"Teacher, that's everything that happened last night."
In the evening, inside the Holy Spirit Cult's branch in the capital, Lin Xiao, dressed in black, stood slightly bowed before Nightmare Douluo.
"So, you encountered others as well?"
"Yes."
Lin Xiao nodded, recounting everything, including his combat technique, without hiding anything.
With him were the Wu Yun and Wu Yu sisters, who had also experienced last night's events. Though they had a close relationship with Lin Xiao, and might cover for him if asked.
But after so many years in the Holy Spirit Cult, he had learned a lesson: in the Holy Spirit Cult, no matter how close the relationship, even blood relatives, couldn't be easily trusted.
Nightmare Douluo didn't focus much on the combat technique Lin Xiao had used. As a Titled Douluo, he had some means beyond soul skills. His attention was more on Ye Guyi.
"Are you sure that was the Holy Angel martial soul?"
"This disciple is certain. Her cultivation is only three rings, but I already felt obvious suppression. If her cultivation were higher, the suppression would likely be even more evident."
"Holy Angel… No wonder it left such traces…" Nightmare Douluo rubbed his chin with his withered palm, producing a grating sound. "This matter concerns the great affairs of our cult. I will report it personally to the Cult Leader."
"Additionally, can you identify who was with that Holy Angel soul master?"
"This…" Lin Xiao paused, gently shaking his head.
"Never mind. They brought the Holy Angel soul master around hunting evil soul masters, so they must have prepared for encountering stronger opponents. They wouldn't leave obvious traces. It's hard for you."
"All for the cult." Lin Xiao quickly cupped his fists.
"By the way." Nightmare Douluo raised his hand. "Do you still have that soul tool you brought back last night?"
As expected.
Hearing this, Lin Xiao wasn't surprised. Among last night's group, it seemed Nightmare Douluo was present.
"Teacher, this morning Jing Hongchen found me and wouldn't allow me to take that soul tool out of Illustrious Virtue Hall."
"You went to Illustrious Virtue Hall?" Nightmare Douluo's eyes lit up. "Good, you did well. To be so valued by Jing Hongchen, there must be many secrets hidden there. Once you figure out that soul tool, be sure to bring the blueprints back to the cult."
"Yes." Lin Xiao lowered his head in agreement.
"The cult is about to undergo an expansion soon, and I need to return to headquarters." A faint smile appeared on Nightmare Douluo's face. "You've contributed greatly to this matter. If there's any reward you want, you can say it now."
"Thank you, Teacher." Lin Xiao cupped his fists again, pondering for a moment. "Teacher, after last night's battle, this disciple feels my cultivation is still lacking. Could you allow this disciple to go out for training for a while?"
Training?
Nightmare Douluo glanced at Lin Xiao, not thinking much of it.
Of course, Holy Spirit Cult disciples had "training," but unlike other sects or academies, their training often involved others' lives.
Narrowing his eyes, Nightmare Douluo leaned back slowly in his chair. "I know you're eager, but cultivation can't be rushed."
As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Xiao again. "But since you've requested it, I'll allow it. How long do you need?"
"Teacher, how about after this period, once this disciple figures out the secrets of that soul tool?"
"Mm, that works." Nightmare Douluo nodded.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Lin Xiao quickly bowed again. Some things couldn't be done here; when the time was right, it would be perfect to go out.
"By the way."
Nightmare Douluo suddenly spoke, and Lin Xiao's bowing motion froze. "Teacher, is there something else?"
"During your 'training,' be careful not to leave too obvious traces. The cult has been tasked with integrating evil soul masters everywhere. Don't cause too much trouble for the cult."
"Yes, Teacher."
Lin Xiao's eyes shifted slightly. Though he didn't know the full picture, contributing greatly and the cult being ordered to integrate evil soul masters clearly showed the Holy Spirit Cult's hand behind last night's events.
He just didn't know how many big players were involved.
Exiting the branch, Lin Xiao glanced left and right, wrapped his cloak tighter, and headed toward a secluded area. However, as he prepared to change clothes, his expression shifted, looking toward a hidden corner on the other side.
Lin Xiao didn't speak, but as his gaze turned that way, the hidden person seemed to sense it, their figure flashing away.
Lin Xiao felt a bit strange. After thinking, he stomped his foot and vanished as well.
Outside the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Nana was fleeing toward the academy gate at full speed. Seeing the lights of the illumination soul tools at the entrance, she finally relaxed slightly.
"What did you see?"
A low voice suddenly sounded in her ear, causing Nana's entire body to tremble. Her arms swung, gripping a green and a red short dagger, stabbing backward instinctively without turning.
But the stab hit nothing.
Nana quickly turned, just in time to see a figure fully shrouded in a black cloak appear before her.
It's him!
Nana felt her heart skip a beat. This figure, this mask that often appeared in her nightmares—she remembered it vividly.
"You're evil soul masters!"
Though she still had doubts, Nana's words carried absolute certainty.
Beneath the mask, Lin Xiao looked at Nana without speaking.
No wonder he felt strange when he sensed someone peeping—it wasn't a human gaze, but a view from a soul.
If it were someone else, they might not be sensitive to a soul's gaze, but for Lin Xiao, accustomed to soul vision, that feeling of being spied on by a soul was familiar.
He hadn't expected Nana's Ghost martial soul to allow something similar.
No, he should have realized it earlier.
In his memory, Nana had once witnessed Holy Spirit Cult members entering and exiting Illustrious Virtue Hall. Given the cultivation gap, how could she have evaded their senses?
Unless she possessed a means of observation hard for ordinary people to detect.
And now, Lin Xiao confirmed that Nana's Ghost martial soul allowed her to observe others through another vision, like the souls he controlled.
Thinking this, Lin Xiao sighed softly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
[email protected]/facficmax10