The heavy rain showed no signs of stopping. Lin Xiao stood in it, letting the water cascade down his body, a sense of exhilaration rising in his heart.
Though the process had been full of twists and turns, he had finally shattered the nightmare.
"Where do you plan to go next? Back to that Holy Spirit Church you mentioned?"
Electrolux's voice echoed from within his mind. Lin Xiao pondered for a moment and nodded.
The Nightmare Douluo had been ordered to head to the three great empires. Even if his whereabouts couldn't be traced, no one would suspect anything in the short term. On the contrary, if Lin Xiao delayed returning, it would raise suspicions.
Moreover, as Electrolux had said, if one day he truly possessed power, what would he use that power for?
As a child, he only thought about survival. Later, it became about escaping the Nightmare Douluo's control. Now, perhaps it was time to truly consider what he wanted to do in the future.
There were still many secrets in the Holy Spirit Church that even he, with memories of his past life, didn't know. Besides, if he fled the Holy Spirit Church now, he wouldn't be able to return to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy either. There was still much worth learning in Mingdetang.
Glancing around, the traces of battle had been completely washed away by the rain. Feeling the soul power in his body largely restored, Lin Xiao pushed off the ground, his figure cutting through the rain curtain as he sped into the distance. Soon, the surroundings returned to calm…
.......
"Today I brought you here to find suitable soul tools for yourselves." At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Lin Jiayi was leading several students into Mingdetang.
"There's less than a year left until the Soul Dueling Tournament. You all witnessed with your own eyes how we failed last time, so this time we must defeat Shrek Academy."
Lin Jiayi walked ahead, swiping his badge lightly. A metal door slowly opened before him, revealing countless soul tools of various shapes and sizes behind it.
"These are the latest soul tools developed by Illustrious Virtue Hall. Even disciples allowed into Mingdetang don't have permission to enter here. You few are exceptions. Remember not to leak anything about this place."
"We understand, Director." The students behind Lin Jiayi nodded in unison.
"Good. Take your time and look around. Find soul tools that suit you. Until the Soul Dueling Tournament begins, you can experiment with these latest soul tools for the remaining time."
"Thank you, Director." The students at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy naturally had a great interest in soul tools. Seeing what was before them, they could hardly wait. The team captain, Ma Rulong, took the lead and strode inside.
Lin Jiayi glanced at the students and quietly exited the room.
Outside the door, an elder who bore some resemblance to Ma Rulong was already waiting.
"Director Lin."
"Teacher Ma, we'll have to trouble you again for this Soul Dueling Tournament."
The man Lin Jiayi called Teacher Ma was Ma Rulong's Grandfather. Hearing this, he let out a long sigh. "Alas, I've led students to the Soul Dueling Tournament for several consecutive sessions, yet every time we lose to Shrek Academy. I truly feel I've failed the academy's trust."
"Teacher Ma, don't blame yourself. Shrek Academy has long been renowned and has absorbed many exceptionally gifted soul masters. Their strength is indeed formidable. But now, the only ones standing in our way are Shrek. I believe the day we defeat them is not far off."
"Mm." Ma Rulong's Grandfather nodded. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he looked up at Lin Jiayi. "By the way, Director Lin, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Please speak, Teacher Ma. The Hall Master has instructed that if it concerns the Soul Dueling Tournament, the academy will fully support it."
"I'd like to apply for a few more soul tools for this Soul Dueling Tournament."
Lin Jiayi looked puzzled. "Teacher Ma, isn't that exactly why we're here today?"
As he spoke, Lin Jiayi glanced back.
Though this place didn't contain all of Mingdetang's latest research, as Lin Jiayi had said, there were indeed many soul tools that had never appeared outside, enough to show how seriously Jing Hongchen took the Soul Dueling Tournament.
Ma Rulong's Grandfather lowered his voice slightly. "The students Shrek Academy will send to the Soul Dueling Tournament should be last year's reserve team."
"Though they've fought a few times, I've recorded some of their martial soul characteristics. I'd like to apply from the academy for a few soul tools specifically designed to counter their martial souls."
Lin Jiayi frowned in thought for a moment. "That shouldn't be difficult, but it's been so long since the last Soul Dueling Tournament. Those students have likely gained new soul rings. Targeting them may not be easy."
"That's exactly what I wanted to say." Ma Rulong's father nodded. "So I'd like to wait until the Soul Dueling Tournament officially begins, observe Shrek Academy's performance, and then apply for soul tools from the academy. At that time, I'll trouble Director Lin to have someone deliver them to the tournament venue."
Lin Jiayi looked up, then slowly nodded. "Alright. When I receive your message, I'll personally apply to the Hall Master."
"Then thank you in advance, Director Lin."
"No need for thanks, Teacher Ma. The academy has wanted this victory for a long time." Lin Jiayi glanced back at the room once more. "I'll leave this place to you, Teacher Ma. I'll go prepare suitable testing grounds for them."
"Mm. Safe travels, Director Lin."
Lin Jiayi nodded and turned to leave. Passing through the long corridor and taking the elevator back to the surface, he had just stepped out of Illustrious Virtue Hall's main gate when he saw a familiar figure.
"Teacher, long time no see."
Lin Jiayi stared at Lin Xiao for a moment, slightly stunned. Lin Xiao had been gone for only a few months, yet in that short time, he seemed like a completely different person.
It wasn't just the change in his cultivation—there was a faint smile on his face. Though he didn't look drastically different, Lin Jiayi could sense a lightness in him that had never been there before.
"When did you get back?"
"I just returned to Mingdu." Lin Xiao stepped forward naturally. "I saw you weren't in the soul tool research lab or the testing area, so I thought I'd come here to look."
"Mm, good." Lin Jiayi nodded. "The Soul Dueling Tournament is approaching. I've been busy with it. I was just about to help the tournament participants apply for soul tools."
As he spoke, Lin Jiayi walked toward the soul tool testing area. Lin Xiao followed behind.
"Teacher, do you care a lot about the outcome of the Soul Dueling Tournament?"
"Mm…" Lin Jiayi paused. "I know a single competition doesn't prove anything, but ever since the academy began participating in the Soul Dueling Tournament, we've always lost to Shrek Academy. I do want to see a victory."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreon
[email protected]/facficmax10