Chapter 118: The Final Auction Item: The Chessboard of All Living Beings
Inside the Star Auction House, an undercurrent of tension flowed.
On the carved wooden chairs, the powerful figures of various factions whispered to each other, their heated discussions rising and falling.
However, numerous obscure and ambiguous gazes quietly focused on the Shrek Academy's seats.
"Shrek Academy has truly spent a lot this time. They are showing quite a bit of resolve."
A young nobleman in a brocade robe spoke softly, his tone laced with mockery.
"Too bad the two strongest of Shrek Academy, Mu En and Xuan Zi, are absent. I wonder if Shrek Academy will be able to hold on to the God-given Soul Ring?"
Another person shook his head, his eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.
"Haha, this is interesting. I can't wait to see what happens after the auction ends!"
Laughter erupted, mixed with malicious speculation.
The crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran, gently held a gilded wine cup, laughing lightly. Dressed in a luxurious robe with a dragon pattern, his demeanor was extraordinary. His gaze swept across the Shrek Academy seats, and the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.
...
Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire stroked his jade pendant, a faint, enigmatic gleam in his eyes. "I heard the Holy Spirit Sect is still holding a grudge from the last auction."
The elder beside him nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with a hint of malice.
...
At the Holy Spirit Sect's position, the atmosphere was chilling and oppressive.
Zhongli Wu sat in his chair, unconsciously rubbing the armrest, his eyes like venomous snake tongues as they glared toward Shrek Academy's direction.
The protector beside him whispered, "Sect Leader, should we..."
Before he could finish, Zhongli Wu raised his hand to silence him.
Zhongli Wu's lips curled into a sinister smile. "What's the rush? After this auction, we'll let them experience what it feels like to be blocked and have their treasures stolen."
"The God-given Soul Ring should stay with the Holy Spirit Sect. It will be 'safer' there."
His voice was cold and eerie, as if it came from the depths of the underworld.
...
At the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's seats, the sect leader, Ning Qitian, gently tapped his folding fan, his gaze drifting between Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Sect.
He wore a white robe, his temperament gentle like jade, though his eyes were filled with concern.
An elder beside him whispered, "Sect Leader, the Holy Spirit Sect might take action against us."
Before he could finish speaking, Ning Qitian glanced at Zhongli Wu's cold, venomous gaze toward Shrek Academy, and his heart sank.
He sighed deeply and placed his teacup heavily on the table. "Sigh, we live in troubled times. I wonder if our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School will be dragged into this mess."
"After all, it's been so hard for us to produce a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Martial Soul. If everything goes according to plan, we can revive the glory of Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School from ten thousand years ago."
"But the relationship between our sect and Shrek Academy… sigh!"
His words were filled with helplessness and worry.
...
At the Body Sect, Du Bu Si stared at Shrek Academy's seats, a sinister smile curling on his lips. "Let the Holy Spirit Sect be the bad guys. When they've fought it out with each other, we can sit back and reap the rewards. Shrek Academy should know that the continent isn't just theirs!"
The representatives of other factions exchanged knowing glances, silently focusing on the next final auction item.
The real show of this auction was only just beginning.
...
As the thoughts of various factions swirled, Rayao's voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the tension.
"Next, we are about to reveal the final auction item of this event!"
His words were like a giant stone thrown into boiling lava, freezing the previously volatile atmosphere instantly. Every eye turned toward the auction stage.
The murmurs about the God-given Soul Ring ceased immediately, as though an invisible hand had silenced everyone.
All eyes now focused like spotlights on the stage.
Everyone knew that the final auction item at the Star Auction House was always something extraordinary, and this time would be no different.
Each person's heart was filled with anticipation, wondering just how magical this final treasure would be.
As the curtain slowly lifted above the stage, accompanied by a faint buzzing sound, an ancient and mysterious chessboard appeared before everyone's eyes.
The chessboard was made of a pitch-black unknown material, flickering with a dim red glow. Black and white mist swirled between the squares, like two opposing mysterious worlds intertwining, exuding a suffocating aura of oppression.
The chessboard emitted a faint glow, soft and warm, as if it contained endless vitality.
Faint, glowing symbols seemed to flicker across it, the light pulsating in and out, as though telling ancient stories.
"This is the final auction item of this event—The Chessboard of All Living Beings!"
Rayao's voice was full of mystery, as though introducing a world-class treasure.
"I believe that most of you have never heard of this item, so now, let me give you a detailed introduction."
Everyone perked up, their eyes filled with curiosity and expectation.
Some leaned forward slightly, eager to hear more clearly, while others gripped their hands tightly, nervously waiting for Rayao's introduction.
"The Chessboard of All Living Beings is unique in that it can bring two people into a special realm."
Rayao's voice reverberated in the auction hall, each word striking the hearts of the audience like a hammer.
"In this realm, the two individuals will return to a specific moment in the past. They will share the same age and be in the same time period."
"The two individuals will fight against each other in the same time period. Ultimately, the one who wins the battle will be able to leave the Chessboard of All Living Beings safely."
"And only after one person dies will the other be allowed to leave the Chessboard and the realm it created!"
Rayao paused and observed the reactions of the crowd below.
As expected, the faces of the crowd were filled with shock and disbelief.
"What? Fight in a past time period? How is that possible?!"
A middle-aged man couldn't help but shout, his voice filled with surprise and skepticism.
His words triggered a wave of whispers around him.
"Wow, there's such a magical treasure? This is beyond my comprehension!"
A young woman covered her mouth, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"If this ability is real, then the value of the Chessboard of All Living Beings is incalculable!"
An old man stroked his beard, muttering to himself.
"…"
The exclamations and discussions erupted in waves, and the entire auction hall was in an uproar.
The mood of the crowd was fully ignited, as if they were part of a grand celebration.
At Shrek Academy's side, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song exchanged a glance, both their eyes flashing with intense light.
Suddenly, Yan Shaozhe's brow furrowed slightly as his mind raced.
Shrek Academy had already spent a large amount of Gold Soul Coins to secure the God-given Soul Ring, and their funds were now running low.
But the ability of the Chessboard of All Living Beings was too extraordinary. If they could obtain it for the academy, it might provide an enormous advantage for Shrek Academy's future development.
Thinking of this, Yan Shaozhe gritted his teeth and silently made up his mind.
(END CHAPTER)
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