"Master, won't you take advantage of this momentum and go hunt for your Eighth Soul Ring?"
Huo Yuhao watched from the side, his heart surging with excitement. His Purple Gold Double Pupils were filled with admiration.
In his eyes, with his master's current strength, hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the Extreme North or Star Dou Forest would be a simple matter—easy as reaching into a bag.
"No rush."
Gu Yuejin waved a hand, not letting the sudden surge in power cloud his judgment. He closed his eyes and carefully felt the vigorous vitality pouring continuously from his Left Leg Bone.
It was the nascent form of the Life Origin bestowed by the Nineteen-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Leg Bone.
Nourished by this power, every meridian and bone in his body was undergoing microscopic reconstruction and reinforcement. His cells seemed to be cheering as they greedily devoured this vitality.
"Take one bite at a time, and walk the road one step at a time."
Gu Yuejin opened his eyes, his gaze deep as an abyss.
"Although my Soul Power is high enough now, my body still needs time to adapt to these two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings."
"It's like someone who's just eaten their fill. If you force an entire cow down their throat, they'll only burst."
"Without a solid foundation, a forced breakthrough is just a castle in the air. My goal is that supreme divine throne. I can't allow even the slightest flaw."
At his words, Ye Guyi's eyes trembled slightly.
If anyone else had said that, she might have thought it was an excuse. But looking at the young man before her, she could only feel as if she were gazing up at a towering mountain.
To remain so clearheaded in the face of such temptation—that was the mindset of the truly strong.
On the way back.
Gu Yuejin swirled a glass of crimson wine in his hand, gazing at the scenery rushing past in the distance.
"Soul Tools..."
He silently repeated the name, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
This trip had yielded a great deal.
Huo Yuhao had obtained a perfect Third Soul Ring, while he himself had gained a top-tier configuration for his Second Martial Soul. He had even picked up a promising Angel girl along the way.
But it still wasn't enough.
"Although the Hongchen Family is my ally for now, and that old fox Jing Hongchen has certainly treated me with respect..."
"Living under someone else's roof is never a long-term solution."
Gu Yuejin knew full well that Xu Tianran, that lunatic, was a ticking time bomb, and the Hongchen Family might not be able to stay out of the turmoil to come.
To truly take control, he needed to build a core advantage of his own.
Besides absolute strength, he also needed technology and wealth.
"In this era, Soul Tools are the truth."
"They're not just powerful weapons. They're also a bridge to limitless wealth, resources, and influence."
Images of the terrifying creations from the later years of Douluo history rose in Gu Yuejin's mind.
Four-Word Battle Armor, Humanoid Mechs, and even the legendary God-Slaying Soul Tool, capable of destroying a god with a single strike.
"Even though I have a top-tier Martial Soul and a system, that doesn't stop me from mastering this technology."
"If I can combine some ideas from my previous life with this world's Soul Tool Technology, and reproduce even the most rudimentary form of a mech ahead of time..."
At the thought, Gu Yuejin's lips curled into a faint smile, and ambition sparkled in his eyes.
"When that time comes, even those lofty God Kings in the Divine Realm will have to think twice when faced with a Steel Tide."
"Looks like my focus from here on out, besides whipping those brats on the Reserve Team into shape, will have to include studying."
"Having more skills never hurts—especially when it's the kind of technology that can print money."
Several Days later, Mingdu, Hongchen Mansion.
When Gu Yuejin entered the gates with Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi, Jing Hongchen, who had received word of their return well in advance, came out to greet them with a beaming smile.
"Hahaha, Brother Gu Yue, you've been gone quite a while!"
Jing Hongchen's face was flushed with good cheer, and he was clearly in a fine mood. His gaze first swept over Huo Yuhao. Sensing the stable, profound aura of a Soul Elder, he showed a hint of surprise and approval.
"Not bad, not bad. This boy's aura has become even more refined. Looks like you gained a lot on this trip."
Then his gaze passed over Huo Yuhao and landed on Ye Guyi, standing at the very back.
Her golden hair fell like a waterfall, and her features were stunning. Though she wore ordinary clothes and hadn't displayed her Martial Soul, the cool nobility and sacred air etched into her bones were impossible to conceal.
In Mingdu, a city steeped in the smell of metal, she was like a lily standing apart from the world.
"Oh?"
Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow, and his smile immediately turned a little suggestive.
He moved close to Gu Yuejin, nudged him with his shoulder, and lowered his voice, waggling his eyebrows.
"Brother Gu Yue, who might this be...?"
"Another one of your 'Apprentices'?"
He put special emphasis on the word "Apprentice," wearing an expression that said, "We're both men. I understand."
"You went away for a while, improved your Soul Power, and brought back a great beauty, too. Brother, you know how to enjoy life."
"Tsk, that bearing of hers is every bit as good as those imperial Princesses."
Gu Yuejin glanced at the old rogue, his expression calm as he casually made something up.
"You jest, Hall Master."
"I picked her up along the road."
"Picked her up?" Jing Hongchen's eyes widened. "What is this, picking cabbage?"
"I did pick her up."
Gu Yuejin explained with an earnest expression.
"She was being hunted by enemies. I saw she had good potential and could be shaped into a fine talent, so I rescued her while I was at it."
"The Reserve Team was a little short-handed, so I brought her back to fill a spot as a substitute."
Gu Yuejin didn't directly reveal Ye Guyi's Holy Angel Martial Soul.
Such a rare Martial Soul was too sensitive, especially in the Sun Moon Empire, where the forces of Evil Soul Masters were stirring beneath the surface.
If Xu Tianran or someone from the Holy Spirit Cult found out, it would bring endless trouble.
Ye Guyi stepped forward. Though she was a little nervous facing a Titled Douluo, she still bowed without showing the slightest hint of deference or fear.
"Greetings, Hall Master Jing. I'm Ye Guyi. Thank you for taking me in."
"Good, good. Since Gu Yue brought you back, you're one of us."
Jing Hongchen might have teased him, but he understood Gu Yuejin's eye for talent. Anyone this monster took an interest in was definitely no mere pretty face.
"All right, let's not stand around at the gate."
Jing Hongchen was about to usher everyone inside when his expression suddenly shifted. A look of anticipation appeared on his face.
"But Brother Gu Yue, it may be easy to bring someone back, but you'll have to be careful when settling her in."
"Careful of what?" Gu Yuejin asked, momentarily confused.
Jing Hongchen pursed his lips toward the back and spoke teasingly.
"Careful the backyard doesn't catch fire."
As soon as the words left his mouth—
A silver figure came hurtling down the corridor like a whirlwind. Before anyone could make her out, a delighted voice had already carried across the front courtyard.
"Brother Gu Yue! You're finally back!"
Meng Hongchen wore a carefully coordinated short skirt. Like a cheerful skylark, she ignored everyone else and rushed straight toward Gu Yuejin.
"It's been so many days. I've been bored out of my mind... Huh?"
She was about to give him an enthusiastic hug, her arms already spread wide, when she suddenly slammed on the brakes three meters away from Gu Yuejin, as if she'd been frozen in place.
A woman's intuition was often more sensitive than a Titled Douluo's Spiritual Detection.
Especially when faced with another girl her age whose looks and bearing were just as impressive as her own—and whose figure was even a little better.
The smile on Meng Hongchen's face instantly froze. The delight in her pretty, wine-red eyes turned into full-blown alarm.
She turned and stared fixedly at Ye Guyi, standing behind Gu Yuejin.
Golden hair, long legs, a cool beauty, and the air of a mature woman.
Most importantly, this woman had returned with Brother Gu Yue!
"Bzzzz—"
It was as if electricity crackled through the air.
Meng Hongchen sized up Ye Guyi, her gaze turning sharp, full of scrutiny and hostility.
Ye Guyi also keenly sensed the hostility directed at her. The pride of a Holy Angel Soul Master made her straighten her back instinctively, meeting Meng Hongchen's gaze without backing down, her expression cool.
"Brother Gu Yue..."
Meng Hongchen pointed at Ye Guyi, her voice turning shrill and thick with jealousy.
"Who is she?!"
"Why did she come back with you? What were you doing together?"
The jealousy was so palpable that even Huo Yuhao shrank his neck and quietly edged aside, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
He silently lit a candle for his master.
Was this the legendary... Asura Field?
Jing Hongchen stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky as though thinking, "The weather's really nice today." He was clearly planning to stay out of it and enjoy the show.
Faced with the sudden interrogation, Gu Yuejin didn't so much as change expression. He even took the time to straighten his sleeve.
"New team member."
His tone was even, as though he hadn't noticed the tension in the air at all.
"Ye Guyi. She's a Power Attack System Soul Master, and she's quite capable."
"Dream, since you're here, take her to get settled in and explain the team rules to her."
"What?! You want me to take her?"
Meng Hongchen's eyes widened as she pointed to herself, unable to believe her ears.
Show her rival the ropes?
What kind of person would do that?!
"Is there a problem?"
Gu Yuejin glanced at her, a hint of unquestionable authority in his eyes.
"She's a new member of the Reserve Team, and you're a veteran. Looking after newcomers is your responsibility."
"Or do you want to do another fifty sets of extra drills at the Training Ground?"
At the words "extra drills," Meng Hongchen went pale. The protest on her lips died before she could utter it.
"N-no problem."
She gritted her teeth, then turned to Ye Guyi and made a gesture that was all polite smiles and no warmth.
"Miss Ye, this way, please!"
"I'll 'make sure' you learn the rules!"
Ye Guyi raised an eyebrow, apparently finding the situation amusing, and replied coolly.
"Sorry for the trouble."
As the two women walked away, the air seemed to retain the crackling sparks between them.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Brother Gu Yue, I admire your skill at managing people."
Jing Hongchen sidled up and gave him a thumbs-up.
"You flatter me."
Gu Yuejin smiled calmly, then turned serious and faced Jing Hongchen.
"Hall Master, jokes aside, I have something important to discuss."
"Could we speak somewhere private? I'd like to look up some information in the academy library."
"About... advanced theories of the Core Formation."
Before you continue