That afternoon, the mbers of Shrek Academy split into small groups and headed to the most bustling streets and shops of Star Luo City, enjoying food, drinks, and entertainnt in this vast and magnificent tropolis.
Nowadays, Star Luo City was bursting at the seams. Ever since the start of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournant, even this massive city felt overcrowded.
Especially near Star Luo Plaza, the streets were never free of people. Every day, countless citizens gathered there for amusent, all waiting eagerly for the upcoming matches.
Zhou Sichen wasn’t with Ye Guyi and the others. Instead, he had gone out with Dai Yueheng.
Knowing the girls were going shopping, Zhou Sichen had preemptively pulled Dai Yueheng away to avoid being dragged along as a pack mule.
As they walked, Zhou Sichen glanced at Dai Yueheng. "So, how are the arrangents?"
Dai Yueheng nodded. "Everything’s ready. There’s an auction today, but it’ll mostly feature low-tier soul tools—nothing that compares to the ones you’ve made for us."
Zhou Sichen smiled. "That’s fine. I just want to take a look. Sorry for troubling you."
Dai Yueheng waved his hand. "Co on, Captain, no need to be so polite. I used to live here—no one knows this place better than I do. Being your guide is my honor."
His words weren’t just flattery—they were sincere. Over the past year or so, Zhou Sichen had thoroughly earned everyone’s admiration and respect.
Zhou Sichen chuckled. "Enough with the bootlicking. Let’s go take a look."
With a laugh, Dai Yueheng led Zhou Sichen through several streets until they arrived in front of a building.
It wasn’t particularly eye-catching—while not small, it didn’t stand out compared to the grand structures surrounding it.
Above its entrance hung a sign with a hamr engraved on it. Beneath the hamr was a gold-plated base, and written in bold, flamboyant characters were the words: Starlight Auction House.
From the outside, it would’ve been easy to assu it was a small establishnt—the building didn’t look especially large. But once inside, it was a different world entirely.
That was because the auction house was underground. This building was only the entrance.
And even just this entrance alone was already quite massive.
Zhou Sichen followed Dai Yueheng inside, descending a broad staircase carpeted in red, nearly five ters wide. There were no attendants outside to guide them.
They continued downward for about twenty ters before reaching the registration area.
Dai Yueheng produced a black token. The mont the receptionist saw it, her deanor beca much more enthusiastic.
Dai Yueheng calmly asked, "Is that listed inscribing blade still scheduled for auction?"
The receptionist blinked, then quickly scanned the auction listings and responded at once, "Esteed guest, are you referring to the Soul-Devouring Inscribing Blade?"
Dai Yueheng nodded. "Which auction room is it in today?"
The receptionist shook her head. "Although that blade is ranked among the listed inscribing tools, due to its malevolent nature, it has already been auctioned here more than ten tis. As a result, it won’t be in today’s lineup. The next session featuring the Soul-Devouring Blade should be in three days."
Dai Yueheng frowned slightly at that, then said, "Could you call your supervisor? I’d like to speak with them directly."
The receptionist nodded and sent soone to fetch the manager. She then said, "Please follow to the reception lounge while you wait."
Zhou Sichen and Dai Yueheng followed her down a hallway.
As they passed through an old-fashioned wooden door, the scenery changed dramatically—their eyes were suddenly filled with gold.
The wide corridor was opulently decorated, even more lavish than the Star Emperor Hotel where they were staying.
The passage was over ten ters wide. The floor was paved with rare ivory-colored jade bricks, and every ten ters, a pair of ornately carved golden pillars lined the sides.
From the five-ter-high ceiling, luxurious crystal chandeliers hung down, yet without giving any sense of oppression. The soft, warm yellow lighting reflected off the golden walls, imrsing everything in a three-dinsional golden glow that dazzled the eyes.
The reception lounge was even more luxurious. Zhou Sichen looked around and chuckled. "Not bad. That black-tier VIP status of yours cos with perks."
Dai Yueheng casually picked up a fruit and took a bite. "This is just leftover glory from my father’s era. I’ve been at the Academy the last few years—haven’t really had the chance to enjoy any of it."
Zhou Sichen reclined on a plush sofa made from soul beast hide and said, "The things you’ve gained at the Academy are far more precious than gold or silver."
Dai Yueheng agreed with that, of course. But what he couldn’t figure out was—why did Zhou Sichen want that infamous Soul-Devouring Blade?
The Soul Tool Departnt had introduced them to all one hundred Listed Inscribing Blades, so Dai Yueheng was familiar with this one.
The Soul-Devouring Blade had a history of over 3,000 years. It was said to be the magnum opus of a powerful evil soul master in their twilight years. Legend had it that the blade housed a fragnt of that master’s soul and could corrupt those who wielded it.
Only those with unshakable will could use it—every one of its previous owners had t a tragic end.
Because of this, its ranking had dropped again and again. Though once worthy of the top thirty—maybe even higher—it had plumted to near the bottom. Only its rich history and forr glory kept it from being removed from the list altogether.
Why would Zhou Sichen want such a notoriously cursed blade?
Especially when he already wielded the Scorching Sun Blade, ranked seventy-eighth among the listed blades. Why would he be interested in number ninety-nine?
Was it just for the sake of collecting?
After a mont of thought, Dai Yueheng couldn’t help but ask, "Captain, that Soul-Devouring Blade has a terrible reputation. Do you really want it?"
Zhou Sichen smiled.
Of course he wanted it—why else would he have rushed to the Starlight Auction House?
Others didn’t know the blade’s true nature. They only saw it as a cursed, evil object. But Zhou Sichen knew the truth—it contained a fragnt of Living Gold.
With that Living Gold, Elder Yi could beco his third martial soul. Zhou Sichen would then be able to fully master Elder Yi’s necromantic magic. At that point, so-called evil soul masters would be nothing more than toys in his hands.
Anything even remotely related to necromancy—Zhou Sichen would have the ans to control or counter it.
Moreover, once purified, the Soul-Devouring Blade would beco a top-tier inscribing blade. He would gain on all fronts.
Naturally, he couldn’t say any of this out loud. Instead, he explained, "It may be a cursed blade, but I believe my Ultimate Ice can suppress it—reshape it into a true top-tier inscribing blade under my control."
Dai Yueheng was briefly stunned, then gave a helpless smile. "Ah, so that’s it. I knew you wouldn’t go for sothing evil just for the sake of it."
The mbers of Shrek’s inner court had long since developed a kind of reverence toward Zhou Sichen—even geniuses like Dai Yueheng were no exception.
If Zhou Sichen said sothing could be done, then it could. No room for doubt.
Over the past year, all uncertainty had been ground away.
To them, Zhou Sichen was a man who always delivered on his word—almost like a god.
That was why, when Zhou Sichen had approached Dai Yueheng for help, the latter had agreed without hesitation, not even asking why.
He had asked Dai Yueheng for help precisely because he was a native of the Star Luo Empire—and the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke’s household. That made everything much easier.
As the two chatted, a middle-aged man in refined formalwear entered the room.
He paused upon seeing Dai Yueheng, then cautiously asked, "Are you... Yueheng?"
Dai Yueheng smiled. "Uncle Xu, it’s . It’s been a long ti, but you haven’t changed at all."
Upon receiving confirmation, Xu Cheng’s face lit up. He quickly pulled Dai Yueheng and Zhou Sichen into seats.
The two seed to have known each other well. After a few words, Xu Cheng quickly surmised Dai Yueheng’s current status.
With a shrewd smile, Xu Cheng said, "Yueheng, with your talent, I imagine you must be representing Shrek in the tournant now?"
Dai Yueheng smiled. "Uncle Xu, your insight is as sharp as ever..."
Xu Cheng looked at Zhou Sicheng and asked, "And this is?"
Dai Yueheng promptly explained, "This is our captain, Zhou Sicheng."
Zhou Sicheng extended his hand and exchanged a polite handshake with Xu Cheng.
Upon hearing Dai Yueheng’s words, Xu Cheng couldn’t help but mutter inwardly. He was well aware of Dai Yueheng’s talent. For soone to surpass him and beco the captain of the Shrek team—Zhou Sicheng’s abilities were clearly extraordinary.
Although Zhou Sicheng was only thirteen years old, having absorbed multiple ten-thousand-year soul rings and top-tier soul bones, his developnt had far surpassed that of his peers. His appearance and deanor were remarkably mature.
Unless Zhou Sicheng stated his age himself, no one would guess he was only thirteen.
So, after hearing that Zhou Sicheng was the captain, Xu Cheng’s attitude beca even more enthusiastic, showering him with complints.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhou Sicheng got straight to the point. "Senior, I ca here today for the Soul-Devouring Blade. To be honest, I’m also a Soul Engineer, and I’d like to collect the Ranked Engraving Knives."
"Although I’m bypassing the auction process, which may seem inappropriate, I’m willing to pay a higher price to purchase it. I just hope you can help fulfill this request."
Xu Cheng had already anticipated this when he arrived. The staff had told him that soone had co specifically for the Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife, and he was delighted.
That blade had been sitting at the Starlight Auction House for a long ti, unsold after more than ten failed auctions. Now that soone had co voluntarily to acquire it, he was naturally thrilled.
What’s more, he hadn’t expected to see Dai Yueheng—an unexpected bonus.
Without hesitation, Xu Cheng nodded. "It’s no trouble. Besides anything else, since you’re a friend of Yueheng’s, it’s only right that I help."
"But I must remind you: the Soul-Devouring Blade is quite unique. Even if you have the ability to wield it, you must not use it for prolonged periods."
"If any unforeseen problems arise from its use, we cannot be held responsible."
Zhou Sicheng gave a slight smile. "I understand."
Xu Cheng continued, not wasting any more ti, "Here’s the deal—the starting price for the Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife was one million gold soul coins, but since it failed to sell repeatedly, I’ll let you have it for eight hundred thousand gold soul coins. I’ll sell it to you directly."
Hearing this, Zhou Sicheng was pleasantly surprised. At the sa ti, a hint of amazent flickered in his eyes as he looked at Xu Cheng.
He hadn’t expected this man to wield such influence at the Starlight Auction House—not only able to sell items directly, but also with the authority to offer discounts.
Dai Yueheng chuckled and explained from the side, "Although Uncle Xu is only a Soul Sage, he’s also one of the empire’s few Rank 7 Soul Engineers. That Soul-Devouring Blade was personally crafted and submitted by him."
Zhou Sicheng gave a respectful nod. "Then this junior sincerely thanks you."
Xu Cheng chuckled and leaned in close to whisper in Zhou Sicheng’s ear, "I’m looking forward to your performance in the tournant. You know, I secretly bet all my savings on Shrek Academy—you guys better not let down."
At that, Zhou Sicheng gave a devilish smile. "Sounds like your assets are about to double after this tournant."
Xu Cheng laughed heartily. "Not quite. Everyone knows Shrek’s the favorite—too many people are betting on you, so the odds are too low. It’s a guaranteed win, sure, but the profit won’t be that high."
Zhou Sicheng and Dai Yueheng exchanged amused glances, choosing not to say anything more.
Betting on Shrek’s overwhelming victory was nearly a sure win, hence the low odds. But in the round-robin stage, Shrek wouldn’t necessarily win every single match, so the odds for those were still decent.
Suddenly, a new idea sparked in Zhou Sicheng’s mind. While Shrek winning the championship was non-negotiable, the matches in the round-robin stage... those could be manipulated.
If they put on a dazzling show in the early rounds and made everyone believe Shrek was unstoppable, then deliberately lost one or two matches... wouldn’t the money start pouring in like a river?
But doing so might provoke public outrage, and it could even tarnish Shrek’s prestigious reputation...
****
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