Chapter 253: Ning Qitian's Excitement
Members of the Holy Spirit Cult looked devastated. None of them had expected the Pavilion's true trump card to appear so late in the auction.
After spending an astronomical sum to obtain the Immortal Spirit Energy, they felt a mix of regret and faint relief.
A soul bone, after all, was merely an external tool.
Even if it could temporarily elevate one's martial soul to a divine level, the resulting power would always be limited by the user's own strength. Without true might, granting a mortal a god's weapon changed little.
In their eyes, the Immortal Spirit Energy was a more valuable prize—it could truly allow an Ultimate Douluo to ascend to godhood.
Taking that into account, their gamble might not have been a loss after all.
Meanwhile, the remaining great factions—such as the Sun Moon Empire and the Body Sect—were visibly stirred.
They had spent less in earlier rounds. Shrek Academy and the Holy Spirit Cult had both exhausted their wealth.
That meant the path to the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone was now wide open.
If they could seize it, and temporarily evolve their martial souls into god-level forms, their strength would reach unimaginable heights.
"Sect Master, we must acquire that soul bone!" an elder of the Body Sect exclaimed, barely containing his excitement. "If your Body Martial Soul ascends to god level, combined with your Ultimate Douluo strength, even the strongest of Shrek or the Holy Spirit Cult would be no match for you. Our sect could dominate the continent!"
Poison Undying's eyes gleamed. "We'll see. The Douluo Continent hides many powers; we can't underestimate anyone who might suddenly throw mountains of gold on the table. But yes—I will compete with everything we have."
He was as excited as his subordinates, though cautious; the upcoming battle for the soul bone would test every ounce of their power.
Suddenly, a voice rose from the crowd:
"Excuse me—if a soul master's martial soul evolves into a god-level martial soul, will their soul skills also change?"
The question rippled through the audience. It was something everyone had wondered but no one dared to ask aloud.
Upgrading a martial soul was one thing—but if the soul skills themselves remained unchanged, the improvement might not be as overwhelming as imagined.
All eyes turned toward the one who had spoken.
When everyone saw who it was, the hall fell silent.
The Body Sect, the Sun Moon Empire, and the other competitors all felt their hearts sink.
It was Ning Qitian, the Patriarch of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The wealthy sect master rarely bid impulsively, and everyone knew his sect was one of the richest forces on the continent. They had spent almost nothing in this auction so far, which made him a terrifying opponent for anyone still competing.
If he decided to bid seriously, the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone was as good as his.
Jiang Li smiled slightly. "That's a very good question," he said. "And it brings me to the most critical part of this artifact's power."
"If this soul bone only raised one's martial soul to the divine level, it wouldn't deserve the name Heaven-Gifted."
"When activated, it not only ascends the martial soul to god level but also transforms all of its soul skills—strengthening and perfecting them."
"For incomplete martial souls—such as those unable to bear nine rings, like your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, or the Seven-Colored Divine Staff we once auctioned—this bone's power will complete their evolution. After transformation, such souls can fully carry nine spirit rings. It even grants the user two additional soul skills during its effect window."
The revelation hit the audience like a thunderclap.
The hall erupted with gasps and disbelief.
The Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone wasn't merely powerful—it was absurd.
An artifact that could temporarily remake even flawed martial souls, granting divine strength and new abilities—it transcended imagination.
The resolve in every major faction's heart hardened instantly. No matter the cost, they had to obtain it.
"Thank you," Ning Qitian said, trying to mask his excitement with strained composure.
But his flushed face betrayed him.
He sat down quickly, eyes locked on the floating bone, his heart pounding.
He had made his decision—he would stop at nothing, even if it meant spending the entire wealth of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This was the opportunity of a lifetime. If he obtained this soul bone, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could finally evolve into a god-level martial soul. The power to bear nine rings—the pinnacle his sect had sought for millennia—would finally be his.
For generations, the sect's greatest flaw had been the restriction of eight rings. The thought of shattering that limit filled Ning Qitian with near-tearful joy.
He had attended countless auctions before, always hoping to find something that could help him awaken his sect's full potential.
Now, at last, that day had come.
Although temporary, a single hour of god-level power could change the future of his entire sect.
"Looks like the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is about to rise," Mu En murmured, watching Ning Qitian carefully.
From the excitement in Ning's tone and the unmistakable longing in his eyes, it was clear the soul bone would soon become his.
Of course, Mu En bore no doubt about the outcome. The sect's wealth far eclipsed any rival's reserves.
None of the others would stand a chance.
"Still," Xuanzi said quietly beside him, "if they do win it, it'll be difficult for them to protect it. With only two Title Douluo, the sect's defense is fragile. Even with Ning Qitian's support, they can't rival the Ultimate Douluo of the great powers."
Mu En nodded slightly. "That might be true, but fortune will be their test. We'll see how their destiny unfolds."
He then added in a firmer tone, "If necessary, Shrek Academy can step in to assist. Our relationship with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remains amicable—and we cannot allow the Holy Spirit Cult to get anywhere near that soul bone."
His voice carried quiet authority as he looked around at his gathered allies.
Everyone nodded. The message was clear.
No matter the outcome, one rule remained absolute:
Under no circumstances could the Heaven-Gifted Soul Bone fall into the hands of the Holy Spirit Cult.
(END CHAPTER)
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