Chapter 176: 176. Chapter 175: Procurement

176. Chapter 175: Procurement

Li Xuan came to Lou Gao's side and carefully examined the several blueprints that Lou Gao had spread on the table.

The patterns on these blueprints gave Li Xuan a feeling that was both familiar and strange.

They looked a lot like the armor patterns Li Xuan had given to Lou Gao, yet they were different, more intricate and obscure, and a glance made his head spin.

Li Xuan is not a blacksmith, so he could not understand this thing at all, nor discern its subtleties.

"Kid, you can't make sense of it, can you? This is a pattern I meticulously designed," Lou Gao said with a smile, teasing Li Xuan.

"Hmm, I can't make sense of it. It does look like armor patterns, but I can tell these two are definitely not the same thing. Lou Lao, could you have altered the pattern?" Li Xuan frowned, studying the blueprint while speaking to Lou Gao.

"Haha, you may be inexperienced, kid, but your eyes are sharp. I indeed modified this pattern, yet the effect only improved by half a stage, and no matter how I adjust it, there will be no further gain," Lou Gao frowned, his weapon filled with hesitation and helplessness.

Li Xuan, after hearing Lou Gao's words, gave him a sour glance and muttered, "You're being overly offensive, old man."

"Lou Lao, no rush. Once my domain is finished, I will have another method for crafting a Soul Guide Device, a method that starts from the basics. You should be able to fully master that Soul Guide Device's crafting technique," Li Xuan said after a moment, addressing Lou Gao.

Li Xuan was referring to the manufacturing method of the Heaven-Shaking Cannon, and he felt that such a magical instrument was even more domineering than a Soul Guide Device.

"Hm?" Lou Gao, hearing Li Xuan's words, instantly turned his head, his face excited as he asked Li Xuan.

"However, Lou Lao, my camp has only just begun cultivation and will need at least a few months to finish construction. First, finish copying and modifying the patterns on those armors and weapons. Once you're done here, my domain will have a rough shape, and then you can go settle in," Li Xuan said with a smile to Lou Gao.

"Alright, I also need to dissect a few other items soon. Though they can't be altered, they can already be fully applied to other objects," Lou Gao nodded after hearing Li Xuan.

At that moment, Si Long suddenly walked in from outside and stood before Li Xuan and Lou Gao.

"Teacher, Xuan Ge'er'er? You've come too," Si Long said with a smile, greeting Li Xuan.

"Brother Si Long, long time no see," Li Xuan replied with a smile.

"Teacher, this is the auction list sent by the White Tiger Auction; please have a look," Si Long approached Lou Gao, holding a notebook with both hands and handing it to him.

Lou Gao nodded, replied, then took the list from Si Long's hand and examined it carefully.

Although the Blacksmith Guild does not possess much high-end combat power, it is regarded as a holy ground by blacksmiths across the continent, giving it a lofty status; that is why the White Tiger Auction sent the auction list to Lou Gao in advance for his review.

Li Xuan and Si Long did not disturb Lou Gao, quietly standing aside while he reviewed the list.

A few minutes later, Lou Gao closed the list in front of him.

"This auction doesn't have any particularly outstanding metals. Sigh, it's been several years since precious metals were sold. If this continues, the Blacksmith Guild will be running at a loss," Lou Gao sighed, speaking with some helplessness.

At the same time, Lou Gao handed the list in his hand to Li Xuan.

"Xuan Ge'er'er, take a look at this list; see if there's anything you like. I'll buy it for you," Lou Gao said with a bright smile, then grandly addressed Li Xuan.

Li Xuan gave no reply, simply took the list, placed it before himself, and read it carefully.

The White Tiger Auction is a direct auction of the Star Luo Royal Family, equivalent to the Star Luo Royal Auction. Moreover, it is an annual auction, so this time's items are all extremely high-end.

From gold and silver jewelry to top‑grade slaves, from stolen masterwork antiques to Soul Guide Devices worth millions, from soul‑beast intel to soul bone, everything is present! Moreover, the quality of these items is superb!

Of course, they are also very expensive.

Li Xuan only glanced for a while, felt nothing interested him, and then closed the list.

"What's wrong? Nothing you like in here?" Lou Gao asked, puzzled.

"Indeed, there's nothing that catches my interest…" Li Xuan shook his head, then said to Lou Gao with little enthusiasm.

"You kid must have plenty of good stuff on hand. By the way, the auction is still five or six days away; what are you planning to do in the meantime?" Lou Gao asked with a smile, shaking his head.

"I want to stroll around Star Dou City, since from the outside it looks far more bustling than Tian Dou City," Li Xuan said, turning his head to gaze at the Star Dou City beyond the Courtyard, addressing Lou Gao.

"Fine, since you're not interested in the auction, a stroll is fine. However, lately because of the auction, Star Luo City is a mix of all sorts; you'd better act cautiously, as I get the feeling you've offended people from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect," Lou Gao said after a moment, addressing Li Xuan.

"Indeed, with such a massive auction, members of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect will definitely come here…" Li Xuan frowned, speaking with some difficulty.

"Xuan Ge'er'er, I still have dozens of men under me. Whatever you want to buy, I'll have them procure it in Star Luo City, ensuring you get the best quality at the lowest price, saving you the trouble of going out," Si Yu suddenly suggested to Li Xuan.

After hearing Si Yu's suggestion, Li Xuan's eyes lit up.

In that case, it would indeed conceal his movements. There's no choice; for the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, Li Xuan now represents a chance to change fate, and they will spare no means to capture him.

"Brother Si Yu, how about this: I'll write some lists and have those brothers run the errands. Of course, I won't let them work in vain," Li Xuan said, nodding to Si Yu without any hesitation.

"Alright, I'll gather them right away," Si Yu patted his chest, then turned and left.

Li Xuan went to the Courtyard, found a table, and began transcribing the lists, separating them to facilitate Si Yu's men in their procurement.

Half an hour later, Si Yu returned with fifty tall, robust youths, clearly of blacksmith background.

By then, Li Xuan had finished writing all the lists.

"Brother Si Yu, I've finished the lists," Li Xuan said, nodding to Si Yu.

"Just hand them over to me," Si Yu replied, nodding to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan nodded, then handed the lists to Si Yu, who immediately distributed them, and the men scattered at once to start searching for the supplies.

"We should know the cost by tonight, but Xuan Ge'er'er, the things you want to buy are approaching a hundred million golden soul coins. Do you have enough golden soul coins on hand now?" Si Yu asked Li Xuan, furrowing his brow.

"Almost enough," Li Xuan nodded.

Li Xuan has amassed massive wealth in the Killing Treasure Vault: thousands of Soul Guide Devices, countless gold and silver jewels, and over ten million golden soul coins! (End of chapter)