Chapter 11: Striking First, Xiadie's Teacher (Part Two)

Lie Bang Engraving Knife?

It should be called the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife.

Hearing Yilaikesi's words, Xu Jiujiu and Manyi exchanged a glance.

In the end, Xu Jiujiu could not hold back and advised, "Your Majesty, that Engraving Knife devours its master."

Yilaikesi waved his hand.

"The resentment of a mere rank-nine Spirit Engineer — nothing to worry about."

Xu Jiujiu: "..."

Since when could a rank-nine Spirit Engineer be paired with the word 'mere.'

In all of Douluo Sanguo, there isn't even a single rank-nine Spirit Engineer!

"Go on, no need to rush — just bring the thing tomorrow." Yilaikesi waved his sleeve, putting on the air of a lofty master.

After doing this, Yilaikesi's figure dissolved into specks of light and merged into Xiadie's body.

"Hiss—"

Seeing the way Yilaikesi vanished, Manyi drew a sharp breath. "An avatar incarnation!"

"My teacher is not one for words — please forgive any impropriety in his speech."

Xiadie's apologetic voice rang out at just the right moment.

"No, not at all."

Xu Jiujiu and Manyi both shuddered — they dared not respond to that.

Xiadie nodded and changed the subject. "Your Highness, could you tell me what exactly happened during those days of darkness?"

"My teacher didn't say, and I don't know either — what exactly did he do that could make a princess and a Majesty condescend to come here?"

"Not at all, not at all." Manyi and Xu Jiujiu hurriedly refused the word 'condescend.'

In the end, it was Manyi who explained: "Your teacher's great power — we dare not speculate."

"It's just that during those days, we discovered that ordinary people whose lifespans were nearly spent, and even powerful Soul Masters, had their lives extended by several years."

"Even several Title Douluo in our Hall of Worship who were nearing their end gained a few extra years of life."

"Therefore, we have come on behalf of the imperial family to pay a visit to your teacher."

"Actually, a few days ago, I also used Spirit Power to probe Miss Xiadie's room, but my Spirit Power was bounced back."

"Please do not take offense."

Manyi kept her posture very low, hunching her body and bowing slightly.

"So that's how it is! Your Majesty, you are too serious — to receive the attention of a Title Douluo, I would only be delighted!"

After speaking, Xiadie thought for a moment. "Your purpose is to find my teacher, but I'm afraid the teacher will not join any nation."

"He is used to being free."

"The teacher said my martial soul is similar to his, and that I can well inherit his mantle."

"As for my choices, he has placed no restrictions."

Several hundred meters outside the inn.

"Saved."

The clothes on Xu Jiujiu's back were soaked through, the whole person looking as if she had narrowly escaped death.

"Grandma, Xiadie's words..."

"Shh!"

Manyi made a silencing gesture.

"Let's go back and report to His Majesty first." Manyi's voice carried a trace of fear.

"Her teacher is very likely a Limit Douluo — in terms of Spirit Power, he is probably only a single step away from a god."

"A god!"

Xu Jiujiu's head buzzed.

How many years had it been since she heard the word 'god.'

Plenty of Title Douluo bestowed upon themselves some title or other with 'god' in it, but those were merely titles.

"The other party showed no hostility — and as for being an Evil Soul Master, at that level, does it even matter whether they are or not?"

"Judging evil by attribute is ultimately something that should not be done — how many Soul Masters on the continent have been forced into becoming Evil Soul Masters." Manyi spoke with deep meaning, as if admonishing Xu Jiujiu.

"But what about Shrek's side..." Xu Jiujiu began, then stopped herself.

"That little girl called Xiadie — the aura of death she revealed was extremely pure, completely different from the bloodlust of ordinary Evil Soul Masters."

Manyi paused. "In any case, let's first see what His Majesty thinks."

Inside the inn, Xiadie watched the two of them leave.

A faint, wispy shadow appeared at Xiadie's side.

"You've placed yourself in the open — are you confident in doing this?" Yilaikesi sounded somewhat worried.

If that Title Douluo called Manyi had probed with soul power rather than Spirit Power, the fact that the two of them were strong on the outside but hollow within would likely have been seen through at a glance.

"Yi Lao, if we hadn't intimidated them at that moment, it would have been very hard for us to get away."

"Only with equal strength do we have the right to negotiate."

"The Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife at Xingguang Auction House — you need it too, don't you?"

"That's true enough." Regarding the Spirit-Devouring Engraving Knife and Huo Yuhao, Yilaikesi had learned of them from Xiadie.

That Life Gold was indeed very useful to him.

Not only him — Xiadie also seemed to intend to use this Engraving Knife to condense her weapon.

"We just need to borrow their momentum, and we'll be spared a lot of trouble." Xiadie's expression was calm, her tone indifferent. "As long as we don't cross a certain line, the deities overhead won't notice."

A display of Spirit Power at the Limit Douluo Spirit Domain realm couldn't catch Tang Shenwang's eye—Tang Shenwang's eyes held only Xiao Wu, and Huimie Shenwang.

"And after that?" Yilaikesi asked. "Are you planning to join the Star Luo Empire?"

Xiadie was silent for a long while, then gently shook her head. "It depends on what they decide tomorrow, and on how the Star Luo Empire views so-called evil martial souls."

"Yi Lao, tomorrow do exactly as I say. I plan to purify the Devouring Spirit Engraving Knife right in front of them."

"Wouldn't that be a bit much?" Yilaikesi frowned. "When the time comes, might they grow greedy?"

Yilaikesi didn't doubt whether Xiadie had the ability to purify the Devouring Spirit Engraving Knife.

Xiadie didn't answer right away. Her violet eyes slowly closed.

After a long moment, her closed eyes opened, and the soul power of Death surfaced.

"The Star Luo Empire doesn't have a Limit Douluo, does it?"

"Besides, that's only the worst-case outcome."

"You… sigh!" Yilaikesi let out a breath. "I understand, but if you drop the ball at that moment, we'll all be finished together."

"Then let's wait and see!" Xiadie finished speaking and gave a faint smile. "If we can't stay in the Douluo Sanguo, we can go to the Sun Moon Empire, or even the Holy Spirit Cult wouldn't be out of the question."

……

Xingluo Huanggong.

Xu Jiawei sat in the main seat, while his sister Xu Jiujiu and his protector-title Douluo Manyi reported on the day's events.

"Patron Manyi, are you certain it's a Limit Douluo?" Xu Jiawei's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"Yes." Manyi reported, "If I'm not mistaken, that one's true body isn't here."

"What was protecting the disciple was merely an avatar, but that vast Spirit Power is probably even above Shrek's Xuanzi."

"A Limit Douluo!" Xu Jiawei didn't question it.

Judgments about Limit Douluo had been recorded many times in the long history of the Star Luo Empire; even without having seen one, one could still make a reasonable guess.

Xu Jiawei folded his hands together and placed them before him.

"But a martial soul of the Death Element is ultimately a problem."

"Jiu Jiu, what do you think?"

When he couldn't pin down a decision, Xu Jiawei would instinctively consult his exceptionally brilliant sister.

"The gap between the Sun Moon Empire and us in Soul Guidance Devices is only growing wider." Xu Jiujiu spoke with clear implication. "Innate 20th Level—you surely understand what that means."

"But…"

"That one at the Sea God Pavilion probably can't hold on much longer." Xu Jiujiu added again.

Silence, a long silence.

"Let's wait and see a bit longer." In the end, Xu Jiawei couldn't stake everything on one throw; his voice softened slightly. "Even if we give everything we have, the other party may not necessarily join us."

"Wang Lao will go with you tomorrow. Once Wang Lao returns with his judgment, I'll make my decision."

"Yes, brother."