Commission, Shu Yan's Guidance

After a pause, seemingly realizing that Shu Yan and the other two had misunderstood him, Han Lin scratched his head awkwardly and hurriedly continued:

"Your Highness Princess, young friend Shu, please do not overthink this. I did not mean what you think I meant. The reason truly lies with me."

"First, the combination of a Soul Tool and a Soul Bone has already been successfully achieved before. I am absolutely certain that I can complete it, and it will take no more than half a month."

"However, preserving the Soul Beast's resentment within the Soul Bone is likely unprecedented anywhere in the world. Not only is there no experience to draw upon, but the lingering resentment of the Soul Beast could erupt at any time during the crafting process. It would be very difficult to control unless..."

As he spoke, Han Lin became hesitant to continue.

Before Shu Yan could speak, Xu Jiujiu immediately picked up the conversation:

"Old Han, if you have any difficulties, you can raise them now. As long as it is within the Empire's capabilities, it will not be a problem."

A deep look flashed through Han Lin's eyes upon hearing this. He seemed to realize that among the three before him, the one calling the shots was not Xu Jiujiu, but the low-key and reserved Shu Yan, who held the initiative from behind the scenes. Recalling Xu Jiujiu's and Nebula Douluo's earlier attitudes, Han Lin understood. Only then did he speak in a slightly grave tone:

"It is not actually difficult. I merely need a Soul Master with sufficiently strong Spiritual Power and Soul Power to help suppress the Soul Beast's resentment inside while I craft the Soul Tool."

"I am ashamed to say that my Spiritual Power does not allow me to divide my attention while crafting a Soul Tool, nor can it sustain such a thing. Once I become distracted, the result will likely be failure..."

A trace of delight appeared on Xu Jiujiu's face when she heard that, and she said:

"That is not difficult. Grandmother Manyi can stay behind. With Grandmother Manyi's Soul Power and Spiritual Power, suppressing the lingering remnant of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast would be exceedingly easy. Furthermore, the starlight attribute of her martial soul can dispel impurities within metal. She is simply the most perfect candidate."

The instant those words were spoken, Han Lin and Nebula Douluo's expressions both stiffened. The two nearly spoke at the same time:

"Your Highness Princess, that will not do. This old woman still needs to protect Your Highness Princess's safety. Leave such matters to that fellow Giant Strength instead."

"Absolutely not, Your Highness Princess! This old man has never gotten along with that hag Nebula. If you put the two of us together, I fear the entire Star Luo City will suffer along with us..."

Xu Jiujiu froze, then smiled somewhat awkwardly before adding:

"I was indeed careless. Very well, I will later request Imperial Brother to send Giant Strength Douluo over to assist Old Han. Old Han, I ask that you give this your utmost effort and do not disappoint us."

Old Han rose to his feet and solemnly cupped his hands.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness Princess and young friend Shu. Within half a month at most, this old man will personally deliver the finished product. If I fail to meet the deadline, I shall take my own life in apology..."

Xu Jiujiu helplessly rubbed her forehead, then said softly:

"It would not be a serious matter even if you missed the deadline. Old Han, there is no need to go so far. You... forget it. As long as you are happy."

Han Lin scratched his head and said nothing further. Shu Yan also slowly rose to his feet, then said with a smile:

"Then we shall await good news at the Princess Mansion. Old Han, farewell."

Han Lin accepted the Ten Thousand Year Head Soul Bone Shu Yan handed him with trembling hands, then nodded heavily. He personally escorted the three out before racing back to his secluded cultivation grounds, leaving Han Xin, who had just climbed back over the wall, utterly baffled...

On the way back, Shu Yan leaned against the window. Once the carriage began moving, he rubbed his brow and said:

"This Old Han truly is... an interesting man."

Xu Jiujiu sighed helplessly, then said softly:

"That is simply how he is. Stop thinking about it. There is no need to doubt Old Han's loyalty to the Empire. With him crafting the Soul Tool, you need not worry too much. Besides, can you now tell me why you did this? You wasted such a precious Soul Bone just to make a Soul Tool. If you cannot give me a sufficient reason, then you will not be sleeping in bed for the next year..."

Xu Jiujiu's tone grew increasingly dangerous, and by the end, it even carried a trace of chill.

Nebula Douluo, who was accompanying them, also turned her gaze over. She could ignore the private matters between the young couple, but she had quite a lot to say regarding this Soul Bone.

Head Soul Bones and torso Soul Bones were unlike Soul Bones from other parts of the body. They had always been the most precious and rare among all Soul Bones. The Head Soul Bone produced by the Ten Thousand Year Titan Snow Demon was extremely complete, possessed an Ice Attribute highly suited to Shu Yan, and Shu Yan had even absorbed the Ten Thousand Year Titan Snow Demon's soul ring. If he also absorbed this Soul Bone, that would undoubtedly be the most perfect outcome.

Shu Yan had long expected Xu Jiujiu's and Nebula Douluo's dissatisfaction and confusion. The skull produced by the Ten Thousand Year Titan Snow Demon was already among the finest of the finest, and it was incomparably suited to him.

But honestly speaking, Shu Yan truly did not think much of this Soul Bone. Ever since successfully winning over the Ice Empress and Snow Empress, his ambitions had continued to expand. At the same time, however, he understood the flaws of this era all too well. Though Tang San was in the God Realm, he was still watching over the entire Douluo Continent.

Even setting aside the threat of the God Realm, Tang Hao and Ah Yin still remained on the Douluo Plane. Both possessed god-level cultivation, and their special identities made them tremendously threatening.

Looking closer still, the two Divine Beasts from the God Realm, the Azure Dragon and Titan Giant Ape, were also no small threat...

Shu Yan looked at the azure sky in the distance, his heart sinking, though his expression remained calm. He let out a soft breath before saying:

"The reason is simple, and it is worth it. Jiujiu, you need to understand something. Our goal has changed, so naturally, we must look further ahead."

"Once, our goal was to become Titled Douluo or Super Douluo, or to do everything possible to step into the realm of Limit Douluo. But now things are different. Our goal has become loftier and more distant. It is merely a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Turning it into a Soul Tool will serve a far greater purpose than if I absorbed it directly. I can even tell you clearly that with our current strength, obtaining high-year Soul Bones will be easy. Once my strength breaks through to the Soul Sage level, we can hunt Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts or even Fierce Beasts in the ocean and obtain even more powerful Soul Bones. In comparison, this Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone is truly not much to look at."

"Soon. Everything will happen soon. Once Old Han completes this Soul Tool, we will head to the Star Dou Great Forest. By then, everything will become clear..."

Xu Jiujiu was stunned upon hearing this. She fell silent for a while before gently leaning against Shu Yan's shoulder. Only after a long time did she speak:

"Although I do not know what exactly you are trying to do, you have never been someone who likes to act recklessly. I am sorry. I... I am still not used to this. Give me some time. I will accept it."

Nebula Douluo's figure gradually faded away. She let out an almost imperceptible sigh, suddenly feeling as though she had grown old. She should meddle less in the affairs of the younger generation in the future. She only needed to peacefully serve as their guard and protect Xu Jiujiu and Shu Yan...

Shu Yan pinched Xu Jiujiu's cheek. The breeze brushed over them, and Shu Yan smiled, his voice turning gentle.

"We will not have time to rest during this period. You are a Princess and know the situation within the Empire better than I do. I need to capture another group of Evil Soul Masters—the stronger, the better. We will need their help with everything that comes afterward..."

Xu Jiujiu was slightly stunned, and deep confusion and incomprehension appeared in her eyes. She had not expected Shu Yan's arrangements this time to involve Evil Soul Masters, those terrifying creatures worse than beasts.

But after thinking seriously for a moment, Xu Jiujiu still nodded helplessly and said:

"I will discuss it with Imperial Brother later and ask which Evil Soul Master groups are active within the Empire. We can consider it eliminating harm for the people. However, I must discuss this carefully with Imperial Brother. It concerns Evil Soul Masters; this is no small matter that can be decided in a few words."

Shu Yan nodded and said nothing more...