However, the sixth-level soul engineers from Illustrious Virtue Hall are not the same as the sixth-level soul engineers from the outside world. For example, a soul engineer from the original Douluo Continent would be rated half a level lower if positioned in Illustrious Virtue Hall. Take an eighth-level soul engineer like Fan Yu; compared to someone like Xuan Ziwen, who is also at the eighth level, the gap is enormous. Ultimately, when it comes to soul tools, the original Douluo Continent lags far behind the Sun Moon Empire.
"These soul tools are costly. A third-level soul tool paralysis ray has a starting bid of 1,000 gold soul coins," Wang Dong'er muttered beside Su Yu. The soul tools Wang Dong'er used were almost all crafted by Su Yu. Wang Dong'er primarily provided the materials, and Su Yu had never charged her for his work. She had no idea that such a seemingly simple third-level paralysis ray would cost so much money. She remembered that the raw materials cost less than fifty gold soul coins. This was truly an absurd profit margin. These soul engineers were making a fortune.
"The cost of a soul tool lies in the technology, not the raw materials," Su Yu replied indifferently.
"With the same materials and design, the price varies depending on the soul engineer who makes it."
"A regular third-level paralysis ray would start at most at 500 gold soul coins. This one is pricier because it was made by a sixth-level soul engineer."
"But even 500 gold soul coins is way too much. The raw materials for this thing are not that expensive—probably not even fifty gold soul coins. It might not even cost ten gold soul coins for the raw materials," Wang Dong'er shook her head and said.
Su Yu sighed and explained, "Knowledge is priceless. The raw materials are cheap, but the skill of the soul engineer makes it valuable."
"These soul engineers are raking it in," Wang Dong'er grumbled. Seeing such a lucrative business, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
"Making money, sure. But have you ever considered how much investment it takes to train a skilled soul engineer?"
Su Yu countered.
"Behind every successful soul engineer is a massive expenditure of resources and effort. This soul tool is indeed worth the price."
"And you had the chance to study soul engineering yourself, but you didn't want to," Su Yu added, exasperated.
Wang Dong'er shrugged.
"I can't help it. Whenever I hear about soul engineering, it sounds like gibberish to me. Besides, I have you, don't I? Why would I need to learn?"
Her matter-of-fact tone made Su Yu laugh in exasperation.
"So what? Am I supposed to stick with you forever?"
Su Yu asked.
"Why not?"
Wang Dong'er looked at Su Yu, her gaze complicated, with a faintly inexplicable expression on her face. Su Yu's brow twitched as he stared in surprise but quickly regained his composure. Wang Dong'er seemed to realize she had said something inappropriate and turned her head away, falling silent.
At this moment, the third-level paralysis ray had already been sold. The buyer was Wang Yan, the leader of the Shrek Academy team, who had spent a full 3,000 gold soul coins on it. For reference, the average annual expenses of a typical family were only a few dozen gold soul coins. This highlighted how unattainable items related to soul masters were for ordinary people.
The auction continued, showcasing several soul tools one after another. Su Yu and the others naturally didn't care for them, as they could craft much better ones themselves. Generally, every soul engineer used tools they designed personally since only they knew exactly what they needed. Of course, if they had an elder designing custom tools for them, that would be even better, but such cases were rare. Most soul engineers ultimately relied on their creations.
While Su Yu and his group were unimpressed, someone else clearly saw value in the items. Wang Yan from the Shrek Academy team repeatedly made bids, buying over a dozen soul tools in quick succession. His frequent purchases were conspicuous enough that even Xiao Hongchen, who rarely paid attention, noticed something unusual and glanced at Su Yu with a questioning look. Sitting next to Su Yu, Meng Hongchen also turned her gaze toward him. The people around Su Yu might not be geniuses, but they were no fools. Meng Hongchen, straightforward but not unintelligent, asked, "Yu, what is Shrek Academy planning by buying so many soul tools?"
Su Yu clasped his hands together.
"The intent is clear. Wang Yan has realized the power of soul tools. He's trying to introduce soul tools to Shrek Academy students to enhance their strength."
"His idea is good, but implementing it won't be easy. Most Shrek Academy soul masters cling to the glory of being a soul master and resist using soul tools. It's not something he can achieve with a few words. The reserve students might be easier to convince, but the official members of the inner court..."
Su Yu chuckled. He remembered Ma Xiaotao's statement in the original timeline: "The Shrek team can do without anyone, except soul engineers."
This demonstrated how much the inner court students ignored soul tools. It wasn't just the students; even individuals like Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe were suppressing the soul engineering department. Without Huo Yuhao's influence in this timeline, Shrek Academy's soul engineering reforms would likely still be a long way off. For now, the academy remained a place where the martial soul department heavily overshadowed the soul engineering department.
"Wang Yan's vision is broader than most at Shrek, but his words carry little weight. No matter how good his ideas are, they'll fall on deaf ears. Reforming Shrek Academy depends on whether Mu En has the resolve. But Mu En probably has no energy to worry about soul tools at the moment; the academy's current crises are enough to keep him busy."
"These so-called soul masters are so stubborn. Even a soul master as talented as you don't overlook the power of soul tools, yet the people at Shrek Academy turn a blind eye to them. How ridiculous," Meng Hongchen said disdainfully.
"Perhaps. But Shrek Academy's martial soul department is still excellent. There's much to learn from them. Soul tools are important, but to become a truly top-tier powerhouse, one must rely on oneself. Soul tools are merely weapons. Sacrificing one's growth for a weapon is unwise. Of course, I'm not denying the value of soul engineering. For ordinary soul engineers, it's fine. But a genius like you, Meng'er, should focus on cultivating your martial soul."
"The academy values martial souls, but not enough—not when it comes to foundational strength. Meng'er, you've used drugs to boost your soul power, haven't you?"
Su Yu's expression grew serious.
Meng Hongchen blinked at his seriousness before nodding earnestly. Indeed, she had taken such drugs; otherwise, she wouldn't have reached the Soul King level at around fourteen years old. Her speed was unmatched, as even Zhang Lexuan had only achieved that level at fifteen. Meng Hongchen's talent was exceptional, but surpassing Zhang Lexuan outright was unlikely.
"Using drugs to increase soul power has its downsides. It can hinder future breakthroughs. Meng'er, you must never use drugs to enhance your soul power again. As for the damage to your foundation, I'll find a way to help you recover," Su Yu advised solemnly.
Meng Hongchen nodded obediently. She had never seen Su Yu this serious before and didn't dare to refute him. Seeing her agreement, Su Yu relaxed.
"Meng'er, don't think I'm overreacting. I'm doing this for your good."
"I understand," Meng Hongchen replied softly. She blinked her large eyes and asked, "Yu, you've been improving so quickly. Have you never used any drugs to enhance your soul power?"
Su Yu's cultivation speed was indeed astonishing—at just over twelve years old, he had already reached the 46th level as a Soul Ancestor. What's more, he wielded an Ultimate Martial Soul, which made it even more impressive.
"I've benefited from many resources that aid cultivation, but I've never taken drugs that directly boost soul power. It's not that you can't use external aids, but the ordinary kinds aren't suitable. Do you understand?"
"I think I get it," Meng Hongchen nodded dazedly.
Su Yu chuckled.
"Never mind. You'll understand better later. For now, just remember not to take drugs to increase your soul power anymore."
"Oh..."
Meng Hongchen murmured before gently leaning her head against Su Yu's shoulder.
At that moment, the auction moved on to the second-to-last item—a fourth-tier Milk Bottle. Milk Bottles are unique soul tools that can replenish soul power. However, they are notoriously difficult to produce, making them one of the most complex soul tools of their tier. Su Yu didn't have any Milk Bottles among his creations—not because he couldn't make them, but because his true energy regeneration far surpassed their usefulness. For someone like Wang Dong'er, though, this tool could be very valuable.
As Qing Ya, the auctioneer, continued introducing the Milk Bottle, Su Yu nudged Wang Dong'er beside him.
"Bid on it."
"Huh?"
Wang Dong'er looked at Su Yu in confusion.
"This thing can restore soul power, so it's useful for you. But it's not going to be cheap. Even though it's just a fourth-tier soul tool, it'll probably cost tens of thousands of gold soul coins. If you're short on funds, I can lend you some," Su Yu suggested.
He deliberately chose the word "lend" rather than "give." It wasn't that he was unwilling to gift it; he had already given away far more valuable items—like the million-gold-soul-coin Bright Dragon King's right arm bone—so a mere Milk Bottle was nothing. However, he understood Wang Dong'er's personality. Framing it as a loan made it easier for Wang Dong'er to accept. It wasn't about the money, just a matter of tact.
"There's no need! I've got money—lots of it!"
Wang Dong'er declared confidently, puffing out her chest.
Su Yu glanced briefly at her—still as flat as ever—and mused to himself whether there would even be an echo if he knocked on it. Wang Dong'er often complained about Su Yu dating Meng Hongchen, but could anyone blame him? Meng Hongchen was kind, gentle, cute, and, frankly, incredibly attractive. She was also entirely devoted to Su Yu. Anyone with a brain would choose her.
Unaware of Su Yu's impolite thoughts, Wang Dong'er grinned smugly. "Before I left, First Uncle gave me a card loaded with money. There's a lot on it!"
The way she boasted made her look like a clueless rich kid. Su Yu rubbed his temples in exasperation.
"Alright, as long as you've got the funds. Just don't overpay. This Milk Bottle shouldn't go for more than 50,000 gold soul coins. If it does, let it go. Having money doesn't mean you should act like a fool, understand?"
"I got it," Wang Dong'er nodded.
Soon, the bidding for the Milk Bottle began, shooting up from the starting price of 7,000 gold soul coins to 15,000 in no time.
"20,000 gold soul coins," Wang Dong'er declared, raising the bid by 5,000 gold soul coins in one go.
"25,000 gold soul coins," came a voice from the front row, the bid from Wang Yan, Shrek Academy's representative.
"30,000 gold soul coins," Wang Dong'er said nonchalantly, adding another 5,000.
Wang Yan frowned. "32,000 gold soul coins."
"50,000 gold soul coins," Wang Dong'er raised the bid by 18,000 in one bold move, stunning Wang Yan. It was just a fourth-tier Milk Bottle—was this level of bidding necessary?
For Wang Dong'er, however, Su Yu's word was enough. Since Su Yu had said the maximum reasonable price was 50,000, that's what she bid. If Wang Yan countered, Wang Dong'er would simply let it go. But Wang Yan wasn't a fool. He understood the market value and knew the bid had reached its upper limit. Continuing would be unwise. Curious, Wang Yan turned to see who had made the bold bid but was disappointed. Su Yu's group was far too clever to reveal their identities so easily. They had changed clothes before the auction, and the dim lighting made it impossible to discern who they were.
"You've got a knack for bidding," Su Yu remarked with a wry smile.
"Hehe, low profile, low profile," Wang Dong'er giggled, clearly pleased with herself despite her words.
Su Yu chuckled as well.
On the stage, Qing Ya had just hammered the sale. With the Milk Bottle taken care of, the auction moved on to its final item. Even Su Yu, typically calm, became serious. This was what he had come for. As the final item was unveiled, a unique carving knife called the Soul-Devouring Knife was revealed. Seeing it, Su Yu's eyes lit up with excitement.