When Shen Han returned to school, there was less than a week left until the end of the winter vacation.
For Shen Han, he now had over 600 million in cash, as well as numerous Lightning Element and Dark Element Cultivation Techniques from Martial Artists obtained from the West Forest Secret Realm, and two Mental skills.
Besides these, he had also specifically selected a good Wood Element healing Cultivation Technique from the many skills and Cultivation Techniques. This was what he lacked most. Every time he got injured in a fight, he had to spend a lot of time on Medicinal Pills for healing, which wasn't as fast-acting as Wood Element healing Cultivation Techniques.
At present, the simple increase in Mental Energy was no longer his primary goal. Instead, breaking through from the Gold rank to Platinum or Diamond in Mental Energy was what he needed to focus on.
Furthermore, the Cultivation of Mental and Wood Element skills, the strengthening of Lightning Element and Dark Element skills, and the further Breakthrough of Space Element skills were his top priorities.
"Now that the Xu Family's threat is temporarily removed, the biggest enemy is still the Star Eclipse Council lurking in the shadows. Cultivating Mental skills is essential to deal with the Star Eclipse Council, and Space Element skills are Sharp Weapons for escape. It seems there's a lot to do this new semester," Shen Han sighed.
To achieve a Breakthrough in Mental Energy quality from the Gold rank upwards, one needs to enter the Soul Forging Tower for Cultivation. Entering the Soul Forging Tower requires academic credits, and Shen Han had already spent all his academic credits. Starting next semester, he would receive 300 academic credits each month, but cultivating in the Soul Forging Tower for an hour costs 50 academic credits. He still needed to undertake challenge missions at the Soul Forging Tower to earn academic credits.
The Cultivation of Lightning Element and Dark Element skills would be a regular task for the next few months, but the improvement of Space Element and Mental skills was not so simple. The Breakthrough of these two types of skills required specific resources, and working in isolation would definitely not work.
"It seems it's time to change my identity and go to the Exchange to see if there are any suitable Space Element and Mental resources," Shen Han muttered. "Wang Gang hasn't been out and about for a while either."
He picked out a few sets of fitting women's clothing, and after comparing them, JK uniforms still looked the best. Indeed, boys understand boys best.
He wore a classic JK uniform: a white short-sleesleeved shirt with a dark blue blazer over it, and a plaid mini-skirt that revealed his long, straight legs. He wore black small leather shoes with white short socks covering his calves. If he didn't speak, he looked exactly like a young girl who had stepped out of a manga.
Putting on a wig and light makeup, Shen Han walked towards the Pearl Exchange.
Stepping into the Exchange, Shen Han was surprised by its grandeur. The entire building was a trading venue for Martial Artist-related resources.
"Young Miss, are you here to purchase Cultivation resources? May I ask what kind of Cultivation resources you are looking for, Young Miss?" A helpful guide came forward to greet him.
"Are there any Space Element and Mental Cultivation resources here? Mainly those that accelerate Cultivation speed," Shen Han said.
"Space Element? Mental? Resources related to these two Elements are very rare," the guide said, still enthusiastic. "And if there are any, they are usually reserved directly. However, Young Miss, your luck is really good today. There's an auction on the 7th floor; you can try your luck there."
"Oh? An auction? Can I go now?" Shen Han suddenly became interested.
"The auction starts in an hour, Young Miss. You can purchase an admission ticket first."
"Alright, thank you."
While queuing to buy the admission ticket, Shen Han actually saw an acquaintance.
"Oh my, Wen Tingting—!"
Wen Tingting's gaze also happened to fall on him, and she looked at Shen Han with an expression of disbelief.
"Shen... Wang Gang, are you also here for the auction?" Wen Tingting ran over with a smile.
"(⊙o⊙)... Yes, what a coincidence," Shen Han's face was flushed, thankfully the foundation was thick enough.
After Shen Han finished buying the admission ticket, the two found a seat and sat down.
"Weren't you traveling with your Family here? Still traveling? School is about to start."
"My Family has all gone back. Can't I stay a few more days to shop? I heard there was an auction here, so I came over," Wen Tingting smiled.
"Alright, I'm here to see if there are any resources that can accelerate Space Element Cultivation. Space Element Cultivation resources are truly hard to find," Shen Han sighed.
"Indeed, trying your luck at an auction is not bad," Wen Tingting stared at Shen Han for a moment, then covered her mouth and chuckled, "You're really getting addicted to impersonating Wang Gang."
"Don't tease me. I'm just worried about being recognized. I still don't want to be too conspicuous with Space Element."
"I understand. So, you like this style, huh? Do you want to try something else?" Wen Tingting looked excited. "I still have many beautiful clothes that need to be dealt with; do you want me to give you a few sets?"
"Hehehe, that sounds good." Shen Han's face was full of black lines... An hour later, the auction hall allowed entry.
Stepping through the main door, the scene instantly came into view. The entire venue was sumptuously decorated, exuding a strong luxurious atmosphere.
On the first floor, neat rows of seats were arranged in the center, numbering around several hundred. The spacing between seats was appropriate, facilitating conversation without feeling cramped.
The second floor was the VIP area, with many private boxes.
From the outside, these boxes appeared to have one-way mirrored glass, preventing outsiders from seeing inside, yet allowing a clear view of the auction stage.
Guards stood at the entrance of each box, clearly indicating that only guests of distinguished status or considerable wealth could enjoy such treatment.
The auction stage was located at the very front of the first floor, raised half a meter from the ground, with protective devices installed around it, evidently to prevent accidents caused by certain dangerous auction items.
Shen Han and Wen Tingting found an inconspicuous spot on the first floor and sat down, waiting for the auction to officially begin.
"When I was queuing, I noticed people from the Lu Family of our Nanjiang Province's provincial capital also came. You had some conflict with them when you snatched the heaven marrow fruit before, so be careful," Wen Tingting reminded him from the side.
"They came too? Why haven't I seen them?"
"Big Families like theirs would definitely go to the boxes on the second floor."
"I see," Shen Han suddenly realized. "But I'm mainly here for Space Element this time, so it shouldn't conflict with them."
As time passed, the auction officially began. A beautiful woman in a red robe elegantly walked onto the auction stage. Her face wore a charming smile, and her eyes revealed confidence and wisdom.
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Pearl Auction," the woman's voice was clear and pleasant. "Today, we will present many precious treasures and Cultivation resources, which I believe will surely satisfy everyone."
As the woman's words fell, the first auction item was pushed onto the stage. It was a transparent glass bottle containing a flickering emerald green small flame.
"It's a spirit fire—!" Many people below the stage exclaimed.