Time passed quietly, and half a month went by in a flash.
That evening, Zhu Ziyang was dragged by Ma Xiaotao to Shrek City to attend a treasure appreciation event hosted by the Treasure Pavilion. Originally, Zhu Ziyang had no interest in this kind of event, but he couldn't resist Ma Xiaotao's constant pestering, and without a good excuse to refuse, he could only accompany her.
Why didn't Jiang Nannan stop them? Because Jiang Nannan wasn't around—how could she stop it? Shortly after the start of the semester, she had left Shrek Academy with Elder Song to awaken Martial Souls for children in remote mountain villages. They were expected to return in about a week.
The Treasure Pavilion's event offered generous discounts for both inner court and outer court core disciples. Inner court disciples received a 70% discount, while outer court core disciples got 50% off—very considerate treatment.
Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao soon arrived at the Treasure Pavilion in Shrek City. As they walked through the exhibition area, Ma Xiaotao clung to Zhu Ziyang's arm, sticking close to him. Zhu Ziyang felt a softness wrapping around his arm that he couldn't escape, so he simply gave in and enjoyed the treatment that would make any man envious, his face full of contentment.
"Brother Ziyang, let's go upstairs to the auction hall. There's really nothing interesting down here," Ma Xiaotao suggested.
"Sure, let's go," Zhu Ziyang nodded and followed her upstairs.
Just before entering the upper auction area, his gaze caught sight of two familiar figures. In front of a soul bone exhibit, a black-haired boy was animatedly describing something to a blue-haired youth, who wore a gentle smile. That smile… Zhu Ziyang had seen it on both Jiang Nannan and Ma Xiaotao's faces before.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong…
Inside the auction hall, a waiter led Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao to a private box. Though the auction hadn't started yet, many of the other boxes were already occupied.
The Treasure Pavilion's auction hall was of the highest caliber, consisting only of private boxes. There was no public seating. The boxes were arranged in a circular formation, and the center stage was a circular platform for displaying items. Suspended above the platform were four massive display screens, each facing a different section of the hall.
Even inner court disciples needed to meet strict requirements to gain access to this auction. However, Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao had no such troubles. As the disciples of the Sea God Pavilion Master and one of Shrek Academy's Deans respectively, they were already registered guests. As soon as the waiters saw their identity tokens, they respectfully escorted them to an available private box.
By the way, they also enjoyed the 70% discount for auction items. They would bid normally, but only pay 30% of the final price. The remaining 70% was covered by the academy.
The auction soon began, and all fifteen boxes were now occupied. A mature woman in a white gown slowly rose from the center platform. With a warm, engaging smile and a melodious voice, she announced, "Welcome, distinguished guests, to tonight's auction. I am your host and auctioneer, Luo Shuiyun."
"It's actually Sister Luo? Looks like there'll be some treasures tonight!" Ma Xiaotao exclaimed with surprise.
Luo Shuiyun, a graduate of the Shrek Academy inner court, was thirty-three years old and a Rank 82 Soul Douluo. She was now a teacher and a gold-ranked auctioneer at the Treasure Pavilion, as well as one of its managers. Any auction she presided over almost certainly featured a hundred-thousand-year soul bone.
Zhu Ziyang was intrigued.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's not waste time. Please take a look at tonight's first auction item!" Luo Shuiyun waved her hand, and a glass case slowly rose beside her. Inside floated a soul bone radiating blue-violet lightning, electric arcs flickering and boiling the air within the case.
A soul bone as the first item? Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao were both surprised. Their eyes turned to the large screen in front of their box, which displayed details about the soul bone.
"As you can see, this Thundercloud Burst Left Arm Bone comes from a sixty-thousand-year-old Thundercloud Crane," Luo Shuiyun explained. "Thundercloud Cranes are rare lightning-type soul beasts known for their tremendous speed and devastating power. This soul bone grants a powerful amplification-type soul skill and increases both lightning affinity and resistance."
She paused, then announced, "Starting bid for the Thundercloud Burst Left Arm Bone: eight million. Minimum bid increment: one hundred thousand. Bidding starts now!"
With that, bidding erupted from all directions. Within minutes, the price exceeded ten million gold soul coins, causing Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao to exchange glances.
Soul bones were the most difficult items to price in the entire soul master world, with huge variances depending on numerous factors. Ironically, the age of the bone was one of the least important—excluding hundred-thousand-year soul bones, which were universally priceless.
This Thundercloud Burst Left Arm Bone, factoring in beast type, effect, and age, shouldn't exceed thirteen million at most.
Sure enough, once the bidding reached twelve million, most of the boxes fell silent, and only a few remained active. Eventually, Box Seven secured it for twelve point eight million.
The next item was revealed: an eighth-grade defensive soul tool. The moment it appeared, Zhu Ziyang immediately recognized the craftsmanship—it was made by Qian Duoduo!
Neither he nor Ma Xiaotao were interested, though. They simply watched others compete enthusiastically.
Three more items came and went without catching their attention. But when the sixth item appeared, Zhu Ziyang suddenly sat up straight, his eyes glued to the stage.
Ma Xiaotao noticed and asked, "Ziyang, what is it? You recognize that item?"
Zhu Ziyang nodded but didn't explain. His gaze was fixed on the item: a silver-white seal inside a glass dome. Intricate patterns covered its surface, and the top was shaped like a crescent moon, upon which a beautiful woman was delicately carved, resting as if asleep.
"This 'Sleeping Beauty Moon Seal' is crafted from the highest-grade Primordial Soul Jade. It helps gather spiritual energy, calms the mind, and wards off inner demons," Luo Shuiyun explained with a strange look on her face, as if trying not to laugh. "Starting bid: five million. Minimum increment: five hundred thousand."
The room erupted in confusion. Everyone was shocked. How did this seemingly worthless trinket even make it into the auction—much less with a starting bid of five million?
Luo Shuiyun herself was annoyed. She made a note to fire the person responsible for approving tonight's catalog. This ridiculous item was going to ruin her reputation!
Time ticked on. No one bid. Just as the auction was about to move on—
"Five million!"
The voice came from Box Three. Luo Shuiyun's eyes lit up, and she quickly followed up, "Box Three bids five million! Once! Twice! Three times—sold!"
Unsurprisingly, it was Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao who bought it. No one else paid much attention—every auction had a few naïve fools willing to waste money.
"Ziyang, what's the story behind that seal?" Ma Xiaotao asked.
"Nothing much. I just thought it looked nice. It suits Nannan," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.
Immediately, Ma Xiaotao's expression changed. Resentment, dissatisfaction, and a touch of sorrow filled her eyes. Even her voice became a little forlorn. "Oh. I see."
"Hahaha! Sister Xiaotao, I'm teasing you!" Zhu Ziyang burst out laughing at her reaction. His smug look made Ma Xiaotao furious. Without hesitation, she reached out and pinched his side.
Zhu Ziyang quickly begged for mercy and successfully diverted attention away from the seal.
So what was the real purpose of that seal?
In fact, it was connected to a vague yet daring plan that had recently formed in Zhu Ziyang's mind.
That seal's true name… was the Moon Emperor Jade Seal!
(End of Chapter)
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