Calculations Behind the Scenes

Even some Level Seven and Eighth-Level Soul Tools paled in comparison to it in certain respects.

Jiang Li knew very well that nowhere on Douluo Continent was there a similar Soul Tool.

Its unique design and powerful effects were bound to attract everyone's attention.

And just as he had expected, not a single Soul Master was willing to miss such a rare opportunity.

"I wonder who this Level 5 Soul Tool Blueprint will ultimately end up with?"

Jiang Li muttered to himself, a powerful curiosity rising within him.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Shrek Academy and Mingde Hall. In his view, those two factions were the most likely final winners.

As the number one academy on Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy possessed deep foundations and abundant resources.

Mingde Hall, meanwhile, had advanced knowledge in Soul Tool research and certainly would not give up easily.

Jiang Li sat quietly in his chair, ready to enjoy this thrilling competition.

As time slowly passed, the fierce competition gradually neared its end.

The atmosphere in the auction house became increasingly tense, as though the air itself was filled with the scent of gunpowder.

"Twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins."

Xuan Zi's voice was firm and powerful as he tightly gripped the bidding paddle in his hand.

The moment he called out that price, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the staggering bid.

Xiao Hongchen's expression changed slightly, and his brows drew together.

He looked at his grandfather, Jing Hongchen, hesitation flashing in his eyes. "Grandfather, should we keep raising the bid?"

Clearly, he had not expected Shrek Academy to be so difficult, stubbornly fighting them to the bitter end.

Twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins had already far exceeded what they had expected to pay.

After all, the price was simply too high. They had no choice but to consider it carefully.

Jing Hongchen frowned slightly, a trace of concern in his eyes.

He understood the current situation very well. This Soul Tool was indeed powerful, but was it worth paying such an enormous price?

Yet when he thought of the tremendous impact this Soul Tool might bring in the future, he sank into deep hesitation once more.

He did not know whether they should continue following the bid.

No one knew whether Shrek Academy would continue raising the price and fight them to the bitter end.

"Why don't we let Shrek Academy have this Soul Tool? When the time comes, we can directly purchase some finished products and study them to crack this Level Five Soul Tool. Wouldn't that be a great solution?"

Meng Hongchen's eyes suddenly lit up. She smiled faintly, a crafty glint flashing through her eyes as she leaned toward Jing Hongchen and whispered.

Her idea would not only spare them from continuing their competition with Shrek Academy, but would also allow them to obtain the Soul Tool Blueprint for free. It was killing two birds with one stone.

"That really is a good idea."

Xiao Hongchen heard Meng Hongchen's words from the side and immediately slapped his thigh, admiration appearing in his eyes.

He knew Mingde Hall's strength in Soul Tool research very well.

Even Ninth-Level Soul Tools were within their ability to manufacture.

Therefore, he believed that as long as they obtained a finished product, their extensive research experience would definitely allow them to replicate an identical Soul Tool.

They might even be able to develop an even more powerful Soul Tool on that foundation.

Jing Hongchen nodded slightly. He, too, felt that this method was feasible.

"Mm. Since that's the case, then let Shrek Academy have it."

There was a trace of relief in his tone. This counted as a fairly good solution.

He could not help imagining Shrek Academy spending a fortune in Gold Soul Coins to purchase the Soul Tool, while they effortlessly copied it afterward. A faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He did not believe that replicating a mere Level Five Soul Tool would be more difficult than developing a Ninth-Level Soul Tool.

In truth, Jing Hongchen was not the only one with such thoughts.

Xu Tianran, the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire, and the others had all realized that twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins had exceeded what they considered worthwhile.

They shared the same plan: once they got hold of a finished product in the future, they would replicate an identical Soul Tool.

"Twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins, going once."

"Twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins, going twice."

"Twenty-six million Gold Soul Coins, going three times."

Ling Yun struck the Auction Hammer in her hand. After sweeping her gaze around and confirming that no one was continuing to bid, she made the final announcement.

"Is anyone going to continue bidding?"

"Since there are no further bids, I hereby announce that the third auction item, this Level Five Soul Tool Blueprint, has been won by Soul Master Number Five on the second floor."

As those words fell, delight immediately appeared on Huo Yuhao's face.

Excitement gleamed in his eyes, and his heart was filled with emotion.

Sure enough, hard work was not in vain.

Xuan Zi had finally succeeded in obtaining this Soul Tool Blueprint.

However, when he thought of the final sale price, he could not help letting out a helpless sigh.

That price was simply too high!

"Mu En, I think the other factions gave up and let Shrek Academy have this Level Five Soul Tool Blueprint because they are probably hoping to reap the benefits without doing any work in the future."

Xuan Zi frowned slightly, concern evident in his eyes.

Looking at the factions that had withdrawn from the competition, he had already guessed their intentions.

Those factions were surely planning to find a way to replicate it after the academy produced finished products.

A trace of difficulty rose in his heart. After all, the academy had spent so many Gold Soul Coins to win it.

If other factions really replicated it with ease, it would undoubtedly be a massive loss for the academy.

"It's fine. Let Shrek Academy enjoy the benefits this Soul Tool brings first. We can discuss the subsequent situation further later."

Mu En smiled and waved his hand, his tone exceedingly relaxed.

In his view, the most important matter at present was improving the academy's overall strength. As for the other issues, there would always be a solution.

"Next is the auction for the fourth item. This auction item is a thirty-thousand-year Spirit Attribute Head Soul Bone."

Ling Yun's voice rang out again, breaking the brief silence in the venue.

With a broad wave of her hand, a white Head Soul Bone slowly floated into the air.

Boom!

In an instant, a powerful wave of Spiritual Power spread out like a surging tide, sweeping across the entire auction house.

Everyone's gazes were drawn to this mysterious Soul Bone, as if tugged there by an invisible force.

To Soul Masters, Soul Bones possessed an almost indescribable allure.

They were the essence left behind after Soul Beasts died, containing immense power.

Some Soul Masters spent their entire lives desperately searching for a Soul Bone, yet could never fulfill that wish.

And now, this thirty-thousand-year Spirit Attribute Head Soul Bone had appeared before everyone.

Its value needed no explanation.

What was more, Spirit Attribute Soul Bones were already exceptionally rare.

On Douluo Continent, Soul Beasts with Spirit Attributes were few and far between.