"About the future of the Spirit Pagoda?" Qiangu Dieting murmured, then turned his gaze on Ming Yue with a scrutinizing look.
"Though the Soul Guidance Technology you've developed over the years has indeed brought considerable change to the Spirit Pagoda..."
"But Soul Guidance Technology is ultimately just an external tool. Do you understand what I mean?"
He assumed the imposing air of a Pagoda Master, and the pressure of a Limit Douluo was unmistakable!
"Heh. Who told you I was going to talk about Soul Guidance Technology?" Despite the pressure, Ming Yue remained unfazed.
"Not Soul Guidance Technology?" Qiangu Dieting frowned. He seemed to understand his youngest son less and less.
"It's research into Martial Souls. Given what I've achieved in research over the years, I've uncovered a world-shaking secret about the very essence of Martial Souls!"
He put on an expression of feverish excitement. The materials he'd earlier asked Xiao Ya to prepare in the Knowledge Space of the Void Archives, just in case, were nearly complete.
"...Why didn't you bring this directly to me?" Seeing that Ming Yue didn't seem to have gone mad, Qiangu Dieting carefully asked.
"This is a major matter concerning the future of us human Soul Masters. The resources of a single family aren't enough."
Ming Yue shook his head and continued, "Based on my rough estimates, we'll need to pool the resources of the entire Spirit Pagoda just to get this research started."
With that, Ming Yue snapped his fingers, and the materials Xiao Ya had prepared appeared in his hands.
"Please, take a look."
Qiangu Dieting took the materials from Ming Yue with a serious expression and began reading through them.
For a time, the only sound in the laboratory was the rise and fall of their breathing.
Using some experimental data on Fusion Warriors, along with my understanding of the books in the Library, if this doesn't hook him, I'll have no choice but to force the issue.
As he considered his next move, Ming Yue simply closed his eyes to rest.
As time slowly passed, Qiangu Dieting's breathing grew more and more hurried, echoing through the laboratory.
Even with the self-control of a Limit Douluo, he was reacting like this. One could imagine his state of mind.
Hearing it, Ming Yue felt a weight lift from his heart. Looks like he took the bait.
When he opened his eyes, Qiangu Dieting was carefully putting away the stack of materials as if it were a priceless treasure.
"There's no time to lose. Get ready. I'll send someone to fetch you this afternoon."
Qiangu Dieting took a deep breath and steadied himself. Then, after leaving those words behind, he disappeared from Ming Yue's laboratory.
"Next, it's time to bring out the great Herrscher of Sentience. Heh heh heh."
Ming Yue brushed back the loose hair that had fallen past his shoulders and nearly reached his forearms, then smiled and tied it into a ponytail draped over his left shoulder.
Time always slipped by unnoticed. Guided by the person Qiangu Dieting had sent, Ming Yue passed through numerous security checkpoints before reaching a mysterious door.
"The family head and the councilors are waiting for you inside." The guide bowed as he spoke.
Ming Yue gave a slight nod, straightened the front of his white shirt, and stepped through the opening door.
After walking down a short, high-tech corridor, he entered an enormous hall illuminated by Soul Power Crystal chandeliers.
A massive round table stood in the center of the hall. Every seat was occupied, and countless gazes turned toward Ming Yue.
Each of those watching him was a powerful Super Douluo or even Peak Douluo.
Even an ordinary Titled Douluo would have trembled at the sight.
But Ming Yue remained composed. He even offered a calm smile and walked over to Qiangu Dieting with unruffled poise.
"Not bad." Ming Yue raised an eyebrow, as if he'd heard a faint word of praise.
"So this is the famous Qiangu Mingyue. He doesn't even flinch under our gazes. No wonder he's the Pagoda Master's son."
"Judging by the Soul Guidance Technology that's transformed how the Spirit Pagoda operates, Young Master Mingyue certainly lives up to his reputation as a genius!"
"Heroes emerge in youth, and so do geniuses. The future of our Spirit Pagoda grows ever brighter!"
"..."
Just then, the councilors seated around the table began speaking one after another.
The fact that Ming Yue hadn't made a fool of himself under their scrutiny alone earned their praise.
"Mm... Councilors, why don't you take a look at these materials first?"
Qiangu Dieting tapped the table to interrupt them. As he spoke, he used Soul Power to send the materials Ming Yue had given him that morning to a councilor across from him.
The hall fell silent. For a time, the only sounds were the turning of pages and their increasingly hurried breathing.
Only after the last councilor had finished reading and returned the materials to Qiangu Dieting did he speak, meeting the councilors' stunned, questioning expressions.
"As you can see, this is an important research project that concerns the future of us Soul Masters!"
"And fortunately, the person who produced these materials is my youngest son, Mingyue. He is also a beacon for the Soul Master World and a future pillar of our Spirit Pagoda!"
"So, today's meeting is to discuss and vote on this research!"
Qiangu Dieting spoke with his usual solemnity, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"These materials are far too important. If they fell into the hands of Evil Soul Masters, the consequences would be unthinkable. Pagoda Master, may I ask if these materials were truly researched by Young Master Mingyue?"
One councilor spoke up first, looking at Ming Yue with shock and scrutiny.
"If you have any questions about the materials, please ask," Ming Yue replied without changing expression.
And so the councilor began asking questions, with Ming Yue answering each one in turn. Before long, every councilor had asked about the points that puzzled them.
At last, they looked toward Qiangu Dieting and Ming Yue, still unsatisfied and utterly astonished.
"Since it seems no one has any objections, Mingyue, you may begin your presentation."
Qiangu Dieting smiled—a rare sight during a meeting—and spoke warmly.
"Mm... Everyone, please look at this." Ming Yue snapped his fingers and summoned the Void Archives. A small projector appeared in his hand.
As he silently willed himself to use the power of the Herrscher of Sentience, his hands kept moving, starting the projection he'd prepared with plenty of material.
Since this was his first time using a Herrscher's power, the Void Archives failed to control it properly, and several flashes of golden light flickered in succession.
But no one present paid it any mind. They assumed it was an effect of Ming Yue using his Martial Soul.
After all, he had just taken something out of thin air without using a Space Soul Tool, hadn't he?
The fact that his Martial Soul could wield spatial power after his Second Awakening was already common knowledge among the upper ranks.
And so, as Ming Yue gave his presentation with the projector, the Herrscher of Sentience gradually completed her control and alteration of everyone present's subconscious!
Before you continue