Chapter 120: with translation of chapter title

The Imperial Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy side was seriously analyzing the opponent, while the Shrek side was altogether brought by Wang Yan to the gate of Star Net City's largest auction house.

Facing the doubtful gazes of the Shrek team members, Wang Yan said seriously: "Do you know? According to my observation, compared to the previous competition, many teams in this competition have shown a fusion phenomenon of soul masters and soul engineers."

"Fusion?" Bei Bei frowned slightly, "Teacher Wang, how does this fusion work?"

Wang Yan explained: "The so-called fusion of soul masters and soul engineers means equipping soul masters with some relatively general soul tools; although the power of a soul tool cannot be fully exerted when it is not self-made, it can still to some extent enhance the soul master's own strength."

Xu San Shi said in a deep voice:

"They have forgotten the duty of a soul master; after all, soul tools are external objects, far less reliable than our soul masters' own martial souls and soul skills."

Obviously, he does not appreciate those academies' practices.

"What you said is correct." Wang Yan did not deny Xu San Shi's words, but still insisted: "Although soul tools are indeed less reliable than soul skills, they are ultimately just a kind of weapon; adding weapons will not cause your own strength to decline, but will instead make you stronger."

Hearing him say that, several team members' expressions still showed some disagreement.

Wang Yan sighed in his heart.

He knew that the only ones who would truly listen to his words were probably He Caitou and Huo Yutong, the two soul engineering students, at most plus Bei Bei and Tang Wulin, the two who play hidden weapons.

But he couldn't change the conceited notions of those martial soul department students in a short time; their willingness to follow him was already enough to give him face.

Wang Yan waved his hand.

"In any case, everyone follow me inside; no matter what, first checking whether this auction has what you need will never be wrong."

All the team members nodded together; they wouldn't go so far as to refuse Wang Yan over this small matter.

However, at this moment, a team member's reaction exceeded Wang Yan's expectations.

"Sorry, Teacher Wang, I'm not going in."

Hearing this reply laden with deep disgust, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong both looked in surprise at the youth beside them.

After Wang Dong said this, his face also showed some struggle, but he still said: "I don't like soul tools, nor do I want to use them; I can understand what Teacher Wang Yan said, but I can't get past that mental hurdle; you go ahead and enter, I'll go back first."

Saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.

Tang Wulin hurried forward and grabbed him.

"Wang Dong, what's wrong?"

Facing him, Wang Dong's tone obviously softened considerably, yet remained very firm.

"It's fine, Wulin; you don't need to worry about me. I just said, I really just feel a bit uneasy inside; you accompany Yutong to the auction, I'll go back and think it over."

"Alright then."

Hearing the firmness in Wang Dong's tone, Tang Wulin realized that no matter how much he said, it would be hard to change his mind in the short term, so he had no choice but to let go.

Seeing Tang Wulin return, Wang Yan asked concernedly: "How is Wang Dong doing?"

Tang Wulin sighed.

"He said he can't get past that mental hurdle and wants to go back to think it over thoroughly."

He also didn't know what was going on; knowing that Wang Dong usually is loud and boisterous, yet showing such obvious disgust was the first time. It was as if, when facing soul tools, the one controlling his emotions was no longer himself.

Wang Yan nodded gently.

"I understand; everyone has their own aspirations, he's unwilling to accept it and there's nothing we can do; let's go in first."

Having said that, he eagerly turned around and brought the remaining members of the reserve team into the auction house.

He was genuinely afraid that another student would decide to go back to the hotel, for you know people have a herd mentality; once a certain number of people make a choice, the remaining people's mindset will also waver.

Upon entering the auction house, a red-carpeted staircase at least five meters wide extended downward continuously, with no staff outside to guide.

Going down, after about twenty meters deep, they arrived at the registration area; Wang Yan had already completed these cumbersome procedures before bringing everyone here, handing each person a number plate, and only with the number plate could the girl in a red long dress lead them inward.

Bei Bei seemed to take everything here for granted, not looking around curiously like Tang Wulin and the others, but said to the girl in the red dress: "Please give us a brief introduction to today's auction specifications."

The etiquette miss said respectfully:

"Today's auction is a specialized auction of soul tools, because only soul tools below sixth level will be auctioned, so the specification is relatively low. According to the grading, it can only be considered a fourth-grade auction. Our Star Light Auction House's grading runs from one to five, with one being the highest specification; only a first-grade auction takes place in the main auction hall. This is Hall Twelve, which can accommodate two hundred people bidding simultaneously, and is specially used for fourth-grade auctions."

Bei Bei nodded.

"Understood."

Soul tools below sixth level are sufficient for them, after all the highest cultivation among their reserve team currently is no more than five rings.

Soon they arrived at Hall Twelve, took their seats, and waited for the auction to begin.

"Welcome, distinguished guests, to the Star Light Auction House; our auction is about to start, please take your seats."

A beautiful, melodious female voice came from all directions, the auction hall fell silent. The surrounding wall lamps, originally not very bright, gradually dimmed, while the lights on the auction platform began to gradually intensify.

A woman in a purple long dress walked up from one side of the auction hall; she appeared to be around thirty years old, with a dignified and beautiful appearance, and a faint smile on her face.

Xu San Shi's eyes widened instantly, his Adam's apple moved, and he couldn't help swallowing half a mouthful of saliva.

Soon, the purple-dressed auctioneer on stage walked to the back of the auction table with a smile, and her soft voice, aided by the Amplified Soul Conductor on the auction table, gently echoed in Hall Twelve.

"Good evening, distinguished guests; I am Qingya, the Purple-grade auctioneer of the Star Light Auction House, and I will be hosting today's auction."

Having said that, she stepped out from behind the auction table, bowed with a smile toward the audience below, and immediately earned a round of applause.

Next, Qingya gave a brief introduction to today's auction theme, then had someone bring out the first item of today's auction.

Seeing it, Huo Yutong's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly:

"It should be an attack-type soul tool used on the arm, roughly of third-grade standard."

She was not only one of the two soul engineering students present, but also possessed the martial soul Spirit Eyes which enhances vision, so she naturally could see the details of this soul tool at a glance.

By the way, when the time comes for Wang Dong to bring Huo home, she will be able to use soul tools normally (naturally using flying soul tools); I don't know if the setting about Buddha's curse preventing Wang Dong from using soul tools due to a lowered head has been heavily criticized or what.

But no matter what happens then, at least for now she still cannot use it normally.

(End of chapter)