A figure mingled among the new students, curiously observing their surroundings. Two years had passed, and though she had grown and her appearance had changed slightly, Lin Xiao still recognized the girl.
She was the daughter of the Sixth Holy Servant.
The Holy Spirit Sect had countless holy servants. When Lin Xiao first heard about the Sixth Holy Servant's disappearance, he didn't think much of it. But after secretly visiting her home, he had already pieced things together.
Though the Sixth Holy Servant had never mentioned it, Lin Xiao knew the girl was likely Nana.
Originally, because of her mother's betrayal of the Holy Spirit Sect, the sect would have tracked her to their home, manipulated her mother into killing her father, and then imprisoned their souls. As a result, Nana would have been taken into the sect.
But it was Lin Xiao who had dealt with the Sixth Holy Servant. When he noticed Nana watching from the shadows, he softened and let her go.
He hadn't expected that, two years later, he would see Nana again at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy.
But how had she gotten in? Had the Holy Spirit Sect discovered her martial soul?
Lin Xiao considered this but quickly dismissed the idea. She hadn't entered the academy through a special recruitment quota. In his memory, Nana had decent talent and had once had the chance to represent the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy in the Soul Dueling Tournament. She had likely entered the academy on her own merit.
But…
Lin Xiao glanced around. Given the Holy Spirit Sect's methods, he wasn't the only sect disciple in the academy. If others discovered Nana's martial soul, she might still fall into the sect's hands.
"You seem preoccupied. Why don't you head back?" Lin Jiayi's voice interrupted Lin Xiao's thoughts.
"No, Teacher. I was just thinking these kids are quite lively."
"Haha," Lin Jiayi chuckled. "You're still a kid yourself, aren't you? By the way, what were you doing when you were their age?"
"At their age?"
Lin Xiao's eyes narrowed, his thoughts drifting far away. The smell of blood seemed to linger at his nose, his hands felt sticky, and he recalled waking from nightmares, sweat dripping from his forehead, the fears of childhood flashing before his eyes…
After a moment of silence, Lin Xiao spoke softly. "My childhood was pretty dull. I was probably just cultivating."
"Haha, I figured as much," Lin Jiayi said, still smiling. "To reach your current level, you must have worked hard as a child. At eleven or twelve, it's the age for both cultivation and play."
"Yeah," Lin Xiao nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
Half the day passed quickly in casual conversation with Lin Jiayi. With new students arriving, Lin Jiayi was kept busy. Without his guidance, Lin Xiao didn't slack off on his soul tool studies, familiarizing himself with new Level 6 soul tools while keeping up with other areas.
It wasn't until half a month later that Lin Xiao went out again in the dead of night.
Click—
He deftly activated the mechanism, and the underground hall of the Holy Spirit Sect's branch altar appeared before him. The "Holy Flag" faced him, and faint cries of resentful souls seemed to echo in his ears.
"You're not at the academy. What are you doing here?" Nightmare Douluo, having finished his business at headquarters, had returned to the branch altar.
"Teacher," Lin Xiao stepped forward, bowing slightly. "This disciple has found someone who could be recruited into the sect."
"Where did you find them?" Nightmare Douluo's expression shifted.
"At the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, among this year's new students."
Nightmare Douluo looked at Lin Xiao thoughtfully. Just days ago, he had discussed with Myriad Soul Douluo the need to covertly place more people in the academy. He hadn't expected Lin Xiao to bring such good news so soon.
"How can you be sure they can join the sect?"
"Teacher, the child's martial soul is identical to that of the Sixth Holy Servant from the branch altar."
"Hm?" Nightmare Douluo's gaze sharpened.
"Teacher, when the Sixth Holy Servant defected, I was the one who dealt with her," Lin Xiao said calmly.
"That's right," Nightmare Douluo nodded. "Are you certain?"
"Yes," Lin Xiao confirmed. "I saw her fight in the academy's soul tool testing area. It's definitely a Spectre Martial Soul."
Nightmare Douluo rubbed his chin. "This could be an opportunity. If we can bring her into the sect discreetly, it's far less conspicuous than placing our own people. But…"
"What's her cultivation level?" Nightmare Douluo looked at Lin Xiao again.
"Her exact cultivation isn't clear, but when I saw her fight in the arena, she had two soul rings."
"Her cultivation is a bit low," Nightmare Douluo sighed, pacing a few steps. "How can we bring her into the sect, then?"
"Teacher, she's young. There's always a way to handle it. Why not let me try approaching her? If it works, we can wait until her cultivation is suitable before bringing her into the sect."
Nightmare Douluo studied Lin Xiao silently for a moment. "What's your plan?"
"Please give me some time, Teacher, to investigate her background thoroughly. It'll help in making a plan."
"Alright," Nightmare Douluo said after a moment of thought. "I'll leave this to you. But remember, don't interact with her too much at the academy. Mirror Hongchen knows your identity, and too much contact might make him suspicious."
"Yes," Lin Xiao nodded.
"If you need to mobilize people outside to investigate, use your authority as a Holy Emissary to notify them directly."
"Teacher, to avoid drawing attention from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, it's better to keep this known to as few people as possible."
"Good. Handle it as you see fit. I've always trusted you," Nightmare Douluo said without overthinking. "I'll instruct the other disciples to keep their distance."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"You're working for the sect. No need for thanks. Any other needs recently?"
Lin Xiao thought for a moment before looking up. "Teacher, is there any recent news from the Star Luo Empire?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just that my cultivation progress has been slow lately, so I was wondering if there's any conflict I could join."
"Heh," Nightmare Douluo chuckled, nodding. "Having tasted rapid cultivation progress, you naturally don't want to rely on meditation alone."
"Unfortunately, there's been no major conflict recently. Though border skirmishes continue, military movements have decreased. I'll keep an eye out for such opportunities in the future."
"Also, since your cultivation relies on death, if there's no death around, you can create it yourself. With the imperial family covering for us, you can act more boldly."
"Yes, Teacher. I understand."
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