VIP Room 7, Auction Hall No.1.
The group from Shrek Academy looked around the luxurious furnishings of the private room with curiosity and interest. Zhu Ziyang was listening to Jiang Nannan explain the estimated value of the décor, while Huo Yuhao and He Caitou discussed the soul tool projection technology. Meanwhile, Teacher Wang Yan was deeply engaged in conversation with the auctioneer, Qing Ya.
Before long, the auction officially began. The host appeared before everyone—an extraordinarily beautiful young woman in a flowing red dress. She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, and although her beauty was only slightly below that of Jiang Nannan, her noble aura made her just as captivating, albeit in a very different style.
"Good evening, esteemed guests. I am Jiujiu, your auctioneer for tonight's premium auction. It is an honor to host this event. As your time is precious, let us begin. Please enjoy the first item of today's auction." Her sweet smile and crisp, pleasant voice instantly warmed the atmosphere.
She performed an elaborate courtly bow, then gestured gracefully with her right hand. Instantly, the soul screen built into the wall lit up to display the first auction item.
"This is Jiujiu, our premier and sole Gold-Class Auctioneer at Starlight Grand Auction House," Qing Ya explained respectfully. "Only the grandest auctions are worthy of her presence. She is also the youngest princess of the Empire, the late emperor's daughter and His Majesty's youngest sister. However, as she has stated, within the auction house, she is simply 'Auctioneer Jiujiu,' not royalty. That is why we don't address her as 'Your Highness.'"
"A princess?!" Zhu Ziyang and the others were stunned. Who would have imagined that a princess would choose to become an auctioneer? Nobility sure had some strange ideas.
Though surprised by her identity, the group quickly turned their full attention to the auction itself.
As expected of a premium auction, all nine items presented were top-tier treasures: a Level 7 close-combat soul tool, twelve Level 6 synchronized fixed soul cannon shells, a left arm bone, a right arm bone, a right leg bone, a rare and precious metal, and a Level 8 long-range soul tool.
The students from Shrek Academy didn't bid on anything. However, Teacher Wang Yan made a successful bid for the twelve synchronized cannon shells—likely intending to donate them to the Soul Tool Department for research.
Although Wang Yan was a teacher from the Martial Soul Department, his vision and academic knowledge were outstanding. While his personal cultivation wasn't impressive, no other Martial Soul teacher cared more about the development of the Soul Tool Department than he did.
Soul Tool Department: We're crying... but also grateful!
Then came the first of the two final highlight items of the auction—another soul bone, this time a left arm bone.
A 50,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone, complete with the fixed soul skill Ice Explosion Technique. This was undoubtedly a top-tier soul bone. For those with ice-attribute martial souls, it was a treasure beyond compare. Whether in terms of affinity enhancement with ice elements or the sheer destructive power of Ice Explosion, this soul bone was second only to those of 100,000-year quality.
Zhu Ziyang admired the bone even though he already had a similarly high-quality left arm bone. That didn't stop him from wanting to add this one to his collection—it was perfect for strengthening his personal reserves.
The bidding began at 12 million gold soul coins, with minimum increases of 50,000.
The price stunned everyone. One potential bidder gave up entirely. But for Zhu Ziyang, this was nothing.
Without hesitation, he jumped the bid to 13 million, causing the room to stir. When it reached 25 million, nearly all competition dropped out, and Zhu Ziyang claimed the Ice Jade Scorpion bone.
"Brother Ziyang is loaded!" Xiao Xiao gasped. "Twenty-five million and he didn't even blink!"
"Mhm!" Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously. Tang Ya even asked starry-eyed, "Zhu Ziyang, what kind of fortune did you stumble into? How'd you get so rich?"
"Haha, it's nothing. Just find yourselves a rich mentor, and you too can spend like this," Zhu Ziyang laughed.
Indeed, Mu En had given Zhu Ziyang plenty of spending money. As an Ultimate Douluo over 200 years old, Mu En was one of the wealthiest individuals on the continent. Yet, he rarely spent any of it himself. Two-tenths of his wealth went to the Academy, four-tenths to his descendants, and the remaining four-tenths to his disciples: Yan Shaozhe, Zhu Ziyang, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Qian Duoduo.
But now, only Zhu Ziyang remained under his mentorship—the others had graduated and built their own wealth. Meaning Zhu Ziyang essentially inherited the full 40% share.
So, 25 million gold soul coins? Peanuts. He was no longer the same alchemist who had to sell pills for cash. A bright future awaited him.
After the soul bone came the final item of the night—the second headline item: a carving knife.
Not just any knife—a ranked carving knife. The moment it appeared, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou rushed to the soul screen, eyes wide as they gazed at the blue-silver blade.
"The Mystic Blue Silver Carving Knife, ranked 11th on the Carving Knife Rankings," Jiujiu explained, now dressed in a golden gown. "Its quality rivals the top ten, and for a Soul Engineer, its value surpasses even a 100,000-year soul bone. No need to elaborate."
Its estimated value exceeded 100 million gold soul coins!
"No more words needed! Ranked 11th, Mystic Blue Silver Carving Knife! Starting bid: 50 million. Minimum increment: 500,000. Bidding starts now!" Jiujiu declared without hesitation.
"Teacher Wang! We must get that knife!" Huo Yuhao and He Caitou shouted in unison, their eyes blazing like wolves catching sight of a bathing beauty—desire radiating from them.
Wang Yan flinched at their intensity, but quickly nodded. "You don't need to tell me. This could massively boost our Soul Tool Department's strength. There's no way I'm letting it go!"
"Exactly!" He Caitou nodded fervently. "If we win this knife, my teacher could become Shrek's first Level 9 Soul Engineer!"
"Mhm! Fan Yu's current carving knife is basic. He has to switch blades multiple times to inscribe Level 9 formations, lowering his success rate. With this knife, he'd reach Level 9 in no time!" Huo Yuhao added excitedly.
Seeing the duo emphasize the knife's importance, Wang Yan became even more determined. Even Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao felt it was crucial for Shrek.
In a way, this was the real reward of the tournament—not a title, but the realization that the development of soul tools couldn't be ignored. If Shrek could produce a Level 9 Soul Engineer, the future upper ranks of the academy could receive top-tier soul tools for free.
Who wouldn't want a tool genius like that on their side?
Unanimous agreement: They had to win the knife.
"One hundred million!" Wang Yan shouted, stunning bidders still raising their bids by the millions. If his spending limit had allowed, he would've gone even higher.
Everyone knew that 100 million was still a bargain for the Mystic Blue Silver Knife. Wang Yan was aiming to end the bidding in one blow.
But he underestimated human greed.
Just after the first strike of the gavel, Auctioneer Jiujiu deliberately drew out her second count... and a new bid came in:
150 million.
Wang Yan's heart sank. His plan was shattered. He clenched his fists—his spending authority was too low!
"You only realize how little money you have when it's time to use it!"
Helpless, he turned to Zhu Ziyang, who smiled faintly. He knew—it was his time to act.
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