Why bother with a second person?
Tang Lan once again sent a voice transmission to Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue glanced at Tang Lan with a strange look, and without lingering, she immediately bid.
"200,000 Gold Soul Coins."
Tang San glanced at Qian Renxue and didn't say anything.
He didn't know why he had bid just now—it was as if something was attracting him.
But since the Crown Prince wanted it, he would let him have it.
Tang San clutched his chest, confused.
When the auction hammer fell, he didn't know why, but he felt a heavy weight in his heart.
It was like he'd lost something very important.
Tang Lan was also puzzled.
Why no system prompt?
Is… something else going to happen?
At that moment!
Doudou flew into the air, shouting with unprecedented excitement, "Next up is our main auction item, also the item provided by our host, the Tang Sect, Sect Master Tang Lan!"
"It's one of a kind!"
"It can make you famous for all time!"
"It can have you worshipped by countless people!"
A series of build-ups.
It piqued everyone's interest.
But Emperor Xueye, why did this sound so familiar?
"This final auction item is—"
"The second volume of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia, with the right to be the second author!"
The scene went silent.
Then, Boom!
"How is that possible!"
"The Tang Sect Encyclopedia can have a second volume?"
"Everyone has a copy of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia now. Even if only half the people buy the second volume, it'll still be a legendary success!"
"I must buy it! I want everyone to know my full name!"
"Um? Duke Picasso, your full name is..."
"Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Crispín Crispiniano de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso!"
"... "
The enthusiastic reaction from below encouraged Doudou.
He spoke with great emotion, "The starting bid for the second author's right to be credited is 1 Gold Soul Coin, with no limit on the bidding increment!"
"I now announce that the second author's right to be credited for the second volume of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia is now open for bidding!!!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
"1 million Gold Soul Coins!"
Wow!
Someone started with such a high bid? And the person making the bid was none other than Xuebeng, who had been "utterly pathetic" just moments before.
But unlike when the Crown Prince bid...
No one was going to give this playboy any face!
"1.1 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"I bid 1.5 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"2 million! I bid 2 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"It's Duke Picasso, we absolutely can't let him get it!"
"3 million Gold Soul Coins!"
The bidding at the scene was more intense than anything that had come before.
Zhao Wuji, watching from the shadows, was dumbfounded!
When Tang Lan said he wanted to use this as an auction item, he didn't understand.
Who would bid on this thing?
But then...
A group of nobles almost fought each other over it?
He didn't understand.
It was just a signature, was it worth such a high price? Especially that "Duke Picasso," who was at the forefront, increasing the bid in a "round-up" style, it was brutal!
At the main table.
Qian Renxue smiled and said, "Xiao Lan, it seems everyone really likes your auction item."
"Ah, they're too kind," Tang Lan said modestly, "After the second volume is published, there probably won't be a third."
A final work, perhaps?
Emperor Xueye watched the fierce bidding below, his eyes flashing.
"It seems the funding for Heaven Dou Royal Academy hasn't been approved this year, right?"
"Then let's deduct some."
It just so happened that the price had risen to 7.85 million Gold Soul Coins, and only two people were still bidding.
Emperor Xueye directly made the final decision:
"10 million Gold Soul Coins."
The scene fell silent!
This was the first time Emperor Xueye had ever spoken up to bid at a banquet, wasn't it?
Who would dare to raise the price again?
Everyone looked left and right, and right and left.
They finally landed on Duke Picasso.
Duke Picasso's expression also kept changing, torn between raising the price and offending Emperor Xueye.
He was in a dilemma.
Emperor Xueye said, "The highest bidder wins; you don't need to worry."
—Otherwise, because of his intervention, the price would drop, and he would still owe Tang Lan a favor.
Upon hearing this, Duke Picasso gritted his teeth!
"35 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"This is the highest price I can accept!"
"If Your Majesty can add more, the right to the signature will be yours!"
It's clear.
Duke Picasso was extremely eager to have his name on it.
Too bad...
Emperor Xueye didn't even blink, and quoted, "Fifty million Gold Soul Coins."
He directly raised the price by fifteen million Gold Soul Coins.
Duke Picasso gave a wry smile and sat back down.
Adding once was already his limit.
Daring to continue bidding?
Did he really think Emperor Xueye wouldn't hold a grudge just because he said the highest bidder wins?
Doudou was also very perceptive.
"Fifty million, going once."
"Fifty million, going twice."
"Fifty million, going three times, sold!"
"The second volume of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia, with the right to be the second author, has been acquired by His Majesty Emperor Xueye!"
"Congratulations to His Majesty Emperor Xueye!"
Emperor Xueye laughed heartily, his face beaming.
He stood up.
"I am pleased today, and I shall announce a few matters."
"Firstly, all members of the winning team will be awarded hereditary baronets, and the captain will be awarded a hereditary viscountcy!"
"Secondly, the winning academy will receive an additional 20 million Gold Soul Coins from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, in addition to the proceeds from this auction, to be used for academy construction!"
"Thirdly..."
Emperor Xueye's hand flashed.
He produced a palm-sized, three-dimensional triangular prism, which was crystal clear blue and rippled with water-like patterns.
"This is the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!"
"The most outstanding performer today will be awarded a hereditary earldom and bestowed with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!"
Tang Lan stared at the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, full of longing!
If it weren't for this divine artifact, who would be here to mess around with you all at night?
Isn't cuddling the big cat more enjoyable?
Meanwhile.
The three committee members, including Meng Shenji, had extremely grim expressions!
Nine out of ten students at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy were nobles.
With Emperor Xueye's rewards... It felt like it was tailor-made for the Tang Sect Academy, didn't it?
Zhi Lin saw Tang Lan stand up and preemptively spoke,
"Sect Master Tang, as a sect master, you shouldn't need to participate in this kind of exchange competition, right?"
Tang Lan was taken aback.
He understood immediately.
Zhi Lin wanted to "resolve" his biggest problem off the stage.
Tang Lan stated that the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was too important, and he wouldn't feel at ease without being present to oversee it.
He simply wouldn't take the bait. "Is there something about my age that's not appropriate?" Tang Lan feigned confusion. "Or is there some other kind of violation?"
Zhi Lin's face twitched!
If you had said you were a fourth-ring Soul Ancestor earlier, the Royal Fight Team wouldn't have accepted this exchange match!
But since it had come to this, he could only try to salvage the situation.
—Absolutely do not let Tang Lan, this BUG, leave the stage, or the Royal Fight Team will have no chance of winning!
Zhi Lin had a great idea to "get something for nothing"!
He took out a black torso bone, its completeness even including eight ribs, reflecting light like ice crystals.
It was clearly extraordinary.
Zhi Lin hinted, "This is a 30,000-year-old Demon Ming Tiger's torso bone. It's an item from my personal collection."
"Today, as one of the prizes, this old man will personally designate one person from the winning team to receive it."
"How's that?"
Whoa! A thirty-thousand-year-old torso bone? You actually have some in stock! The implication is clear... He wants to use this torso bone to make Tang Lan give up his chance to fight.
Then, if the Royal Fight Team wins, they'll just keep it for themselves? What a masterful play.
But what Tang Lan is thinking is... Zhi Lin will personally designate the Soul Bone, and everyone knows about Tang Lan's relationship with Tang San.
If they win in the end...
Could Zhi Lin be generous enough to designate such a valuable Soul Bone to Tang San? There's a chance, but it's not high.
Not bad, not bad.
But, you know…
Since you, Zhi Lin, are so concerned with face and have to beat around the bush, then this little guy will just pretend not to understand!
—The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud cannot be lost.
Tang Lan laughed, "Since Instructor Zhi Lin is so generous, I can't be stingy either."
"I'm willing to offer the Tang Sect's treasure, the Nine Yang Divine Skill, as a prize, and personally designate one person from the winning team to receive it."
Zhi Lin: (▼To▼Me) Damn it!
Not only did he fail to achieve his goal, but he also had to give away a Soul Bone? No way!
He couldn't afford to take this loss! He was just about to change his tune…
When he heard Tang Lan add, "If Instructor Zhi Lin is willing to add another Soul Bone, I can guarantee that I won't use any soul skills."
Zhi Lin's eyes lit up!
He's afraid of your fourth soul skill!
You're not going to use any of them?
"Alright! That's settled then!"
Zhi Lin didn't take out a Soul Bone anymore, instead turning to Meng Shenji – his reserves were already depleted.
Meng Shenji slowly stood up, his peripheral vision scanning Emperor Xueye.
He only took out a dark golden left arm bone after confirming Emperor Xueye wasn't objecting.
"The indestructible left arm bone of the Diamond Iron Arm, from the 7,000-year-old soul beast, the Diamond Lion King. Is it to Tang Sect Master's satisfaction?"
Tang Lan nodded in satisfaction.
Including this one,
this exchange competition had a total of five Soul Bone rewards! Two of them were over ten thousand years old.
Plus the divine artifact, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Tsk tsk! What a benefit package! Even the Elite Competition wasn't this generous.
"In that case, go and prepare yourselves," Emperor Xueye said. "The exchange competition will officially begin in fifteen minutes."
"Yes!"
"Alright!"
Tang Lan and the three teaching committee members headed straight for their respective academy's camps.
He didn't mention the extra bet.
He was preparing a big surprise for everyone.
He adjusted his state.
When the time came.
The two teams arrived at the training ground.
Doudou flew in the air, starting the introductions.
"Let us first welcome, the Tang Sect team!"
Tang Lan led the team forward slowly.
"Now approaching us is the author of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia, the Sect Master of the Tang Sect, and the captain of the Tang Sect team—Tang Lan!"
"At the age of 13, already a Soul Ancestor of the control type! His mutated martial soul, the Life Soul Blue Silver Grass, makes him the absolute core of the team!"
"Beside the Sect Master is Vice Sect Master Tang San, a 13-year-old, Level 31 control-type Soul Elder!"
"Tang Sect Inner Sect Disciple Zhu Zhuqing, an 11-year-old, Level 31 agility-attack type Soul Elder! Another genius!"
"Tang Sect Inner Sect Disciple Dai Mubai, a 15-year-old, Level 38 power-attack type Soul Elder! Do you love that Evil Eye?"
"Tang Sect Inner Sect Disciple Oscar, a 14-year-old, Level 32 food-type Soul Elder? Wow! The youngest food-type Soul Elder!"
"Tang Sect Inner Sect Disciple Meng Yiran, a 15-year-old, Level 31 agility-attack type Soul Elder!"
"And..."
"Ning Rongrong, Inner Sect Disciple of the Tang Sect, a 12-year-old, Level 29 Support-type Soul Master, whose Martial Soul is the continent's number one support – the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
"Let's give them a warm welcome!!!"
Doudou's introduction was a full-blown hype.
The watching nobles also clapped in response.
Putting everything else aside.
The Tang Sect team's lineup was monstrous, except for Meng Yiran, who was somewhat "ordinary."
Especially Tang Lan. A 13-year-old Soul Ancestor!
Listening to the discussions from the sidelines, Oscar couldn't help but mutter quietly –
"If they knew that the Sect Master was already a five-ring Soul King, I wonder what they'd think?"
"They'll definitely be shocked," Dai Mubai chuckled.
At this moment.
The Royal Fight Team members also entered the arena.
"The Royal Fight Team is entering!"
"Leading them is captain Yu Tianheng, a level 39 attack-type Soul Elder, his martial soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
"Vice-captain Dugu Yan, her martial soul is the Green Phosphorus Serpent, a control-type soul master!"
"The Shi brothers, their martial soul is the top-tier defense-type Xuanwu Turtle, defense-type soul masters!"
"Team member Ma Hongjun, his martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, an attack-type soul master!"
"Team member, Osluo, spirit of Ghost Panther, an agile attack-type Soul Master!"
"Team member, Ye Lingling, spirit of Nine-Hearted Begonia, a support-type Soul Master!"
"Let's welcome the Royal Fight Team! Welcome them!"
The introductions were rather perfunctory.
But who asked her to be an Outer Sect Disciple of the Tang Sect?
Dugu Yan, with her rebellious nature, glared at Doudou with dangerous green eyes.
Originally, being pulled in to "act" for the Royal Fight Team was already unpleasant.
And to be treated so differently?
She, Dugu Yan, had never suffered such an injustice!
Suddenly!
Dugu Yan saw a familiar figure appear in the sky opposite them.
She immediately smiled.
She whispered, "My grandfather is here. Let's finish this quickly, so my grandfather can see how amazing we are!"
Yu Tianheng nodded slightly.
"That Tang Lan, since he agreed not to use soul skills, we are sure to win this match!"
"Bring out that plan, and let's finish this quickly!"
Tang Lan also spotted Dugu Bo, who was hovering in the air above them.
I thought this guy wouldn't come.
"Go easy on her granddaughter, yeah?"
The host, Doudou, was completely clueless.
He continued with the procedures.
"Both contestants are in position."
"You have one minute to summon your martial soul!"
"You may only attack when I announce the start!"
"The match ends when one side admits defeat or everyone falls!"
"Now…"
"Release your martial souls!"
In an instant,
the scene was filled with dazzling light as magnificent martial souls emerged one after another.
"Huh?"
Ye Lingling suddenly said, "Something's not right! The healing effect of my Nine Heart Begonia is much weaker!"
Yu Tianheng was startled! What? Their tactical core was precisely the Nine Heart Begonia!
Very quickly, Ye Lingling found the source, staring at Tang Lan across from them in disbelief.
"It's..."
"It's his martial soul!"
"That life-bound Blue Silver Grass suppressed my Nine Hearts Begonia?"
"This..."
"This... how is this possible!"
...
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