Word Count: 2,985 Words
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Night had fallen, yet the Starlight Auction House remained brilliantly illuminated.
The Starlight Grand Ceremony, occurring once every twenty years, was considered the highest-specification auction on the Douluo Continent. Bidders streamed in endlessly from all corners of Star Luo City, and from time to time, lavishly decorated carriages could be seen passing through the VIP passage into the Starlight Auction House.
The Shrek Academy group arrived slowly under the cover of night, drawing sidelong glances from countless passersby.
With the round-robin matches concluded and the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament halfway through, the faces of Shrek Academy's participants had long been deeply imprinted in the hearts of the spectating commoners and various academies. Moreover, their combination of strikingly handsome men and beautiful women naturally attracted no small number of admiring glances.
Ling Bai, in particular, was the center of attention wherever he went. Some bold, starry-eyed pretty young ladies even mustered the courage to approach him, asking for autographs similar to those of Yu Mengdi.
At the urging of Dai Yueheng, Xu Sanshi, and others, Ling Bai found it difficult to refuse his fans. However, he resolutely maintained his final boundary and politely declined the Rose Hotel room cards that some pretty young ladies tried to slip into his pockets. This was something that brought Ning Tian a measure of relief.
From a distance, they spotted Qing Ya standing in front of the golden gates of the Starlight Auction House. Clad in a deep purple long dress, she appeared even more gentle and alluring under the glow of the evening lights.
She saw the Shrek group approaching and quickened her steps to greet them. "Welcome, esteemed guests!"
"Auctioneer Qing Ya must have been waiting for a long time," Wang Yan said.
He was adept at noticing details as a theoretical Spirit Master. The night air was growing chilly, and Qing Ya wore only a purple long dress. He observed her delicate body trembling slightly and her ears, red from the cold.
"It is Qing Ya's honor to await Teacher Wang and the geniuses of Shrek Academy, no matter how long it takes."
Qing Ya offered a captivating smile. She was indeed the person chosen by the Starlight Auction House to invite Shrek Academy. Her words made everyone feel quite comfortable. The group then followed her into the Starlight Auction House.
Given Shrek Academy's esteemed status, the Star Luo Imperial Family had specially prepared a top-tier VIP room for them.
"Wow—"
The instant the door swung open, a lavishly gilded space greeted them with palpable opulence. Jiang Nannan, the only member of truly common birth among them, let out an exclamation before quickly covering her mouth with a blush.
Shrek Academy's exclusive VIP room spanned about two hundred square meters and was filled with precious woods, jade, and various clearly expensive decorations. The décor was exceedingly lavish, yet it also possessed an air of elegance.
In the center of the room sat a crimson sofa made from the fur of a 10,000-year Flame Lion King. A white jade table held an array of specialty fruits and beverages from the Star Luo Empire.
The Shrek group took their seats. Shadow Dragon Douluo Xie Qin remained hidden in Ning Tian's shadow, awaiting the commencement of the Starlight Grand Ceremony.
Ling Bai casually picked up a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice and took a sip. His eyes immediately brightened. Aiyo, the Star Luo Empire truly lived up to its reputation as a southern nation; their fruit juice was exceptionally authentic.
Qing Ya walked to the smooth wall opposite the sofa and pressed it lightly. A soft halo of light rippled out, and that section of wall gradually transformed into a large Spirit Screen. She said gently:
"The Spirit Screen will broadcast the auction stage in real-time. If any of you fancy a particular item, simply state your bid toward the screen. Successfully bid-on items will be delivered to your VIP room immediately.
The Starlight Auction House provides complimentary fruits and beverages. Please, esteemed guests, help yourselves to some refreshments; this evening's auction will begin shortly."
"Thank you for your trouble. Please, sit down and rest for a moment," Wang Yan said.
Qing Ya did not overly refuse. She adjusted her skirt before sitting down beside him.
A fragrant scent wafted into Wang Yan's nostrils, and his face reddened visibly. He subconsciously shifted his seat to give Qing Ya a little more space.
Although in his thirties and no longer considered young, Wang Yan had yet to marry or have children. Having devoted his entire life to the theoretical research of Spirit Masters, he had never been close to a woman. Now, with such a mature and charming beauty seated so near, he appeared quite flustered, entirely lacking the confident demeanor he displayed when arranging battle tactics.
Qing Ya selected a succulent yellow fruit. With her slender fingers, she peeled it to reveal the glistening yellow flesh within and gently offered it to Wang Yan. "Teacher Wang, please try this. It's the Mangxin Fruit from Tianhai City in the Star Luo Empire; it's quite famous."
"Thank you."
Wang Yan accepted the Mangxin Fruit and, like an inexperienced young boy, lowered his head to eat it rapidly, completely missing the subtle gleam in Qing Ya's eyes as she looked at him.
Ning Tian and Ma Xiaotao were seated on either side of Ling Bai. Witnessing this scene, Ma Xiaotao turned her head toward Ling Bai and said indignantly, "If that woman smiles at him a few more times, his soul will be completely hooked. How spineless!"
"Teacher Wang is getting on in years. It would be good for him to settle down with Auctioneer Qing Ya," Ling Bai chuckled softly. "Besides, Auctioneer Qing Ya's mature charm is genuinely captivating. It's no wonder he's lost his composure with such a woman taking the initiative."
Shrek Academy was the number one academy on the continent. Its teachers would be at least equivalent to senior lecturers at top universities in his previous life. For Qing Ya, a mere auctioneer, to successfully pursue Wang Yan would be considered marrying up.
"Listening to you, does that mean you also like mature women?" Ma Xiaotao probed, noticing the undisguised appreciation in Ling Bai's tone.
"I like beautiful ones."
Ling Bai swirled the pale blue liquid in his glass. The smile on his face made it unclear whether he was being serious or jesting.
Before Ma Xiaotao could pry further, a soft golden light shone from the Spirit Screen, drawing the attention of the Shrek contingent. Beams of golden light simultaneously blossomed from every corner of the room, and a melodious voice rang out from an amplifying Spirit Guidance Device:
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Starlight Auction House. I am Jiu Jiu, your auctioneer for this Starlight Grand Ceremony. Tonight, we shall present nine precious auction items for your consideration."
The figure of a young lady appeared on the Spirit Screen. She had cascading golden hair, eyes as clear as pristine water, and lips as rosy and delicate as March peach blossoms. A crimson gauze dress accentuated her flawless, fair skin. Her bearing was graceful and dignified, a truly exceptional beauty.
After her opening remarks, Xu Jiujiu performed an elegant and intricate curtsy to the guests. Dai Yueheng, upon seeing this, rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, "That looks like palace etiquette... Is Auctioneer Jiu Jiu part of the Star Luo Imperial Family?"
A reasonable guess, but…
Ling Bai, not far from Dai Yueheng, heard this and cast a subtle glance his way. Xu Jiujiu's position in the imperial family was second only to Emperor Xu Jiawei. How could you, the legitimate eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, have never met this princess who is about your age?!
While Dai Yueheng racked his brains trying to recall details about the Star Luo Imperial Family, the others were already captivated by the first auction item of the Starlight Grand Ceremony. Xu Jiujiu held an oval, light-purple, chrysanthemum-shaped metal object and began her meticulous introduction:
"Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device: Aura Barrier, produced by the Illustrious Virtue Hall. It possesses the 'Concealment' ability, capable of obscuring all scents, spirit power fluctuations, and any other auras within a fifty-meter radius around the user. However, Titled Douluo or spiritual-type Spirit Masters at Rank 70 or higher can use their spiritual power to negate the concealment effect."
"Starting with a Class 8?" Huo Yuhao's eyes widened.
Although he was from the Spirit Guidance Department and his teacher, Fan Yu, was a Class 8 Spirit Guidance Master, Huo Yuhao had never seen an actual Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device. Ning Tian's Class 7 Rechargeable Spirit Barrier already made him drool with envy.
It was not just Huo Yuhao whose jaw dropped; even the three well-informed main team members from the Inner Courtyard wore expressions of astonishment. Class 8 Spirit Guidance Devices had appeared in auctions they had attended before, but such occurrences were as rare as phoenix feathers or qilin horns, usually reserved as the grand finale.
The very first item at the Starlight Grand Ceremony was a top-quality Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device, crafted by high-grade Spirit Guidance Masters from the Illustrious Virtue Hall. It was evident that the Starlight Auction House had spared no expense today.
A light-projection Spirit Guidance Device displayed the Aura Barrier in 360 degrees. Xu Jiujiu said with a smile:
"The Aura Barrier does not fall into the categories of close-combat, long-range, or stationary Spirit Guidance Devices; it is an auxiliary Spirit Guidance Device with a specific function, much like auxiliary-type Spirit Masters among us humans. Although auxiliary-type Spirit Masters lack direct combat power, their immense amplifying effect on other Spirit Masters cannot be ignored, and the same holds true for auxiliary-type Spirit Guidance Devices.
With the Aura Barrier's concealment ability, venturing into spirit beast forests to hunt spirit beasts will become considerably safer. The Illustrious Virtue Hall's mark guarantees its quality. The starting bid is two million spirit gold coins, with each increment no less than ten thousand spirit gold coins. Everyone will have five minutes to appraise it, after which the auction for the Aura Barrier will officially begin."
The Spirit Screen remained focused on the Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device, the Aura Barrier, as discussions commenced in the various VIP rooms. Considering the safety of their students, the Spirit Master academies were all eager to bid.
In the Sun Moon Imperial Academy's VIP room, Elder Ma slammed the table so fiercely that the teacups rattled. His old face quivered with anger as he barked:
"In recent years, Spirit Guidance Devices from the Illustrious Virtue Hall have been appearing with increasing frequency in the three great empires of the Douluo Continent!
After this Spirit Master Tournament, I will certainly report to Dean Jing Hongchen and investigate which scoundrel is colluding with Illustrious Virtue Hall's Spirit Guidance Masters, daring to smuggle high-level Spirit Guidance Devices to the three Douluo nations!"
"Calm down, calm down..."
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen leaned back on the sofa with expressions of indifference. In their view, as long as Class 9 Stationary Spirit Cannons did not appear on the Douluo Continent, it wasn't a major issue.
The Shrek contingent was also in discussion. Wang Yan, possessing Shrek Academy's credentials, had been instructed by the academy's upper echelons to purchase, at his discretion, auction items that would be of significant benefit to the academy.
"A Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device from the Illustrious Virtue Hall is priceless on the open market. I think we should buy it," He Caitou was the first to suggest.
"Agreed."
"Plus one!"
"Same here!"
The others expressed their agreement one after another.
Ning Tian leaned toward Ling Bai and whispered, "Bai-ge, the Aura Barrier's effect is practical. Should we buy it to take home?"
"Don't buy it!"
Ling Bai's eyes widened slightly.
His funds had been depleted by the purchase of the Radiant Glory for sixty million spirit gold coins. Therefore, he planned to sell the Aura Barrier to recoup some losses. Buying and selling his own item was like moving money from his left hand to his right.
"The concealment range is only fifty meters. The innate spirit skills of powerful 10,000-year spirit beasts have a much larger range than fifty meters. There's no need to spend money on the Aura Barrier."
Ling Bai began to nitpick, doing his utmost to dissuade Ning Tian from her desire to spend lavishly.
"Okay."
Ning Tian nodded in agreement with Ling Bai. The Aura Barrier was only the first item; surely there would be more suitable treasures among the remaining eight.
The bidding commenced, and the numbers on the screen jumped continuously: two million, two million five hundred thousand, three million, four million...
The bidding price for the Aura Barrier instantly doubled. However, after surpassing the high price of four million, the increments gradually lessened; this was already the Aura Barrier's limit price.
Wang Yan finally chose to make a move, successfully acquiring the Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device, the Aura Barrier, for Shrek Academy at an auction price of 4.38 million spirit gold coins.
The Shrek members were happy, and Ling Bai was even happier. Xu Jiujiu had said there would be no commission fee this time; the entire 4.38 million spirit gold coins would be his. His personal coffers were full again!
The second auction item was a complete set of Class 6 Stationary Spirit Cannon shells, with a starting bid of 650,000. No outside parties were interested; instead, it turned into an internal bidding war between Wang Yan, representing Shrek Academy, and Ning Tian, representing the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Ultimately, under Ning Tian's overwhelmingly lavish offensive, Wang Yan conceded with a wry smile.
Eighty percent of Shrek Academy's income relied on taxes, while the Linglong Pavilion under the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan reaped unimaginably terrifying profits from dealing in rare metals and Spirit Guidance Devices. Besides this, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had industries all over the continent; its annual profit was equivalent to what Shrek Academy earned in ten years of toiling away.
Since Ning Tian was determined to have it, Shrek Academy could only yield.
The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth auction items were a 10,000-year left leg spirit bone, a live 10,000-year ocean spirit beast—the Spirit Tide Sea Turtle, a Class 8 close-combat Spirit Guidance Device—the Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade, and a piece of rare metal, respectively.
Wang Yan observed quietly. Dai Yueheng used his own money to buy the Tyrannical Tiger Soul Blade, while Ning Tian took the 10,000-year Spirit Tide Sea Turtle.
The Spirit Tide Sea Turtle inhabited deep-sea regions, was few in number, gentle in temperament, and possessed an exceptionally beautiful shell. She planned to build a pond in the back garden of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to keep this 10,000-year Spirit Tide Sea Turtle as a pet.
Xu Jiujiu's graceful figure appeared on the Spirit Screen for the seventh time. She smiled and said, "The next three items are the main attractions of the Starlight Grand Ceremony. The seventh auction item is a 10,000-year spirit bone. Esteemed guests, please take a look."
With a flash of light, a spirit bone, magnified an unknown number of times, appeared on the Spirit Screen.
This was an exceptionally complete right arm spirit bone, entirely a brilliant gold color. From the arm bone to the fingertips, it resembled a golden gemstone. The previously displayed 10,000-year left leg spirit bone instantly paled in comparison; the two were clearly not of the same caliber.
A liquid-like golden radiance flowed over this spirit bone, emitting a faint golden mist. The mist billowed and swirled, coalescing into the form of a golden spirit beast.
The spirit beast's appearance was quite peculiar. Its body was like that of a horse, its head resembled a dragon's, and a pair of dragon wings sprouted from its back. Golden dragon scales extended from its forehead, down the back of its neck, to its spine. Embedded in its forehead was a pale golden, diamond-shaped gemstone that radiated a dazzling light.
"Heavenly Dragon Horse!"
Ling Bai, Bei Bei, and Wang Dong exclaimed in unison.
The usually refined and amiable Bei Bei stared intently at the Heavenly Dragon Horse formed by the golden mist, a look akin to obsession flashing in his eyes.
"The Heavenly Dragon Horse is a descendant of the Light Holy Dragon. Though it appears in a horse-like form, pure Light Holy Dragon blood flows within its veins. Like most top-level spirit beasts, the Heavenly Dragon Horse has an exceedingly poor reproductive rate. This one, having developed dragon scales and dragon wings, must possess at least 50,000 years of cultivation. It is so beautiful, truly so beautiful!"
Bei Bei could hardly contain his inner excitement. The Light Holy Dragon awakening for his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon required breaking through to the Spirit Saint rank to be complete. If he absorbed this Heavenly Dragon Horse spirit bone, which contained the Light Holy Dragon's bloodline, he dared to guarantee that he would immediately awaken as a Light Holy Dragon!
Wang Dong was a light-attribute Spirit Master, and the Heavenly Dragon Horse, as a top-level light-attribute spirit beast, was naturally suited for his Bright Goddess Butterfly. He already possessed the Golden Light from a 10,000-year Golden Earth Dragon King as his left arm bone; he could absorb the Heavenly Dragon Horse's right arm bone.
"This spirit bone…"
When he entered the Star Luo treasury to retrieve the Essence of Mystic Fire, Ling Bai had personally seen the Heavenly Dragon Horse spirit bone. This was not a 50,000-year spirit bone as Bei Bei speculated, but a 90,000-year spirit bone!
"90,000 years, Light Holy Dragon..."
Ling Bai sensed the aura of the 10,000-year Blazing Bone Dragon Vulture spirit bone in his own right arm, lost in thought.