Chapter 99 The 100,000-Year-Old Rouge Dragon.
Wu Xuan picked up a pale red fruit from the table and took a big bite, looking as relaxed as could be.
Xu Sanshi nudged Wu Xuan's shoulder and said with a grin, "Junior Brother Wu Xuan, what's wrong? Don't you have any thoughts?"
Wu Xuan shook his head and said, "No, I already have twin martial souls, one more would just be a burden to me."
Ma Xiaotao heard their conversation and smiled, "Xiao Xu, calm down. Junior Brother Wu Xuan's idea is very correct. You should all know how many twin martial souls have appeared on the entire continent. I estimate you can't even count them on one hand. Even in our academy, there haven't been any twin martial souls for at least four hundred years. This time, four have appeared at once."
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong both showed a hint of pride.
Just then, there was a knocking sound outside the door. Qingya quickly stood up and gave Wang Yan a look of inquiry.
Wang Yan nodded. Only then did Qingya go over and open the door.
The door opened, and the first to enter was Princess Jiu Jiu, dressed in a golden palace gown. Behind her stood the young man—none other than His Majesty the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire!
Upon seeing them, Qing Ya was startled and quickly took a few steps back, kneeling on one knee in greeting. The two maids knelt on both knees as well.
The Shrek Academy students had all seen the Emperor at Star Luo Square, so being face-to-face with him at such close range left them somewhat dumbfounded. Only Dai Yueheng immediately jumped up from the sofa, knelt on one knee, and respectfully said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Star Luo Emperor raised his hand, gesturing, "Rise. This is an auction house; you are guests, and I am the host. No need for formalities. It is my duty as host. Yueheng, your father is my elder brother; you should call me uncle. Why are you being so formal?"
The teachers and students of Shrek Academy then reacted and rose to greet him. However, their greetings were merely a bow; after all, they belonged to Shrek Academy, given its prestigious position on the continent. The dean was on par with the emperor. Excessive bowing would be inappropriate.
After bowing, Wang Yan asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, what brings you here?" The emperor's immediate declaration that he was the backer of the Starlight Auction House truly surprised him. The Starlight
Emperor smiled and said, "I've come to see you. I've wanted to pay my respects to your Shrek Academy's top students for a long time. I've watched every single one of your matches. Although there was an accident involving this year's Shrek Academy's main team members, the outstanding talent of your reserve team students has left a deep impression on me."
"Your Majesty, please take a seat," Wang Yan gestured for him to do so.
Emperor Xingluo shook his head and said, "I won't sit. As you all saw, this final item is quite astonishing. I need to oversee things to prevent anyone from making any trouble. To be honest, it pains me to sell this treasure. But the Empire has many expenses, so I have to reluctantly part with it. Besides meeting with you all, my chosen ones, I also want to give your academy some news that you can't refuse." Hearing this, everyone from Shrek Academy became interested and looked at the two of them.
Princess Jiujiu, standing to the side, flashed a silver light on her wrist, and a brand-new map appeared in her hand. She smiled and said, "My fellow Shrek students, do you still remember the left arm bone of the Crimson Dragon that you auctioned last time? To thank you for your support, our Starlight Auction House has decided to give this map, which records the cultivation of a Crimson Dragon with a cultivation level of 100,000 years, to your academy." "A 100,000-year-old Crimson Dragon?" Wu Xuan's eyes lit up.
"This..." Wang Yan and everyone from Shrek Academy were all taken aback. To the elders of Shrek Academy, a lone 100,000-year-old soul beast was like a ready-made 100,000-year-old soul ring and a top-grade 100,000-year-old soul bone. The Star Luo Empire's offer of this as a gift was a huge favor, so much so that Wang Yan hesitated to accept it directly.
The Star Luo Emperor smiled slightly at Wu Xuan, who stood to the side, and said, "My Guardian Douluo told me that this young man likely possesses a powerful wind-attribute martial soul with the Ultimate Wind. The Annihilation attribute is a major characteristic of the Ultimate Wind, just as a fine sword is given to a hero. This soul beast is perfect for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, I will remember this favor." Wu Xuan bowed and accepted the gift without hesitation.
The Star Luo Emperor sighed, "It's a pity you're not a Star Luo citizen. However, the gates of my Star Luo Empire are always open to you. Alright, that's all for now. I still need to preside over the upcoming auction. This last item will likely fetch an astronomical price. You can witness the miracle before you leave." With that, the Emperor nodded slightly to the crowd and turned to leave.
"Did they really give it to our academy for free?" Xiao Xiao asked in surprise, looking at the map in Wu Xuan's hand.
Wang Yan shook his head and said, "No, to be precise, it was given to Wu Xuan. His Majesty the Emperor is very well-informed."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across the students' faces, and everyone noticed the change in his eyes, immediately falling silent and ceasing their discussion. After all, Qingya and two maids were still in the room.
Apart from VIP Room No. 7, Emperor Xingluo smiled calmly and muttered to himself, "I hope this child won't disappoint me in the future. The signal of goodwill has been sent out; I wonder what Shrek Academy's reaction will be. Jiu Jiu. After this competition, immediately strengthen the ties with Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy's merchant guilds will have their trade taxes reduced by half in the Empire."
"Yes. Brother, there's movement," Princess Jiu Jiu said softly.
Emperor Xingluo nodded slightly but didn't ask any questions. Instead, he turned and walked back to Auction Room No. 1 where he was. Princess Jiu Jiu followed him into the room. If you look closely, you can see a small white earplug in her right ear, and she occasionally makes a listening gesture.
The door closed. Only the brother and sister remained in VIP room number one.
"Speak," Emperor Xingluo gestured to Princess Jiujiu. Princess
Jiujiu said, "The target has taken the bait. They've started selling us soul tools in exchange for enough cash. After we proposed reducing the handling fee for all Mingde Hall products to ten percent, they discussed it and offered us some Mingde Hall soul tools. They're definitely determined to get them!"
Emperor Xingluo smiled slightly, "This was within my expectations. The great-grandson of the Mingde Hall master is the most outstanding genius in the history of the Sun Moon Empire. If he can complete the fusion with the embryo, it will be like adding wings to a tiger. How could they miss this opportunity? In terms of financial resources, Mingde Hall is undoubtedly the number one on the continent. All Mingde Hall products, once acquired, will be immediately sent to the research institute."
"Yes." A sly glint appeared in Princess Jiujiu's eyes as she said, "I hope they can slowly go and find that level nine Soul Master after they return. Hehe."
Emperor Xingluo said, "This plan can be said to be flawless. You start the timer after the auction ends. Three months later, issue a mission to the Adventurers' Guild to seize the Mingde Hall's treasure, with a mission reward of one hundred million gold soul coins. No matter how talented the great-grandson of the Mingde Hall Master is, it's impossible for him to attempt fusion within at least ten years. And that's assuming they use the most precious medicines to help him increase his physical strength. Ten years is enough time for many variables to arise."
Princess Jiujiu chuckled, "Brother, I find you're getting more and more wicked."
Emperor Xingluo's eyes dimmed, "If we had enough strength, why would I do this? According to our insiders, the Mingde Hall has made a series of major breakthroughs in the research of Soul Guidance Devices. If we don't restrain them, I'm afraid the Sun Moon Empire will make a big move within ten years. But we are far from ready."
Princess Jiujiu comforted him, "Brother, it's not your fault. You've already tried your best. It's just that in the research and development of soul tools, we don't have the natural advantage that the resource-rich Sun Moon Empire has. Moreover, they had been researching for many years long before the Sun Moon Continent collided with our Douluo Continent."
Emperor Xingluo waved his hand and said, "No reason can change reality. We can only strive for reality. In a while, I will personally go to Shrek Academy. If the Sun Moon Empire really makes a big move, they are the only allies we can count on. How have the sects with the strength to compete reacted?"
Princess Jiujiu said, "They have all reacted. Two of them have a clear intention. They have also sold us quite a few good things. Conservatively speaking, through this auction, we will directly gain more than 50 million gold soul coins. This money can buy a lot of good things in the Sun Moon Empire through our agents."
A cold light flashed in Emperor Xingluo's eyes, "Try to let them spark some competition."
"Hmm."
Thirty minutes is long enough for many people to handle many things.
With nothing on their minds, the Shrek Academy students watched the fierce competition of this final auction with a sense of ease, like outsiders.
The starting price for the 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo was as high as 100 million gold soul coins. Princess Jiujiu said that this starting price set a record in the history of the Starlight Auction House.
And the subsequent bidding can only be described as fierce. Initially, there were three parties bidding. The price continued to rise, quickly reaching 130 million gold soul coins. After that, the bidding rate began to slow down. After all, a price exceeding 100 million gold soul coins was not something an ordinary force could afford.
Just then, the number suddenly changed, "150 million!" One party had directly added 20 million.
In VIP Room Number Two, a young man stood in front of the Soul Guidance Screen, his fists clenched. "This time, let's see who dares to compete with me."
Behind him, on the sofa, sat more than a dozen people, each with a different expression: some envious, some indifferent, some jealous, and some dissatisfied, among others.
Old Ma frowned deeply. "Xiao Hongchen, isn't this bidding too high? Twenty million gold coins at once, this..."
Xiao Hongchen shook his head and sneered, "It's to scare them into not bidding. If we keep at it, the price might go even higher."
Ma Rulong said in a deep voice, "Is it really worth spending so much money at once?"
Xiao Hongchen's emotions were affected by the 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo, and he had entered a special state of excitement. Without thinking, he said, "Of course it's worth it. I didn't spend any of the academy's money. With this treasure, I can have twin martial souls or a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. This is something that can only be encountered once in a lifetime, how can I let it go?"
Ma Rulong's face immediately became even more ugly, but Old Ma glared at him, so he didn't say anything more.
VIP Room Number Three.
"Bastard. If I find out who bid this, I'll kill him." The Qilin Arm, who had been scared away by Elder Xuan, roared angrily.
"I think we'll find out who this is. If we can't get this back to the young master, we should at least know where we stole it from," the big-headed man sneered disdainfully.
As he spoke, the big-headed man narrowed his eyes, and then the air in the entire VIP room began to distort violently. It felt like seeing water ripples on a raging fire when one was in a daze. Everything in the room seemed to become unreal.
Each VIP room had an auctioneer and two maids in charge of reception. The three auction house staff members were the first to be affected; they trembled all over, and their eyes quickly became dazed. They stood there blankly, motionless.
The big-headed man sat back on the sofa and beckoned to the woman who was also a black-level auctioneer, saying, "You, come here."
The black-level auctioneer quickly stepped forward and stood blankly in front of him.
"Go out and investigate the background of the person who just bid 150 million gold soul coins."
"Yes," the black-level auctioneer respectfully agreed and turned to leave.
"Second Brother, you're really something. Why don't we just take control of the people at this auction and rob the stuff?" the Kirin Arm said in a low voice. As he spoke, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and a series of crackling sounds erupted from his thick right arm—not from his bones, but from the changing air currents around it.
The big-headed man shook his head. "No way. This Starlight Auction House is backed by the Star Luo Empire's royal family. And how could such a top-tier auction be unmanned? I can sense at least four powerful auras here, four Title Douluos. Do you want to die? Unless it's a sect elder, we won't get away with this. Don't worry, this 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo isn't so easy to absorb. What if they bid on it? As long as we find the right target, we'll get it back!"
Similar situations were playing out simultaneously in several VIP rooms, though their methods of gathering information differed. With the Starlight Auction House's subtle cooperation, how could the identities of the people from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy in VIP Room Number Two remain a secret?
The figure of 150 million gold soul coins finally stopped increasing. This astronomical number was terrifying for any faction.
"As expected, they were all scared by me." In VIP Room No. 2, Xiao Hongchen sneered. He turned to Elder Ma and said, "Elder Ma, this treasure is an absolute hot potato. The auction house will guarantee our safety during the handover. After the transaction, take it back to our academy immediately. Give it to my great-grandfather. Once it's in Mingde Hall, let's see who dares to covet it."
Elder Ma nodded and said, "That's right. We should still keep a low profile as much as possible. An item worth hundreds of millions is extremely rare in the history of the continent. I will return it through Mingde Hall's secret channels in Xingluo City." In VIP Room No. 1, His Majesty the Emperor of Xingluo listened to the news coming one after another, and the smile on his face grew wider and wider.
"One hundred and fifty million. Master Mingde. I hope you like this gift I've given you." With that, he slowly rose, and the soul-guiding screen in front of him split open to the sides. The emperor's figure vanished into the secret passageway.
Secret passages opened in each VIP room to allow the VIPs participating in the auction to leave discreetly. Shrek Academy was no exception.
The news of obtaining a 100,000-year-old Rouge Dragon was completely beyond Wu Xuan's expectations.
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