"One hundred thousand gold soul coins!"
Wang Zhong's voice was firm as he raised the bid, determined to acquire this crystal.
He was set on obtaining the blood qi soul ring!
"One hundred and thirty thousand gold soul coins!" Davis's tone turned solemn; this price had reached a level that warranted his full attention.
"One hundred and fifty thousand."
Wang Zhong's voice remained unchanged, even carrying a hint of boredom. From Davis's tone, he could tell that even as a prince, the wealth at his disposal was nearing its limit. With a few more rounds, Davis would have to give up.
At the Spirit Hall Academy, every A-class student received a monthly resource allocation of one hundred thousand gold soul coins. Wang Zhong, having won three battles against opponents of higher levels, had this quota increased a thousandfold! Although his resources were confiscated by Bibi Dong due to a mistake that angered her, in the end, there were no lasting grudges between mother and son.
The moment Wang Zhong left the academy for his training, Bibi Dong not only gave him a Pope's Decree but also a red crystal card. With this card, Wang Zhong could access an immense fortune at any Spirit Hall branch. The limit was nearly one hundred million!
"Two hundred thousand!"
Davis gritted his teeth, spitting out the words almost as a struggle. As a prince, he had some control over the Star Luo Empire's finances, but it was capped at ten thousand per month. Combined with his personal savings and reserves, two hundred thousand was his absolute limit, his bottom line!
"Two hundred and fifty thousand."
Wang Zhong's face showed a slight smile as he uttered the figure, causing Davis to gnash his teeth and roar from the side, "Do you have that much money!"
"Whether I do or not is none of your concern," Wang Zhong replied with a light, mocking tone, his smile widening. If he didn't, why would he dare to say it?
Bang!
A heavy thud echoed from the adjacent room, followed by an enraged roar.
"You've got guts!"
"Hahaha, as a prince, your little treasury is already running dry."
"Tsk, tsk, how unbecoming of your station!"
Wang Zhong's teasing laughter prompted another forceful punch against the wall from Davis, shaking the very structure. The impact of Wang Zhong's words was clearly devastating. If not for the rules of the auction house, Davis would have likely attacked.
"Two hundred and fifty thousand, once!"
"Two hundred and fifty thousand, twice!" kuaidugg
On the auction stage, the auctioneer's usually placid tone held a hint of surprise. He had expected two items to go unsold, yet both were purchased by the same individual. This was truly remarkable.
As the second call concluded, a smile spread across Wang Zhong's face. Acquiring the little fox's blood crystal at this price was, in its own way, a significant win.
Just as Wang Zhong believed the little fox's blood crystal was his, a hoarse, malicious voice rang out.
"Five hundred thousand!"
The announcement sent ripples of shock through the crowd. Five hundred thousand gold soul coins was a substantial sum, but for the wealthy nobles present, it wasn't enough to cause such a stir. Their astonishment stemmed from the identity of the bidder!
Directly opposite Wang Zhong's private box, a middle-aged man in purple brocade robes, his gaunt face unmasked, was fully visible. His narrow eyes held a sinister gleam, and his slightly thin lips curled into a cold smile.
"It's him!"
"Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop, Cainse!"
"Why is it that old scoundrel!"
Behind Wang Zhong, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, looking at the man opposite with intense disgust and even animosity.
"Wang Zhong, perhaps we should give up," Zhu Zhuya said, approaching his side.
"Cainse, as the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall in the Star Luo Imperial City, his status is extraordinary. Even His Majesty the Emperor shows him a measure of respect."
"Furthermore, that old scoundrel is notorious for his vindictiveness, utterly lacking the dignity and magnanimity befitting a bishop. He's utterly repulsive," Zhu Zhu Yi added from the other side, her pretty face etched with strong disdain.
"Yes, Wang Zhong, while this red crystal possesses some mystical properties, its crafting and utilization are major challenges. It's not worth spending so much of your fortune on it."
"And with that old scoundrel Cainse here, if you insist on buying it, the cost will be astronomical! You'll also offend him, making it a net loss," Zhu Zhu Yun analyzed the pros and cons with a hint of worry, hoping to dissuade Wang Zhong.
However, Wang Zhong was unconcerned by Cainse. Instead, he discerned something else from their words.
"Your perception of the Spirit Hall doesn't seem to be very good?"
"Could you tell me why?" Wang Zhong turned, stroking his chin, and asked with curiosity.
"With an old scoundrel like Cainse around, who would have a good impression of the Spirit Hall? It's only those who act as his lackeys and lowlifes who would think kindly of the Spirit Hall," Zhu Zhu Yun declared indignantly, crossing her arms.
"Wang Zhong, please listen to us. Cainse is not someone easy to deal with."
"Yes, as long as you're here, he has plenty of ways to cause you trouble."
Zhu Zhu Ya and Zhu Zhu Yi both urged him, their voices filled with apprehension and disgust towards Cainse.
"Cainse, the Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop!" Wang Zhong murmured the name, his eyes narrowing slightly, a cold glint flashing within them. It was eye-opening for him that the actions of one person could make everyone else harbor malice towards the power he represented.
As a disciple of Bibi Dong and a student of Ying Yan Yang, Wang Zhong had been educated since childhood with one core principle: the Spirit Hall is supreme and glorious! Yet, here, someone was showing him a different facet of the Spirit Hall, which, as Bibi Dong's disciple, he found difficult to accept. The glory of the Spirit Hall was intrinsically linked to Bibi Dong, the Pope. Anyone who tarnished the Spirit Hall's honor was, in Wang Zhong's eyes, smearing the reputation of the woman he regarded as a mother and teacher. Wang Zhong absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen, nor would he tolerate anyone daring to entertain such thoughts.
Wang Zhong did not accept Zhu Zhu Yun and the others' words as gospel; their opinions were too one-sided. For now, they would serve only as a reference. However, Wang Zhong would personally witness the truth in the Star Luo Imperial City. If their accounts were accurate, then Cainse would surely die! If their accounts were inaccurate, then Wang Zhong would quietly distance himself from the four Zhu sisters. Regardless of how close their relationship had become on their journey, if they disliked the place that had raised and nurtured him, there was no need to maintain such a cordial relationship. This would prevent future encounters where they might face each other in battle with complicated expressions and unspoken words!
"One hundred thousand!" Wang Zhong's eyes, hidden behind his mask, observed the surprise on the opposite man's face, narrowing slightly.
Let me see firsthand what kind of person you are!
Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop, Cainse!