Lin Xiao didn't linger long. After leaving the branch altar, he headed straight back to the academy.
He wasn't surprised by Nightmare Douluo's words. In the Holy Spirit Sect, this was considered true "cultivation." As long as it boosted their strength, they could create carnage without any burden.
Though Mingdu's nights were brightly lit, the streets were much quieter in the late hours. Lin Xiao avoided others' notice and made his way to the gates of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy.
Just as he stepped into the academy, another figure followed close behind.
The faint aura felt familiar to Lin Xiao. Turning around, he saw Shangguan Qing looking in his direction.
Their eyes met, and without speaking, they both understood. They knew each other's identities and could roughly guess what the other was doing leaving the academy in the middle of the night.
Still, Shangguan Qing quickened her pace to walk beside Lin Xiao.
"It's been a while."
"Hm," Lin Xiao responded simply.
Shangguan Qing was used to his curt demeanor and didn't mind. "Recently, a few evil soul master strongholds were wiped out. Have you heard?"
"Evil soul master strongholds?" Lin Xiao glanced at her. He genuinely hadn't heard about this. Between acquiring his sixth soul ring and staying at the academy, he hadn't caught much news. Even during his recent visit to the Holy Spirit Sect's branch altar, Nightmare Douluo hadn't mentioned it.
They were probably just ordinary evil soul masters, not part of the Holy Spirit Sect.
Seeing his expression, Shangguan Qing asked, "You didn't know?"
"It's got nothing to do with me," Lin Xiao said, shaking his head.
"That's for the best. I was a bit worried about you." Despite having revealed her true identity to Lin Xiao, Shangguan Qing's attitude hadn't changed much. Her knack for saying things that sparked others' curiosity seemed almost instinctive.
"By the way, Sister Wei'er recently got hold of a batch of Mysterious Water Pills. Interested?"
"Mysterious Water Pills?" Lin Xiao gave her an odd look.
"Yeah, you probably don't know what Mysterious Water Pills are, right?" Seeing his interest, Shangguan Qing leaned in closer.
"Mysterious Water Pills aren't from our Sun Moon Continent. They come from the Douluo Continent and are quite beneficial for soul masters. They're said to be made from the blood essence of over a dozen water-attribute soul beasts and dozens of water-attribute plants. Not only can they boost soul power, but they also purify impurities in the body, nourish meridians, and enhance physique."
"It's a pill that improves both soul power and physique, with mild medicinal effects. It's beneficial for soul masters of any cultivation level."
Shangguan Qing continued explaining the effects of the Mysterious Water Pill, unaware that Lin Xiao knew far more about it than she did.
How could he not know what Mysterious Water Pills were for? Beyond boosting soul power and improving physique, they were a rare pill capable of enhancing innate soul power.
For soul masters with Level 1 innate soul power, a Mysterious Water Pill could increase it by a full level. Even for someone like Lin Xiao, with decent innate soul power, it could enhance cultivation talent.
Innate soul power was closely tied to the speed of meditation cultivation. Such a pill was rare even in the three great empires, so how had it made its way to the Sun Moon Empire?
"Where did these Mysterious Water Pills come from?"
Shangguan Qing blinked at him and chuckled softly. "I thought you weren't interested in anything. But it's fine to tell you. This is partly thanks to you. Remember what happened when you last met Sister Wei'er?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Thanks to you telling us about that shipment's whereabouts, Sister Wei'er sent people to contact nobles in the Heavenly Soul Empire. Recently, we've started some trade with the three great empires."
Lin Xiao understood immediately. Shangguan Wei'er's judgment was spot-on—no one could easily resist the allure of the two dragon maidens.
After all, soul masters with exceptional talent were rare. Most people had mediocre cultivation talent, and nobles, already endowed with power and wealth beyond ordinary people, couldn't change their innate talent.
So, when faced with something that could enhance cultivation and induce beneficial martial soul mutations, they wouldn't let it slip by easily.
Clearly, Shangguan Wei'er had used this to establish connections with the Douluo Continent.
As for acquiring Mysterious Water Pills from the Dou Ling Empire, that didn't surprise Lin Xiao. As long as the Common Alliance's business spread within a certain range, with Xuanshui Sect's unique martial soul awakening method, they would inevitably become clients of the alliance.
"How about it? Should I set aside a few Mysterious Water Pills for you?" Shangguan Qing looked at Lin Xiao expectantly.
Seeing her expression, Lin Xiao could guess her intentions. After a moment of thought, he spoke slowly. "What's the price?"
"Hehe, Sister Wei'er specifically said we don't talk business with you—only trades."
Lin Xiao fell silent for a while.
He had discussed the Common Alliance with Nightmare Douluo before, and Nightmare Douluo had encouraged him to gather some information about them. This was a good opportunity. Even if the Common Alliance learned something about the Holy Spirit Sect, he could use Nightmare Douluo's instructions as an excuse.
"What do you want to know?" Lin Xiao lowered his voice.
Shangguan Qing's expression paused, a slight smile curling her lips. Since their last meeting with Shangguan Wei'er, she had approached Lin Xiao multiple times, but he had always been unresponsive. She hadn't expected this sudden gain.
As expected, evil soul masters had no loyalty. They only stayed silent if the reward wasn't enough.
Pushing aside her thoughts, Shangguan Qing smiled again. "We don't actively pry into others' affairs. Just share whatever you feel like saying."
Lin Xiao glanced at her. "Then we'll talk once you bring the Mysterious Water Pills. Also, I need a few stalks of thousand-year-old locust tree cores."
"Locust tree?" Shangguan Qing gave him a suspicious look. "Locust trees have a yin nature and are often tied to ghosts. What do you need them for?"
"Have you forgotten who I am?"
Lin Xiao didn't explain further.
"Oh, right, we're at the academy. I almost forgot you're from the Holy Spirit Sect."
Lin Xiao didn't respond, knowing full well her words were insincere. She was always trying to pry information about the Holy Spirit Sect from him—how could she forget his evil soul master identity? This was likely just another attempt to fish for more details.
"Alright, I'll agree to that. It's much easier to get than Mysterious Water Pills. Well, it's getting late, so I'll head back. I'll find you again once I've got the goods."
"Okay," Lin Xiao said, frowning slightly as he watched Shangguan Qing disappear toward the dorms.
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