Douluo Dalu II—Chapter 81: This is a Topic That Cannot Be Touched
Of course, in addition to the three unique soul skills of the Snow Empress, the four soul skills granted by the Snow Empress's soul ring also include a combined soul skill with the Ice Empress, called the Pride of the Two Ice and Snow Empresses.
Jing Hongchen looked at the screen with a puzzled expression. "Strange. Who on earth used the God Sealing Alter to capture the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo? Even those ninth-level soul engineers I am familiar with cannot create such a soul guidance device."
This was not because constructing the God Sealing Alter was overly difficult, but rather because the opportunities to use the God Sealing Alter were too rare. How could a soul engineer be so fortunate as to harness the transformation of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast and directly use the God Sealing Alter to capture it?
Looking back on history, there were only a handful of individuals capable of such a feat.
Moreover, almost all existing ninth-level soul engineers had their renowned soul guidance devices and therefore did not need to spend excessive materials and time to create the God Sealing Alter.
After all, even if it were made, there was little chance for it to be used.
For a moment, Jing Hongchen felt an overwhelming sense of crisis. He suspected there might be a traitor within the Sun-Moon Empire!
As everyone knew, only the Sun-Moon Empire possessed ninth-level soul engineers, while the original three kingdoms of the Douluo Continent and Shrek Academy did not.
The God Sealing Alter could only be made by a ninth-level soul engineer. Unless there was a traitor, there was no way something so extraordinary could end up at the Starlight Auction House. Moreover, this God Sealing Alter contained an extremely precious hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo. Jing Hongchen thought that if he were in that position, he would never put such a treasure up for auction!
Jing Hongchen murmured, "Who betrayed the Sun Moon Empire?"
Familiar names flashed through his mind, but he dismissed each one.
"Forget it; let's pay and buy this thing first." Jing Hongchen glanced at Xiao Hongchen and Huo Yuhao, feeling a bit hesitant.
In terms of relationships, Xiao Hongchen was closer to him; after all, he was his grandson. He wished for the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo to become Xiao Hongchen's second martial soul.
Although it would take a significant amount of time, if Xiao Hongchen could obtain a second martial soul, it would be beneficial for his future development. As a grandfather, he naturally wanted to see Xiao Hongchen grow stronger.
However, he also formed a good relationship with Huo Yuhao, who had created a unique spirit-soul system. Logically speaking, such a rare spirit soul creature should also exist for Huo Yuhao. If he could obtain the hundred-thousand-year soul embryo, it would greatly enhance his strength in the future.
A thoughtful expression crossed Jing Hongchen's face. After a moment, he reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Xiao Hongchen.
He looked at Huo Yuhao and made a decision. "Yuhao, just place your bid, and the rest will be handled by Illustrious Virtue Hall. The hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo will belong to you."
In his view, even if Xiao Hongchen obtained a second martial soul, his talent could not compare to Huo Yuhao's, making Xiao Hongchen's hope of becoming an Ultimate Douluo extremely slim.
Even Master Kong, who possessed twin martial souls, had stopped at level ninety-four.
But Huo Yuhao was different. Given his talent and the careful training he would receive from the Sun-Moon Empire, his chances of becoming an Ultimate Douluo were quite high.
Furthermore, even if he wanted to give the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo to Xiao Hongchen, he knew Mr. Kong would never agree to it once he learned of Huo Yuhao's success in creating a new spirit soul system. Thus, in the end, the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo had to belong to Huo Yuhao.
In this case, may as well do him a favor.
Xiao Hongchen was a bit surprised. "Grandpa, wouldn't it be better for me to awaken my second martial soul with this hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo?"
Jing Hongchen shook his head. "Xiao, you'll understand my reasoning later. I'll explain it to you once we return to the Sun Moon Empire. Alright, Yuhao, make your bid!"
Huo Yuhao sensed some of Jing Hongchen's intentions. He nodded and replied, "Okay, Dean."
So he began bidding. When the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo was introduced, many people started bidding ferociously; after all, something of that caliber was incredibly precious.
However, when Huo Yuhao placed his bid, everything was resolved without further competition due to Illustrious Virtue Hall's immense wealth. Soon, Huo Yuhao won the Snow Empress embryo for 150 million gold soul coins.
After acquiring the Snow Empress embryo and the Ice Scorpion soul bone, Huo Yuhao and the others left quickly.
Meanwhile, Xu Jiawei stood in a secret room in the Starlight Auction House. "The hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo has ultimately fallen into the Sun Moon Empire's hands. However, this is precisely what I wanted. After all, with this hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo, we can set a plan in motion to attack Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Bang!
The door was kicked open.
Xuan Zi entered, looking at Xu Jiawei with a frown. "You just sent me a message stating that I shouldn't compete for the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo and that there's a way to attack Illustrious Virtue Hall, allowing Shrek Academy to benefit significantly from it. Is that true?"
Xu Jiawei turned around with a smile. "Of course it's true. Master Xuan, Jing Hongchen will acquire this hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo.
And we in Star Luo Empire have an insider within Illustrious Virtue Hall, which allows me to monitor their movements to some extent, making it easy to discover the storage location of the hundred-thousand-year soul beast embryo."
"Three months from now, I'll issue a mission to seize the treasure of Illustrious Virtue Hall through the Adventurer's Guild. By then, some forces will undoubtedly take the bait and attack Illustrious Virtue Hall for the soul beast embryo!
If Shrek Academy takes action as well, they can reclaim the embryo and take advantage of the situation to significantly hit Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Xuan Zi looked puzzled. "Xu Jiawei, are you just sharing your entire plan with me?"
"Master Xuan, there's a close relationship between Star Luo Empire and Shrek Academy. It's just a plan—there's nothing wrong with sharing it!" Xu Jiawei waved his hand, seeming genuinely to trust Shrek Academy.
Initially, Xu Jiawei was reluctant to reveal his plan. But considering the pressure from the previous ninth-level soul engineer, he perceived the threat from the Sun Moon Empire escalating.
Thus, he decided to inform Xuan Zi of the plan, hoping to persuade him to join forces.
Xuan Zi replied, "Xu Jiawei, our Shrek Academy has always maintained a position of neutrality, so, with all due respect, I cannot engage in such actions."
Xu Jiawei was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "Mr. Xuan, neutrality is built upon peace.
I can tell you bluntly that according to insider information, Illustrious Virtue Hall's soul engineers have made significant breakthroughs. Within ten years, their strength will expand to an unprecedented level.
At that point, the Sun Moon Empire will surely spark a war that sweeps across the continent! Do you want to stand by and watch people suffer?"
Xuan Zi sighed. "Of course I don't want to see so many lives destroyed. I am aware of the sinister ambitions of the Sun-Moon Empire. However, Shrek Academy's neutral stance will not change. We pride ourselves on fairness and justice.
Once I engage in conflict, the other party will quickly recognize my involvement. We are still in a peaceful period, and if I were to act, it would be inconsistent with Shrek Academy's principles and tarnish its reputation! If I accelerate the war, I would be a sinner!"
Xu Jiawei thought the ideals of fairness, justice, and neutrality upheld by Shrek Academy did not align with reality. While he acknowledged that Shrek Academy had indeed done some commendable things, they also had their share of wrongdoings.
Of course, he dared not voice these thoughts aloud; they were, after all, topics that could not be touched.
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(End of this chapter)