For the past two years, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has frequently had Soul Guided Devices stolen, with the highest-level item being a Level 4 Soul Guidance Cannon Shell. What's worse, the thief has yet to be caught, which is truly infuriating.
Fortunately, the bandit has a certain code of conduct, always leaving behind Gold Soul Coins slightly above market price, along with Elixirs that are specialties of the three kingdoms. So, Jing Hongchen simply stopped bothering with it, casually approving it as experimental loss and letting it go.
Jing Hongchen was also quite desperate about not being able to catch the person, but it wasn't something he could openly discuss. Since that guy was willing to pay, he didn't mind turning a blind eye. Even Lin Jiayi had gotten used to running errands and processing the paperwork.
Many people smuggle Soul Guided Devices below Level 5 in the Sun Moon Empire, making it impossible to guard against. As long as the thief didn't cross the line of Level 5 and above Soul Guided Devices, Jing Hongchen wouldn't care too much. He considered it buying Elixirs for his grandchildren. The quality of the Elixirs left by the thief was indeed excellent; even the top-grade Elixirs he prepared for his grandchildren in the Sun Moon Empire couldn't quite compare.
Originally, he had some concerns that his grandchildren might experience minor drawbacks after cultivating to Soul King, but that worry had now vanished.
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So, Jing Hongchen was now very much looking forward to what new items that eccentric former strongman from the three kingdoms had brought this time.
But the next second, he was surprised to find Lin Jiayi's smile freeze, stammering and unable to speak, with a look of wanting to say something but hesitating.
Jing Hongchen's brows furrowed. He demanded, "Just say what you need to say. Could it be that the thief targeted Soul Guided Devices above Level 5 this time?"
"No, not that."
Lin Jiayi, with a strange expression, pulled out a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Jing Hongchen. "But this time, that person sent a list, saying they want to purchase a batch of Level 5 and below Soul Guided Devices from us. The price is negotiable."
Jing Hongchen: "???"
No, secretly taking a few items is one thing, but this time they're going wholesale?
This is the highest academy in the Sun Moon Empire, not a black market, hey!
This dean is the Mingde Hall Master, busy with a myriad of affairs, not some second-hand dealer on the black market!
"This dean wants to see how big an appetite this fellow has, daring to place an order with our school!"
Jing Hongchen snatched the list, scrutinized it, and his eye twitched almost immediately. He instantly understood why Lin Jiayi had hesitated.
"A total of forty Level 5 Soul Guidance Cannon Shells with Thunder, High Explosive, Concussion, and Frost properties, five Level 5 Fixed Soul Guidance Cannon Mounts, one Level 5 Flying Soul Guidance Device, three Level 5 Invincible Shields… What are all these things? Are they for equipping a Soul King?"
For Jing Hongchen, this quantity was not small, but it wasn't impossible to produce. However, from the list, it seemed the buyer was likely a fan of fixed Soul Guidance Cannon Shells?
How dare that thief assume this dean would give them such good things? If this were to leak, even this dean would face a bit of trouble.
Nearing the end, Jing Hongchen noticed a faint ink stain. His eyes flashed as he injected Soul Power, and two lines of chilling small characters appeared:
"This transaction will be the last within three years. If the Hall Master is unwilling, we can only contact your country's black market to purchase samples. We hope Hongchen Dean can consider our friendly business relations for a pleasant transaction.
Three years from now, our Qilin Child will come to your country to cultivate. We hope Hongchen Hall Master will look after them, considering our two years of friendly business. We have common enemies in the Douluo Three Kingdoms."
"Strange, this Soul Power aura is different from the one on the letter two years ago, but it must be a Titled Douluo without a doubt. And they want to send their Qilin Child to cultivate at my Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy? What kind of strange things are these…"
Jing Hongchen keenly sensed that the Soul Power on this letter came from another Titled Douluo. His brows furrowed into a "river" shape, and he racked his brain, but still couldn't understand the situation.
"Forget it. If it's just these items, then it's not a big problem. Only three years. This Hall Master wants to see what trick you're up to."
Finally, Jing Hongchen made his decision and turned to Lin Jiayi to assign tasks:
"Coincidentally, school has just started. Assign the task of producing this batch of Soul Guided Devices as an assessment for our sixth-year students. We will provide the rare metals. Once the transaction is complete, give them 40% of the labor fee. Then, write up a report for experimental supplies loss and submit it to me. That's all."
"Understood, Dean."
Vast Sea City is the only port city on the western coast of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Built by the sea, it is grand in scale.
As early as ten thousand years ago, during the Heaven Dou Empire era, before the Heavenly Soul and Dou Ling empires split, Vast Sea City was already the largest city on the western frontier of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the largest coastal and port city on the original Douluo Continent.
After the collision of the Sun Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent, Vast Sea City naturally became a necessary passage for the maritime trade route between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. Its convenient ocean resources and transportation conditions allowed Vast Sea City to prosper even more, second only to the four imperial capitals and Shrek City across the entire continent.
After about half a month of sea travel, Yue Lao piloted the Soul Guided Boat and stopped outside Vast Sea City's port. He turned to look at Xu Tianxi and Xu Xiaoyun, both of whom were still in Deep Meditation.
"Young Master and Grandmaster Xu's states cannot be disturbed. It seems we still need to wait a while."
Yue Lao stopped the Soul Guided Boat, took out his Communication Soul Guided Device, and dialed a number:
"Hello? Black Tortoise Merchant Guild headquarters? I'm from the sect's main branch. We've docked at Vast Sea City port. Please send someone to meet us quickly..."
An excited voice quickly came from the other end of the Communication Soul Guided Device. "Don't worry, the president and I have been waiting near the port for a while! I'll tell the president right now!"
With a "ding-ding" sound, the Soul Guided Device hung up. Then, Yue Lao saw several powerful auras suddenly erupt from outside the port, rising like hot waves into the sky, their brilliance shimmering.
"Mr. Yue Lao, are Master and Junior Martial Nephew in Deep Meditation? That's truly good news."
Figures flashed, and several people arrived in an instant. A clear, crisp voice, tinged with a smile, sounded in Yue Lao's ear.
Yue Lao knew who the newcomers were and quickly rose to bow and greet the leader, "Greetings, Ice Phoenix Crown."
Xiao Changfeng, who had personally come to meet the ship, was dressed in a flowing cloud robe with wide sleeves. He stepped forward and supported Yue Lao, a spring-like smile on his jade-white face.
"Mr. Yue Lao, you're too polite. We're all family. You must be tired from piloting the boat. Please, come and rest with me first. I'll personally watch over things here later."
Saying this, Xiao Changfeng gave a look to the few people behind him. They understood and stepped forward to drag the Soul Guided Boat to the side of the port.
Xiao Changfeng supported Yue Lao as they leaped onto the port, his tone a bit regretful:
"Just two days ago, I got a batch of Soul Guided Devices from the Sun Moon Empire, thinking of them as a welcome gift for Junior Martial Nephew. I didn't expect him to be in Deep Meditation now. I don't know when he'll wake up."
Yue Lao chuckled, "No worries, no worries. Good things come to those who wait, right? Young Master will surely love Ice Phoenix Crown's thoughtful gift."
"I hope so," Xiao Changfeng nodded, many conflicted emotions appearing in his gaze as he looked at Xu Tianxi.
It was early morning, half a month later.
Xu Tianxi finished his Deep Meditation and stood up. He jumped out of the cabin door, a glint of interest in his eyes as he faced the sun. "Are we there? Is this Vast Sea City?"
The city's architecture was completely different from the ancient, majestic Xuanming Sect. While it lacked the skyscrapers of his previous life, he could still see many buildings over five stories tall. The flow of people was diverse in their clothing, and he even spotted some people with dark skin.
It was mid-morning, and the port was bustling with sea vessels. Some Soul Masters formed groups to go out to sea, while others, part of hunting teams, returned from the ocean laden with goods. In the bustling market, someone was even openly selling a hundred-year Soul Beast.
Perhaps influenced by sea trade, some merchants in the market were even hawking Soul Guided Devices like compasses and geomancy maps. This was practically a miracle in the Heavenly Soul Empire, which was most resistant to Soul Guided Devices.
A gentle sea breeze brushed Xu Tianxi's face, carrying a strong, salty smell that made him slightly uncomfortable. He couldn't help but cough, fanning himself with his hand and muttering, "I'm still not used to the smell of this place."
Just then, a hearty laugh rang out beside Xu Tianxi. "This is Vast Sea City. The ocean always smells like this. You'll have to get used to it, little martial nephew."
Xu Tianxi turned abruptly, his gaze falling upon a young man in his thirties. Not a single trace of Soul Power emanated from him, and he wore a smile, exuding an air of easy competence.
Yue Lao was by his side, smiling and nodding at Xu Tianxi.
Knowing who the man was, Xu Tianxi cupped his hands and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Martial Uncle."
Xiao Changfeng smiled and nodded, returning the bow without any pretense. "And greetings to you, little martial nephew. We haven't seen each other in so long, you probably don't even recognize me."
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xiao Changfeng. For the next few years, you'll be staying with me."
"With you... Oh, where's Grandmaster?" Xu Tianxi looked around the inner cabin but didn't see Xu Xiaoyun.
"He left. He also told me to tell you that he can't accompany you on your path for now. You'll have to walk it alone."
Xiao Changfeng replied to Xu Tianxi with a calm gaze, then looked out at the distant horizon.