Soul Emperor Awakening

"Of course it’s not yours!" Lin Xuan snorted. ’There were only two weapons, and one of them was mine. That Lü De actually thought the weapon *he* picked was the Spiritual Artifact. Does he really think he has a Soul Pearl too?’

Lü De’s face turned livid. He looked up and saw the sword he had chosen lying quietly in the Forging Furnace, completely still. It was undoubtedly a Treasure Artifact. In terms of both its luster and its powerful aura, it was far inferior to the rod in Lin Xuan’s hands.

The two weapons were of different levels to begin with. The materials used to forge them, the patterns within—they were all vastly different. Thus, after being polished, their appearance was entirely different.

The crowd exchanged glances. That Divine Rune Sect disciple had been so sure of himself, trying to snatch the weapon without a second thought. But Lin Xuan had clearly been more domineering, sending him flying with a single sweep. And he had actually managed to pick a Spiritual Artifact from among so many weapons!

This made Lü De’s expression turn foul. His earlier mockery now felt like a personal insult. Lin Xuan had actually picked out a weapon better than a Half-Spiritual Artifact—a true Spiritual Artifact! And its quality looked impressive; it wasn’t merely a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact but likely a Middle Grade one, or even higher.

Lü De’s assessment was correct. The rod was indeed a Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact, but Lin Xuan was already very satisfied with it. Holding it, he could feel a domineering Elemental Power circulating inside. It was far stronger than the Dragon Cloud Rod. The moment he grasped it, he could feel the weapon’s restless energy, as if it yearned to soar into the heavens.

This was to be expected. The soul contained within the rod was that of a White-eyed Tiger, and its formidable might faintly emanated from the weapon. Not every weapon could be infused with a soul from the Dragon Race. Of course, a White-eyed Tiger was nothing to scoff at; it was, at the very least, much more powerful than the Dragon Cloud Rod.

Engraved on the shaft of the rod were three words: White Pupil Rod.

This implied that the white streak coiled around the shaft was the twin pupils of the White Tiger.

Lü De was too ashamed to remain. He had been far too arrogant, assuming the revealed weapon was his, only to have it blow up in his face. With a livid expression, he went and retrieved his own weapon—it was just a Middle Grade Treasure Artifact, not even a top-grade one.

If not for the recommendation letter, the whole affair would have been a net loss for him. He would have been better off just buying a weapon himself.

"A Middle Grade Treasure Artifact is quite good, you know. Just a little bit worse than mine," Lin Xuan said with a mocking smile.

Lü De’s expression grew even uglier. Lin Xuan was clearly mocking his earlier actions. He had assumed Lin Xuan’s choice was only at the Treasure Level, and now he had been thoroughly humiliated.

"Thank you, Miss Zi Yi!" After taking his weapon, Lü De shot Lin Xuan a vicious glare as he passed him and muttered in a low voice, "This isn’t over!"

With that, he departed in a hurry. He didn’t dare—nor did he have the face—to linger there any longer.

’Not over? I wasn’t ready for it to be over, either!’ Lin Xuan’s gaze turned cold. ’These Divine Rune Sect disciples must think I’m some kind of pushover. It’s not like I can’t trade insults. I just can’t stand these high-and-mighty types. The atmosphere in the Divine Rune Sect must be awful, with how obsessed they are with one-upmanship.’

The many blacksmiths exchanged uncertain glances. They didn’t know what had just happened or what the conflict was about, but they felt Lin Xuan was headed for trouble. His opponent was a Divine Rune Sect disciple, after all—someone not to be provoked.

"Young Master Lin, you really did pick out a Spiritual Artifact. I wonder if you would be willing to share your selection method?" Zi Yi’s beautiful eyes sparkled. She paid no mind to Lü De’s humiliating exit, nor did she intend to.

She felt no need to curry favor with someone just because he was a Divine Rune Sect disciple. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s standing was considerable; even an Elder from the Divine Rune Sect had to treat her with courtesy, let alone a mere disciple.

"And what would be the benefit of telling you?" Lin Xuan asked, narrowing his eyes.

Zi Yi wouldn’t have believed him if he claimed it was luck. He had passed up a Half-Spiritual Artifact to make his own selection. The fact that he had succeeded in finding a Spiritual Artifact proved he knew a method; it was impossible to accomplish such a feat on luck alone.

Zi Yi pointed a finger upward and said with a light smile, "All the Spiritual Artifacts on the fifth floor, gifted to Young Master Lin. How does that sound?"

’What an extravagant offer!’

"Can Miss Zi Yi truly make that decision?" Lin Xuan suddenly felt there was more to her role as acting vice-president than met the eye.

"Since I am acting in this position, I have the authority to make this decision." Zi Yi’s beautiful eyes locked onto him. "As long as you can explain your appraisal method, I will present every Spiritual Artifact you identify to you. I won’t hold a single one back!"

It was, without a doubt, an irresistible offer. He was currently very short on resources. Although he’d taken the Storage Rings from Fang Shi and Fang Qingyu, and the resources within were considerable, they were only enough for the present. The amount of resources he would require in the future was astronomical, so building up a reserve was essential.

"To be honest, the method is quite unique. I’m not absolutely certain it will work every time, as it relies entirely on my personal abilities. I can’t teach it to you, but if Miss Zi Yi were to hire me as an Appraiser for the pavilion, I would be more than happy to accept." It wasn’t that Lin Xuan was unwilling to share the method; rather, the method was exclusive to him. Who could he possibly teach it to?

Zi Yi narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him, trying to discern something from his expression, but all she found was placid indifference. After a moment, her face broke into a smile. "Young Master Lin, you truly are a clever man. You understand the value of a steady stream over a single flood... Very well. As long as you can successfully identify the Spiritual Artifacts upstairs—let’s say, if you can find two or more without a single mistake—I will make you the Chief Appraiser of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!"

’Chief Appraiser. What a domineering title.’

"No problem," Lin Xuan agreed readily. ’From a long-term perspective, this really is the better deal. Becoming an Appraiser for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is much better than a one-time payment.’

’With this status, doing business at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in the future will be much more convenient.’

Just as they started heading upstairs, Lin Xuan saw a familiar face appear before him. It was the Clan Leader of the Fang Family, Fang Feng!

’So he finally caught up.’ Lin Xuan knew Fang Feng would come looking for him. He had spies in Vast Origin City; they would have reported Lin Xuan’s arrival the moment he entered.

Fang Qingyu and Fang Shi had been missing for so long; they must have been ambushed. Fang Feng didn’t know if Lin Xuan was responsible, but he intended to capture him and interrogate him regardless!

"Lin Yunlong!" Fang Feng strode over furiously, reaching out to grab Lin Xuan, completely ignoring everyone else present.

But Zi Yi immediately stepped in front of Lin Xuan, blocking the way. "Clan Leader Fang," she said, her expression cold, "do you know where you are?"

As Lin Xuan watched Zi Yi shield him without a moment’s hesitation, a warm feeling grew within him. She had stepped in to protect him without knowing any of the details. That gesture alone was enough to win a person’s loyalty. ’Working for her,’ he thought, ’will absolutely be worth it.’

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