Chapter Sixty-Six: The Semifinals

Wang Yan asked, "What is it?"

Qingya apologized, "Last time, when you purchased auction items, you settled the bill using Shrek Academy’s account. Naturally, we deduced your origins. After a little inquiry, I have come today to pay you a visit. The matter is this: tonight, Starlight Auction House is holding a top-tier auction. Such an event is only held once or twice a year, and invitations are reserved for our most esteemed guests. We were unaware last time that you hailed from Shrek, the continent’s foremost academy, and regret any neglect on our part. Our proprietor has instructed me to personally deliver invitations to you all. If you are available this evening, you are most welcome to attend. I am certain there will be items of interest to you at tonight’s auction."

As she spoke, she set a stack of gilded invitations on the table, offered another graceful bow with a smile, and said, "I won’t disturb you any longer. I apologize again." With those words, she retreated quietly, closed the door behind her, and left.

Gazing at the exquisite, gold-embossed invitations, Wang Yan narrowed his eyes and remarked, "Starlight Auction House is truly formidable. Eleven invitations, not one missing, and they managed to deliver them here despite the official blockade imposed on the hotel by the Xingluo Empire. Such extravagant means!"

He glanced at Huo Yuhao and the others, considering the children's innate curiosity for new experiences. Moreover, such a top-tier auction was not something one could easily attend. If they managed to acquire valuable items, it would also greatly benefit the competition.

...

The auction had already been underway for some time.

At that moment, Mu Yang’s attention was fixed on a left arm bone displayed on the Soul Guidance screen. The bone was a dazzling emerald green, magnified to such an extent that its peculiarity was even more striking. Its surface was studded with tiny crystalline nodes, sparkling and translucent, as though carved from gemstones.

It was the left arm bone of the Ice Jade Scorpion.

Wang Yan had already asked questions about it, and Huo Yuhao had pointed out certain issues with the soul bone. Mu Yang, however, didn’t seem overly concerned. To say he didn’t desire it would be a lie, but it all depended on how the Academy would allocate things after the Soul Master Tournament concluded.

Of course, only Huo Yuhao and Xue Di were suitable to absorb this left arm bone.

After the matter of the soul bone was resolved, the next item up for auction piqued Mu Yang's curiosity. After all, if not for a twist of fate, Xue Di might have been taken by the God Sealing Platform after meeting him. But if it wasn’t Xue Di’s embryo, what could this auction item be?

Mu Yang’s curiosity was intense, but as soon as the item was revealed, his interest vanished—it was an external soul bone.

This external soul bone was a long scorpion tail, dropped by the Firecloud Scorpion soul beast.

It is said that all scorpions are poisonous, but the Firecloud Scorpion is an exception, being entirely non-toxic. The Firecloud Scorpion is a pure fire-attribute soul beast, and its fire is of the highest grade, with formidable attack power.

If this Firecloud Scorpion had been poisonous, Mu Yang might have considered it, since poison would be useful to him. But not only was it non-toxic, it was also fire-attribute. What use could that be? Xue Di specialized in controlling ice and snow, not fire, and Mu Yang himself had no use for it either. Within Shrek, only Ma Xiaotao could possibly utilize it.

As expected, Wang Yan purchased the soul bone.

After the auction ended, Wang Yan collected the items, and the group returned to the Star Sovereign Hotel.

The rest area was notably quiet today, with few academies remaining.

Feng Yi had been sent to the Star Sovereign Grand Hotel, and his injuries would require several more days to heal. Bei Bei, however, had joined them.

For the next few matches, Mu Yang would not need to participate and could simply act as a spectator.

With Ma Xiaotao and the other three main team members present, the opposing side gained no advantage and quickly succumbed.

Wang Yan, however, wore a stern expression, clearly displeased that Ma Xiaotao had revealed her abilities prematurely. After returning to the hotel, he called her aside for a reprimand.

On the third day, the individual elimination round against Dou Ling Academy took place. The elimination system required two bouts: a team battle and an individual elimination match. The side winning the team battle only needed to defeat three members of the losing side in the individual matches to secure overall victory. Conversely, if the losing side managed to defeat all seven members of the winners, they could overturn the result.

Mu Yang still did not compete; Dai Yueheng single-handedly defeated three opponents.

After their victory in the round of sixteen, the quarterfinals proved just as smooth, bringing them easily into the top four.

Mu Yang still did not appear, but Xue Di did. Her mastery over ice and snow was nothing short of breathtaking, dazzling the audience with its elegance and latent menace.

This performance made Wang Yan reconsider his views on Xue Di.

...

Two days after the quarterfinals, on a morning shrouded in anticipation, Yun Bing and his companions arrived at Xingluo Square, where only four teams remained in the rest area.

The semifinals brought tension for everyone, and the format changed once again: a team battle, a two-versus-two, and a three-versus-three, with a best-of-three system to determine the winner.

There was also good news—Feng Yi had recovered and rejoined the team.

After the emperor of the Xingluo Empire addressed the assembly, he announced that today’s referee would be a Title Douluo, titled Heaven Fiend, with the martial soul of the Lone Star of Heaven Fiend.

The lot-drawing ceremony commenced, with Princess Jiujiu taking the stage to draw lots.

Just as in the original story, their opponent turned out to be Xingluo National Academy.

For the first match, the team battle, Wang Yan announced the roster after some discussion: Ma Xiaotao and the three main team members were certain to participate, and among the eight from Yun Bing's group, Bei Bei, Mu Yang, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong would also take the field.

"Teacher Wang, shall I continue using my second soul skill and make sure I’m not eliminated?" Mu Yang asked.

"Yes, and if necessary, you may use some soul tools against your opponents. But whatever you do, don’t get eliminated—your presence makes things far easier for us," Wang Yan replied.

...

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