Negotiations

Wang Dong felt little joy. Although those painful memories had been sealed away, her body's instincts still held her emotions in check.

Time flew by as Wang Dong gradually came to accept all her memories.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Through tireless cultivation, Huo Yuhao raised his soul power to Level 49.

With less than a month left before the Continental Soul Master Tournament, Huo Yuhao sought out Mu En.

"Mu En, the hundred thousand year soul ring and soul bone I need should be in Star Luo City, most likely in the Star Luo Emperor's possession."

Mu En frowned slightly at this. With an emperor involved, the matter would not be so easy to handle.

"Don't worry. These old bones of mine still carry some weight. As long as we offer enough resources in exchange, Xu Jiawei will most likely agree."

"Mu En, we can offer five sets of two-word battle armor. Try negotiating first. If they hesitate, just trade them those five sets."

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao handed Mu En a storage ring containing the five sets of two-word battle armor he had made over the past few months.

Mu En accepted the storage ring, his expression easing. He now had some confidence that the trade would succeed.

At the same time, Huo Yuhao's urgency made Mu En realize just how important this soul ring was to him.

"With two-word battle armor as our bargaining chip, this trip is sure to succeed. Child, don't be anxious. You must keep your composure when things happen."

Huo Yuhao watched Mu En leave, feeling a little nervous.

The Snow Empress was the final piece in Huo Yuhao's plans for a major improvement, and the only opportunity he was not entirely confident of securing.

He would need the Snow Empress's help to obtain most of the soul rings required for his second martial soul.

Now, he could only hope that the Douluo Continent's ten thousand year luck would work its wonders once more.

Five days later, in Star Luo City, Mu En sat across from Xu Jiawei.

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire was looking at Mu En in surprise.

Mu En had brought up the hundred thousand year soul ring and soul bone the moment he spoke, giving Xu Jiawei quite a fright.

"Mu En, how did you know we had just acquired a hundred thousand year soul ring and soul bone? Have rumors spread outside?"

Hearing the probing note in Xu Jiawei's words, Mu En smiled faintly and got straight to the point.

"Enough probing. A junior at the academy awakened some unusual abilities and happened to sense something about this."

Xu Jiawei immediately breathed a sigh of relief. It was good news that there was no mole.

Then he said somewhat tactfully, "It's not that I don't want to trade with you. We really do need this item for several of our plans. Must you have it?"

"Don't be so quick to refuse. We can offer five Level 9 soul tools. These soul tools can comprehensively raise a Soul Douluo's strength to the level of a Titled Douluo."

Hearing Mu En's firm tone, Xu Jiawei knew he would most likely have no choice but to make this trade.

He picked up the storage soul tool Mu En had placed on the table and examined the two-word battle armor inside. After weighing the pros and cons, Xu Jiawei finally agreed to the trade.

"To think that after just a few years of not keeping an eye on it, Shrek Academy's soul tool development has reached such heights."

"Unfortunately, as the emperor of a nation, I cannot join Shrek Academy. In that case, I'll hand this God Sealing Platform over to you."

Xu Jiawei hesitated no longer and ordered his guards to hand the Level 9 soul tool, the God Sealing Platform, over to Mu En.

"Inside is a hundred-thousand-year soul beast that failed to assume human form. It should be the one you're looking to trade for. I'll give you this soul tool as well."

"Good. Then I won't stay any longer. These old bones are nearing the end of their natural life. Even a little activity leaves me tired."

As his words faded, Mu En vanished from the palace along with the God Sealing Platform.

Xu Jiujiu, who stood nearby, looked at Xu Jiawei in puzzlement.

"That man must be someone very important. Otherwise, Brother, you wouldn't have given away such a valuable hundred thousand year embryo."

"Naturally. We may not have lost out on this trade. If these soul tools really can create five Titled Douluos, we'll be the ones coming out ahead."

"Brother, can Shrek Academy really have reached such heights with soul tools?"

At Xu Jiujiu's question, Xu Jiawei responded with a helpless chuckle.

"The man who just visited is the current Sea God Pavilion Master, who dominated an entire era. Since he gave his word, it's most likely true."

"Besides, even if it were false, the Star Luo Empire has no choice but to accept. We have to rely on Shrek Academy."

"But if it's true, then the title of foremost in soul tools may well pass to Shrek Academy."

Xu Jiujiu was stunned. She had never imagined that such a kindly old man was the current Sea God Pavilion Master, and she was equally shocked by the speed of Shrek Academy's soul tool development.

"I was already inclined to agree the moment Mu En spoke. Offending Shrek Academy in order to deal with the Sun Moon Empire would truly be putting the cart before the horse."

"You're right, Brother. After all, Heaven Dou and Heavenly Soul aren't one with us. But how should we carry out our upcoming plans concerning the Sun Moon Empire?"

"Change the bounty offered to the Body Sect to blueprints for the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools. Then give Heavenly Fiend Douluo a God Sealing Platform and have him try to capture another hundred-thousand-year soul beast."

"Then I'll go make the arrangements." Having heard this, Xu Jiujiu prepared to take her leave.

Xu Jiawei stopped her. "There's no rush. Why don't we first see whether these soul tools really have such an effect?"

While Xu Jiujiu and Xu Jiawei went to test the battle armor, Mu En sped back with the God Sealing Platform.

The Continental Soul Master Tournament was about to begin. If Huo Yuhao was going to absorb this hundred thousand year soul ring, it would take him three to five days regardless.

If Mu En did not hurry back, Huo Yuhao might miss the tournament.

Huo Yuhao was preparing to take part in a match between the Soul Master Tournament's main team and reserve team.

He had originally had no intention of going, but to his surprise, Xuan Zi had come to invite him in person.

Huo Yuhao guessed that something unusual must have happened. Otherwise, even Xuan Zi would not disturb him lightly.

Sure enough, after her strength had increased dramatically some time ago, Wang Dong had decided to contend for the main team's captaincy.

Both Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng had lost to her, leaving Xuan Zi with no choice but to seek out Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao was rather surprised to hear this. Just how much of an unfair advantage had Tang San given Wang Dong for her to defeat even Ma Xiaotao, a Soul Emperor?

Little did he know that all these boosts had come at the cost of damaging and downgrading the Butterfly God's divine position.

Upon arriving at the Soul Fighting Arena, Huo Yuhao immediately spotted Wang Dong, who had returned to wearing women's clothes. Her breathtaking beauty drew every eye.

The instant Wang Dong saw Huo Yuhao from the arena floor, resentment appeared on her face, and she demanded:

"Huo Yuhao, why are you avoiding me? Didn't we agree to have a meal together and clear up the misunderstanding?"

"You may have misunderstood. I haven't been avoiding you. I simply haven't had the time."

Huo Yuhao offered only that calm explanation.

Wang Dong grew annoyed at his response. "Then let's have a match first. Whoever wins gets to be captain."