Chapter 290: Striking at the Critical Moment
Ling Yun gazed across the hall at the crowd, noting the blazing hunger in everyone's eyes. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips as she slowly raised the crystal bottle in her hand. "Since everyone is so curious, why not experience it for yourselves?"
Before her words fully settled, her slender fingers twisted lightly, and the bottle's stopper turned into a streak of light falling into her palm.
In the next instant, an indescribable wave of spiritual pressure erupted like a tidal storm across the auction hall.
It was not soul power—but the raw, crushing might of pure spiritual force. It felt as though countless stars ignited all at once in the endless sea of consciousness.
"Thump!"
Several weaker Contras sitting in the front rows slid helplessly from their seats, faces pale as ash.
Their spiritual seas felt as if they had been struck by a colossal hammer—their martial souls nearly scattered on the spot.
Inside, they were trembling with shock and terror.
They were Contras—experts with mental resilience far beyond ordinary soul masters—yet even the faintest ripple of this power nearly shattered their minds completely.
All eyes turned to the crystal bottle, to the swirling white mist within.
If that spiritual force were to be fully released, their seas of consciousness would be obliterated in an instant.
The thought alone sent shivers down every spine in the hall.
So this was the spiritual origin of a divine being… overwhelmingly powerful beyond measure.
Mu En suddenly struck the armrest beside him, and a golden mental barrier shimmered to life, surrounding Shrek Academy's section. Despite its strength, ripples quivered frantically across its surface, as though it might shatter at any moment.
"What terrifying spiritual origin force! This far exceeds any standard first-level god's level of power!"
He whispered the words, his expression full of shock.
"Even a mere fragment of this essence could grant a Title Douluo's spiritual power direct entry into the ultimate realm!"
Though Ling Yun had already described the item before, experiencing it firsthand gave Mu En an entirely new realization.
This was no ordinary divine treasure.
A god's mind had already transcended the limits of the mortal soul. Its transformation into divine sense placed it in a category far beyond even the strongest Limit Douluo.
This was only a sliver of the god's spiritual essence—yet if she were to release even a little more, his mind might collapse entirely.
Even as Mu En's protective aura flared, he knew—his spiritual sea would disintegrate in seconds if exposed to more of that radiant flood.
Over in the Sun Moon Empire's seats, Xu Tiannan's breathing turned heavy again. Ming Hongchen, standing beside him, clenched his fists. "Your Majesty, this spiritual origin might help you push your cultivation even higher!"
Although he had only felt the faintest hint of the energy, Ming Hongchen had cultivated long enough to understand. For a soul master, spiritual power determined potential—especially at the peak levels.
Each breakthrough past Title Douluo demanded exponentially greater mental fortitude.
For Xu Tiannan, already hovering at his current limit, achieving any further progress would be nearly impossible without a massive boost in spiritual power.
But Xu Tiannan merely shook his head slowly, his eyes turning toward the section where the Evil Emperor sat. "No rush. Let's see what others do first."
He could tell clearly that the competition for this treasure would be fierce—especially since the Evil Emperor, a rare spiritual-type soul beast, was present.
Judging by the greed gleaming in his eyes, the beast would stop at nothing to claim it.
Dark mist began to rise from the Evil Emperor's body—an unmistakable sign of mental agitation. His throat bobbed as he muttered under his breath, "The barrier of eight hundred thousand years… it's finally about to break."
From the corner of the hall, Zhongli Wu's cold, hoarse laugh drifted out. "The divine origin of a spirit god… if absorbed and combined with the Immortal Spirit Essence we obtained before, our chances of advancing even higher would be greatly enhanced."
Excitement filled the faces of the Holy Spirit Cult elders beside him, but unease followed close behind.
They knew that with Du Bushi of the Body Sect reaching the Quasi-God level, and the powerful soul beasts present, securing this treasure would not be easy.
This was an item desired by every powerhouse in the world. For both humans and beasts alike, spiritual strength was invaluable.
Even Zhongli Wu and Long Xiaoyao exchanged uneasy glances, their thoughts already racing—calculating how much they could bid and what it would take to secure this prize.
The momentary display had left the entire auction hall bathed in oppressive silence.
Everyone had seen, had felt, the might of a god's consciousness.
Now, all factions began taking stock of their wealth, each resolution hardening: they had to win this item.
Satisfied that the crowd had truly grasped its power, Ling Yun waved a hand. The overwhelming aura vanished, the crystal bottle once again sealed completely.
Her calm voice, clear even through layers of spirit barriers, filled the hall.
"The spiritual origin of a first-level god—starting bid, five hundred million gold soul coins. Each increase no less than one hundred million."
Then she stepped back, poised and silent, waiting to see what the top forces would do.
Who would win this fragment of divine essence—and at what price?
"Five hundred million gold soul coins."
Zhongli Wu acted without hesitation, raising his bidding paddle instantly.
The Holy Spirit Cult had to claim it. Their future as a world-dominating force might depend on this one treasure—its power could reduce the time needed to birth their first true god.
"I'll offer eight hundred million."
Du Bushi of the Body Sect calmly followed suit, lifting his paddle immediately after.
Their sect specialized in the cultivation of the body, but mental strength had always been their weakness.
If they could obtain this divine spiritual essence, their physical power and spiritual resilience would finally reach perfect balance. The entire Body Sect could be reborn—elevated to an all-powerful force unlike anything before.
Even a trace of this god's spiritual origin divided among disciples could transform their destiny.
For the Body Sect, this treasure was beyond priceless. They could not—would not—let it fall into anyone else's hands.
(END CHAPTER)
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