Chapter 288: The God-Gifted Soul Ring
Ling Yun set down the auction gavel, sweeping her gaze across the hall with a faint, knowing smile.
"The previous auction item has concluded. Now, we shall proceed with the next treasure."
She paused briefly, waiting for the murmurs in the crowd to subside before raising her hand.
A gentle glow shimmered in her palm.
Moments later, a beam of pure white radiance descended upon the stage. When it faded, a pristine jade box hovered above the auction platform, its surface gleaming with soft halos of light.
Even before it was opened, a warm yet boundless pressure spilled into the air, stirring the soul power within every soul master present.
"Everyone, the next item might stir your hearts even more than a soul bone."
Ling Yun's voice carried an air of mystery.
"This is… a 300,000-year God-Gifted Soul Ring."
Her words struck the hall like thunder.
An uproar erupted instantly.
God-Gifted Soul Rings were exceedingly rare. Without the Starry Auction Pavilion, most of them would never have even heard of such a thing.
Although the Pavilion had auctioned God-Gifted Soul Rings in the past, their maximum age had been 100,000 years.
None had ever imagined they would see a 300,000-year ring appear today.
The rarity left everyone breathless.
In many ways, while soul bones were precious, the enhancements granted by a soul ring far surpassed them.
And this one—at the 300,000-year level—could grant its bearer two soul abilities of equal might.
The atmosphere in the hall grew electric.
Many who had missed out on the previous items silently vowed that they would not let this one slip through their grasp.
Traditional soul rings required hunting spirit beasts, and their age limit depended on the soul master's strength.
A God-Gifted Soul Ring, however, adapted perfectly to the user, allowing safe absorption up to its full potential.
At 300,000 years, it could easily help a Title Douluo break through a bottleneck—perhaps even reach the threshold of the Ultimate Douluo realm.
Du Bushi's eyes glimmered sharply. For a sect like his, which focused on the cultivation of the body, this treasure could transform their disciples.
Such a high-level soul ring was perfectly suited for martial souls with strong physical foundations like those of the Body Sect.
In truth, this 300,000-year God-Gifted Soul Ring seemed tailor-made for them.
That was his firm belief.
Even if no one in his sect could immediately absorb it, he could still keep it in reserve.
Should the Starry Auction Pavilion ever again offer martial souls, he could claim one for himself. With his current physical strength, he would have no problem making this ring the first for his second martial soul.
No matter how he looked at it, this God-Gifted Soul Ring was a treasure beyond compare—and it had to belong to the Body Sect.
He was well aware of how fierce the bidding would be, but he had no intention of backing down.
He still had plenty of gold soul coins left.
At that moment, his eyes swept briefly toward Zhongli Wu and Xu Tiannan. Both men were staring intently at the jade box; their expressions betrayed barely restrained desire.
Meanwhile, Ning Qitian of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect frowned slightly. His sect had just spent a fortune on the 300,000-year soul bone. Though they remained wealthy, he had to tread carefully.
An elder leaned close and whispered, "Sect Master, the God-Gifted Soul Ring greatly empowers auxiliary-type soul masters. If one of ours were to absorb it, it might create a skill perfectly attuned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Should we…?"
Ning Qitian shook his head slightly. "Let's see how the bidding goes first."
He understood the risks well.
Although the soul ring could adjust itself to the user, reaching the full 300,000-year potential required an exceptional body.
Most of their sect's auxiliary-type soul masters didn't possess such physical endurance. Even on their ninth ring, absorbing something of that magnitude could be fatal.
As for their attack-type masters, many lacked the talent to reach Title Douluo, and those who already had their ninth ring wouldn't gain much from forcing another.
Besides, this was only the early stage of the auction. There might yet be even greater treasures later.
After careful thought, Ning Qitian made his decision—if the price rose too high, he would let the ring go and preserve his wealth for what was to come.
Ling Yun's clear voice drew them all back to the stage.
"You all understand the value of a God-Gifted Soul Ring," she said with a faint smile. "The skills granted by such a ring are tailored precisely to the user's martial soul. The bidding for this 300,000-year God-Gifted Soul Ring starts at two hundred million gold soul coins, with no less than one hundred million per increment."
"Three hundred million!"
Zhongli Wu called out almost immediately, his tone sharp and impatient.
The Holy Spirit Cult was desperate to strengthen itself. A 300,000-year God-Gifted Ring would create a new powerhouse among his subordinates—perhaps capable of standing against even the Quasi-God Du Bushi.
He couldn't afford to miss this chance.
On the Douluo Continent, hunting a 300,000-year beast was near impossible. And even if someone succeeded, the absorption process would be fraught with peril—corrupted by resentment and lingering fury from the slain beast's soul.
In contrast, a God-Gifted Soul Ring posed no such risk. Its power was pure, harmonious, and safe to merge with.
"Four hundred million."
A calm, dignified voice sounded from the side. Xu Tiannan of the Sun Moon Empire raised his hand.
Though all his soul rings were already complete, he knew the value of such an artifact.
Owning it could vastly increase the empire's strength—or serve as an irresistible bargaining chip to recruit new powerful allies.
He had hardly bid in earlier rounds and had brought immense reserves of wealth to this auction. It was time to act.
"Six hundred million," Du Bushi's cold laugh echoed.
He refused to give way to anyone. This treasure was destined for the Body Sect.
Xu Tiannan's face remained calm as he replied, "Eight hundred million."
The bidding intensified rapidly.
Soon, even Shrek Academy, the Clear Sky Sect, and other top-tier powers joined in.
The hall's excitement reached its peak, voices rising one after another like waves crashing in a storm.
As the minutes passed, the numbers soared higher still—the battle for the 300,000-year God-Gifted Soul Ring had become a true war of wealth and ambition.
Within just a few minutes, the fate of another extraordinary treasure hung in the balance.
(END CHAPTER)
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