Handing Over

If Xu Zihuang could have heard E Cheng's thoughts right now, he would probably have been disgusted even by the fact that he had looked at him one extra time earlier.

It was downright beneath him.

Just a frog at the bottom of a well, cowering away in the Yuenan Islands.

With E Luo no longer bidding, Jing Gu smoothly won the Nine Thousand Year Demon Shark Head Bone. Yet despite successfully acquiring the Soul Bone, a shadow clouded his heart.

After all, he had thoroughly offended E Luo earlier.

Xu Zihuang and the others in the top-tier private room clearly saw the changes in E Luo and E Cheng's expressions. Yaoyang frowned before suddenly saying to Xu Zihuang and Wang Xiao, "Zihuang, Uncle Wang. To avoid any accidents, I'll personally handle the exchange with Jing Gu for this Soul Bone. I'll have Yao'er bring over the Demon Soul Great White Shark's head oil later. Zihuang, you can also tell her directly what kinds of Rare Metal you need to learn Soul Tool crafting. She'll arrange them for you."

"Alright, Brother Yang. Go take care of things first."

"If you need my help, just tell me." Before Yaoyang left the room, Wang Xiao patted him on the shoulder.

Yaoyang nodded slightly, moved by the gesture, before heading toward the auction center through the VIP passageway. Given their relationship, there was no need for such polite formalities.

With the auction concluded, the bidders in the auction center began leaving one after another. Those who had successfully purchased auction items were led away by the Yueshu Auction House staff to complete their exchanges.

The fifty Yueshu City Guards on either side of the auction platform stood ready. Under everyone's protection, Zhu Yao solemnly placed the metal box containing the Demon Soul Great White Shark Head Bone into her bracelet-shaped Storage Soul Tool.

Although the auction had ended, the following exchange could not be handled carelessly either.

Just then, steady footsteps approached from afar. Yaoyang gradually emerged from the dimly lit end of the corridor.

"Greetings, City Lord." At the sight of Yaoyang, the fifty Yueshu City Guards respectfully dropped to one knee, their armor producing a series of crisp metallic clashes.

Yaoyang lightly waved his right hand, signaling everyone to rise. Before outsiders, he had resumed the imposing demeanor of a city lord. However, when he came before Zhu Yao—especially when he met her eyes, filled with resentment—his gaze carried a little more indulgence and helplessness.

"Our esteemed City Lord is done discussing important matters? You actually have the spare time to come here?" Zhu Yao parted her red lips and deliberately put on an astonished expression.

Yaoyang ignored Zhu Yao's teasing and directly stated why he had come.

"Yao'er, give me the Soul Bone. I'll personally complete the exchange with Jing Gu. Take the Demon Soul Great White Shark's head oil to Zihuang, and help him prepare some Rare Metal needed for learning Soul Tool crafting while you're at it."

"You only know how to order me around." Zhu Yao glared at Yaoyang unhappily, but she obediently took out the Soul Bone from her Soul Tool and handed it to him.

At the same time, warmth quietly rose in her heart.

So you do care about me after all.

The Five Great Pirate Groups had never had a harmonious relationship with them.

Inside a secluded room of the Yueshu Auction House, the bare-chested Jing Gu sat on a sofa with his eyes closed, resting. Yet his occasionally twitching brows showed that his mood was far from calm.

The faint sound of a door opening made him abruptly open his eyes, instantly becoming alert. When he saw Yaoyang standing before him in a luxurious silver-white White Soul Master Robe, looking every bit like a refined gentleman, surprise surfaced in his eyes.

"To think the Viscount of Yuennan would personally come to complete the exchange. I have been discourteous."

"Chief Jing Gu, there's no need for courtesy." Yaoyang smiled faintly, with no intention of exchanging excessive pleasantries. A flash of white light passed, and the metal box containing the Nine Thousand Year Demon Shark Head Bone appeared in his right hand.

"Business comes first. Has Chief Jing Gu prepared the funds?"

"Of course." Jing Gu stared fixedly at the metal box in Yaoyang's right hand, and even the pitch of his voice changed slightly. At such close range from the Soul Bone that was about to become his, he could no longer conceal the excitement in his heart.

Not everyone had a background as prominent as Xu Zihuang's. For Soul Masters like them who had risen from common origins, even a lifetime might not grant them a chance to touch a Soul Bone. This Soul Bone, ordinary in Xu Zihuang's eyes, was an incomparable treasure to Jing Gu.

In nearly a century of Yuenan Islands history, this was actually the only Soul Bone that had entered the Yueshu Auction House.

He took out a dazzling purple-gold card from his Soul Tool and grandly flicked it toward Yaoyang.

"Chief Jing Gu truly is generous." Looking at the Soul Crystal Card worth two million Gold Soul Coins, Yaoyang smiled and offered a compliment. At the same time, he placed the metal box on the table before Jing Gu.

Jing Gu impatiently opened the lid. As he looked at the Soul Bone, whose surface gleamed smoothly with a faint silver light, a hint of intoxication flashed through his eyes.

After examining it briefly and confirming there were no issues, he immediately stored it in his Soul Tool and nodded to Yaoyang.

"The Viscount of Yuennan's credibility is assured. Since the exchange is complete, I shall take my leave."

"Safe travels, Chief Jing Gu." Yaoyang clasped his hands behind his back and watched Jing Gu's departing figure, before changing the subject.

"However, Chief Jing Gu should be especially careful on the way back. You aren't the only one interested in this Soul Bone."

At those words, Jing Gu suddenly stopped and turned around to meet Yaoyang's gaze directly.

"Thank you for the warning, Viscount of Yuennan."

The Five Great Pirate Groups appeared united on the surface, but in truth they constantly distrusted one another. There were no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

The situation in the Yuenan Islands was no longer what it had been ten years ago. Jing Gu had risen from a commoner to his current position, so he could be considered a shrewd veteran.

But he did not take Yaoyang's warning too seriously. So what if E Luo had designs on this Soul Bone? He could hardly bring people here to rob him. His Soul Power Level might not match E Luo's, but they were both Soul Saints. It would not be so easy for E Luo to suppress him effortlessly.

There will be two more updates tonight. Everyone, please send some recommendation votes and make an investment.