Qian Daoliu's Attention, Golden Crocodile Douluo's Probe (Part 1)

After seeing Ning Fengzhi off, Lin Yue returned to the top-floor attic and opened his System Panel. On the panel, the notification "Star Dou Soul Beast Clan trust level increased to 60%" was particularly eye-catching. A faint smile curled his lips as his fingertips swiped across the panel, pulling up Gu Yuena's relevant data—following this auction, Gu Yuena's trust in the Auction House had increased significantly, leaving even more room for future cooperation.

Meanwhile, in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, Gu Yuena sat on the Ice Crystal Throne, watching the Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg that Di Tian had brought back. Under the nourishment of her soul power, the icy patterns on the egg's surface became even brighter, and a faint heartbeat could be vaguely heard from within.

"Very good." Gu Yuena's voice carried a hint of satisfaction. "This soul beast egg will not only replenish our clan's strength but also allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the Auction House's capabilities. Di Tian, you did well this time."

"This subordinate only acted according to your instructions, my Lord." Di Tian bowed. "By the way, my Lord, Lin Yue mentioned at the auction that the system will soon release a 'Cross-Faction Resource Sharing' mission. Do you think we should participate?"

Gu Yuena tapped her fingertips lightly against the armrest of the throne, a flicker of contemplation in her eyes. "Resource sharing... this is indeed an opportunity. An alliance between human factions is not necessarily a bad thing for our Soul Beast Clan. Keep a close watch on the mission updates. If the conditions are right, the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan can participate as well."

"Yes!" Di Tian bowed in acknowledgment.

Gu Yuena cast her gaze back toward the soul beast egg, a complex emotion flashing in the depths of her eyes. She had originally thought the Auction House was just an ordinary place for trading treasures, but as her contact deepened, she discovered that Lin Yue and his Auction House were far more mysterious and powerful than she had imagined. This man, and the power behind him, might truly be able to change the landscape of the Douluo Continent, and perhaps... change the fate of the Soul Beast Clan.

At this moment, inside the Pope's Palace of the Martial Soul Hall, Bibi Dong was reviewing the auction report sent back by Moon Guan. When she saw that "The Star Dou Soul Beast Clan won the Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg with 160,000 points," a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. "I didn't expect the Soul Beast Clan to start valuing the Auction House as well. Moon Guan, at the next auction, no matter what, you must win at least one high-value treasure for the Martial Soul Hall."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Pope!" Moon Guan bowed. "We have already prepared sufficient resources and will certainly not let you down."

Bibi Dong waved her hand, dismissing Moon Guan. She walked to the window and looked toward the direction of the Auction House, a hint of inquiry in her eyes. Lin Yue, Gu Yuena, the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan... more and more people and factions were being drawn into the vortex of the Auction House. The peace of the Douluo Continent had been completely shattered. And she had to seize the initiative for the Martial Soul Hall within this vortex.

The auction for the Thousand Year Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Beast Egg not only brought a bountiful harvest to the Star Dou Soul Beast Clan but also made the major factions realize that the Soul Beast Clan had officially become an important participant in the Auction House. Lin Yue knew that this was just the beginning—with the release of the "Cross-Faction Resource Sharing" mission, the power landscape of the Douluo Continent would undergo even more drastic changes. And he would be the one in control of these changes.

The dome of the Worship Hall in the Martial Soul Hall was inlaid with countless Night Pearls, casting a soft glow upon the massive Angel Statue in the hall, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere in the air. Qian Daoliu sat upright on the golden seat beneath the statue, his long silver-white hair draped over his shoulders, his body wreathed in a faint, ethereal aura of divinity. As the Grand Worship of the Martial Soul Hall and the successor to the Angel God, he had not paid such close attention to outside movements for a long time, not until Bibi Dong had personally visited that mysterious Auction House three times in a row.

"Grand Worship, Your Majesty the Pope has returned from the Auction House. She did not win any high-value items this time, only exchanged 50,000 points and applied for a private auction room." A worshiper bowed and reported, his tone carrying a hint of caution. Since the appearance of the Auction House, Pope Bibi Dong's attention had clearly shifted; she had even gone so far as to use the Martial Soul Hall's reserve resources to exchange for points, which made several elders of the Worship Hall feel uneasy.

Qian Daoliu tapped his fingertips lightly against the armrest, his gaze fixed on the Angel Statue outside the hall. His voice was calm but carried unquestionable majesty. "Bibi Dong has always been measured in her actions. For her to value the Auction House so highly, it means there are indeed treasures there worth the Martial Soul Hall fighting for. It is just that... the background of the Auction House owner, Lin Yue, and the two experts under him remains unknown to this day."

He paused, then continued, "Golden Crocodile, you go to the perimeter of the Auction House and probe the strength of those two experts. Remember, you may only test them; do not engage in combat."

At the side of the hall, a burly old man wearing golden armor slowly rose to his feet. He was the Second Worship of the Martial Soul Hall's Worship Hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo, a level 98 Super Douluo, only one step away from being a Peerless Douluo. Golden Crocodile Douluo bowed and replied, "This subordinate obeys. If those two are not strong enough, do I need to..."

"No need." Qian Daoliu interrupted him. "The fact that the Auction House can attract the attention of all major factions in such a short time means it is definitely not as simple as it appears on the surface. If the other party is truly formidable, acting rashly will only create enemies for the Martial Soul Hall. Our primary task right now is to acquire the treasures of the Auction House, not to provoke unnecessary trouble."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded, turned, and strode out of the Worship Hall. His soul power circulated quietly, his golden crocodile martial soul flickering on the surface of his body as he transformed into a streak of golden light, speeding toward the direction of the Auction House.

At the perimeter of the Auction House, Mo Chen stood under an ancient tree, eyes closed as he regulated his breath. As Lin Yue's chief subordinate, his duty was to guard the safety of the Auction House while monitoring the movements of surrounding factions. Ever since the fourth auction ended, he could clearly feel that more and more factions were watching the Auction House from the shadows, among them top-tier forces like the Martial Soul Hall.

Suddenly, a powerful fluctuation of soul power came from afar, carrying a hint of probing intent. Mo Chen slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction from which the soul power originated, a faint smile curling his lips—someone had finally been unable to resist coming.

A moment later, the figure of Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared on a nearby hillside. He looked at Mo Chen, who was standing under the ancient tree, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. The person before him looked like a middle-aged man, with not a shred of soul power leaking from his body, yet he gave off an unfathomable feeling—more oppressive than any Titled Douluo he had ever met.

"Is Your Excellency the guardian of the Auction House?" Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke, his voice carrying a hint of majesty. "I am Golden Crocodile Douluo of the Martial Soul Hall. I have come today only to witness Your Excellency's strength."

Mo Chen did not get up, remaining leaned against the ancient tree, his tone indifferent. "People from the Martial Soul Hall? You want to test my strength? Fine. But the fifty-mile radius around the Auction House is a safe zone; combat is prohibited. If you want to spar, you may follow me outside the safe zone."

A flash of surprise crossed Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes, and he nodded immediately. "Good! I shall accompany you then." He wanted to see exactly what kind of confidence this seemingly ordinary middle-aged man possessed.