The conference room.
The round-of-sixteen knockout matches were about to begin. Shrek's opponent was Dou Spirit Royal Academy, one of the top four teams in the previous tournament...
"Dou Spirit Royal Academy is strong." Zhang Lexuan pointed to the information on the Soul Tool screen, her expression grave. "They have five Spirit Kings and two Soul Ancestors. They'd be a match even for Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy."
The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat subdued. The competition had reached the knockout rounds, where there was no room for error. No matter how confident they were in their strength, they had to be cautious.
Of course, that didn't include Huo Yuhao.
"Senior Sister, aren't you forgetting that we have a Spirit Saint like Sister Xiaotao on our team, as well as Senior Sister Ling, who's got an Ultimate Ice trial card? Add Nier and me to the mix, and taking on Dou Spirit Royal Academy will be a piece of cake!"
At the words "Ultimate Ice trial card," even the usually cool and aloof Ling Luochеn couldn't help blushing.
Only she knew how she'd gotten that trial card. As long as she cultivated with Huo Yuhao the night before and drew out enough Ultimate Ice Soul Power, she'd have enough to fight one battle.
It was embarrassing, but the feeling of controlling Ultimate Ice was truly addictive. Of course, the process of working hard to obtain it was addictive too.
"Yuhao's right." Zhang Lexuan nodded with a smile. "We should look down on our opponents strategically, but take them seriously tactically. Whether it's the team match or the individual matches, we have an absolute advantage this time."
After the meeting, Zhang Lexuan took out a golden invitation.
"There's a top-tier auction at Star Light Auction House tonight. Get ready. I'll take you all to broaden your horizons."
Star Light Auction House, VIP suite.
Soft light spilled over the auction hall, which glittered with gold and radiated extravagant luxury.
At the crisp ring of a bell, a stunning young woman in a golden gown slowly stepped onto the auction stage.
She was tall and elegant, with a regal grace in every smile and gesture.
She was Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire, and also Star Light Auction House's chief auctioneer.
"Good evening, honored guests. I'm Jiujiu." Xu Jiujiu's gentle, melodious voice instantly drew every eye in the hall. "Tonight, we'll be presenting eight rare treasures."
The first item was brought onto the stage. The red cloth was lifted, revealing a massive blade that radiated a chilling aura.
"The Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade, an eighth-level close-combat Soul Tool!" Xu Jiujiu introduced it. "It was made from the right arm bone of a ten-thousand-year Tyrant Tiger Soul Beast. It has the Soul Bone Skill 'Tyrant Blade Slash' fixed in it and can increase the attack power of similar Soul Skills by fifty percent. It was made by Mingde Hall in the Sun Moon Empire, and requires a Seven-Ring Soul Sage to use. The starting price is six hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up at once.
The blade seemed made for her! It was imposing and wild, perfectly suited to her fighting style.
But then her eyes dimmed.
The starting bid was six hundred thousand, and the final price would probably be twice that. She had some savings, but nowhere near enough.
Just then, Huo Yuhao spoke up. "Senior Sister, I'd like to ask the academy for a loan."
Zhang Lexuan was taken aback. "You want to buy this?"
"It's for Sister Xiaotao." Huo Yuhao pointed to the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade. "It suits her perfectly. As for the money, I'll make a batch of Soul Tools to repay the loan after the tournament."
"Yuhao, don't..." Ma Xiaotao's heart warmed, and she hurried to dissuade him. "It's far too expensive. I can't let you take on such a huge debt for me."
"It's fine, Sister Xiaotao." Huo Yuhao waved his hand, looking unconcerned. "I'm a Level 5 Soul Engineer now. If I work at it, I can make Level 6 Soul Tools too. It won't take that much time."
One million five hundred and sixty thousand Gold Soul Coins!
In the end, Huo Yuhao won the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade for that astonishing price.
Seeing how nonchalant Huo Yuhao looked, all the women present couldn't help glancing at him. Spending a fortune just to make a beauty smile—what nerve, what generosity. It was downright cool.
The rest of the auction passed without incident. Zhang Lexuan bought twelve fixed Soul Cannons for six hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins, intending to use them for the academy's research.
The next few items were valuable, but none of the Shrek students were interested.
That was, until the final item came onto the stage. It was a translucent, jade-green Soul Bone that radiated a chilling aura.
"This is..."
In Huo Yuhao's mind, the Ice Empress, who had been asleep, suddenly flew into a rage. "Damn it! That's a Soul Bone from my Ice Jade Scorpion Clan! Those loathsome humans dared to hunt my people!"
Huo Yuhao hurried to soothe her. "Calm down, Ice Empress. Since this Soul Bone has appeared, we'll get it back."
On the stage, Xu Jiujiu was introducing it. "This is a seventy-thousand-year Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone. Its value speaks for itself, but it does have three limitations. First, only ice-attribute Soul Masters can use it. Second, the Soul Skill fixed in it is Ice Explosion Technique. Third, it demands an extremely strong constitution, or it can't be absorbed."
"Hmph, ignorant humans!" the Ice Empress scoffed. "The biggest limitation is that only Soul Masters with Ultimate Ice can absorb it! Any ordinary ice-attribute Soul Master who tries will die! This is the pride of my Ice Jade Scorpion Clan!"
Huo Yuhao's heart stirred, and he immediately pressed the service bell beside him.
"There's a problem with this item. I want to speak to the person in charge."
A short while later, Xu Jiujiu extended the viewing period and hurried to the VIP suite.
"Huo Yuhao, is there something wrong with this Soul Bone?" Xu Jiujiu remained polite, but there was a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Huo Yuhao got straight to the point. "Your Highness, the description of this Soul Bone is wrong. The Ice Jade Scorpion Clan is extremely proud, and only Soul Masters with Ultimate Ice can absorb their Soul Bones. If an ordinary ice-attribute Soul Master tries to absorb one by force, there's only one outcome—they'll explode and die. If the auction house doesn't want to ruin its reputation, it should make that clear."
Xu Jiujiu was shocked. After hesitating for a long while, she finally thanked him and left.
She went to Suite One and reported the situation to the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei.
After listening, Xu Jiawei smiled faintly. "That boy is interesting. In that case, let the auction proceed as planned. I'll buy it."
The bidding began, with a starting price of ten million Gold Soul Coins!
That price immediately drove away almost everyone.
Including Shrek Academy.
The Soul Bone seemed tailor-made for Huo Yuhao, but ten million was simply too outrageous.
In the end, Xu Jiawei bought it back for the astronomical sum of thirty million Gold Soul Coins.
"Ah, what a pity." Zhang Lexuan sighed. "Yuhao, it seems this Soul Bone wasn't meant for you."
Huo Yuhao was a little disappointed too, but he didn't show it.
After the auction ended, someone knocked on the suite door again.
This time, Xu Jiujiu entered with a middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes.
The man was handsome and carried himself with extraordinary bearing. He was none other than the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei.
"Your Majesty!" Everyone hurriedly bowed.
Xu Jiawei waved for them to rise. After exchanging a few pleasantries, mentioning that he had once been a member of Shrek himself, he turned his gaze to Huo Yuhao, admiration in his eyes. "Student Huo Yuhao, thanks to your warning, the auction house avoided a crisis of confidence. In gratitude, I've decided that if Shrek Academy wins this tournament, this Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone will be given to you as an additional prize."
His words stunned everyone.
A Soul Bone worth thirty million, given away just like that?! Was this the kind of generosity an emperor could afford?
Huo Yuhao was also taken aback, but he quickly bowed. "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty."
Xu Jiawei patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "I looked into your background. You were born in the Star Luo Empire, so you're one of my people too. I have high hopes for your future. If you ever wish to serve your country, the doors of the Star Luo Empire will always be open to you."
Huo Yuhao didn't refuse outright or give a definite answer. He simply smiled. "Serving my country is one of my dreams too."
Xu Jiawei nodded in satisfaction, then left with Xu Jiujiu.
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