Auction

Red Jade Shrimp, also known as Blood Shrimp, lived in the Blood Sea Trench at depths exceeding three thousand meters, where the water pressure could crush refined steel and light could never reach.

Only a Four-Word Battle Armor Master could make the trip down there.

Na'er's eyes lit up at the sight of the Red Jade Shrimp. With its head and tail removed, the shrimp meat was peeled away intact, taking on a translucent texture beneath the lights.

The shrimp meat entered Na'er's mouth, and a satisfied expression immediately appeared on her face.

Ziyang picked one up as well and bit into it. The flesh was sweet, tender, and soft, somehow giving him the feeling of eating fruit.

He felt his blood and vitality churning, every cell greedily absorbing its nourishment.

The boy secretly marveled, As expected of Zhen Hua's little cafeteria. This place really is one of Douluo Continent's great treasure troves, comparable to a stroke of fortune.

Sure enough, when some little thing leaked from the cracks beneath the fingernails of a powerful figure from the upper realm, it was a tremendous opportunity in the eyes of mortals below.

Ziyang ate quickly, finishing everything in just a few bites.

He thanked Mu Ye, "Thank you, Uncle. Uncle, your cooking is absolutely top-notch. This is the best meal I've ever had."

Na'er chimed in as well. "Uncle, your cooking is really amazing."

Mu Ye nodded as he looked at the lingering satisfaction on their faces. Smiling faintly, he said, "Come by often if you have time. I can cook for you again."

"Thank you, Uncle," Ziyang and Na'er said in unison.

Leng Yaoyu stood up at this moment as well. "Thank you for the hospitality. It's getting late, and these children still have other things to do tomorrow."

Zhen Hua nodded and said to Ziyang, "Whenever you're interested in forging, come find me."

"I will," Ziyang replied.

As they walked out of the Blacksmith Association's gates, the night wind rushed toward them.

Heaven Dou City's nights were even noisier than its days. Neon lights flickered in the distance, while the honking of Soul Tool vehicles drifted over from the end of the street.

A black extended sedan was parked at the entrance. Its body gleamed coldly beneath the streetlamps, like a beast lying in wait.

The driver got out and opened the door. Leng Yaoyu entered first, followed by Ziyang, Na'er, and Gu Yue.

The door shut, cutting off the clamor outside.

Leng Yaoyu looked at the three of them. "There will be a mid-level auction tomorrow. You three can go and broaden your horizons."

"An auction?" Ziyang was speechless. He did not know what was worth going for.

"Yes. There should be some things useful to you, such as spiritual treasures."

"The main reason you're going this time is that a thousand-year spiritual treasure has appeared. That is also your task this time. As for the funds, you needn't worry about them."

Leng Yaoyu was extravagantly wealthy, and she intended to let Ziyang, Na'er, and Gu Yue experience a slightly grander occasion.

"Understood, Teacher." Once Ziyang learned that there was no limit on the funds, he was already preparing to use money to slap people in the face.

The vehicle continued onward, and they finally arrived at the Spirit Pagoda in Heaven Dou City.

They took the elevator and, under the staff's arrangements, arrived at their respective rooms.

After entering his room and washing up, Ziyang sat down cross-legged and began cultivating.

A faint pink energy glowed around him, warm and sunny.

Time flew by as he cultivated.

The light filtering through the curtains changed from pitch-black to deep blue, then to grayish white.

The next day.

Heaven Dou Royal Auction.

It had been preserved in Heaven Dou City for twenty thousand years, and its name had not changed even during the Heaven Soul Era.

It was held in an enormous royal hotel in the city center.

The hall was brilliantly lit.

The walls were covered in dazzling, colorful murals depicting epic scenes—battles between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts, or the twilight of the gods. The colors were so intense they almost hurt the eyes.

Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Every crystal had been meticulously cut, refracting the light into countless tiny specks that fell across the carpet.

Every seat was a comfortable genuine leather sofa, and the tables were laid out with all kinds of food, fruit, drinks, and alcohol.

Leng Yaoyu had not come today. Ziyang held Na'er's hand, with Gu Yue beside them, who certainly would not get lost.

Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance.

Ziyang turned and saw two familiar faces. One was Tang Wulin, and the other was Wu Changkong. Tang Wulin's gaze passed through the crowd and landed on Gu Yue, and he froze slightly.

Gu Yue was here too.

He suddenly remembered Eastsea Academy, its athletic field, the track beneath the sunlight, and that senior sister standing in the shade of a tree.

Na'er also looked into the distance. It was Tang Wulin.

"Why is he here?"

Ziyang was not surprised by this. Their goals did not conflict anyway. "Let's head inside."

Neither Gu Yue nor Na'er looked at Tang Wulin again. One was still considering how to deal with Tang Wulin, while the other had always regarded him as a stranger whose name she happened to know.

They passed through the crowd and walked along a corridor covered in thick carpeting.

Private Room Number One was at the end of the corridor.

The door was made of dark solid wood and carved with intricate patterns, looking sumptuous and magnificent.

Ziyang pushed open the door. The space inside was more spacious than he had imagined. A one-way glass wall separated the private room from the hall. From here, they could overlook the entire auction venue, while those outside could only vaguely see a shadow.

A young woman in revealing attire walked in. Her skirt was just short enough to expose her long legs. She handed an auction catalog to each of them, her movements as elegant as though she were performing some special ritual.

Ziyang secretly glanced at her proud cleavage when Na'er's resentful voice reached him. "Does it look good?"

"What?"

"What were you looking at just now? Don't you know?"

"I was looking at you. Of course you're pretty."

Ziyang did not bat an eye as he lied without even needing to prepare.

"At least you have good taste." Na'er huffily turned away, knowing that Ziyang liked girls with big chests.

Gu Yue did not care about Ziyang's preferences. She was more concerned with the secret on his body—why was he able to suppress her?

Ziyang merely opened the catalog quietly.

The paper was thick, each page printed with an image and description of an auction item, along with its estimated price. His finger slid across the pages, passing Soul Tools, rare metals, and more before finally stopping at one item.

It was a plant.

Millennium Profound Ice Grass.

Legend had it that among Spirit Ice Douluo's Soul Spirits was a hundred-thousand-year Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

If this Millennium Profound Ice Grass was consumed correctly, it could directly raise the Soul Power of a two- or three-ring Soul Master by at least two levels, and it could even improve the quality of their martial soul.

Ziyang looked at Gu Yue. "It seems Teacher prepared this for you. Once you take it, you should be able to advance to Soul Elder."

Gu Yue nodded. "That should be the case."

Then Ziyang continued looking downward, only to discover that among the rare gemstones was a meteorite with a magnificent appearance.

It looked like it had not yet been refined into Starfall Iron.