"Teacher."
In Nightmare Douluo's room, Lin Xiao bowed slightly. Across from him, Nightmare Douluo and Myriad Soul Douluosat facing each other, seemingly having just discussed something.
"How did it go? Was the soul ring absorption smooth?" Nightmare Douluo asked.
"Yes," Lin Xiao nodded.
"What kind of soul skill is it? Are you satisfied?"
"Teacher, it's a defensive-oriented soul skill."
Nightmare Douluo nodded in approval. "Not bad. Four of your previous five soul skills leaned toward offense, and after the Spirit Ascension Ceremony, they became quite powerful ten-thousand-year skills. This new soul skill can help address your weaknesses."
"That soul beast carried some of Lord Ruler's bloodline, though not a direct descendant. Its soul skill should have other unique uses. Take your time to explore it when you return."
"Yes," Lin Xiao lowered his head, listening attentively. "Teacher, now that I've absorbed my sixth soul ring, I'd like to return to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy soon."
"Now?" Nightmare Douluo paused. "It's only been a few days. Won't returning so quickly raise suspicions with Lin Jiayi?"
"It shouldn't," Lin Xiao said after a moment's thought. "I was personally recommended to the academy by Jing Hongchen, the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall. Lin Jiayi has always suspected I have a powerful background. He'll likely assume my backers helped me acquire the soul ring and won't think much else of it."
"That's a good thing, then."
Nightmare Douluo stroked his chin, while Myriad Soul Douluo, sitting nearby, seemed to recall something. "Still, this shows that the people we send to the academy might attract attention. We should build more connections in the future."
"It'd be best if they could pass the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy's entrance exam, but finding a disciple with the right talent isn't easy."
Nightmare Douluo nodded in agreement before turning to Lin Xiao. "Since you've obtained your sixth soul ring, is there a chance you could try for Illustrious Virtue Hall's assessment? I recall that students of the academy can attempt it once a year."
"I can register for it," Lin Xiao replied.
What Nightmare Douluo mentioned wasn't exactly a secret. Since Illustrious Virtue Hall was within the academy, students received some preferential treatment. For outsiders, the requirements to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall were much stricter.
"But Illustrious Virtue Hall only recruits students above Level 5 soul engineer. If I register, I'd have to go through the combat control department. That department focuses on practical combat, so it's unlikely I'd truly enter Illustrious Virtue Hall or get access to its soul tool secrets."
The Holy Spirit Sect had always kept a close eye on Illustrious Virtue Hall's affairs, but despite Jing Hongchen's dealings with the sect, he wouldn't let its secrets be exposed to them.
On the first day Lin Xiao enrolled in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, Nightmare Douluo had already instructed him to find a way into Illustrious Virtue Hall.
"What level soul engineer are you now?" Nightmare Douluo's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Lin Xiao.
"Barely a Level 3 soul engineer."
"Don't rush," Myriad Soul Douluo interjected, offering reassurance. "Disciples like Lin Xiao, who've caught Lin Jiayi's eye, are rare. With that connection, entering Illustrious Virtue Hall will be easier. Illustrious Virtue Hall's secrets aren't something you can uncover quickly. This needs long-term planning, so there's no need to hurry."
Nightmare Douluo let the matter drop. "In that case, head back. Don't slack off on your soul tool studies at the academy."
"I understand, Teacher."
"By the way, has the Common Alliance contacted you recently?"
"Some students planted by the Common Alliance in the academy have approached me a few times."
"How did you respond?"
"I haven't responded."
Nightmare Douluo pondered for a moment. "The timing seems about right. If they offer something worthwhile, you can selectively leak some sect matters. How much to reveal is up to you."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Go on, then."
"The Common Alliance still hasn't given up," Myriad Soul Douluo remarked with a sigh. "Too bad they'll never get anything out of our disciples."
Nightmare Douluo understood what Myriad Soul Douluo meant—not the loyalty of the sect's disciples, but the Spirit Ascension Ceremony.
He didn't respond, waiting until Lin Xiao's figure disappeared before turning to Myriad Soul Douluo. "Well? Did you notice anything unusual?"
Myriad Soul Douluo closed his eyes, as if recalling something. "His soul is notably stronger than others, but it definitely bears the traces of the Spirit Ascension Ceremony."
"You're being overly cautious, Old Eight. He's undergone the Spirit Ascension Ceremony. What could possibly go wrong?" Myriad Soul Douluo said.
Nightmare Douluo shook his head slightly. "You don't know my disciple. But you're right—the Spirit Ascension Ceremony is foolproof. Since he bears its traces, his return this time is probably just a coincidence."
"Hmph. I don't think you see him as a disciple at all. Otherwise, how could he show up so late for such a major sect event like the sacrifice?" Myriad Soul Douluo said.
"When I told him, he said he had academy matters that made it hard to leave. Who knew he'd finish them so quickly?" Nightmare Douluo explained.
Myriad Soul Douluo gave a wry smile, leaving it unclear whether he believed the explanation.
"What a shame such a talented evil soul master isn't my disciple. You'd better not have other plans, or you might end up regretting it with him," Myriad Soul Douluo said.
Nightmare Douluo merely squinted in the direction Lin Xiao had gone, saying nothing more.
After bidding farewell to Nightmare Douluo, Lin Xiao left the Holy Spirit Sect's headquarters. Glancing at the dim sky outside, he didn't linger and took out his flight soul tool.
Just as he equipped it, the sound of footsteps approached.
Startled, Lin Xiao turned and saw someone, quickly clasping his fists in respect. "Greetings, Senior Dragon Emperor."
Long Xiaoyao paused, looking Lin Xiao up and down, his brow furrowing slightly for some reason.
In the presence of a Limit Douluo, Lin Xiao naturally didn't dare make any unnecessary moves, nor did he notice the change in Long Xiaoyao's expression.
A moment later, as the sound of Long Xiaoyao's footsteps faded, Lin Xiao straightened up.
Come to think of it, Long Xiaoyao rarely appeared before the Holy Spirit Sect's disciples. The last time Lin Xiao saw him was just before his Spirit Ascension Ceremony.
Back then, Long Xiaoyao had made a casual remark, though it was unclear whether it was intentional or not.
Regardless, a Limit Douluo was far too distant for Lin Xiao. At this moment, he was soaring through the air, feeling the flow of the surrounding currents.
The fifty-thousand-year soul ring had boosted his soul power by two levels, bringing him to level 62. Moreover, as his cultivation grew, his soul power had become denser.
Previously, using a Level 5 flight soul tool required careful planning of soul power consumption, but now, he could fly at full speed without worry.
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