"The invitations have arrived. Are we going or not?"
Next door to the Sun Moon Battle Team, Shrek also received invitations. Cai Meier, who had been in a bad mood, had disappeared somewhere. Wang Yan spoke up, asking for Zhang Lexuan and Du Weilun's opinions.
"I don't think there's much need. If we absolutely have to go, Caitou and the others can just check it out. We don't need to."
Du Weilun was the first to speak. As someone from the Martial Soul Department, he had always been indifferent to Soul Guided Devices.
Furthermore, he couldn't understand why Mu Lao insisted on supporting the Soul Tool Department. The Xuanming Sect, which almost annihilated Shrek, were Soul Masters, and Long Xiaoyao, who saved Shrek, was also a Soul Master. With such obvious facts, shouldn't the resources of the Soul Tool Department be used to develop the Martial Soul Department?
The Soul Tool Department clearly couldn't be propped up, yet they insisted. To speak disrespectfully, Mu Lao might have gotten his priorities reversed. He believed that he wasn't the only one with this thought; the two deans and many others felt the same, they just hadn't voiced it.
"Given Caitou's current condition, how can he go alone? Someone must accompany him."
Zhang Lexuan shook her head, refuting Du Weilun's unrealistic suggestion, then continued, "Mu Lao said before he passed away that we should start embracing Soul Guided Devices. I think we should go and see more."
Du Weilun wanted to retort, but considering Zhang Lexuan's strength and status, he instinctively chose to acquiesce.
Dean Cai could suppress Zhang Lexuan, but he, the Head of the Outer Courtyard, couldn't. He had reached his peak in this position, while she was a strong contender for the next dean and even the Sea God Pavilion Master.
"Senior Sister, Soul Guided Devices make me a little nauseous, so I won't go." Wang Dong raised her hand, speaking with a frown.
For some reason, whenever she occasionally showed a slight interest in Soul Guided Devices, a feeling of nausea would inexplicably rise in her mind, as if a voice was telling her not to touch them.
Zhang Lexuan saw this and only thought she was a deeply entrenched Martial Soul faction member. She nodded to indicate it was fine, saying, "
Everyone can decide for themselves. It's fine if you don't want to go."
It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned "decide for themselves." Once she did, few of the Shrek contestants were willing to go, aside from He Caitou and Huo Yuhao, who were from the Soul Tool Department. Among the Martial Soul Department, only Bei Bei stood up.
Due to a previous accident where Soul Tool Department seniors also perished alongside Martial Soul Department students, even Wang Yan couldn't bring himself to persuade everyone to try accepting Soul Guided Devices this time; the topic itself felt unlucky.
Zhang Lexuan knew that Bei Bei was still giving her and Mu Lao face, otherwise he probably wouldn't have gotten up. As for the others, they genuinely resisted Soul Guided Devices.
Mu Lao, Mu Lao, your last wish will likely be very difficult to achieve...
Sighing inwardly, Zhang Lexuan didn't force anyone and motioned for the three to leave the room.
She didn't really understand Mu Lao's strong support for the Soul Tool Department either; she was merely respecting the old man.
Those people from the Soul Tool Department will produce a Level 10 Soul Engineer to succeed the Sea God Pavilion Master before the Sun Moon Empire does? Zhang Lexuan felt Mu Lao's idea was a bit unrealistic. Let's see a Level 9 Soul Engineer first.
Leaving the conference room, the four saw the Sun Moon Battle Team through the top-floor window, already outside the hotel, heading towards the Starlight Auction House.
Zhang Lexuan lowered her gaze, staring at Xu Tianxi, who was casually chatting with Xiao Hongchen. Her brows furrowed slightly. For some reason, this person gave her a faint sense of familiarity, as if she had truly seen him somewhere before.
And his name... it was the same as Xi Yue-jie's child from back then, and he also had the surname Kong. It was impossible not to pay attention.
Thinking of the child who slapped Dean Yan that year, a hint of worry involuntarily appeared on Zhang Lexuan's face.
Since their parting at the Xuanming Sect, she had kept an eye on news of Xu Tianxi. After learning he had run away from home, she searched for a long time but ultimately found nothing.
At the time, hearing that Xu Tianxi was not well-treated within the Xuanming Sect, Zhang Lexuan had gone to the Xuanming Sect to look for Xue Lingxun. After much trouble, she couldn't find any issues.
She had even wondered back then where an eight-year-old child could go after running away from home, and why he didn't come to Shrek to send her a message.
Now, looking back, she felt somewhat fortunate. If he had entered Shrek and turned out like his older brother, Sanshi, that would have been a big problem.
Bei Bei noticed Zhang Lexuan's complex expression and whispered, "Sister, what's wrong? We need to go down."
Zhang Lexuan snapped back to reality and forced a smile. "Nothing, just thinking of an old acquaintance."
"Oh."
Bei Bei nodded. It was normal for Senior Sister Lexuan, after cultivating for many years, to have old acquaintances outside.
Xu Tianxi and his group arrived at the Starlight Auction House first. After registering and getting their numbers, they were led by a red-dressed maid deeper into the underground auction house.
The auction house was vast, with magnificent and luxurious decorations, even surpassing the Star Emperor Hotel. Even the group, accustomed to fine things in the Sun Moon Empire, secretly sighed that the Star Luo Empire's big spenders were truly rich.
This auction was not high-level, so no private rooms were arranged. The group received white masks and sat in the pre-arranged VIP seats.
"I'm really curious, what idiot came up with these low-grade masks? As if wearing a mask means people won't recognize us."
As soon as he sat down, Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but shake the white mask he had just received, complaining about the absurdity of the Starlight Auction House.
"This place is all about style. Maybe even if people recognize us, they won't say anything."
Xu Tianxi leaned back in his recliner, relaxing, and replied to Xiao Hongchen with a smile.
Speaking of which, did the people on Douluo Continent really think that simply wearing a metal mask could conceal their identity? Why not wear a Soul Guided mask that could change one's facial features?
Just then, Meng Hongchen pointed to the auction entrance and let out a soft "Huh," "Look, aren't those four people from Shrek?"
At the entrance, Zhang Lexuan walked in front, Bei Bei pushed He Caitou's wheelchair, and Huo Yuhao walked at the very back.
Both Bei Bei and He Caitou were wearing Shrek school uniforms.
Xu Tianxi glanced, then withdrew his gaze, nodding. "Indeed, but don't mind them. This time, we're competing on financial strength. In that regard, Mingde Hall is the best on the continent."
Before coming here, he had specifically approved a large budget with Jing Hongchen, to prevent situations like in the original work where they had to mortgage a Ninth Level Soul Guided Device to bid on good items.
Moreover, this time, he was only here for that Ferocious Spirit Devouring Blade. The carving knife's reputation was very poor, so probably no one would compete with him for it.
The auction swiftly began. Qing Ya, a purple-robed auctioneer, ascended the stage and smiled as she announced the start of the auction. One by one, exquisite Soul Guided Devices from the Star Luo Empire were brought onto the auction platform.
However, to the Sun Moon Battle Team, those Soul Guided Devices were not industrial waste, but rather shoddy, defective products.
A Level 3 paralyzing Soul Guided Ray, a Level 4 explosive Soul Guided Cannon, a Level 5 Soul Guided Shield—the array of items being auctioned made everyone sleepy.
Everyone present was a Soul Engineer of Level 5 or higher. They felt that instead of spending money on finished products, they could just buy the raw materials and craft them by hand, stamping them with the "Made by Mingde Hall" brand.
"Ugh, when is that Ranked List Carving Knife going to appear? I'm practically falling asleep."
Meng Hongchen couldn't help but yawn, resting her head against the broad shoulder of someone nearby.
Xu Tianxi twitched his lips as he glanced at the senior student who was about to doze off beside him. He shot a look at Xiao Hongchen, who immediately focused intently on the auction stage, as if the Level 4 Milk Bottle and the auctioneer, Qing Ya, were incredibly exquisite and captivating.
That disloyal guy, I'm going to tell the Hall Master that he thinks the auctioneer is prettier than his sister, Xu Tianxi thought maliciously.
Soon after, the Level 4 Milk Bottle was sold, and the buyer was none other than the Shrek group.
After the Milk Bottle was auctioned off, Qing Ya spent some time on stage building suspense for the final big surprise. A server slowly ascended the stage from one side, pushing a small cart.
As the cloth covering the auction item was removed, the cursed "Soul Devour" blade, known as the Ferocious Spirit Devouring Blade—a Living Being Watch Blade cursed by an Evil Soul Master—was revealed. The noisy crowd immediately fell silent.
The reason was simple: the Ferocious Spirit Devouring Blade was infamous. None of its previous owners had met a good end; in fact, many had seen their entire families wiped out. Xu Tianxi made his move just as the Ferocious Spirit Devouring Blade was about to go unsold, acquiring it at the lowest possible price.
Ma Rulong and the others were worried about potential problems. Before Xu Tianxi could speak, Xiao Hongchen, who had witnessed Xu Tianxi's various special encounters before, quickly explained on his behalf, stating that even if others ran into trouble, Xu Tianxi wouldn't.
"Don't worry, this guy is incredibly capable; nothing will happen to him."
"Senior student, senior student, we've bought the item; we can leave now."
Xu Tianxi patted the sleeping Meng Hongchen, who, like a lazy kitten, reluctantly lifted her head, her expression languid.
"It's over so quickly. This auction really was a scam."
Xu Tianxi smiled nonchalantly, thinking, The real treasures will be at the auction in a few days. It's a shame, senior student, even if you got your hands on them, they'd be useless to you.
The Sun Moon team left the auction house, feeling quite unenthusiastic. As they were heading back to the hotel, a clear female voice suddenly called out from behind them.
"Captain of the Sun Moon Battle Team's Reserve Team, would you be interested in a private chat?"
Everyone turned around sharply. After seeing who it was, Lin Jiayi instantly appeared in front of Xu Tianxi, raising his hand.
"The relationship between our two academies has never been very good. Whatever you have to say, it's best said publicly."
Only one person stood before the Sun Moon Battle Team: Zhang Lexuan. Lin Jiayi knew that she was Shrek's Inner Courtyard's chief disciple, and her strength was certainly no less than his own. The current Xu Tianxi was definitely not her match.
If anything went wrong, he wouldn't be able to explain it to Jing Hongchen.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan approach him proactively, Xu Tianxi raised an eyebrow and said loudly,
"What our director means is what I mean. The relationship between our two academies probably isn't good enough for us to have a private conversation. Please say whatever you have to say in front of everyone."
Seven years had passed since their last parting. He didn't believe Zhang Lexuan could still recognize him. The possibility of her representing Shrek to set a trap for him was far greater than the possibility of a simple reunion.
Moreover, even if it were a reunion, what would they talk about? The bloody incident in the Star Dou Great Forest back then, or her memories of her past with Kong Xiyue? He had no interest in either.
The Xuanming Sect had completely fallen out with Shrek, and their positions were destined to be adversarial. He also didn't believe he could pull her away from Shrek to his side.
Xuan Zi was extremely abstract, but Mu En treated her well. Although he had selfish motives to cultivate her to protect Bei Bei and Shrek, helping her avenge her family by killing her enemies and diligently teaching her cultivation were undeniably true.
As for whether she had a Moon Martial Soul and if it was related to the Sun Moon Imperial Family, he couldn't rule out the possibility. However, her entire family had been wiped out, making it almost impossible to investigate.
Could he really not be Tianxi?
Seeing Xu Tianxi's "keep-away" attitude, Zhang Lexuan frowned, feeling quite uncomfortable.
Examining his eyes closely, Zhang Lexuan vaguely saw traces of Kong Xiyue from back then, and his facial contours were somewhat similar. Her intuition told her that the person before her was likely the son of an old acquaintance.
But his attitude made her feel alienated, making her hesitate.
"If you don't want to talk in public, then we won't accompany you. We'll all meet on the competition field eventually."
Xu Tianxi's calm, clear voice reached Zhang Lexuan's ears:
"Perhaps one day, when I become a Level 9 Soul Engineer, I'll visit Shrek and meet with you. It won't be too late to talk then."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen instantly perked up. From Xu Tianxi's demeanor, he was very serious about what he said. But how exactly he would "visit Shrek" was worth pondering.
Xiao Hongchen wondered, given Xu Tianxi's usual personality, perhaps he'd bring a dozen or so Level 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells?
Seeing that Zhang Lexuan still hadn't responded, Xu Tianxi turned directly and waved to everyone, saying, "Let's go, everyone. Time to rest."
The Sun Moon Battle Team turned and left. Lin Jiayi kept one eye on Zhang Lexuan's movements, but she made no move until she disappeared from his sight.
The Shrek people are truly strange. I need to report this to Dean Yan, Lin Jiayi thought.
Standing still, Zhang Lexuan watched Xu Tianxi and the Sun Moon Battle Team leave, feeling an emptiness in her heart.
She wanted to rush after him several times to ask, but stopped herself, muttering,
"His eyes are so much like Xi Yue-jie's, yet he doesn't recognize me, and he's in the Sun Moon Empire. What exactly is going on?"