Chapter 73: The Return Journey, News of the spirit devouring engraving knife
Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes. At the moment he opened them, with him as the center, all the whistling wind, falling snow, and suspended ice crystals within a hundred-meter radius were instantly frozen in place, as if sealed within a massive transparent crystal.
A few breaths later, the wind and snow resumed, but as they passed by his side, they became gentle and obedient.
Lin Xuan lowered his head and examined himself.
The first thing he noticed was the change in his body.
The vast life essence brought by the fusion of the four-hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone acted like the highest-grade tonic, nourishing every inch of his flesh and bone.
His strength had increased exponentially. Lin Xuan even felt that if he only used physical techniques, he could now beat two of his former selves with one hand.
With a slight thought, he walked to a nearby ice lake that had not yet completely frozen and looked at his reflection in the mirror-like ice surface.
The youth on the ice surface had hair as black as ink and deep eyes. His skin possessed a jade-like luster, and in this snow-covered World, he radiated a noble aura, his appearance peerlessly handsome.
After slightly activating the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion right arm bone, his eyes took on a deep blue color, like the sky.
"Why do I feel like I'm starting to look a bit like Gojo Satoru?" Lin Xuan's brows twitched slightly.
"Alright, alright! The Soul Ring and Soul Bone are all sorted!"
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's voice rang out in the Spiritual Sea, "Lin Xuan, our trip to the Extreme North is a complete success. Isn't it time to head back?"
Lin Xuan, however, slowly shook his head.
"No rush. It wasn't easy to come to the Extreme North, and it's still quite early before school starts. I must gain some more experience."
"Experience? What else is there to gain experience in?" Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was stunned.
"Combat and adaptation."
Lin Xuan continued, "Mahoraga's adaptability needs constant clashes with powerful opponents to grow and evolve rapidly. Besides, as it is now, it's still not quite enough when facing a Titled Douluo."
In fact, letting Mahoraga adapt was secondary. After all, this was the Extreme North, and most Soul Beasts were ice-attributed with simple attack methods.
What he truly wanted was the counter-measure developed after Mahoraga's fourth adaptation.
And the target of adaptation could be anything, including himself.
"What?! You want to let that monster go on a killing spree here?!"
The Ice Empress's cold voice immediately cut in, warning him sternly, "Lin Xuan, don't forget what you promised me! You must not harm my kin!"
"Rest assured," Lin Xuan said calmly. "I naturally won't kill them."
"But a beating... they certainly won't escape one."
The Ice Empress fell silent for a moment. She understood that this was likely Lin Xuan's bottom line and his greatest concession.
Moreover, she and Lin Xuan were now bound in a relationship where they would share in each other's glory and loss; it was time to start thinking from the other's perspective.
"Hmph, then go easy on them."
The Ice Empress left those cold words and said no more, finding a place deep within the Spiritual Sea to transform into an emerald light cocoon and begin her slumber.
Lin Xuan smiled, then once again formed hand signs with both fists as shadows surged.
Mahoraga descended once more.
"I'm finally back."
Walking through the somewhat noisy streets of Shrek City, Lin Xuan breathed a soft sigh of relief.
Because it was another school season, Shrek City had become even more bustling than usual. People entering and leaving the city formed an endless stream; everywhere one looked, there were bobbing heads in the crowd.
Among them, merchants only made up a minority. Most were young boys and girls with excited expressions and eyes full of curiosity, all freshmen preparing to enter Shrek Academy.
Lin Xuan did not linger, heading straight through the busy main district and turning into the relatively quiet northern area of the city based on his memory.
The streets here were much quieter, and the pedestrians were mostly local residents walking at a leisurely pace.
Finally, he stopped in front of that familiar noodle shop with the simple sign: "Old Zhang's Beef Soup."
As he pushed the door and entered, the familiar sound of the copper bell rang, and the familiar, rich aroma of soup wafted toward him.
"Welcome— Huh?!"
Behind the counter, the bald owner, who was looking down and wiping dishes, looked up at the sound. The moment he saw Lin Xuan, his eyes brightened, and a surprised smile immediately spread across his face.
"Oh! You've finally come, classmate! I thought you'd forgotten about this!"
He put down his work, came out from behind the counter, and greeted him warmly, his voice lowering slightly.
"A piece of the intelligence you reserved arrived five days ago! I've been holding onto it for you. I waited and waited but didn't see anyone, and I was even thinking about whether I should find someone reliable to head over to the academy and ask about you in the next day or two!"
"I had some things to take care of; I just got back today." Lin Xuan nodded, his tone calm.
"Understandable, understandable. You geniuses from Shrek are all busy!"
The bald owner rubbed his hands with a chuckle, turned back behind the counter, crouched down to fumble around in a small locked wooden cabinet for a while, and then carefully took out a palm-sized, unremarkable dark brown wooden box.
He used his sleeve to wipe away non-existent dust from the box's surface before handing it to Lin Xuan. "Here, this is it. Per your request, it's been locked up separately since I received it, kept very securely."
Lin Xuan took the wooden box; it felt slightly heavy in his hand.
The lid was tightly fastened. After opening it, a neatly folded light grey piece of paper with smooth edges lay quietly inside.
"Thank you." Lin Xuan took out a silver coin and placed it on the counter.
The owner put away the money and then greeted him enthusiastically again. "Look, classmate, it's mealtime and you've just come back from a long journey. How about a bowl of noodles? I've just brewed a new pot of soup; it's definitely even more flavorful than last time!"
Lin Xuan pondered slightly. The trip to the Extreme North had been exhausting, and he hadn't had a proper meal along the way. Smelling the fragrant aroma now, he was indeed tempted.
"Then I'll trouble you, boss. The usual."
"Coming right up! It'll be ready in a moment, have a seat first!"
Holding the light grey intelligence paper, Lin Xuan habitually walked toward the corner at the very back of the shop where the lighting was relatively dim.
It was the same table where he had met Han Ruoruo last time.
He pulled out a chair and sat down, then unhurriedly unfolded the paper.
The handwriting on the paper was still neat, listed point by point.
"Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, Lustrous Pavilion Autumn Treasure Exchange, ten days from now, confirmed rare auction item: one eight-thousand-year Phantom Light Lizard skull—"
"A batch of rare metals of unknown origin has flowed out of the Mingdu Black Market in the Sun Moon Empire, asking price is extremely high, seller's identity is hidden—"
,,
As piece after piece of information passed before his eyes, Lin Xuan's gaze remained calm and wave-less.
This intelligence was either true or false and of varying value, but none of it was what he most wanted to see.
His fingers pinched the edge of the paper, slowly moving downward.
Until he reached the very bottom of the paper, near the edge, Lin Xuan's finger suddenly paused.
"Southern Star Luo Empire, Jinhua City, Star Crown Auction House, will hold its quarterly top-tier auction on the evening of September 2nd at 8:00 PM."
"Confirmed auction item list: thirty-thousand-year Blazing Wild Lion left arm bone—Level 7 spirit tool blueprint—five-thousand-year Whale Glue—"
"Ranked ninety-ninth on the Carving Knife Rankings: Devourer Spirit Vicious Knife—"
The spirit devouring engraving knife!
Found it!
Lin Xuan's fingers gripping the edge of the paper tightened slightly. All his previous fatigue was swept away, and his mind began to calculate rapidly.
Today is August 28th—the auction is on the evening of September 2nd—there are still five days left.
Time—is very tight!
Furthermore, Shrek Academy has now officially started classes. To go out, he must request leave.
But given Lin Xuan's current situation, if he doesn't have a reasonable excuse, his every move will likely be watched by the people of Shrek Academy.
Lin Xuan's expression darkened. "This is a bit of a problem..."
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