"Cult Master, you've returned."
In front of the few houses built by the abomination, Nana was currently training with the assassin. The wind and snow did not stop, and Nana showed no intention of pausing either, practicing with exceptional seriousness.
Lin Xiao did not disturb them and turned his gaze to the abomination that had come out to greet him.
"Why aren't you meditating?"
The abomination simply smiled and scratched his head.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao also smiled faintly. "I established the Netherworld Cult to give people like you and me a place to belong, not to enjoy the prestige of being a cult master. From now on, don't interrupt your own cultivation like this."
"But since you've come out, there's something I need to give you."
As Lin Xiao spoke, he took out two masks from his storage soul tool. They were mostly ice-blue in color, as if carved from solid ice, with gray patterns spread across them.
Upon closer inspection, those patterns somewhat resembled the array lines of soul tools, yet also looked like a long string of strange and complex characters engraved upon them.
"Our identities are rather special after all. Take these, you and Nana can wear them when going out to conceal yourselves a bit."
"The materials for making these masks were found by me during my recent trips to the Extreme North. They have some effect in calming the mind. Though not particularly strong, it's better than nothing. Later, when Nana finishes over there, take one to her."
"Yes, Cult Master."
The abomination took the masks and nodded.
"Mm. I'll likely be going into seclusion soon. The exact duration is uncertain."
"I understand, Cult Master. I'll inform Nana."
Lin Xiao nodded, glanced once more in Nana's direction, then returned to his room.
As soon as he sat down, the floating cannons seemed to come alive, flying out from beneath his clothes and hovering in the air.
Strands of dark red light enveloped the soul cannons, drawing forth matching dark red glows that rose in wisps from the River of the Underworld Embrace hidden beneath Lin Xiao's outer robe, as if the two were fusing.
"As expected of the Hall Master's work. It seems that when the Hall Master created this humanoid soul tool, he already took the array of floating cannons into account and made them compatible."
Although he had ultimately died at Jing Hongchen's hands, Fengshen held no hatred toward Jing Hongchen. Instead, he harbored a lingering fondness for Illustrious Virtue Hall. Even though this wasn't the first time he had seen the River of the Underworld Embrace, every time he did, he couldn't help but praise it aloud.
On the other hand, Ming Lei's attitude toward this soul tool was opposite to his earlier evaluation of the Death God Tower back on the snowy plain.
"I think it's still lacking somewhat. It doesn't fully match your abilities."
"Indeed. After all, I couldn't tell Illustrious Virtue Hall everything about my capabilities." Lin Xiao glanced at Ming Lei and gave a slight nod. "Just like with you all, although quite a few people have seen me manipulate souls, very few know that the person doing it was 'Lin Xiao.'"
"So the current River of the Underworld Embrace has no functions related to that aspect of my abilities. Therefore, after breaking through to become a ninth-level soul engineer, I plan to find ways to improve the River of the Underworld Embrace."
"And since Hall Master Hongchen helped me integrate the array of floating cannons with the humanoid soul tool, I also intend to preserve this characteristic while improving the soul cannons."
"These two matters can probably be handled together. You were both ninth-level soul engineers in life. I'd like you to help take a look during the process of improving the River of the Underworld Embrace."
"I can only say I'll try my best." Fengshen's tone carried some hesitation. "There are still differences in skill among ninth-level soul engineers. I may not be able to make major changes to a soul tool crafted by the Hall Master."
"No problem. We still have to try."
"What about the materials then?" Ming Lei, on the other hand, wasn't too worried about this aspect.
"Oh, right, you weren't by my side at that time, so you didn't know about some things." Lin Xiao glanced at Ming Lei, then, with a clatter, suddenly took out several storage soul tools.
"I sold the alloy smelting technology for a very good price. Back then, the Hall Master promised that Illustrious Virtue Hall would provide me with all the materials I needed."
"When I left, I brought a batch with me. Though it's not a huge amount, it should be enough to break through to the ninth level."
Ming Lei blinked in disbelief, suddenly recalling that Lin Xiao had indeed taken out quite a few rare metals earlier. He had thought those would make Lin Xiao feel heartache for a while, but now it seemed Lin Xiao didn't care about that amount at all.
"Jing Hongchen… really was generous."
At those words, Lin Xiao's gaze fell upon the soul tools on the table, and he became slightly lost in thought. "Yes… I wonder how Teacher and the others are doing now. They must have been worried for quite a while after hearing the news that I died on the front lines."
The room gradually fell silent. Only when night fell could one occasionally see a faint greenish-blue light flashing past from outside, leaving an unremarkable trace on the window.
Nana finished her training and walked past Lin Xiao's room while breathing lightly. She ran straight into the abomination, who raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.
The abomination pointed toward Lin Xiao's room and led her to a distance.
"The Cult Master is in seclusion."
"Seclusion?" Nana repeated, then suddenly thought of something and turned to look behind her. The assassin's soul still stood dazed in place.
She looked up toward the roof, where another powerful soul sat gazing into the distance. Even though it was only a soul, the chilling aura radiating from it still made Nana too afraid to look straight at it.
"But that soul was just helping me train earlier…"
The abomination shook his head. "The Cult Master's abilities are different from those in the Holy… Spirit Cult. I haven't sensed much resentment from him, but rather a kind of peace. Perhaps that is what a soul is truly meant to be."
Nana seemed to recall something and reached up to touch the token in her bosom. This token had long lost its original function; now it was merely a vessel containing her mother's soul.
Just as the abomination said, she sensed no pain or resentment from her mother's soul, only a vast tranquility. Compared to when she was alive, it almost felt like liberation.
"Right, the Cult Master also asked me to give this mask to you. He said it's for concealing your identity when going out."
"Thank you." Nana accepted the mask and looked up at the abomination. Finally unable to hold back, she asked, "Elder, why are you willing to follow the Cult Master? Your cultivation should surpass his."
"'Elder' is a thing of the past." The abomination waved his hand dismissively. "As for why I follow the Cult Master… even judging purely by strength, I can't beat him."
"Ah?" Nana's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't expected that the former Sixth Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult couldn't even match the Eighth Elder. Could it be that the elder positions in the Holy Spirit Cult weren't ranked by strength?
Unfortunately, no one could answer her doubts. Even the Abomination Douluo himself had only realized he was no longer a match for Lin Xiao after encountering him here, where Lin Xiao didn't hide his strength much.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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