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During the time Wang Nan was in Deep Meditation, Ma Xiaotao came by every few days. However, Shrek Academy did not allow girls into the boys' dormitories, so she could only sneak a distant look at him.

He had not expected to be caught red-handed this time.

"I just woke up and went to eat. By the way, who taught you to call me that?" Though he was asking, Wang Nan had already formed a guess.

"Gongyang Mo. When we talked about you on the way to the Soul Fighting Competition, that's what he always called you." As Ma Xiaotao spoke, she circled Wang Nan once. "You don't look any thinner. You've gotten quite a bit taller, though."

"With Elder Zhuang around, how could I possibly get thinner?"

Elder Zhuang was the only Support Type Titled Douluo among the senior elders of Sea God Island. His martial soul was the Tree of Life, which contained powerful life energy. Under its influence, even burned plants could sprout and grow again. Providing energy for Wang Nan's body was more than easy enough.

"Did you come here for something? Let me make this clear first—if you want to fight, you'll have to wait a few days until I recover."

"Do you really think I love fighting that much?"

Wang Nan looked at Ma Xiaotao in surprise upon hearing that.

Wu Ming and Ma Xiaotao were the Inner Courtyard's two famed active volcanoes. Though they had not yet become as famous as they would be in the future, their reputation for having fiery tempers and dragging people onto the arena at the slightest provocation had already begun to spread.

Ma Xiaotao blushed slightly under Wang Nan's gaze and hurriedly changed the subject. "When we went to the Soul Fighting Competition, I came across an auction focused on soul tools. I know you've always been interested in soul tools, so I bought something for you."

During the Soul Fighting Competition, advanced Soul Master Academies from across the continent gathered together. Naturally, many merchants took the opportunity to hold auctions and similar events, so it was hardly strange that Ma Xiaotao had come across one.

"Look." As Ma Xiaotao spoke, she took out a silver necklace. Its pendant was about the size of an adult's thumb and looked like a miniature milk bottle.

"This is a Rechargeable Soul Tool. You can store Soul Power in it during normal times, then use it to replenish your Soul Power when you're not in good condition."

Before Wang Nan could refuse, Ma Xiaotao grabbed his arm and stuffed the necklace into his hand, then quickly ran off.

"Rest up properly. I'm heading back first!"

Watching Ma Xiaotao's energetic retreating figure, Wang Nan smiled helplessly.

After returning to his dormitory, Wang Nan held the necklace in his hand and examined it again and again.

Compared to Rechargeable Soul Tool, he felt that Energy Storage Soul Tool was a more fitting name.

Although it could provide Soul Masters with Soul Power, it also came with many restrictions. For example, low-level Soul Masters could not use a Rechargeable Soul Tool above their own rank. Otherwise, the excessive Soul Power would overwhelm their bodies.

Furthermore, when using a Rechargeable Soul Tool, one had to stop all movement and focus entirely on guiding the Soul Power. Otherwise, it could easily go out of control and cause bodily damage. This meant it could not be used in combat, greatly reducing its practicality.

By comparison, its ability to store Soul Power was actually far more important.

If Wang Nan remembered correctly, attack-type soul tools powered by Rechargeable Soul Tools would appear in the future. If this method were popularized, it would greatly lower the threshold for using soul tools. There might even be soul tools that ordinary people could use.

Together with the emergence of the Sealed Milk Bottle, which could preserve Soul Power without any loss, soul tools would bring enormous changes to both warfare and people's everyday lives.

Unfortunately, my energy is limited, and I'm only average at making soul tools. I'll find time to have Lin Xiao or Ye Xiaosheng study this.

With that thought, Wang Nan put away the necklace, summoned the Coiling Dragon Staff into his hand, and gradually entered meditation.

That night, outside Shrek Academy's eastern gate, a tall, burly man stood waiting. A lifelike white tiger was embroidered over his left chest, and he carried the air of a soldier. His sharp eyes constantly scanned the surroundings until he saw Dai Yueheng emerge from the academy.

"Young Master." The burly man stepped forward two paces and lowered his head slightly.

"How did the investigation I asked for go?"

"It has been thoroughly investigated. The target, Wang Nan, has four people in his family. Aside from the target himself, his father, Wang Xing, possesses the Coiling Dragon Staff martial soul and is a Soul King without a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. His mother is an ordinary person. He also has an uncle, Wang Yan, who works at Shrek Academy and is a Soul King."

At the mention of Wang Yan, Dai Yueheng understood. He continued, "What about his ancestors? There are two Soul Kings in his family, so his grandfather's generation should have been Soul Masters as well."

"The target's grandfather was indeed a Soul Master, but he died in an accident long ago."

"What else?"

"According to Star Luo City's records, the Wang family fled to Star Luo City more than six hundred years ago due to war. At the time, they had no other connections in the city. No other notable figures have appeared in the family over the past several centuries, and anything before that is unknown."

"Hmph. Looks like they were just lucky enough to produce someone with decent talent after several generations." Dai Yueheng's gaze flickered as he pondered something.

"Oh, right, Young Master. There is one more matter concerning the estate."

"What happened in the estate?" Dai Yueheng thought for a moment. "Does it have something to do with that mother and son?"

"No, it concerns the Second Young Master." The burly man moved closer and lowered his voice. "A few days ago, the Second Young Master completed Martial Soul Fusion with a young lady from the Zhu Family."

"What?"

Dai Yueheng was startled. He had been taught since childhood never to reveal his emotions, yet he could not suppress the shock in his heart this time.

Every generation, two members of the Zhu Family and Dai Family became husband and wife because their martial souls had the possibility of Martial Soul Fusion.

Originally, as the eldest son of Duke White Tiger, Dai Yueheng could naturally inherit the ducal title. But now, Dai Huabin had achieved Martial Soul Fusion with a member of the Zhu Family.

That made the question of who would inherit the title uncertain. Even if Dai Huabin himself had no intention of fighting for it, the Zhu Family behind him would not simply give up.

Dai Yueheng remained silent for a long time. Though his heart was unsettled, the habits ingrained in him since childhood gradually eased his expression.

"Does Father know?"

"People were sent to inform the Duke as soon as the Martial Soul Fusion was completed."

"I understand. You may return first." Dai Yueheng took a deep breath and waved to the burly man. "Oh, and pass down my orders. Since my brother has completed Martial Soul Fusion, he will certainly become the heir to Duke White Tiger in the future. No matter what he asks of you, carry it out with utmost dedication. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Young Master. This subordinate understands your meaning."

"Mm. Go do it."