Chapter 64: You just killed someone, and we're the ones who got hurt!

"Xuan Lao, you can't say that." Jinghongchen's face sank, he said with some warm anger: "Your Slake Academy indeed has people injured, but our Sun Moon Empire team also has many who suffered serious injuries, and some even died at your hands."

"Hmph, can those people of yours compare to Xiaotao?" Xuan Lao snorted coldly, showing disdain: "Our academy's Ma Xiaotao is being cultivated as the next head of the Martial Soul Department; before twenty she's already close to breaking through to Soul Sage, and her martial soul is a top-tier beast martial soul— in a one-on-one situation, she's absolutely invincible among peers across the continent."

"We don't want your things either; as long as you can make her recover, we'll return your Judgment Sword."

Jinghongchen seethed— damn it, you're just injuring a few people, but our dead don't count?

But he didn't say those words out loud.

After a brief moment of thought, he said: "May I see which child?"

Xuan Lao hesitated a bit.

Just then, Mu En suddenly said: "Sure, Xuanzi, let him take a look."

Jinghongchen nodded, about to step forward, when it seemed he thought of something, he said in a deep voice: "Xuan Lao, and this senior, I have at least three ninth-level trigger-type soul guide devices on me; if I'm harmed, these three ninth-level soul guide devices will trigger instantly, releasing enough energy to raze the entire Shilaike City to the ground."

This is Slake Academy; according to Jinghongchen's knowledge, there are probably more than five Super Douluo here.

Even if his soul guide devices are strong, his cultivation is only rank ninety-three; up close, he could never be a match for so many Super Douluo.

Nevertheless, he indeed came prepared; he also believes Slake Academy wouldn't actually attack him, as that wouldn't align with the academy's longstanding principles.

Mu En chuckled lightly, speaking calmly: "Those who enter my Sea God Pavilion are guests; if I truly wanted to move against you, your ninth-level soul guide device might not even work."

Jinghongchen didn't refute; in his view, this old senior probably hasn't been out in the world for too long and doesn't know how terrifying ninth-level soul guide devices are.

Immediately afterward, Xuanzi led Jinghongchen into a room; upon entering, one could feel the rich, almost substantive light energy.

Ma Xiaotao, emanating a black-purple aura all over, lay quietly on a bed made of golden ancient wood.

At the same time, taking advantage of the gap while the two observed Ma Xiaotao, Bosabei silently walked up to Mu En's side and asked curiously: "Teacher, that Jinghongchen probably didn't come for the Judgment Sword, right?"

"That thing is indeed nice, but it's only a seventh-level soul guide device; for a ninth-level soul engineer like Jinghongchen, it shouldn't be worth a personal trip."

Mu En gave Bosabei a slightly approving glance, then said flatly: "What you say is indeed reasonable; I also don't know."

"But one thing is certain: this Jinghongchen has placed eight powerful soul guide devices outside our Shilaike City— four ninth-level and four eighth-level— presumably to deter us from acting."

Bosabei's eyes lit up upon hearing that; he leaned in mysteriously to Mu En's ear and whispered: "Teacher, why not have other Title Douluo-level experts steal those soul guide devices?"

"We'll just stall a bit here; though not glorious, you know our academy is most lacking in soul guide devices."

"Besides, this also shows he doesn't trust us."

Mu En gave him a strange look.

"Good lad, worthy of being my disciple— you think just like me."

After a moment's thought, he said: "Hmm, that makes sense; then let's collect another admission fee."

Subsequently, seeing his lips move slightly, Xianlin'er and Qian Duo Duo, who were far away in the outer courtyard, quickly rushed to outside Shilaike City.

Not long after, Jinghongchen returned, saying regretfully: "Sorry, that child suffered a backlash from aberrant fire; this kind of backlash from the martial soul is beyond my ability."

"Then I'm sorry I can't return your Judgment Sword." Mu En shook his head, began to stall, and added: "What do you think— which is stronger, Ming De Hall or my Sea God Pavilion?"

Jinghongchen's eyes shifted; this was essentially asking himself again: which is stronger, soul masters or soul guide devices?

He shook his head and said: "As a junior, I don't know the true strength of the Sea God Pavilion, so I dare not make a random judgment; let's use me and Xuan Lao as an example."

"Within a hundred li, Xuan Lao will surely win; within a thousand li, I'm confident I can retreat safely; if it's ten thousand li, assuming Xuan Lao doesn't leave, I will definitely win."

"And if it were a war, my Ming De Hall would absolutely stand in an invincible position."

Especially that last sentence— when Jinghongchen said it, his whole body exuded confidence.

"You seem quite confident." Mu Lao smiled faintly and said.

Jinghongchen gave a bitter smile: "You should also be able to see that I actually lack confidence."

"The power of soul guide devices is unquestionable, but in terms of top-tier combat strength, Slake's position remains unshakable."

"My Ming De Hall can't do it; the Original Body Sect likewise can't."

"Actually, Jinghongchen had one more thing unsaid: if Ming De Hall and the Original Body Sect joined forces, then it wouldn't be certain."

"\"Jinghongchen, I once visited your Ming De Hall for observation; your development in soul guide devices truly exceeded my imagination."

"One point I think you're right about: if one day soul guide devices no longer rely on soul masters' soul power, then the profession of soul master will inevitably be replaced."

"Just as soul guide devices once replaced Tang Sect hidden weapons, but I must add: even if that day truly comes, the strongest will still be soul masters."

"Because only powerful soul masters can unleash the maximum potential of stronger soul guide devices— can you admit that?" Mu En added again.

Jinghongchen nodded and said: "Yes, you're correct; the stronger the individual operating the soul guide device, the higher its limit."

"At least so far, aside from fixed-type soul guide devices, we haven't developed anything sufficiently powerful that doesn't require soul master power."

"Future development is hard to predict, but the rise of soul engineers is inevitable, just as soul guide devices replaced cold weapons."

"His words were earnest, yet inside he was doubtful— had Mu En ever been to Ming De Hall?"

"If such a mysterious, unfathomable super-powerhouse were… thinking of this, he couldn't help but break into a sweat."

Mu En smiled faintly and said: "You can't take the Judgment Sword away; you can state what business brought you here this time."

"Also, if next time you dare aim those destructive soul guide devices at Shilaike City again, I don't mind paying another visit to your Ming De Hall."

Upon hearing that, Jinghongchen instantly broke into a sweat, a sense of fear welling up in his heart.

"Just how formidable is this old man before us?"

"Even the soul guide devices I set up outside the city, even those I deliberately hid, can be detected?"

(End of chapter)