Chapter 12: Mu Xi: Super Awkward!

Mu Xi returned to her family's soul guidance car and saw Mu Chen had already come over, talking with an old man; she did not disturb them, standing obediently to the side listening to their conversation.

Seeing this, Mu Chen did not chase her away either; after all, it was not an important conversation.

"President Mu is doing well; you've purchased quite a few heavenly treasures for your daughter." The old man likewise glanced at Mu Xi, shaking his head with a smile: "This old man of mine has made a wasted trip."

Mu Chen gave a bitter smile: "The Spirit Pagoda is on intimate terms with the two major soul beast gathering grounds, so it doesn't lack ten-thousand-year soul spirits; who could have imagined Hua Yichen would also take an interest in that soul spirit?"

"Hm?" The old man was somewhat surprised. "President Mu doesn't know? That ten-thousand-year soul spirit was provided by the Shen Family; from the start it was aimed at the child beside Hua Yichen."

"Their clan no longer has anyone who can accommodate the Evil Eye Tyrant soul spirit, so they wanted to make a deal with the Spirit Pagoda to obtain a soul spirit suitable for inheritance. As it happened, a genius with innate full soul power who also possesses a top-tier body martial soul of the spiritual attribute appeared, giving them an opportunity."

Mu Chen, and Mu Xi who was listening on the side, both froze, secretly alarmed.

Innate full soul power? Top-tier body martial soul?

Whichever one, in Donghai City, they are extremely rare existences.

Mu Chen was the first to recover: "Recently, because of busy association matters, I haven't kept track of the Spirit Pagoda's movements; is that child very special? Is he a core disciple of some Spirit Pagoda family?"

"Neither. According to investigation, he is just a child born to a civilian family in Donghai City."

The old man let out a light sigh: "It is precisely because of this that he appears even more special. Hua Yichen has even arranged a Soul Douluo to secretly protect him; I'm afraid it's not as simple as just innate full soul power and a body martial soul — there are other extraordinary aspects."

"Soul Douluo……"

Mu Chen was secretly alarmed.

Donghai City is located in a remote part of the Douluo Continent; although its economy is very developed, soul master strength is relatively weak — there aren't many experts who possess ten-thousand-year soul spirits, and on the surface there is only a single nine-ringed Titled Douluo: the Spirit Pagoda's Adaptability Douluo — Hua Yichen!

And beneath Hua Yichen, the strongest in the Donghai Spirit Pagoda are two Soul Douluo; one of them was actually dispatched to guard Huo Yuhao — one can imagine how much importance the Spirit Pagoda attaches to Huo Yuhao.

The old man continued: "The Spirit Pagoda has now replaced the Spirit Hall of twenty thousand years ago, providing free martial soul awakening for civilians; civilian soul masters are naturally close to them, and after the great waves wash away the sand, they always manage to harvest top-tier geniuses. They also maintain close ties with soul beasts, growing ever more prosperous."

Mu Chen gave a light cough, reminding him:

"Li Lao, watch your words; the Spirit Pagoda and the Spirit Hall are still different."

Li Lao froze, then showed a smile: "Look at you, where did your thoughts go? Of course I know they're not the same; my family was also of civilian origin before, and we still owe the Spirit Pagoda a debt of gratitude. I have no objection to them helping civilians awaken martial souls for free."

"I'm merely marveling at their wealth; whether it's your Forging Association, or our Mecha Master Association, or other powers, none have the capability to do this kind of thing. Only the Spirit Pagoda, rich enough to rival a nation, is willing to spend enormous costs every year doing it. It's only natural for civilian geniuses to join the Spirit Pagoda."

Mu Chen fell into silence for a moment.

That's true, but the Spirit Pagoda is too prosperous; other powers facing it alone unconsciously lower their heads.

Hmm, alone?

"Seeing you're not in the mood to chat anymore, I'll leave first. When you have time, bring Mu Xi to the Mecha Association more often to play."

Li Lao finished speaking, patted Mu Chen's shoulder, and turned to leave.

Mu Chen stood in place, watching Li Lao's departing figure, his heart a mix of complex feelings.

He had already understood Li Lao's meaning, but even if it's just the two associations' Donghai branches uniting, it's not something he alone can decide; a high-level meeting needs to be convened to discuss it.

"Let's go, we're heading home."

Mu Chen turned to Mu Xi and said: "You heard the conversation just now. In the future, if you run into Huo Yuhao, don't throw a little tantrum again."

He had seen the scene of Mu Xi running off to find Huo Yuhao; with his daughter's proud, competitive personality, the odds were their interactions wouldn't be very pleasant.

"Oh……"

Mu Xi nodded dully, then immediately recalled what she had said to Huo Yuhao; her cheeks instantly turned bright red.

What had she even said?

To a Spirit Pagoda core disciple with innate full soul power and a Soul Douluo protecting him, she had said she hoped he could match with a ten-thousand-year soul spirit?

Even that soul spirit had only appeared at the auction because of the other party……

This…… just thinking about it feels awkward.

But he really did look very ordinary, and she hadn't said anything wrong.

Mu Xi thought indignantly on one hand, yet her face flushed red as she lowered her head, turning into an ostrich.

……

Seeing Mu Chen did not immediately call him back, Li Yucheng sighed with some regret and left directly.

Among the four major secondary professions, the fewest soul masters in the major academies choose the path of forging; forging talent is also the scarcest. Yet many secondary professions, if they want to reach the peak, cannot do without a blacksmith's assistance — this further elevates the status of high-ranking blacksmiths.

And Mu Chen is an Eight-Star Saint Craftsman, second only to a Nine-Star Divine Artisan. If the East Sea Forging Association and the Mecha Master Association further combine, the benefits to their association would be considerable.

He is old, but his heart has not aged.

Whether it's cultivating an outstanding successor or achieving cooperation with the Forging Association, before retirement he wants to do something more for the association.

But as things stand now, neither prospect shows any hope; later when he goes to Headquarters, he won't even have the confidence to show off to old friends.

Li Yucheng smiled helplessly.

……

"Here."

Hua Yichen walked out of the museum and handed a small ball to Huo Yuhao.

"The soul spirit is inside; you've read so many books recently, you should know how to use a spirit ball."

Spirit ball — a spherical soul tool for storing soul spirits; inside, like a storage soul guide, there is a space where a soul spirit can survive; the price is relatively high.

The manufacturing principle is likewise similar to a storage soul guide; after all, soul spirits are creatures suspended between life and death, so the storage soul guide's inability to store living things does not apply to them.

As for its uses: one is to store soul spirits, which the Spirit Pagoda uses most; another is to let the soul spirit accompany the soul master closely as they grow, cultivating affection.

After all, a soul spirit contract requires the soul spirit's consent, but the more powerful the soul spirit, the pickier it is about its contractor. At that time, besides using strength to make the soul spirit submit, one must consider playing the emotional card.

If a soul spirit watches a soul master grow from childhood and they get along harmoniously, even if the soul master is very weak, the resistance will not be too strong.

Huo Yuhao accepted the half-red, half-white spirit ball, his expression hard to describe.

In his view, whether in outward appearance or function, this thing resembles a spirit ball; he doesn't know who came up with it — history books don't record it.

Let's be clear: Huo Yuhao wants to declare one point — this was not invented by him, absolutely not a soul tool he invented!

He merely mentioned the concept of a spirit ball ten thousand years ago; who could have imagined someone would actually specially make one……

Taking a breath, Huo Yuhao looked toward Hua Yichen, whose expression was calm.

"What requirement did they put forward?"

Even the Spirit Ball was prepared; obviously they had been targeting him from the start, but handing over the spirit via an auction — what they seek should not be much.

"They just want to spend money to buy a ticket to the Spirit Pagoda; it's nothing major. You don't need to mind these things; just focus on cultivation."

Hua Yichen smiled faintly, teasing: "I was still hoping that after you achieve fame and success in the future, I could rely on your connections to find a sinecure for my old age."

Huo Yuhao put away the Spirit Ball; their interactions during this period had let him understand that Hua Yichen was not someone who liked to put on airs, so he directly replied with a smile.

"Too bad; if I really achieve fame and success, I might have to make everyone busy."

"You're beating around the bush to call me idle, aren't you?"

Hua Yichen froze for a moment, then laughed and shook his head. "All right, we've got the Whale Glue too; let's go."

Huo Yuhao was about to nod when he suddenly noticed an old man; his movement paused. "Teacher Hua, it's not against the rules for Spirit Pagoda members to cultivate a sub-occupation and join the relevant association, right?"

Following his gaze, Hua Yichen saw it was Li Yucheng, raised an eyebrow, and said, "You want to join the Mecha Master Association and cultivate a sub-occupation?"

Huo Yuhao nodded. "Mm."

Hearing this, Hua Yichen fell into thought. "Your soul skill is indeed very suitable for mecha design and manufacturing; just watch the measure — don't let it delay your cultivation."

"Rest assured, I have a sense of proportion."

Huo Yuhao rarely showed a confident smile.

His talent in other aspects might not work, but only when it involved soul tools was he very confident.

The original work also has a kind of Spirit Ball, also used to store spirits, but it seems to be a single-use item.

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(End of Chapter)