Chapter 74: The Soul Tool Department's Determination
"Find an acquaintance to help bid on the spirit devouring engraving knife?"
This thought flashed through Lin Xuan's mind, but he immediately shook his head and dismissed it.
It wasn't that he couldn't afford the price; given the spirit devouring engraving knife's notorious reputation, in the eyes of those who knew better, most people probably wouldn't even want it if it were given away for free.
That was exactly where the problem lay.
If he suddenly showed the determination to bid a high price for a piece of junk that everyone knew was a losing investment, what kind of associations would that trigger?
It was like a universally recognized junk stock; when it had fallen as far as it could go, if a Stock God suddenly spent a huge sum to sweep up the goods—anyone would suddenly realize that this stock was bound to rise!
At that time, even if no one would blatantly snatch it away out of respect for his talent, it would inevitably lead people to suspect that this spirit devouring engraving knife held some secret.
Considering the terrifying value of the spirit devouring engraving knife, it was best to completely cut off any such unnecessary accidents.
What if he commissioned someone he wasn't familiar with, for example, by posting an anonymous task through the Spider Web?
The risk was equally immense.
The other party running off with the money was a minor matter; once they failed and let the spirit devouring engraving knife fall into someone else's hands, there was no telling how long he would have to wait for it to appear again.
Moreover, a place like an auction was inherently a high-risk area for accidents.
While he was pondering, the bald boss walked over carrying a steaming bowl of beef noodles.
"Noodles are here! Student, eat while they're hot!"
"Boss, wait a moment," Lin Xuan called out to the boss, who had put down the bowl and was about to turn and leave.
"Hmm? Does the student have something else? Is there a problem with the intelligence? That's impossible; I kept it strictly according to your requirements," the boss said, rubbing his hands together nervously.
"It has nothing to do with the intelligence," Lin Xuan shook his head and asked instead, "I want to ask, does the Spider Web itself accept and execute commissions? For example—bidding on behalf of a client or purchasing on their behalf?"
"So that's what it is." The boss breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, then scratched his shiny scalp, a troubled expression appearing on his face. "This—I'm really sorry, our Spider Web is just a platform. We only do information transfer and guarantees. We can act as a matchmaker, but we never take on the work ourselves."
"After all, we're just a small business; we can't afford to invite trouble."
"I see."
Lin Xuan nodded and asked no more.
Since this path was blocked, he had to make other plans.
In the afternoon, Shrek Academy.
Lin Xuan passed through the grand school gates and walked along the tree-lined path back to the dormitory area, his mind still pondering ways to obtain the spirit devouring engraving knife.
Just then, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him, "Lin Xuan?! You've finally returned to the academy?!"
Lin Xuan turned at the sound and saw an exceptionally tall and burly youth with dark skin and a simple, honest smile walking over quickly; it was Coarse Vegetable Head from the Soul Tool Department.
—
"Senior He, long time no see."
Lin Xuan stopped and smiled.
"Isn't it! Let me count—it's been three or four months since I last saw you!"
Coarse Vegetable Head walked up close, patted Lin Xuan's shoulder enthusiastically, and then asked with concern, "During that last period of the previous school year, did you have some urgent business? Why did you suddenly stop coming to the Soul Tool Department for classes? Teacher Fan Yu has mentioned it several times."
"It was the end of the term, and the studies over at the Martial Soul Department were heavy, so I couldn't get away." Lin Xuan gave the pre-prepared explanation naturally, his tone apologetic.
Since completing the dangerous modification of those twenty spirit tool shells, the Soul Tool Department no longer held any utility for him.
Unless necessary, he naturally didn't want to waste any more time there.
"I knew it! It must be so!"
Coarse Vegetable Head had a "just as I thought" expression, and his honest smile grew even wider.
Immediately following that, as if he had suddenly remembered something, he slapped his forehead hard. "Right! Look at my memory! Teacher Fan Yu specifically instructed that as soon as you return to the academy, you must go to the Soul Tool Department! He said he has something important he wants to talk to you about."
Something to talk about?
Lin Xuan's brows furrowed slightly. Could Fan Yu still be thinking of completely binding him to the Soul Tool Department?
However, since the other party had taken the initiative to seek him out, it was a good opportunity to clarify some things and save trouble in the future.
"I see. I'm not busy right now." Lin Xuan's tone was calm. "Senior He, shall we go over now?"
"Let's go now! Teacher Fan Yu should still be in the laboratory at this time!" Coarse Vegetable Head nodded repeatedly and turned to lead the way. "Follow me!"
Inside Laboratory No. 9 of the Soul Tool Department's experimental area.
Fan Yu was standing in front of a massive spirit tool design blueprint, his finger unconsciously tapping a complex circuit node on the drawing, his brow furrowed, appearing somewhat distracted.
"Teacher! Teacher!" Coarse Vegetable Head's voice suddenly came through.
Fan Yu snapped out of it and turned to see Coarse Vegetable Head with an excited expression.
"Caitou, what's wrong? Why the rush?"
"Teacher, Lin Xuan! Junior Lin Xuan has returned to the academy! He's waiting in Laboratory No. 2 right now!" Coarse Vegetable Head said rapidly.
Fan Yu's eyes instantly lit up. "He's finally back—good, Caitou, you go back first and tell Lin Xuan to wait a moment. I'll handle what's on hand and head over immediately."
"Understood!" Coarse Vegetable Head responded and turned to leave quickly.
The metal door slid shut again.
Fan Yu did not move immediately but stood in place. A few seconds later, in the shadows of the laboratory corner, the air distorted slightly, and a figure appeared silently.
It was the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, Qian Duoduo.
Fan Yu was not at all surprised by Qian Duoduo's appearance; he turned and bowed respectfully. "Dean."
"Mm."
Qian Duoduo waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the doorway as if he could see the departing Coarse Vegetable Head through the metal door. An emotional expression appeared on his face. "That kid—he's finally back. He pulled a disappearing act for those last few months of the school year, not showing his face for three or four months straight. I thought he was going to quit our Soul Tool Department entirely."
"I had the same concern." Fan Yu nodded, his tone helpless. "I've seen his unique research and development on spirit tools; his talent for spirit tools is truly astonishing. If he really gave it up, it would be a massive loss."
Qian Duoduo gave a cold snort. Then Fan Yu thought for a moment and asked, "Dean, then the plan—is it still going to continue?"
Qian Duoduo was silent for a moment, then his gaze became firm. "It must continue. Over at the Martial Soul Department—you know the results of Old Yan and the others' previous contact with Lin Xuan. Not only did they fail to win him over, but they almost ended up with a grudge. To count on them to keep a seedling like Lin Xuan in the academy completely, I see the hope as being very slim."
Fan Yu nodded slowly, a solemn expression also surfacing on his face. "Indeed—Dean Yan's methods did have some issues—"
"Some issues? They have big issues!" Qian Duoduo curled his lip, dissatisfied. "When dealing with true geniuses, sometimes having too many schemes instead makes it easy to outsmart oneself. Our ultimate soldier plan has been in preparation for so many years, and we've never been able to find the most suitable candidate.
"Lin Xuan's appearance is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since the Martial Soul Department can't be relied upon, we can only rely on ourselves to bring out enough sincerity and means."
Fan Yu deeply agreed, and he couldn't help but feel a bit speechless in his heart.
Initially, seeing Du Weiren step in to start winning over Lin Xuan, he had secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt that the candidate for the 'ultimate soldier plan' was finally expected to be settled, and the Soul Tool Department would only need to cooperate.
Who could have imagined that after the Martial Soul Department's series of maneuvers, this would be the result?
Winning over a genius—how could there be so many twists and turns? Once you've identified them, you should just directly smash resources, give benefits, and show sincerity! Why must they keep testing and testing—"
Fan Yu shook his head privately, feeling only a sense of mental exhaustion.
Qian Duoduo clearly saw Fan Yu's thoughts; the two looked at each other and both sighed helplessly.
"Let's go."
Qian Duoduo took the lead, walking toward the laboratory door. "Don't make that kid wait too long. Since Old Yan's side is unreliable, then we'll do it ourselves!"
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