Chapter 206: The Old Dead Ghost

According to Dugu Bo's account, this mine was later purchased by a private buyer with significant influence.

Later, that buyer built a small underground city on top of this mine.

The underground city has a long history, and it has changed hands among many power-holders; regardless of the purges it has experienced, it still exists here, having spontaneously formed its own social order.

Arriving before a dilapidated building, the guard saw Dugu Bo and said with a fawning expression, "Your Excellency, what wind blew you here? Shall I go notify my boss so he can receive you personally?"

Dugu Bo's martial soul destined him to like such dark corners.

Furthermore, many things that were inconvenient for one to do oneself could find suitable candidates here.

When framing Qin Ming back then, it was here that Dugu Bo found the people to do it.

Dugu Bo took out a cloak to avoid exposing his figure, while waving his hand and saying, "No need for that, this old man knows the way."

The guard said no more and cleared a path.

Wu Qi and his companion walked inside.

What came into view was a long corridor; upon reaching the end, several men of extraordinary strength pulled open the gate and let the two of them inside.

The underground world was incomparably dim; apart from the lighting Soul Guidance Devices on the ceiling, there was almost no other light source.

Dugu Bo used sound transmission to say to him, "Little fellow, not only can one trade in items of unknown origin here, but there are also many shady affairs; as long as the price is right, there is someone who can get it done for you."

Wu Qi asked curiously, "Can you get a 100,000-year soul bone?"

Dugu Bo shrugged and said testily, "Don't be so stubborn; most people here only provide information and rarely run errands for outsiders. If there were information on a 100,000-year soul bone, it would definitely fetch a high price here."

As he spoke, he led the way in front.

"Follow me, there is an Old Dead Ghost who might be able to help you."

The Old Dead Ghost in Dugu Bo's mouth was the stall owner of a nameless shop.

The stall was laid out with some very ancient things; ordinary customers would have no desire to buy them at a single glance.

Even for curious customers, after looking them over carefully, there was a high probability they would not buy them.

In any case, with Wu Qi's discernment, he could not see anything special about these items, or rather, these items were not special things to begin with.

"Dead Ghost, this old man has brought someone."

Listening to Dugu Bo's phrasing, Wu Qi inexplicably felt goosebumps.

But looking closely, the stall owner before him was no different from a "dead" "ghost."

One could see the other's eye sockets were sunken, with nothing inside them; his figure was emaciated, like withered wood, and beneath his shriveled skin, the contours of his bones were clearly visible.

Hearing the voice, the stall owner turned around.

Although he lacked eyes, he still looked Wu Qi up and down.

Dugu Bo leaned into Wu Qi's ear and whispered, "This old fellow was originally an Auxiliary System Soul Master, but because of the uniqueness of his martial soul, he was plotted against and ended up like this."

"Trust this old man, he will be of great help to you."

Wu Qi was half-believing and half-doubting.

The buffs provided by Auxiliary System Soul Masters all had time limits.

Could it be that this old fellow provided buffs with a very long duration, so that he could receive a buff before the match and have it last until the match ended?

As a junior, he bowed to the other party, "Greetings, Senior. May I ask how to address you?"

The stall owner suddenly smiled, "Just like that Old Poisonous Thing, just call this old man Dead Ghost."

"This old man doesn't have many years left to live; to meet such an impressive youngster before dying, I can close my eyes in peace."

Dugu Bo interrupted impatiently, "Enough, you old dead ghost, this old man heard you were going to die over a dozen years ago, how come you haven't died yet today?"

"Don't beat around the bush; this old man knows your ability, tell me how you intend to help this little fellow?"

The stall owner chuckled, "To be so highly regarded by you, Old Poisonous Thing, it seems this young fellow really has some ability."

As he spoke, he rested his right hand on the side and beckoned with his left, "Come over, put your hand here, and let this old man see how your situation is."

Wu Qi's physical fitness, after the baptism of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well and the soul bone, was already stronger than a Power Attack System Soul Master of the same level.

The moment his palm touched the skin, the stall owner could not help but twitch his brows, "Such a strong physique is truly rare. Heh heh, and an Agility Attack System Soul Master at that."

He had no intention of letting go, so Wu Qi could only respond with a smile while watching the changes in his expression.

Suddenly, the stall owner raised his head abruptly, "Are you a Qingluan Spirit?"

"You can even tell that?" Wu Qi was somewhat stunned.

Dugu Bo chuckled, "Little fellow, this old man told you long ago that this old dead ghost's ability is not ordinary."

The stall owner shook his head, "This old man cannot see your martial soul; I was just asking casually. Your body is stained with a certain scent, a scent that this old man both dislikes and misses."

"What do you mean?" Wu Qi was puzzled.

Since coming to Tiandou City, the things he had come into contact with, Dugu Bo had likely also come into contact with; why did the other party not have it on him?

The stall owner did not answer, but pulled a letter from his bosom, "This old man's pair of eyes saw something that shouldn't have been seen. If you go to that place, then open this letter."

"Even if you are curious and open it behind this old man's back, no words will appear on it; only that environment will work."

Wu Qi took the letter, feeling somewhat confused.

Dugu Bo laughed and scolded, "You old dead ghost, speak like a human."

The stall owner feigned innocence, "That place should be a fortuitous encounter belonging to this little fellow's future; you, Old Poisonous Thing, had best not interfere."

Dugu Bo urged, "Stop spouting this useless talk, hurry up and 'get to work'!"

He knew some of the other party's early experiences, which might be of great help to the future Wu Qi, but right now, one must absolutely not give rise to curiosity.

After all, the appearance of a fortuitous encounter also depends on timing.

Going at the wrong time could very likely lead to eternal damnation.

The stall owner beckoned, signaling the two to enter the shop.

Dugu Bo pushed his wheelchair into the shop and immediately pulled the wooden curtain to avoid being discovered by outsiders.

The stall owner wore a smile, as if he had eyes, and raised his head to look at Wu Qi.

"Little one, I know you have many doubts in your heart; when you truly arrive at that place, you will understand everything."

"As for the request from Old Poisonous Thing, let me ask you this: is soul power level more important, or is soul power quality more important?"

"Both," Wu Qi said confidently. "If the soul power level is high but the soul power quality is a complete mess, it is disadvantageous for prolonged combat, and the margin for error in battle is lower."

"Conversely, possessing extremely high soul power quality can indeed allow for multiple uses of a Dili soul skill, but it is of little significance and may even slow down the progress of increasing one's soul power level."

The so-called Dili soul skill refers to the soul skill corresponding to the highest age of a soul ring at the Spirit Master's current level.

For instance, a level 51 Soul King can at most release a Dili soul skill two to three times.

Some high-consumption soul skills will even drain nearly ninety percent of a Spirit Master's soul power in one go.

Of course, if it is a level 59 Soul King, that is a different situation.

Generally speaking, soul power level and soul power quality are usually tied together, meaning they increase simultaneously.

If one only focuses on the increase of soul power level, then the foundation will appear unstable.

And those who drill into soul power quality are those who know there is no hope for advancement and want to achieve the best at their current level.

(End of chapter)