Chapter 75: Huo Yuhao — Nothing More Than a Few Trials
As Xu Jiujiu's voice fell, the entire auction hall erupted into frenzy.
Before a soul bone that had endured for seventy thousand years, its so-called "flaws" were completely negligible.
So what if it was restricted to Ice-attribute Soul Masters? This was an Ice Jade Scorpion from the Extreme North—a super soul beast. If not an Ice-attribute Soul Master, who else could absorb it? A Fire-attributed Soul Master?
Huo Yuhao could barely keep a straight face. Is this the so-called wisdom of the Star Luo Empire? Why does it feel so laughably shallow?
Within his Spiritual Sea, the Ice Empress was seething with rage. Yet after her anger subsided, calm quickly returned.
She was now tied to Huo Yuhao by fate. Some things were meaningless to brood over. Besides, no one knew when this soul bone had fallen into human hands. There was no point in clinging to resentment.
"Ice Explosion Technique…" she sneered. "I'll admit, the human who captured one of my kin was truly lucky."
If it weren't for Huo Yuhao's previous Strong Luck resonance—which allowed her to select any ability from her clan's heritage—even she—an Ice Jade Scorpion Empress—would not have been able to grant such an overpowered soul skill.
"Come now, Bingbing, don't stew over it," Tianmeng chuckled nervously.
The Ice Empress's dangerous gaze turned on her, and a whip manifested in her hand.
"Tianmeng, I'm in a bad mood."
The Iceworm trembled, though her expression carried a faint trace of excitement.
"J-just… just lighter this time, alright? And maybe just the backside?"
Huo Yuhao ignored the bickering pair. His gaze had already shifted to Meng Hongchen.
"What is it? Do you want it?" he asked softly.
She nodded, her eyes fixed on the soul bone displayed on stage. Her Vermilion Clear Ice Toad possessed an ice attribute. This seventy-thousand-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone was undeniably invaluable to her.
Yet instead of answering, Meng Hongchen looked at Yuhao with a smile.
"Yuhao, if you want it as well, I'll bid for you."
After the team battle and their time together, she already knew Yuhao's second martial soul possesses the Ultimate Ice attribute. To her, this soul bone might benefit him even more.
She remembered vividly how her older brother had absorbed that twenty-thousand-year-old Three-Legged Golden Toad soul bone. Though her grandfather had given Yuhao countless precious resources, she often wondered if she herself could ever face a soul bone with such detachment.
Back then, she thought it impossible. But now, with a soul bone perfectly suited to her appearing before her, she found she could let it go.
Yuhao's Ultimate Ice attribute was clearly more suitable for this soul bone.
"There's no need," Huo Yuhao said lightly. "This soul bone is useless to me. Don't forget, the skill locked within—the Ice Explosion Technique—I already possess."
Meng Hongchen blinked, then remembered. Back in the Jingyang Mountains, Yuhao had inflicted terrifying damage on the Three-Legged Golden Toad with that very ability.
"In that case, this soul bone is mine to claim," she declared.
Yuhao smiled faintly, then suddenly pressed a button inside their private booth.
Xu Jiujiu, who was just about to begin the bidding, froze. But a VIP booth held authority; rules dictated she halt the auction.
"Yuhao, you…" Lin Jiayi and the others exchanged confused looks. But seeing Yuhao's resolute expression, they held their questions back. Clearly, if Yuhao invoked this privilege, the soul bone must have a hidden problem.
The hall fell into murmurs. Even Shrek's side looked baffled. Ling Luochen's face darkened—she had been prepared to bid her entire fortune on this soul bone. Why was Sun Moon stirring up trouble again?
Minutes later, Xu Jiujiu entered the Sun Moon team's booth, escorted by guards. To everyone's surprise, even Xu Jiawei, the Emperor himself, had come.
"Honored guests of the Sun Moon Empire, may I ask what issue you have with this auction item?" he said smoothly.
Huo Yuhao stepped forward, smiling politely.
"Your Majesty, Princess, we suspect this soul bone's universality has been… exaggerated."
"Exaggerated?"
Xu Jiawei took two steps closer, eyes gleaming. So he was right—there are sharp eyes among the Sun Moon delegation. They discovered the flaw so quickly.
"You are called Huo Yuhao, yes? You must understand: if you cannot prove your claim, you will bear responsibility for halting the auction."
Yuhao wasn't about to foolishly reveal his Ultimate Ice attribute. Instead, he offered another explanation.
"Indeed. We have reason to believe this Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone can only be absorbed by those with the Ultimate Ice attribute. Therefore, we request an Ice-attribute Soul Master to verify it. If our suspicions are correct, I trust Your Majesty will provide a reasonable explanation for concealing such a flaw."
Heh… There were countless ways to "prove" this. Sun Moon's intent was obvious: they were prepared to purchase the bone, then have a Star Luo Empire's Soul Master attempt absorption for free.
If it worked, fine—Sun Moon Empire would swallow the loss. But if it failed, the fallout wouldn't be limited to a mere soul bone.
We're wagering tens of millions in gold soul coins. But can the Star Luo Empire afford to gamble the life of a top-tier Soul Master? Yuhao thought. This was a win-win trap for the Sun Moon Empire.
At this moment, Lin Jiayi, Meng Hongchen, and the others also reacted, looking at Xu Jiawei meaningfully. This was no ordinary flaw.
Xu Jiawei, however, remained composed.
"No need. I believe the Sun Moon Empire would not make baseless accusations. Xu Jiujiu, note it down—this soul bone requires the Ultimate Ice attribute. Its value is halved. Start at five million."
Even exposed, the emperor acted magnanimously, as though he had been unaware all along.
Xu Jiujiu stared at Yuhao deeply. From their exchange, it was clear this youth was the center of Sun Moon's team. Even his companions deferred to his judgment.
This boy, born in her empire, who should have been one of their brightest geniuses, now carried an aura of mystery that made him all the more unfathomable.
"His Majesty truly understands," Yuhao said with a faint, mocking smile.
Xu Jiawei pretended not to notice the undertone. Instead, admiration sparked in his eyes.
"Huo Yuhao, a year ago, you were still a citizen of the Star Luo Empire, were you not?"
Yuhao offered a respectful Star Luo salute, his face calm.
"Your Majesty speaks truly. I was once a citizen of the Star Luo Empire. But the empire could not accommodate me. At the age of eleven, I crossed the Mingdou Mountains alone and sought refuge in the Sun Moon Empire."
"Oh? You must have suffered greatly then. Will you not share your hardships with us?"
Xiao Hongchen wanted to intervene, but Lin Jiayi stopped him. He understood the emperor's intent—but trusted Yuhao even more.
Yuhao smiled faintly.
"Nothing but a few trials of wind and frost. The dangers along the road, I no longer wish to recall. But since Your Majesty has asked, let me cut my ties with Star Luo completely.
From this day forth, the Huo Yuhao of the Star Luo Empire is dead. Before Your Majesty now stands the Sun Moon Empire's Yuhao."
—
End of Chapter