Chapter 348: The Academy's Supreme Treasure
As Ling Yun's words echoed through the vast hall, the roar of the crowd dimmed into a suffocating silence—an anticipation so thick it seemed to freeze the air itself.
Every gaze locked onto the center of the stage, where six soul bones glimmered faintly with a chilling blue light. Even the sound of breathing grew faint and shallow.
Ice God Armor. Absolute Zero.
Those two names alone branded themselves into the hearts of every powerhouse present, burning like molten iron against ice.
"Esteemed guests!"
Ling Yun's clear voice carried across the silence, solemn and commanding.
"These six ten-thousand-year Titan Snow Demon soul bones form the final and ultimate centerpiece of our Starry Sky Auction!"
Her announcement fell like thunder. The murmur of whispers ceased instantly. Even the calmest Titled Douluo clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white.
The term final item carried meaning beyond measure—and everyone here understood it. These bones didn't just represent value; they represented power profound enough to reshape the balance of Douluo Continent.
For ice-attribute cultivators, this was not treasure—it was ascension incarnate.
Ling Yun raised her gavel high. The final auction began.
"The starting price: ten billion gold soul coins. Each bid increment must be no less than one billion!"
The starting sum alone made lesser factions blanch. A fortune representing a hundred years of accumulation for an ordinary sect—barely the beginning here.
Her voice had scarcely faded when a deep voice broke from the left wing platform.
"Fifteen billion!"
It was Titan of the Clear Sky Sect, his massive hands gripping the table, eyes ablaze with resolve.
The Clear Sky Sect was renowned for its strength-type martial souls, but even they knew—if the sect could cultivate one god-tier ice spirit master wielding a complete armor set, their power would double overnight.
"Eighteen billion."
Ning Qitian of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect followed calmly, though his tone carried unshakable determination. Their support-type foundation could not stand forever without divine-level defense. These six soul bones were the perfect solution.
"Twenty billion."
A restrained yet steady voice joined in—the Grandmaster of Shrek Academy, Xuan Zi. His words were not shouted, yet the hall trembled as if struck by thunder.
He glanced toward Elder Mu beside him, who answered with a slight nod. The message was clear: even if it meant offering their most guarded secret relic, Shrek would win this prize.
A leap of five billion in a single breath—it was both a declaration and a challenge.
The crowd stirred; whispers broke out again. Many remembered how, in earlier rounds, Shrek had been careful, never once making bold moves. That restraint was now gone—they were wagering everything.
Some began whispering predictions. Shrek, they said, would likely claim the final victory.
But no one could say for sure.
As the atmosphere tightened, a voice colder than frost rang from the shadows.
"Thirty billion."
Gasps rippled like shockwaves.
From a dimly lit corner, Zhong Li Wu of the Holy Spirit Cult sat unmoved, lightly rubbing the Secret Realm Token between his fingers, his face unreadable.
"Thirty-five billion."
The Sun-Moon Emperor, Xu Tiannan, forced the words out through gritted teeth. His face had turned pale.
The fight for the Yin-Yang Twin Swords had already drained much of the Empire's resources. To muster thirty-five billion now meant he was digging into the royal vaults themselves.
Jing Hongchen turned nervously beside him, whispering a warning, but Xu Tiannan waved him off. Even if they couldn't afford it, they would at least make it costly for their enemies. The Holy Spirit Cult must not leave unchallenged.
The auction hall descended into chaos.
Prices soared in a blur of calls—thirty, forty, fifty billion—each bid met by the thunderous pounding of tables and the collective intake of breath.
The Clear Sky Sect. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The Holy Spirit Cult. Shrek Academy.
Four titans of the continent clawing for supremacy.
The rhythm of gold soul coins burning filled the air like the roar of fire.
"Sixty billion!"
Zhong Li Wu's voice rang again, edged with irritation. His grip on the Secret Realm Token tightened. It pulsed faintly with warmth, and a strange premonition echoed within him.
His destiny awaited elsewhere—he couldn't waste time here.
Xuan Zi's brow furrowed. Sweat dripped into his palm as he clenched his fist around the bidding crystal.
Sixty billion was already above Shrek's prepared limit. He turned toward Elder Mu, whose eyes remained closed in thought.
Then came the calm command: "Raise the price. If it comes to it, use that item."
Xuan Zi froze, his heart pounding. That item—the Academy's oldest, most sacred artifact. Even gravely injured in years past, Elder Mu had never dared summon its power.
The implication stunned him: this soul bone set was worth it.
"Seventy billion."
Zhong Li Wu laughed low and cold. "How much longer can Shrek hold out?"
Xuan Zi ignored him, took a breath, and declared, "Seventy-five billion!"
"Eighty billion."
The voice that followed left the crowd stunned—Ning Qitian had spoken again. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had re-entered the war.
For a moment, everyone had forgotten their silent presence. Now, the sudden bid reminded them of the hidden wealth behind Douluo's oldest support sect.
All eyes turned back to the Shrek booth. Could they still compete?
Veins bulged across Xuan Zi's forehead; he opened his mouth—but Elder Mu raised a hand, stopping him.
The elder's eyes opened at last, calm and lucid as ever, sweeping slowly across the hall before landing on Ling Yun.
"...Ninety billion gold soul coins."
The words fell like a hammer upon the world.
Ninety billion.
Instant silence.
Even breathing ceased.
No one dared to speak.
Ning Qitian's lips parted, but no sound came. He exhaled and shook his head—the Nine Treasures Sect had reached its limit.
Xu Tiannan slumped back in his chair with a bitter smile. The empire was finished for this round.
Zhong Li Wu glared murderously across the room, his fingers whitening as they clenched around the Secret Realm Token. A faint crack echoed through the stillness—but in the end, he said nothing. The Holy Spirit Cult, too, had run dry.
After the endless wars of bidding, none could match the sheer will of Shrek.
Ling Yun looked upon the motionless hall, a faint smile curling at her lips.
"Ninety billion gold soul coins," she asked lightly, "any further bids?"
Her question rang three times through the quiet.
Not a single voice responded.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997