Jing Hongchen's furious outburst terrified the auctioneer responsible for hosting, who stammered with a fawning smile, "Red Dust Your Majesty, all items in our auction house undergo strict scrutiny. How could there be any issues?"
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes, his voice deepening. "What? Are your vetting staff all Titled Douluo? This Hall Master is a well-known figure across the continent, having seen countless treasures. Do you doubt this Hall Master's judgment?"
"Or are you suggesting this Hall Master is just stirring up trouble? Don't forget, out of the seven auction items you presented, four were acquired by this Hall Master. If you can't explain away this item with such obvious problems, this Hall Master will simply return all of them. No matter what grand excuses your Starlight Auction House comes up with, it won't hold water. And from now on, don't even think about getting any Soul Guided Devices above Level 6 in the Sun Moon black market. Don't assume this Hall Master can't make that happen!"
Jing Hongchen delivered two massive threats in a row, instantly turning the host auctioneer's face ashen. Waving his hands and forcing a smile, he quickly turned and exited the room.
Previously, Jing Hongchen, with his immense wealth, had acquired all four Soul Guided auction items. While the auctioneer was nervous, he was also secretly delighted, as it was practically effortless commission. Now, hearing Jing Hongchen's threat of returns, he felt his very soul leave his body.
Jing Hongchen's threat was effective. About ten seconds later, Xu Jiujiu announced an extension of the viewing time on the optical screen. Less than half a minute later, the room reopened.
Led by the auctioneer, Xu Jiujiu entered and, with a slight bow, anxiously asked, "Red Dust Your Majesty, what do you mean by the Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone having issues? Jiujiu will be eternally grateful for your insight."
Just as Jing Hongchen had said, his strength and status were renowned across the continent. Although this old man was somewhat cunning and shrewd, always looking to trade conditions for Soul Bones, his discerning eye was beyond question.
Jing Hongchen nodded slightly and said, "The Soul Bone itself isn't the problem. It is indeed a top-grade 70,000-year Soul Bone, just as you described, and its solidified Soul Skill is also exceptionally outstanding."
Xu Jiujiu blinked her beautiful big eyes and continued to ask, "Then what do you mean—?"
"The problem lies with the attribute of this Soul Bone!" Jing Hongchen declared. "It comes from the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan, a clan possessing the Ultimate Ice attribute and naturally proud. Therefore, this Soul Bone can not only be absorbed by ice-attribute Soul Masters, but specifically by Ultimate Ice Soul Masters!"
"An ordinary ice-attribute Soul Master who forcibly absorbs it will suffer backlash. If they're lucky, they might forcibly suppress it with their cultivation, but it certainly won't be easy. If they're unlucky… Heh heh, no need to say more."
Xu Jiujiu's face lost all color, and she gasped, covering her small mouth in shock. "How can this Soul Bone have such high requirements? Then, in this era, isn't there only that one person who could—"
Jing Hongchen slowly nodded. "That's why this old man said, your Starlight Auction House putting a Soul Bone with such a major flaw on the auction block is a disaster waiting to happen for us big clients!"
"If you don't believe me, you can find an ice-attribute Soul Master above the Soul Emperor rank right now and see what happens after they absorb it. But this old man doesn't recommend you do that."
Xu Jiujiu's expression paused, and she performed a complex courtly bow to Jing Hongchen, her face full of shame. "This time, our Starlight Auction House truly made a huge blunder. Many thanks to Red Dust Your Majesty for bringing it to our attention. The Starlight Auction House will certainly remember this."
Out of trust in Jing Hongchen, she did not doubt him. The Master of Mingde Hall might be cunning, but he wouldn't lie about something like this just to drive up prices.
Jing Hongchen waved his hand. "Stop. This old man told you the last time I helped you that I don't believe in empty gestures. Since you owe this old man a favor, repay it now. It's best if we're even."
Xu Jiujiu's expression froze. Why is this Mingde Hall Master always so practical?
"Then… what does Red Dust Your Majesty want this time?" Xu Jiujiu tentatively asked. "A Soul Bone?"
Jing Hongchen shook a single finger. "This time, this old man won't make an exorbitant demand. The four Soul Guided items I auctioned for will all be free. And just a few million Gold Soul Coins as an appraisal fee will suffice. Not too much, right?"
Xu Jiujiu's expression instantly stiffened. Good heavens, doesn't this mean our Starlight Auction House is buying back what you auctioned and giving it to you, plus throwing in a few million Gold Soul Coins for free?
The Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade and the Fixed Soul Cannon Shell together were over a million, which wasn't too bad. But the rare metals and that top-tier Level 8 Soul Guided Cannon combined were easily tens of millions of Gold Soul Coins.
Those were all items they had painstakingly acquired and carefully selected before putting them up for auction. She had worked so hard for so long, and only seven items had been auctioned in total.
Seeing Xu Jiujiu's unusual expression, Jing Hongchen calmly took a sip of the tea Xiao Hongchen offered him, smiling faintly. "If Princess cannot make the decision, you can inform His Majesty. The conditions this old man is offering are truly not excessive."
"The starting bid for this 70,000-year Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone is 12 million Gold Soul Coins. To be frank, by the end of the auction, it might not go for less than 20 million Gold Soul Coins."
"Apart from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile School, any power capable of producing 20 million Gold Soul Coins for a Soul Bone is among the top forces in the world. If Shrek, the Clear Sky Sect, or the Body Sect were to acquire it and discover it's not only useless but also killed a top ice-attribute genius or even a Titled Douluo, what would they do to the Star Luo Empire?"
"Of course, Princess can also hope that the Ice Phoenix Crown of the Xuanming Sect acquires it. In that case, there truly wouldn't be any trouble. But what are the chances of that? And what if he gets a whim and uses it on a junior, and then something goes wrong?"
Xu Jiujiu broke out in a cold sweat from Jing Hongchen's words. If those top forces acquired the Soul Bone only to find they had bought a killing weapon, it was highly likely to spark a major conflict with Star Luo. At that point, Shrek City would be a cautionary tale for Star Luo City!
By then, let alone 20 million Gold Soul Coins, even 50 million Gold Soul Coins might not be enough to settle things!
"Many thanks to Red Dust Your Majesty for informing me. Jiujiu, on behalf of the Starlight Auction House, accepts your conditions. I will go and discuss this with my imperial brother immediately. Please forgive any rudeness, Hall Master and esteemed gentlemen."
Xu Jiujiu bowed deeply to Jing Hongchen, then turned and pushed open the door, walking away hurriedly.
Watching Xu Jiujiu's fleeing back, Jing Hongchen couldn't help but reveal a smile that seemed to say, "Young people still need more training."
You dare auction off Mingde Hall's smuggled goods right in front of this Hall Master without properly checking the Soul Bone? This time, I'll make you bleed!
Xu Jiujiu left Room 3 and went directly to Room 1, the innermost room. As soon as she entered, she quickly walked in and whispered, "Brother, something's happened."
Xu Jiawei knew something was amiss from Xu Jiujiu's decision to extend the viewing time. He pressed his temples, indicating for Xu Jiujiu to sit down. "What is it? Take your time…"
Xu Jiujiu relayed Jing Hongchen's words. The Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei, also didn't doubt the discerning eye of this cunning Jing Hongchen. He shook his head and chuckled. "This Soul Bone was originally intended as a gift for that person. I never expected something like this. It seems it was truly destined. Go handle it. I'll go see that person later."
"As for the Mingde Hall Master's conditions, just agree to them. That fellow might be cunning, but what he said isn't false. If those forces truly obtain the Soul Bone and something goes wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Sigh… How is it that every time something happens, I run into this guy? How great would it be if he were one of my Star Luo people?"
When Jing Hongchen was mentioned, Xu Jiawei couldn't help but furrow his brow. This fellow had helped them out twice with major issues, and Xu Jiawei didn't dislike him. However, his style of demanding benefits for help was truly unlikable.
But compared to Shrek, this old man was surprisingly agreeable. At least he genuinely helped with major issues, even if it was for his own gain.
Xu Jiujiu gave a wry smile. "I never expected this to happen. Our auction house has suffered a huge loss this time."
"It's fine. Isn't there still one last auction? That item is enough for us to recoup our costs and make a huge profit. Besides, that item will most likely still end up in Jing Hongchen's hands."
Xu Jiawei waved his hand, comforting his sister while sighing softly.
Xu Jiujiu nodded, then left the room.
A moment later, the Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone went up for auction. Xu Jiawei, the emperor himself, personally oversaw the bidding, competing with various wealthy individuals who were unaware of the true situation. He started at 12 million and only stopped when the price reached 30 million.
Hearing Xu Jiujiu's "auction complete," even Xu Jiawei couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He shifted into a more comfortable position on the sofa, rubbing his throbbing heart, and muttered to himself:
"In the future, I must instruct my subordinates to do a better job of vetting auction items. Forget it, I'll just go inspect them myself. These useless fellows are truly wasting my money. What a huge loss!"
Irregular auctions, emperor sweats.
"Next, we have today's grand finale item."
On the Soul Guided light screen, Xu Jiujiu had changed from a red gown to a golden one. She solemnly and seriously introduced the final item to everyone: a materialized Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast embryo, sealed within the God Sealing Platform, a Level 9 Soul Guided Device.
In Room Three, Jing Hongchen's recently formed smile froze on his face once more. He blinked, even wondering if he had misheard.
A Level 9... Soul Guided Device? That's the absolute peak!
Aside from versatile top-tier Level 9 Soul Engineers like himself, ordinary Level 9 Soul Engineers might only have one or two proud creations in their entire lives! Who on earth was crazy enough to do this? Are they not even bothering to put on an act anymore?!
Xu Tianxi looked at Jing Hongchen with sympathy. The fluctuations in the Dean's mood tonight could probably be charted as a rollercoaster ride.
He found it quite strange as well. How could a Level 9 Soul Engineer create a Level 9 Soul Guided Device like the God Sealing Platform, which was practically useless except for sealing the Snow Empress? And why would he even go to the Far North Land and use it to capture the weakest Snow Empress?
He couldn't understand it, truly couldn't. This matter was too bizarre.
Xiao Hongchen tentatively shook Jing Hongchen's wrist and whispered, "Grandpa, are you alright?"
Jing Hongchen remained silent for a long while before slowly recovering from his agitated state. He spoke with a stiff voice, "I'm fine. What could be wrong with me...?"
He lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze completely calm, and a chilling glint gradually appeared in his eyes:
"That despicable bastard is causing trouble everywhere, and my Mingde Hall has to clean up his mess. Once I buy this item, I will definitely find this black sheep and show no mercy!"
At this moment, Jing Hongchen truly harbored murderous intent. Level 9 Soul Engineers were strategic assets in the Sun Moon Empire. Even the Emperor and Jing Hongchen wouldn't easily move against them, but that was provided they didn't cross the line.
To sell one's Level 9 Soul Guided Device to an auction house in an enemy nation for money—if stretched, that's a charge of colluding with the enemy and treason. Enraged by these repeated provocations, Jing Hongchen made up his mind: even if that bastard knelt before Old Man Kong, he would never let that scoundrel go!
In fact, given Old Man Kong's personality, he might even take action himself to clean house if he learned of this.
As long as it wasn't a formidable character of the same caliber as Jing Hongchen, like Ye Yulin, or someone with an enormous background, Jing Hongchen, with a pile of incriminating evidence in hand, was absolutely confident in taking down his opponent.
And Jing Hongchen was certain that this wasn't sold by any of the top-tier Level 9 Soul Engineers. It must be a complete amateur,
and extremely greedy, otherwise, they wouldn't do something like this.
A moment later, all parties engaged in a tense and fierce bidding war. Jing Hongchen fully leveraged the Mingde Hall's advantage, overpowering the entire audience with a high price of 150 million, thereby acquiring the Level 9 God Sealing Platform and the Snow Empress embryo.
Wealthy as Jing Hongchen was, he naturally wouldn't mortgage a Level 9 Soul Guided Device. Instead, he paid by card, and the Starlight Auction House was quite satisfied, finally recouping some of their losses.
Upon receiving the Snow Empress embryo, Jing Hongchen carefully and reverently put it away. He then instructed the Sun Moon Battle Team:
"From now until the end of the competition, none of you are to leave the hotel. I will personally stand guard to ensure no one approaches you."
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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