The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife; making money

Star Luo Auction House.

Top floor.

The long, narrow corridor was lined with rooms on both sides, each marked with a number from 01 to 20.

Lu Cheng and his entourage were led to private room number 03 by a beautiful and gentle woman in a purple dress.

"Gentlemen, I am the person in charge for this matter, my name is Qing Ya. If you have any opinions, please feel free to give me feedback..." The woman bowed slightly, gave a greeting, and sat down beside Wang Yan with a smile, introducing herself.

"Every year, the Star Luo Empire Auction House holds a top-tier auction, featuring only the finest items, including the Sun Moon Empire's latest Soul Guidance Technology, extremely rare Soul Bone, various rare and precious materials, and numerous elixirs that benefit Soul Master."

"And I'm sure the grand finale of this top-tier auction will not disappoint you all," Qing Ya said with a smile.

Wang Yan, sitting next to him, was restless and his face flushed.

A pure science and engineering student meets a beautiful woman, and manages to get a purple dress at an auction. This Qing Ya woman is clearly no pushover. Even if she doesn't deliberately seduce him, she's adept at manipulating men's eyes and making moves.

Zhang Lexuan sat beside Lu Cheng, her eyes fixed on the boy. Her hands were busy, peeling Ju Zi and picking grapes to feed him.

Ma Xiaotao sat on the other side, her long, beautiful legs crossed, lounging lazily on the soft sofa, hugging Lu Cheng's arm and resting her head in his lap, dozing off in the pleasantly warm temperature of the room.

Gongyang Mo's mouth was agape in an "O" shape, looking completely bewildered.

When... Grandmaster of the inner courtyard also...?

And then there's Ma Xiaotao, didn't she say it was just pure friendship?

It doesn't seem like it.

Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Wang Dong, and the others ate fruit, whispering to each other, their eyes occasionally glancing at Lu Cheng.

Everyone waited quietly for the auction to begin.

"The Star Luo Empire Auction House includes Yongzhen?" Lu Cheng suddenly looked at Qing Ya.

The latter paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly, "Lord Soul Master, saying it encompasses everything might be a bit of an exaggeration, but basically 99% of the things on the market can be found here."

"Miss Qing Ya, if I would like to purchase one item directly, is that possible?"

Lu Cheng straightened up and asked with great interest.

"..."

Qing Ya's eyes flashed with surprise, and she quickly said, "You are a VIP of the Star Luo Empire Auction House. Although we only have auctions here, if you ask for a price that is right, that's fine too."

"Of course, if the amount is large, I'll still have to consult with higher-ups."

"I've heard that... the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, ranked ninety-ninth on the Carving Knife Ranking, has been acquired by your auction house. It's been auctioned but hasn't sold yet. I'm willing to buy it for 100,000 Gold Soul Coin. What do you say?"

Lu Cheng said with a smile.

It wasn't that he suddenly brought this up.

He had just realized that the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife wasn't an item from a top-tier auction at all, but rather a rather insignificant item from an earlier Soul Tool sale. Clearly, with its mere starting price of 100,000 Gold Soul Coin, it didn't deserve to appear at a top-tier auction...

"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife?" Qing Ya's eyes widened in astonishment.

Clearly, as a seasoned auctioneer, she was already aware of the Carving Knife's infamous reputation.

"Is that alright?" Lu Cheng continued.

"Certainly!!"

Qing Ya quickly replied.

"I'll contact them right away..."

Having said that, she lifted her purple skirt, her high heels clicking softly on the smooth, white jade floor, and headed out of the house.

"Call..."

Star Luo Auction House.

Backstage rest area.

Xu Jiujiu sat on the sofa, a maid gently gathering the girl's soft golden hair behind her, while a professional makeup artist beside her lightly pressed a strip of bright red dye onto her red lips, making them appear even more luscious and beautiful.

Although she was already radiant enough, makeup is a long-standing tradition for auctioneers.

Xu Jiujiu, his expression gradually relaxed.

The Star Luo Team has just finished the first round of elimination matches. Although she didn't play, as the captain, she at least had to stay and watch the whole thing.

The outcome was completely unexpected; a crushing, overwhelming victory.

"Princess Jiujiu..."

Just as she was idly looking in the mirror, admiring the stunning beauty reflected there...

A hurried voice slowly rang out.

It is truly Qing Ya.

"Princess Jiujiu, a guest in VIP room number three said he wants to directly purchase an unsold item from the Star Luo Empire Auction House, the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. What do you think..." Qing Ya bowed slightly, not daring to look directly at the person in the mirror, and spoke softly.

"..."

"Room number three, is that Shrek Academy...?" Xu Jiujiu parted her red lips slightly, waved her hand gently, and the two maids behind her bowed and retreated.

The beautiful woman remained seated quietly on the sofa, glancing at Qing Ya: "What does the guest you mentioned look like?"

"A boy around thirteen or fourteen years old, about 1.78 meters tall, with a normal build, wearing a ponytail, and as for his features... handsome, very handsome, even somewhat handsome," Qing Ya said in a low voice.

"It's him." Xu Jiujiu's pupils narrowed slightly.

His slender, fair fingers gently caressed her.

"Your Highness recognizes him?" Qing Ya was taken aback.

"Hehe, I recognize him, of course I recognize him..." Xu Jiujiu, the image of the boy standing on the field, hands in his pockets, lazily walking off the stage, followed by the seven members of the Heavenly Soul Empire in a scene of utter devastation, flashed through his mind.

Today's match was etched deeply into her mind.

Unpredictable and mysterious.

This is her assessment.

That handsome face did indeed make her a little tempted. She had always prided herself on not being a looks-obsessed person, and even looked down on women who couldn't walk past handsome men.

"The Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife... give it to him."

He pondered for Xu Jiujiu speaking.

"Since he said that, it means he knows that the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife is in our hands. It's not a wise move to offend him for no reason, especially since the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife hasn't been auctioned off for quite some time."

"But..." Qing Ya hesitated for a moment.

"Some things, some opportunities, cannot be forced. It's better to use this to cultivate relationships. After all, that thing has been in the hands of my Star Luo Empire for several years, and countless Soul Guidance experts have tried to subdue it, but with unsuccessful results..."

He spoke Youyou Xu Jiujiu.

"Yes!" Qing Ya was a veteran, having followed him for Xu Jiujiu and knowing some of the inside story, her face instantly turned pale, and she said no more.

He bowed slightly, then turned and left.

Xu Jiujiu sat on the sofa, gazing at the beauty in the mirror, her red lips uttering Youyou sigh, "Lu Cheng, it's a pity you are not one of my Star Luo Empire people..."

"The items are ready. You can pay the fee and take them with you when the auction ends," Qing Ya said respectfully.

Thank you.

Lu Cheng said with a smile.

"It's my duty," Qing Ya quickly waved her hand and said.

As time ticked by, the auction finally began.

Suddenly, the walls inside the room, made of a strange metal, lit up, as if projecting a beautiful girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in an elegant golden dress. She spoke gently, "I apologize for being Jiujiu, everyone..."

Princess Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiujiu.

The auction was held as scheduled.

The first item was naturally Level 8 Soul Tool, the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade. However, this time Dai Yueheng was not involved, and it was auctioned off to a mysterious person in room number seven for a similar price of approximately 650,000 Gold Soul Coin.

It was a great start.

The second item was twelve Stationary Soul Cannon of various attributes (wind, fire, thunder, lightning, etc.). These were the Soul Tool with additional attributes that Lu Cheng had mentioned. They were rare items on the mainland, but commonplace in the Sun Moon Empire.

"The college has given us credit vouchers, so please don't hesitate to buy anything you want."

Zhang Lexuan spoke leisurely.

He casually held up the gold card in his hand.

Credit vouchers, as the name suggests, are for paying after use. Once the goods are purchased, the Star Luo Empire will settle the bill with the Shrek Academy.

"Seven hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin."

Lu Cheng waved his hand and smiled as he pocketed the twelve Fixed Soul Cannon Shell shells.

Perhaps because this is the original continent, many powerful Soul Master are not very interested in this kind of disposable bomb, let alone disassemble it for research.

Therefore, there was almost no competition.

Then, several more Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, were auctioned off by Lu Cheng at high prices.

"You're so naughty," Zhang Lexuan whispered in Lu Cheng's ear.

"Hehe, let's teach them a lesson," Lu Cheng laughed.

"..."

Zhang Lexuan rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything more.

She and Shrek are sworn enemies.

Especially the leaders.

She had no objection to this scheme against Shrek.

However, the subsequent Soul Tool gradually became of higher quality, all of them being level six to eight, and for the same type, there were always at least ten of them, providing ample quantity.

The bidding machines for many rooms are worn out from being pressed so many times.

One or two is normal, but when more than ten appear at the same time, it's almost as if they're aiming to assemble a small Soul Engineer Legion.

Many powerful figures stared in astonishment at the series of flashing images of level seven or eight Soul Tool.

Did they steal the Sun Moon Empire's armory?

At this moment, Lu Cheng's room fell silent.

The latter watched as the transaction amounts increased with each bid, a smile playing on his lips.

That's right, this is the Soul Tool he made working overtime before leaving Shrek. In this continent, Gold Soul Coin are still hard currency, and you're not really in a good position if you don't have some in your pocket.

"Twenty Level 7 Long-Range Soul Guidance Ray... Price: 1.01 million Gold Soul Coin, Sold!"

"Eleven level-six Milk Bottle, priced at 890,000 Gold Soul Coin, sold!"

"Five level 8 long-range Soul Cannon, priced at 2.7 million Gold Soul Coin..."

"..."

To Lu Cheng, each sound was like a gleaming Gold Soul Coin.

After deducting the auction commission, I estimate I'll get at least five million Gold Soul Coin.

It's been sent.

As for the Proof of Jade, a level-nine Defensive Soul Tool he had obtained from that mysterious Level 9 Soul Engineer in the Far North, he originally planned to sell it, hoping to fetch several million Gold Soul Coin. However, after thinking about it, he decided against it.

Keep it to save your life.

Not to mention, this thing is also quite good as a level nine Milk Bottle.

Until yet another Soul Bone appeared.

"Left arm bone, Ice Jade Scorpion..."

Lu Cheng's eyes flickered.

The voice of the Snow Empress also appeared in the Sea of Consciousness.

"Buy it!"

P. S.: Regarding the Soul Bone, they are directly fused with the Soul Bone that the protagonist has already refined. The original work mentions Soul Bone fusion, but it is not explored in depth. Consider this as supplementing the original setting.