Chapter 49: Soul Beast Essence Blood, Yan Shaozhe's Recruitment
Du Weiren lightly stroked his storage ring once more. With a flash of light, a transparent crystal tube appeared in his hand, about half a foot long and as thick as a child's arm.
The body of the tube was crystal clear and flawless.
Inside the tube, a gold-red liquid sat quietly, filling about two-thirds of its volume.
Without waiting for Lin Xuan to ask, Du Weiren took the initiative to introduce it.
"This item is a bottle of Soul Beast essence blood, sourced from a top-tier Soul Beast with a cultivation age of ninety-eight thousand years, possessing the dual attributes of Light and Fire: the Sacred Flame Brilliant Eagle."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"This item was obtained from the core bloodline essence of that Sacred Flame Brilliant Eagle by the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, the Bright Phoenix Douluo Yan Shaozhe, when he hunted it for his ninth Soul Ring back then."
"Later, the current Master of the Sea God Pavilion personally took action, expending great effort to refine, purify, and concentrate it, merging all of its essence into this."
"One could say that this single tube of liquid condenses more than half of the life source and bloodline power of a top-tier Soul Beast approaching the hundred-thousand-year level."
"For all Soul Masters in the world with Light or Fire attributes, it is a priceless treasure. It can not only cleanse the constitution and solidify the foundation, but also greatly enhance the quality and potential of the corresponding attributes."
As Du Weiren spoke, he carefully observed the changes in Lin Xuan's expression, hoping to see the expected shock, surprise, or even loss of composure.
However, Lin Xuan's expression did indeed change, but it wasn't the surprise Du Weiren had anticipated.
That expression clearly looked more like... disappointment?
Lin Xuan was indeed a bit disappointed at this moment.
He had originally thought Du Weiren might bring out a Soul Bone or a precious relic from a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast hunted by Mu En back in the day.
If that were the case, its value and efficacy would be entirely different.
As it turned out... it was just Yan Shaozhe's? And it was only ninety-something thousand years old?
Du Weiren keenly captured that trace of disappointment on Lin Xuan's face and was instantly a bit bewildered.
Wait... this expression isn't right, is it?
This is a treasure that condenses more than half the essence of a ninety-eight-thousand-year Sacred Flame Brilliant Eagle! Its value is many times higher than that Gengjin Star Wolf Soul Bone from just now!
Out in the world, many experts would fight to snatch this! And this is your reaction?
Furthermore, Dean Yan privately asked me to hand this over! Don't you understand the intent of appreciation and recruitment behind this?
At this moment, Lin Xuan also realized that his expression just now was somewhat inappropriate.
He immediately adjusted his facial muscles, working hard to put on a look that was a mix of surprise and gratitude.
"To think it's such a treasure! Thank you, Director Du, and thank you, Dean Yan, for your kindness!"
Du Weiren: "..."
Do you really think I'm blind and can't tell you're faking it?
Du Weiren suddenly felt a wave of mental exhaustion.
What exactly is the deal with this kid? Is his vision so high it's reached this level?
He doesn't even care for the essence blood of a top-tier Soul Beast nearly a hundred thousand years old?
He took a deep breath, suppressed his internal speechlessness, and decided to finish what needed to be said.
"Cough... Dean Yan and I have both heard that your Martial Soul is somewhat special. Although it's a shadow, it doesn't seem to be repelled by the Light attribute and might even benefit from it."
"The power of Light contained in this essence blood should be of great use to you. The only slight flaw is that it's also mixed with a strong Fire attribute. You might need to spend some effort to harmonize and adapt to it, but with your abilities, I imagine this small issue should be negligible."
Lin Xuan felt like laughing in his heart.
Who said the Fire attribute is useless to me? Not only is it useful, it's of great use!
This time, his gratitude held a bit more sincerity.
"Director Du, Dean Yan's kindness is something I will keep in my heart. This item is precious, and I will certainly make proper use of it and not fall short of expectations."
Seeing Lin Xuan's expression finally turn serious, Du Weiren felt a bit better. He waved his hand and said,
"Mn, take it then. Find time to absorb it as soon as possible."
Once Lin Xuan had carefully put away the crystal tube, Du Weiren picked up his teacup and took a sip, mentioning as if in casual conversation,
"I heard from Teacher Mu Jin that you've taken up an elective in the Soul Tool Department?"
"That's correct." Lin Xuan nodded, his expression calm.
Du Weiren set down his teacup and weighed his words.
"Lin Xuan, with your Martial Soul talent and current cultivation progress, investing a large amount of energy into studying spirit tools might not be the best choice."
"For you, focusing on Martial Soul cultivation, Soul Power enhancement, and tempering through actual combat is the right path at this stage. Being distracted by the Soul Tool Department might result in more loss than gain, wasting your superb talent."
Lin Xuan sighed helplessly in his heart.
Do you think I want to learn those complex and obscure things? The headaches from being dominated by physics and chemistry in my life before last are still fresh in my memory.
If it weren't for having no other options, why would he want to go looking for this trouble?
But on the surface, Lin Xuan still nodded and agreed,
"What Director Du says is true. I'm only somewhat interested in spirit tools and want to understand the basic principles and simple applications. I won't invest too much time in deep research. After all, a Soul Master's foundation still lies in their own cultivation and Martial Soul."
Seeing that Lin Xuan's attitude seemed very proper and that he didn't show any fanaticism toward the Soul Tool Department, Du Weiren felt slightly more at ease.
Since Lin Xuan himself said it was just superficial study, he didn't urge him further, only reminding him once more,
"It's good that you have a sense of proportion. Remember, on the path of a Soul Master, one's own strength is the foundation. Do not let external things delay the most important cultivation."
"I understand," Lin Xuan replied.
Du Weiren shifted the topic, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"Additionally, I also heard... that you and Xu Sanshi made a bet?"
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Does the Academy not allow students to engage in duels with stakes?"
"That's not it," Du Weiren chuckled and waved his hand.
"As long as it doesn't involve malicious injury or maiming, the Academy doesn't interfere with reasonable competition and bets between students. On the contrary, appropriate pressure helps stimulate potential. What I wanted to talk about is something else."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming a bit more formal.
"As the number one academy on the continent, Shrek Academy not only cultivates talents but also shoulders the responsibility of maintaining peace and purging evil. Especially regarding those Evil Soul Masters who harm the world, Inner Court disciples have an inescapable duty. This is also the future mission of every Shrek elite."
Lin Xuan listened quietly without interrupting.
Du Weiren's gaze became somewhat worried as he continued,
"However, in recent years, there have been signs of increased activity from Evil Soul Masters. Although Inner Court disciples are strong, their numbers are limited, and sometimes they are inevitably stretched thin. For example, just this past month, an Evil Soul Master who had already been heavily injured by an Inner Court disciple escaped, and the Inner Court currently cannot spare suitable manpower to pursue and eliminate him."
His gaze fell upon Lin Xuan.
"This Evil Soul Master's cultivation is at the Soul Elder level, and his injuries are not light. Dean Yan believes that with your strength, you are fully capable of handling this matter."
Lin Xuan's face remained expressionless, but he was sneering in his heart.
What is he trying to do by saying this? What? Does he want me to take the initiative to accept this troublesome task?
Are you kidding? Does Yan Shaozhe really think a bottle of Soul Beast essence blood can make me risk my life for your Shrek Academy?
Seeing him like this, Du Weiren gave a slightly embarrassed cough and continued,
"Of course, the Academy won't let you work for nothing. Dean Yan said that as long as you are willing to take on this mission and successfully complete it, he can make an exception and grant you a Rank 7 offensive-type spirit tool as a reward."
A Rank 7 spirit tool—this was a top-tier spirit tool at the Soul Saint level. It was of immense value, especially for Soul Masters not from the Soul Tool Department; it was a powerful trump card.
After Du Weiren finished speaking, he looked at Lin Xuan, waiting for his response.
A Rank 7 spirit tool?
Lin Xuan was somewhat surprised. He could get a Rank 7 spirit tool just by killing a heavily injured Evil Soul Master?
This was basically no different from giving it away for free.
And that was indeed the case. Yan Shaozhe wanted to give Lin Xuan a Rank 7 spirit tool for free as a way to recruit him.
However, in Yan Shaozhe's view, giving it away directly would make Shrek look too desperate and might cause Lin Xuan to feel contempt.
That's why he came up with this method. It recruited Lin Xuan, didn't lose face, and also freed up manpower to deal with an Evil Soul Master. It was truly killing three birds with one stone.
After a moment of silence, Lin Xuan roughly guessed Yan Shaozhe's thoughts and couldn't help but feel a bit speechless for a moment.
Yan Shaozhe's little schemes were a bit too much; one couldn't tell at all that his Martial Soul was the Bright Phoenix... However, he did indeed happen to need this Rank 7 spirit tool. After thinking for a moment, Lin Xuan nodded and said,
"No problem, I'll take this mission."
"Good!" Hearing this, Du Weiren's face immediately lit up with joy. He then took out a thin, dark-covered booklet from his storage spirit tool and handed it to Lin Xuan.
"This contains detailed records of that Evil Soul Master's appearance, Martial Soul information, known Martial Soul Abilities, as well as the location where he last escaped and several areas where he might be hiding."
"It has only been three days since he was injured, so he should be far from recovered. Even if he were in perfect condition, with your strength, there is no way he could defeat you."
Du Weiren gave a final reminder, "Be sure to act with caution and prioritize your own safety above all else. If possible, set out tomorrow morning."
Lin Xuan took the booklet, flipped through it briefly, and then put it away.
"I understand."
With that, he bowed and took his leave, turning to walk out of the office.
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