Xu Jiujiu's Invitation

Hearing the voice, Lin Chen stopped as well, becoming tense again. In this desolate wilderness, there was no telling what sort of people he might encounter, so he naturally had to stay on guard.

There were five newcomers in total, all with their faces concealed. The leader was a woman with long golden hair.

The five approached Lin Chen. The woman at the forefront asked, "Did that Evil Soul Master just now die by your hand, little brother?"

"Yes. May I ask what business you have with me?"

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Xu Jiujiu, and I am the sister of the Star Luo Empire's emperor. On behalf of the people of the Starfall Empire, I thank you, little brother, for eliminating this scourge."

"So it is Princess Jiujiu. Please forgive my discourtesy. I was merely passing by. He wanted to kill me, so I had no choice but to kill him. I cannot accept this gratitude." Lin Chen spoke calmly.

"May I know your name, little brother?" Xu Jiujiu asked.

"My name is Lin Chen. I am from Shrek Academy." After some thought, Lin Chen decided to reveal his identity to Xu Jiujiu. With Shrek behind him, even if they wanted to make a move against him, they would have to consider whether they could afford to provoke Shrek.

It could be said that Shrek was practically an immunity medal within the former three great Douluo empires.

"So you are an outstanding student of Shrek Academy. Please forgive my disrespect." Xu Jiujiu bowed slightly to show her respect.

"I do not deserve such praise."

"Are you returning to Shrek, little brother Lin Chen?"

Lin Chen nodded. "I am indeed traveling home. I happened to pass through this place and killed that Evil Soul Master."

"This place is not far from Star Luo City. Why not visit our Star Luo imperial palace, little brother? You can replenish your supplies while you are there, and that should let you return to Shrek Academy even sooner. If you need anything, Star Luo will surely provide it." Xu Jiujiu invited Lin Chen.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Chen nodded. "Then I shall trouble you."

Xu Jiujiu smiled sweetly. "You are too polite, little brother Lin Chen. You have made such a contribution to my Star Luo Empire, so naturally the Starfall Empire will not treat you poorly. Uncle Huang, let us return." Her last sentence was directed at a black-clad man beside her.

Uncle Huang? Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu?

Lin Chen had a guess, but the thought flashed through his mind only briefly.

This time, he was going to Star Luo City for the Life Gold. That thing would not only benefit him, but also help Qian Renxue recover her divine soul.

Sigh! Without realizing it, I've stolen another one of Huo Gua's opportunities!

Xu Jiujiu took out a Flying Soul Tool and handed it to Lin Chen. With the Soul Tool's aid, they soon arrived at Star Luo City and landed directly within the imperial palace.

" Ninth Sister, you're back?" A steady voice rang out.

This is the Star Luo emperor, Xu Jiawei, Lin Chen thought.

"Yes, Imperial Brother. This time, I also brought back an outstanding student from Shrek. Our mission succeeded thanks to him as well."

Hearing this, Xu Jiawei looked at Lin Chen and smiled. "An outstanding student of Shrek Academy—welcome to Star Luo City."

"Your Majesty is too courteous."

Xu Jiawei ordered his servants to prepare a feast, not caring that it was already nighttime. He and Xu Jiujiu then pulled Lin Chen over to sit with them and began chatting.

Rather than chatting, though, they were really probing for information about Shrek.

Relationships between people were that simple. Once you had value, others would greet you with smiles and treat you with courtesy and respect. If you had no value at all, they would kick you aside like a ball. Lin Chen's current friends at Shrek might not be like that, but Xu Jiawei, as the ruler of a nation, absolutely handled matters this way.

Lin Chen answered a few questions simply, but brushed off most of them.

Not to mention that he did not know any of Shrek's secrets—even if he did, he would not reveal them.

After the lavish meal, Xu Jiawei said, "Little brother, you have contributed to my empire, so I should naturally reward you."

With a sweep of his hand, a dazzling array of items was brought onto the table.

"Little brother, if there is any treasure you fancy, consider it a gift of thanks from me on behalf of the people of the Star Luo Empire."

Lin Chen did not stand on ceremony. After looking them over, he chose a Level 6 defensive Soul Tool.

His life was the most important thing, after all!

"Thank you for Your Majesty's kindness. I will not decline, then. However, I have one more request."

"Oh? Go ahead, little brother."

"It is like this. I have a friend who is a Soul Engineer. I would like to ask whether there are any engraving knives for sale here. I am willing to pay double the price."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Xu Jiawei fell into thought. After a moment, he said, "To be honest, little brother, our Starlight Auction House does indeed have an engraving knife, but..."

"But what?" Lin Chen pretended not to understand.

"It is the infamous Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife. We have been worried that we would be unable to sell it, so we planned to put it up for auction at the upcoming auction. I wonder whether you...?"

Lin Chen instantly became a master actor. After pretending to deliberate for a moment, he said, "Please take me to see it, Your Majesty."

Xu Jiawei led Lin Chen to the backstage area of the Starlight Auction House and instructed a staff member, "Bring out the engraving knife that was to be auctioned and show it to this little brother."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The staff member did not dare delay and hurriedly brought over the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife.

Lin Chen accepted the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife. His gaze fell upon it. The dark engraving knife radiated a blood-red glow, and it seemed filled with sharpness.

This is it! Lin Chen was overjoyed, but he did not show it.

Because the performance was not over yet.

On the surface, Lin Chen continued examining the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife carefully, occasionally putting on a troubled expression.

Seeing Lin Chen like this, Princess Jiujiu said, "I imagine you have also noticed what is unusual about this engraving knife, little brother Lin Chen. Its legend is no rumor. Every one of its owners died a miserable death."

After "remaining silent" for a long time, Lin Chen seemed to have "made up his mind." "Your Majesty, Princess, I'll buy it!"

Seeing this, Xu Jiawei said, "There is no need for this, little brother Lin Chen. Since you want it, I shall simply give this engraving knife to you."

"Your Majesty, I have already accepted one of your Level 6 Soul Tools. If Your Majesty gives me this engraving knife as well, I truly would not dare accept it." Lin Chen continued showing off his acting skills.

If this were not a fantasy world, Lin Chen felt that he could have become a top-tier male actor.

"Alright, Imperial Brother. How about we sell it to little brother Lin Chen at the starting price?" Xu Jiujiu suggested.

Xu Jiawei nodded.

After another one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins were deducted from Zhou Mingxing's card, the Spirit Devouring Engraving Knife—or rather, the Life Gold—smoothly entered Lin Chen's possession.

"Your Majesty, Princess, then I shall take my leave."

Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujiu nodded and watched Lin Chen depart. Such treatment was probably reserved only for people from Shrek Academy.

"I made a killing on this trip!" Lin Chen shouted happily.

Although he had faced life-and-death danger, he had not only obtained a cheat, but also seized the Life Gold. It was no loss at all!

He stopped at a cave. After ensuring the place was safe, Lin Chen slowly took out the Life Gold.

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