112: Chapter 109 The Grand Finale? (Two Chapters Combined)

Compared to the ordinary spectators in the stands shouting "holy crap", the Spirit Masters present were even more shocked.

Because it wasn't until the referee announced the result that they suddenly realized—from start to finish, Lin Yan hadn't even revealed a single spirit ring throughout the entire battle.

This meant that relying solely on his Spirit itself and pure Soul Power, he had utterly crushed the seven members of Zhengtian Academy, leaving them completely powerless to fight back!

...

Coming down from the stage, Lin Yan looked at the equally stunned Shrek crowd and smiled faintly at Teacher Wang Yan: "Teacher Wang, I did not fail my mission."

"Good! Good! Good!"

An excited heart, trembling hands!

Teacher Wang Yan snapped back to reality and said "Good" three times in a row.

At this moment, as he looked across the entire arena, everyone seemed to him like mere novices ripe for the taking, completely insignificant.

In his heart, he no longer had the slightest doubt about whether Shrek could win the tournament's overall championship this year!

...

After the match ended, Lin Yan didn't linger any longer.

Saying his goodbyes, he went straight back to the hotel and plunged into the Undead Plane, diving intensely with Electrolux into creating the Cultivation Technique for the Spirit core.

In the following days, due to the overwhelmingly dominant power displayed by Lin Yan in that match, the other academy teams in the same group all chose to steer clear.

As a result, in the subsequent third and fourth rounds of the round-robin matches, Shrek's opponents all chose to forfeit without exception.

This was also because the feature of the round-robin tournament system was deciding advancement based on cumulative points, so losing a single match didn't affect the big picture.

That being the case, as long as one wasn't a masochist, naturally no one was willing to waste time and energy—or even risk injury and death—to fight a match against Shrek that was doomed to defeat.

With that spare time, they might as well eat a couple more bowls of rice and save their strength to fight other academies.

Of course, while Shrek had it easy this way, the audience was quite unhappy.

Some had traveled thousands of miles and queued all night for tickets, just to catch a glimpse of Shrek Academy's style.

But after arriving, you tell me they're not fighting anymore and there's nothing to see?

Isn't this just as despairing as pulling off your pants only to discover at the last second that it's a guy?

In fact, if pushed, a guy might still do in a pinch, but if they don't fight, there's truly nothing left to watch.

Naturally, the Star Luo Empire officials paid no mind to this situation.

After all, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament never lacked an audience.

If you don't watch, plenty of others will!

...

Time flew by again, and the round-robin tournament officially came to a close.

Star Emperor Hotel, inside Shrek Academy's meeting room.

Lin Yan rarely emerged from the Undead Plane today to make an appearance, sitting somewhat lazily in the first seat on the left.

Ever since finishing that match against Zhengtian Academy, he had soaked in the Undead Plane continuously for nearly nine days, to the point where he was almost thoroughly marinated in Death Qi.

Today, taking advantage of the end of the round-robin tournament, he came out to catch some fresh air.

As for the reason behind his listless appearance, in plain English, his CPU had overloaded.

Nine consecutive days of ultra-high-intensity deductions, plus occasionally comprehending the Origin of the Undead Plane, though yielding massive progress in technique creation, Concept, Formation, and other aspects,

came at the cost of consuming too much mental energy, requiring him to slow down and relax.

Balancing work and rest was nothing more than this.

Seeing everyone present, Teacher Wang Yan, who had just returned from drawing lots at the Star Luo Imperial Palace, cleared his throat and spoke: "The sixteen teams from the round-robin have been decided, and the matchup bracket is out."

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao, whose injuries had completely healed, immediately asked: "Teacher Wang, who is our opponent in the first round?"

Interrupted by Ma Xiaotao, Teacher Wang Yan swept his gaze around the room before saying solemnly: "In this top sixteen round, the academy we are facing is an old rival from the past, the number one academy of the Dou Ling Empire—Dou Ling Imperial Academy."

Hearing this name, the expressions of Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochen, and the others changed slightly.

After all, the strength of the Four Great Imperial Academies had always been formidable and could not be underestimated.

"How strong are the students from Dou Ling participating this year?"

This question was asked by Dai Yueheng, whose injuries were also mostly healed.

However, whether it was due to having lost a testicle or a shift in mindset,

Dai Yueheng's voice seemed a bit higher-pitched now, even his appearance was somewhat more feminine, and a deep, inescapable gloom was hidden in his eyes.

"Dou Ling Imperial Academy's official team this term has five Spirit Kings and two Spirit Ancestors, making them extremely strong."

"Furthermore, Dou Ling Imperial Academy is not rigid; although they are an advanced Spirit Master academy, they are also the best Soul Engineer academy in the Dou Ling Empire."

"According to my previous observations, almost all of their participating members are equipped with spirit tools, and at least two are genuine Soul Engineers."

Having reached this point, Teacher Wang Yan paused. Just as he was about to continue, a knock suddenly sounded on the meeting room door.

Seeing this, he frowned and shouted in a deep voice: "Didn't I instruct that the service staff shouldn't disturb us?"

Outside the door, there was silence for a few breaths before a very pleasant female voice sounded.

"Apologies for the intrusion."

"I am not a service staff member; I come from the Starlight Auction House."

Starlight Auction House?

Just as Teacher Wang Yan froze slightly, Bei Bei, who was closest to the door, stood up and gave Teacher Wang Yan an inquiring look. Seeing Teacher Wang Yan nod in affirmation, he walked over and opened the door.

Outside stood a woman in a long black dress, looking about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, an age where a woman possesses both mature charm and youthful vitality.

After entering, a flawless, perfect smile appeared on the woman's Face.

"Hello, distinguished guests of Shrek Academy."

"I am Qing Ya, an auctioneer from the Starlight Auction House."

"I apologize for intruding today and disturbing everyone."

Qing Ya?

Hearing this somewhat familiar name, Lin Yan thought for a moment before remembering that she was the auctioneer who hosted the auction for the spirit-devouring carving knife in the original story.

However, in this life, that spirit-devouring carving knife—which was actually the life gold—had long been intercepted by him.

Therefore, he naturally hadn't paid attention to or attended the spirit tool-themed auction from the original work.

And perhaps due to the butterfly effect, for some reason in this life, the rest of Shrek didn't go either.

Hearing Qing Ya's apology, Teacher Wang Yan didn't make things difficult for her: "I am the lead teacher of Shrek Academy. May I ask what brings you to us?"

Hearing this, Qing Ya smiled and said softly: "As the top auction house in Star Luo City, our Starlight Auction House will hold a top-tier auction tonight."

"An auction of this caliber usually takes place only once or twice a year, and only the most honorable guests receive our invitations."

"My bold visit today is on the orders of our auction house proprietor, specifically to deliver invitations to everyone from Shrek Academy."

"If everyone is free tonight, you are welcome to attend this auction."

"I believe there will surely be items of interest to you among tonight's auction lots."

As she spoke, she gently placed a stack of gilded invitations on the table.

Setting down the invitations, Qing Ya bowed with a smile once more.

"Then I shall not disturb you further; my apologies once again for the intrusion earlier."

Having said that, she slowly backed out of the room and gently closed the door behind her.

Looking at the stack of exquisite gilded invitations, Teacher Wang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and praised: "What an impressive Starlight Auction House."

"Fourteen invitations, the exact number of people."

"To even bypass the Star Luo official lockdown on the hotel to deliver them directly is truly a grand gesture!"

Hearing Teacher Wang Yan's exclamation, Lin Yan caught sight of Dai Yueheng's lips instantly curling into a sneer in his peripheral vision.

Obviously, as the eldest legitimate son of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, it was impossible for him not to know that behind this Starlight Auction House stood the Star Luo Royal Family itself.

At the same time, perhaps due to his resentment toward Elder Xuan causing him to hate everything associated, this time he didn't choose to save Teacher Wang Yan's Face and pretend not to know like in the original work.

Instead, he sneered directly and spoke with a hint of sarcasm: "Teacher Wang Yan, behind this Starlight Auction House is none other than the Star Luo Royal Family."

"Tell me... would the official forces of the Star Luo Empire stop their own people~"

The moment Dai Yueheng said this, the meeting room fell into an awkward silence.

Teacher Wang Yan's Face, which had been beaming with wisdom, froze instantly.

However, he also understood where Dai Yueheng's resentment toward him came from.

After all, who wouldn't hold a grudge after losing half of their "ammunition depot"?

Thus, with a quiet sigh in his heart, he pretended not to catch the sarcasm in Dai Yueheng's words, gave a couple of slightly embarrassed coughs, and passed over the matter.

"Cough, cough."

"I didn't expect the Starlight Auction House to have the Star Luo Royal Family behind it; it seems I was ignorant."

After saying that, without giving Dai Yueheng any chance to speak further, he directly shifted the topic.

"This auction—do you all want to go?"

Hearing this, Lin Yan casually reached out and pulled two invitations.

"Tonight, Nannan and I will go check it out."

He had originally come out today to relax anyway, so since he happened upon it, he naturally wanted to join in the fun.

At the same time, now that the Ice God's ruins had emerged in the Extreme North, the Snow Empress presumably wouldn't choose to undergo human transformation.

Therefore, he was also somewhat curious—without the Snow Empress embryo, what would be tonight's grand finale item for this auction?

It couldn't be that the Snow Empress still chose transformation and, despite the Ice Empress still being around, was still captured and sealed into the God Sealing Platform, right?

That would be far too ridiculous!?

Seeing Lin Yan going, the others, who were equally curious, all nodded and took an invitation from the table.

Seeing this, Teacher Wang Yan nodded slightly, a smile reappearing on his Face.

"Alright then, since everyone is interested, let's go check it out together tonight."

After everyone packed away their invitations, they finished the interrupted meeting and returned to their respective rooms.

...

That night, as the lights of Star Luo City began to shine.

After having dinner, Lin Yan and his group took their invitations and arrived at the Starlight Auction House.

At this moment, Qing Ya, dressed in a long black gown, was already waiting at the entrance with a radiant smile.

Set off by the evening lights, she appeared all the more noble and elegant, her attractive figure causing many passersby to turn their heads again and again.

Seeing Shrek's group arrive, especially noticing Lin Yan among them, Qing Ya immediately came forward with a look of joy on her Face.

"Welcome, distinguished guests."

"Tonight's auction will be fully hosted for you by Qing Ya."

"Honored guests, please step inside."

Saying that, she bowed slightly with grace and poise, gesturing forward.

Seeing this, Lin Yan and the others didn't delay, walking into the interior of the auction house under her guidance.

Reaching the end, two young maidens in long golden dresses immediately stepped up, bowing to everyone first before conversing softly with Qing Ya for a few moments.

Subsequently, one of the maidens turned toward the wall and reached out her delicate hand to press lightly against the wall surface.

The next second, ripple-like light patterns immediately washed across the wall as it slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a pure white corridor behind it.

This corridor wasn't extravagantly gold and resplendent like ordinary luxurious places, but instead exuded an air of elegance and nobility.

The surrounding walls, floor, and even the vaulted ceiling were all paved with a translucent white jade bearing magnificent patterns.

Soft white light radiated from all directions, and pale blue halos outlined graceful lines along both sides of the ceiling, creating a dreamlike and exceedingly beautiful scene.

Seeing the corridor open, Qing Ya led the way while turning back to explain: "This is our Grand Auction Hall No. 1, where top-tier auctions are held."

"Only the most distinguished guests are invited here to participate in the bidding."

"Honored guests, please enter."

As she spoke, Qing Ya led the way ahead.

Just as they stepped into the corridor, two more maidens in golden dresses, looking to be only eighteen or nineteen, came over to greet them.

Walking further in, tightly closed small doors began appearing on both sides of the passage.

And ultimately, Qing Ya led them into Room No. 7.

The entire room was vast, about two hundred square meters, filled with supreme luxury; various artworks and decorative jades exuded lavish elegance, yet the layout was tasteful and perfectly balanced.

A massive sofa stretched across the space, made from an unknown snow-white pelt, its long fur amazingly soft, and by its size, it was more than enough to accommodate over twenty people.

On the table before it were various beverages, liquors, and exquisite delicacies.

Once Lin Yan and the others were seated, Qing Ya and the two gold-dressed maidens stayed behind.

"Honored guests, next, allow me to explain tonight's auction rules for you."

As Qing Ya spoke, one of the gold-dressed maidens in the room walked up to a smooth wall, pressed lightly with her hand, and the entire wall instantly turned into a massive, clear light screen.

What was displayed on the screen was an auction stage, the image crystal clear down to the finest detail.

Once the screen lit up, Qing Ya continued to smile and spoke gently: "To protect the privacy of our honored guests, the Starlight Auction House assigns each guest their own private room."

"Once the auction begins, I will explain the items to you, and the two female attendants beside me will handle submitting bids on your behalf."

"When the auction concludes, all winning items will be delivered directly to the room for payment in person."

"The fruits, snacks, and drinks in the room are entirely complimentary. Since there is still some time before the auction begins, please feel free to enjoy some refreshments and rest a moment."

After Qing Ya finished explaining, a brief moment passed before a soft golden light suddenly flooded the entire room.

"Honored guests, the auction is about to begin."