Chapitre 55: Soul Lantern
The conversation outside was unrestrained. Sabo and Irene sat back, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Sabo even teased, "If you opened a store in the capital, there'd probably be no customers."
Bai Yi sighed, feeling a little helpless. This was an auction, after all, and he couldn't let the young lady cause trouble. With a resigned expression, he stepped out.
"Miss, this really isn't a good idea," Bai Yi started, his tone cautious. "The head of the family said—"
"Shut up. I'm just talking to him, not going to kill him," she snapped, cutting him off. "Why are you all so nervous?"
"No, it's just... the head of the family—"
"If you don't have anything useful to say, shut up!" Diane shot back, her sharp eyes scanning the venue. When her gaze landed on Bai Yi, it lit up. Without hesitation, she strode toward him, her steps purposeful and commanding.
"Miss," a middle-aged man with an imposing presence called out from behind her, but Diane waved him off impatiently. "Don't follow me. Find a seat and stay out of my way."
The Difeng family's people exchanged helpless looks. Their young lady had always been willful, and no one could rein her in. This time, she was the only direct descendant who had come.
Despite the powerful aura of the middle-aged man, none of them dared to confront Bai Yi. They could only watch as Diane moved ahead, the rest of them following quietly.
Bai Yi surveyed the room and, before Diane could speak, pointed to the nearest room. "Student Diane, let's talk in there."
Diane, eager to get her answers but still a bit hesitant, glanced around the room, clearly preferring to have this conversation away from prying eyes. Without waiting for Bai Yi, she kicked the door open and called back, "Hurry up, or I'll do it myself!"
Bai Yi followed reluctantly. His memories of his original body were fragmented at best. That was why he'd rushed to Dongwu City once he stabilized. The past few days had given him time to prepare plans that could resolve the situation at hand.
As he entered the room, the door slammed shut behind him with a heavy thud. A magic shield appeared instantly, cloaking the door from any unwanted eyes.
Bai Yi found a stool and sat down, with Diane doing the same. She was dressed in a black outfit today, exuding a no-nonsense, capable vibe. Despite her outward composure, Bai Yi noticed that her magical fluctuations hadn't yet reached the silver level, though her power hovered at the upper bronze rank.
"Tell me," Diane began, fixing Bai Yi with a piercing gaze. "Why did you pretend to have amnesia? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Why did you lie to me?"
Bai Yi raised an eyebrow. "I told you I lost my memory. What exactly did I lie about?"
Diane, clearly growing frustrated, snapped, "You're pretending again, aren't you? Fine, let me remind you. You promised that once your big project was ready, you'd let me endorse it and give me shares." She threw her hands up. "For five years, I've invested in you—seventy failed attempts. I bought everything you needed. And now that you've actually created something, you refuse to acknowledge it?"
Bai Yi tilted his head, genuinely curious. "What great invention?"
Diane's eyes narrowed, and her voice dripped with sarcasm. "How would I know what you invented? You're always so secretive, never showing me anything."
Bai Yi was taken aback. She had invested for five years in an eleven-year-old? That was beyond his comprehension. But even more astonishing was that she had continued despite all the failures. Bai Yi quickly sifted through the projects he had prepared and those he hadn't been able to complete, then let out a quiet laugh. "Well, if you're saying that, then I remember now! Yes, everything is ready. We're just waiting for your investment!"
Diane scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "Oh? Really? You think I'm still a child? Let me tell you—"
Suddenly, Bai Yi raised his hand. The ring on his finger flashed, and several sheets of paper appeared in the air. Each one was meticulously written, as if the words themselves were imbued with intent.
"What's this?" Diane asked, suspicion lacing her voice. She grabbed the papers, scanning them quickly.
Her eyes widened when she read the title: **[Soul Lantern]**
*Name: Soul Lantern
Quality: Not yet defined
Durability: ???
Effect: Captures surrounding soul energy, removes impurities, and compresses it into soul essence.
Cooldown: 1 natural day
Requirements: None
Description: Can the dead lie dormant without realizing their true value? —White Plague
Price: TBD*
As the young lady of the Difeng family, Diane could easily discern the value in the item. But there was one thing that gnawed at her: *Could a mere silver alchemist really have created this?*
She blinked, unable to hide her skepticism. "Is this real? Is there a prototype?"
Bai Yi shrugged helplessly. "I told you, my memories are lost, but I worked on this a long time ago. It was based on research I found from an ancient god sect."
Diane flipped through the papers. While the design and potential of the Soul Lantern were clear, there were no instructions or formulas for crafting it. But it was far too valuable to ignore.
The Difeng family already possessed a treasure with a similar effect, but it was irreplaceable and tied to the era of the God of Faith. This Soul Lantern, however, could be replicated—something they had never had before.
"Can you really make this?" Diane's tone was now tinged with doubt. The fact that Bai Yi had developed this before even coming into his silver alchemist abilities seemed impossible to her.
Bai Yi nodded, his expression becoming serious. "It's difficult, but I've made a prototype. I didn't bring it this time. Even though I've lost my memory, my instinct tells me that I can't let anyone else have it."
Diane's eyes softened, a warm glow replacing the sharpness from earlier. "I wasn't wrong about you."
Just then, a massive roar shook the room. The ground trembled as a gargantuan steel battleship landed with tremendous force outside the building. The onlookers gasped, marveling at the imposing sight.
Bai Yi checked the time—just thirty minutes before the auction was set to begin.
He smiled gently, standing up. "Let's discuss the Soul Lantern after the auction. Don't worry. Even if I've lost my memories, this project is definitely in cooperation with you."
Diane, after a moment of thought, tucked the papers away. "I'll show this to my father. See you after the auction."
"Whenever you like," Bai Yi replied, feeling a sense of relief. Though Diane hadn't fully believed him, that wasn't the problem. The Soul Lantern was real, and that was enough.
However, the method to create it required legendary-level power—something Bai Yi lacked at the moment. He knew the Difeng family would be able to help, and with the young lady's influence, he might even gain access to the legendary resources needed.
Outside, the lights began to twinkle. In just half an hour, the venue was filled with masked figures settling into their seats. Various high-profile teams filed in, and the atmosphere grew electric.
As the trailer began to play on the big screen, Bai Yi stood up, a determined look in his eyes.
The auction was about to begin.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone