"Why are you suddenly asking about this?" Lin Jiayi gave Lin Xiao a puzzled glance. "I remember you didn't seem very interested in the Soul Dueling Tournament last time."
"I just saw how much you care about it, Teacher, so I wondered if there's anything I can help with."
"Unfortunately." Lin Jiayi shook his head. "With your special status, you can't participate in the Soul Dueling Tournament. Otherwise, we might really have had a chance last time."
"Alright, let's not talk about that. I can tell you've gained a lot this time—your mood even seems lighter."
Lin Xiao paused for a moment. "My strength has broken through, so yes, I'm a bit happier."
"It's worth being happy about. The threshold of level seventy has held back countless soul masters." Lin Jiayi sighed softly. "After you're back this time, take the Illustrious Virtue Hall assessment as soon as possible."
"Although the academy rules state that any soul engineer above level three can stay in the academy until age twenty-five, entering Illustrious Virtue Hall earlier will let you learn more."
"Mm." Lin Xiao nodded. This time, his soul power had increased significantly, and he had gained a new hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. He needed to settle down and familiarize himself with his new power.
As they spoke, they had reached the soul tool testing area. Lin Jiayi stopped and turned around. "I still need to find a suitable testing ground for the tournament participants. You go back first and rest well tonight. Come again tomorrow."
"You don't need to worry too much about the Illustrious Virtue Hall assessment. Illustrious Virtue Hall's requirements for students are strength and soul tool expertise."
"With your current cultivation, you're more than qualified. And with the self-propelled soul cannon you developed yourself, the Hall Master won't make things difficult for you."
"I understand, Teacher." Lin Xiao nodded. He watched Lin Jiayi enter the soul tool testing area, adjusted his expression slightly, then turned and left.
........
Time passed quickly. Night soon fell. Lin Xiao, under the cover of darkness, made his way to the branch altar. As he entered the underground hall, he saw a fierce-looking old man sitting in the Nightmare Douluo's usual seat.
Lin Xiao adjusted his mask and stepped forward.
"Greetings, Second Elder."
"Mm, no need for formalities." Nangong Wan narrowed his eyes at Lin Xiao. "No need to look. The Leader assigned other tasks to your teacher. For now, I'm taking over his responsibilities."
Lin Xiao's heart settled upon hearing this. He clasped his fists. "Yes, Elder."
"Mm." Nangong Wan nodded again. "What were you responsible for before?"
"Reporting to the Elder: I was following my teacher's orders to infiltrate Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy and find a way to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall."
"Oh?" Nangong Wan had some knowledge of soul tools and showed clear interest. "How far have you progressed?"
"I've secured the opportunity to take the next Illustrious Virtue Hall assessment. As long as I pass, I can enter Illustrious Virtue Hall smoothly."
A glint flashed in Nangong Wan's eyes, as if speaking to himself. "So Jing Hongchen will really allow a disciple of the church into Illustrious Virtue Hall?"
Soon, he turned back to Lin Xiao. "Good. Your task remains unchanged. I won't assign you anything else. Plan your own actions."
"Yes, thank you, Second Elder."
"Also." Nangong Wan pointed to a nearby table. Lin Xiao followed his gaze and saw a piece of paper with slightly unclear writing.
"You should know about the Holy Spirit Church's business in Mingdu. I don't usually have time to come here. Tonight, a disciple reported you'd returned to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, so I waited for you."
"In the future, if you need to report anything or require your eighth soul ring, come to the Duskwater Alliance at this address and find me."
"Additionally, as a Holy Envoy, you represent the elders. And with your cultivation now past level seventy, this branch altar will be under your command for the time being."
"Yes, Elder. I understand."
Nangong Wan did seem genuinely busy. After giving a few brief instructions, he stood and left. Only after his figure completely vanished did a sigh rise in Lin Xiao's heart.
"Last time you were here, I was still asleep and didn't sense much. But now, coming here again, I didn't expect to hear the wails of so many resentful spirits."
"What a Holy Spirit Church. Just barely touching the edge of necromancy, and they do things like this. True necromancy should be the study of souls—not the desecration of the dead."
Lin Xiao had grown used to Electrolux speaking in his mind. His expression unchanged, he glanced around.
On the wall beside him, the "Holy Banner" hung, countless resentful spirits hidden within, emanating waves of cold energy.
"In this world, people's power relies on martial souls. Some use soul abilities only because they're innate to their martial soul, so research into souls is indeed rare. Thus, the only way they obtain souls is the crudest—letting the living die filled with resentment."
Lin Xiao slowly walked forward and sat, responding to Electrolux in his mind.
"And you? I've seen the souls you control—they're quite peaceful. Two of them you even transformed into that form. How did you come to research souls?"
Lin Xiao paused. He couldn't exactly say his soul research was inspired by Electrolux—knowing Electrolux could wield necromancy in this world convinced him his own soul research would bear fruit.
"Let's call it a coincidence. My martial soul allows me to contain and detect broken souls, so I wanted to try using them to gain power beyond my martial soul."
Lin Xiao gave a half-truth.
"Haha." Electrolux chuckled. "With your personality, in my world, you might have become a magic-obsessed mage."
As Lin Xiao and Electrolux conversed in his mind, two more Holy Spirit Church members entered the hall.
"Greetings, Lord Holy Envoy."
"Mm. Why are there only the two of you?" Lin Xiao glanced at them, asking knowingly.
"Reporting, my lord: previously, the Eighth Elder ordered that other Holy Servants must not enter the underground hall without reason. Besides us, there are two more Holy Spirits, but they haven't returned at this time."
"No matter. The Second Elder, upon leaving, assigned me to temporarily oversee this altar." Lin Xiao didn't press further. "My requirements are simple: don't act too recklessly and keep your identities hidden."
"I'll notify you if I need anything. When the others return, pass my words to them as well."
"Yes, my lord."
The two bowed. Lin Xiao stood and walked out.
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