Otherworld Cultivation Method Attracts Heroes (3)

"Can be redeemed?!" The crowd instantly boiled over, and the eyes of the Soul Masters erupted with burning light, as if they had seen a life-saving straw. The previous Genius Ranking and simulated arena had only shown them "hope for improvement," while the appearance of Combat Skills allowed them to see the "possibility of surpassing the current system"--even just a Yellow Tier Combat Skill could make them invincible among peers, even allowing them to fight across ranks and change their destiny!

"Esteemed Lin Yue! How many points are needed to redeem a Yellow Tier Combat Skill? I'm willing to use ten years of savings!" a level 40 Soul Ancestor asked loudly, his voice filled with urgency, even a bit incoherent.

Lin Yue, however, smiled and shook his head, gently tapping his palm with his folding fan. "The specific redemption conditions will be announced after the Cultivation Method Ranking goes online. But what is certain is that as long as you actively participate in the simulated arena, accumulate points, or provide rare resources needed by the auction house--such as Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, Ancient Ores, or even Spirit Beast's Essence Blood--you will have the opportunity to obtain Combat Skills."

After saying this, Lin Yue paused, his gaze sweeping across the major forces in the square, his voice carrying a deeper meaning. "Also, I want to tell you all--the Otherworld Auction House has more than just Combat Skills." His folding fan pointed at the golden light screen, which instantly displayed countless blurry images: weapons flashing with light, pills emitting a faint fragrance, and ancient books inscribed with mysterious text. "There are treasures from various worlds here, Magic Scrolls, Cultivation Methods, Technological Weapons... As long as you have enough capital, you can have whatever you want; and even what you can't imagine, I have it here."

These words were like a bomb, igniting the square once again. The Soul Masters' eyes were full of anticipation, but also a hint of fear--the Otherworld Auction House came from another world, and anything they casually produced could subvert the Douluo Continent's system. If they decided to act against the Douluo Continent one day, who could resist?

Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heart tightened. He looked at Lin Yue's smile and suddenly realized that this mysterious auction house might be more terrifying than the Martial Soul Hall, or even gods. But then he thought, if they could leverage the auction house's power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could establish a lasting foothold, and he couldn't help but feel a flicker of desire--risk and opportunity coexist.

Perhaps, this was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's only chance to surpass the Martial Soul Hall. Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute to Lin Yue. "Esteemed Lin Yue, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to offer three Thousand Year Glazed Jades and ten Spirit Calming Grasses in exchange for priority viewing of the Cultivation Method Ranking. Do you agree?"

Lin Yue looked at Ning Fengzhi, the smile on his lips unchanged. "Sect Master Ning is indeed straightforward. Thousand Year Glazed Jade can assist Soul Masters in stabilizing their soul power, and Spirit Calming Grass can enhance spiritual power. Both are rare and valuable resources. I accept this transaction."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Ning Fengzhi's anxious heart finally settled, and he immediately sent someone to fetch the resources. Seeing this, other forces also stepped forward to compete. Yu Tianxin of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan took a step forward, his voice filled with urgency. "Esteemed Lin Yue, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is willing to offer five Thunder Pattern Jade, plus the essence blood of a Thousand Year Thunder Bear, just to get priority information on the redemption conditions for Mysterious Tier Combat Skills!"

A hidden disciple of the Clear Sky Sect couldn't help but step out, lowering his voice. "We are willing to offer one Ten Thousand Year Ironwood in exchange for clues on redeeming Yellow Tier Combat Skills."

The envoy from the Heaven Dou Empire was even more direct. "The Heaven Dou Imperial Family is willing to offer Ten Thousand Gold, plus mining rights for three mountains, just to reserve a Yellow Tier Combat Skill for the imperial family's descendants!"

For a time, the major forces in the square vied to bid, and the names of rare resources were heard one after another, from Thousand Year Spirit Beast Inner Cores to ores from ancient times, and some even offered Soul Tool Blueprints passed down in their families. Lin Yue agreed to them all, his face always wearing a gentle smile, as if these things, which others valued as priceless, were merely ordinary goods.

Meanwhile, Tang San, in the crowd, watched this scene, his sense of urgency growing. He quietly tugged at Xiao Wu's sleeve, wanting to discuss future plans with her, but found that Xiao Wu's gaze was fixed on the golden light screen, her eyes filled with longing for Combat Skills, not even noticing his movement. Tang San's hand froze in mid-air, a hint of disappointment rising in his heart--since coming to the auction house, Xiao Wu seemed to have changed. She no longer relied on him as before, but instead paid special attention to these novel powers.

"Tang San, look at Wind Splitting Leg. If I could learn it, I could protect myself better in the future," Xiao Wu suddenly said, her tone full of excitement, but she didn't notice Tang San's complicated expression.

Tang San forced a smile. "Yes, Combat Skills are indeed powerful, but cultivation must not be easy. Let's accumulate points first and wait for the Cultivation Method Ranking to go online."

Xiao Wu nodded, then turned her gaze back to the golden light screen, and said no more. Tang San looked at her profile, sighing inwardly--he could feel that the distance between them seemed to have widened unconsciously.

On the other side of the square, others from Shrek Academy were also discussing Combat Skills. Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his eyes filled with longing. "If I could learn Thunderstorm Fist, I wouldn't be afraid of fighting Soul Ancestors anymore! Dean, we need to quickly organize everyone to grind points and strive to redeem a Yellow Tier Combat Skill as soon as possible!"

Flender came back to his senses, picked up the pipe from the ground, relit it, and took a deep puff. "That's right, these Combat Skills are too important for our Shrek. Xiao San, you are good at observation. In the future, pay more attention during the simulated arena battles and see if you can find a way to quickly earn points."

Tang San nodded in agreement, but his heart became even more resolute--he not only wanted to redeem Combat Skills for himself but also to improve his strength as soon as possible. Only by being strong enough could he shorten the distance with Xiao Wu again and protect those around him.

At this moment, within the Martial Soul Hall team, the Special Envoy's expression grew increasingly grim as he watched the major forces vying to trade with Lin Yue. He quietly pulled Bai Feng over and whispered, "Immediately send someone back to Martial Soul City and tell Madam Bibi Dong to send the adults from the Worship Hall as soon as possible. These Combat Skills must not be obtained by other forces first! Also, keep a close eye on Lin Yue's movements and find out his true origin and whether he has support from other forces."

Bai Feng nodded in agreement and immediately arranged for disciples to leave quietly. The Special Envoy's gaze returned to Lin Yue, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes--if the Martial Soul Hall couldn't get the Combat Skills, they would destroy the auction house rather than let them fall into anyone else's hands.

Lin Yue seemed to sense the Special Envoy's gaze, turned his head, and a meaningful smile curved his lips. The Special Envoy's heart tightened, and he instinctively took a step back, not daring to meet Lin Yue's eyes again--he could feel that in Lin Yue's eyes, there was an unfathomable power, as if it could see through his thoughts.

As the sunset gradually descended, the demonstration images of Combat Skills on the golden light screen slowly disappeared, returning to the words "Combat Skill Ranking." The Soul Masters in the square still hadn't dispersed; they were still excitedly discussing Combat Skills and planning their point-accumulation strategies. The lines in front of the simulated arena became even longer, and some Soul Masters even set up tents directly in the square, preparing to grind points all night.

Lin Yue watched the lively scene in the square, slowly turned around, and walked back into the auction house. Mo Chen followed behind him and asked in a low voice, "Master, the major forces are all competing for Combat Skills. Should we appropriately raise the redemption threshold?"

Lin Yue shook his head, his folding fan gently swaying. "No need. If the threshold is too low, it will make the Combat Skills cheap; if the threshold is too high, it will make them lose motivation. The current situation is just right, allowing them to see hope while also needing to put in effort, thus making them more reliant on the auction house."

Mo Chen nodded in agreement and asked, "When will the Cultivation Method Ranking go online? All the major powers are waiting."

"In three days," Lin Yue replied. "For these three days, double the maximum points for the simulation arena and release some fragments of low-level combat skills as rewards to whet their appetites. Also, keep a close eye on the Martial Soul Hall's movements; they definitely won't give up."

"Yes, Master," Mo Chen replied respectfully.

Lin Yue walked to the second-floor window and looked at the still fervent crowd in the square, a hint of depth flashing in his eyes. The launch of the Combat Skill Ranking was only the second step of his plan. Next would be the Cultivation Method Ranking, the Divine Artifact Ranking, the Otherworld Map... He would gradually draw the powers of the Douluo Continent into the system he was building. When they completely depended on the resources of the auction house, when combat skills and cultivation methods became widespread on the Douluo Continent, only then could he truly control the destiny of this world.

Night fell, and the lights of the auction house lit up, illuminating the square as if it were daytime. The cheers and discussions of the Soul Masters rose and fell, and an atmosphere of excitement permeated the air. The shock brought by the combat skills had taken root and sprouted like a seed in everyone's heart. And everyone understood that from today onwards, the history of the Douluo Continent would turn a new page—a chapter belonging to the Otherworld Auction House, to "combat skills," and to the countless Soul Masters pursuing new power.

Tang San stood at the edge of the square, looking at the brightly lit auction house in the distance, then at Xiao Wu beside him, who was engrossed in discussing combat skills. He secretly vowed, "I must accumulate points as quickly as possible to exchange for combat skills and improve my strength. Not only will I protect my companions, but I will also let Xiao Wu see that I am still the Tang San who can shelter her from wind and rain."

Meanwhile, in Martial Soul City, Bibi Dong received a message from the Special Envoy. She stood by the window of the Pope's Palace, looking at the night outside, a hint of madness flashing in her eyes. "Otherworld Auction House... Lin Yue... No matter where you come from, combat skills are something our Martial Soul Hall is determined to obtain!" She raised her hand and summoned Ghost Douluo, her voice icy. "You will immediately take three Titled Douluo and go to the Otherworld Auction House. Remember, at all costs, you must obtain the cultivation method for combat skills."

Ghost Douluo bowed and accepted the order, then turned and disappeared into the night. A struggle centered around combat skills was about to begin on the Douluo Continent, but Lin Yue, the instigator of all this, had already laid a larger net in the auction house, waiting for the major powers to fall into it.