"What meal? What master?" Even while in Martial Soul Possession, Bibi Dong's hearing was still excellent.
"Oh, I meant that once I finish absorbing it, we'll go back and eat. I'm a little hungry." Nan Xuan casually made up an excuse and brushed it off.
Hearing that, Bibi Dong did not pursue it further. This guy said nonsense she could not understand every day anyway. There was no point worrying about so much.
A few hours later.
"Sixth Soul Skill, Network Mirror." Nan Xuan shouted. Black Soul Power enveloped his entire body, and then his Martial Soul transformed into the Death Spider Emperor as he activated Martial Soul Possession.
Bibi Dong covered her mouth, not knowing what to say.
"How about it? Now I have as many legs as you do. Are you still worried?" Nan Xuan looked at Bibi Dong and smiled.
Bibi Dong was truly a little moved. Nan Xuan treated her far too well.
"Mhm, I'm not worried anymore." Bibi Dong's voice was slightly choked with sobs.
"Then didn't you waste a soul ring?" Bibi Dong asked.
"Ah, honey, do you know what I do?" Nan Xuan asked, locking eyes with Bibi Dong.
"A Support-type Soul Master? Logistics?" Bibi Dong asked tentatively.
Nan Xuan's face darkened at that. Seriously, thanks a lot.
"I work with networks. The Network World—every one of my soul skills is meant for that world. But combined with my Martial Soul's traits, I can use them myself too. Then I'll be invincible." Nan Xuan patiently explained before bursting into laughter.
Bibi Dong did not understand what Nan Xuan had just said, but that did not stop her from nodding.
Their mission in the Extreme North was considered complete. After spending a week traveling, they returned to Holy Soul Village.
"Ah, home is still the most comfortable." Nan Xuan lay on the bed and relaxed.
"Hurry up and take a bath. Don't dirty the blankets." Bibi Dong diligently began unpacking their luggage instead of simply lying down like Nan Xuan.
"Alright, I'll reluctantly go wash up. But we have to do it together." Nan Xuan swept Bibi Dong up in a princess carry and brought her into the bathroom. The door closed, and, ahem.
Spring turned to autumn, and a year passed quickly. Bibi Dong had already obtained her seventh soul ring, and she planned to head to Slaughter City after some time.
"When exactly are you planning to leave?" Nan Xuan asked Bibi Dong while cooking.
"After a while, maybe. How about I help you obtain your seventh soul ring before I go?" Bibi Dong said gloomily.
"That won't do. I'm doing this precisely so I won't delay the last bit of time you have to spend with me." Nan Xuan carried over the dishes, walked up to Bibi Dong, and kissed her on the face.
"Fine, I won't bother with you. You're not a proper Support-type Soul Master anyway." Bibi Dong touched the spot he had kissed, then sat down and served Nan Xuan some food.
"Dong'er, I know you have your own thoughts, but I have mine too. My only thought is that the people I care about stay safe." Nan Xuan put down his chopsticks and looked at Bibi Dong.
Then Nan Xuan took out a pile of items from his Soul Tool.
"This is the Dark Night Dagger. It's very sharp."
"This is Silk Soft Armor. It protects you close to the body."
"These are Gold Silk Gloves..."
Nan Xuan introduced each item to Bibi Dong one by one.
Bibi Dong did not hesitate and directly put them into her Storage Necklace, because this was Nan Xuan's way of protecting her.
"Both of your Martial Souls bear my spiritual imprint. It can keep you from being corroded by the killing aura. Also, there are my Seal Cards inside your ring. I filled them with Soul Power and spiritual power, so you can replenish yourself whenever you need to." Nan Xuan made sure everything was arranged. He would also keep watch outside; as soon as she emerged, he would go pick her up.
Bibi Dong hugged him tightly. She did not know how long it would be before she could return this time, but she would come back as soon as possible.
It had already been a week since Bibi Dong went to Slaughter City. Nan Xuan had found the past week difficult to adjust to, so he could only find something to do to keep himself from being too idle.
Nan Xuan planned to take stock of the Network World's current major functions.
"Voice chat, face-to-face meetings in real time, Network World Materialization." These were all from the previous three updates. Later, Nan Xuan had become obsessed with the life he dreamed of and had not released any further updates. Yet the user base had not declined. Instead, it continued growing, and nearly everyone on Douluo Continent had a Network Card.
When making Network Cards, Nan Xuan had considered that commoners did not possess Soul Power. Thus, he used spiritual power as the driving force, and naturally, their "fee" was spiritual power. This would not have any impact on them, because under Nan Xuan's big data system, they would not be charged update fees, and normal use was practically free. Nan Xuan believed in accumulating small amounts into something greater.
As for Soul Masters, he collected everything. Anything they did not need would be stored away. Entering the Network World cost spiritual power, while updates cost Soul Power. It was full of positive energy. In any case, it would not damage their cultivation level, so it was almost entirely beneficial.
"It's been quiet for two years. Time to liven up the continent." Nan Xuan grinned.
"Chen Gao, Yang Fei, Yang Tian, come to a meeting." Nan Xuan contacted the three of them within the Network World.
The Martial Souls of all three trembled at once. They returned to their rooms and entered the Network World.
"Brother Xuan, you finally remembered us?" Chen Gao was the first to arrive, and his opening remark was a killing blow.
Just as Nan Xuan was about to speak, another heavy blow landed.
"Ah, what rare guests." Yang Tian looked at everyone before him and smiled.
When Nan Xuan saw Yang Fei about to speak as well, he hurriedly said, "Ahem. I'm planning to start a business. You haven't fallen behind in your cultivation, have you?"
"Chen Gao, Martial Soul: Soul-Eater Spear. Level 68 assault-type Soul Emperor."
"Yang Fei, Martial Soul: Silver Needle. Level 65 agility-attack-type Soul Emperor."
"Yang Tian, Martial Soul: Silver Needle. Level 65 agility-attack-type Soul Emperor."
The three introduced their strengths one after another. They were all the same age as Nan Xuan, and possessing such cultivation at their age made them geniuses.
"With the imprints Brother Xuan carved into our Martial Souls transmitting Soul Power for our cultivation, we've surpassed people with the same talent by far." Yang Tian said with a smile.
With his original Innate Soul Power of level 6, reaching level 65 by nineteen would have been utterly impossible without outside help.
"Alright, I won't waste words. Everyone has lounged around for two years. It's time to get to work." Nan Xuan's lips curled upward, and the wicked expression on his face made everyone feel a little afraid.
"First, the arrangements for real-world service outlets for the Network World."
"I plan to sell Network Card skins. These skins refer to Network Card appearance designs. They can be placed directly onto Martial Souls like ours, but theirs will have restrictions. To imprint one onto a Martial Soul, they must be capable of using Martial Soul Avatar."
"And it requires my authorization, using one of my spare spiritual imprints."
"As for you, you'll be handling what I'm about to explain."
"The majority of this continent consists of commoners, or people who are not Soul Masters. For this group, we need to sell Network Card casing designs in the real world. They're simply outer shells that keep Network Cards clean and make them look nice."
"I'll distribute the finished cases to you later. Just remember to sell them."
"So, there are three options for these Network Card skin designs:"
"First, those capable of using Martial Soul Avatar can have them imprinted onto their Martial Souls."
"Second, those with Soul Power below level 70 who cannot use Martial Soul Avatar can have them imprinted anywhere other than their Martial Souls."
"Third, those without Soul Power can purchase specially made or custom Network Card skin cases."
After Nan Xuan finished discussing the real-world business, there was naturally business to handle within the Network World as well.
"Next is the Network World. I plan to let you make appearances there. Your strength in the Network World will be invincible, and your appearances will also change. The reason is that I want you to serve as Network Guards."
"I haven't managed the Network World for the past two years, and many lawbreakers have appeared inside. Of course, I can expel them or ban them from entering the Network World for life, but that does not serve as much of a deterrent."
"So, I plan to repeal the Martial Prohibition Order. We'll use force to control force."
"I'll update the Network World many times in the future, improve more systems, and add more systems. Things will become even more chaotic afterward, so you'll have plenty to do." Nan Xuan looked at the three of them and assigned their tasks bit by bit.
What else could the three say? They could only silently shoulder the burden.
"I'll also post an announcement in the Network World later: a Smart Guide skin and facial customization project. We'll offer sufficient fees to satisfy users' desire for a goddess-like experience." Nan Xuan tapped the table as he watched their expressions, clearly very satisfied. He used to wear that same expression himself.
"Isn't that a little too shameless?" Yang Fei asked somewhat awkwardly.
"Hey, it's not excessive. If they can't get their dream guy or girl in reality, the Network World can satisfy them. It's the best of both worlds." Chen Gao said with an improper grin.
"Don't worry. I'll ban the use of our own faces. Also, those Smart Guides can only appear inside users' private rooms. They can't be taken outside, and they can't do that."
Nan Xuan did not want others using his face for indecent fantasies, nor did he want people finding out that his face had already been used as a human-shaped doll. So he set it so they could not be taken outside. At the same time, to prevent any negative effects, he enabled a ban on conducting human biological research on Smart Guides.
Thinking about it that way, Yang Fei felt it was not bad either. He had once also...
"Alright, that's all for now. Wait for my notice on the rest. There will definitely be plenty of activities soon."
After the meeting ended, Nan Xuan hired professional transport teams to deliver those Network Card cases to the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire. As for Spirit City, he would leave it hanging for now.
"Hello, everyone. I am the God of the Network, creator of the Network World."
"The Network World has been open for more than two years. It has provided enormous help to everyone's daily lives, trade, meetings, and gatherings, making this continent feel much smaller."
"To make this world more like the real world, I have lifted the Martial Prohibition Order within the Network World. However, I will establish Network Guards to manage public safety in the Network World on my behalf. Behave yourselves."
"If your offenses are too serious and you lose your qualification to enter the Network World, I believe you will regret it. Because the experiences to come are beyond anything you can imagine."
"Alright, begin your carnival." Nan Xuan transmitted his voice throughout every corner of the Network World. He wanted to absorb the power of faith. Since the real world would not work, he could only take this path.
"Ding-dong. Network Card skin case design sets have been released. Those in need may consult their Smart Guides." This message appeared in everyone's Smart Guide, along with purchase channels, imprint requirements, and registration information. Everything had been arranged through the Smart Guides.
Nan Xuan had a reason for not sending this message as a public announcement. He did not want people in this world to feel intense inferiority. By purchasing through their own Smart Guides, wealthy people could choose better options while ensuring privacy and safety.
"Network Card skin case design sets." The moment they launched, the entire network exploded.
As one of the Three Upper Sects of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always kept perfectly in step with the times.
"Hahaha, luckily the upper limit of my Martial Soul is level 79, so I can have it imprinted onto my Martial Soul." Ning Fengzhi, around twenty-five years old, looked at his own Martial Soul with a smile plastered across his face.
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