Xu Jiawei

You Jie and Zhang Lexuan spent the entire day wandering through Star Luo City, fully enjoying a relaxed and pleasant time, while their storage Soul Tools became filled with many new items.

You Jie had earned a fair amount of pocket money by providing ideas to the Soul Tool Department, while Zhang Lexuan, as the Inner Court's head senior sister, also possessed a reasonably substantial amount of savings.

Consequently, the two of them bought things for each other and exchanged gifts, having a wonderful time.

If the Inner Court disciples were to see Zhang Lexuan at this moment, their jaws would surely drop to the floor in shock.

Because the current Zhang Lexuan was completely different from the dignified, solemn, and distant image she usually projected in the Inner Court; she appeared exceptionally lively and adorable, radiating the brilliance of youth while together with You Jie.

They had just walked out of a rather high-end restaurant in Star Luo City and were preparing to head to the Starlight Auction House to participate in the high-level auction held that night.

As for how they, having made the decision on a whim, were able to enter such a restaurant with a high barrier to entry...

A jade token from the Sea God Pavilion—need I say more?

It truly lives up to its reputation as the top-tier restaurant in the Star Luo Empire, second only to the imperial kitchen; the standard is even comparable to that of Aunt Lu in the Inner Court...

On the way to the Starlight Auction House, You Jie couldn't help but praise it in his heart.

Although Zhang Lexuan didn't say much, she had ordered one of every dish on the menu at that top-tier restaurant and finished them all with You Jie; her exceptionally satisfied expression now was proof enough of how highly she regarded that establishment.

However, when they arrived at the Starlight Auction House again, they discovered that a staff member wearing a form-fitting black dress was already standing at the entrance waiting for them.

Seeing them arrive, the professional smile on the staff member's face brightened slightly, and she walked quickly toward the two of them.

"Welcome, three distinguished guests. Please follow me to the exclusive auction hall."

Just a moment ago, Mu En had also caught up with the two, so the group of three followed the staff member deep into the Starlight Auction House.

You Jie and Zhang Lexuan exchanged a glance, immediately understanding what this meant.

Sure enough, she is the same staff member who sold the Spirit-Devouring Evil Blade to the Mystic Ancestor yesterday. It seems that, just as recorded in the original story, she has been promoted by one rank within the Starlight Auction House thanks to the commission from the Spirit-Devouring Evil Blade.

The group followed the staff member through a secret passage and into a luxurious room.

In terms of luxury, this room was even more opulent than the suite You Jie and Zhang Lexuan had at the Star Emperor Hotel; an entire wall was made of a special Soul Tool screen, and facing the screen was an exceptionally large sofa and a table made of jade.

Well, the jade didn't have any special function; it was simply luxurious and aesthetically pleasing.

On the table, various drinks, spirits, and fruits were laid out for You Jie and the others to enjoy.

However, You Jie and the others paid no mind to the sofa or the table, instead walking straight to the Soul Tool screen and staring at it intently.

Is this the Soul Tool screen mentioned in the original story that can be powered by specific ores?

Are the people of the Sun Moon Empire idiots, or are the people of the Douluo Continent just fools? How has no one realized that this is a completely new way to obtain soul power, one that doesn't require a soul master or soul beast to draw it from the world at all?!

You Jie listened to the staff member's explanation, repeatedly confirming the specifics of the screen, while cursing incessantly in his heart.

Although Mu En's expression didn't seem to change—looking like an ordinary old man curious about new things—his heart was far from calm.

If combat-oriented Soul Tools could also obtain soul power in a similar way...

Then, the combat strength of a soul master would be very difficult to measure solely by their own cultivation level.

Furthermore, if the Sun Moon Empire could even manage to draw soul power directly from nature, they could easily concentrate the soul power of countless soul masters.

In that case, the only remaining advantage of the Douluo Continent—which relied on top-tier soul masters to maintain—would vanish into thin air.

I wonder if it's too late to push for the vigorous development of the Soul Tool Department now... Sigh, this old man has left the pressure to the descendants.

Mu En desperately wanted to transform into Kong Deming and single-handedly drive the development of the Shrek Soul Tool Department, striving with all his might to surpass the Sun Moon Empire, but that was clearly impossible.

Though unwilling, Mu En could only provide more convenience; the task of revitalizing the Soul Tool Department would have to be left to Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er, and You Jie...

After a short while, the image on the screen changed, and a young girl in a red dress appeared, bowing to those outside the screen. The auction had officially begun.

Although this was a top-tier auction at the Starlight Auction House and most of the items on display were to the participants' tastes, You Jie and Zhang Lexuan didn't have much need for them.

Even if a few Soul Tools from Mingde Hall appeared at the auction, the Soul Tool Department at Shrek Academy already had similar products.

Additionally, what nearly made You Jie lose his composure was that a Soul Tool he had proposed improvements for, which Qian Duoduo had been responsible for manufacturing, actually appeared at this auction and sold for a not-insignificant price.

As for the soul bones and heavenly treasures that appeared at the auction...

They were truly inferior to the collection in Shrek Academy's Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

Unless the Star Luo Empire could completely develop the Sunset Forest in the Heaven Dou Empire and ransack the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well that the Tang God King had surrounded with the Jade Phosphor Nine Absolute Flowers, neither You Jie nor Mu En would take a fancy to the treasures appearing at the auction.

By the end of the auction, You Jie had only bought a beautifully crafted bracelet-style storage Soul Tool, which was very suitable for Zhang Lexuan to wear, and Zhang Lexuan had bought a rare metal for You Jie.

However, just as the auction officially ended and You Jie and the others stood up to leave, there was a knock on the room's door.

Mu En raised his hand slightly, signaling You Jie and Zhang Lexuan not to leave, and then nodded to the staff member.

The staff member immediately opened the door, and Xu Jiawei, the current emperor of the Star Luo Empire, walked in with several attendants.

Under normal circumstances, someone would have performed a grand salute, but as the Sea God Pavilion Master and a Limit Douluo, Mu En's status was naturally transcendent, so the few people present simply offered a brief greeting.

"It has been many years. The Dragon God remains as elegant as ever. I wonder if you and these two young friends have enjoyed your visit to my Star Luo City?"

After the greetings, Xu Jiawei asked Mu En gently.