Chapter 297: The Finale—An Altar?
"Little Yuhao, it's actually a legendary ice-attribute divine weapon! The Starry Auction Pavilion truly outdid itself this time. I've never seen a genuine divine artifact before—who would've thought I'd witness one today?"
"The aura it's releasing alone is enough to freeze my soul power entirely. I can tell this Frost Divine Sword ranks extremely high among divine weapons."
The Ice Emperor's gaze locked on the icy-blue sword, her expression complex. "Such a powerful aura… purer than my Absolute Ice at its very peak."
She longed to claim the sword for herself, but knowing her current state, she could only sigh softly.
Huo Yuhao stirred, about to speak—only to feel the Ice Emperor's cool hand on his shoulder.
"Don't act rashly," she said calmly. "With your current strength, you couldn't protect such a weapon. Look at the Snow Empress—her comprehension of ice has long reached perfection. In her hands, this sword will show its greatest power."
The Heavenly Dream Iceworm's voice chimed in nervously, "She's right. For now, our goal should be improving your strength. Forcefully fighting for the sword would only bring disaster."
"…Got it."
Huo Yuhao hesitated, taken aback by their serious tone.
He hadn't intended to fight for it anyway. He understood well that something like this divine artifact was utterly beyond his reach.
He merely wished to ask about its origins—but when even the Ice Emperor and the Heavenly Dream Iceworm couldn't identify it, he decided to stay silent and watch.
Better to see which force would ultimately claim the Frost Divine Sword.
Ling Yun's gentle voice filled the hall again.
"There is no need to say more about this sword. Only through wielding a true divine artifact can one understand its power. The starting bid for the Frost Divine Sword is ten billion gold soul coins, with increments no less than one billion. The auction begins now."
"Ten billion!"
A voice called out from a corner—a stranger, but unmistakably a Title Douluo.
Those who recognized him knew his martial soul bore a strong ice attribute.
"Fourteen billion."
Zhongli Wu of the Holy Spirit Cult raised his paddle immediately, greedy eyes fixed upon the sword.
He himself did not possess an ice-type martial soul, but this was a divine artifact! Missing such an opportunity would be unforgivable. Even studying it might help accelerate the birth of a new god within the Cult.
And who knew if the Pavilion would ever auction another divine weapon again?
"Eighteen billion."
Yan Shaozhe of Shrek Academy bid next, following the orders of the Sea God Pavilion. The Academy was equally eager for the weapon.
The ancient records of Shrek still detailed the mighty Golden Trident once wielded by Tang San ten thousand years ago—a reminder of how divine artifacts could change the course of history.
To strengthen the Academy's foundation—or prevent other factions from acquiring it—Shrek could not let this treasure pass.
"Twenty billion!"
Niu Tian of the Clear Sky Sect joined the fray without hesitation.
Their sect had already decided beforehand: this sword must be theirs. No other power could be allowed to wield it.
"Thirty billion."
The Snow Empress's voice rang out, calm yet edged with impatience. She raised the bid by ten billion in one move.
She needed to secure this divine weapon quickly. Any delay only risked complications.
Her confidence was absolute—yet she still could not be certain what hidden tricks the humans might use.
Her shocking bid silenced the room instantly.
The unnamed Ice-type Title Douluo who had first bid hesitated, then sighed, setting down his paddle. The sum was simply too great.
Even if he sold everything he owned, he could never match it. All he could do was watch the divine sword slip beyond his reach.
But the Sun Moon Empire, the Clear Sky Sect, and the Body Sect did not yield.
They might not need the sword for combat, but as a strategic treasure, its study alone was invaluable.
"Thirty-two billion."
Xu Tiannan of the Sun Moon Empire raised his paddle again, his advisors hurriedly recalculating their remaining finances, draining every last reserve of gold soul coins.
"Thirty-five billion!"
Niu Tian countered sharply. Though their funds were finite, the Clear Sky Sect had enough heritage to keep pace—for now.
…
Time passed.
The bids soared higher and higher.
Finally, the Snow Empress's voice cut through the chaos once more.
"Eighty billion."
The words fell like thunder.
The entire hall erupted in astonishment.
That amount far surpassed even the price of Scattering Beans into Soldiers. It was worth more than the total wealth of a medium-sized kingdom!
All around, powerful factions exchanged bitter, helpless looks.
Eighty billion was beyond their limit. To bid further would be nothing short of ruinous.
"Eighty billion gold soul coins—once!"
"Eighty billion—twice!"
"Eighty billion—thrice!"
"No further bids," Ling Yun announced, her tone decisive. "Then I declare the Frost Divine Sword sold—for eighty billion gold soul coins!"
After waiting a few silent seconds longer, she struck the gavel firmly, finalizing the sale.
At that sound, the Snow Empress's tense posture relaxed.
As the staff presented the divine sword to her, she accepted it with trembling hands.
The cold mist swirling around her fingertips deepened as her emotions surged.
She could feel the divine blade calling to her—the elemental resonance of Absolute Ice connecting them as one.
When she gently stowed the sword within her storage soul tool, the human factions below could only watch, faces full of conflicting emotions.
"Sigh."
The Soul Beast Clan now claimed Scattering Beans into Soldiers—and a divine weapon besides. Their strength was growing terrifyingly fast.
An invisible chill of dread spread among humanity's top sects and empires. When this auction ended, could the age of soul masters itself be nearing its downfall?
Yet no one could protest. The Soul Beasts' wealth was too deep, their reach too vast.
"Now," Ling Yun's voice carried once more, bright and clear, "it is time for the final item of this grand auction!"
She smiled knowingly and clapped her hands.
The floor at the center of the platform cracked open, and a massive, ancient stone altar rose slowly into view.
It stood nearly ten meters tall, carved entirely from dark yellow rock, its surface etched with countless images of humanity's earliest ancestors—hunt, harvest, battle, and worship.
At the top blazed a totem of eternal flame, radiating warmth and a mysterious, ancient majesty.
(END CHAPTER)
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