Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Meng...." Xiao Hongchen's face was wrinkled, and he earnestly tried to persuade his sister to turn back from her misguided path.

"Get lost!"

"Alright..."

Xu Cheng watched as Xiao Hongchen, standing nearby, widened his eyes, clearly worried that his precious "cabbage" (a metaphor for his sister) was being "nibbled" by someone else. Yet, he didn't dare to stop her. Instead, he made exaggerated facial expressions at Xu Cheng.

Xu Cheng could only smile helplessly.

But he didn't refuse either. He took the light blue dagger from her.

He scanned it with his spiritual power, but was blocked by a mysterious force, unable to penetrate further.

Is this a level 3 soul tool?

Xu Cheng showed a look of surprise. Just this anti-detection feature alone shouldn't be something a level 3 soul tool possesses.

Generally, only level 6 or 7 soul tools and above have anti-detection mechanisms to prevent the core formation from being leaked. These detections either explode upon contact or self-destruct when opened.

The soul tool made by Jing Hongchen for his granddaughter certainly couldn't be the former. Otherwise, if it were accidentally opened, it would be a big problem.

So, it must be the second type: it blocks spiritual detection while simultaneously activating a self-destruction program if it senses any attempt to open it, thereby damaging the core formation...

"This soul tool isn't level 3, is it?" Xu Cheng pondered.

"Huh..."

Xiao Hongchen popped up, looking at Xu Cheng with astonishment.

"You can tell that?"

"..."

Meng Hongchen expressionlessly pushed Xiao Hongchen's face away.

"So, Brother Cheng, can you fix it?"

"I can't guarantee it. I need to ask Xiao what's going on," Xu Cheng said.

"Ahem, this soul tool is actually an adaptive-level soul tool. I remember the core formation is level 7, meaning that for soul masters below level 7, it can adjust according to the user's strength, with a maximum of level 7. Similarly, its core formation is quite complex. I heard from my grandfather that it belongs to a level 7 core."

Xiao Hongchen shook his head.

Frankly, a soul tool of this level is something even he, the "number one genius," can't repair. It would probably require someone like his grandfather, a level 8 soul engineer or above, to fix it.

Meng Hongchen: "..."

Her light blue eyes glared fiercely at Xiao Hongchen.

No wonder when her soul tool broke and she wanted to ask Xu Cheng to fix it, her brother discovered it and remained silent, pretending nothing was wrong.

He wanted Xu Cheng to be embarrassed...

Xiao Hongchen, on the other hand, looked aggrieved.

He and Xu Cheng had a good relationship; they were roommates. He knew his sister had a thing for good-looking guys, and he wouldn't interfere with whom she liked. His mischief was just playful banter between friends...

"Sorry, Brother Cheng, I'll go find Grandpa," Meng Hongchen said, hanging her head.

But Xu Cheng, examining the dagger, slowly spoke up, "Let me give it a try."

"...Huh???"

Meng Hongchen's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Xu Cheng.

Did I trigger some keyword?

Is it that a man can't say he can't do something?

This is a level 7 soul tool! Can you just casually say you'll try?

"Don't worry, if it breaks, I'll compensate you with another one," Xu Cheng said, smiling.

"Oh... okay."

Meng Hongchen's face flushed red, and she pretended to casually glance around.

This might actually be a good thing. A level 7 soul tool is beyond Xu Cheng's current abilities, so it would take a long time to figure out, giving her more opportunities to interact with him.

And, he's really handsome...

"There's an auction today, workaholic. Why not take some time to check it out?"

Xiao Hongchen changed the subject.

"Auction?"

"The Sun Moon Auction House, backed by the government, is the largest and most authoritative auction house in Mingdu. There are plenty of good things there. Even you would find something you like," Xiao Hongchen explained.

"Alright, let's go then," Xu Cheng nodded.

...

Riding a mechanically driven vehicle, the three arrived at the most bustling area of Mingdu.

Tall buildings stood everywhere.

Xu Cheng looked around. He had grown up in the palace, and after awakening his martial soul at the age of six, he managed to leave with the help of Zhong Liwu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult. Later, he busied himself with reorganizing the Holy Spirit Cult's branches and expanding his influence in the towns near Mingdu.

At his age, this was his first time coming here...

Xiao Hongchen led the way, taking the two into the main entrance of the auction house.

Xu Cheng observed the surrounding buildings.

Though they were tall buildings, they were distinctly different from those in his previous life.

They didn't let in light; there was no glass. It was like a giant metal box turned upside down, with the outlines of the floors intricately carved inside.

Made entirely of metal, it exuded a sense of solidity.

Xiao Hongchen led them to a private room.

He lounged comfortably on the sofa, eating the fruits placed on the table.

"Sit! Make yourselves at home!"

"This auction house is partly owned by my grandfather, and your father controls a significant portion of it, Cheng. Judging by your unfamiliarity... you've never been here before?"

"Never."

Xu Cheng picked up a grape and ate it. It was surprisingly sweet.

Come to think of it, ever since his mother passed away, his father, though distant, hadn't neglected him. At least he wasn't like some duke's son who was bullied terribly. Life in the palace before he turned six was quite comfortable...

As they chatted, a beautiful maid in a purple dress turned on the screen opposite the sofa.

Like a light curtain, it displayed the scene of the auction room.

A snow-white stage, seemingly the place where the auction items would be displayed.

Other than that, the room was empty.

Xu Cheng's focus, however, was on the light-guided screen.

In the original story, it first appeared at the auction house in the capital of the Star Luo Empire. According to the maid, it was imported from the Sun Moon Empire, powered by small ore pieces, eliminating the need for soul masters to act as generators.

Perhaps...

Xu Cheng chewed on an ice-cold grape, savoring the burst of flavor.

Perhaps... we could create something like movies.

What's the key to information warfare?

Subtle infiltration!

Especially for the younger generation, they are more receptive to new things.

Most importantly, he wanted to make the true face of the Tang God-King known to all. Using film and art to convey this would make it easier for the common people to accept...

This kind of infiltration is subtle, bone-deep, and hard to detect.

As for the cost...

Technology is only difficult during the breakthrough phase. Once it's mastered, it can become as cheap as dirt.

The reason the Star Luo Empire had to buy it at a high price was because they were choked by the technology. For the Sun Moon Empire, which had mastered this technology, it was essentially cost-free.

As for raw materials, the screen wasn't important, and energy ores weren't scarce.

Besides, even without ore power, couldn't a soul master be used to power it manually?

"Distinguished guests, the auction is about to begin..."

The purple-dressed maid softly announced.

Xu Cheng slowly looked up.

On the screen.

An old man's figure gradually appeared.

(End of Chapter)