Chapter 91: The Snow Shadow Behind the Embryo
When the Xingluo Empire's royal family presented the Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone, the Starlight Auction House prepared to unveil its final and most anticipated item.
As Xu Jiujiu stepped onto the stage, clad in the ceremonial gown reserved only for auctions exceeding 100 million gold soul coins, Xiao Qiang's brain nearly froze.
He distinctly remembered—the final item should have been the embryo of a soul beast. Based on his knowledge, this embryo should have been none other than the Snow Emperor. But the Snow Emperor was currently resting within his storage-type soul guide. So then… what exactly was being auctioned that could demand such a staggering price?
Confused and full of doubts, Xiao Qiang waited for the answer as the auction house revealed the item.
To his utter shock, the soul beast embryo wheeled out wasn't the Snow Emperor.
Xiao Qiang: "???"
The Snow Emperor had already surpassed 700,000 years of cultivation—where did this new embryo come from?
As the questions piled up in his mind, Princess Jiujiu began enthusiastically explaining to the audience the potential benefits of this 100,000-year soul beast embryo. When she mentioned that a successful fusion with the embryo might even grant the user a second martial soul, the entire auction house erupted into a frenzy.
In the audience, Huo Yuhao, who had accompanied the Shrek Academy team, leaned over and asked Alex in a hushed tone.
"Master Yi, is it really possible for a soul beast embryo to grant a second martial soul?"
Alex, deep in Huo Yuhao's spiritual sea, pondered for a moment.
"I'm not too familiar with your world's soul beasts and martial spirits," he admitted, "but from a magical perspective, it is theoretically possible. An embryo that hasn't fully transformed could still merge with another being. However, there's a risk—the embryo may carry deep resentment. If not controlled properly, the host could become like a dark magician… or in your terms, an evil soul master."
He paused before adding, "Additionally, if the embryo's soul beast possesses strong spiritual will, it might even hijack the process and use the host to be reborn."
Huo Yuhao swallowed hard, a dark cloud settling over his thoughts.
He hadn't had the money to craft the Soul Devouring Carving Knife, and now, standing before a chance to gain a second martial soul, he was even more powerless.
Why is it that I have nothing—not even money? Huo Yuhao clenched his fists tightly, biting back his frustration.
In the original timeline, Huo Yuhao had been somewhat extreme early on, but thanks to Tianmeng's support, he was soon noticed by Fan Yu and accepted by the Soul Guidance Department. Despite having just one spirit ring at the time, he quickly made his mark—eventually defeating Dai Huabin, and gaining the attention and apology of the Shrek Academy dean.
His journey, though rocky, always trended upward.
But now? Without Tianmeng's four soul skills, let alone defeating Dai Huabin, Huo Yuhao barely managed to get Fan Yu to consider him for the Soul Guidance Department. His martial soul's quality remained lackluster without a second awakening. Though his eye martial soul allowed precise spiritual detection, its use was limited.
Even though Huo Yuhao showed promise in soul tool engineering, it was no longer enough. With only a level-one innate soul power and being just level seventeen at age twelve, Shrek's attention on him was minimal.
Alex, sensing Huo Yuhao's growing bitterness and self-loathing, sighed softly in the spirit sea.
Sigh… this child's personality… I only hope he doesn't follow the same path I once took.
As Princess Xu Jiujiu concluded her introduction, her voice echoed through the hall.
"Now, the 100,000-year soul beast embryo will officially begin auctioning. The starting price is 100 million gold soul coins."
The moment she finished, the soul beast embryo—complete with a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone—instantly became the focal point of fierce bidding. Emotions flared, voices rose, and the entire auction house turned chaotic.
To Xiao Qiang's surprise, Xiao Hongchen remained silent. He didn't place a single bid.
"Nephew," Xiao Qiang turned to him, puzzled. "What's wrong with you lately? This calm attitude—it's not like you at all."
"Nothing," Xiao Hongchen replied flatly.
Xiao Qiang didn't press further. He turned his attention back to the auction, watching as Jing Hongchen whispered to Qingya, instructing her to press the bid button.
"I'll bid 150 million," Jing Hongchen's voice echoed confidently through the auction hall.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd as the price leaped to 150 million in one go. Cups were smashed in rage, and many nobles shouted curses at the box bidders.
"Grandpa, is this really okay? Spending so much on me?" Xiao Hongchen asked, eyes filled with emotion. He knew that this embryo was unlikely meant for Meng. As Jing Hongchen's only grandson, it was clearly for him.
"What do you mean 'at this time'?" Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow.
"I mean… the Hongchen family treasury…"
Jing Hongchen chuckled. "Ah, so you saw what happened after Xiao Qiang visited the treasury? He mentioned he might need quite a few things, and I told him to take what he wanted. Yes, the treasury was a bit depleted for a while, but I've already replenished it."
"Wait—so the Hongchen family isn't in decline?"
"Decline? Ridiculous!" Jing Hongchen huffed. "I'm still the Duke of the Empire and the Master of Mingde Hall. You think I'd let our family fall that easily?"
Then, glaring at Xiao Qiang, he barked, "Alright, enough with the mystery. If you don't give me a proper explanation today, I'll beat it out of you!"
Xiao Qiang: "…"
So… what exactly did happen?
After the Auction — Shrek Academy
Back at the Shrek quarters, Yan Shaozhe reported his findings to Elder Xuan.
"Master Xuan, I've confirmed it—Xiao Qiang's current soul power is only level 50. Given the soul-sealing technology used to preserve the embryo, he must have prepared the soul beast for hunting a while ago. He should be a five-ring Soul King now."
Elder Xuan nodded slowly. "That aligns with Beibei's information. According to him, Xiao Qiang broke through to the Venerable level over a year ago. Qingya, the auctioneer, also mentioned that he used some medicines recently to fuse soul rings onto a second martial soul. If his second martial soul was at level 31, fusing five rings with enhancement pills would indeed push him into Soul King level."
Xiao Qiang, aware that a decisive battle was looming, didn't bother concealing his cultivation. Aside from his Ultimate Ice, which he kept secret from Shrek to prevent them from greedily poaching his allies, there wasn't much reason to hide anything else.
After all, this was the second Douluo timeline. Twin martial souls were certainly valuable, but not to the point of shaking empires. Take Xiao Xiao's treatment in Shrek as an example—it said plenty.
Twin martial souls might be rare and prestigious in most factions, but to the genius-laden Shrek Academy, they were merely noteworthy.
After listening to the full report, Elder Xuan let out a cold chuckle.
"Hmph. So, he's not a Soul Emperor after all. Just a Soul King with a flashy 100,000-year soul ring? Absurd. Does he really think I'll let him off so easily?"
"Master Xuan," Yan Shaozhe interjected cautiously, "he still has twin martial souls—shouldn't we…"
"What of it?" Elder Xuan cut him off, sneering. "He's just a so-called genius ruined by the Sun-Moon Empire. They recklessly added soul rings to his second martial soul before level 50. Used drugs to push him ahead… Pathetic!"
He scoffed again.
"I laugh at the Sun-Moon Empire's poor strategy and Jing Hongchen's shortsightedness. They took a gifted child with twin spirits and ruined him. Eight spirit rings before level 50? And most of them low-tier thousand-year ones? This kind of cultivation is a joke. Even if he crawled to Shrek Academy on his knees, he wouldn't get in."