Douluo Jueshi: I Don't Want to Be an Evil Soul Master

Chapter 272 Nether Thunder Douluo
"Did the people at the border give you any trouble?"

"No, they have always been very polite to me since they found out I am a teacher at Mingdetang."

"That's good. It seems you've had a good time this time." Jing Hongchen didn't continue the conversation about the competition. He looked Lin Xiao up and down and nodded slightly.

"I was pretty lucky." Lin Xiao nodded, not denying it.

"In that case, it seems that the level nine soul tool I promised you will also be put on the agenda."

"Thank you, Hall Master." Lin Xiao clasped his hands in thanks to Jing Hongchen, expressing his gratitude without any formality.

Jing Hongchen waved his hand, "Tell me, what do you want?"

Lin Xiao smiled and looked at Jing Hongchen for a moment, "I wonder if, in the Hall Master's opinion, a humanoid soul tool would be considered a..."

“You—” Jing Hongchen suddenly laughed out loud upon hearing Lin Xiao’s words, “You, you, I can’t do it for other people, but I can do it for you. I will personally design a set of level nine humanoid soul tools for you.”

Lin Xiao's expression suddenly froze. He had only been trying to speak up and was prepared to negotiate with Jing Hongchen, but he did not expect Jing Hongchen to agree so easily.

"Thank you for your kindness, Hall Master." Lin Xiao opened his mouth, but only managed to utter these few words.

Jing Hongchen didn't seem to care. "Although Jiayi isn't my direct disciple, I've given him a lot of guidance. If we're really talking about it, you're practically my grand-disciple. There's no need to be so formal."

Lin Xiao did not accept Jing Hongchen's words and acknowledge the relationship, but instead narrowed her eyes slightly.

Jing Hongchen had subtly tried to win him over before, but at that time he had undergone the Spirit Ascension Ceremony, and if he were to betray the sect, it would inevitably attract too much attention.

Later, Jing Hongchen never brought it up again. Unexpectedly, now that she's brought it up, she's trying to bring the two of them closer.

A Soul Master who has cultivated to this level would surely be cunning and suspicious. This Mirror Red Dust probably wasn't just after his talent; he must have sensed something else as well.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiao took a half step back. "Master, I haven't been back to the sect since I returned this time. I estimate there are still many things to take care of. What do you think..."

Jing Hongchen glanced at Lin Xiao, but seemed completely unconcerned about his identity as an evil soul master. "Then go quickly and come back quickly."

"You should have felt it when you crossed the border. Mingde Hall is different now than before. With your talent and current cultivation, it's a bit of a waste for you to still be at the level of a seventh-level Soul Master."

"After you come back, you should break through as soon as possible. I think it won't be too difficult for you to break through to the eighth level of Soul Master."

"Mm." Lin Xiao simply nodded.

"Also, after our friendly exchange match with Shrek Academy ends in a few days, I'll be taking them to pick up our academy's exchange students. Would you like to come with me then?"

"I?"

“That’s right. Although I’m willing to trust the people from Shrek Academy, you never know what might happen. Having one more person is always better than nothing.”

Lin Xiao remained silent, but he could vaguely guess that Jing Hongchen's purpose was probably not as simple as it seemed on the surface. After thinking about it, he still agreed.

This matter wouldn't have been dangerous in the first place. On the contrary, if Jing Hongchen still contacts the Holy Spirit Cult in advance, then it's the Shrek Academy people who should be wary.

"Then it's decided. You go and take care of your own affairs first. I'll talk to you about the level nine soul tool later."

"Yes, Hall Master."

Lin Xiao responded, then glanced up at Lin Jiayi, who was still directing the match on the stage. After thinking for a moment, he didn't linger and turned to leave the Soul Guidance Experiment Area. Although he had vaguely sensed that Jing Hongchen's attitude towards him was a bit off before leaving, now it seemed that he was being a little too nice to him.

Perhaps because he grew up in the Holy Spirit Church, he was already used to such underhanded tactics, but when someone suddenly showed him such goodwill, he was still somewhat wary.

But how could he possibly guess what Lens Red Dust was thinking? After racking his brains to no avail, he could only put it aside for the time being.

Nowadays, he walks on the streets of Mingdu without attracting much attention, and if he wanted to, not many people would even notice him passing by.

Therefore, there was no need for much concealment before entering the familiar stronghold.

The disciple receiving the guests seemed taken aback for a moment, and only dared to confirm after a brief hesitation, "Eighth Elder."

"Take me to see the Third Elder."

"Yes."

The disciple had already walked ahead as he spoke, and Lin Xiao followed behind, looking around at the surrounding environment. Compared to two years ago, this place seemed to have grown a bit larger, indicating that Nether Thunder Douluo had managed it quite well.

"Hey, Lao Ba, you're finally back."

Ming Lei Douluo must have received news of Lin Xiao's return in advance. Before even getting close to his room, he could hear Lin Xiao's voice coming from afar, and there seemed to be a hint of grievance in his tone.

"What's wrong with Third Brother?"

Just as Nether Thunder Douluo was about to speak, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening slightly.

Before Lin Xiao left, he could at least vaguely sense the flow of soul power within Lin Xiao's body, but now, even though Lin Xiao was clearly standing in front of him, it was as if there was nothing there in his perception.

No trace of soul power could be sensed flowing within Lin Xiao's body; upon closer inspection, it seemed vast and boundless, unlike that of a soul master.

"Eighth Brother... what's wrong with you...?"

"Good luck." Lin Xiao nodded.

"Oh my, you were right. Such an opportunity really can't be waited for." The Thunder Douluo said this, but his eyes revealed a completely different meaning.

In his view, Lin Xiao was not going out to seek opportunities; he was probably prepared all along but did not want to expose himself to the Holy Spirit Cult prematurely.

However, Nether Thunder Douluo could understand, after all, it was the Holy Spirit Cult.

"Let's go, let's go inside and talk slowly."

Since learning the truth about the Holy Emperor, Lin Xiao was no longer as nervous as before when returning to the Holy Spirit Cult's stronghold. Now, looking closely at the Nether Thunder Douluo in front of him, Lin Xiao realized that the elders of the Holy Spirit Cult each had their own unique characteristics.

At least he knew these elders, and although they were all evil soul masters, their pursuits were not the same. This Nether Thunder Douluo was clearly quite dedicated to running a business.

"Sigh, Eighth Brother, you don't know, after you left a plan for those disciples, you went out. I originally thought you would come back soon, but who would have thought that you would be gone for more than two years."

“Those disciples do nothing but train every day and keep consuming resources. And that Tang Ya, she drained several of the ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts I prepared for display.”

Lin Xiao glanced up slightly and realized that the so-called "watching" was probably watching how those soul masters died at the hands of ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts.

(End of this chapter)