With Su Ming's reputation and standing in Shrek Outer Court, he was already widely recognized as one of its top prodigies.
As a core disciple the academy had prioritized for cultivation, he could easily obtain an invitation to the Treasure Pavilion's annual Treasure Appraisal Fair—a privilege others would pay a fortune for.
For him, though, it was as easy as reaching out and plucking fruit from a tree. He only had to mention it in passing to secure entry.
Before this year's fair opened, he had planned to go with Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others. They had agreed in advance to visit the Treasure Pavilion together and pick out some treasures.
But after finishing his morning Yin-Yang cultivation with Zhang Lexuan, he returned to the boys' dormitory to get ready, only to find it completely deserted.
Bei Bei and the others had apparently been so eager that they'd set off ahead of him without waiting.
With no other choice, Su Ming hurried off alone, racing toward the Treasure Pavilion in Shrek City.
As he went, he couldn't help muttering under his breath:
"Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the rest of those ingrates. They're going to the Treasure Appraisal Fair and don't even bother to call me? What happened to brotherhood?"
A short while later, Su Ming arrived at the grand, imposing Treasure Pavilion and headed straight for the VIP section on the second floor, following a familiar route.
He knew exactly what he wanted. Without the slightest hesitation, he made directly for the treasure he'd already set his sights on: the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, labeled as thousand-year quality but hiding a secret.
Guided respectfully by a Treasure Pavilion attendant, Su Ming soon reached the display holding the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue.
The translucent resin rested in a specially made temperature-controlled jade box, its surface shimmering with a faint, pearly glow as a gentle aura of energy quietly spread through the air.
He had no need to hesitate. Su Ming simply presented his VIP token.
Like Huo Yuhao, he was a top-tier VIP of the highest rank at the Treasure Pavilion. His exclusive privileges granted him the right to choose one treasure for free at every Treasure Appraisal Fair.
Thanks to that privilege, Su Ming secured the precious Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue without a hitch, laying a solid foundation for his future breakthrough to Soul King at level fifty.
After successfully claiming his target, Su Ming didn't leave right away.
Instead, he strolled around the second-floor exhibition area with interest, hoping to see what other rare treasures this year's fair had to offer.
As he wandered among the display stands, two familiar figures caught his eye: Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi.
Xu Sanshi was wearing a deeply aggrieved expression as he huddled beside Bei Bei, grumbling and complaining in a low voice. He looked as if he'd suffered a terrible injustice and had no way to defend himself, rambling on about all the misfortune he'd faced lately.
Bei Bei regarded his fidgety, guilty-looking manner with a calm gaze.
He casually asked whether Xu Sanshi had done something wrong behind everyone's backs, since he looked so uneasy.
The question hit home. Xu Sanshi's expression changed at once, and he stopped trying to explain himself.
With an awkward smile, he hurriedly turned and fled, dodging Bei Bei's gaze.
Su Ming walked over at an unhurried pace, watching Xu Sanshi's retreating figure. A quiet laugh escaped him.
Bei Bei saw him and shook his head helplessly. "Look at him. His eyes are darting around, and he's acting all flustered. He's obviously got a guilty conscience. No wonder she doesn't want anything to do with him."
At that, Su Ming took the opportunity to voice the question on his mind. Looking toward the dazzling Soul Bone not far away, he said:
"Bei Bei, I've always been curious. Your Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline has never been very stable, and its weakness is obvious.
"It can't bring its power out consistently.
"That Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone from the Ten Thousand Year Golden Earth Dragon over there is a perfect match for you."
He raised a hand toward the Soul Bone at the center of the display and continued explaining:
"This Soul Bone has pure, Ultimate Light attributes, and it comes with the exclusive skill Light Fire. It would be excellent for nourishing your bloodline.
"If you're lucky, absorbing it might even give your Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline a chance to undergo a second evolution, greatly strengthening your foundation. Why aren't you tempted at all? Why haven't you claimed it?"
Bei Bei followed his gaze to the fine-looking Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. His eyes held a trace of regret, but his expression remained calm as he slowly explained:
"Although this Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone suits me, it's only a little over ten thousand years old.
"It would be more than enough to nourish and stabilize my Bright Sacred Dragon bloodline for now, but the effect would ultimately be limited."
"My bloodline is unusual. Ordinary Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones can hardly bring about a qualitative change in me anymore. Rather than settle for one and risk leaving hidden problems, I'd rather keep waiting for a Light-attribute Soul Bone with a longer history and better quality."
Su Ming pursed his lips and teased him. "That's just like you, old man. You're picky, and your standards are sky-high."
Bei Bei could only shake his head with an exasperated smile. He didn't argue.
As the two chatted, a clear, gentle boy's voice drifted over from behind them:
"Big Brother Bei Bei, Big Brother Su, you're here too!"
Su Ming and Bei Bei turned at the same time. Huo Yuhao, dressed in his Shrek uniform and standing tall, was hurrying toward them with Wang Dong by his side.
Su Ming smiled and raised a hand in greeting. As he took a closer look at Huo Yuhao, he couldn't help reflecting to himself.
After his trials in the Extreme North, and with the help of the Ice Silkworm in persuading the Ice Empress to transform his body, Huo Yuhao had long since shed the frailty and sickly air he'd had when he first entered the academy.
That thin, frail, ailing appearance had vanished completely. He seemed full of energy and vitality.
His build had grown strong and well-proportioned, his eyes were clear and bright, and his Soul Power felt steady and concentrated. It was plain to see he had grown much stronger.
Wang Dong, walking closely beside Huo Yuhao, also gave the two a polite nod and greeted them in a poised manner.
After exchanging greetings, she could no longer tear her eyes away from the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone from the Ten Thousand Year Golden Earth Dragon. Her affection and longing for it were impossible to hide.
Huo Yuhao took in Wang Dong's expression and immediately understood.
Without the slightest hesitation, he presented his top-tier VIP privileges and bought the precious Ten Thousand Year Light-attribute Soul Bone on the spot, giving it to Wang Dong without a second thought.
Huo Yuhao's cultivation focus had long since shifted toward Soul Tool research. Improving his Martial Soul and physical body was no longer his top priority.
This Soul Bone, perfectly suited to the Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul, would do little for him, but it was the ideal cultivation resource for Wang Dong. He felt no reluctance at all about giving it to her.
After all, the two of them were close, and they also had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Giving it to either one of them would benefit them both.
Huo Yuhao hadn't come to the Treasure Appraisal Fair to choose a Soul Bone or temper his body. His real goal was to search the Treasure Pavilion for high-level Soul Tool blueprints and rare crafting materials.
After running into Su Ming and Bei Bei, he simply gave up his search and followed Su Ming, joining the others as they strolled through the fair.
Su Ming took Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Bei Bei around the entire second-floor exhibition area of the Treasure Pavilion, carefully inspecting every treasure on display.
After spending the whole night searching and sweeping through the exhibits, they came away with a few finds. Su Ming picked out several high-level Soul Tool blueprints worth studying, enough to support his future research into Soul Tools and Battle Armor.
Beyond those, the remaining exhibits seemed ordinary to these core prodigies, not worth a second look.
The exhibition area included plenty of standard Soul Bones ranging from a thousand to ten thousand years old.
There were common Soul Bones such as the Void Demon Leopard Left Leg Bone and the Ice Bear Right Arm Bone, with ordinary attributes and limited compatibility;
There were also large quantities of rare medicinal herbs and forging materials, including such scarce medicinal plants as Dark Demon Flower and Starlight Night,
along with an array of high-grade metal ores, dazzling in their variety.
The exhibition area also displayed plenty of finished high-level Soul Tools, lost blueprints for basic Hidden Weapons, and even fine Hidden Weapons such as the Peacock Plume.
There were also accessories for Soul Masters, set with blood jade and rubies.
But after Su Ming and the others had already obtained a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone and the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, these ordinary treasures held little appeal for them.