System, Don't Toy with Me

"Xiao Wu, you..."

Tang San turned his head, a trace of barely perceptible astonishment on his face.

He had never expected Xiao Wu to raise her paddle so suddenly, much less bid on this Thousand Year Soul Beast that was in such an awkward predicament.

What could they even do with it after buying it?

Xiao Wu's eyes seemed to redden for an instant, so quickly it felt like an illusion, before returning to normal.

She gently pulled free from Tang San's instinctively outstretched hand that had tried to stop her.

"Brother."

There was a note of determination in Xiao Wu's voice.

"I don't want you to always buy things for me."

"I want this one."

She pointed at the enormous iron cage on the stage, where the Yellow Spotted Tiger let out uneasy growls.

"Think about it. If I can raise it, then I'll get to ride a big tiger whenever I go out. How impressive would that be?"

It sounded childish and full of fantasy.

For a moment, Tang San did not know whether to laugh or feel helpless.

Raise a Thousand Year Soul Beast? A fierce tiger that had already shown its ferocity?

How could it possibly be tamed?

Besides, eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins was not an astronomical sum, but it was still far too costly just to fulfill one of Xiao Wu's unrealistic wishes.

But...

Tang San looked into Xiao Wu's sparkling, expectant eyes.

He could always earn the money back someday, whether through making Hidden Weapons or something else.

It was rare for Xiao Wu to want something so clearly.

Fine.

If she liked it, he would buy it for her!

The thought flashed through Tang San's mind before turning into indulgence toward Xiao Wu.

The portly merchant who had previously bid one thousand and ten Gold Soul Coins now wore a look of utter surprise.

He looked at Xiao Wu in the corner with her paddle raised, then at Li An on the stage, and finally gave a self-deprecating smile as he spread his hands.

"Well."

"Manager Li, it seems I, Old Qian, was worrying for nothing and trying to take what someone else wanted."

A professional smile immediately spread across Li An's face as he gave the portly merchant a slight bow.

"Boss Qian, you are too kind. You came here in genuine support, and I will remember it."

He turned to the crowd, his voice becoming loud once more.

"Eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

"This honored guest has bid eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

"Does anyone have a higher bid?"

His gaze swept across the room, but all was silent.

Clearly, aside from that girl who had suddenly made a bid, no one was interested in this hot potato.

"Eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins, going once!"

His voice echoed through the auction hall.

"Eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins, going twice!"

The gavel paused in midair.

"Eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins, going three times!"

Bang!

The crisp sound of the gavel striking rang out.

"Sold!"

"Congratulations to this honored guest for obtaining the Thousand Year Soul Beast, the Yellow Spotted Tiger!"

Li An wore the relieved expression of someone who had completed his task.

Several staff members who had been waiting nearby immediately stepped forward and worked together to carry the heavy iron cage off the auction stage.

"Honored guests."

Li An's voice rang out again.

"Due to the special nature of this item, the transfer of a living Soul Beast must be handled backstage after the auction concludes."

"Our Auction House will provide the appropriate transport service to ensure safety."

Inside the Field Master's Office.

Ning Liu looked at the Yellow Spotted Tiger being carried away in the Water Mirror, his expression somewhat strange.

Eleven hundred Gold Soul Coins was a little better than expected. At least it had not gone unsold, nor had it remained at that symbolic starting bid.

The buyer was actually a little girl.

That was... unexpected.

Just as his thoughts drifted, the cold mechanical voice in his mind rang out again without warning.

Ding! The Thousand Year Soul Beast Yellow Spotted Tiger has been successfully auctioned for 1100 Gold Soul Coins. Random return multiplier being determined...

It was here.

Ning Liu's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

That Thousand Year Green Lingzhi had sold for little, yet it had triggered a Thousandfold Return and yielded a Aromatic Silk Beauty.

This Thousand Year Soul Beast had likewise sold for little. It could even be called a rather quiet sale.

What multiplier would it be?

Fiftyfold? A hundredfold?

Or perhaps another astonishing...

Congratulations, Host, you have received: 1000x Return!

!!!!

Ning Liu's hand holding the teacup jerked violently, spilling warm tea across the expensive wooden table.

His eyes widened at once, nearly bulging from their sockets.

Another thousandfold?!

It really was a thousandfold?!

Was this system... obsessed with the number "one thousand"?

Or was it that the more inconspicuous an item appeared, the more ordinary its sale price was, the easier it was to trigger a high-multiplier return?

Something was off!

Ning Liu felt his breathing quicken.

He forced himself to calm down, but his heart pounded madly in his chest.

The last item had been a Thousand Year spiritual herb, which returned a Hundred Thousand Year Immortal Herb.

This time, it was a Thousand Year Soul Beast...

A terrifying guess surfaced uncontrollably in his mind.

Could it be...

Congratulations, Host, you have received: Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger!

Boom!

A thunderclap exploded in Ning Liu's mind!

His whole body froze, and his thoughts seemed to stall in that instant.

Even Li An's voice introducing the next auction item became distant and muffled.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

It really was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

The system panel clearly displayed information about this terrifying creature.

Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger: Ancient Remnant Species. Possesses Spatial Bloodline Power and controls the Void-Tearing Ability. All beasts flee before it!

Abilities: Space Tear, Teleportation, Golden-Eye Annihilation Light... (some abilities must be unlocked through growth)

Status: Growth Stage (forcibly catalyzed to Hundred Thousand Year cultivation; possesses formidable combat power and immense potential, but its foundation is somewhat unstable and requires nurturing)

Ancient Remnant Species!

Controls the Void-Tearing Ability!

Golden-Eye Annihilation Light!

Hundred Thousand Year!

Each phrase was like a heavy hammer smashing viciously into Ning Liu's heart.

Just like the Immortal Herb before, it was not simply a matter of multiplying the years by the return multiplier! The remaining multiplier had been used to enhance the Soul Beast's bloodline!

This was no longer a question of money.

Of course, it was not even a question of whether this thing was powerful or not!

Forget the fact that he was only a rank-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. Even if he were a Titled Douluo, he would probably have no choice but to flee for his life before something of this level!

And the system had even marked it as being in the "Growth Stage"?

It had lived for a Hundred Thousand Years, yet it was still in the Growth Stage?!

Just what level of monster was this thing?

Ning Liu felt as though his brain was starved of oxygen, and his thoughts became completely chaotic.

What use was the system giving him this for?

An utterly absurd idea suddenly popped out of his muddled thoughts.

What if... before the auction ended, he found a way to have the system put this Hundred-Thousand-Year Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger up for auction too?!

Don't be ridiculous!

If this thing were released, Ning Liu had no doubt that a single sneeze from the Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger could probably kill him with the shockwave!

This was not a reward. It was like inviting an ancestor into his home—an utterly terrifying existence that could destroy him at any moment!

Ning Liu's lips twitched uncontrollably.

"System, don't toy with me. Tell me, what am I supposed to do?"