Chapter 491: Strange Soulless Golden Man (Part 1)

When others hear the term "Soul Oracle," they turn pale and flee as far as they can. Yet, this man wants to acquire a few of them to help his students advance? Everyone present felt their jaws drop, as if they were about to spit blood. If anyone else had said such a thing, they would surely be deemed insane. However, recalling Sun Qiang's recent experience, they knew he was telling the truth...

Catching Soul Oracles to boost strength... "Brother, do you really think this terrifying profession is like a Boundary Breakthrough Pill?"

"Well... Teacher Zhang," Luo Zhu stammered, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. "Soul Oracles were largely eradicated in ancient times. This surviving one must have used some secret technique to fall into slumber, and I inadvertently triggered its awakening. Such beings are inherently rare." Soul Oracles were scarce even in ancient times, and later the Master Teacher Pavilion completely wiped them out. Any that survived were due to sheer coincidence, like amber. Did Zhang think they were as common as potatoes or radishes on the street, easily grabbed by the handful or dug up by the sackful? And he still wanted to acquire a few to help his students advance... What an imagination!

"Not many? That's truly a pity..." Zhang Xuan's face was filled with regret. Seeing how easily Sun Qiang advanced, as if drinking water, directly reaching Transcendent Mortal 1-dan from the Grandmaster realm... if he could truly acquire a few more Soul Oracles, Zhao Ya and the others would undoubtedly break through smoothly as well. If they reached the Transcendent Mortal realm, they would become a significant asset even in the Myriad Kingdom Alliance.

"By the way, what exactly is the story behind the Soulless Golden Man and the Soul Oracle? Could you elaborate for us?" Knowing that such things were incredibly rare and not easily acquired, Zhang Xuan no longer dwelled on the matter and turned his attention to Luo Zhu. The others were also brimming with curiosity. Where had this man obtained the Soulless Golden Man, and how had he become entangled with the Soul Oracle?

"If anyone's to blame, it's my greed!" Luo Zhu confessed, his face flushing. "I found a Soul Oracle's tomb mentioned in an ancient text and, believing it contained countless treasures, I went there... I encountered a Soulless Golden Man, and just as I managed to collect one, my soul was possessed. I dared not continue and fled immediately..." His experience was similar to what everyone had previously surmised: he discovered a tomb left by an ancient Soul Oracle and sought to unearth its treasures, only to find himself possessed by a soul. He had battled for control for countless days, feeling the opposing soul grow ever stronger. Knowing that continuing the struggle would eventually lead to his own annihilation, he was forced to come to the auction house to sell the Soulless Golden Man. He hoped to leverage the Treasure Appraisal Hall's reputation to attract more individuals interested in Soul Oracles, and in doing so, find someone to help resolve the hidden danger within him. Fortunately, his luck held, and he encountered Teacher Zhang. Otherwise, anyone else would surely have taken advantage of the situation, directly made a deal with that soul, and refined him.

"I'd like to visit that tomb and perhaps search for the Soul Oracle's legacy," Zhang Xuan said. "Would you be able to guide me there?" His primary reason for coming to Honghai City was to find the Soul Oracle's inheritance and a method to revive Lu Chong. With such an opportunity now presenting itself, he naturally wouldn't let it slip away.

"Go to the tomb?" Luo Zhu's body trembled. His previous experience there had left an indelible mark, and the thought of returning filled him with genuine fear and trepidation.

"If you're concerned, you can simply give me the address, and I'll go on my own."

"No... there's no need for that! Teacher Zhang saved my life," Luo Zhu said, gritting his teeth after a moment of hesitation. "If you truly wish to go, I will lead the way!" Had it not been for Teacher Zhang, his soul would have been annihilated and scattered by now. Such profound kindness could never be repaid by merely a Soulless Golden Man. "However, Teacher Zhang, you must be careful," Luo Zhu warned, still feeling a chill from the memory of the tomb. "That place is incredibly eerie. It would be best to prepare thoroughly beforehand; otherwise, I fear that even with your immense strength, you might be caught off guard!"

Zhang Xuan nodded. To be counted among the most terrifying and feared professions of ancient times, Soul Oracles were certainly not simple. Sun Qiang's ability to easily refine the previous one was partly due to the Path of Heaven True Qi, but more crucially, that particular Soul Oracle had lived for an unknown duration and was already extremely weak. Furthermore, having struggled for so long with Luo Zhu for control of his body, it was like a soldier exhausted from a long march, easily defeated; this was hardly surprising. However, that tomb was different. Should there be other souls within, with unknown strength and methods, it certainly wouldn't be so easy.

"I will prepare the necessary items immediately," Luo Zhu said after some thought. "We will depart in three days!" Having researched the Soul Oracle's tomb for a considerable time, he knew certain items that souls dreaded. However, these particular items required custom preparation and could not be purchased openly; he would have to acquire them himself.

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan agreed. Coincidentally, the cultivation techniques and martial arts Zhang Xuan had requested from the Treasure Appraisal Hall had not yet been fully assembled, and he still had many matters to attend to. Three days would provide him with just enough time.

"In that case... I shall take my leave now!" After discussing for a while longer and finalizing the details of their journey to the Soul Oracle's tomb, Luo Zhu clasped his fists and departed.

"Teacher Zhang," Pavilion Master Sai said, his face flushing slightly as silence filled the room after Luo Zhu left, "the Soul Oracle's legacy is broken and incredibly bizarre. I... I would also like to accompany you to see it, if that's permissible?" He felt somewhat embarrassed, as he hadn't contributed to acquiring the Soulless Golden Man but was about to directly benefit from its discovery. Nevertheless, Soul Oracle culture held a significant and dark place in ancient history. As a treasure appraiser, he naturally desired the chance to examine it up close.

"Teacher Zhang, I also wish to go," Luo Qin quickly added. The auction house never acted without a clear profit motive. Since Soul Oracles delved into the study of souls and often required substantial offerings to perform their rituals, observing this would be invaluable. Should they acquire any treasures, it would also greatly benefit the auction house.

"You wish to go?" Zhang Xuan's brows furrowed slightly, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Alright, but I advise you to prepare a sufficient amount of spirit stones beforehand. That way, if we find any treasures, you'll have the means to acquire them!" Both individuals were quite wealthy. If valuable items were found in the tomb, Zhang Xuan could directly sell them, profiting handsomely. Gold coins were no longer useful to him. Acquiring more spirit stones would make cultivation twice as effective, both for himself and for Zhao Ya and the others.

"Understood!" both men nodded in agreement. If anyone else had dared to speak to them in such a manner, given their status, they would undoubtedly have beaten them senseless. However, ever since witnessing Teacher Zhang's unfathomable methods, even effortlessly subduing a Soul Oracle, such a thought never even crossed their minds. He had effortlessly crippled the Flowing Goblet event, instantly discerned a soul possession, and held the esteemed title of a Master Teacher. Any one of these reasons was enough to prevent them from acting recklessly.

"By the way, Pavilion Master Sai, could you please take me to your library so I can examine the books concerning Soul Oracles?" Zhang Xuan asked. Having come to the Treasure Appraisal Hall, he naturally intended to peruse their library. This would enhance his understanding of future treasure appraisals and Soul Oracles, preventing him from being caught unprepared.

"That's simple!" Pavilion Master Sai said with a slight smile. Teacher Zhang's appraisal skills already surpassed his own; even without asking, he was more than qualified to access the library.

"Excellent! I might also need to trouble the Pavilion Master to arrange accommodation. My students, and Young Master Zhao here, require some rest!" Zhang Xuan continued. Having rushed all the way from Xuanyuan Kingdom, immediately entering the Treasure Appraisal Hall upon arrival, and then attending the auction, everyone was feeling quite fatigued.

Pavilion Master Sai nodded and withdrew. It wasn't long before he had arranged several quiet rooms. Upon entering one of the rooms, Zhang Xuan called Zhao Ya and the others to him.

"The Soul Oracle's tomb is extremely dangerous. You must all strive to improve your strength as quickly as possible over the next few days to ensure your safety." Even Luo Zhu, who was at the peak of Transcendent Mortal 2-dan, had been attacked in the Soul Oracle's tomb. These students, being only Grandmasters, were still significantly weaker. They had to increase their power quickly; otherwise, they would only be a hindrance if they accompanied him. "Use the spirit stones freely," Zhang Xuan stated calmly, tossing a pile of them towards them. "In three days, all of you must break through to the Zhizun realm, or you will not be accompanying me!" Previously, he had been poor and without spirit stones, unwilling to use them even for himself, and his students had never seen them. Now, after the auction and the Flowing Goblet event, with over 20,000 spirit stones in hand, he could use them as he pleased, without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes, Teacher!" Upon hearing their teacher's command, everyone gritted their teeth in determination. Breaking through from Grandmaster to Zhizun was challenging, but their teacher had already explained all cultivation difficulties and had even created specific cultivation techniques for them. With the added benefit of so many spirit stones, if they still couldn't succeed, there would be no point in living.

"Now, go cultivate!" After giving his instructions, Zhang Xuan left the room and followed Pavilion Master Sai to the library.

Treasure appraisal encompassed a vast array of subjects including humanities, history, calligraphy, ancient artifacts, and weaponry, among many other professions. The knowledge contained within was immeasurable, and thus, the library's collection was far more extensive than those dedicated to other trades. With a single glance, Zhang Xuan was struck by the sheer grandeur of the library. Compared to this, the library of Tianwu Kingdom he had previously seen, and even the Master Teacher Pavilion of Xuanyuan Kingdom, paled in comparison.

"Begin!" Zhang Xuan began to catalog the books once more. It took him nearly a full day to complete the cataloging of all the books. Upon returning to his residence, he found his body so limp he could barely stand. Having journeyed from Xuanyuan Kingdom, then endured the events at the Treasure Appraisal Hall, the Flowing Goblet gathering, and the auction, the physical toll was minimal. However, the excessive use of his Eye of Insight, the depletion of his state of mind, and the rapid absorption of so many books had left him utterly exhausted. After a long sleep, he didn't fully recover until noon the following day, feeling refreshed and invigorated once more. His state of mind, as long as its foundation wasn't damaged, could be fully restored with sufficient rest.

"Let's see if I can find any clues!" Waking up and stretching, Zhang Xuan flicked his wrist, and a massive golden figure appeared before him. He had purchased it from the auction but hadn't properly examined it yet. Now that he had some free time, he decided to study it thoroughly, hoping to find some clues that would lead to a deeper understanding of Soul Oracles.

The golden figure lay still, indistinguishable from a corpse or a puppet. Zhang Xuan observed it for a moment, discerning nothing, then placed a finger on its surface.

"Deficiencies!" A book instantly formed in his mind. Flipping it open, Zhang Xuan lowered his gaze. His eyebrows furrowed instantly, and his expression became exceedingly strange. "This... this... how is this possible?"