The Otherworld Auction House's Gilded Bell Chime rang out through the morning mist. Three deep tolls echoed for a hundred miles—an announcement that the auction house was holding its second auction. The plaza outside the Black Jade Main Building was already packed with Soul Masters from all the major factions. Everyone clutched a Point Voucher in their hands, anticipation and nervousness plain in their eyes.
On the east side of the plaza, the group from Shrek Academy stood out. Flender wore a faded Dean's Robe, with Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the others behind him. The boys looked both curious and wary. "Xiao San, keep your eyes open during the auction, especially for that so-called 'Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid.' If it really can improve a Soul Ring's effects, it'll be a tremendous boon for our students," Flender said in a low voice. His gaze swept over the representatives of the various factions, lingering in particular on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's group nearby.
Tang San nodded slightly, his fingers unconsciously brushing the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges Night at his waist. Ever since Mo Chen's oppressive aura had shaken him, his attitude toward the auction house had shifted from doubt to awe. When he heard that a pill capable of improving a Soul Ring's effects would be auctioned, he had made a point of coming with Flender. He wanted to find resources for the academy, but he also wanted to see whether the auction house had any treasures better suited to him.
On the west side of the plaza, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's group carried themselves with imposing confidence. Yu Tianxin wore a dark blue outfit, with two clan elders behind him. A Dragon-shaped Jade Pendant hung at his waist, giving off faint Lightning Attribute Soul Power. "We must secure the Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid!" Yu Tianxin declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Several of the younger members of our clan are stuck at a bottleneck in absorbing Soul Rings. With this pill, they'll be able to break through to Soul Emperor in no time!"
As the auction house doors slowly swung open, the crowd filed into the Auction Hall. Everything inside had been prepared in advance. On the central stage sat a transparent Crystal Display Cabinet. Within it, a bottle of pale golden liquid gave off a gentle glow—the star treasure of the auction, a Second-grade Pill: Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid.
Lin Yue sat in the seat of honor beside the stage, his gaze sweeping over the bidders below as a faint smile played on his lips. Shrek Academy and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were not the only factions attending; several hidden Soul Master Families had sent representatives as well. The Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid, it seemed, had drawn even more interest than he had expected.
"Welcome to the Otherworld Auction House," the Auctioneer announced as he stepped onto the stage, his voice carrying throughout the hall through a Soul Tool. "There are three Auction Items today. The first is the Second-grade Pill you've all been waiting for: the Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid."
The Auctioneer raised a hand and opened the Crystal Display Cabinet. A fresh, clean fragrance immediately filled the air. The pale golden liquid flowed slowly inside its bottle, fine patterns appearing across its surface as though it were alive. "You've likely all heard what this pill can do. It can improve the absorption effect of an ordinary Hundred-Year Soul Ring by thirty percent. A Soul Master will gain more Soul Power when absorbing a Soul Ring, while also facing a lower risk of Soul Ring Backlash."
The Auctioneer paused, then raised his voice. "The Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid has a Starting Price of 50,000 Points. Each bid must be at least 5,000 Points higher than the last. Bidding begins now!"
"70,000 Points!" As soon as the Auctioneer finished speaking, a Soul Master in a Black Robe hurriedly raised his hand. His voice was urgent. Everyone turned toward him. He was a representative from a mid-sized Soul Master Family. Though his family had many young talents, their lack of high-quality Soul Rings had kept them from breaking through their bottleneck.
"80,000 Points!" Yu Tianxin of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan raised the bid without hesitation, his eyes resolute. He was determined to win. This pill would make a difference to the growth of his clan's younger generation. No matter how many Points it cost, he had to secure it.
"160,000 Points!" Flender of Shrek Academy joined the bidding. He glanced at Tang San, his eyes full of hope. If they could win the pill, Tang San would face far less risk when absorbing a Soul Ring, and his future would be limitless.
"100,000 Points!" another faction's representative called out, and tension swept through the hall. Everyone looked toward the Crystal Display Cabinet on the stage, eyes full of longing. They all knew that despite being only a Second-grade Pill, it could give a faction's younger generation a tremendous boost.
Yu Tianxin frowned. He hadn't expected so many factions to compete for it. He took a deep breath and raised his hand again. "140,000 Points!" This time he added 40,000 Points, hoping to intimidate the other bidders.
The hall fell silent. 140,000 Points was no small sum—it was worth a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Several representatives from mid-sized factions hesitated, weighing the costs and benefits.
Just then, Flender spoke again. "160,000 Points!" He gritted his teeth, his mind made up. Even if he had to spend every last one of the academy's savings, he would secure the pill for Tang San.
Yu Tianxin's face darkened. He turned to Flender, a warning in his eyes. "Dean Flender, Shrek Academy may be famous, but this pill matters more to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I hope you'll let us have it."
Flender gave a cold laugh. "Young Master Yu, this is an auction. The highest bidder wins. If you can offer more, I won't try to outbid you."
Their exchange made the atmosphere in the hall even more tense. Tang San looked at Flender, filled with gratitude but also concern. The academy's resources were limited to begin with. If it spent too much on this pill, its future development might suffer.
Just then, Yu Tianxin spoke up. "200,000 Points!" His voice was resolute. "I'll offer the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's secret ore, Thunder Pattern Jade, in exchange, plus another 30,000 Points, for a total of 200,000 Points!"
"Thunder Pattern Jade?" The crowd gasped. Thunder Pattern Jade was an ancestral ore of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It could aid Soul Masters with the Lightning Attribute in their cultivation and could also be used to forge high-grade Soul Tools. It was priceless. Yu Tianxin was even willing to offer Thunder Pattern Jade in the deal, showing just how much he valued the pill.
Flender's face turned ashen. Shrek Academy had nothing that could match Thunder Pattern Jade, and 200,000 Points was far beyond what the academy could afford. He looked at Tang San and shook his head helplessly, signaling that he could do no more.
The Auctioneer looked down at the bidders, his voice edged with excitement. "Young Master Yu of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has bid 200,000 Points! Is there anyone higher?"
Silence filled the hall. No one dared to bid again. After calling out three times and hearing no response, the Auctioneer struck the Auction Hammer in his hand. "Congratulations to Young Master Yu of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan on winning the Second-grade Pill, Thousand Year Soul Ring Purification Liquid, for 200,000 Points!"
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