Lin Huiqun

North of Shrek City, Treasure Pavilion!

It was a magnificent, luxurious building. Merchants cared a great deal about the strength of the people they did business with, since they were afraid of running into con artists. Just one look at Treasure Pavilion's headquarters made it clear that it had tremendous resources.

The floors were marble, the pillars white jade, and the roof tiles colorful glazed tiles. Crystal cases covered every counter inside...

When Feng Tianyu came to Treasure Pavilion from Shrek Academy, he felt like a country bumpkin who'd just arrived in the city.

Grey Wolf looked around, taking in everything from all sides. Then he voiced what Feng Tianyu had been thinking:

"I heard your dean say before that Treasure Pavilion belongs to Shrek Academy. It's built so lavishly—why can't they spend a little more money to properly renovate Shrek Academy?"

"The dormitories, the toilets—washing up and using the bathroom every morning and evening is practically like going to war."

"Ah, I really miss my Wolf Castle. I wonder if Honghong and Xiao Huihui are thinking about me right now..."

Feng Tianyu patted Grey Wolf on the shoulder.

"Grey Wolf, don't think about it too much. There'll definitely be a day when we go home!"

After saying that, he entered Treasure Pavilion.

As soon as they saw a customer come in, a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen in a white dress greeted him with a bright smile.

When the young woman saw Feng Tianyu's youthful yet handsome face, she was struck by the noble air his elegant coat lent him. He had a kind of captivating charm that made it hard to look away, and her eyes lit up.

"Sir, what would you like to buy?"

Feng Tianyu glanced around casually.

"My name is Feng Tianyu, and I'm a core disciple of Shrek Academy. Sorry to trouble you, but could you call your manager? I'd like to speak with them."

The young woman in white paused. Ordinary people certainly couldn't easily meet their manager, but a core disciple of Shrek Academy was another matter entirely.

She said, "Please wait a moment," then turned gracefully and hurried deeper into Treasure Pavilion.

A short while later, the young woman returned and courteously invited Feng Tianyu to speak with her in the inner hall.

Feng Tianyu nodded and followed her with Grey Wolf toward the inner hall.

The young woman led the way, occasionally glancing back out of the corner of her eye. She seemed very curious about Grey Wolf, but wasn't especially startled, which suggested she knew about his situation.

That made sense. Treasure Pavilion belonged to Shrek Academy, so it was bound to know something about the academy's core disciples.

Inner hall!

As soon as Feng Tianyu entered, he spotted an elderly woman with white hair and a youthful face. Her expression was gentle, and she smiled kindly, but her gaze seemed capable of seeing right through people, as if nothing could be hidden from her once she laid eyes on them.

She waved her hand, and the young woman in white immediately bowed and withdrew. Then she looked at Feng Tianyu, followed by Grey Wolf, and said:

"Hello, Tianyu. My name is Lin Huiqun, and I'm the head manager of Treasure Pavilion."

"What would you like to discuss with Treasure Pavilion? As a core disciple of two departments, you're more than qualified to be our honored guest. Treasure Pavilion would be delighted to be of service."

Lin Huiqun was an elder of the Sea God Pavilion, and held a very high position there. She had access to Mu En and naturally knew how highly he regarded Feng Tianyu, which was why she had personally come to receive him.

When Feng Tianyu learned that the elderly woman was Lin Huiqun, he was a little surprised. He hadn't expected to attract the attention of Treasure Pavilion's hidden boss. He took the initiative to show respect and greeted her:

"This junior, Feng Tianyu, pays his respects to Elder Lin!"

"Every month, I receive an allowance of rare metal ores worth one million Gold Soul Coins from the Soul Guidance Department. That's what I've come to discuss today."

"The rare metals all come from Treasure Pavilion. I've taken the liberty of coming here to ask if the ordinary rare metals in my allowance could be replaced with rare metals capable of containing spiritual power."

"I'm willing to cover any additional costs myself."

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Huiqun's eyes. Treasure Pavilion had always made a practice of investing in core disciples. Its trade routes had spread throughout Douluo Continent thanks to the disciples it had invested in before. After graduating, they took important positions in the three great empires' departments, opening the way for Treasure Pavilion's trade routes wherever they went.

Someone like Feng Tianyu, a genius valued by Mu En, was an especially important investment prospect for Treasure Pavilion.

They weren't afraid of Feng Tianyu having a request. They were afraid he wouldn't have one.

Once he had a request, Treasure Pavilion could do him a favor.

Lin Huiqun spoke with a smile:

"That's a small matter!"

"Treasure Pavilion belongs to Shrek Academy, and you're a core disciple of Shrek Academy. Consider it an investment from Treasure Pavilion."

"I'll give the order to purchase rare metal ores capable of containing spiritual power from mining sites throughout the continent. Treasure Pavilion will cover the additional costs."

"Your talent with Soul Tools is astonishing even to me. I heard you managed to make Level 6 Fixed Soul Tools in less than a single semester."

"I hope you become a Level 7 Soul Engineer soon..."

Feng Tianyu pressed his lips together. The coat he was wearing was the Level 9 Soul Tool Teleportation Cloak. He and Grey Wolf had already reached the level of Level 9 Soul Engineers in every respect except their cultivation.

"Then I'll have to thank you, Elder Lin!"

He knew Lin Huiqun was willing to invest in him because Mu En thought so highly of him. That made it all the more important to seize the opportunity and turn that regard into something tangible.

"Elder Lin, Treasure Pavilion's trade routes span the continent. I'd also like to ask Treasure Pavilion to help me look for news about the Ranking Engraving Knives."

Lin Huiqun gave Feng Tianyu a long look.

"Heh, you're quite something. You're already setting your sights on a Ranking Engraving Knife. Ranking Engraving Knives are divine weapons to any Soul Engineer. Unless they're left with no other choice, no Soul Engineer would ever willingly sell one."

"Even if I mobilized Treasure Pavilion's connections to find one for you, I'm afraid the price would be more than you could afford."

Feng Tianyu replied calmly:

"Not every Ranking Engraving Knife is that expensive. I heard a rumor that the ninety-ninth-ranked Ranking Engraving Knife, the Soul-Devouring Fierce Knife, has been sold at various auctions, and the price has never exceeded 100,000 to 200,000 Gold Soul Coins."

Lin Huiqun rose from her chair in shock, her expression grave as she fixed her eyes on Feng Tianyu.

"Tianyu, you're young, so you probably don't understand the Soul-Devouring Fierce Knife. It's a cursed engraving knife. To this day, not a single Soul Engineer who's gotten their hands on it has met a good end. Every one of them has been killed by its backlash."

"You're the genius Mu En has his eye on, and he has great hopes for you. If the Soul-Devouring Fierce Knife's backlash kills you, it would be an enormous loss for the academy."

"I can mobilize Treasure Pavilion's connections to search for news about other Ranking Engraving Knives. As for something like the Soul-Devouring Fierce Knife, don't even think about it."

Feng Tianyu wanted to say more, but Lin Huiqun had already made it clear that she was seeing them out. He had no choice but to leave Treasure Pavilion with Grey Wolf.

Standing in the street, Feng Tianyu looked a little frustrated. Since he couldn't buy the Soul-Devouring Fierce Knife through Treasure Pavilion, it seemed he'd have to find a way on his own.

Feng Tianyu lowered his head and glanced at the Teleportation Cloak he was wearing, thinking to himself:

Looks like I'll have to travel around the continent during the break!