Ultimate Gold, Xiao Hongchen

When the draw results for the round of 16 were announced, Bao Liang stared at the match schedule for a long time.

Whether it was luck finally working its magic, or that old man Xuan Zi secretly having a "heart-to-heart talk" with Xu Jiawei, Shrek Academy's first opponent in the round-robin tournament was exactly the same as in the original story—practically the most unfortunate opponent on the street.

The team leader was only a Soul Ancestor.

The team's highest combat strength was only two Soul Ancestor paired with a few Soul Elder.

After the match started, Xu Sanshi took the word "sneaky" to the extreme.

Throughout the match, Xu Sanshi gave the opponent almost no decent offensive opportunities.

He manipulated the entire team as if they were strolling around in a ring.

"This isn't a competition!"

Bao Liang grinned as he watched.

"This is clearly a turtle that has become a spirit and is now causing havoc on humankind."

Fortunately, the opponent of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in this match was not particularly strong either.

There is one Soul King, two Soul Ancestor, and four Soul Elder.

It sounds somewhat threatening, but the problem is—

This match was a team battle.

"This matching mechanism is truly amazing."

Bao Liang stroked his chin and turned to look at Xiao Hongchen.

"Laugh, it's your turn."

Xiao Hongchen put down his wine glass, a confident smile playing on his lips.

"That suits me perfectly."

As per Bao Liang's pre-arranged plan, he did not wear Battle Armor.

After all, true prowess in front of others doesn't rely on equipment, but on the overwhelming aura that leaves the enemy breathless with every move.

As the starting signal for the match faded, Xiao Hongchen walked onto the stage alone.

The seven students opposite were taken aback at first, then their faces lit up with anger.

"Also, it's just the same person?"

What kind of trouble is the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy up to this time?

The seven people released their Martial Soul at the same time, and the fluctuations of their Soul Power intertwined on the arena.

Xiao Hongchen, however, showed no reaction whatsoever.

He simply raised his hand and casually tossed it behind him.

A Core Array, which had been prepared beforehand, rapidly unfolded in mid-air as Soul Power was injected.

"Gold Boiling, Gold Condensation."

In an instant, the aura of Ultimate Gold swept across the entire venue.

Under the pull of Soul Power, the metal rapidly condensed, and exquisite metal shells took shape out of thin air, with the Core Array firmly embedded in them.

In just a few breaths, 128 Soul Tool Floating Cannons were arranged in formation behind Xiao Hongchen.

The metal gleamed, and the cannon muzzle was menacingly pointed at the other side of the ring.

Xiao Hongchen hovered in mid-air, his expression indifferent, like an iron emperor descending to earth.

This is precisely what Bao Liang most admires about the Xiao Hongchen.

By simply scattering a handful of Core Array, Xiao Hongchen can temporarily condense a large number of Soul Tool using his Soul Power and Metal Manipulation abilities.

There is absolutely no need to assemble each component in advance, nor is it necessary to spend a lot of time preparing.

This ability to create things effortlessly is practically tailor-made for showing off.

The Soul King captain opposite him changed his expression.

"Everyone, attack immediately!"

Seven Soul Skill descended simultaneously.

Xiao Hongchen simply raised a finger and casually pointed downwards.

"Put."

One hundred and twenty-eight Soul Tool Floating Cannons opened fire simultaneously.

The intense flames instantly engulfed the arena.

The dense artillery fire stretched as far as the eye could see, like a torrential downpour or countless meteors falling from the sky.

The seven attackers' attack was torn to shreds the moment it made contact with the artillery fire.

The defensive Soul Skill hastily erected by the Soul King captain lasted less than a second before shattering like paper.

The referee's expression changed instantly.

Stop!

He disregarded maintaining his composure and fell directly from the sky, frantically releasing his Soul Power in an attempt to separate the two sides.

But that barrage of fire showed no sign of stopping.

If this fight continues, not only will the opposing Soul King captain not survive, but none of the seven people will survive!

"Match over!"

The referee practically yelled those four words.

Xiao Hongchen then reluctantly withdrew his finger.

One hundred and twenty-eight floating cannons simultaneously extinguished their muzzles, transforming back into metallic streams of light, slowly circling behind him.

He floated in mid-air, looking down at the seven people opposite him, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Poor and weak."

Let's do it next time.

The entire room fell silent.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening clamor erupted.

Compared to Xu Sanshi's various underhanded tactics and cheap tricks in the ring, Xiao Hongchen's effortless and calm demeanor is clearly more visually impactful.

One person, one hundred and twenty-eight cannons.

A barrage of shots forced the referee to stop.

This is no ordinary Soul Engineer.

This is practically a flying, humanoid artillery turret!

Xiao Hongchen maintained a cold expression, seemingly dissatisfied with the enemy's strength and showing no interest whatsoever.

In reality, he was almost ecstatic.

Showing off feels so good!

The feeling of standing in front of hundreds of thousands of people, leaving everyone speechless in awe, is truly irresistible!

Hehehehehe!

Having gained experience from his first attempt at showing off, the subsequent rounds almost entirely became a battlefield where Xiao Hongchen dominated.

Whoever we encounter in team fights, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop.

In one-on-one battles, he single-handedly defeated seven opponents, relying on his powerful individual abilities and the abundant Soul Power replenishment provided by numerous Milk Bottle.

Not enough Soul Power?

Insert a Milk Bottle and continue the injection.

Is the enemy trying to stall for time?

He simply replaced it with a new array of floating cannons.

Is your opponent trying to get close?

He grabbed the Soul Cannon and shoved it straight at the person's head!

Inside the Shrek's rest area, Huo Yuhao watched Xiao Hongchen win one match after another, his expression growing increasingly serious.

Bao Liang was terrifying enough.

But now it seems that Bao Liang is far more than Bao Liang a monster in the Sun Moon Team.

This Xiao Hongchen should not be underestimated.

During the round-robin tournament, only two matches were drawn with a score of 2-2-3.

In order to hide Ji Juechen, who, like himself, belonged to the "snap-and-go" category, and also to plant a sufficiently large time bomb for Shrek, Bao Liang had no choice but to personally step in to make up the numbers.

His performance was also quite deliberate.

Its explosive power is outrageous; its attacks are earth-shattering.

However, he never replicated the famous five-second moment, and after each battle, he would immediately appear as if his Soul Power was completely exhausted, even needing his teammates to help him off the stage.

"Extremely high burst damage, but very short endurance."

This was a conclusion quickly drawn by other teams based on his performance.

As for whether Bao Liang truly exhausted his Soul Power...

Only he himself knows the answer.

In any case, the Hot Core are still operating quietly within the body, and the recovery speed is both fast and discreet.

As for Ma Rulong and Ji Juechen, they didn't actually make a move from beginning to end.

Their opponents are not strong enough to force them to reveal their full strength.

Moreover, Ma Rulong and Xiao Hongchen's combined strength would be even more terrifying, so there was no need to reveal their trump cards in advance.

Ji Juechen had no interest in easily defeating weaker opponents.

He only wants to face a truly powerful opponent and then have a good, satisfying fight.

So while other teams were fighting tooth and nail for every point, the Sun Moon Team was relaxing as if they were on vacation.

After nine rounds of back-and-forth racing, Xiao Hongchen finally showed signs of fatigue.

No matter how strong the thrill of showing off is, it can't outweigh the enormous strain on your body every day.

Even a person of iron would be completely drained by this back and forth.

Of course, Bao Liang doesn't count.

whee.

Fortunately, the lap race has ended smoothly.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy achieved an overwhelming victory, securing a very high ranking.

After the round-robin tournament concluded, Bao Liang began his wait for the top-tier auction.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the members of the Sun Moon Team were discussing the upcoming schedule in the conference room when three soft sounds suddenly came from outside the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Bao Liang's eyes lit up, and he immediately sat up straight.

It's here!

The conference room door was pushed open, and the incredibly hardworking auctioneer Qing Ya from the Black Level Auction Group walked in, carrying an invitation to a top-tier auction.

"Excuse me, sirs."

With an impeccably polite smile on her face, Qing Ya bowed to everyone.

"I am a staff member of Starlight Auction House. I have come here specifically to present you with our auction house's invitation."

As she spoke, she presented an invitation with both hands, featuring a red background, gold border, and gilded lettering.

"A top-tier auction is something our Starlight Auction House might not be able to host even once every year or two."

"The auction not only features top-tier Soul Bone and high-level Soul Tool, but also some unexpected and rare treasures."

"If any of you gentlemen are interested, please do not miss this opportunity."

"Qing Ya welcomes all esteemed guests at the Starlight Auction House."

Bao Liang accepted the invitation, his fingertips gently tracing the gilded patterns on it, his heart pounding faster than ever.

They've arrived.

It's finally here.

I will definitely get the Snow Empress Embryo!