Chapter 204: Tier-9 Soul Device – Cheng Xin, First Collaboration with the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect

"Candlelight dinner? Sure." Xu Cheng smiled and nodded.

Inside the teaching building.

Class had just ended. After Mo Xuan, Xiao Xiao, and Ning Tian left, Zhang Lexuan affectionately clung to Xu Cheng's arm and suggested they go to the Mingdu Grand Hotel for dinner. She had already reserved a candlelight dinner, plus a full hotel service package—one last wild night. She didn't want to have any regrets left behind.

"Mhm~" Zhang Lexuan planned aloud, "Once we get there, I'll change into something new. I promise tonight will make you very happy."

Her beautiful smile was like a painting, making the surrounding scenery pale in comparison.

"Heh, as long as you're here, I'm already happy..." Xu Cheng chuckled, gently stroking her soft hair. The senior sister from the inner courtyard had a tall figure, though not as tall as Ma Xiaotao or Nana—she was about 1.77 meters, still a head shorter than Xu Cheng. Touching her hair felt very pleasant.

"..."

Zhang Lexuan lowered her head, saying nothing. Her eyes began to mist over. Just as she was worried Xu Cheng might notice, a voice suddenly rang out:

"Um… am I interrupting something?"

Ning Tian waved a little awkwardly. She had planned to sneak away unnoticed, but since Xu Cheng had spotted her and they locked eyes, she had no choice but to come forward.

"Heh, it's fine." Xu Cheng smiled, casually wrapping his arm around Zhang Lexuan's slender waist. He clearly saw a flush of red rise to her fair earlobes. She lowered her head—whether to hide her shyness or her tears, it wasn't clear.

"What brings you here?"

"Ahem, well… the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would like to purchase a certain quantity of weapons from Mingde Hall. Would that be acceptable to you?" Ning Tian tried to keep her eyes from drifting toward her senior sister, but she couldn't help it. The normally elegant and stern senior sister had such a soft, gentle side—though it seemed only toward one person.

"A purchase? Of course. But I imagine what your sect wants isn't just ordinary soul devices, right?" Xu Cheng asked with a faint smile.

"Correct. We wouldn't dare dream of acquiring missiles or other weapons of mass destruction, but… mechas, um… even the most outdated model developed by Mingde Hall, as well as some Rank-7 and Rank-8 offensive and defensive soul devices, plus milk bottles—we'd like to place an order. Naturally, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay the market's highest prices, or even 50% above the standard Mingde Hall rates—we can accept that too."

Ning Tian instantly switched from gossip mode to serious business mode, making Xu Cheng sigh inwardly—this was indeed a capable heir to the sect, far better than a certain someone from ten thousand years ago.

"Fifty percent premium? As expected of the wealthiest sect…" Xu Cheng clicked his tongue.

"Well, we're broke now, really… all we've got left is some useless gold soul coins…" Ning Tian replied gloomily.

In this world, having money isn't enough—you also need power. Otherwise, you're just a fat sheep waiting to be devoured by wolves.

That's why, in recent years, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had chosen to go into seclusion. Unlike the Clear Sky Sect, which did so willingly, they were forced into hiding—trying to keep a low profile and avoid disaster.

When your power doesn't match your wealth, sooner or later you attract envy—or worse, murder.

That's also why they were the first to align with the Sun-Moon Empire—they had no choice. Continuing to decline would only lead to their eventual consumption by other sects. Better to take a risk and bet everything for a chance at resurgence.

"Broke but still rich, huh…" Xu Cheng twitched his lips.

Looking at the pitiful Ning Tian, he suddenly remembered Elder Jing asking him about this not long ago. He nodded lightly and said:

"I can see the sincerity of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I, Xu Cheng, am generous with those who stand with me. So, I can allocate twenty sets of first-generation mechas to you—consider this our first formal collaboration. As a personal gift from me, no charge. As for the Rank-7 and Rank-8 soul devices, you may place a one-time order for fifty and thirty units respectively. You'll provide the list of types and models—just give it directly to Elder Jing. The price... will be 50% of the market rate."

(Note: The black market usually sells at two to three times the normal market price because the three nations of the former continent lacked official permission from the Sun-Moon Empire and could only buy through black markets.)

"As for Rank-9 soul devices, I can give you one as a token of goodwill. Here—Cheng Xin, a defensive soul device, crafted personally by Elder Cheng. Quality guaranteed."

As he spoke, he handed Ning Tian a small, red, transparent disc—thin and delicate.

At his level, crafting Rank-9 soul devices wasn't difficult. They were rare, yes, but not unattainable. Giving away one or two wasn't a big deal for him.

"..." Ning Tian swallowed hard, gingerly reaching out with both hands to hold Cheng Xin, as if she feared it would shatter in her grasp. Her face revealed genuine shock.

This was her first time coming into contact with such a high-tier soul device.

Whether Xu Cheng was doing this to win hearts, create a public image, or out of genuine generosity, this level of gift was enough to make her heart tremble.

After all, even a single mecha was priceless. Not to mention the bulk order he was discounting by two-thirds!

But the most important part—the Rank-9 soul device!

To Xu Cheng, it may have seemed ordinary. But to the outside world—and to Ning Tian—this was something beyond value, rarely seen even in the black market, especially one made by a true master.

After a long pause, she finally found her voice: "Teacher, you're absolutely amazing!"

"Really? I think so too."

Xu Cheng shrugged. Those who follow me will eat well wasn't just a catchphrase. It wasn't some vague promise—it would become reality.

"Also, for things like this, you don't need to come to me directly. Just speak to Elder Jing. He'll be happy to help..." Xu Cheng smiled.

"Mm-mm! Then I won't disturb you any longer!" Ning Tian waved and bounced away happily, even remembering to close the door behind her.

"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect… really fell that far?"

Zhang Lexuan raised her head, her beautiful eyes full of surprise and doubt.

Judging by Ning Tian's tone, "tragic" was an understatement.

"Heh, they did decline a bit, but only compared to their status ten thousand years ago. Nowadays, they still have at least one ordinary Title Douluo and a good number of high-level soul masters." Xu Cheng replied casually.

"I see… But during my time at Shrek Academy, I never heard anything about this…" Zhang Lexuan said softly.

"Well, let's go. You promised me a candlelight dinner tonight, remember?" Xu Cheng smiled.

"Mhm…"

Zhang Lexuan unconsciously tightened her grip on his shoulder.

"Sigh, Teacher Fanyu, did you need something from Lexuan?" Xu Cheng asked in surprise.

Outside the door, Fanyu, who had been trying to sneak away quietly, froze in place. He turned his head and chuckled awkwardly, "Nope, not at all! Just a small thing—carry on, carry on, haha…"

And with that, he quickly made his escape.

Xu Cheng watched his retreating figure, a faint smile playing on his lips. But his eyes were cold.