Douluo: Founding the Heavenly Court from the Holy Spirit Cult Section 7

Furthermore, the Mystic Water Pill could cleanse the meridians and improve their resilience, while also boosting soul power by a significant margin.

"What a classic case of excreting filth through the pores."

Looking down at the oily grime and impurities on his body—and that scent, which was indescribably pungent—he hurried to wash himself clean with water from the stream.

"Time to get to work!"

After catching his breath, Yang Hao took out the two smelting furnaces he had crafted and assembled them, preparing to smelt and shape the shields and battle swords.

The process was the same as with the long spears, only the molds needed to be swapped; the soul tool cores remained identical.

Chapter 9: Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife

Setting aside Yang Hao, who was working silently here, the long spears and the sample shield and battle sword he had sold at the Starlight Auction House had already been delivered to the Star Luo Emperor, Xu Jiawei.

"Imperial Brother has been staring at these for an hour now. Is there something special about this shield, spear, and battle sword?"

A young girl walked over carrying a bowl of soup; it was Xu Jiawei's younger sister, Xu Jiujiu, followed by their little sister, Xu Yun.

"These were acquired by the Starlight Auction House today. They are all first-level soul tools. Their characteristics are durability and sharpness, and the iron essence used is of such high purity that their effects rival second or third-level melee soul tools."

Xu Jiawei stroked the long spear with affection, even settling into a horse stance to flourish it.

"First-level soul tools? Are they very cheap?"

Setting the soup on the table, Xu Jiujiu picked up the battle sword to examine it. It weighed a full ten kilograms, but as a soul master, lifting it was not difficult.

She simply didn't understand why these three items, being mere first-level soul tools, would make her Imperial Brother so happy. The guards outside had said he had been watching them for an hour.

Could it be that they were cheap enough to be purchased in bulk?

The little girl was also watching with curiosity, even reaching out with her small hand to grab the shield, but alas, her strength was too meager; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't budge it.

"They aren't cheap—three thousand Gold Soul Coins per spear—but the quantity is vast. We have already acquired ten thousand spears, and the other party mentioned they have another batch of these shields and battle swords. With this supply of weapons, it is enough to form a soul master legion, or even a soul master cavalry legion."

Xu Jiawei laughed. Although not cheap, the quality was truly exceptional, enough to build a powerful soul master army.

Building a soul master legion was not difficult in itself; the difficulty lay in forming sufficient combat effectiveness.

The talent of soul masters followed a pyramid structure; the vast majority possessed only first or second-level Innate Soul Power, reaching at most the rank of a two-ring Soul Grand Master.

Most of those with low-level martial souls struggled to contribute in battle. While beast soul masters were better off, it was hard to say for those with tool souls. Some martial souls were things like vegetable rakes or sickles, making it difficult to form a unified combat style, let alone coordinate in battle formations.

But now, with this batch of spear soul tools, a one-ring soul master wielding one could unleash combat power rivaling a two-ring Soul Grand Master, and a two-ring Soul Grand Master could even pierce the defenses of a three-ring Soul Elder.

Coupled with the matching heavy shields and battle swords, forming a battle formation would be enough to threaten a Soul Ancestor.

With a powerful soul master leading the charge to pin down the enemy, they could even take down a Soul King.

If organized into cavalry, charging and thrusting with these spears, even a Soul Emperor would have to retreat.

This was enough to become a trump card in his own hands!

"Ten thousand!"

Xu Jiujiu was astonished, realizing the value within.

A single spear of this type was nothing, but once scaled, it became a different story entirely. This was the very definition of a quantitative change leading to a qualitative one.

"In that case, this first-level rating is actually its greatest advantage."

She tried injecting her soul power into the battle sword, feeling the consumption, and realized it was truly excellent.

First-level was the lowest grade for soul tools, meaning a low threshold for use, low consumption, and easier mass adoption.

Furthermore, its effects were durability and sharpness; the consumption for these two soul tool properties was already the lowest, and with the efficiency further optimized, it was perfect for prolonged, sustained combat.

The other party wasn't incapable of crafting higher-level soul tool cores; they had done this deliberately. This was designed specifically for legion warfare.

"Does the other party wish to pledge allegiance to our Imperial family?"

Thinking of this, Xu Jiujiu understood that the seller was looking to align themselves with them.

"That should be the case. However, the other party played a small trick; the shields and battle swords haven't been sold yet. This is their way of asking us to bring out something of value."

Xu Jiawei nodded with a smile. He naturally favored factions that possessed such capability and expressed a desire for closeness.

"What does the other party want?"

Xu Jiujiu was curious; what kind of items could they possibly want?

"Here is the list. It's quite a lot."

Pointing to the folded list, Xu Jiawei didn't take it to heart; to him, it wasn't a difficult request.

Not to mention, the Starlight Auction House was, after all, an asset of their Imperial family.

"It is indeed quite a lot. Some of these we don't have in reserve at the moment and will need to acquire from outside."

Picking up the list to look it over, Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but frown.

It was indeed a long list.

"I leave this matter to you, Imperial Sister."

Xu Jiawei delegated the authority. He recognized the intellect and capability of this sister; in a few more years of growth, she would undoubtedly become his right-hand woman.

"Yes, Imperial Brother."

Xu Jiujiu acknowledged the order, feeling curious about the faction that had sold these spears and shields. Could they produce more of them?

Yang Hao had no idea he was being targeted by a young lady; at this moment, he was working overtime.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten to cultivate, nor to consume the Mystic Water Pill and Whale Rubber.

There were restrictions on taking the Mystic Water Pill; it was most effective before reaching level twenty soul power, and its effects were halved with continuous use, becoming essentially useless after three pills.

Therefore, Yang Hao took one every ten days to maximize the medicinal efficacy.

As for the Whale Rubber, he consumed it daily. Fortunately, century-level Whale Rubber was not difficult to melt; it could be done using the furnace of a Soul Tool.

Such monotonous days passed quickly, and when the appointed day arrived, Yang Hao took a long bath to wash away the smoke and dust he had accumulated over the past few days.

Finally, he changed into women's clothing, took a carriage back to Star Luo City, and headed straight for the Starlight Auction House.

As soon as he walked in, he saw a group of people wearing the badges of Shrek Academy; they were clearly students of Shrek.

Besides them, there were many others who, judging by their attire and bearing, were no ordinary people.

"Miss, please follow me."

The woman in the red dress from last time had been waiting, and upon seeing Yang Hao arrive, she hurried forward to greet him.

"Quite a few people have come."

"This auction is of a large scale and features many treasures, so more people have arrived. I hope you will be satisfied with this auction, Miss."

The woman in the red dress explained, maintaining her professional smile.

"I am looking forward to it."

Yang Hao took one last look at the group of Shrek students before following the woman in the red dress toward the back.

"How come that person has a dedicated attendant?"

Ma Xiaotao looked at that figure, then glanced at Dai Yueheng.

That look seemed to say that even someone else had a dedicated attendant, yet he, the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, did not receive such treatment.

You aren't doing so well, are you!

The others followed her gaze, all feeling curious.

They had been here for quite a while and hadn't seen anyone being actively greeted; even a royal prince who had arrived earlier had been ignored.

Yet now, they were specifically welcoming a young girl. What was her identity?

Yang Hao followed the woman in the red dress to a VIP box in the auction hall.

The woman in the red dress did not leave, standing quietly in the back to await orders.

This was a special instruction from the manager: this distinguished guest must be served well.

The auction began quickly. Yang Hao watched quietly, buying anything that caught his interest. After more than two hours, the main event finally arrived.

The Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife!

"The Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife, starting bid at two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Each increment must be no less than ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. Distinguished guests, please begin the bidding."

After the auctioneer introduced the information about the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife, he signaled for the bidding to start, but unfortunately, it was met with silence.

Those interested in engraving knives were naturally Soul Masters, and they had all heard of the fierce reputation of this cursed blade; it had truly claimed lives.

They dared not risk their own lives to test it, and they didn't even dare to collect it.

Moreover, two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins was not a small sum; even if one had money, it could not be squandered recklessly.

"Two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Suddenly, someone began to bid, but it wasn't Yang Hao.

"Someone is actually bidding on this thing?"

Yang Hao was surprised. After waiting a moment and seeing no one else bid, he spoke decisively.

"Three hundred thousand."

"Three hundred and ten thousand!"

The other side followed up immediately, clearly having their eyes set on the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife.

"Four hundred thousand!"

Yang Hao decisively raised the price by ninety thousand, displaying a sense of determination and the extravagance of a wealthy tycoon.

Seeing Yang Hao raise the price by ninety thousand in one go again, the other side seemed to hesitate, and it took quite a while before they spoke again.

"Five hundred thousand!"

"Six hundred thousand!"