If Xu Zihuang could hear Eyu Cheng's thoughts right now, he might feel a bit perplexed, regretting even giving the boy a second glance earlier.
It was truly beneath him.
A mere frog trapped in the well of the Southern Moon Islands.
With Eyu Luo withdrawing from the auction, the 9,000-year-old Demon Soul Great White Shark's skull bone was easily claimed by Jing Gu. However, despite successfully securing the bone, a shadow of unease loomed over his heart.
After all, he had thoroughly offended Eyu Luo earlier.
Inside the top-tier VIP suite, Xu Zihuang and his companions observed the expressions of Eyu Luo and Eyu Cheng with crystal clarity. Yao Yang furrowed his brow and suddenly addressed Xu Zihuang and Uncle Wang Xiao.
"Zihuang, Uncle Wang. To avoid any unexpected incidents, I'll personally oversee the exchange of this soul bone with Jing Gu. Meanwhile, I'll have Yao'er bring over the whale oil extracted from the Demon Soul Great White Shark's head. Zihuang, you can also tell her directly what rare metals you'll need for your soul tool crafting studies—she'll arrange everything for you."
"Sure, Brother Yang, you go ahead and take care of it."
"If you need my help, just let me know," added Wang Xiao, patting Yao Yang on the shoulder before he left the room.
Yao Yang nodded appreciatively and walked down the VIP corridor toward the auction center, wearing his composed demeanor. Given their relationship between him and Uncle Wang, no unnecessary formalities were needed.
As the auction came to an end, the attendees in the auction hall began to disperse. Those who had successfully bid on items were guided by the Moon Hub Auction House staff to finalize their exchanges.
Fifty Moon Hub City guards flanked the stage, standing at attention. In their midst, Zhu Yao wore a solemn expression as she carefully stored the 9,000-year-old Demon Soul Great White Shark skull bone into her bracelet-shaped storage soul tool.
Though the auction had ended, the subsequent exchanges still required utmost vigilance.
At that moment, the sound of steady footsteps drew closer. Emerging from the dimly lit hallway, Yao Yang's figure came into view.
"Greetings, Lord of Moon Hub City."
When they saw Yao Yang, the fifty Moon Hub City Guards respectfully kneeled on one knee, and the armor on their bodies emitted a series of metal clinking sounds.
With a casual wave of his hand, Yao Yang signaled them to rise, reverting to his imposing lordly presence in public. But when he walked in front of Zhu Yao and met her resentful gaze, his eyes softened with a trace of affection and helplessness.
"Has our city lord finished his important discussions? How does he still have time to grace us with his presence here? " Zhu Yao teased, her red lips curving into a mock look of surprise.
Ignoring her teasing, Yao Yang went straight to the point.
"Yao'er, hand me the soul bone. I'll personally oversee the exchange with Jing Gu. Meanwhile, you'll take the Demon Soul Great White Shark's head whale oil to Zihuang. Also, if Zihuang tells you what kinds of rare metals are needed to make soul tools, just arrange it for him."
"You always love ordering me around," Zhu Yao grumbled, giving Yao Yang a feigned annoyed look. However, she obediently took the soul bone from the storage soul tool and handed it to Yao Yang.
Despite her complaints, she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.
It seems like you do care about me after all.
After all, the relationships between them and the five major pirate crews had never been exactly harmonious.
...
In a private room of the Moon Hub Auction House, Jing Gu, who was bare-chested, sat on a sofa with his eyes closed, appearing to rest. Yet his furrowed brow betrayed his restless mood.
A faint sound of the door opening jolted him. He opened his eyes sharply, his guard immediately raised. Seeing Yao Yang enter, clad in an elegant silver-white soul master's robe, Jing Gu couldn't hide his surprise.
"I'm honored that the Viscount of Southern Moon Islands himself has come to handle the exchange. I apologize for the lack of formalities."
"There's no need for formalities, Captain Jing Gu," Yao Yang replied with a faint smile, skipping over the pleasantries. A flash of white light revealed the metal box containing the 9,000-year-old Demon Soul Great White Shark skull bone in his right hand.
"Let's get straight to business. Has the payment been prepared?"
"Of course."
Jing Gu's eyes were fixed on the metal box in Yao Yang's right hand, and even the tone of his voice changed slightly. Facing this skull bone, which was about to belong to him, at such close range, he couldn't conceal his excitement.
Unlike someone with Xu Zihuang's prestigious background, soul masters like Jing Gu, who rose from humble origins, rarely had the chance to encounter a soul bone in their lifetime. What Xu Zihuang deemed ordinary was a priceless treasure to him.
In the nearly century-long history of the Southern Moon Islands, only one soul bone had ever passed through the Moon Hub Auction House—this one.
Jing Gu retrieved an ornate purple-gold card from his storage soul tool and grandly tossed it to Yao Yang.
"Captain Jing Gu is indeed generous," Yao Yang complimented, eyeing the card worth two million gold soul coins. At the same time, he placed the metal box on the table before Jing Gu.
Unable to contain himself, Jing Gu immediately opened the box. Gazing at the lustrous, silvery soul bone radiating a faint glow, a look of intoxication crossed his face.
After inspecting it thoroughly to ensure that there was no issue, he stowed it away in his storage soul tool and nodded toward Yao Yang.
"The Southern Moon Islands Viscount's reputation is as reliable as ever. Now that the transaction is complete, I'll take my leave."
"Safe travels, Captain Jing Gu," Yao Yang said, clasping his hands behind his back and watching him depart. Just as Jing Gu turned to leave, Yao Yang added, "But I advise you, Captain Jing Gu, to be cautious on your journey. You're not the only one interested in that soul bone."
Hearing this, Jing Gu paused and turned back to meet Yao Yang's gaze.
"Thank you for the warning, Viscount."
The five pirate crews might appear united on the surface, but they were rife with suspicion and self-interest. There were no eternal allies, only eternal benefits.
The current situation in the Southern Moon Islands was far from what it was ten years ago. Having risen from commoner to his current position, Jing Gu was shrewd and experienced.
However, he didn't take Yao Yang's warning too seriously. Even if Eyu Luo coveted the soul bone, he doubted Eyu Luo would dare resort to bringing some people to steal it openly. Although Eyu Luo's soul power surpassed his, as a fellow Soul Sage, Jing Gu wasn't so easily subdued.