Ghost Douluo Has Arrived!

The master and disciple often sat for half a day at a time, frowning deeply and arguing endlessly over the preliminary armor framework diagram and the several pieces of special metal beside it, meant for testing Soul Power conduction.

"No. Ordinary metals can't withstand sustained Soul Power impacts. They'll collapse..."

"This energy node is in the wrong position. When Soul Power reaches here, it'll form a blockage..."

"The linkage mechanism for the powered joints is too complicated. It'll affect flexibility, and the Soul Power consumption will be enormous..."

"The core! The key is the Energy Core! We need a medium that can stably store and release Soul Power, something like... a Spirit Bone? But how can it be combined with metal? How do we control the output...?"

After more than ten days of research, the two had nearly torn out their hair. They had gained only the slightest pitiful clue regarding the basic combination of Soul Power and metallic materials, as well as the preliminary implementation of several simple energy nodes.

That grand vision of a Soul Tool Mech still remained as illusory as a reflection in water.

That evening, the master and disciple finally set aside their headache-inducing Soul Tool research and had dinner with Si Di, several Senior Brothers, and Larvitar at the Stone Table in the Backyard.

The table was filled with carefully prepared dishes from the Association cafeteria, their fragrance mouthwatering. Larvitar hugged its own Purple Lightning Iron Ore and happily gnawed away, while the atmosphere was unusually relaxed and harmonious.

Lin Xia had just picked up a piece of meat, ready to put it into his mouth.

Suddenly!

Without any warning or sound of footsteps, the light in the open space beside the Stone Table twisted and dimmed, as though it had been soaked in invisible ink.

A chilling, unfathomable presence that seemed to pierce straight into the soul instantly spread through the entire Backyard!

"Cough!!"

Lou Gao was holding a bowl of hot soup. The instant he sensed that aura, his pupils shrank to Needle Tips. With a clang, the bowl slipped from his hand and crashed onto the Stone Table. Scalding soup splashed all over him, yet he did not notice at all.

Lou Gao shot to his feet.

His face was filled with utter shock and reverence, even a trace of disbelief.

Staring fixedly at the figure slowly condensing within the distorted light—a person wrapped from head to toe in a voluminous Black Robe, their features utterly obscured—he bowed Without Hesitation in an extremely solemn salute. His voice carried a faint, barely perceptible tremble.

"G-Greetings, Your Excellency Ghost Douluo!"

Si Di and the others immediately came to their senses as well. Their faces turned deathly pale as they hurriedly set down their bowls and chopsticks, then bowed deeply after their master, scarcely daring to breathe.

A Titled Douluo!

And Ghost Douluo at that—the unfathomably powerful and elusive Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall!

Why had he suddenly appeared here?!

Lin Xia's heart sank sharply, his chopsticks freezing in midair.

He quickly put them down and suppressed the Stormy Waves in his heart.

Ghost Douluo!

An elder of Spirit Hall, a super-strong person at the Titled Douluo level!

Bibi Dong's absolute confidant!

Why had he come? Was it because of Miles?

Or had Senior Brother Si Long failed over there...?

Lin Xia forced himself to remain calm, then quickly stood and imitated Lou Gao, offering the ghostly figure a proper junior's salute.

"This junior, Lin Xia, greets Your Excellency Ghost Douluo."

Seeing everyone like this, Ghostly Shadow spoke directly.

"No need for such formalities."

Ghostly Shadow casually waved a hand.

His deep gaze seemed tangible as it swept over the disheveled Lou Gao and the respectful Lin Xia before finally settling on Lou Gao. He got straight to the point.

"President Lou Gao, I have come to resolve the matter described in your letter—Miles Garcia, bishop of the Gengjin City Martial Soul Holy Hall, and his associates have oppressed the innocent, extorted wealth, and severely tarnished the reputation of Spirit Hall."

Ghostly Shadow's voice was calm and unruffled, yet it carried unquestionable authority and biting coldness.

"Your Holiness the Pope is greatly enraged by this matter."

Ghostly Shadow's voice grew heavier, and the Invisible Pressure seemed to freeze the very air.

"I have come as the Pope's full representative. Rest assured, President. This investigation will be conducted strictly and severely, with every detail thoroughly examined. No matter who is involved, anyone with misconduct who has damaged Spirit Hall's good name will be punished without mercy. There will be no leniency!"

Those resounding words were like cold Iron Laws. The burden that had weighed on Lou Gao's heart for so long finally dropped heavily, and immense excitement and gratitude instantly flooded his face. His Lips moved several times, but for a moment, he did not know how to express his thanks.

"Th-Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope! Thank you, Elder Ghost!"

Ghostly Shadow gave a slight nod, accepting Lou Gao's gratitude.

Then, that gaze that seemed capable of piercing the soul slowly turned toward Lin Xia.

The shadow beneath the hood seemed to form an incredibly faint curve, as if he were smiling. Yet there was not the slightest warmth in that smile.

"Lin Xia!"

Ghostly Shadow called out his name directly, his voice still ethereal.

"At the Nuoding City Martial Soul Branch Hall, the Deacon who helped awaken your Martial Soul once invited you to join Spirit Hall. You declined, saying you wished to consider it?"

Lin Xia's heart abruptly tightened, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out across his back.

For a moment, he did not know what to say. He had thought the matter was long over, yet he had not expected it to be investigated after all. But on further thought, it seemed perfectly normal.

After all, his Innate Soul Power and external Martial Soul both placed him among the ranks of geniuses!

Yu Xiaogang could recognize his talent; there was no reason Spirit Hall could not.

He had only refused back then because he wanted to seek the path of the Blacksmith Association, which suited him better for growing stronger by eating Mineral Ore, and to get close to Lou Gao.

Now that it had been exposed to his face, even with his steadfast resolve, he could not help feeling awkward and nervous, as though his little calculations had been seen through in an instant.

A suitably embarrassed expression appeared on Lin Xia's face. He lowered his head, his voice apologetic.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, that did happen. This junior was... was young and ignorant at the time, narrow-minded, and unaware of Spirit Hall's vastness. I only wanted to... wanted to learn a trade..."

Lin Xia quickly glanced at Lou Gao, attributing his decision to stand up Spirit Hall and join the Blacksmith Association to a childish and ignorant choice.

Ghostly Shadow watched him silently, his invisible gaze seeming capable of seeing through every one of Lin Xia's disguises.

The atmosphere in the Backyard grew oppressive once more. Only Larvitar seemed to sense the threat. It stopped gnawing on its Mineral Ore, its Scarlet Eyes warily fixed on Ghostly Shadow's figure as it let out low, warning "Yoki" cries.

Just as Lin Xia felt the pressure mounting and his heart pounding like a drum, Ghostly Shadow's ethereal voice rang out again, breaking the silence.

"You need not be afraid, nor do you need to explain."

Ghostly Shadow's tone seemed to soften by the slightest degree, though it remained cold.

"Past choices have their own reasons. I have not come to hold you accountable."

Ghostly Shadow paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Lou Gao and Lin Xia.

"Now that the Blacksmith Association has resolved to submit to Spirit Hall, Bishop Salas is in Gengjin City, using Full Power to purge its accumulated abuses. This matter will be formally announced before long."

Ghostly Shadow's gaze finally settled on Lin Xia. The shadow beneath his hood seemed to carry an inscrutable meaning.

"As President Lou Gao's personal disciple, you are naturally a member of Spirit Hall as well. There is no need to mention the past again. From now on, it will be enough for you to remain loyal to Spirit Hall."

"A member of Spirit Hall..."