As the words fell, everyone turned to look at Ma Rulong's Grandfather.
After a moment of thought, he slowly spoke, "Leave the invitation. We will consider it."
"Then I won't disturb you further. The Starlight Auction House looks forward to your visit." The auctioneer's smile did not fade as he left the invitation and slowly retreated.
"What exactly is the Star Luo Empire planning?" someone asked.
"Maybe they just want to use the excitement of the Soul Battle Tournament to attract more customers," Ma Rulong shook his head. "Even though we're at odds with the Star Luo Empire, they shouldn't pull any tricks during the tournament."
"Should we go take a look?"
"Let's go. Since it's prepared for the teams participating in the Soul Battle Tournament, there might really be something we're interested in. Plus, we can see what others end up bidding on."
With the decision made, Ma Rulong stepped forward to pick up the invitation from the Starlight Auction House. He suddenly paused and looked at Lin Xiao. "Senior Lin, would you like to come with us?"
Lin Xiao smiled upon hearing this, somewhat understanding why the auctioneer's expression had been a bit odd earlier. "I just arrived today. There probably isn't an invitation for me in there, right?"
Ma Rulong shook his head. "I think the people from Starlight Auction House just noticed. Even without an invitation, they won't stop you, Senior."
"It's fine. I don't have anything I want, and after traveling so far, I'll stay behind to rest for a bit."
Lin Xiao didn't care about the matter and continued discussing the soul tools prepared for the Soul Battle Tournament. It wasn't until night fell and the others left the hotel that he walked into the corridor, looking out at the lights on the street outside.
He knew better than anyone else from Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy what would appear at tonight's auction. And he was certain that one particular item would be won by Xiao Hongchen.
After all, tonight's finale auction item was prepared specifically for Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy—or rather, for the Sun Moon Empire.
He had other things to do.
All the contestants staying on the top floor of the Star Emperor Grand Hotel had received invitations from the Starlight Auction House. At this moment, the corridor was quiet, with no sign of anyone from the other academies.
Lin Xiao returned to his room, opened the window, and somehow pulled out a small soul tool from somewhere. As he pressed the button on it, in just a moment, a figure silently appeared in the room.
"Greetings, Fifth Elder."
The Myriad Soul Douluo glanced at Lin Xiao, who kept his head lowered, studying him for a long while before slowly speaking. "The sect sent word that a disciple would assist me in the operation. I didn't expect it to be you."
"No need for formalities."
"Yes." Lin Xiao looked at the Myriad Soul Douluo, feeling a bit surprised himself.
Shrek Academy was full of experts. When he left the Sun Moon Empire, Zhongli Wu's message hadn't come through yet. Nangong Wan had instructed him to cooperate with the Star Luo Empire's people to search for traces of the Saintess from the Soul Battle Tournament.
Now it seemed the elder sent by the Holy Spirit Cult to the Star Luo Empire was none other than the Myriad Soul Douluo before him.
"Since you're here, you must know something about the Saintess. Have you found anything?"
The Myriad Soul Douluo slowly sat to the side, his entire face hidden beneath a black cloak.
"Reporting to the Elder, I watched Shrek Academy's match today and didn't find anyone fitting the description. If the Saintess is truly here, she must be among the few official members who haven't taken the field yet."
Though he was certain in his heart that the Saintess the Holy Spirit Cult was looking for was here, as someone who had just arrived in Star Luo City, Lin Xiao was supposed to be unaware and could only offer speculations.
"Mm." The Myriad Soul Douluo nodded. "This is the residence of Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?"
"Exactly."
"Where is Shrek Academy's?"
Lin Xiao glanced at the room next door. "They're also on the top floor, in the rooms right beside us."
The Myriad Soul Douluo looked in the direction Lin Xiao pointed, then suddenly closed his eyes. A layer of grayish mist slowly rose from his body, enveloping him.
Lin Xiao saw clearly: one after another, resentful souls emerged from the mist, passing through the walls and drifting toward the adjacent rooms.
He didn't look too closely, pretending not to see the resentful souls, and stood quietly to the side. It wasn't until a moment later that the Myriad Soul Douluo slowly shook his head.
"I didn't find any traces left by the Saintess. Either she's not here, or she doesn't leave much aura when she hasn't made a move."
As he spoke, the Myriad Soul Douluo suddenly looked up at Lin Xiao. "It just so happens that Shrek Academy's people are out tonight. Find a way to make them act and confirm whether the Saintess is among them."
Lin Xiao's expression remained unchanged, but his thoughts surged.
Make Shrek Academy's people act?
The incident with the Hand of Death had likely left Xuanzi wary for quite some time. On the surface, it was just a group of students and a teacher with not particularly high cultivation. But if they made a move, Xuanzi might appear right in front of them.
Though the Nightmare Douluo had died by his hand, the Nightmare Douluo wasn't particularly strong among Title Douluos. Lin Xiao didn't think he could gain any advantage against a level 98 Super Douluo.
"What's the matter? Is there a problem?" The Myriad Soul Douluo's voice grew deeper.
"Reporting to the Elder, acting rashly might alert Shrek Academy. If the Saintess is truly here, once her whereabouts are exposed and the academy's teachers show up, any further action would only add difficulty."
The Myriad Soul Douluo fell silent upon hearing this. "You make a good point. No wonder Old Eight thinks so highly of you. So, what do you suggest?"
Lin Xiao thought for a moment as well. "Elder, did you watch today's match?"
"No." The Myriad Soul Douluo shook his head. "What are you getting at?"
"Reporting to the Elder, during today's match, a Shrek Academy disciple revealed a trace of a 100,000-year soul beast's aura." Lin Xiao's voice gradually slowed. "I saw how young they are—how could they have something like that? It might be a 100,000-year soul beast in human form…"
"Is that true?"
Before Lin Xiao could finish, the Myriad Soul Douluo interrupted excitedly.
Lin Xiao paused slightly, somewhat baffled as to how the Myriad Soul Douluo had cultivated to the Title Douluo level. Wasn't it obvious his words were false?
"Of course not." Lin Xiao suppressed his thoughts and shook his head calmly. "But it can be true. Any soul master would naturally be interested in a 100,000-year soul beast. Why should we personally test them when others can do it for us?"
As he spoke, Lin Xiao watched the Myriad Soul Douluo's expression.
He always felt that the Myriad Soul Douluo was different from the Nightmare Douluo—lacking a bit of cunning. If the elder still insisted on his acting, he could wait until others drew Xuanzi away over the 100,000-year soul beast matter before making a move to test.
Fortunately, the Myriad Soul Douluo didn't overthink it and simply nodded. "We'll do as you say."
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