I'll give you two choices!

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the side quest: save Tang Ya, the orphaned survivor of the Tang Sect. Reward: Soul Tool Analysis (mastery)!]

[Note: allows analysis of the principles behind the Core Arrays and construction of all Soul Tools below tier eight.]

Nice, nice.

Beside the campfire.

Xu Cheng pretended to doze while actually inspecting his system reward.

He had come to save Tang Ya not only because he wanted to, but also because the system's quest had driven him to.

Beyond the main quest lay side quests woven like a spiderweb, running throughout everything and scattered as thickly as stars. In truth, they also helped Xu Cheng advance steadily toward the main quest.

As for [Soul Tool Analysis]...

A Soul Tool consisted of a Core Array, junctions connecting various formation circuits, a metal casing, and so on.

The most important component was the core formation.

It controlled the operation of the entire Soul Tool, much like a CPU, including its power, range, firing rate, and so forth.

The higher a Soul Tool's grade, the more intricate its core formation became, and the harder it was to analyze and reproduce.

Every Soul Engineer stood on the shoulders of their predecessors when first learning about Soul Tools (analyzing core formations created by those who came before them).

Those with less talent could grow filthy rich in this world simply by reproducing these low-level core formations and making Soul Tools (the Soul Tool Market was enormous), or join the military and become competent low-level Soul Engineers.

Those with greater talent could thoroughly analyze their predecessors' core formations, fully grasp the underlying principles, and then create their own. Of course, anyone capable of reaching that level was generally at least a Level 5 Soul Engineer.

Back to Core Array analysis.

When beginners first encountered Soul Tools, their first task was to analyze a Soul Tool core formation, essentially using spiritual power to engrave it in their minds.

Then, using spiritual power and a carving knife, they reproduced it on a new piece of metal.

With that, a Level 1 Soul Engineer was born.

Of course, being able to analyze something did not mean being able to reproduce it.

Take Xu Cheng right now: even if he could analyze a Level 7 Soul Tool, he could not reproduce it, for one reason alone-insufficient spiritual power. If he forced it, a high-level formation like that could very well backlash against him, its mental impact reducing him to an idiot...

Tian Meng, oh, Tian Meng...

If he had the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, this problem would unravel as easily as bamboo beneath a blade.

Xu Cheng sighed softly.

He had once tried following Huo Gua's path, wandering around that area in an attempt to draw Tian Meng out. But three straight months had failed to stir so much as a ripple.

He could only give up and revisit the matter four years later, when the plot began.

"Rested enough?"

Xu Cheng opened his eyes and spoke softly.

"..."

Silence surrounded them.

Crow sat cross-legged nearby, his back ramrod straight, tossing a few pieces of firewood into the flames as though bored.

But he did not answer.

"Stop pretending to sleep. Let's hunt your Soul Ring sooner rather than later. I've got school tomorrow morning."

Xu Cheng spoke flatly.

As his words fell.

Tang Ya, who had been lying "unconscious" on the ground beside them, slowly sat up. With a complicated gaze, she studied Xu Cheng, who had removed his black robe. His face still looked rather youthful, and he seemed about her age.

Just now, she had clearly heard it.

Of these two, Xu Cheng was the leader. The extraordinarily powerful man called "Crow" had even addressed him as the Holy Son or something.

And at his age, he had already obtained his third Soul Ring...

He was practically a monster.

Even more monstrous was what she remembered clearly: just as she had been about to fall into danger, those eerie eyes flashing scarlet blood-red had apparently... belonged to him too.

"That was my domain skill. Don't overthink it."

Xu Cheng smiled kindly.

At the sight, Tang Ya's heart seemed to skip a beat.

His eyes were naturally blood-red, captivating as amber, with a hint of eerie beauty. He had fair skin, an exceptionally handsome face, and stood around 1.7 meters tall. He was practically a Prince Charming straight out of a storybook.

Especially with his terrifying talent-and he had just saved her.

It seemed Tang Ya had already erased the words "Evil Soul Master" from her heart.

Right, someone like him must be the young master of some great clan or hidden sect!

"A domain skill? That's so powerful."

Tang Ya sighed with heartfelt admiration.

But then her head drooped.

After the bloodthirst and slaughter she had displayed just now, he probably thought her image was utterly ruined. He might even have classified her as an Evil Soul Master. A surge of inferiority suddenly welled up in her heart.

Would he really... not despise me?

"Um, but I just killed so many people. Can I still join your sect?" Tang Ya buried her head against her chest, her murmured voice barely audible.

"Heh..."

Xu Cheng looked toward Wu Yun with an amused laugh.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with mirth.

So she hadn't figured out the situation. I was wondering why this girl didn't look scared at all.

"First, my name isn't 'um.' You can call me Xu Cheng or Brother Cheng, whichever you like. Second..."

Xu Cheng began leisurely.

"Don't you know that the Holy Spirit Cult is the largest Evil Soul Master organization on this continent?"

"..."

Tang Ya slowly raised her head, her expression frozen, as though her CPU had burned out.

After a long moment, her pupils abruptly contracted.

She turned and ran.

"Too late."

Xu Cheng smiled and gently raised his hand.

The next instant.

A chasm ten thousand feet deep appeared in front of Tang Ya. Only her nimble movements and the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track allowed her to barely steady herself before it.

"Psh!"

A few pebbles tumbled down, but even after a long while, no echo came back. It was truly bottomless!

"You! You're an Evil Soul Master!"

Tang Ya turned around with difficulty, staring in terror at Xu Cheng, who still sat beside the campfire, leisurely roasting a Soul Beast.

She had never heard of the Holy Spirit Cult, but she had definitely heard of Evil Soul Masters.

In her mind, Soul Masters like that were associated with words such as cruelty, brutality, slaughter, and evil.

Could it be...

"Don't overthink it." Xu Cheng casually waved a hand. "I wasn't the one who harmed your family. Tie Li coveted the Tang Sect's property and colluded with the City Defense Army. Don't dump every pot of blame on my head."

"Wait, you can read minds!!!" Tang Ya felt her scalp prickle.

She had not noticed earlier, assuming he had simply guessed correctly, but now...

"A little, but not much."

Xu Cheng took a bite of roasted meat and waved it in front of Tang Ya. "Hungry? Want some?"

"I'll never eat anything from an Evil Soul Master!" Tang Ya flipped her hands, countless hidden weapons held between her fingers. With her back to the abyss, she watched Xu Cheng warily.

"I'll give you two choices."

Chewing his roasted meat, Xu Cheng pointed at Wu Yun.

"One, he takes you back to the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters, where you're forcibly brainwashed and turned into a killing machine."

Watching Tang Ya tremble all over, her hands barely able to hold her hidden weapons.

He then pointed at himself.

"Two, stay by my side. Your consciousness won't be erased, and you'll work for the Holy Spirit Cult. After five years, I'll give you back your freedom..."

"Pick one."