The secret of the scale
The smoke in the New Fire Valley had not yet dissipated.
Bai Zhi directed her disciples to carry the wounded into the medical tent. Shi Jian sat on a rock, his left shoulder wrapped in a bandage, his face pale. Lin Xiao emerged from the shadows and tossed him a water pouch.
"They've cleared everything." Lin Xiao crouched down, then ran off without looking back.
Shen Moxin adjusted her glasses and walked over, looking towards the cave where Lu Yuan was in seclusion. "Mo Chen is inspecting the formation; it's 40% damaged. The residual Soul Power in the core area is very strange."
She was referring to that scale.
Su Yan rushed over, carrying a thick velvet bundle. "The formation at the master's secluded cultivation location stopped by itself. This is all that's left on the ground."
The velvet cloth was lifted, revealing palm-sized silver scales lying quietly. The surface shimmered with a warm light, and the edges rippled with subtle spatial ripples.
Mo Chen arrived and used his Soul Tool to probe. "The energy reading is very high... It's a rank. It weighs like a mountain."
Shen Moxin fingertip above the scales, extending her spiritual power, then staggered backward. "Ancient... with a lingering, majestic 'will.' And pure spatial attributes."
"Dragonic aura." Mo Chen adjusted the detector, "But not a sub-dragon like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. It's closer to a true dragon, possibly with spatial attributes."
Shi Jian stared at the scales. "This thing scared away that old guy?"
"It's not just scaring them away," Shen Moxin. "When Lei Qingyue claws touched the scales, his dragon might clearly weakened. This is bloodline suppression. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul is being countered by a more ancient dragon bloodline."
Su Yan spoke up, "The Master mentioned that the ' Gate of Finality ' might connect to other unstable spaces."
Everyone was taken aback.
Shen Moxin a deep breath. "Lu Yuan may have 'exchanged' or 'summoned' this thing from some connected alternate dimension as a talisman."
"So he dared to leave without worry." Lin Xiao crossed his arms, "Leaving this thing behind to guard the house."
Shi Jian's eyes were complicated. "The power of the scales is not enough to defeat Soul Douluo, but the 'rank' they represent makes Lei Qingyue dare not gamble."
The wind blows, and the scales shimmer with silver light.
Mo Chen whispered, "Just how many trump cards does our Mr. Lu still have up his sleeve?"
Shen Moxin rewrapped the scales in a velvet cloth and handed them to Su Yan: "Put them in the isolation soul guide box. The analysis results are confidential for now."
Su Yan accepted it solemnly.
Shi Jian looked out of the valley. "They won't give up. Next time it might be a more elaborate siege."
"We'll deal with whatever comes our way." Lin Xiao turned and walked towards the patrol area. "Let's clean up what's in front of us first."
The group dispersed to busy themselves. The sounds of cleaning and repairs echoed through the valley, but everyone carried a heavy burden in their hearts for that silver scale.
In the Heaven Dou City, a green-canopied carriage stopped outside a small gate in a secluded alley. Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi, disguised, got out of the carriage and followed the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into the courtyard.
In the small pavilion by the water, Ning Fengzhi to greet him. This sect leader had a handsome face and a gentle temperament, but his eyes held the insight of someone who had long held a high position.
"Zhiwei, the Mountain Hermit, greets Sect Master Ning." Lu Yuan cupped his hands in greeting.
"Please have a seat, sir." Ning Fengzhi returned the greeting with a smile. "I've read that 'Summary of Preliminary Research on Synergistic Enhancement of Martial Soul ' several times and benefited greatly. In particular, the deduction of the hidden amplification range of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul has some similarities with the sect's secret techniques."
Lu Yuan calmly said, "It's just idle daydreaming; it's lucky that it caught the sect leader's eye."
"You're too modest, sir." Ning Fengzhi tea. "If such 'wild thoughts' were to increase, the entire landscape of the Soul Master World would be shaken. May I ask where you studied under?"
The test has begun.
Lu Yuan said, "I have no master. I was too weak to cultivate as a child, so I read many miscellaneous books and figured things out on my own. Later, I was fortunate enough to improve my physique and embark on the path of Soul Master. My place of seclusion is just an unnamed valley in the northwest."
A glint flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. "Sir, you are a genius of unparalleled talent." He then changed the subject, "Sir, do you have any deeper thoughts on 'benign evolution of Martial Soul '?"
"There are some." Lu Yuan nodded. "The Martial Soul Evolution involves seeking its Origin, using the Soul Power environment, medicinal guidance, and spiritual resonance as catalysts to promote its transformation towards a more perfect state. The key lies in understanding the essential structure of the Martial Soul."
He spoke at a steady pace, outlining a rigorous research system and concealing the core secrets beneath his theoretical explanations.
Ning Fengzhi listened attentively. "Energy node regulation... seems to touch upon the edge of combining Soul Engineer and Martial Soul Theory. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is also experimenting with the topic of combining Auxiliary System Soul Master with Soul Tool. Could you please offer some guidance, sir?"
The two sides entered into a technical exchange. Lu Yuan answered every question, each sentence stopping at just the right moment. Ning Fengzhi's questions were both insightful and respectful.
Two cups of tea were exchanged, the atmosphere was harmonious yet subtly witty.
Ning Fengzhi casually remarked, "The mainland has been quite turbulent lately. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has been frequently deploying troops to the northwestern border; I wonder what they're looking for."
Lu Yuan felt a slight chill. This was both a warning and a reminder.
"Aren't they always stationed in the east?" Lu Yuan asked, puzzled. "Could it be that some ancient ruins or treasure have been discovered in the northwest?"
"Perhaps." Ning Fengzhi smiled and looked at Lu Yuan. "Some secrets are too deeply entangled; touching them rashly might bring disaster. It would be best for you, sir, to live in seclusion and stay away from trouble."
"Thank you for your guidance Sect Master Ning." Lu Yuan cupped his hands in thanks. "A man of the mountains only desires a peaceful corner of the world."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and stopped. He then inquired about the issue of stagnant Soul Power among Auxiliary System Soul Master, and Lu Yuan provided a concise and effective solution.
After nearly an hour of conversation, Ning Fengzhi solemnly, "It is a great loss to the Soul Master World that you, sir, are living in seclusion in the mountains. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to provide you with a separate courtyard and research resources in exchange for your guidance to the core disciples of the school on the Martial Soul Theory. You may also serve as a guest elder, with a transcendent status, and you will never insist on participating in worldly affairs."
They offered generous terms and maintained a very humble attitude.
Lu Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, "I appreciate Sect Master Ning's kindness. Please allow me a few days to consider this matter."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded, taking out a jade token and pushing it in front of Lu Yuan: "This is a token. With this, you can seek help at any of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's properties within Heaven Dou City, or you can send a message directly to me."
Lu Yuan put away the jade token, stood up, and took his leave.
Ning Fengzhi escorted the two to the entrance of the pavilion and watched them disappear. The smile on his face vanished, and he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the pond.
A deep voice echoed from the shadows, "This man's background is difficult to fathom. The quality of that summary is far beyond what an ordinary hermit could produce. He is likely connected to the 'strange phenomena' in the Northwest."
"I know," Ning Fengzhi said calmly. "It's precisely because we can't see through it that we need to win them over. The Spirit Hall's power is growing daily, and undercurrents are stirring in the continent's political landscape. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needs a new variable."
"The risk is considerable."
"What investment is without risk?" Ning Fengzhi's lips curled slightly. "Besides, he may not truly be a pure 'recluse.' That summary reveals a questioning of the foundations of the existing Soul Master system, which is quite interesting."
After leaving the villa and confirming that no one was following them, Lu Yuan and Yun Youzi boarded the waiting carriage.
Inside the carriage, Yun Youzi removed part of his disguise and let out a long sigh, "This old fox... his conditions are quite attractive, every word is a test."
Lu Yuan's features began to clearer. "It's just mutual exploitation. He saw that we needed time to develop; we needed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a temporary shield."
"He probably wants more than just theoretical cooperation," Yun Youzi said in a low voice. "I have a feeling that he wants to use you or ' Spark ' as a pawn to check the Spirit Hall and put pressure on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Lu Yuan gazed at the majestic city walls outside the car window. "Whether they're pawns or collaborators, we need this pretext at this stage. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan suffered a silent loss and will certainly not let it go. The real trouble is yet to come."
He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Furthermore... I always felt that Ning Fengzhi seemed to know something about 'Heavenly Might' and ancient secrets, but he didn't elaborate."
Yun Youzi's expression hardened.
At this moment, the specially made Soul Tool in Lu Yuan's arms vibrated slightly. Encrypted messages flowed into his mind: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's invasion had been repelled, Lei Qingyue had been frightened away by the silver scales, and a preliminary analysis of the scales.
After reading it, a look of understanding flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes.
It was used up, as expected.
He put away his Soul Tool, looked towards the northwest, and said with a serious expression, "The scales are used up... I won't be so lucky next time."
Yun Youzi's heart sank. "Something happened in the valley?"
"Resolved for now." Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee. "But a trump card has been revealed. We need to speed things up."
The carriage drove towards the small inn in the east of the city in the twilight. Outside the window, the sunset was swallowed by the Heaven Dou City lit up one after another, illuminating countless surging thoughts and the impending storm.