Sending Out Invitations, Various Parties Suspicious

In the quiet room at the top of the Auction Pavilion, Lin Yue sat with his eyes closed, his consciousness immersed in the system interface.

"System, display the current list of exchangeable items."

As the thought crossed his mind, a faintly glowing blue virtual screen unfolded in his mind, listing tens of thousands of items, categorized and dazzling. From the lowest-grade healing pills to fragments of legendary artifacts, from basic soul power cultivation methods to forbidden techniques capable of destroying heaven and earth, almost everything was available.

Yet the vast majority of items appeared gray and unselectable, marked with astronomical point costs that made one's heart sink.

"So even ten thousand Points can't buy anything particularly good." Lin Yue shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the items that were still lit and exchangeable.

[Low-level Soul Power Enhancement Pill: 500 Points each]

[Ten-year Soul Ring Simulator (one-time use): 800 Points each]

[Hundred-year Soul Beast Positioning Compass: 1200 Points each]

These low-level items were of little use to him now. His eyes eventually settled on a special category:

[Auction House Basic Guard (Titled Douluo level): 5000 Points each] (Current special offer: buy one, get one free)

"So that's why I was given two Peerless Douluo right away—a newbie benefit." Lin Yue understood, gaining deeper insight into how the system operated.

He pondered for a moment and finally spent 2000 Points to exchange for four Communication Crystals. These crystals could transmit messages in real time over a thousand miles, perfect for staying in touch with Mo Chen.

As for the remaining 8000 Points, he decided to keep them for now, in case of emergencies.

"Master." Mo Chen's voice came from outside the door, respectful but tinged with gravity. "A team of Soul Masters just tried to approach the Auction Pavilion. I have already turned them away."

Lin Yue opened his eyes. "Turned them away?"

Mo Chen lowered his head. "I administered a minor punishment—crippled one of their soul power. The rest fled in panic."

Lin Yue nodded and said nothing more. In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, establishing authority was necessary. The fifty-mile radius around the Auction Pavilion was his absolute domain, and any intruder would face punishment—that was the rule.

"Well done." Lin Yue rose. "Come with me. Let's go down and take a look."

Meanwhile, across the entire Douluo Continent, the mysterious appearance of the invitations had stirred an undercurrent of unrest.

Martial Soul Hall, Pope's Palace

Bibi Dong sat regally on the ornate papal throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the gilded invitation, her beautiful eyes flickering with complex emotions.

Below, Ghost Douluo Ghostly and Chrysanthemum Douluo Moon Guan stood with heads bowed, barely daring to breathe.

"Auction Pavilion... the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest..." Bibi Dong murmured the contents of the invitation, her voice cold and commanding. "Moon Guan, what have your investigations uncovered?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Your Excellency the Pope, scouts have been dispatched to investigate. But the Star Dou Great Forest is vast, and the exact location is still uncertain. However..."

"However what?" Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed.

"According to the latest report, a mysterious structure has indeed appeared on the forest's outskirts, with a unique style unlike anything known on the Douluo Continent. Several adventuring teams tried to approach but were inexplicably driven back. One team included a Soul Saint-level captain, who was said to have... had his cultivation crippled."

Bibi Dong's eyes flashed. "Easily crippling a Soul Saint means at least a Titled Douluo-level expert. This Auction House is no ordinary affair."

She looked again at the three Auction Items listed on the invitation, especially the last one—the Soul Core Condensation Method (Beginner). Even she, as Pope, found her heart stirred.

"Continue the investigation. Send more men. In seven days, This Seat will go personally to see what kind of entity this so-called Auction Pavilion really is." Bibi Dong's voice carried an unyielding resolve.

"Yes!" Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo replied in unison.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Meeting Hall

Ning Fengzhi studied the invitation in his hand repeatedly, while Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong sat on either side, their expressions grave.

"Appearing out of nowhere and delivered directly to us—such methods are unheard of." Chen Xin spoke first, his tone carrying the sharpness unique to a swordsman. "Fengzhi, this is suspicious. It could be a trap."

Gu Rong's hoarse voice followed: "Old Sword is right. But the material of this invitation is extraordinary. Even I feel a tremor from the aura it carries—it doesn't seem fake. If those three Auction Items are real..."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, a shrewd gleam in his eyes—the mark of a seasoned merchant. "Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, I understand your concerns. But this could also be an opportunity for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

He gently traced the words "Soul Power Enhancement Pill" on the invitation. "If Rong Rong's martial soul could evolve further... and this Soul Core Condensation Method should greatly benefit the two of you as well."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged a glance, both seeing the temptation in each other's eyes. At their level, every step forward was as difficult as reaching the heavens, and they were unwilling to miss any chance for improvement.

"In that case, in seven days, we'll make the trip." Chen Xin finally decided. "Let's see who's behind such a grand spectacle."

Star Dou Great Forest, Core Circle, Lake of Life

Gu Yuena's silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, her violet eyes fixed on the invitation floating before her. Her stunning face bore an expression of rare solemnity.

Di Tian stood nearby, his demeanor respectful but laced with worry. "Master, this sudden appearance of an Auction House right at the edge of our territory can hardly be a coincidence. Humans are full of tricks—we must be cautious."

Gu Yuena's slender fingers tapped lightly, and the invitation turned its pages on its own, stopping at the item descriptions.

"These items... are no ordinary things." She spoke softly, her gaze lingering especially on the "Soul Power Enhancement Pill." "This pill in particular seems to contain a pure Life Energy that might benefit our kind."

Bi Ji said gently from the side, "Master, your injuries have not yet healed. It's not safe for you to take risks in person. Let me go and investigate first."

But Gu Yuena shook her head. "Whoever sent this invitation managed to bypass my perception and deliver it directly here—their strength is unfathomable. Since they have treated us with courtesy, we will respond in kind."

She paused, then made her decision. "I will attend the auction in seven days myself. Di Tian, Bi Ji, you will accompany me."

"Master!" Di Tian exclaimed urgently. "This is too dangerous!"

Gu Yuena raised a hand to stop him. "It's fine. If they meant us harm, they wouldn't use such methods. I want to see for myself what kind of existence can produce treasures like these."

Her gaze pierced through the layers of forest, as if she had already glimpsed that mysterious Auction Pavilion, a flicker of curiosity and intrigue flashing in her eyes.

The major powers reacted differently.

Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, clan leader Yu Yuanzhen scoffed at the invitation, dismissing it as someone's prank, but a few elders secretly sent people to investigate.

The Clear Sky Sect remained hidden from the world; Tang Xiao tucked the invitation away, hesitating whether to inform Tang Hao, who was in seclusion.

The Lower Four Sects and other Soul Master factions mostly took a wait-and-see approach, but all dispatched scouts to the Star Dou Great Forest.

The imperial courts of the two great empires were shocked by the mysterious appearance of the invitations. Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire and Emperor Dai Tian of the Star Luo Empire both ordered close surveillance.

Inside Yu Xiaogang's room at Nuoding Academy.

Tang San was consulting his teacher on soul beast theory when a knock suddenly came at the door.

He opened it, but no one was there—only an ordinary invitation lay on the ground. Unlike the gilded invitations received by other powers, this one was far more plain.

"What's this?" Tang San picked up the invitation and handed it to Yu Xiaogang with confusion.

Yu Xiaogang took it, opened it, and immediately furrowed his brow. "Auction Pavilion? Auctioning a Soul Power Enhancement Pill and a Soul Core Condensation Method? Ridiculous!"

His tone carried clear disdain. "There's no shortcut to soul power cultivation! And as for soul core condensation, that's a realm only Titled Douluo can touch. How could there be a secret manual circulating? It must be a scam!"

Tang San nodded in agreement. "Teacher is right. It's probably some con artist's trick. We don't need to bother with it."

Yet for some reason, Yu Xiaogang felt a vague unease in his heart, as if he had missed something important. He carefully put the invitation away, deciding to study it thoroughly later.

Outside the Star Dou Great Forest, before the Auction Pavilion.

Lin Yue stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the magnificent building. The last rays of sunset spilled over the glazed tiles, refracting into a dazzling array of colors.

Long Yi appeared silently behind him. "Master, seventeen waves of scouts attempted to approach today. As you instructed, they were lightly punished and driven off."

Lin Yue's lips curled slightly. "No matter. Let them investigate. The Auction House's reputation needs them to spread it."

His gaze pierced deep into the forest, as if he could see through all obstacles to the various factions watching from the shadows.

"The bait has been cast. Now we wait to see which fish takes the hook."

The auction seven days from now would surely be a spectacular affair.

And at this moment, no one knew just how much this auction would change the entire landscape of the Douluo Continent.