Chapter 296: The Haotian Sect, Tai Tan!
Xu Jiujiu sighed softly, "The reason we can't take it is because the risk is too great and the cost is too high.
If it fails and there's no second martial soul, we'll be at a loss.
A hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring and a hundred-thousand-year-old soul bone are by no means worth hundreds of millions of gold soul coins.
If we really want a hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring and soul bone, we could ask the strong people from Shrek Academy to help, and it wouldn't cost this much money."
Xu Jiujiu's worry was about waste.
Hundreds of millions of gold soul coins is not a small amount, and she had to hesitate.
Especially for a country, there are just too many pces to spend money.
It can be used to improve people's lives, or to make good equipment to enhance the combat power of soldiers.
Xu Jiawei, however, did not agree with Xu Jiujiu's words, "What if we succeed? Our Star Luo will have one more super strong person. In the future, even when facing Shrek, we can speak loudly."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu shook her head, "The situation is unstable. The Sun and Moon Empire and our Star Luo Empire have constant friction. Maybe next year, maybe tomorrow, no one knows when a war will break out.
Decades is really too far away. I only value the present."
After listening to Xu Jiujiu's words, Xu Jiawei also fell silent.
After a while, he slowly nodded.
He understood Xu Jiujiu and knew that no matter how he persuaded her next, it would be meaningless.
"So, what do you think we should do with these things?"
"Then we should hold the auction as usual."
Xu Jiujiu thought for a moment and replied, "That mysterious nine-level soul tool master actually sent the God-sealing Ptform to our Star Luo Empire. He must have his reasons.
Mingde Hall is very rich and can definitely afford these things. So we can infer that the mysterious nine-level soul tool master probably doesn't want this item to fall into the hands of the Sun and Moon Empire. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so much trouble."
After listening to Xu Jiujiu's words, Xu Jiawei nodded slightly, "We thought of this together. I also think that mysterious person has such an intention."
"Since that's the case, we should follow his wishes even more. Otherwise, if we don't do a good job, we might provoke a nine-level soul tool master. Our Star Luo Empire is already in a precarious situation and can't afford to make more powerful enemies."
"However, even if we decide not to take this treasure, we should still make use of its value..."
"How else can we make use of it?"
"Sister, have you forgotten the upcoming Soul Master Competition?"
"Let's take advantage of the opportunity of the Soul Master Competition to hold an auction that will shock the entire Douluo continent. At that time, people from all major forces on the Douluo continent will come. Such a precious treasure will definitely sell for a much higher price than usual.
In this way, we can also get a lot more profit, and the name of Star Luo Auction House will resound throughout Douluo."
Xu Jiawei's eyes brightened more and more as he spoke.
This is an opportunity to gain both fame and profit.
However, Xu Jiujiu frowned with some worries.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
"Brother, I'm just a little worried. After all, the Sun and Moon Empire's participating team will come at that time. I'm afraid this thing will fall into the hands of the Sun and Moon Empire. In that case..."
However, before Xu Jiujiu finished her words, Xu Jiawei understood her thoughts.
He smiled and waved his hand, "My dear sister, your worry is a bit unnecessary.
The Sun and Moon Empire will send a participating team, but don't forget that Shrek is not short of people either.
Hehe, don't forget that people from the Sun and Moon Empire often jokingly call the three countries of Douluo Shrek's backyard.
Can Shrek just sit by and watch others come to their backyard and take away valuable things?
We don't need to consider these issues at all. At the crucial moment, Shrek will take action."
At the same time.
Shrek Academy.
Dressed in white and with an extraordinary demeanor, the head of the martial soul department, Yan Shaozhe, came to the quiet forest in the inner courtyard.
Through the forest, a huge ke came into view.
In the middle of the ke, there was an ancient and majestic pavilion.
However, Yan Shaozhe did not climb up to that pavilion.
Because, he found the person he was looking for on a big stone by the ke.
It was an old man who seemed to be half-asleep.
He was holding a chicken leg that had been gnawed down to the bone, and his clothes hadn't been washed for who knows how long, with bck and shiny grease stains all over.
Undoubtedly, this person was the double agent.
Spit.
This person is the Chicken Leg Douluo, Xuan Zi, who is wholeheartedly doing recruitment work for Shrek Academy!
And Yan Shaozhe's expression suddenly became serious when he looked at Xuan Zi.
However.
Before he could speak, Xuan Zi's sleepy eyes suddenly shone with spirit. He took a swig of wine from the gourd on his waist and then asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"
Yan Shaozhe respectfully拱ed his hands to Xuan Zi and said, "The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition is coming up. The contestants from our academy are all elite seeds of the academy and cannot afford to fail. So I want to ask you to take action and protect our academy's participating team."
"Oh? It's time for the Soul Master Competition again?"
Xuan Zi's eyes flickered, and he took another fierce swig of wine, asking, "How about the quality of the students in our academy this year?"
Yan Shaozhe seemed to have anticipated that Xuan Zi would ask this, and replied without hesitation, "This year's students are also very good. The main team members are Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo.
The captain of the main team is Ma Xiaotao."
"Ma Xiaotao?"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Zi frowned slightly, "I remember this girl is your disciple. She should have become a Soul Emperor long ago, right?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded, "You're right, Xuan Old. Xiaotao is indeed my disciple and is now a 67th-level Soul Emperor."
"That's really very good. She has the style of her ancestor. But has the problem of the little girl's evil fire been solved?"
Xuan Zi asked softly.
The Evil Fire Phoenix is indeed powerful, but its drawbacks are also very obvious.
If not handled properly, it could end in a tragic outcome of pying with fire and getting burned.
Yan Shaozhe sighed, "As, that child Xiaotao is stubborn and unwilling to solve the problem fundamentally. But there are ice-attribute soul masters in the team who can temporarily suppress her evil fire. It should be fine to participate in the Soul Master Competition."
Xuan Zi nodded and didn't ask any more questions about Ma Xiaotao.
"What about the cultivation levels of the others?"
"The vice-captain, Dai Yueheng, has reached the 64th level. Besides Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, the rest are all Soul Kings above the 55th level. They have excellent teamwork and their martial souls complement each other. I'm not being arrogant, but it's really hard to find an opponent on the Douluo continent that can match us."
Yan Shaozhe's lips unconsciously curled up slightly, showing a bit of pride.
"Hahaha."
Xuan Zi ughed heartily, "Shaozhe, you're still being modest. With such a strong lineup, who can compete?
Our Shrek Academy doesn't even know what an opponent is."
"Old Xuan, what about leading the students to participate in the competition?"
Yan Shaozhe asked while the iron was hot.
Xuan Zi casually threw the chicken bone in his hand to the side, wiped his greasy hands on his clothes, and stood up, "I agree to this matter.
Hehe, I'd like to see if there's anyone on the Douluo continent who's tired of living and dares to jump around in front of me."
"Old Xuan, you're joking."
"Hehe, whether it's a joke or not doesn't matter. Just believe that once I take action, there won't be any accidents."
Xuan Zi was extremely confident.
"Old Xuan, I leave those dozen or so kids to you," Yan Shaozhe said, arching his hands again.
However.
Xuan Zi frowned slightly, "Why are there a dozen or so kids?"
He even recalled what Yan Shaozhe had said.
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo are seven people, right?
Seeing the confusion in Xuan Zi's eyes, Yan Shaozhe expined, "Old Xuan, it's like this. In addition to our main team, we also pn to send a second team to participate."
"According to what you just said, our main team is already powerful enough. What's the use of a second team? Isn't that like drawing a snake and adding legs, an unnecessary move?"
Xuan Zi believed that Ma Xiaotao and the other seven were more than enough and could definitely dominate the Soul Master Competition without needing a second team as substitutes.
"Or do you think I can't protect these kids well? So you want to put all your eggs in different baskets?"
It was not hard to hear that Xuan Zi's voice had already become a bit displeased.
"Old Xuan, don't be angry. That's not what I meant."
"I know your strength. Even facing thousands of enemies, you can protect those kids safely."
"The reason I still arranged a second team is entirely to let our academy's students gain more experience and broaden their horizons at the Soul Master Competition."
Yan Shaozhe quickly expined, "Even the members of the second team are selected from the outer academy, and their combat strength is not strong."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Zi's expression eased a bit, "So you're ying the groundwork for the next Soul Master Competition?"
Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slowly, "That's right. Some members of the main team are getting older and won't be able to participate in the next competition. So I want to take this opportunity to cultivate the next generation of young people.
And the ones I've chosen all have great talent. It's a sure thing that they'll enter the inner academy. They are the hope for our next Soul Master Competition."
Xuan Zi didn't bme Yan Shaozhe anymore.
After all, Yan Shaozhe's arrangement was reasonable.
Immediately, he asked with interest, "Tell me, who did you choose?"
Yan Shaozhe replied, "I chose Bei Bei, Xu San Shi, Jiang Nan Nan, Cai Tou, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Dai Huabin."
"Not bad."
Xuan Zi nodded slightly.
Don't be fooled by his seemingly dazed and alcohol-soaked demeanor. Yan Shaozhe had mentioned these individuals more than once. Although he hadn't met some of them in person, their names were etched in his memory.
In summary.
Having exceptional talent is all that matters.
"Alright, I'm aware of this matter. Notify me in advance when you're ready to depart."
Xuan Zi waved his hand, signaling Yan Shaozhe to leave.
However, in the very next moment, a rugged voice echoed by the keside.
"Dean Yan, wait!"
Who?
Yan Shaozhe's heart stirred, and a grave expression crossed his face.
It was hard to believe that as a titled Douluo-level strong person, he hadn't detected anyone lurking around them.
Xuan Zi's expression also rarely became serious.
His gaze was like lightning as he scanned the surroundings.
"Since you dare to make a sound, there's no need to skulk around, is there?"
"Why don't you show yourself?"
His gaze finally settled on a spot within the dense forest.
"Haha, it seems I've been a bit too abrupt."
With a burst of ughter, a figure emerged from the forest.
Yan Shaozhe looked over as well.
It was a tall, middle-aged man with a robust build.
His muscles were so strong they seemed about to burst through his clothes.
His thick arms were even bulkier than the thighs of an average person.
Moreover, these arms were exceptionally long, almost reaching his knees.
Who was he? And how had he come to be here?
Yan Shaozhe was momentarily stunned.
Behind him, however, Xuan Zi remained calm, "I don't know who you are, or how you managed to enter our Shrek Academy uninvited. Isn't that rather impolite?"
Xuan Zi was extremely rare in his seriousness.
Moreover, Yan Shaozhe noticed that Xuan Zi had unleashed a powerful aura, which even he could feel pressing down on him.
Was this the true strength of Old Xuan?
Was this really the same Xuan Zi who had been soaked in alcohol for years?
However.
This formidable pressure seemed to breeze off the burly man.
The man, with a smile on his face, csped his hands and said, "Hahaha, there's no need for arm, sir. Let me introduce myself.
I am Tai Tan from the Haotian Sect. I apologize for the intrusion."
Where?
The Haotian Sect?
Both Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi's expressions showed surprise upon hearing this.
The Haotian Sect had been out of the public eye for a very long time.
In fact, many people on the Douluo continent had already forgotten about the Haotian Sect.
Because they were just too low-profile.
However.
This group of people did not include Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi.
They knew better than anyone the terror and power of the Haotian Sect.
"I didn't expect a strong person from the Haotian Sect to arrive. It seems our Shrek Academy has failed to extend a proper welcome."
Xuan Zi also csped his hands.
At the same time, the powerful aura he had just released was quickly retracted back into his body.
If it came to retionships, the Haotian Sect and Shrek Academy could be considered on the same side, friends rather than enemies, so there was no need for such tension.
"I came uninvited and have caused offense."
"I am willing to compensate with ten Soul-Enhancing Pills."
Tai Tan said, taking out a jade bottle and handing it to Yan Shaozhe.
"This..." Yan Shaozhe hesitated.
He looked at Xuan Zi.
It wasn't that he craved the Soul-Enhancing Pills, but he was unsure how to handle the retionship between the two parties.
"Accept it."
"The Haotian Sect is a friend of our Shrek Academy."
Xuan Zi nodded.
Only then did Yan Shaozhe take the bottle from Tai Tan with both hands and express his gratitude.
"I suppose now you can tell us the purpose of your visit to our Shrek Academy?"
Xuan Zi asked straightforwardly.
None of them were foolish; there was no need for beating around the bush.
Given his character, simplicity was always the best.
Tai Tan scratched his head, "To be honest, I did come with a rather awkward request."
An awkward request?
Both Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe were taken aback.
If it had been anyone else saying this, they would have surely responded with something like:
Since it's an awkward request, then don't mention it.
To avoid any embarrassment.
But.
This person before them was no ordinary individual. Even Xuan Zi patiently said, "You might as well go ahead and tell us."
(End of this chapter)
Get early access to my chapters and read more frequently by joining my Patreon! You'll unlock 20 chapters immediately and can enjoy up to 65 chapters weekly. Support my ongoing work and become part of my reader community.
Patreon: patreon.com/anish_44Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/anish_44