One of the two soul skills was called "Soul Shattering" and the other "Soul Snatching". Judged by the literal meaning, the two secret skills were formidable.
Soul Shattering combined soul attacks with physical attacks. It could shatter enemies' heads and souls at the same time. The double blow of physical and soul attacks would render enemies incapable to defend effectively.
Soul Snatching was even more peculiar. It was similar to Voodoo Race's witchcraft. Using this skill, one could plant a soul seed soundlessly and without a trace. The soul seed would take root and sprout. In the end, the enemy's soul would be brought under control, turning the enemy into a puppet thusly.
Lu Li and Ye Cha could already feel the might of the two secret skills from the literal meaning. Even in the ancient times, the two skills must be eminent as well. No wonder the founding ancestor of the Cyan Phoenix Race collected the skills.
"It is written on the hide scroll that the five skills are called the Five Skills of Soul Forbear. It would appear that the Soul Forbear was a very powerful warrior in soul cultivation. It is a shame that the other three are intact. I suppose those three are stronger."
Ye Cha exclaimed in pity. The hide scroll was highly valued by the founding ancestor of the Cyan Phoenix Race. In his will, he hoped that the future generations of the Cyan Phoenix Race could see the rise of one or two soul warriors. However, to become soul warriors was difficult. Nobody at the Cyan Phoenix Race knew how to do that. Without guidance, the younger generations could not figure it out.
"Don't get greedy. It is enough if I can successfully master the two skills."
Lu Li read the few thousand words again and again but there were many sentences that had escaped his understanding. He could not cultivate it now. He looked up and said, "Translate it again and make sure that every sentence is right. Any small mistake in this may damage my soul. I will continue to learn the ancient language."
At first, Lu Li had no interest in learning the ancient language. Now, however, he became quite passionate about it. He was afraid that Ye Cha might make some mistakes. Lu Li decided to gain proficiency in the ancient language in one month, making sure the secret skill was right before he began cultivating.
Lu Li sent a message to Chee-kar to invite races that were skilled at both the ancient language and the human language to teach him. What was more, he divided the sentences in the scroll up for people to translate respectively. He must be sure that the translation was accurate and correct.
Lu Li had poured so much energy into cultivating the two soul skills that he had suspended the cultivation of his realm. He was concerned about nothing else and had even forgotten about Bai Qiuxue and Jiang Qiling, immersing himself in the study of the two skills.
One month later!
Lu Li had been learning the ancient language for a month. At the later stage, he asked Chee-kar to teach him directly. His mastery of the ancient language had surpassed that of Ye Cha. Not only could Lu Li read it now, he could speak some.
After a month, even Chee-kar had to admit that Lu Li's learnings of the ancient language was proficient and he could cultivate the two soul skills. He could read the hide scroll directly without referring to the translation.
Lu Li was careful. He read through Ye Cha's translated version and other translations completed by those that understood both human language and the ancient language in the Deserted World. Lu Li verified the accuracy before he started to cultivate.
Lu Li's soul was even stronger than Ye Cha's. Him learning the ancient language for a month could be compared to a kid learning it for 10 years. It was evident that Lu Li had paid much attention to the two soul skills.
However…
Before he could start closed-door cultivation, Ming Yu and Bai Xiashuang came back. Ming Yu brought back some terrible news.
The Pavilion of Delicacy had refused to complete the transaction!
Not only did they refuse to buy the Mystical Materials from the Northern Desert, they had also declined selling to the Northern Desert. Ming Yu wasn't even able to meet a patriarch of the Pavilion of Delicacy. They just sent out a steward to tell Ming Yu Jiang Wuwo's decision, that the Pavilion of Delicacy would not have any relation with the Northern Desert.
Ming Yu didn't want to stop there. He went to the Du Family but was told the same. He even paid a visit to the Sanctuary and found that he couldn't buy any Mystical Materials even with Xuan Crystals.
"Jiang Wuwo has gone through such great length!"
Lu Li had been worrying about this situation but he didn't think that Jiang Wuwo would burn all the bridges. Lu Li still thought it was because of Jiang Qiling. He didn't know the order came from Grand Master of Demon-slaying Hall.
But the Grand Master of Demon-slaying Hall only said that Lu Li should not be offered any help. Clearly, Jiang Wuwo had misunderstood it. What was more, how could Jiang Wuwo dare to have connections with Lu Li when he had offended the Samsara Palace, the Pavilion of Blossoms, the Hades Society and the Lu Family? Wouldn't Jiang Wuwo be against the four forces by sustaining his relationship with Lu Li?
Lu Li felt the matter at hand tricky. He could not do business with the Pavilion of Delicacy any more. From now on, the Northern Desert wouldn't be able to acquire any resources. Supplies of many Mystical Materials would not be available.
For example, the Delicacy Pellets Lu Li used to cultivate his Xuan Energy. Without this pellet, the speed to cultivate Xuan Energy would be diminished greatly…
There were some stock of Delicacy Pellets and other Mystical Materials for the cultivation of Noble Lord Realm. But how long would the supplies last? Without enough supply of Mystical Materials, the Northern Desert would be unable to see the rise of many powerful warriors and unable to grow and develop.
Once the news of supplies being cut off and news that the four forces would launch an attack at the Northern Desert in 10 years spread out, the Northern Desert would descend into chaos.
People like Yu Huashen might deflect right away and become a spy for the four forces…
Deadend!
How would other families and forces do business with the Northern Desert when the Pavilion of Delicacy wouldn't do it? Would the Du Family and the Palace of Peaceful Heavens be bold enough to do this? Would the Palace of Heaven's Roars do it?
Lu Li felt he was being trapped at the Northern Desert in an invisible net. After 10 years, the net would be drawn in, turning him and everyone else into livestock waiting to be slaughtered.
However—if he couldn't figure a way out, no family or force would be bold enough to do business with the Northern Desert. Other than the Deserted World, Lu Li had no place to go other than running into the Northern Desert.
"Go to the Cyan Plains. Think of a way to gain control over a fifth rank family or cooperate with them. Buy Mystical Material at the Cyan Plains and the Central Plains via this family and spend all the Xuan Crystals you can. Also, sneak someone into the Central Plains to buy Mystical Materials in small bulks. Don't buy too many. Get small purchases and buy as many as you can. You and Madam Yan must handle this."
After some thoughts, Lu Li gave Ming Yu all the Xuan Crystals at hand. Lu Li still had an amount of Xuan Crystals left from his transaction with the Pavilion of Delicacy earlier. Before the other families at the Central Plains received the order, they must try to purchase some Mystical Materials in small bulks first.
It was impossible to sell the Mystical Materials gathered at the Deserted World. One such trade would expose them at once. Lu Li had to purchase as many Mystical Materials as possible with the Xuan Crystals.
Ming Yu had no better ideas. He left quietly to discuss with Madam Yan. He was not sure how many Xuan Crystals he could get. But he had to try his best.
"Clan Leader Ye, you can go as well!"
Lu Li waved his hand and said, "I think there will be many scouts from different families at the Northern Desert. Kill all the scouts that dare to come to the Northern Desert, no matter which families they come from. Also…keep the affair of the Deserted World strictly confidential. Send some Noble Lord Realm warriors to guard at the small world of Green Dwarfs. This is a long-term thing. Kill anyone that dare to come in here, be they from the Northern Desert or the outside as long as they come with no order."
Grand Master had put a time limit of 10 years. During this time, the forces wouldn't take actions against Lu Li publicly. Lu Li wasn't going to show mercy. He would end the lives of any that were sent by the outside forces.
Ye Cha nodded and left. Bai Qiuxue was standing behind them. She didn't know what was going on exactly but she knew something serious was up given how serious everyone was and judging by Lu Li's words.
After Ye Cha left, she asked nervously, "Lu Li, what is going on? Is it bad?"
Lu Li had been deep in his thoughts so he didn't notice that Bai Qiuxue was still there. He was startled by her words. He forced a smile and said, "Something troublesome. But don't worry. We will handle it. Put your mind at ease and cultivate."
"Sure…"
Bai Qiuxue nodded. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts. She remembered the first time she met Lu Li at the God-down City. Back then, even the Xu Family of the God-down Island could make Lu Li perish. How long had it been? Now, Lu Li could support the world for people at the Northern Desert.
But somehow, she felt the world was tumbling down at the Northern Desert. Could Lu Li hold up by himself?