Chapter 120: Starting Bid: 100 Million
Rayao stood on the auction stage, his gaze sweeping over the eager and expectant eyes of the crowd. His lips curled into a slight smile, and with a voice full of charm, he said,
"Alright, I believe everyone has a good understanding of the Chessboard of All Living Beings."
He paused for a moment, then announced loudly, "The starting bid for the Chessboard of All Living Beings is 100 million Gold Soul Coins. The bidding will now begin!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of intense discussion erupted throughout the auction hall, whispers flowing like a tide, rising and falling.
"100 million Gold Soul Coins! That's way too high!"
One Soul Master said, his face full of shock, his voice filled with disbelief.
"However, given the incredible ability of the Chessboard of All Living Beings, this price doesn't seem unreasonable."
Another Soul Master's eyes glistened with greed as he spoke, his tone full of desire.
"It seems like there will be a fierce competition this time."
Someone rubbed their hands together excitedly, as if they could already see an intense auction battle about to unfold.
Among the crowd, the leader of the Holy Spirit Sect, Zhongli Wu, his eyes flickered with excitement, and without hesitation, he raised his bidding paddle.
The movement was as fast as lightning, and he called out loudly, "150 million Gold Soul Coins!"
His voice was loud and clear, filled with confidence and dominance, as if the Chessboard of All Living Beings was already his.
"This Chessboard of All Living Beings will be ours, the Holy Spirit Sect! With it, let's see who can stop us!"
The protector beside Zhongli Wu immediately agreed in a low voice, "The Sect Leader is wise! With this Chessboard, our Holy Spirit Sect will become even stronger!"
The protector's voice was full of flattery and reverence, and his gaze towards Zhongli Wu was full of admiration.
Du Bu Si from the Body Sect sneered coldly, his eyes flashing with disdain.
He slowly raised his bidding paddle and said in a cold, sharp voice, "200 million Gold Soul Coins! Hmph, Zhongli Wu, don't get too cocky, the Chessboard of All Living Beings will not be easily given to you!"
"Du Bu Si, do you think you can compete with me? This Chessboard is destined to belong to our Holy Spirit Sect!"
Zhongli Wu glared at him, sneering, his eyes full of provocation.
"Hahaha, let's see whose financial power is greater!"
Du Bu Si retorted confidently, a smile of certainty appearing on his face, as if victory was already in his grasp.
Ning Qitian, the leader of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, furrowed his brows slightly. He glanced at the elder beside him, his eyes flickering with concern.
He murmured, "It seems this competition will be fierce. Let's place a bid for now. No matter what, we cannot give up on the Chessboard of All Living Beings."
The elder nodded, his expression also serious.
Ning Qitian raised his bidding paddle, his voice steady and firm, "220 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"Sect Leader, do we really want to compete for this? The Chessboard doesn't seem to have much use for us," an elder said, worry in his voice and a hint of hesitation on his face.
Ning Qitian sighed, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes as he said, "I know, but the power of this Chessboard is too great. If it falls into the hands of others, it could pose a threat to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School."
"Besides, we might find something beneficial for the development of our sect."
"As for the grudges between Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Sect, let's put them aside for now. We will deal with them after the auction ends."
This was the dilemma Ning Qitian faced. Most of the Soul Masters of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School were auxiliary-type martial souls.
Even if they had the Chessboard of All Living Beings, they wouldn't be able to compete with control-type or offensive-type Soul Masters when sent back to a specific point in time.
But this Chessboard was too overpowered. If other factions got their hands on it, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School would fall into a passive position.
Fortunately, their sect also had powerful offensive Soul Masters and Title Douluo experts. If they held the Chessboard, it could strengthen the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's foundation.
At Shrek Academy, the dean Yan Shaozhe's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with anxiety.
He knew that the academy's funds were running low, and securing the Chessboard of All Living Beings would not be an easy task.
He turned to the highly respected Old Song beside him, his voice filled with helplessness.
"Old Song, we don't have enough Gold Soul Coins. It seems we will have to trade some of our treasures for them."
Old Song nodded, her eyes filled with determination as she said, "It can't be helped. For the Chessboard of All Living Beings, we must go all in. This is crucial for the future development of the academy."
Yan Shaozhe then began to count the treasures they had on hand, planning to exchange them for the necessary Gold Soul Coins.
Huo Yuhao watched anxiously from the side. Unable to hold back, he said, "Dean Yan, I hope we can successfully secure the Chessboard of All Living Beings."
Yan Shaozhe patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement. "Yuhao, we will do our best. The ability of the Chessboard of All Living Beings is too overpowered. If we can secure it for the academy, we will gain a huge advantage."
While the fierce competition was unfolding, the prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran, smiled and elegantly raised his bidding paddle. His voice was filled with confidence and calm.
"300 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"Xu Tianran, you want to get involved too? Don't think just because you have some money, you can secure the Chessboard of All Living Beings!"
Du Bu Si said irritably, his eyes filled with caution.
He knew that the Sun Moon Empire had abundant financial resources. If Xu Tianran really got involved, he wouldn't be so confident about winning the bid.
Although Xu Tianran had won a million-year level external soul bone in the previous auction, Du Bu Si wasn't sure of his remaining financial strength.
Xu Tianran chuckled softly, a trace of mockery in his eyes. "Hehe, this auction is a fair competition. If you have the ability, raise the price. I've prepared enough Gold Soul Coins for this auction. I can easily offer a few hundred million."
On the fourth level, Emperor Tian and Gu Yue Na of the Beast Spirit Clan had been quietly watching the competition on stage.
Emperor Tian's eyes were filled with dominance and confidence, as if there was nothing in this world that could make him concerned.
He snorted coldly, his voice low and powerful, "350 million Gold Soul Coins!"
"Emperor Tian, do we have enough Gold Soul Coins?"
Bi Ji asked with a trace of concern in her voice, her eyes filled with doubt.
Emperor Tian glanced at her, his gaze full of authority. "Don't worry. No matter what, the Chessboard of All Living Beings will be ours. If we don't have enough Gold Soul Coins, after the auction, we can take it from their hands."
"We've seen plenty of Soul Masters fighting over treasures."
During previous auctions, he had hidden in the void, witnessing Soul Masters fight to the death over treasures.
That scene made Emperor Tian feel extremely amused.
Since they couldn't act during the auction, they would wait until it ended to take action.
The Chessboard of All Living Beings absolutely couldn't fall into the hands of human Soul Masters.
(END CHAPTER)
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