Gradually, the image within the soul tool light screen became clearer.
On both sides of the light screen, patterns resembling starlight appeared, while in the center was something like an auction platform—small, yet exquisitely made.
What truly amazed people was the clarity of the image displayed by the soul tool light screen. In Huo Yuhao's view, it was probably around a 2K level.
Such a big screen—used to watch… uh, play AAA games would be insanely exciting.
"So what we're seeing now is similar to soul power sound transmission?" Wang Yan turned his head toward Qingya and asked in great surprise.
Qingya smiled. "Yes."
"Hiss."
For a moment, several people inhaled sharply. These things might not seem like much, but that was only from the perspective of Huo Yuhao, a transmigrator. For natives of the Douluo Continent, facing items far beyond their era, the feeling was naturally very different.
It was like someone living in ancient times suddenly seeing an airplane.
Qingya still maintained her gentle smile. When she saw this for the first time, she hadn't been much better than Wang Yan.
"Our Starlight Auction House's Red-level auction is meant to protect the privacy of our guests, so we specially prepared VIP rooms like this. With the help of the light screen, you can see everything happening on the auction platform."
"Once the auction begins, if any honored guests have questions, you may ask me at any time. I will explain everything in detail. As for the two female attendants beside me, they are responsible for placing bids on behalf of the honored guests. You only need to state your price."
"Additionally, all food and drinks in the VIP room are complimentary—please enjoy freely. After a successful bid, the auction item will be delivered directly to the VIP room. Payment will be settled uniformly when you leave."
On the way here, everyone from Shrek had already eaten and wasn't hungry, but some of the drinks on the coffee table tasted quite good. After drinking them, even the circulation of soul power in the body felt smoother.
Zhang Le Xuan gave Wang Yan a look. Wang Yan's old face flushed, and he somewhat uncertainly said to Qingya, "Auctioneer Qingya, why don't you sit down as well?"
As he spoke, he deliberately made some space beside him.
Qingya covered her mouth and laughed softly, not refusing, and sat down beside Wang Yan. A fresh fragrance drifted over, making Wang Yan's mind somewhat chaotic. After studying theory for decades, he had almost no contact with women, making him rather awkward.
"You two should find seats as well," Zhang Le Xuan smiled and said to the two girls in golden dresses.
"Thank you."
The female attendants responded with a smile. There were chairs beside them, but they did not sit down.
However, Zhang Le Xuan soon noticed something was off.
After Qingya sat down, she began chatting casually with Wang Yan about academy life and such, occasionally praising him, putting Wang Yan in an especially good mood. But before long, Qingya subtly shifted the topic to cooperation and career matters.
From Qingya's words, it was clear that the Starlight Auction House wanted to expand its business into Shrek City.
"What a pity."
Zhang Le Xuan shook her head. It seemed Teacher Wang would have to stay single for a while longer.
As for Qingya's tentative suggestion about opening business in Shrek City, Zhang Le Xuan had no intention of intervening. That would need to be discussed between the city lord Shi Xing and the academy's upper management.
"It's starting."
Suddenly, just as Qingya handed Wang Yan a sound-transmission soul tool for future communication, Huo Yuhao spoke up.
He had keenly sensed the operation of a soul power fluctuation.
His words drew everyone's attention. The next moment, the originally white soul tool light screen suddenly lit up with a soft golden glow that wasn't dazzling, and the entire room seemed to be rendered in gold.
Seeing this, Qingya immediately became serious. "Honored guests, our auction is about to begin."
This aroused everyone's curiosity.
If one had to say, only Ning Tian looked calm, because the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed five large auction houses across the continent.
However, this soul tool light screen also gave her ideas—when she returned to the clan, she could propose purchasing such equipment.
As the golden light gradually receded from the screen, a trace of curiosity arose in Huo Yuhao's heart. In this life, Snow Empress hadn't been captured, so what would the final auction item be?
Could it be that the Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone would directly become the finale item?
"Welcome, honored guests, to the Starlight Auction House's Red-level auction. This auction will feature a total of nine rare and precious items. They will be presented in order from low to high estimated value. We hope all honored guests will be satisfied."
Just as Huo Yuhao was thinking, an incomparably melodious and crisp female voice rang out.
Not long after, the image that had disappeared due to the golden light reappeared. But this time, the auction platform was gone, replaced by a girl standing there in a red dress.
The girl looked only seventeen or eighteen years old, yet her beauty was unforgettable at first sight. She wasn't delicately soft, but confident and graceful. Her tall, graceful figure and snow-white, tender skin, paired with the red gauze dress, gave the impression of a blazing flame burning in snow.
Her golden hair was styled in large waves, like sunlight piercing through clouds at sunset, brilliant and dazzling. Her smiling, peerlessly beautiful face carried an added air of nobility.
At the same time, in every VIP room, everyone could see the girl's bearing. Whether old or young, their eyes all lit up.
Men—after all—love the same things.
"Good evening, honored guests. I am the auctioneer for this Red-level auction, Jiujiu. Next, I will open the curtain on this auction for everyone. Now, please appreciate today's first auction item."
Auctioneer Jiujiu smiled, performing a very complex yet elegant bow.
The next moment, her right hand made a gesture of invitation, and the soul tool light screen instantly changed—like switching screens—leaving only an item slowly rotating at the center of the screen.
The first auction item was a blade-shaped object. The hilt was carved with a tiger head, exuding overwhelming dominance. It looked exactly like the "Come hack me if you're a brother" online game's level-999 Dragon-Slaying Saber wielded by Zha Zha Hui.
Watching the screen where the girl's figure had disappeared, Dai Yueheng's expression shifted repeatedly. Back then, his mother had hoped to seek an opportunity for him to marry this imperial princess, but it had been politely declined.
Yes—Auctioneer Jiujiu was none other than the imperial princess, Xu Jiujiu.
At this time, Xu Jiujiu's voice rang out again:
"Overlord Tiger Soul-Refining Blade—an eighth-rank close-combat soul tool. Embedded within is a ten-thousand-year Overlord Tiger right arm bone. The overall material is excellent, crafted by an eighth-rank soul engineer from Mingde Hall of the Sun Moon Empire. The quality of Mingde Hall's products needs no further elaboration."
"This soul tool comes with a soul skill called Overlord Blade Slash. Its effect…"
Xu Jiujiu's introduction echoed through every VIP room. She concealed neither advantages nor disadvantages, giving all bidders a basis for consideration.
"Final viewing time is five minutes. The starting price is six hundred thousand gold soul coins. Each increase must be no less than five thousand gold soul coins."
After she finished speaking, Xu Jiujiu's voice fell silent.
For a moment, in every VIP room, many bidders who were strong enough and in need of a close-combat soul tool showed anticipation in their eyes.
"As expected of a Red-level auction—the first item is already an eighth-rank soul tool," Wang Yan sighed.
Since the only true soul engineer present was He Caitou, Wang Yan naturally asked him some detailed questions about the soul tool.
Similar to the original situation, through He Caitou's explanation, everyone gained a preliminary understanding of the Overlord Tiger Soul-Refining Blade.
At the same time, curiosity arose about the force known as Mingde Hall.
When Huo Yuhao explained that Mingde Hall's status in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was equivalent to Shrek's inner courtyard, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Zhu Lu, and others were even more astonished.
But what Huo Yuhao said next shocked them even more.
"From a certain perspective, Mingde Hall may even be more likely than Shrek's inner courtyard to gain civilian support in the future," Huo Yuhao said calmly while looking at the blade on the screen.
"Why?" Zhang Le Xuan frowned slightly and couldn't help asking.
The others were equally puzzled.
The reputation of Shrek's inner courtyard was no joke.
Huo Yuhao smiled. "Because soul tools are divided into military-use, civilian-use, and special types. We won't talk about military-use. Special types include storage soul tools—those can only be used by soul masters. But civilian soul tools are different. They are made for the countless ordinary people of the Douluo Continent—for example, street lamps. Their invention means people no longer have to grope in the dark."
"Don't forget, ordinary people are the majority on the Douluo Continent. Any soul tool that benefits ordinary people will gain more support. That's also why the academy once joined with several major clans and sects to hold a Soul Tool Joint Conference, focusing on civilian soul tools."
"Yes," Ning Tian interjected as soon as Huo Yuhao finished. Her beautiful eyes were solemn. "Our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect believes there's no possibility of catching up in military soul tools, so we've devoted ourselves to civilian soul tool research."
"I can reveal one thing to everyone: nearly thirty percent of our sect's annual income comes from the sale and maintenance of civilian soul tools."
"At present, the only and biggest difficulty for civilian soul tools is unstable energy, because only soul masters can power them. But once this problem is solved, civilian soul tools will undergo a drastic transformation."
"Without exaggeration, whoever first creates stable civilian soul tools to benefit ordinary people will gain the greatest support. Among all forces, Mingde Hall has the highest possibility. Even though they come from the Sun Moon Empire, common people won't care where something comes from—they only care whether their lives become better."
After Ning Tian's words, everyone fell silent.
Soul masters had their lives, but ordinary people had theirs as well.
At this moment, Zhang Le Xuan suddenly understood why Elder Mu had instructed Dean Xian Lin'er and Dean Qian Duoduo to hold that joint conference.
"Viewing time is over. Honored guests may begin bidding. If no one increases the bid within one minute after a bid is placed, the auction will conclude."
Xu Jiujiu's voice sounded at just the right time, pulling everyone back from their analysis of soul tools.
On the soul tool light screen, the image of the Overlord Tiger Soul-Refining Blade became transparent, and a number—600,000—appeared at the center. Whenever someone bid, the number would jump.
Before long, the number began to rise.
From the initial 600,000, it climbed all the way to a terrifying 1.3 million.
Clearly, many people had their eyes on this soul tool.
After all, when inviting guests, the Starlight Auction House made targeted preparations.
In the end, Dai Yueheng won the item with a bid of 1.56 million gold soul coins. However, his funds were insufficient, so he would probably have to return home to raise money.
After the first item was successfully auctioned, Xu Jiujiu's figure appeared once again on the screen. Perhaps due to the smooth opening, her smile looked especially sweet.
"Thank you to the honored guest who won the first auction item. Next, let us welcome the second item of this auction."
With the same gesture, the screen changed again.
This time, the screen divided into twelve sections. In each section was a round, shell-like object, resembling artillery shells. Below each shell was its name.
All twelve shells were cylindrical, one end conical and the other flat—nearly identical in shape, differing only in color.
"Sixth-rank fixed-position soul tool shells!" He Caitou couldn't help it—he suddenly stood up and rushed to the screen.
"Teacher Wang, Senior Sister, we must buy these!"Breathing rapidly, an excited He Caitou turned around.
"No problem." Zhang Le Xuan and Wang Yan understood that this would definitely aid soul tool research and agreed without hesitation.
As Xu Jiujiu introduced the shells, a thought suddenly arose in Huo Yuhao's mind. These soul tools couldn't be dismantled, as doing so would trigger protection mechanisms causing self-destruction—but what if dismantling took place inside the undead demi-plane?
There was no soul power in the demi-plane, and Teacher was the true god there, with everything under his control. Wouldn't disabling the protection mechanism be effortless?
If so, perhaps the manufacturing process of these soul tools could be successfully replicated.
Later, he could bring one to Teacher. The old man had wanted to research these things for a long time.
Huo Yuhao subconsciously nodded.
Even if it still exploded in the end, it wouldn't harm Teacher anyway.
Electrolux: [This is truly filial to death][Having you really is my blessing]
In the end, this set of twelve shells of different attributes was won by Wang Yan with a bid of 655,000 gold soul coins.
Both auction items were won by Shrek Academy, making Qingya beam with joy. Accompanying the Shrek VIP room meant she could receive a considerable bonus later.
Next, several more items appeared in succession: a left arm bone, a right arm bone, a left leg bone, a particularly rare metal, and an eighth-rank long-range attack soul tool.
Originally, Huo Yuhao thought Ning Tian would splurge and show her rich-lady flair, but to his surprise, she remained completely indifferent.
Instead, Zhang Le Xuan made her move.
Unlike the original situation where she could only watch, Huo Yuhao had no idea what was happening. Senior Sister actually placed bids—and won three soul bones.
Yes, those three soul bones and the rare metal were all successfully auctioned.
Following Senior Sister on this trip really caused massive changes?
Huo Yuhao couldn't understand it.
The students, on the other hand, felt their hearts pounding as they watched Zhang Le Xuan spend over twenty million gold soul coins in one go. Soul masters avoided worrying about money, but twenty million was no small sum—it could buy a city with a population of over eight hundred thousand in any empire.
Looking at the soul tool light screen, Zhang Le Xuan's jade-like face carried a faint smile.
She hadn't planned to bid either, as she lacked the authority to spend so much. But just now, Elder Xuan had sent her a soul power transmission telling her to bid without worry, so she boldly made her move.
Soon, Xu Jiujiu's beautiful figure appeared for the eighth time before everyone's eyes. Just as Huo Yuhao thought the next item would be a replacement for the Ice Jade Scorpion left arm bone, he froze upon hearing her words.
"Honored guests, please take note. The upcoming finale item is also a soul bone—but its value is absolutely unparalleled across the entire continent. Please look at the big screen."
As Xu Jiujiu finished speaking, an emerald-green soul bone image was magnified on the soul tool light screen.
The soul bone glowed emerald green. On closer inspection, it didn't look like bone at all, but rather a refined crystal artwork. Its surface was covered in countless smooth crystalline granules, while inside flowed a green radiance. Within the crystal-like soul bone, some unknown liquid seemed to be flowing, with faint white mist drifting upward—extremely eye-catching.
"Why does this soul bone look so similar to Yuhao when his martial soul is activated?" Ma Xiaotao asked in confusion.
While everyone discussed it quietly, Huo Yuhao's pupils contracted—it was still an Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone?
Impossible. Without Snow Empress's embryo as the finale item, logically this Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone should have been the final item.
But this…
As Huo Yuhao was shocked, an enraged voice rang out in his spiritual sea.
"Damn humans!"
It was Ice Empress's voice.
Of course—this was an Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone. As the leader of the Ice Jade Scorpion clan, how could Ice Empress not be furious seeing a clan member's soul bone auctioned by humans?
"Ice Ice, calm down—ah! Why did you hit me?" Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's comforting voice followed, quickly turning into a scream.
"Yuhao, bro, save me!"
Huo Yuhao twitched his lips and ignored Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
According to soul beast customs, maybe fighting would turn into love eventually. Brother Tianmeng, endure it.
At this moment, Xu Jiujiu's clear voice rang out:
"This soul bone can become the finale item because it is no ordinary object. It originates from a dominant species in the Extreme North—one of humanity's forbidden zones—the Ice Jade Scorpion. According to our testing, its age is approximately between forty thousand and seventy thousand years, and it possesses a fixed soul skill called Ice Explosion."
"Hiss—"
In an instant, rapid breathing echoed from all VIP rooms.
As always, the auction was targeted. This soul bone was clearly suited for ice-attribute soul masters, and many such guests had been invited.
"Brother."
In one VIP room, a red-haired girl excitedly grabbed the arm of a boy beside her.
"Don't rush. Let's keep watching," the boy said, rubbing her head.
In Shrek Academy's room, Ling Luochen's beautiful eyes lit up. She had a feeling—if she absorbed this soul bone, her martial soul would likely evolve into an extreme-grade attribute.
Xu Jiujiu steadily and clearly introduced the characteristics of the soul bone.
But clearly, no one cared anymore.
Before any ice-attribute soul master, a soul bone produced by an Ice Jade Scorpion revealed the word "invincible."
Without exaggeration, this might be the first Ice Jade Scorpion soul bone to appear in Douluo Continent's history.
Zhang Le Xuan showed no hesitation, looking at Huo Yuhao and Ling Luochen. "Which of you wants it? I can bid."
Ling Luochen's eyes brightened, but then she thought of something and subconsciously looked at Huo Yuhao. She pressed her lips together. Clearly, Huo Yuhao was actually more suited for this soul bone—his martial soul was Ice Jade Scorpion. But she didn't want to give up either, seeing how this soul bone could change her entire life.
"Heh. These humans are truly foolish, thinking Ice Jade Scorpion soul bones are so easily absorbed. But Yuhao, you must obtain this soul bone. That Ice Explosion soul skill—even I, as king, never possessed it."
In the spiritual sea, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm lay motionless on the water like a corpse, while Ice Empress stood cold-faced, sternly instructing Huo Yuhao.
In the outside world, Huo Yuhao understood perfectly. Ice Jade Scorpion soul bones could only be used by extreme ice-attribute soul masters—anyone else absorbing them would be courting death.
"Don't worry, Ice Empress. I have a way," Huo Yuhao murmured inwardly.
Just as Xu Jiujiu announced the start of the ten-minute viewing time, Huo Yuhao spoke seriously:
"Senior Sister, Sister Luochen, there's a problem with this soul bone."
"What?" Zhang Le Xuan and the others were stunned.
"What exactly do you mean, honored guest?" Qingya was also startled and asked.
Ling Luochen frowned at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao didn't care, saying solemnly, "Ice Jade Scorpion soul bones can only be absorbed by extreme ice-attribute soul masters. Any other ice-attribute soul master who absorbs it will die!"
"Yuhao, you can't joke about something like this," Wang Yan hurriedly said.
"I'm not joking. If Auctioneer Qingya doesn't believe me, you can have someone test it right now." Huo Yuhao turned to the serious-looking Qingya. "Oh right—my martial soul is Ice Jade Scorpion. Many people know this."
"Please wait a moment." Qingya's expression changed as she quickly stood up and left the room.
Less than a minute after she left, Xu Jiujiu's voice—previously silent—suddenly rang out again:
"Honored guests, due to the importance and rarity of this item, our Starlight Auction House has decided to extend the viewing time to thirty minutes. Please consider carefully."
The voice disappeared again.
The guests didn't find it strange, as the value of this soul bone was indeed extremely high.
"Yuhao, does this soul bone really have such a restriction?" Xixi, as Ling Luochen's sister-in-arms, couldn't help asking—though the question carried a hint of doubt.
The others looked over as well. Dai Yueheng originally wanted to make a sarcastic remark, but thought better of it.
Huo Yuhao didn't get angry, simply nodding. "Whether I'm lying or not, you'll know soon. Although this soul bone is important, if I truly want one, I can obtain something even stronger—there's no need to covet this."
"I'm sorry," Xixi said, startled, blushing as she apologized.
"Yuhao, I also apologize to you," Ling Luochen said, her previously doubtful gaze now filled with regret.
"It's fine. If it were me, I would doubt it too," Huo Yuhao said with a faint smile.
…
At the same time, in another luxurious room in the auction house, Emperor Xu Jiawei looked at his sister in surprise.
"That Shrek Academy student really said that?"
"Yes. That student named Huo Yuhao indeed has the Ice Jade Scorpion martial soul. His words are better believed than doubted. If this soul bone truly has such a restriction and someone dies from it, the damage to our reputation would be enormous. What should we do, Brother?" Xu Jiujiu's peerlessly beautiful face showed urgency as she spoke. After hearing Qingya's report, she had rushed over immediately.
Xu Jiawei's expression shifted, and finally he shook his head and smiled. "I originally didn't plan to use this soul bone to win people over. Looks like it's fate. Very well."
Xu Jiujiu raised her head in confusion.
Xu Jiawei said, "Jiujiu, immediately have someone bring an ice-attribute prisoner from the dungeon and let him try absorbing it."
Xu Jiujiu instantly understood. "I understand."
And inside the auction house, while everyone waited for the viewing time to end, a figure quietly left and quickly returned with someone.
"Boom!"
A violent explosion suddenly rang out.
In the dimly lit room, ice shards wrapped around scattered pieces of a corpse. That emerald-green soul bone floated quietly in midair.
Seeing this, Xu Jiawei's gaze sharpened. "We will bid on this soul bone ourselves."
"Yes."
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