Chapter 61: A Game of Minds Beneath the Golden Light
It must be said that the calculations of the Emperor of Star Luo… were terrifyingly meticulous.
Using the one-hundred-thousand-year embryo—this heavy burden, this tempting power—as direct bait for me.
He knew perfectly well that, with my financial strength… and my psychological nature, I would not be able to ignore such bait so easily.
And the moment I swallowed it—
I would find myself, together with Mingde Hall in its entirety, at the heart of the storm.
Even the proposal of collateral and fund exchange… was not commercial generosity.
It was an additional trap.
The instant I agreed to the exchange, they would attempt, by every means, to wrest Mingde Hall's products from my hands—not for the money, but for the technology of spirit-guidance devices.
One link dragging another.
A tightly sealed plan.
And in the end… the target was only one person.
Me.
I let out a light laugh, as if the matter carried no weight at all.
"Lady Qing Ya… and why should I compete?"
I lifted the cup slightly, then continued calmly:
"Didn't Auctioneer Jiujiu just say that this one-hundred-thousand-year embryo could become a second martial spirit? And even if that fails, it would still grant a one-hundred-thousand-year soul ring and a one-hundred-thousand-year soul bone."
Qing Ya's eyes widened slightly—surprise that seemed more deliberate than genuine.
"Oh? Isn't that so?"
I feigned astonishment for a brief moment, then smiled coldly.
"Unfortunately… I don't need it."
Her smile froze for a fraction of a second.
But she did not give up.
She was about to continue persuading me, to weave her words even more carefully—
when I interrupted her.
I leaned slightly forward, set the cup aside, and looked at her directly.
I did not raise my voice.
But I made my gaze steady.
"Lady Qing Ya…"
I said in a teasing tone, though my eyes did not smile.
"From your words, it seems you very much want me to purchase this item."
I paused for a moment, then added in a deeper calm:
"That makes me curious… why?"
Her fingertips trembled slightly.
My smile widened.
"Don't tell me… that Starlight Auction House has special intentions toward me?"
At that moment—the atmosphere in the room was no longer warm.
The silence… was heavier than any spoken word.
The moment I spoke those words—Elder Yan and Elder Ma moved at the same time,
as if there were an understanding between them that required no signal.
They slowly turned their heads toward Qing Ya.
And in the next instant…
a Soul Douluo aura emanated lightly from their bodies—not fully unleashed, but sufficient.
The pressure was not loud.
It did not shake the walls.
It was heavy… silent… measured.
Qing Ya took an unconscious step backward.
It was not dramatic—just a small step,
but it revealed much.
For a moment, her breathing trembled.
But she… did not lose her smile.
She lifted her head slightly and straightened once more.
Then she said in a carefully controlled tone:
"Young Master Ji Lin… you truly are skilled at jesting.
Buying and selling have always been founded upon mutual consent."
Her voice did not rise.
Nor did it fall.
Then she added in a light tone tinged with sorrow:
"How could Starlight Auction House possibly have any intentions toward you? And if the young master feels that I have overstepped with my words… then I shall say nothing more."
She lowered her eyes slightly.
Her expression was gentle.
Sad.
Almost wronged.
She was playing her role flawlessly.
Retreating in order to advance.
Under normal circumstances—any customer seeing such a sorrowful face would inevitably soften.
But I did not move.
I did not sigh.
I did not smile.
I simply looked at her calmly.
Then I said without hesitation:
"In that case… there is no need to say more."
When she heard my words, Qing Ya froze for a few brief seconds.
She found nothing to say.
A thought surfaced within her: What a boy… he truly understands nothing of romance.
Yet beneath that faint irritation, her mind was working rapidly.
She stepped back a few paces, then cast a meaningful glance toward two young women in long golden dresses standing not far away.
The glance was brief—but unmistakable.
One of the girls moved her lips slightly, as if conveying a message that could not be heard.
And beneath the strands of her hair, at her right ear—a small white object glimmered.
A tiny earpiece.
A spirit-guidance device for transmitting sound.
Of course…
I noticed all of it.
But I said nothing.
I remained seated on the sofa, calm,
sipping my drink indifferently,
as if I had seen nothing at all.
Inside VIP Room Number One.
The atmosphere was completely different.
Jiujiu appeared wearing the golden auction attire, and the radiance reflected from her dress added an additional layer of authority to the room.
Standing before her was a tall man, dressed in a long black robe, the weight of unmistakable authority resting upon his shoulders.
This man was none other than the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire himself.
At that moment, Jiujiu had just returned with him from the room where Shrek Academy was located.
During their walk back, she occasionally raised her hand near her ear, assuming a posture of listening.
At her right ear as well—there was a voice transmission device.
The moment she entered the room, she spoke without preamble:
"Brother… the situation has changed."
The Emperor immediately raised his gaze.
"Speak."
She took a short breath, then said clearly:
"According to reports from our people, the target does not seem particularly interested in the one-hundred-thousand-year embryo and has no intention of purchasing it. Therefore, we failed to obtain any spirit-guidance devices from them."
The Emperor's brows slowly furrowed.
His expression did not show anger—
but deep contemplation.
This was not aligned with their expectations at all.
"Ji Lin…
That mysterious young master who had appeared out of nowhere,
who was described as the greatest genius in the history of the Sun and Moon Empire.
If he obtained the one-hundred-thousand-year embryo,
it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
How could he possibly refuse such an opportunity?
The Emperor fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low yet decisive tone:
"Tell our people to reduce the service fee to ten percent."
He paused briefly, then added:
"And if the target is willing to pay with products from Mingde Hall… we can waive the fee entirely."
At that moment—
this was no longer merely about an auction.
It was about a game of minds…
one that had begun to rise to a higher level.
When she heard the Emperor's words, Jiujiu's heart trembled slightly.
Her brother was willing to give up his own profits—just to lure the target… and draw him into the trap.
In their plan, the one-hundred-thousand-year embryo was not the true essence.
It was the bait.
The target falling for it—was the indispensable step.
Only once he entered the circle,
could what followed be executed.
The Emperor looked at her with sharp eyes and said in a tone that allowed no delay:
"Are you still waiting? Move."
Jiujiu tightened her fist slightly.
"Understood, Brother."
In the next moment, she moved her lips subtly,
and transmitted the Emperor's orders through the voice transmission device to Qing Ya and the others.
Inside VIP Room Number Two.
Qing Ya received the message.
The light in her eyes shifted for a moment, then she stepped forward reluctantly.
A carefully crafted smile formed upon her lips.
"Young Master Ji Lin, considering your academy's situation—"
But she did not finish.
I interrupted her immediately.
"Lady Qing Ya."
I lifted my gaze toward her coldly.
"Didn't I tell you before? Do not speak."
The words were not loud.
But they were decisive.
Her smile froze.
"I…"
She stopped.
She felt irritation surge within her, nearly grinding her teeth.
Inside, she could not help but think that he was unbearably dull.
But she did not show it.
She lowered her head slightly and stepped back slowly.
Since matters had reached this point… what more could she possibly say?
She had no choice but to withdraw in bitterness.
Inside VIP Room Number One.
Through the voice transmission device, the news reached Jiujiu.
She fell silent for a moment.
She felt genuine frustration.
Throughout all these years, she had never encountered someone like this.
Unprovoked.
Unmoved by temptation.
Untouched by emotion or greed.
She raised her gaze toward the Emperor and forced a bitter smile.
"Brother… it's useless."