Chapter 170

"How could the humans of this world possibly know of the Seven-Colored Lotus?"

The Fire Wolf's heart was full of doubt and astonishment.

The leader of their Fire Li Clan — Lord Tianhuo — was a member of the Royal Family, and also the Clan Leader Heir, possessing the Seven-Colored Lotus. If he hadn't been caught up in a Spatial Crack, the other party would very likely have become the Fire Li Clan's next Clan Leader.

But as far as it knew, Lord Tianhuo had basically never displayed this kind of flame externally; even the High-ranking Officials of the War God Hall were unaware. The only person who might have known should have passed away long ago. How did this youth know?

Could it be that there are other members of the Fire Li Clan in this world? Or that some Royal Family member suffered an unknown mishap, turned into a Soul Beast of the Douluo Continent, and had no choice but to transform into human form?

The Fire Wolf gazed in Huo Yuhao's direction, thoughts racing.

"I am Huo Yuhao from the Spirit Pagoda. I heard that you come from another Plane, and differ slightly from the Soul Beasts here, which would be helpful for Spirit Research. May I ask for your assistance?"

Hearing Huo Yuhao's words, the Fire Wolf snapped out of its reverie, gave Huo Yuhao a deep look, and nodded slightly.

In the many years since coming to this world, although they had established a certain relationship with humans, because of lifespan and living environment and other reasons, their relationship with humans was not deep.

After all, they were all "homebody fire" — the type that stays in magma and doesn't come out.

Even the War Gods of the War God Hall didn't communicate much with them. Regarding the current somewhat abnormal situation, the first thing it considered was to have a proper talk with Huo Yuhao, rather than do anything superfluous.

The Mingde Hall Researchers, seeing the two quickly reach agreement, were somewhat surprised, and also breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Fire Li Clan was unwilling, they couldn't force them either. After all, this clan was now subordinate to the War God Hall. The Clan Leader was still a powerhouse at nearly Limit Douluo level; they couldn't very well compel them.

The corner of Huo Yuhao's mouth curved slightly upward, until they were transferred to the Laboratory arranged for them by Mingde Hall.

The Laboratory was obviously meticulously prepared by Mingde Hall — on the Left Side was an Elemental Stabilization Chamber specially designed for the Fire Li Clan, while on the Right Side were placed various cutting-edge Soul Guidance Analysis Instruments.

"Conditions are not bad. It seems Mingde Hall values this exchange and study very highly."

Gu Yue Na glanced at the environment here, her gaze focusing on Huo Yuhao and the Fire Wolf.

The two had already communicated via Spiritual Power for a long time. Although she didn't know the specific content, she could guess some of it.

Soon, Huo Yuhao ended the conversation.

"Then, I entrust this to you."

"I will convey your words to Lord Tianhuo."

Seeing the Fire Wolf agree, Huo Yuhao began the research.

Contacting the Fire Li Clan was one aspect; research was another. The Fire Li Clan's arrival on the Douluo Continent had not changed their essence in the slightest; even their Aura had nothing to do with Soul Beasts. They were truly an Extraterritorial Race, the kind that had not been turned into Soul Beasts. They themselves were similar to the Snow Empress, that kind of Elemental Lifeform. This was an absolutely unique research sample on the Continent today.

In the Original Work, the War God Hall just had them guard the Seventeenth Layer Hell — too much of a waste.

Huo Yuhao, relying on his Spirit Eye Martial Soul and profound research attainments, served as the main attacker; Gu Yue Na, utilizing her unique understanding of Elemental Power, assisted from the side; the initially somewhat restrained Lan Fuzi, after gradually grasping the rhythm, also entered the state, responsible for recording data and maintaining the stability of the experimental environment.

The three each exerted their strengths, cooperating with tacit understanding, and quickly launched a systematic study of the Fire Li Clan's life essence.

However, because the Fire Li Clan must live in magma and cannot stay in Mingde Hall for long, after several hours of cooperative research, the Fire Wolf was sent back by Mingde Hall to the War God Hall Headquarters' Eighteen Layers of Hell.

Mm, by the way, the War God Hall Headquarters is in Mingdu. The Entrance is at the summit of the highest peak of Mingdu West Mountain. The entire War God Hall sits inside this high peak.

The Darkness Division Headquarters is unknown, but undoubtedly also in Mingdu.

That is to say, the Darkness Division, War God Hall, Mingde Hall, and Spirit Pagoda Headquarters are all in Mingdu.

Looking at it this way, which forces don't have their Headquarters here?

A bit obvious...

And on top of these forces, if you add the Central Army Corps garrisoned in Mingdu by the Federation, and other family forces, the number of resident powerhouses is too many. Just Limit Douluo alone, all sides added together now have at least six. No wonder Zhenhua wanted to stay far away from Mingdu.

Watching the Fire Li Clan member being taken away, Huo Yuhao looked at Lan Fuzi, who had just been diligently assisting him. "Your technical level is better than I imagined. Continue to work hard afterwards."

Lan Fuzi's technical level was solid. This person had probably been learning Soul Tool Technology for a very long time already; she didn't start learning only after entering the Douluo Continent.

Lan Fuzi blanked for a moment, then hurriedly nodded. "Yes, Lord!"

To this day, she still couldn't fathom the true intent behind the other party arranging her entry into Mingde Hall. But there was one thing she was clearer than anyone about — only by continuing to win the favor of these two Deities could she preserve her life in this "crisis-ridden" situation.

As for their purpose... since the Deity Lords did this, there must be deep meaning. Just obey orders obediently, don't overthink and scare yourself.

Ji You! Staying alive is victory!

Huo Yuhao gave her a baffled look, turned his head to look at Gu Yue Na, and was just about to say something when a knock on the door interrupted them.

"Hall Master Hongchen is currently in the lounge, wishing to receive the few of you."

"Na Na Li, do you have anything else to say?"

"Old man, you're too stingy. What's the harm in lending me that Soul Tool for a few more days? You don't go out normally anyway."

"You wouldn't know how to use it either. And this isn't the attitude of someone asking a favor."

Before even entering the lounge, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na heard familiar voices, and their eyes flickered slightly.

Is Miss Dark Bell here too?

Huo Yuhao pushed open the door, and saw Na Na Li currently with hands on hips, glaring angrily at the old man opposite. The old man wore a habitual expression, tightly gripping an exquisite Soul Tool in his hand.

The moment Na Na Li saw them enter, her eyes instantly lit up, and she walked over in quick steps.

"It's Yuhao and Gu Yue Na. Come help me judge. He's holding a Ten Level Soul Tool and not using it. What's wrong with me borrowing it for a bit? You also saw me show off my skills earlier, right? That thing is obviously better in my hands... oh, it's the Soul Tool that helped me disguise as Yuan En Yehui."

Before Huo Yuhao and the others could speak, Wang Hongchen spoke indifferently.

"How do I recall that you came today to deliver a thank-you gift to these few? If I'm not mistaken, that Evil Soul Master's capture was inseparable from these young friends of the Spirit Pagoda. You wouldn't just be picking up a bargain, would you?"

Speaking to this point, he nodded toward Huo Yuhao's group of three. "Several young friends, please take a seat."

"Uh—" Hearing this, Na Na Li was like a cat that had its tail stepped on. Her face flushed red instantly, and she stammered, "Wh-who picked up a bargain! I clearly contributed the most..."

Her gaze turned toward Huo Yuhao, and she suddenly couldn't continue.

Right. She had exerted the most effort in the battle, but in the end she was still deceived by the Evil Soul Master. If not for the Spirit Pagoda people's assistance, they probably couldn't even have caught the person, and she would only have been able to go home with a face full of defeat.

She, Na Na Li, this time was a free-ride win... Wu, in front of an elder she still couldn't hold her head up.

Seeing Miss "Dark Bell" instantly wilt, Huo Yuhao had a kind of inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

This situation somewhat resembles Sister Na being suppressed by Miss Rachel.

What is the relationship between the Spirit Forge Hall Master and this person?

The question was answered in the next moment.

"Stinky old man, always tearing down your disciple! Is this how you act as a teacher?"

Na Na Li was dejected for an instant, then immediately stomped her foot in anger; thinking of the three "juniors" still here, she grew even more ashamed and annoyed, and simply left the conference room.

But fortunately she hadn't forgotten her purpose; before leaving the room she added a line.

"Yuhao, Sister Na, wait for me outside later, I have something to give you."

Her words fell, and she slammed the door and left.

Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na looked at each other in dismay.

Wang Hongchen let out a light sigh, a trace of helplessness showing in his eyes.

Na Na Li had once studied under him; although she ultimately took the path of a Soul Master, that master-disciple bond never changed. Before, when she carried out a secret mission without a sound, he couldn't set his mind at ease, so he secretly lent her a Ten Level Soul Tool he had manufactured himself, as a precaution.

In the eyes of these elders, Na Na Li always seemed like a child who never grew up — unconventional in personality, acting without restraint, completely lacking the composure a top-tier powerhouse should have. Yet even so, no one could deny she was destined to be a pillar of the Federation's future.

A Four-Word Battle Armor Master in her thirties, a Rank 98 Super Douluo — such achievements are exceedingly rare in the Federation's history.

As for a freak like Erqing Douluo who broke through to Limit Douluo at thirty-one? People like that can be counted on one hand in the history of Douluo Continent; they have no reference value at all.

He had even thought before about letting Na Na Li succeed him, but she chose another road, and he could only helplessly give up.

Thinking back now, that person temporarily giving her the position of Dark Department Head was probably out of similar considerations?

This girl needs some tempering; she can't take over from us old folks without growing.

After sighing with emotion for a while, Wang Hongchen looked at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na, revealing a smile.

"You'll have to forgive the spectacle. I've already heard Yi Hongchen speak of you young friends' matters. To become a Six-Level and Five-Level Professional at this age — history books can hardly find a record of it."

Speaking here, Wang Hongchen didn't forget Lan Fuzi at the side; even though he hadn't met her, after thinking a moment he gave a very high evaluation.

"..."

Lan Fuzi knew he was being polite; she was somewhat speechless, but couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief.

Good, as expected even a Limit Douluo can't see through her. It's just that Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na are too far beyond common sense.

Encountering a deity on the road... it's really too off-the-charts.

"The research labs I arranged for you — you've probably already seen them. The resources and equipment there are the same treatment as a Grade One Researcher of Mingde Hall. Besides that..."

Wang Hongchen waved his sleeve lightly, a gentle wave of soul power spreading out, "The Soul Guide research data and finished products in the room behind me, you may examine at any time."

His voice had barely fallen when a burst of metal mechanism sounds came from afar, several Soul Guidance Lamps interlocking and lighting up, illuminating a deep passage.

Inside the transparent display cases on both sides of the passage, various Soul Tools were displayed; beneath each exhibit floated a nameplate glowing with dim blue light. Even more eye-catching: at the end of the passage, dozens of rows of obsidian bookshelves reaching straight to the dome could be faintly seen; the Soul Guidance Crystals embedded on the book spines were emitting faint elemental fluctuations.

Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Power keenly captured that those seemingly ordinary bookshelves had actually been processed with Space Folding Technology — every drawer might connect to an independent Storage Space.

Tianmeng Ice Worm clicked his tongue in wonder in his Spiritual Sea: "Good fellow, Mingde Hall's collection is thicker than the ice layers of the Extreme North! It fundamentally cannot be shoulder-to-shoulder with the Mecha Master Association."

Outside the room, hearing the mechanism sounds inside, Na Na Li was also somewhat surprised, "Teacher is actually willing to open Mingde Hall's treasured collection to Huo Yuhao and them?"

You have to know, Wang Hongchen never let her touch it before.

That key capable of opening the secret room has, since Mingde Hall's founding, only been passed down to successive Hall Masters.

Inside the secret room, there were not stored those earth-shaking top-tier Soul Tools and related data.

However, every Soul Tool and every volume there carries Mingde Hall's rise and fall, glory and disgrace since its establishment — from the initial crude soul power guidance devices to today's precise and complex Nine-Level Soul Guide Cores, they are quietly displayed here, like a silent epic, recording how this power rose from insignificance to stand at the peak.

The finished Soul Tools inside may no longer possess practical combat value, but what they represent is Mingde Hall's root. Many Soul Masters have gained inspiration there and advanced a step further.

Wang Hongchen's gaze paused slightly on Huo Yuhao, a trace of deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

"This place was established by Silver Moon Douluo before his death; there are many notes he left behind, later Soul Masters continuously adding to them. He once said, if someone in Mingde Hall once again walks the traditional Soul Master path, this place can be opened to them, as Foundation."

"Young Friend Huo, you have walked a difficult road, but your aptitude is indeed stunning, even creating a new method of Spiritual Power usage; there is a very high possibility you will succeed."

"And your goal is to research a Life-Bound Soul Tool; then, I think opening this place to you is the best choice. Perhaps... you can find even more inspiration here."

Huo Yuhao is not a Mingde Hall person, yet Wang Hongchen felt incomparably certain in his heart — this young man before him might be the most suitable person for this place in ten thousand years.

If missed... it would be a regret.

This is also one of the reasons he took the initiative to invite Huo Yuhao to Mingde Hall after Yi Hongchen recommended him.

Huo Yuhao looked toward the secret room's direction; in a trance, he seemed to see the figure of that Silver Moon Douluo from ten thousand years ago bent over his desk researching, the ink on those notes glowing with dim blue luster still fresh.

This is a gift spanning time and space...

When Huo Yuhao raised his head, his eyes seemed to hold revolving stars, as if a wondrous artistic conception was gradually brewing, but it vanished in a flash.

The corner of Huo Yuhao's mouth curled into a knowing smile; he rose and bowed deeply: "Junior, thanks Senior for the accomplishment."

This bow is not only for Wang Hongchen before him.

Gu Yue Na stood quietly at the side; the existences in her Spiritual Sea likewise watched in silence.

They all understand —

At this moment, Huo Yuhao is also bowing deeply to that departed Senior from ten thousand years ago...

(End of Chapter)