Ranking Engraving Knife, Ferocious Soul-Devouring Knife

Time passed quickly.

The end of the Outer Court's first academic year was drawing near.

Lin Ming was about to welcome the holiday at the end of his first year, followed by his promotion to the second year.

After several months of cultivation, Lin Ming's Soul Power had reached level forty-eight. For someone with Innate Full Soul Power, his rate of improvement was fairly ordinary—neither fast nor slow.

Lao Bei, on the other hand, had fallen a little behind, only reaching the peak of level thirty-five.

He had still been influenced by Tang Ya. All he thought about every day was going out and having fun with Tang Ya, which delayed his cultivation.

However, Beibei and Tang Ya's relationship no longer seemed like that of a couple. Instead, they seemed more like... best girlfriends?

The two of them, along with Jiang Nannan, were inseparable all day long.

It had to be said that without Xu Sanshi's harassment, Jiang Nannan's mental state had improved considerably.

As for Xu Sanshi's death, it had indeed caused quite a stir.

The sect master of the Mysterious Underworld Sect, Xu Sanshi's father, personally came to Shrek Academy.

However, Xu Sanshi had died outside the academy, so even if he wanted to make trouble, he could not find an opportunity.

After all, just as Lin Ming had said back then, that forest was so remote that even if the Mysterious Underworld Sect wanted to investigate, they would not find anything.

Xu Sanshi's death was simply left unresolved. With Xuan Zi covering things up, they never once suspected Lin Ming, a mere Soul Ancestor.

After all, the two people who had died alongside Xu Sanshi had been a Soul Emperor and a Soul Saint.

A Soul Ancestor killing a Soul Saint? What a joke!

That was what most people thought.

On the snack street in Shrek East City.

"Lin Ming, do you have any plans for the holiday?"

Beibei walked alongside Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, the three of them like the closest of girlfriends.

Lin Ming nodded. "I already have plans. I'm going to the Star Luo Empire."

He did not say what he was going to do in the Star Luo Empire. After all, it was a tremendous opportunity.

Lin Ming's actual destination was Star Luo City in the Star Dou Empire, the capital of the Star Luo Empire.

There lay one of Huo Yuhao's great early opportunities: the Blade of Life.

However, the Blade of Life should still be called the Ranking Engraving Knife, the Ferocious Soul-Devouring Knife!

That carving knife should currently be in the Star Dou Auction House of Star Luo City.

In the original story, Huo Yuhao would not obtain that carving knife at auction until several years later.

Therefore, Lin Ming was not sure whether the carving knife was there yet. This trip was merely a gamble on his luck.

No matter what, he had to obtain this opportunity. He absolutely could not let Huo Yuhao have it.

That was the Blade of Life, forged from Gold of Life.

Even an existence on Gu Yuena's level could benefit from Gold of Life, let alone a Soul Master with cultivation as low as his.

Lin Ming's second Martial Soul was the Prayer Angel, and he was confident that he could remove the curse on the carving knife.

And if that failed, there was still Mu En. He was a Limit Douluo with the Radiant Sacred Dragon Martial Soul, so surely he had some method, right?

"The Star Luo Empire? What are you going there for, Lin Ming?" Beibei was not the only one curious; Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya were as well.

Lin Ming shook his head. "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed!"

Before he had the carving knife in hand, he would not tell anyone the details of his itinerary.

After all, it was the Blade of Life. He had to ensure that nothing could possibly go wrong.

Seeing that Lin Ming was unwilling to say more, Beibei and the others did not press him.

"What about you? Do you have any plans?"

Lin Ming asked.

Beibei grinned smugly. "Ya Ya broke through level twenty. I'm taking her to obtain her second Spirit Ring."

Hearing Beibei's nickname for Tang Ya, Lin Ming felt his scalp go numb.

With Beibei's help, Tang Ya had finally broken through level twenty before entering the second year and could obtain her second Spirit Ring.

"What about you, Nannan? Any plans for the holiday?"

Jiang Nannan shook her head. "I don't have any specific plans. If nothing comes up, I'll just go out for a walk and relax."

Without Xu Sanshi bothering her, Jiang Nannan's life had returned to the state she had always wanted.

Quietly doing what she liked every day, with two or three sincere friends—this was enough.

"Since everyone has their own plans, then I wish you all a happy holiday!"

Lin Ming was the first to extend his hand, and the other three immediately understood.

The four of them high-fived, then returned to their dorms to pack their things.

Knock, knock, knock.

Zhang Lexuan opened the door and saw Lin Ming at the entrance, already packed and ready to go.

"What is it, Lin Ming?"

With a flash, Lin Ming used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track beneath his feet and slipped into Zhang Lexuan's room.

"Hey! How can you just barge into a girl's room?"

Zhang Lexuan became a little flustered and angry. She had not had time to tidy up yet, and Lin Ming had seen every piece of clothing strewn all over the place.

Lin Ming casually sat down on Zhang Lexuan's bed.

He closed his eyes in enjoyment and took several deep breaths of Zhang Lexuan's scent lingering in the room.

That exaggerated gesture made Zhang Lexuan's face flush instantly.

"What are you doing? What did you come to see me for, Lin Ming?"

Lin Ming rose to his feet at once and leaned close to Zhang Lexuan, a smile on his face. "Sister Lexuan, do you have any plans for the holiday?"

His face suddenly being so close caught Zhang Lexuan off guard.

Feeling his warm breath against her cheek, Zhang Lexuan was momentarily dazed.

She shook her head. "Not yet. I was planning to stay in the Inner Court and cultivate."

Lin Ming wrapped an arm around Zhang Lexuan. "Why cultivate? You're already so strong, Sister Lexuan. There's no need to push yourself so hard. Come to the Star Luo Empire with me. Think of it as a little trip."

Held in Lin Ming's arms, Zhang Lexuan's face turned even redder.

She looked at Lin Ming, her eyes soft as water.

"What are you going to the Star Luo Empire for? Is it just for sightseeing?"

Zhang Lexuan was still very happy to hear him invite her on a trip.

Lin Ming nodded, then shook his head, leaving Zhang Lexuan completely confused.

"It's not entirely for sightseeing. My destination this time is Star Luo City, the capital of the Star Dou Empire. I'm going there to auction for something, something very important and very precious. After that, I'll take in the sights of Star Luo City and the Star Luo Empire. What do you think, Sister Lexuan? Want to come with me?"

Lin Ming did not volunteer what he intended to auction for, and Zhang Lexuan did not ask.

She thought about it, then finally nodded. "All right. I don't have any plans for the holiday anyway, so I'll go with you, Lin Ming."

Zhang Lexuan's family had long since been destroyed by Evil Soul Masters, so she had no home to return to.

"Then it's settled. Hurry up and pack. We're leaving today!"

As he spoke, Lin Ming walked back and forth around Zhang Lexuan's room, helping her gather the clothes scattered everywhere.

Watching Lin Ming's hands touch her intimate garments, Zhang Lexuan wanted to say something. In the end, she said nothing, merely blushing deeper and deeper as she silently packed her belongings.

Once they had finished packing, the two of them left the academy hand in hand.

Lin Feng, Mu En, and Xuan Zi had all been informed.

They said no one would be accompanying Lin Ming this time, but whether that was really true was another matter.