"Alright, next, let's bring out the following auction item!"
As Jiang Nannan's voice fell, a stern-faced middle-aged man with an aura of powerful soul force walked onto the stage, holding a tray of black ebony wood.
When he placed the tray on the auction platform and Jiang Nannan lifted the red cloth covering it, the entire auction hall erupted in exclamations.
"A soul bone, it's a soul bone!"
"Indeed, the good stuff comes last. This auction has some treasures!"
"I heard the rumors and prepared my money. Let's see who can outbid me!"
On the tray lay a soul bone, radiating a golden-red glow, seemingly floating above the tray. Judging by its shape, it appeared to be a left arm bone, with five long fingers pointing upwards, each fingertip emitting a faint golden-red light.
"This soul bone is named the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone, sourced from a ten-thousand-year-old Golden Earth Dragon King. It has a light attribute, and it's speculated to possess the Light Fire ability, suitable for light attribute soul masters. Its attached skill is expected to be offensive in nature," Jiang Nannan introduced with a smile.
"The Golden Earth Dragon King carries a pure but diluted bloodline of the Light Dragon Clan, and the essence of this bloodline is condensed within this soul bone. Note the word 'pure'; even a diluted pure bloodline is more valuable than mixed ones for inheriting the Light Dragon Clan's legacy. The only regret is that this Golden Earth Dragon King was only over ten thousand years old. If it had surpassed one hundred thousand years, it would have been a beast king."
"The starting bid for the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone is three million gold soul coins!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered. Three million gold soul coins might seem like a lot, but for a soul bone from a dragon-blooded ten-thousand-year soul beast, it was actually quite reasonable.
This so-called pure dragon bloodline wasn't something to be taken lightly. Absorbing this soul bone could potentially improve the soul master's martial spirit with its dragon blood. Given its value, three million was hardly an issue.
Soul bones are indeed some of the most expensive items on the Douluo Continent, and this wasn't even a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. A hundred-thousand-year soul bone is priceless, never appearing in auctions or shops, as they would attract all the Title Douluo.
Shops like the Treasure Gathering Pavilion that dare to display ten-thousand-year soul beast soul bones are rare, and only powerful entities like Shrek Academy can protect such treasures.
The low starting bid was a strategic move by Shrek.
People have a psychological tendency to seek bargains, and stories of soul masters finding ten-thousand-year soul bones at hundred-year soul bone auctions, although far-fetched, attract many with dreams of being that lucky person.
Seeing a soul bone worth at least eight million gold soul coins start at such a low price would make many want to bid. This competitive bidding would likely drive the final price above its actual value.
"Three million six hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
At this moment, someone placed the first bid. Huo Yuhao turned to see that it was Tang Sect's senior brother, Bei Bei, with Tang Ya unexpectedly sitting beside him.
Tang Ya, not being a core disciple of Shrek Academy, wouldn't normally appear here, indicating Bei Bei's influence.
Bei Bei's martial spirit, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, was compatible with the Golden Earth Dragon King's soul bone. Huo Yuhao also knew that Bei Bei had a latent Light Holy Dragon martial spirit bloodline, making this soul bone even more suitable for him.
"Four million gold soul coins!"
This bid came from a young man Huo Yuhao didn't recognize. Shrek City was full of hidden talents, and there were plenty of wealthy individuals like him.
"I bid eight million gold soul coins!"
Suddenly, a voice with a hint of a tiger's roar echoed through the hall. Dai Yueheng stood up, his eyes betraying his greed for the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone.
Despite it being a dragon-type soul bone, he could absorb it too. The pure light dragon bloodline might interact with his White Tiger martial spirit, possibly causing a beneficial mutation.
Though risky, Dai Yueheng deemed it worth the gamble. Combining dragon and tiger, two top-tier beasts, could hardly result in a negative outcome.
The eight million bid silenced the hall, shocking everyone with Dai Yueheng's sudden doubling of the price.
This was Dai Yueheng's strategy—to intimidate others with a high bid, hoping to secure the soul bone at its original price of eight million. Gradual bidding could push the price to a million gold soul coins.
However, a teasing voice suddenly rang out in the auction hall.
"The light and fire attributes both have body-strengthening effects. Absorbing this soul bone would enhance a soul master's physique more than a typical ten-thousand-year left arm soul bone. Based on current market trends, such a soul bone should be worth over ten million gold soul coins!"
"Huo Yuhao, you!"
Dai Yueheng's temple veins throbbed in anger. It's said that a gentleman doesn't seek revenge, but he hadn't expected Huo Yuhao's retaliation to be so swift.
Huo Yuhao's words awakened the others, reminding them that the price shouldn't be considered based on ordinary ten-thousand-year soul bones. They hadn't anticipated Huo Yuhao's 'kind reminder'; without his interjection, Jiang Nannan was already about to lift the auction hammer.
"You're quite the nice guy!"
"Eight million eight hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
"Nine million gold soul coins!"
Bids rose one after another, and Dai Yueheng trembled with rage. Securing this soul bone for eight million would have proven his worth to his father, Dai Hao. Now, everything was ruined by Huo Yuhao.
Dai Yueheng had prepared fifteen million gold soul coins, but if he spent it all and still couldn't secure the Golden Radiance Left Arm Bone, he would leave the Treasure Pavilion with regret.
"Huo Yuhao, you're still young. The waves at Shrek are big, and not everyone is someone you can afford to offend." Dai Yueheng's voice dripped with cold threat.
"Haha, does Senior Dai not know I'm a grilled fish seller? Do you think I'd fear rough seas?" Huo Yuhao chuckled. "Ever heard what fishermen say? The rougher the seas, the pricier the fish!"