Douluo Dalu 2: Unrivaled Tang Sect

Chapter 56.1. The Treasure Appreciation Auction

The Treasure Appreciation Auction for the core disciples will commence tonight. Even though this Treasure Appreciation Auction of ours isnt as good as the inner courtyards auction, Ive heard that there are many good items there. For example, medicine pills, herbs and even custom-made soul rings! There are also soul tool-related items. In any case, all of the items there are all high quality goods. Are you going?

Huo Yuhao let out a bitter laugh and said, Im not going. I barely have any money so whats the use in going? Since there are only going to be good items there, theyre naturally going to be expensive. It would be okay if I didnt fancy anything, but just in case I do fancy something, wouldnt I just be bringing suffering upon myself?

Wang Dong felt pleased as he replied, Im sure you dont know this, but didnt you mention a moment ago that not all of our seniors are rich? What meaning would this Treasure Appreciation Auction have then? The truth is that we can buy the items on credit. This is also the reason why the auction is not open to normal students.

His curiosity peaked, Huo Yuhao asked, Buying on credit? Tell me more about this.

Wang Dong said, Dont look down on our identity as core disciples. The probability of a core disciple from the outer courtyard graduating is above 95 percent. Moreover, each and every student capable of graduating from the outer courtyard is an outstanding talent in extreme demand, regardless of country or industry. Thats because the main requirement in order to graduate from the outer courtyard is becoming a Soul Ancestor!

Therefore, what these businesses are doing is investing in us and our potential. Theyll arrange a date for us to sign an agreement with them. We would then repay them in yearly installments. We can even defer repaying them till after we graduate, but in that case theyll collect a small amount of interest from us.

I know you dont understand how they benefit from this, do you? First, since we are in their debt; if they have something to ask of you or if they encounter something problematic, how could you not help them? If they want to employ you, could you reject them? Taking a step back, theres no harm in forming a good relationship with a powerful Soul Ancestor is there? In any case, at the very least they can boost the chances of you shopping in their store. You may not have money now but that doesnt mean youll always be poor in the future.

These businesses are very shrewd and would never conduct transactions that would end in a loss for them. If we core disciples can enter the inner courtyard, the payment will increase further, and all the interest on the loan would be waived off. All wed need to do is repay the capital within the deadline via one of the many repayment schemes.

After his thorough explanation, Huo Yuhao finally saw the light, There are actually so many ways of doing things here. Then does that mean we can also buy things on credit?

Wang Dong nodded and said, But of course! Were core disciples, after all! Moreover, youre a core disciple of two departments. If they heard about this, Im sure theyd give you an even greater discount.

Huo Yuhao shook his head and replied, Theres no need for that. Id have to return the favor if I accepted their discounts. Wed better not do that unless we had no other choice.

Wang Dong was excited, Of course! Despite being in the academy for so long have you been to Shrek City?

Huo Yuhao naturally hadnt been to Shrek City. From his point of view, the biggest hurdle was his first year in the academy. During that time, he knew that he could be expelled at any time. Other than giving it his all in cultivating, how could he have the time and energy to go window shopping?

Youve never been out there, right? Were going to start lessons very soon. Its such a rare occurrence that weve got free time, so lets take a stroll. Even if we dont buy anything, we can increase our knowledge. We cant always ignore whats going on in the world outside even if we want to.

Huo Yuhao saw how excited he looked and couldnt bring himself to say no to him. He felt slightly helpless as he replied, Its tonight, right? Then before we finish eating, you have to accompany me in cultivation. Youre not allowed to slack off.

Wang Dong smiled as he replied, Deal!

They then spent the remaining hours cultivating. Huo Yuhao had originally been under the assumption that his soul power was increasing rapidly and that he had already caught up to most of the other students. However, he started to panic when he heard Teacher Wang Yan and Dean Yan mention that the speed at which a person with an Ultimate marital soul could cultivate would decrease after Rank 30. Moreover, he was different from the other students. As per the academys instructions, he had to momentarily maintain his position as a core disciple of two departments. He had to multitask and study in both departments at the same time. This wasnt an easy feat. Hence, he didnt dare to relax for a single moment despite having already established himself in the academy. On the contrary, he had to work even harder.

Huo Yuhao also had his own opinions on the situation. His plan of singlehandedly seeking revenge on the Dukes Residence was a pipe dream. Even if he had the ability to do so in the future, how many years would he have to wait? Twenty, thirty, or maybe even fifty years? At that time, things would remain the same, yet people wouldve changed. What would be the point of seeking revenge anymore? The target he gave himself to complete his revenge in was twenty years. This required him to be even stronger and even more powerful than he was currently. Shrek Academy was undoubtedly the best place for him to take flight. Thus, he had to do his best and learn as much as he could so while he was here so he could become stronger.

Time always passed very quickly when cultivating. The sky was already darkening by the time the two finished cultivating. After they finished eating a top-notch, scrumptious meal, they took the invitation letter and quietly left the school.

Naturally, they werent the only two to receive the invitation letter. The core disciples in the outer courtyard were spread across all year groups. For example, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Zhou Enchen and Chao Jinxuan from their year had also received invitations. However they would all go at different times as they had been taking their exams for the past two days.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong set off considerably later than the others. As they walked out of the academys gates, Huo Yuhao suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Whats wrong? Wang Dong asked, puzzled.

Huo Yuhao answered, Do you know how to get to the Treasure Assembly Pavilion? Ive never been to Shrek City before. Youve never been there either, right?

Wang Dong raised his hand and knocked Huo Yuhao on his head. Stupid, look at the back of your invitation letter.

As a core disciple, Huo Yuhao had naturally received his own invitation letter. He took it out and flipped it over. Sure enough, there was a detailed map stamped in gold which indicated the location of the Treasure Assembly Pavilion within Shrek City.

Although Shrek Academy was located within Shrek City, they werent connected to one another. This also meant that there wasnt a back door connecting the academy to the city.

As a result of that, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had to walk out of the academy, head round to either the south or north gate of the city and then enter through that gate. The Treasure Appreciation Pavilion seemed to be closer to the north gate on the map, so they naturally headed to that gate.

Shrek City was very large so the duo started to run as soon as they left the academy. They only stepped through the north gate after running for close to an hour.

As one of the busiest cities and most integral cities on the Douluo Continent, Shrek City was the liveliest in the evening. Once they passed through the city gates, they were greeted by a noisy place that was bustling with activity. Huo Yuhao was shocked by what he saw since neither had he ever been to such a big city,nor had he seen so many people before in his life.