. He just turned his head and spoke to Liu Yuan as if no one else was around.
"Liu Yuan, let's go. This kind of unlucky place is not worth staying in for long. Let's hurry inside and see the treasures."
After dropping that casual insult, Du Busi led Liu Yuan and the others into the auction house with his head held high. He left Elder Xuan standing frozen on the marble steps, his beard trembling with suppressed rage, yet entirely helpless to do anything about it.
After passing through the gilded doors, the group was respectfully led by attendants to the highest-tier VIP box overlooking the main stage.
Liu Yuan did not rush to take a seat on the plush velvet sofas. Instead, he walked straight to the transparent soul tool screen mounted on the wall of the box, quickly browsing the scrolling list in the auction catalog.
Although the core finale items on the digital list were obscured by black shadows to build suspense, Liu Yuan did not need to see the pictures. Through the spiritual perception of his Double Pupils, which could see straight through to the origin of all things, he could already sense several extremely extraordinary fluctuations radiating from the heavily guarded backstage of the exhibition hall.
One was a vibrant, green rhythm that pulsed like a beating heart, seemingly capable of cleansing the very soul. The other was an extremely cold, terrifying chill that was sharp enough to freeze human consciousness.
That was the Life Gold and the Snow Empress Embryo.
Liu Yuan turned around, looked directly at Vina, and spoke in a serious tone. "Vina, there is one thing I really want today. When the bidding starts, I might need you to help me bid for it."
Vina was stunned for a moment. Then, she revealed a sly yet utterly domineering smile. As a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, the sheer wealth and political power she held in her hands were enough to make the vast majority of continental forces despair.
She patted her chest and promised heroically. "Liu Yuan, as long as it is something you want, let alone one item, I can even buy out this entire auction house. Just say what you have got your eye on. We will buy whatever you want. The treasury of the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family is not just for show."
Looking at Vina's domineering, big-spending attitude, Liu Yuan's originally tense mood was broken. He was genuinely amused by her display of wealth.
"Why be so exaggerated? Just buying what I need is enough." Liu Yuan shook his head with a light smile, the coldness in his eyes softening just a bit. "However, I do quite like this domineering attitude of yours."
Hearing this, Vina's cheeks flushed slightly under the warm lights of the VIP box, but her eyes became even more determined.
"Anyway, as long as you are happy..."
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