As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Chen suddenly released a trace of Soul Power pressure. There was no earth-shattering spectacle, not even the roar of Soul Power surging, yet Shrek's Seven Devils felt as if an invisible boulder had crushed them down, and they dropped to their knees in an instant. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Martial Soul was forced back into his body, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. The sausage Oscar had just pulled out fell to the ground, caked in mud. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flickered twice in her palm, then collapsed completely.
Tang San gritted his teeth and tried to activate his Purple Demon Eye to resist, but Mo Chen seemed like an abyss before him. The moment Tang San's mental power reached out, it was swallowed up completely. Only then did he understand: the man before him wasn't merely a Titled Douluo—he was a legendary Peerless Douluo!
"The Auction House's rules are the rules of Douluo Continent today." Mo Chen's voice remained calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "If you dare to seize resources by force again, next time I won't simply stop you."
With that, he raised a hand and swept it outward. A gentle but irresistible force pushed Shrek's Seven Devils several yards back. The Jade Phosphor Purple Scorpion took the opportunity to dive beneath the pond's surface and vanished in an instant. Mo Chen turned around, and his figure seemed to merge with the air. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Only after the pressure had completely faded did everyone collapse to the ground, gasping for breath. Dai Mubai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice full of lingering fear. "Th-that was a Peerless Douluo? How could Lin Yue have someone that powerful working for him?"
Tang San lowered his head, fists clenched so tightly they creaked. He had lost before, but never in such a humiliating way—not even getting the chance to fight before being utterly crushed. What hurt even more was that the source of Points he had worked so hard to find had been cut off just like that.
"W-we should go back." Ning Rongrong's voice trembled. She still felt cold all over. The terror of being targeted by a Peerless Douluo was even more frightening than facing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
Oscar nodded too. "We can think of another way to earn Points—gathering spirit herbs or mining ore, for example. Anything's better than picking a fight with a Peerless Douluo."
But Tang San didn't move. He stared in the direction Mo Chen had disappeared, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes. He didn't believe in anything called "legal resources." He thought the Auction House was deliberately targeting Shrek Academy. Hadn't Spirit Hall hunted plenty of Soul Beasts? Why had no one stopped them?
"Another way?" Tang San murmured, unconsciously running his fingers over the patterns on his Clear Sky Hammer. "Teacher Yu Xiaogang once said, 'Rules are dead, people are alive.' Since we can't do it openly, then we'll..."
He didn't finish, but the light in his eyes made Dai Mubai and the others uneasy. Oscar wanted to dissuade him, but Tang San silenced him with a glance. At that moment, Tang San was like a lone wolf pushed to the brink—he wouldn't listen to anyone.
The group dragged their weary bodies back to Shrek Academy. As soon as they entered, they ran into Yu Xiaogang. Seeing them in such a sorry state, he immediately frowned. "What happened? You didn't get the Soul Bone?"
Tang San lowered his head and told him about their encounter with Mo Chen. When Yu Xiaogang heard the whole story, his face turned livid with anger. He slammed a hand on the table. "Outrageous! The Auction House is nothing but a place that trades in treasures, yet it dares to act so tyrannically! And 'legal resources'? They're trying to monopolize every opportunity!"
"Teacher, Mo Chen is a Peerless Douluo. We can't beat him." Tang San's voice was full of resentment.
"Can't beat him?" A calculating look flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. "So what if he's a Peerless Douluo? He can't keep his eyes on all of Douluo Continent every moment. Next time you go to Sunset Forest, remember that the Soul Beasts there often attack humans. Hunt them then, and let's see what Mo Chen has to say!"
Tang San's eyes lit up. That was right! The Soul Beasts in Sunset Forest were violent by nature and often attacked passing caravans. If they hunted them, then even if the Auction House found out, it wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
"I'll get ready now!" Tang San turned to leave, but Yu Xiaogang grabbed him.
"Wait." Yu Xiaogang lowered his voice. "Don't bring too many people this time. Just you, Mubai, and Zhuqing. The more people there are, the easier it is to draw attention. If someone from the Auction House sets their sights on you, it'll only cause trouble."
Tang San nodded, a trace of impatience flashing in his eyes. He didn't notice the strange smile that curled Yu Xiaogang's lips as he turned away. His true purpose was far more than simply helping Tang San earn Points.
Meanwhile, in the top-floor chamber of the Auction House, Lin Yue was watching the surveillance feed on the System Panel. Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's conversation was crystal clear. Mo Chen stood to one side and bowed. "Master, should I issue them another warning?"
Lin Yue shook his head. His fingertips glided over the "Task List," and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "No need. If they want to play, then let's play along. The system has just issued a 'Crack Down on Illegal Resource Acquisition' task. Completing it will unlock the 'Resource Tracing' feature. Then, even if they hide in Sunset Forest, they won't escape the system's notice."
Mo Chen bowed in acknowledgment and withdrew. Lin Yue watched Tang San hurry away on the screen, his gaze turning cold. The order of Douluo Continent couldn't be thrown into chaos by these so-called "orthodox Soul Masters." If they wanted Points, they had to follow the rules. If they didn't, they would pay the price.
At that moment, Tang San was still preparing for his upcoming "trip to Sunset Forest." He didn't know he had already fallen into the trap Lin Yue had laid, nor did he know that this seemingly "reasonable" hunting plan would plunge him and Shrek Academy into even greater trouble. The struggle over "the legality of resources" had only just begun.
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Great Hall, morning light filtered through the carved lattice windows and fell upon the milky-white pill in the center of the hall, casting a soft yet pure glow. Ning Fengzhi held the pill delicately between his fingers, able to feel the energy flowing within it. It was the "Auxiliary Amplification Pill" he had won for 88,000 Points at the second auction. According to the Auction House's description, the pill could permanently enhance the amplification effects of Support Type Soul Masters. It could also help Assault System Soul Masters stabilize the foundation of their Soul Power.
"Sect Master, are you really going to give this pill to Elder Gu Rong?" The elder seated at the head of the left-hand row couldn't help speaking up, his tone tinged with reluctance. "Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stands on its Support Type. If Rongrong took this Auxiliary Amplification Pill, her ability to amplify others might one day surpass the records of every generation before her!"
The other elders in the hall nodded in agreement. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had deep foundations, treasures that could directly enhance support abilities had always been scarce. This pill was valuable enough to drive any Support Type Soul Master wild with desire. Ning Rongrong stood at the side of the hall, clutching her skirt in both hands. Though longing showed in her eyes, she didn't say a word. She knew the sect's safety mattered more than her own improvement.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. His gaze swept across everyone in the hall before finally settling on Bone Douluo Gu Rong, seated on the right. "You've only considered the Auxiliary Amplification Pill's effect on Support Types. You've forgotten that the sect can stand securely thanks to the protection of Elders Chen Xin and Gu Rong. Gu Rong has been stuck at level 95, the Super Douluo rank, for five years. If he can break through his bottleneck with this pill, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's deterrent power will rise to a new level."
He held the pill out to Gu Rong, his tone solemn. "Gu Rong, take this pill."
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