Chapter 298: The Human Altar—Endless Vitality
When Ling Yun presented the final item of the grand auction, the audience was filled with astonishment.
A low murmur spread through the hall as many soul masters exchanged uneasy looks.
They all recognized what stood before them—a sacrificial altar.
After all, the Holy Spirit Cult had often used similar altars in their dark rituals, and wherever they left carnage behind, traces of those ominous structures could be found.
Thus, when such an altar appeared as the finale, many turned skeptical eyes toward the Holy Spirit Cult's direction.
Could this altar somehow be tied once again to them?
But soon, the top powerhouses among the crowd noticed something strange.
Unlike the sinister, blood-drenched altars the Holy Spirit Cult favored, this one radiated something entirely different—an imposing righteousness, an aura of vitality, as if endless life force pulsed within its ancient stones.
Their earlier suspicions vanished almost immediately.
"This altar's aura… so bright and pure," someone whispered. "It carries light, but it doesn't belong to the light—it stands apart, beyond it."
From Shrek Academy's side, Mu En suddenly felt a deep tremor from within his body. His Light Holy Dragon Martial Soul surged restlessly, resonating with the altar's mysterious energy.
As a Limit Douluo, his spiritual power was vast, allowing him to sense the strange force radiating from it.
This energy did not resemble soul power at all; it seemed utterly foreign to everything known—existing outside the boundaries of conventional power.
"This altar… it's nothing like the ones the Holy Spirit Cult has ever used," he murmured.
Beside him, Xuanzi nodded solemnly, curiosity flashing in his eyes as he studied the relic more intently.
…
Meanwhile, at the focus of everyone's attention—the Holy Spirit Cult's section—Zhongli Wu and Long Xiaoyao were also frowning deeply.
Both could sense it too—an aura emanating from the altar that pushed back against them with natural hostility.
It was as though this power had been born solely to restrain them.
"What is this force?" Zhongli Wu muttered, unease flickering in his usually calm expression. "Why does it make me feel… fear?"
The elders around him, along with Long Xiaoyao, nodded grimly.
Long Xiaoyao's expression darkened further. Though his martial soul was not purely evil, the energy from the altar still strongly suppressed his darkness.
And yet, it was neither light nor divine—it was something else entirely, something even purer than the light.
Until now, only pure Light energy had ever held such an effect on him.
What power could rival that?
Curiosity surged in his mind, coupled with a rare sense of dread.
He made his decision quietly: no matter the cost, they must secure this altar.
If they failed, such a thing could become a terrible weapon against them—one capable of annihilating the Holy Spirit Cult's power.
"This object could spell disaster for us," Long Xiaoyao said coldly to Zhongli Wu. "It must not fall into anyone else's hands. You know what to do."
"Understood."
Zhongli Wu nodded solemnly, his tone heavy. There was no need for further instruction. He already knew they had to claim this relic, no matter the cost, before their enemies—especially Shrek Academy—did.
…
While tension filled the human side, the soul beasts in the hall all felt an entirely different unease.
Di Tian, the Snow Empress, the Evil Emperor, and even the Soul Beast Queen herself, Gu Yuena—all felt a deep foreboding.
"Master, have you sensed it too?" Di Tian's voice rumbled in her mind. "Could it really be as we fear?"
Gu Yuena's silver eyes dimmed, her tone sharp and steady.
"You're not wrong," she said quietly. "This altar stands opposite to our kind—it belongs to humanity. And within it lies a power of enduring vitality—life itself, in eternal motion."
"It seems this altar is tied to the very fate of humankind. From what I can tell, if soul masters acquire it, we will never be able to completely exterminate them. This altar could preserve the spark of humanity forever."
She drew in a deep, heavy breath, her expression solemn.
No matter how carefully she examined it, every result confirmed her fears.
This altar was, without question, humanity's shield—a final safeguard for their existence.
The realization felt like a weight pressing upon her chest.
"Truly worthy of the Starry Auction Pavilion," she murmured bitterly. "They must have foreseen our intentions."
Since the beginning of the auction, her clan had taken nearly all the most incredible treasures.
Her own injuries had been completely healed; Bi Ji had ascended to the rank of a million-year beast; and among humans, not a single soul master had yet reached the divine level.
By all logic, the Soul Beast Clan could easily strike now and erase humanity in one swift blow.
But with this altar… that possibility had vanished.
It was no coincidence. The Pavilion had predicted this moment—and introduced the altar to prevent it.
"To stop a war before it begins," she whispered.
"Master, what should we do?" Di Tian asked anxiously. "If what you say is true—if this altar protects humankind—then our plans will fail before they even begin. How will we march on the Divine Realm if humanity remains standing?"
Their preparations had spanned tens of millennia.
Before the Soul Beast Clan could challenge the gods, they needed to dominate the mortal realm—to ensure no threat remained behind them on the Douluo Continent.
But with this so-called Human Altar emerging, everything might collapse.
Worse still, if this altar also reached the Divine Realm and shielded the gods themselves… then their rise would be nothing but an illusion.
Gu Yuena shook her head. "Perhaps we're overthinking it. This altar may only preserve humanity's spark, not shield every soul master from harm. Such absolute protection is impossible."
"Let's wait and observe. Once the Starry Auction Pavilion explains its true purpose, we'll decide what to do."
She gestured for everyone to remain silent, her calm composure slowly restoring order among the beasts.
Whatever the truth was, it would soon be revealed.
…
From above, Ling Yun watched the crowd—especially the Soul Beast Clan—with quiet intent. She noticed the flickers of uncertainty in their eyes and smiled faintly to herself.
They had already sensed it.
Her gaze shifted downward as her voice became clear and resonant once again.
It was time to unveil the final wonder—the last treasure of the Starry Auction Pavilion.
Upstairs, standing atop the Pavilion's highest level, Jiang Li also observed the gathering below. His eyes shone with quiet thought.
This item—the Human Altar—was one he had chosen carefully after much deliberation.
He understood one simple truth: humanity's current power could never match that of the Soul Beast Clan. Their battle would only end with one side's extinction.
And such an outcome… he would not allow to come to pass.
(END CHAPTER)
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