45: Chapter 45 Top-Tier Auction, Personally Hosted by Xu Jiujiu

"You..."

Xu Sanshi was choked up. He turned around wanting to show off to Jiang Nannan, but found the girl was resting with her eyes closed, so he had to sit back resentfully.

On the other side, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou were huddled together, whispering about something.

"Teacher Cai, I think if that team's Power Attack System Spirit Master paired his Spirit with a Rank 2 Explosive Soul Tool, its power could double."

"Hmm, that makes sense, but I still think a Stationary Soul Cannon Shell would be more direct..."

Su Chen sat alone in the corner, his fingers unconsciously stroking his storage spirit tool, his mind still calculating the matter of the Life Guardian Magical Knife.

At the head of the pavilion, Xuan Zi was pinching half a piece of osmanthus cake, eating until his mouth was covered in crumbs. His old eyes were squinted, appearing drowsy, but in reality, his gaze swept over everyone.

Just then, a person dressed as a waiter walked quickly into the lounge area.

The newcomer wore a silver-white robe. The hem and cuffs were embroidered with fine star patterns in silver thread, and a translucent jade pendant hung at his waist, carved with two ancient seal characters—'Starlight'.

He held an exquisite brocade box steadily with both hands, walked up to Xuan Zi, and bowed slightly.

"This junior is a messenger from the Starlight Auction House. Greetings to Senior Gluttonous Douluo. Congratulations to Shrek Academy on your victory and advancing to the top four."

His voice was neither humble nor arrogant, carrying a just-right amount of modesty.

"Our manager specifically ordered me to deliver this invitation. Hearing that all the geniuses have gathered in Star Luo City, we have specifically moved up the once-in-several-years top-tier auction and invite you all to grace us with your presence tonight."

Saying so, he presented the brocade box.

"A top-tier auction?!"

Xu Sanshi's eyes widened instantly, and everyone else showed expressions of excitement.

Su Chen's gaze also returned from the distance, his heart stirring slightly.

A large-scale auction held only once every few years; every time, world-shaking treasures would appear.

He didn't expect it to be tonight!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Su Chen thought to himself and looked at Xuan Zi with a questioning gaze.

"Elder Xuan, this top-tier auction... the opportunity is rare. I've heard there are countless rare treasures inside..."

Xuan Zi slowly swallowed the last bite of the cake, patted the crumbs off his hands, and waved his hand dismissively.

"If you want to go, then go take a look. It's good to broaden your horizons, just don't delay tomorrow's match."

"Hooray!" Xu Sanshi was the first to cheer.

Everyone's faces showed looks of immense anticipation.

That evening, as night had just fallen.

Outside the Starlight Auction House, it was already bustling with traffic and crowds.

However, the Shrek Academy group had the Starlight Auction House messenger leading the way personally. They proceeded without hindrance, entering the auction house directly through the VIP passage.

"Good grief, this place is too grand."

As soon as Xu Sanshi entered Heaven Character Number Three Private Box, his eyes couldn't take it all in.

The walls of the entire box were paved with unknown crystals, emitting a soft starlight. Through the huge one-way crystal window, one could overlook the entire auction house.

The seats below were densely packed and already full of people, yet the entire venue did not seem noisy.

"What a grand display, tsk tsk, as expected of the largest auction house in Star Luo City." He Caitou also lamented from the side.

Su Chen found a comfortable sofa to sit on, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

He knew in his heart that tonight, there would be a good show to watch.

Just then, the lights in the entire auction house suddenly dimmed.

Next, above the dome, countless rays of starlight seemed to be drawn by something, suddenly becoming bright and converging into a brilliant galaxy.

The slight murmurs that existed just now vanished without a trace in an instant.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the circular platform in the very center of the venue.

Buzz—

A thick, brilliant pillar of starlight descended from the sky, precisely enveloping the entire platform.

Within the light, a graceful figure slowly solidified.

It was a young girl wearing a magnificent palace dress. The dress was embroidered with intricate star patterns, and with her appearance, it seemed as if countless starlights were flowing on the hem.

Most eye-catching was the crown above her head, condensed from pure starlight, slowly rotating and emitting a mysterious and noble aura.

"Holy crap, this entrance is way too flashy," Xu Sanshi stared with wide eyes. "Who is this host? Such a big production."

Huo Yuhao and He Caitou were also full of shock.

Only Su Chen, the moment he saw that starlight crown, had a flash of realization in his eyes.

"That is the Star Crown Spirit," Su Chen said calmly.

"Star Crown Spirit?" Everyone was stunned.

Su Chen's gaze remained on the figure on the platform as he continued, "If I'm not mistaken, this host should be the princess of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiujiu."

"Princess?" Xu Sanshi's eyes almost popped out. "Did I hear that right? The Princess of the Star Luo Empire is personally hosting the auction?"

Huo Yuhao and He Caitou also looked incredulous.

That was a princess; her status was so noble, yet she would appear in such a setting.

Su Chen just nodded and didn't say more.

On the platform, Xu Jiujiu did not know she had been recognized.

Her gaze slowly swept across the entire venue, from the densely packed ordinary seats downstairs to the individual boxes on the second floor, finally pausing for a fraction of a second, seemingly at the location of Heaven Character Number Three Private Box.

Immediately after, she revealed a perfect smile.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Starlight Auction House."

Without any redundant nonsense, she turned slightly and made a gesture of invitation.

"This auction now begins."

As soon as she finished speaking, a maid had already walked onto the platform carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.

Xu Jiujiu reached out and uncovered the red cloth.

A lingzhi mushroom, entirely purple and shaped like an auspicious cloud, was lying quietly in the jade plate, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

"The first auction item, Thousand-Year Purple Cloud Lingzhi. Its effects need no explanation from me: strengthening the foundation and increasing Soul Power. Starting price, fifty thousand gold coins."

Before she even finished speaking, the bidding voices from below rose one after another.

"Fifty-five thousand!"

"Sixty thousand!"

"I bid seventy thousand gold coins!"

The price soared all the way, quickly breaking the hundred thousand mark, and was finally won by an inconspicuous wealthy merchant for one hundred and twenty thousand gold coins.

Before everyone could recover from the heat of the first item, the second item was brought up.

It was a head-sized piece of silver metal with water-ripple-like patterns on the surface.

"Deep Sea Sunken Silver, a top-grade material for crafting spirit tools, especially suitable for creating core formations. Starting price, eighty thousand gold coins."

"It's Deep Sea Sunken Silver!" He Caitou's breathing became a bit hurried. "This is a rare item that's hard to find even with money. A spirit tool made with it will have its power increased by at least twenty percent."

The competition for this metal was even more intense than for the Purple Cloud Lingzhi just now. The price quickly doubled, finally closing at one hundred and eighty thousand gold coins.