The Third Auction (Part 1) Perhaps Tonight Will Be Uneventful!

The dilapidated gates of Shrek Academy looked even more desolate beneath the afterglow of the setting sun.

Flender and the others returned travel-worn and dusty, and at a glance, they saw a figure standing at the entrance.

The man was of average build and ordinary appearance. Only his eyes were deep as a well.

Tang San's heart warmed. He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Teacher, why have you come?"

Xiao Wu obediently followed behind Tang San as well and called out sweetly.

"Grandmaster."

The fatigue on Flender's face seemed to be dispelled somewhat by the man at the gate. He was silent for a moment at first, then laughed loudly, stepped forward, and gave the other man's shoulder an enthusiastic punch.

"What, Xiaogang? Finally figured it out and decided you're willing to come teach at my Shrek Academy?"

Dai Mubai looked at the man before him, whom Tang San and Xiao Wu respected so much, with curiosity in his eyes.

"Tang San, who is this?"

Tang San turned to the side and introduced him solemnly.

"This is my teacher, Yu Xiaogang. The Soul Master World respectfully calls him Grandmaster."

"Grandmaster?"

Dai Mubai savored the title, silently weighing its significance.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze naturally fell on Tang San at the first moment, and also lingered on Xiao Wu for a short while. Then a trace of unconcealable astonishment appeared between his brows.

"You two... your Soul Power has actually risen so quickly? You've both reached the Soul Elder realm?"

He clearly remembered that not long ago, when Tang San left him, he had only been rank 29!

When Flender heard this, he gave a smug chuckle.

"Of course. Xiaogang, don't you see whose students they are?"

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of showing off.

"You taught him well, but my Shrek Academy isn't bad either!"

"And Tang San, that kid, is extraordinarily gifted. This time out, not only did his Soul Power increase greatly, he also obtained a piece of... External Soul Bone!"

"What?!"

For the first time, an extremely violent shock appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face, which had always been as still as an ancient well.

"External Soul Bone?!"

He nearly cried out despite himself, his voice even going slightly out of pitch.

"That's right!"

Flender thoroughly enjoyed Yu Xiaogang's expression at this moment. Then he waved a hand grandly, brimming with boldness.

"And since you're here this time, just stay with peace of mind. Do your research without holding back and train this group of Little Monsters!"

"As for money, I'll handle it!"

Yu Xiaogang could not help feeling a little dazed, then looked at Flender suspiciously.

"When did a miser like you become so generous?"

He understood Flender far too well. This fellow valued money like his life; saying he would pluck a goose clean as it flew past was putting it mildly.

Flender smiled mysteriously and moved a little closer.

"You still don't know, do you? The Seven Treasures Auction House in Suotuo City has been incredible recently. Its momentum is almost catching up to that Royal Grand Auction House in Heaven Dou City!"

He patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder, a shrewd light flashing in his eyes.

"What kind of person am I, Flender? Would I let a chance to make money pass me by?"

"Speaking of which, the timing is about right. Tonight should happen to be their third auction in recent days. How about you come with me to take a look? Broaden your horizons."

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Especially since an auction house that could make Flender pay this much attention to it had to have something extraordinary about it.

Moreover, he had always had an interest in new things in the Soul Master World that surpassed ordinary people's.

How to increase a soul master's cultivation speed naturally required combining the latest resources and discoveries!

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang had agreed, Flender's mood became even better. He turned and said to the other students, "All right, that's it for today. After a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, you're all tired. Dismissed. Go do as you like."

Dai Mubai and the others naturally had no objections.

"Old Zhao, once I get back from the auction house, I'll give you a bonus! You worked hard this time too!"

When Zhao Wuji heard this, his mouth fell open as well.

"Boss, are you serious? A bonus in the literal sense?!"

"Nonsense!"

When Tang San heard that, he looked at Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, should we go take a look at the auction together?"

Xiao Wu's lively eyes blinked, and just the right hint of weariness appeared on her face.

"No, Third Brother."

"I'm a little tired today. I want to go back early and rest."

Tang San did not suspect anything and nodded.

After all, Xiao Wu had been captured by a powerful soul beast and had only barely escaped with her life. It was only normal that she would want to rest properly.

"All right. Then get some good rest."

After that, he followed Yu Xiaogang and Flender toward the center of Suotuo City.

Watching their backs recede into the distance, the fatigue on Xiao Wu's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a sly look.

She did not return to the dormitory. Instead, after making sure no one was around, she quietly turned and, from another direction, briskly ran toward the Suotuo City Grand Auction House.

This time, she had not returned from the Star Dou Great Forest empty-handed.

Da Ming and Er Ming had prepared quite a few good things for her, and she was just planning to bring them to the auction house to exchange for some useful resources.

If she went with Tang San and the others, the origins of these things would be hard to explain!

At that moment, the entrance to Seven Treasures Auction House was already packed with people, the noise rising like boiling waves.

Gorgeous carriages arrived one after another, and the well-dressed soul masters and nobles all wore looks of anticipation and excitement.

"Have you heard? Tonight's final auction item is no ordinary thing!"

A sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked soul master lowered his voice and spoke to his companion in a mysterious tone.

"Oh? What treasure is it? Hurry up and tell me!"

"Heh, how would I know that? But earlier, I did see a carriage bearing the royal emblem of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

"If there weren't some rumors going around, would they have sent people here? You can figure that out just by thinking about it!"

The other person sucked in a sharp breath.

"People from the royal family? Looks like that Hidden Arrow concealed weapon from last time really made them unable to sit still!"

"Exactly! If you were Emperor Xue Ye, and someone under you with money had that kind of weapon, enough to equip an army, would you still be able to sleep?"

"True. Still, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must be making a fortune just from the commission!"

Inside the auction house, on the top floor, in a Field Master's Office arranged with elegance without losing its luxury.

Li An was bowing as he reported the final preparations to Ning Liu.

Fine beads of sweat had seeped out along his temples.

"Field Master, just now, we received several more precious items submitted at the last minute. Their quality is all quite good."

"Of the ten auction items on stage today... the list may need a slight adjustment."

Ning Liu sat upright in a broad red sandalwood chair. Hearing this, he merely smiled faintly.

"No matter."

"After the auction house's reputation has spread, more and more people will choose to come here to auction things. This was only to be expected."

He raised his eyes, his gaze calm.

"As for the three auction items I provided, they remain unchanged. Everything will proceed according to the original plan."

"Yes, Field Master."

Li An answered respectfully, then quietly withdrew.

The next moment, Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks and leaned toward Ning Liu, speaking up.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother! I want every single thing that's going to be auctioned later. What should I do?"

Ning Liu smiled helplessly and reached out to lightly tap her forehead.

"You, little money-grubber."

His tone was gentle, carrying a trace of indulgence.

Over these three days, the two of them had grown closer rather quickly!

However, he would never leak even the slightest bit of the system's secret!

As for where the auction items came from, and why they absolutely had to be auctioned, he did not explain a single thing.

"Don't worry. Senior Brother has things even better than the auction items for you. Those things aren't suitable for you."

Ning Rongrong pouted, her bright, large eyes filled with suspicion.

"Really? Senior Brother, you'd better not be coaxing me again."

Ning Liu smiled without speaking, then turned to look at Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Xu Jiushi off to the side, his expression becoming slightly more solemn.

"Elder Sword, Brother Shi."

"Today's auction likely won't be very peaceful."

"Please keep a closer eye out, both of you, in case some petty villains try to make trouble."

Sword Douluo said nothing, merely nodding lightly.

Xu Jiushi grinned, a sharp glint flashing through his tiger-like eyes.

Ning Liu turned and looked toward the auction hall.

The auction was about to begin. Tonight, Suotuo City was destined to be anything but peaceful!