"So, what do you want me to do with this diagram of the human meridians?" Xue Qinghe pinched two corners of the drawing Ling Yu had spent several days producing after finding many male classmates to observe, and examined it carefully.
"Research meditation methods! The human meridians are so miraculous. What if finding a new meditation route lets us cultivate faster, or opening a particular meridian gives us greater power?"
Before he had finished speaking, Xue Qinghe's expression suddenly turned somewhat strange, a faint trace of astonishment flashing through his eyes.
"Your imagination really does gallop like a heavenly steed across the skies."
"I've seen some material in Spirit Hall's library. There were quite a few people in the past who wanted to research this, just like you."
"They even drew up circulation routes, but those were all theoretical. Some people also tried opening a particular meridian to gain greater power, only to damage their meridians and never advance again for the rest of their lives."
"Some even died bleeding from all seven orifices, so those materials were shelved away."
The most direct of warnings lay hidden in Xue Qinghe's mild tone.
Yet Ling Yu had not taken it in. At that moment, he suddenly recalled Yu Xiaogang and his so-called exclusive meditation method.
So that's where it came from. He's really unreliable, handing a theoretical cultivation method to his disciple to practice. Wasn't he afraid it would cripple him? Thoughts stirred in Ling Yu's mind.
"Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu!" Xue Qinghe called several times.
"I'm here. I was just thinking about something. Sorry." Ling Yu scratched his head.
"Did you take in anything I said? This is dangerous, not a joke." Xue Qinghe's brows abruptly lowered, somewhat annoyed.
"I know. Don't worry, Sister Xue. I won't experiment on myself." Hearing Ling Yu's promise, Xue Qinghe nodded.
"By the way, Sister Xue, I wanted to ask-how do you catch Fallen Ones?"
"Fallen Ones? How did you come into contact with something like that?" Xue Qinghe frowned.
"I... never mind. It's nothing."
"Hmm? Explain yourself." Xue Qinghe knocked Ling Yu on the head.
"If you knock me stupid, I won't be able to research anything." Although it did not hurt, Ling Yu still acted cute.
"Don't bring up topics like Fallen Ones casually. That could invite a great calamity." Not a trace of nonchalance remained in Xue Qinghe's eyes, only a seriousness as still as jade.
"I was actually thinking that since those people have all done bad things, we might as well put waste to use and make them test subjects."
"But that kind of thinking is dangerous, too utilitarian. There are some lines we can't cross, and I can't bear those consequences either. It would be better to wait until I find a way to heal meridians, then try things gradually."
"It's good that you can think that way." The corners of Xue Qinghe's lips rose slightly, and his previously grave, serious expression instantly softened.
"Don't worry. Although your Innate Soul Power isn't high, that doesn't mean your cultivation talent is low. You haven't reached the point where you need to blaze a new trail yet." Clearly, Xue Qinghe had mistakenly assumed Ling Yu was worried about his future cultivation because of his low Innate Soul Power.
"All right, Sister Xue." Ling Yu gave a slight nod.
After hearing Ling Yu's reasons, Xue Qinghe unconsciously rubbed his fingertips together, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. Only after considering them repeatedly did he slowly speak.
"Actually, our Spirit Hall has another unique Martial Soul that has been passed down. Its bearers are relatives of our Qian Family's founding ancestor."
"Although it isn't as powerful as the Angel Martial Soul, they can naturally detect and sense evil presences. It has always been passed down within the Angel Legion."
"They usually lead the Angel Legion in killing Fallen Ones everywhere, because they can purify and absorb the evil presence that disperses after Fallen Ones die to increase their cultivation speed. But they can't overdo it, or they'll be corrupted and undergo Martial Soul Mutation."
"One of the iron precepts our founding ancestor left behind was this-never allow Fallen Ones to run rampant. That is also the Angel Legion's code."
A faint yet dazzling light rippled through Xue Qinghe's eyes, and his lips unconsciously curved upward. That inherited pride radiated from his heart.
"So you've done so much. I'd never heard about any of it before."
"How could the two great empires possibly allow that information to spread?" Xue Qinghe let out an exceedingly faint scoff, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes.
"Still, I'll keep this drawing."
Ling Yu's brows lifted slightly, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes.
"When I saw how focused you were while researching Soul Tools, I realized that what I lacked wasn't the ability to create a method, but the courage to create one."
"The same goes for Spirit Hall. I won't experiment on myself. I'll tell Grandfather and have him submit it to the Council of Elders and offer generous compensation."
"Giving those willing test subjects a chance to choose is also the safest approach I can think of."
"Then I wish you success the moment your horse arrives, Sister Xue!" The corner of Ling Yu's mouth lifted.
"You make it sound as though I wouldn't tell you if we achieved anything." Xue Qinghe rolled his eyes at Ling Yu.
"Hehe!" Ling Yu laughed awkwardly.
"By the way, these are the discarded Soul Tools Spirit Hall sent over. Where should I put them?" Xue Qinghe pointed at the spatial Storage Soul Tool on his hand.
"Put them over there. Is there enough room?" Ling Yu pointed to a spot.
"Yes."
Once Xue Qinghe had taken out all the discarded Soul Tools, Ling Yu's pupils shifted.
A pale cyan dagger lay quietly on the floor, its edge gleaming with a faint, cold light. There were a few traces of rust, but it was intact.
"An offensive Soul Tool..." Ling Yu's voice trembled slightly as he slowly walked over.
Among the discarded Soul Tools provided by the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, there were only two types he could roughly identify: Soul Guidance Lamps and Soul Tool cooling devices. He could not tell much about the others from their appearance alone, and so far, he had only made rough models of them.
But he could identify the one before him at a glance, and at a cursory look, its grade did not seem very high. Perhaps he really could figure it out.
"I knew you'd be interested in this." The corner of Xue Qinghe's mouth lifted, a knowing smile flashing through his eyes.
"After all, I don't have many means of attack right now. If I encounter truly powerful opponents, it'll be hard to stand much chance of winning."
"Are you confident you can figure it out?"
"I have that idea, but only practice will reveal the truth. Perhaps it only looks simple, while the inside is actually very complicated." Ling Yu nodded slightly, his mood gradually settling.
"This is only part of it, too. They said that if you really can produce something from your research, they'll send over all the other discarded Soul Tools in the treasury. There are even intact Soul Tools." The corners of Xue Qinghe's eyes tilted upward slightly, like a devil whispering, tempting someone to fall.
Ling Yu swallowed and nodded.
"Then take your time researching. Call me whenever you need anything." With that, Xue Qinghe rose and left.
"Goodbye, Sister Xue." Without raising his head, Ling Yu waved, then ran over to the storage cabinet and picked up his drafting paper and books.
Looking back from the doorway, Xue Qinghe nearly laughed in exasperation, thinking, Is that really necessary? So I can't even compare to a pile of Soul Tools?
But he did not settle the score with Ling Yu. Instead, he signaled to Su Yao at the door, his eyes seeming to say, Keep a closer eye on him for a while.