Soul Bone

Colorful mist suddenly began spraying around the auction platform again. The woman clapped twice, drawing everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the climax of this auction is about to arrive. I believe everyone came for this item. We all know how rare Soul Bones are, so I won't waste words on that. This is a Wisdom Skull dropped by a four-thousand-year-old Nightmare Moon Butterfly."

The moment she said that, the entire venue fell silent. Not a sound could be heard. Everyone's breathing caught, then immediately grew heavy.

Anyone with even a little common sense knew how precious Soul Bones were. They were things one could only encounter by chance, not obtain simply with money. Most Soul Bones were held by Great Families, sects, or Spirit Hall.

Now, one had suddenly appeared before them—something they could obtain as long as they had enough money, practically within arm's reach. How could that not make them excited? How could it not drive them mad?

The people in the hall were already growing restless.

The woman naturally saw it. She gave a light cough, and with a resounding boom, the pressure of four or five Soul Douluo descended from the highest level, enveloping the entire venue.

Those who had nearly been blinded by greed were immediately doused with cold water and calmed down. They had nearly forgotten the rumors that Zhuoguang had powerful Forces behind it.

"Starting bid: thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins. Let the auction begin!"

"Thirty-five thousand!"

"Forty thousand!"

"Fifty-five thousand!"

"Seventy thousand!"

By the end, it was practically a contest among the people in the upper levels. Though Shen Ranxi was tempted, she knew this was not something she could hold onto. It was a hot potato—without sufficient strength, she would never be able to keep it.

Murder and robbery for treasure were commonplace.

After she told Oscar and Ma Hongjun, the two of them also wilted. Oscar said seriously, "Of course we know that isn't something we can touch right now. It's just a little regret at watching a treasure slip away before our eyes." With so many people around, it was better not to call her Little Xi.

Shen Ranxi knew that Oscar was the clearest-headed among her companions. He was usually funny, but when it came to serious matters, he always knew what was what. His high emotional intelligence was probably the result of the environment he had grown up in.

In the end, the Soul Bone was sold for three hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Ma Hongjun sighed. "I've never seen this much money in my life. This has really been eye-opening."

Little Bell shot him a glance. "Hmph, no ambition! In the future, I'll earn even more money than that! I'll buy my sister anything she wants!" As she said the latter half, she stared at Shen Ranxi with eyes full of stars.

Shen Ranxi's heart turned sweet as honey.

Oscar shoved Ma Hongjun aside with his butt and gave Little Bell a thumbs-up. "Little Bell, that's the spirit!"

The displaced Ma Hongjun pouted and muttered, "Bootlicker."

Little Bell glared at Ma Hongjun with an expression that said, You're dead. Though it was mostly obscured by her mask and cloak, Ma Hongjun still felt a chill run down his spine.

"The final auction item is a seed."

Someone below immediately sneered. "A seed can be auctioned too?"

The woman explained unhurriedly, "Of course it isn't an ordinary seed. After our Auction House appraised it, we discovered that it belongs to no plant found anywhere on the continent. It is neither afraid of fire nor ice, and blades and spears cannot harm it. Though we do not know exactly what it is, it is certainly no simple thing. As a special benefit, bidding starts at one Gold Soul Coin!"

The hall fell quiet. This time, it was not because of excitement, but because no one was interested.

The person onstage said a few more provocative words, and several people gradually began placing bids.

The price finally stopped at five Gold Soul Coins. Just before the final call, Shen Ranxi spoke up. "Six Gold Soul Coins!"

In the darkness, her golden pupils revealed a predator's calm.

In the end, she successfully bought the unknown seed.

They decided to browse around the Underground Market before heading back.

Oscar came to a stall and asked, "How much is this dagger?" In the corner of the stall lay an unadorned dagger that, upon closer inspection, revealed a sharp edge.

"Fifty Gold Soul Coins!" the Stall Owner's lazy voice rang out.

Shen Ranxi said righteously, "Five Gold Soul Coins. It's not like it's made of meteorite iron."

"Forty."

"Five!"

"Twenty, twenty! All right?"

Shen Ranxi insisted, "Five!!!"

The Stall Owner was rendered speechless. "Fine, fine! Take it!"

Oscar happily took out the money. Fortunately, now that Teacher and the others had opened a restaurant with Little Xi, they had money, and his allowance had increased too. Besides, he worked at the restaurant on weekends and earned a little extra.

After leaving the Underground Market, the group changed out of their clothes. Shen Ranxi planned to buy Little Bell several outfits, along with some Hair Accessories.

While they were browsing, Ma Hongjun sneakily bought a butterfly hair accessory.

They returned to the Academy without incident. Shen Ranxi went back to the dormitory, preparing to sort through the things she had bought.

Ma Hongjun stopped Little Bell and hesitated for a moment.

Under Little Bell's increasingly impatient gaze, he took out the hair accessory he had just bought and placed it in her hand.

"You're not mad at me anymore, right?"

Little Bell looked at Brother Ma Hongjun in surprise. What anger? She did not understand, but the hair clip was quite pretty. Besides, Sister had said she could accept things from Oscar and Brother Ma Hongjun.

She happily clipped it into her hair, sweetly thanked him, and headed back to the dormitory.

Only then did Ma Hongjun relax. It was good that she was no longer angry; otherwise, who knew what she would do! Thinking of the miserable ways she had secretly pranked him in the past sent a chill down his back. Even Teacher never took his side!

So mad!

Sigh, where was Oscar?

Oscar had already left, carrying his purchases back to the dormitory.

Back in the dormitory, Shen Ranxi took out the things she had bought at the Auction House from her Soul Tool.

Feifei squatted beside her curiously.

Shen Ranxi fixed Feifei with a dangerous look. "Tell me, what kind of treasure is this ore? It cost so much money."

Feifei rolled its eyes. Ignorant human, what poor taste!

It picked up a pitch-black ore. "This is Star Profound Red Gold. It was born in the heart of a Deep Sea volcano and only forms after Ten Thousand Years."

With a squeeze of its paw, lava-like veins cracked across the black stone.

Feifei set down the Star Profound Red Gold and pointed at the transparent, Peacock Blue gemstone. "This is Lapis Lazuli. It formed fifty thousand meters up in the sky and can improve a weapon's quality!"

As it spoke, it shot Shen Ranxi a look that plainly said, You really have no eye for treasures.

Shen Ranxi: "..."

Just as Shen Ranxi was about to say something, her expression changed. When Feifei did not hear her speak, it turned around, intending to tell her to straighten up her attitude, only to see rippling, water-like fluctuations of Soul Power appear around Shen Ranxi. The next second, a palm-sized fish emerged from her body.

Its tail looked as though it were made of flowing water, while its body resembled that of a whale. Two tiny wings that looked like ornaments grew from its upper body, and a watery blue crystal seemed to have grown directly from the center of its forehead.

Feifei moved closer to Shen Ranxi and poked her with a claw. "Why did you summon your Second Martial Soul?"

Shen Ranxi: ???

Shen Ranxi was utterly bewildered. You're asking me? I want to ask you! Can a Martial Soul come out on its own? Wasn't it supposed to be summoned by me?

Suddenly, she felt a burst of coolness against her cheek. Lowering her gaze, she found the Great Void Kun rubbing against her while letting out soft, squeaky "ying ying ying" sounds.

Its obsidian-like little eyes gazed at her tenderly.

So cute!!!

Although it came out without my permission, it probably didn't do it on purpose...