"San, what do you say?"
Xiao Lin and Qin Ming were headed in opposite directions, so Xiao Lin casually asked Tang San.
"I'm planning to go home."
Tang San was usually quiet, but to Xiao Lin, this meant he was going back to Saint Soul Village to absorb the mutated Evil Eye Demon Tree.
Originally, the mutated Evil Eye Demon Tree only had a cultivation age of over 5,000 years, but since it had fully absorbed the ten-thousand-year soul bone of a Soul Saint, it might have already become a ten-thousand-year soul beast—still a spiritual-type one.
Although it was a plant-type soul beast like Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, the vines of the Evil Eye Demon Tree had decent regeneration abilities.
But its attributes didn't really match Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.
"That guy has already mastered controlling spiritual power and blood-colored soul power, his strength is no ordinary thing. You need to be careful. Also, help me check on Old Grandpa Jack."
Seeing Tang San's determined look, Xiao Lin had nothing more to say and used a series of encrypted words to send Tang San the instructions about Grandpa Jack's Red Fruit.
Tang San's persistence made Xiao Lin feel complicated.
It was precisely because the Evil Eye Demon Tree's spiritual power matched Tang San's Purple Extreme Demon Eye, and because the tree had already learned to use the blood-red soul power armor to protect itself, that it fit well with the Blue Silver King spirit.
Otherwise, Xiao Lin definitely wouldn't let Tang San randomly absorb the Evil Eye Demon Tree's soul rings.
Still, after all this, Xiao Lin wasn't sure if Tang San could switch to Food-Type cultivation in the future.
If not, Tang San would have to constantly cultivate Blue Silver Grass seeds with his spirit, eventually cultivating an edible Blue Silver Grass seed—with medicinal effects.
In the end, it would be a disappointment for Tang Hao's wish to develop the special soul skill of the Mirror Beast.
"If Third Brother is going home, then I'll go home too."
Xiao Wu was ready to go back and condense her soul ring, of course choosing a place where no one else would be, and with Tang San—that was her preferred outcome.
"Alright!"
Xiao Wu's words made Xiao Lin snap back and agree casually.
"What about the others?"
Xiao Lin looked at the other members who were about to hunt for soul rings.
"I'll go to the Extreme North!"
At that moment, Tang Ni chose to join Xiao Lin.
She was very curious about what had happened to Xiao Lin that made the fortune of the Soul Beast clan soar.
Tang San, who was coming back with Xiao Lin, hadn't changed much.
"Okay, your Golden Dragon is a strength-type spirit. The Extreme North has many strength-type soul beasts, and many with true dragon bloodlines too."
Though surprised, Xiao Lin still agreed.
"I'll go to the Extreme North too. Anyway, my spirit can absorb any soul ring the same way."
Since Ye Lingling had agreed to Xiao Lin and promised with her soul skills to keep Xiao Lin safe, of course she was coming along.
Also, due to some changes in her spirit, Ye Lingling wanted to try if the soul rings from the Extreme North's soul beasts would give her continued icy calm effects.
"Alright, I'll protect you then."
Xiao Lin agreed upon hearing this, and again looked around at the other team members.
"What about the rest?"
"We'll go with Teacher Qin Ming."
Yufeng and Oslo said so.
Although there were speed-type soul beasts in the Extreme North, the ice attribute didn't suit them, so they preferred to go to the Soul Beast-populous Star Dou Great Forest.
"We'll go with you, Captain Xiao Lin."
The Shi brothers chose to trust Xiao Lin's recommendation and naturally went to the Extreme North together.
"I'm not going. I want to go home first."
At this time, Ning Rongrong awkwardly said she needed to go home.
She needed to share the good news with Ning Fengzhi and obtain a soul ring specifically for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Now that it had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, she wanted to discuss ring choices carefully with Ning Fengzhi.
"Alright then, it's settled."
"Everyone, pack your bags. We're leaving immediately."
With the routes confirmed, the Emperor Battle Team temporarily split up and went back to their dorms to prepare.
The journey to the Extreme North was long; even with the fastest carriage, it would take over a month.
At this moment, Xiao Lin actually cared a bit about Oscar's Flying Sausage soul skill—so practical.
…
One hour later.
Xiao Lin and the others gathered at the entrance of the Royal Tian Dou Academy.
Five-person team: two heavy attackers, one ultimate healer, two super tanks—pretty much a perfect soul hunting team.
But just as they were about to set off, Ning Rongrong ran over.
In the distance, Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong were also smiling and walking over.
"Brother Xiao Lin! I told Dad about the spirit beast situation, and they insisted I come thank you."
"Here, take this. Inside are rare ores and metals recently found by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, plus a black card for the sect containing fifty million gold spirit coins."
Ning Rongrong bowed sincerely to thank Xiao Lin—her gratitude genuine, no trace of the bratty girl from the original timeline.
This surprised Xiao Lin, but with Ning Fengzhi and the others here, it was normal.
"Xiao Lin, just accept it—it's a small token."
Ning Fengzhi came over smiling, exuding noble grace with every gesture.
Truly the richest force on the continent.
Xiao Lin thought to himself and decisively accepted the gift—it'd be foolish not to take the money.
"Heh, Xiao Lin, you're a master teacher producing outstanding disciples. What do you think of our Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Xiao Lin increasingly approvingly, practically wanting Xiao Lin to marry into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Dad!"
Ning Rongrong blushed and shyly tugged on Ning Fengzhi's clothes.
That was too direct.
"Uh... I'm not looking to date right now."
Though the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy, Xiao Lin politely declined.
Women would only slow down his research progress.
Shouldn't these things happen naturally?
A real man need not worry about not having a wife!
Upon hearing the refusal, Ning Fengzhi had no special feelings and laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, take your time then."
His words showed his trust in Ning Rongrong.
Who wouldn't want the princess of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Soon, Ning Fengzhi changed topic, smiling:
"Xiao Lin, since you're Master Xiao Yan's disciple, could you help find a suitable soul beast for Rongrong?"
"Her current spirit is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; we can't just pick any soul beast at random."
"Of course, we'll provide plenty of gold spirit coins and ores and fully support Master Xiao Yan's research."
Ning Fengzhi's words left Xiao Lin no reason to refuse, so he readily helped Ning Rongrong find a soul beast.
"I once read about a nine-colored flower plant-type soul beast in the Star Dou Great Forest. This soul beast has powerful spiritual attributes, excels at multiple auxiliary skills, and has a fusion skill."
"If Ning Rongrong absorbs it, there's a high chance she'll gain one of those abilities, greatly enhancing her spiritual power and possibly improving the fusion capabilities of her soul rings, significantly boosting the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support abilities."
"But that nine-colored flower is nearly 8,000 years old and protected by many soul beasts, so it won't be easy to hunt."
Xiao Lin only thought for less than half a minute before finding a suitable spirit beast for Ning Rongrong.
"If what you say is true, Xiao Lin, then the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will reward you handsomely."
Hearing the soul ring's effects, Ning Fengzhi gasped slightly and said solemnly.
"By the way, Xiao Lin, since you're going to the Extreme North, I can have Uncle Gu take you to get your soul rings."
"Ah, that's not necessary. We're going for training." Xiao Lin declined.
Xiao Lin's trip to the Extreme North wasn't just for soul rings—it was also to test condensing soul rings and coordinate with his team.
He didn't want to waste much of Gu Rong's time.
"Alright then, I'll have Uncle Gu see you off."
With Ning Fengzhi's words, Gu Rong opened a spatial tunnel in front of Xiao Lin's team. Through the tunnel, Xiao Lin could faintly see the icy, snowy land on the other side.
"Thanks to Sect Leader Ning and Senior Gu Rong."
…
(End of Chapter)