After a pause, perhaps noticing that Shu Yan and the other two had misunderstood, Han Lin scratched his head awkwardly and quickly continued, "Princess and young friend Shu, please don't jump to conclusions. I truly don't mean what you think. The reason is genuinely with me."
"First, there have been successful cases of combining Soul Tools and Soul Bones before. I'm absolutely confident I can finish this, and it won't take more than half a month."
"However, preserving the Soul Beast's resentment within the Soul Bone is likely a world-first. Setting aside the complete lack of experience, just the danger of the residual resentment potentially erupting during the crafting process is very difficult to control, unless..." Han Lin hesitated as if there was more he wished to say.
Before Shu Yan could speak, Xu Jiujiu immediately interjected, "Old Han, if you have any difficulties, bring them up now. As long as it's within the Empire's capabilities, it won't be an issue."
Hearing this, a look of deep contemplation flashed in Han Lin's eyes. He seemed to realize that the person truly in charge among the three wasn't Xu Jiujiu. Instead, it was the consistently reserved and low-key Shu Yan who was directing things behind the scenes. Recalling the earlier attitudes of Xu Jiujiu and Xingyun Titled Douluo, Han Lin understood. He then spoke in a slightly somber voice:
"Actually, it's not a major difficulty. It just requires a Soul Master with sufficient spirit power and spiritual power to help suppress the Soul Beast's resentment inside the Soul Bone while I craft the Soul Tool."
"I'm ashamed to admit that my spiritual power doesn't allow me to be distracted while crafting Soul Tools. If I were to lose focus, the result would likely be a failure..."
A look of joy appeared on Xu Jiujiu's face upon hearing this. She then said, "That's easy. Just leave Granny Manyi here. It would be incredibly simple for Granny Manyi's spirit power and spiritual power to suppress the resentment of a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast. Not only that, but the starlight attribute of her Martial Soul also has the characteristic of dispelling impurities in metal. She's simply the most perfect candidate."
As soon as she finished speaking, both Han Lin and Xingyun Titled Douluo's expressions simultaneously stiffened. They both spoke almost instantly:
"Princess, absolutely not. This old woman still needs to protect the Princess's safety. Let that Giant Force fellow do this kind of task."
"Absolutely not, Princess. That Xingyun woman and I have always been on bad terms. If you put us together, I'm afraid the entire Star Luo City will suffer..."
Xu Jiujiu was taken aback, then gave a slightly awkward smile and added, "That was my mistake. Never mind, I'll ask Imperial Brother to have Giant Force Titled Douluo come and assist Old Han later. Please, Old Han, you must do your best and don't let us down."
Old Han stood up and bowed solemnly: "Please rest assured, Princess and young friend Shu. I'll personally deliver the finished product in half a month at most. If it's overdue, I'll commit suicide to atone..."
Xu Jiujiu rubbed her forehead in a helpless gesture, then said softly, "It's not a huge deal if it's a little overdue, Old Han, you don't have to be so dramatic. You... never mind, just do what makes you happy."
Han Lin rubbed his head but didn't say anything more. Shu Yan also slowly stood up and then said with a smile, "Then we'll wait for your good news at the Princess Manor, Old Han. Farewell."
Han Lin took the ten-thousand-year skull that Shu Yan handed him with trembling hands, then nodded heavily. He personally escorted the three out the door before rushing back to his secluded workshop, leaving Han Xin, who had just climbed back over the wall, completely bewildered...
On the Road Back
On the way back, Shu Yan leaned against the window. After the carriage started moving, he rubbed his temples and then said, "This Old Han is certainly... an interesting person."
Xu Jiujiu sighed helplessly, then said softly, "He just is. Stop thinking about these trivial things. There's no need to doubt Old Han's loyalty to the Empire. With him crafting the Soul Tool, you don't need to worry too much. Now, can you finally tell me why you did this? Wasting such a precious Soul Bone to craft a Soul Tool—if you don't give me a good enough reason, you won't be sleeping in bed for the next year..."
Xu Jiujiu's tone became increasingly dangerous, and by the end, it even carried a hint of coldness.
The accompanying Xingyun Titled Douluo also cast her gaze over. While she could ignore the private matters between the young couple, she had a strong opinion regarding this Soul Bone.
Skull and torso Soul Bones are not as common as those from other parts of the body. Among all Soul Bones, they have always been the most precious and rare. The ten-thousand-year Titan Snow Demon skull Soul Bone itself was incredibly complete and perfectly suited Shu Yan's ice attribute. Furthermore, Shu Yan had already absorbed the Titan Snow Demon's ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. If he were to also absorb this Soul Bone, that would undoubtedly be the most flawless outcome.
Shu Yan had long anticipated Xu Jiujiu's and Xingyun Titled Douluo's confusion and dissatisfaction. The skull produced by the ten-thousand-year Titan Snow Demon was already the best of its kind, and it was indeed perfectly suited for him.
But honestly, Shu Yan truly didn't care for this Soul Bone. Since he had successfully gained the favor of the Ice Empress and Snow Empress, his ambition had been constantly expanding. At the same time, he deeply understood the drawbacks of this era. Although Tang San was in the God Realm, he was still monitoring the entire Douluo Continent.
Setting aside the threat from the God Realm, even on the current Douluo Plane, there were still Tang Hao and A Yin. Both could be considered to have God-level cultivation, and their special identities posed a great threat.
Looking at it on a smaller scale, those two monstrous beasts from the God Realm, the Azure Sky Divine Dragon and the Titan Giant Ape, were also considerable threats...
Shu Yan looked at the distant azure sky, his heart sinking, yet his expression remained calm. He gently exhaled, then said:
"The reason is simple and completely worthwhile, Jiu Jiu. You need to understand one thing: our goal has changed, and our perspective naturally needs to look further ahead."
"In the past, our goal was to become a Titled Douluo or Super Douluo, or to do our best to reach Limit Douluo. But now, it's different. Our ambition is higher and long-term. A ten-thousand-year Soul Bone is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Using it to craft a Soul Tool will have a far greater effect than if I absorbed it directly."
"I can even tell you very clearly that with our current strength, obtaining high-level Soul Bones is easy. Once my strength breaks through to the Spirit Saint level (Level 70 - 80), we can hunt ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts or even monster beasts in the ocean to get even more powerful Soul Bones. Compared to those, this ten-thousand-year Soul Bone is genuinely lacking."
"It's coming soon, everything is coming soon. Once Old Han finishes this Soul Tool, we will go to the Star Dou Great Forest. At that time, everything will become clear..."
Xu Jiujiu was startled to hear this. She was silent for a while, then gently leaned her head on Shu Yan's shoulder. After a long moment, she said, "Even though I don't know what you're trying to do, you've never been one to mess around. I'm sorry, I... I'm still a little unaccustomed to it. Give me some time; I'll accept it."
Xingyun Titled Douluo's figure gradually faded away. She sighed almost imperceptibly, suddenly feeling as if she had grown old. Regarding the matters of the younger generation, she decided she should interfere less from now on. She would simply be their guard and peacefully protect Xu Jiujiu and Shu Yan...
Shu Yan pinched Xu Jiujiu's cheek. A gentle breeze blew over the two of them. Shu Yan smiled, and his voice also became gentle.
"During this time, we won't be idle. You're the Princess, and you understand the situation within the Empire better than I do. I need to capture another batch of Evil Soul Masters, the stronger the better. Everything that follows will require their help..."
Xu Jiujiu was slightly taken aback, a deep sense of doubt and confusion appearing in her eyes. She seemed not to have expected Shu Yan's plan this time to involve the Evil Soul Masters, those terrifying creatures worse than beasts.
But after thinking seriously for a moment, Xu Jiujiu still nodded helplessly and then said, "I'll discuss it with Imperial Brother later and ask which rampant Evil Soul Master groups are within the Empire. It'll also be considered eliminating a harm to the people. However, I must discuss this matter thoroughly with Imperial Brother. It concerns Evil Soul Masters, and this isn't a small matter that can be decided with just a few words."
Shu Yan nodded and didn't say anything more...