Conspiracy

"Tian Meng." Xu Yang suddenly called out to Tian Meng.

"Huh? What is it?" The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm came back to his senses, putting away his disdain at the same time.

"You said you would give me a Martial Soul. When can we set out?" Xu Yang's voice was somewhat urgent.

"Don't you have Twin Martial Souls already? Why not cultivate your other Martial Soul first?"

"No!" Xu Yang was a little angry. "Although that Martial Soul of mine is ultimate light, it would expose me as someone from the Sun Moon Imperium."

Xu Yang did not dare stay in the Sun Moon Imperium. First, he was being hunted in secret. Second, he knew it was the Evil Soul Masters' lair. With his ultimate light Martial Soul, wouldn't making a splash there be courting death?

Nor did he dare reveal that he was from the Sun Moon Imperium. Otherwise, even if Shrek did not expel him, wouldn't his plans go up in smoke?

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm hesitated. "I suggest you wait until level 50. Fusing with a Martial Soul is extremely painful. With your talent, it won't take more than a few years."

"It's fine. I can take it!"

Damn it! How would this bug know what I'm after? Wait two years? Wouldn't the Snow Empress have become someone else's Soul Ring and Soul Bone by then? I still have to save her!

"But..."

"Say no more. My mind is made up!"

Damn it! Without that secret-method Soul Bone, how am I supposed to ease that pain?

Xu Yang had originally thought he would definitely win the freshman tournament, but who could have known there would be so many unexpected developments? Not only had he failed to win, but Zhou Yi had even been dealt with, and Wang Yan would not be making any bets with anyone either.

I've got it! Xu Yang figured out what to do. There was a way to strengthen his body and spiritual power, and awaken Electrolux too! Yes, that's what I'll do!

After class, Xu Yang rushed out to find Zhang Lexuan.

"You want to take a month off? Is there a reason?"

Zhang Lexuan thought rather highly of this student, who had considerable talent and shared Yuhao's attribute. Still, with him asking for such a long leave all at once, she had to ask.

Xu Yang immediately put on a grief-stricken expression. "Just yesterday, I received a letter from home. My mother is gravely ill and won't last much longer. I want to go home to see her one last time."

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan did not suspect anything, and sympathy appeared on her face.

"All right. Spend some more time with your family."

"Thank you, Teacher," Xu Yang said, forcing a choked voice.

After getting his leave approved, Xu Yang impatiently left Shrek City. Time was pressing; he could not afford any delays.

Late at night, after Xu Yang fell asleep.

"Old man!" Tian Meng quietly approached the little gray orb.

"What is it, big bug?" Electrolux was awakened. "I asked you to help me observe this person recently. Tell me how he's behaved."

"Let me tell you..." Tian Meng recounted everything that had happened during this time, down to the smallest detail.

When he heard that Xu Yang had shown lust for many girls, Electrolux did not think much of it. But when he heard what Xu Yang had done toward Ma Xiaotao today, he was stunned.

"Big bug, you haven't embellished any of this, have you?"

"I swear!" Tian Meng raised a claw.

Tian Meng wanted to bring the Ice Empress, whom he secretly loved, into the fold, but now he was wavering.

Wait! Something occurred to Tian Meng, and he immediately started cursing:

"That little bastard wouldn't make a move on Bingbing, would he?!"

Thinking of Xu Yang's behavior over the past few days, Tian Meng felt there was a very good chance he would go after his Bingbing!

"How did I end up sacrificing myself to a piece of trash like this?!"

Then he turned to Electrolux for help. "Old man, what am I supposed to do?!"

"When the time comes, can't you just find some random Soul Beast and fob him off?"

"That works too."

I absolutely can't let Bingbing fall into that little bastard's hands! Tian Meng looked at the eight Spiritual Origins nearby and gritted his teeth. At worst, I'll find another host!

A few days later, Xu Yang arrived in Star Luo City and headed toward the Starlight Auction.

If I remember correctly, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife is at the Starlight Auction right now. Xu Yang felt his storage device. He had enough money on hand too.

"You're saying you want the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife?" a staff member at the Starlight Auction asked in surprise.

This sinister knife had long been a thorn in the auction house's side. Anyone who knew about it understood that this ranked carving knife was no good. Despite its low price, nobody wanted it, but throwing it away would truly be a pity.

"Yes. I'm a Soul Engineer, and owning a ranked carving knife is every Soul Engineer's dream. Besides, I'm only collecting it," Xu Yang said earnestly.

Xu Yang had also been studying Soul Tools all along, but lately Shrek's Soul Tool Department had been undergoing reforms, and that knowledge was precisely what he had hated in the past, so he had not studied it.

A bunch of idiots! How could that stuff compare to Soul Tools?! Xu Yang cursed inwardly.

"All right, but I have to warn you: this carving knife is very dangerous. You'd better not use it.

Seeing how earnest Xu Yang was, the staff member agreed. They could finally get rid of this hot potato!

"As for the price, just pay 100,000 Gold Soul Coins."

Xu Yang looked a little embarrassed. "Would 80,000 do?"

He remembered that it had been bought for 100,000 Gold Soul Coins in the original story, but he thought he could haggle.

It was not that he did not have 100,000. Although he had spent quite a bit during his years on the run, he did not have much left. If he paid 100,000, he would have to copy Huo Yuhao and sell grilled fish. He did not seem to have the skill for that either!

"Well... all right!" The staff member agreed with a hesitant expression, looking rather pained.

In truth, he was delighted inside. He would earn quite a commission! This kid did not even know how to haggle.

For the auction house, every Gold Soul Coin this carving knife sold for was a Gold Soul Coin gained. The auction house's bottom line was 60,000 Gold Soul Coins.

The formalities were soon completed. It was a transaction both sides were satisfied with.

After obtaining the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, Xu Yang found an inn. Luckily, he knew how to haggle, or he really would not have been able to afford a room!

After locking the door and making sure no one would disturb him, Xu Yang took out the carving knife and tried to awaken Electrolux.

Huh? Xu Yang frowned. Why isn't anything happening? Shouldn't Electrolux wake up immediately and help me purify it?

Xu Yang thought it over. Finally, he remembered that in the original story, Huo Yuhao's hatred had awakened Electrolux, whereas he did not hate anyone.

Letting out a breath, Xu Yang was very pleased with his haul. He would rest for the day and set off again tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, in the spiritual world, a sharp gleam flashed through the eyes of Electrolux, who had been watching all along.

Xu Yang slept soundly that night. The weariness of traveling these past few days, coupled with his inner unease, had exhausted him.

"Old man! Why do you think he bought a sinister knife?"

"That is gold of life."

"Gold of life? What's that?" Tian Meng looked puzzled.

"It is the essence of condensed life force. Even having lived for a million years, your life force would amount to no more than a single drop of gold of life."

"What?!" Tian Meng was shocked. "Something that good actually exists?!"

"Yes. So long as it is used properly, gold of life can greatly strengthen a person's spiritual world and physique.

"The amount in that carving knife could even give someone a nearly undying body!

"And I happen to know how to use it, and also how to remove the curse on the knife.

"This wisp of divine consciousness of mine could be nourished as well."

"That's a good thing!" Tian Meng said excitedly.

"Is it really?!" Electrolux was not pleased. On the contrary, he looked at Tian Meng with a solemn expression.

Seeing Electrolux's expression, Tian Meng sobered up too.

"Big bug, you aren't stupid. Think it over carefully."

Connecting this with recent events, Tian Meng's heart suddenly turned icy cold. He could no longer deceive himself.

"I understand!"