As the crowd was overwhelmed by greed, a powerful pressure suddenly descended, a cold and piercing sword intent hanging in the air.

The oppressive aura and sword intent instantly cleared everyone's minds, restoring the reason that had just been clouded by greed.

As the sword intent faded, everyone realized their backs were soaked in cold sweat.

They felt lucky—if not for that pressure and sword intent, they might have acted on impulse and been cut down in an instant!

"One hundred-thousand-year Stigmata, Mountain-Moving Ape, starting bid one hundred million gold soul coins. Twenty minutes for viewing—please make the most of your time!"

As Xu Jiujiu finished, the doors of the private booths opened, and many people rushed out of the auction hall.

Obviously, they were going to gather funds to participate in the fierce bidding.

In VIP Room 4, Elder Ma's tobacco pipe fell to the floor with a clack, but he didn't care. He urgently ordered, "Quick, everyone, take out your soul tools!"

He planned to exchange all their soul tools for gold soul coins, even selling his own life-bound soul tool if necessary—he was determined to win the Stigmata.

For the soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire, the Stigmata's significance was immense.

Soul engineers, focused on research and use of tools, often had lower physical fitness and soul power than traditional soul masters. Even if they broke through to Title Douluo, they couldn't handle the power of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.

Before, even if they could kill such a soul beast, they couldn't absorb the ring—all effort wasted.

But this Stigmata was different. Since Soul Douluos could absorb it, even soul engineers with weaker bodies could, upon becoming Title Douluo, use the Stigmata to gain a powerful hundred-thousand-year ring.

This could raise the upper limit of soul engineer strength—how could Elder Ma not be tempted?

Moreover, the Stigmata's effects didn't end there.

Whether it was boosting physical attributes, gaining the Mountain-Moving Ape's strength and defense, awakening gravity control, or bloodline inheritance—every aspect was a huge lure, nearly making Elder Ma lose his senses.

If not for that timely sword intent, he might have acted rashly, even resorting to force.

At the same time, they speculated that the Stigmata's developer—the mysterious genius—was likely Lady Herta.

After all, the simulated universe by Lady Herta had already displayed extraordinary abilities, and the Stigmata might be another of her masterpieces.

Inside VIP Room 1, Gu Yue was filled with shock and excitement.

She stared at the blood-red crystal, full of hope. The other effects were less important to her, but obtaining a soul ring without killing soul beasts—that was deeply appealing.

This could be the hope of the soul beast race! She only had one question: what was the cost of making a Stigmata?

Gu Yue looked at Lu Jingming, her eyes hesitant, wondering how to ask.

"The Stigmata was made by Mobius, using the Mountain-Moving Ape's gene and soul information, and some other materials. The soul beast doesn't have to be killed to extract them."

Lu Jingming seemed to know what she wanted to ask, and answered before she could speak.

Gu Yue was stunned, her eyes complicated.

She should have known that, given Lu Jingming's mysteriousness and Herta's power, her own identity was likely already exposed.

She just didn't know how much he knew, or if he'd guessed her true identity.

But as Lu Jingming didn't confront her and acted as usual, she relaxed a bit.

Gu Yue pursed her lips and softly said, "Thank you."

Lu Jingming grinned teasingly, "If you want to thank me, how about something practical?"

He pointed at his lips.

Gu Yue blushed, annoyed, "Keep dreaming!"

She was flustered—this rascal usually seemed sharp, so why was he being so foolish now?

If he'd asked her privately, maybe she'd have agreed on impulse. But how could she do so in front of everyone?

The others present had varying reactions—some confused, some thoughtful, some amused.