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As Gu La had anticipated, Jing Hongchen ultimately wasn't allowed to keep a single soul bone.
Xu Tianran cursed and complained, but when collecting the spoils of war, he was utterly ruthless—seizing all the soul bones and damaged ninth-grade soul devices for his personal treasury. He needed these items to justify his actions to the nobles and military factions who had pledged allegiance to him.
Jing Hongchen sighed inwardly. This exchange program had truly cost him dearly—he had been nothing but a cleaner, constantly mopping up the messes Gu La created.
Gu La, however, was completely unconcerned.
He successfully received a full fifty thousand pounds of high-quality rare metals. In the Forest Sea demi-plane, they formed a small mountain.
He had already planned how to use this windfall: First, after advancing to eighth-grade soul device master, he would use a small portion of core materials to manufacture a few "Evil's Bane No. 8" devices with even greater destructive power.
The vast majority of the remaining materials would be forged day and night by his clones within the Forest Sea demi-plane. Their goal was to create soul device armor powerful enough for even the clones to wear and wield formidable combat strength—essentially the prototype of Battle Armor, specifically prepared for his clone legion.
"Unfortunately, clones are ultimately not true avatars. They cannot share the flashes of wisdom and insight. Cultivation insights can only be transmitted from the main body, making the efficiency somewhat low."
Gu La murmured to himself, contemplating his next step. "The seed for my eighth avatar's medium—the 'Flower of the Netherworld'—has already been cultivated. But it lacks a sufficiently powerful energy source to accelerate its growth…"
"The reincarnated Snow Empress beneath Mingde Hall would be an excellent choice. Unfortunately, I lack confidence in controlling her furious Ultimate Ice. For now, I must abandon that option."
Gu La shook his head. Slow cultivation was acceptable—better slow and steady than reckless haste. He couldn't afford to wait for the avatar to form, only to then wait for it to slowly cultivate.
Time flew. Six months passed in the blink of an eye.
That day, Huo Yuhao headed to Mingde Hall for study as usual.
As a child blessed by fate, through a series of coincidences and Jing Hongchen's carelessness, he had actually obtained the qualification to study in Mingde Hall's core zones.
After half a year of diligent cultivation, his soul power remained at four rings, but his talent in soul guidance devices was exceptional—he had already become a qualified sixth-grade soul device master.
Just as he was about to enter Mingde Hall, a long-unseen figure approached him—Gu Tong.
"Senior Brother Gu? It's been a while."
Huo Yuhao was somewhat surprised. For the past six months, he had been so immersed in soul device studies that he had barely paid attention to this Body Sect disciple hiding his true identity.
Gu Tong's expression was complex. He nodded. "I'm alright. It's just… I never expected the Sun Moon Empire would develop soul devices to such a terrifying level."
His tone carried an indescribable sadness and confusion.
The Body Sect revered the development of innate martial soul potential, viewing soul devices as unorthodox paths.
Yet these six months of observations had brutally shaken his beliefs. A powerful soul device capable of effortlessly killing Soul Emperors and Soul Saints might only require a skilled soul device master a few days—or even hours—to manufacture… This gap was utterly disheartening.
Huo Yuhao understood his feelings and comforted him: "Senior Brother Gu, don't lose heart. As long as we work hard to catch up, we'll eventually match their level."
Gu Tong shook his head, shaking off his negative emotions, and said seriously: "I have important business with you. Let's talk somewhere else."
The two found a secluded corner.
Gu Tong lowered his voice, his tone grave: "The sect is preparing to strike Mingde Hall—in the next few days. For the next few days, absolutely do not go near Mingde Hall. Avoid being caught in the crossfire, or suspected afterward."
Huo Yuhao was shocked: "Why would the Body Sect attack Mingde Hall?" he asked urgently. "But… but I'm already a student at Mingde Hall! Suddenly not showing up would be even more suspicious!"
"What?! You actually got into Mingde Hall?!" Gu Tong was dumbfounded. The longer he stayed in the Sun Moon Empire, the more he understood what Mingde Hall represented.
He paced anxiously twice. "Then… then you'll just have to be extra careful. Protect yourself at all costs. This is absolute sect secrecy—if you weren't considered half a sect disciple, I could never have told you. Remember: during your time in the Sun Moon Empire, never expose your connection to the Body Sect."
Huo Yuhao nodded heavily, his heart burdened. He understood the gravity of the situation.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to dissuade them, but knew he was powerless to stop the Body Sect's actions.
In the end, he could only sigh, bid farewell to Gu Tong, and walk toward Mingde Hall with a heavy heart.
Three days later, inside Mingde Hall.
Huo Yuhao was concentrating on crafting a complex sixth-grade soul device core array when a sudden, inexplicable heart palpitation made his hand tremble—the carving knife nearly slipped. Instinctively, he released his spiritual detection to sweep downward—
"Soul device bombs buried underground!" His face changed drastically. He was about to shout a warning—
BOOOOOOOOM—!!!
An earth-shattering explosion erupted violently from beneath his feet.
The entire floor of Mingde Hall instantly collapsed. Fierce shockwaves and flames consumed countless precious experimental devices and materials.
Screams of pain, cries of panic, and explosions mingled into chaos!
In the billowing dust, a massive underground tunnel was exposed. Immediately after, a wild laugh rang out: "Follow the plan! Leave no one alive!"
Du Busi's figure charged out first, followed by dozens of Body Sect disciples radiating fierce auras.
Like tigers among sheep, they killed indiscriminately,crazily destroying everything within Mingde Hall.
Gu La was also in Mingde Hall. He easily dodged a lunge from a Body Sect disciple and said calmly: "I'm an exchange student from Shrek Academy. I have nothing to do with the Sun Moon Empire."
The disciple hesitated for a moment, seemingly conflicted, but then hardened his heart and continued his attack.
Gu La had no patience for this. With a casual strike imbued with Ultimate Fire, he sent the disciple flying, crashing through a pile of rubble.
This immediately drew the attention of Du Busi, who was locked in confrontation with Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen had just arrived. Seeing Mingde Hall reduced to ruins, his eyes turned crimson with rage. Instantly, an exquisite ninth-grade soul device shield covered his body. Countless cannon muzzles lit up, unleashing furious firepower toward Du Busi.
"Du Busi! You're courting death!"
Du Busi retorted: "Who's Du Busi? Don't call me that."
Although he avoided revealing his identity openly by not using his martial soul, his formidable physique and bizarre combat techniques allowed him to match the well-equipped Jing Hongchen blow for blow.
The two fought fiercely, soul device beams and terrifying energy waves scattering everywhere.
Gu La was content to stay out of it. His gaze swept the area and found that Huo Yuhao had already slipped away in the chaos—he knew the boy was surely heading for his destined opportunities.
"Can't come all this way for nothing," Gu La thought.
Huo Yuhao would take at most the two most important items. Beneath these ruins lay the pinnacle of Sun Moon Empire's soul device technology—advanced rare metals and semi-finished products would definitely be plentiful.
With a thought, Gu La sent over a dozen clones from the Forest Sea demi-plane. Each donned black robes, slipping like ghosts into the ruins below and various warehouses that hadn't completely collapsed, beginning to loot valuable metal materials, finished products, and semi-finished soul devices.
Gu La specifically instructed: take only hardware. Leave all blueprint materials untouched—lest Jing Hongchen truly panic and act recklessly.
After this was done, Gu La watched the furious battle between Jing Hongchen and Du Busi in the distance. A sudden mischievous impulse struck him.
Using scrap materials at hand, he quickly fashioned a simple recording soul device. He recorded a loud, energetic cheer, then precisely tossed it behind a precariously hanging boulder.
Thus, amidst the shouts of battle, explosions, and clashing soul skills, a clear, overly enthusiastic cheer incongruously rang out: "Sun Moon Empire, go! Mingde Hall must win! Director, mighty!"
The fiercely battling Jing Hongchen and Du Busi, along with disciples and surviving students from both sides, instinctively paused their movements. They felt utterly absurd and ridiculous—as if their life-or-death struggle had become entertainment for some bored spectator.
Du Busi forced Jing Hongchen back with a punch, furious: "These are your Sun Moon Empire students?! Truly a bunch of madmen! Not caring whether their own classmates live or die!"
Jing Hongchen's already grim face darkened further like a soot-covered pot. He roared: "Gu La! I recognize your voice! You're a student of the Sun Moon Academy now—you have the duty to help defend against external enemies!"
He knew Gu La's strength was definitely not merely Soul Emperor level—he could certainly save some people.
In desperation, inspiration struck. He shouted: "For every person you save, I'll give you five hundred… no! One thousand pounds of rare metals!"
Before his words faded, Gu La's figure appeared as if teleporting beside a student about to be crushed by a massive boulder. With a casual wave, the boulder crumbled to dust.
"As you wish, my honorable Director." Gu La smiled faintly. Behind him, his brilliant Angel martial soul spread its wings, holy light dispersing the dust. His sword of light and flame slashed out, forcing back a charging Body Sect disciple. He scolded them sternly:
"What skill is there in killing a few student soul device masters? Soul devices are the trend of the future—they won't stop advancing due to some people's ignorant opposition. The tide of the times cannot be stopped by anyone."
Du Busi was struck at his sore point. He shouted angrily: "Gu La, I know you. You're from one of the three Douluo nations. Will you stand idly by while the Sun Moon Empire uses soul devices to invade your homeland?"
Gu La casually saved another student while shrugging: "Then what does killing a few students accomplish? If you have the guts, go kill all the Sun Moon royal family members and exterminate their clan. The Sun Moon Empire would collapse into chaos on its own."
His offhand remark sent chills down the spines of the students he had saved. Jing Hongchen silently cursed him as a madman.
Du Busi's heart stirred at the words, but he wasn't foolish enough to believe such sneak attacks could be repeated. He snorted coldly: "Good kid, crazy enough! But you'll need to survive first!"
With that, his assault intensified, forcing Jing Hongchen to fully activate his soul device defenses.
Their battle grew fiercer, energy surging wildly. Gu La found it difficult to continue rescuing people.
He simply stopped. After all, his clones had gathered substantial loot, and he himself had saved fourteen students.
"Fourteen thousand pounds of rare metals—profitable." He nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, an extreme cold surged from the depths of the massive underground tunnel.
The Snow Empress's soul—having failed her transformation and lost her body—burst forth from the Soul Sealing Altar that had imprisoned her, filled with infinite rage and sorrow. She charged upward, seeking vengeance against all humans.
Terrifying Ultimate Ice energy spread out. Even Du Busi and Jing Hongchen felt their hearts shudder, forced to temporarily join forces to resist the dreadful cold wave.
Gu La led the rescued students to a corner, watching this expected great battle with great interest.
In the end, the Snow Empress's soul—greatly weakened by losing her body—was forced under the combined suppression of Jing Hongchen and Du Busi. Reluctantly, she chose self-detonation.
A terrifying energy storm swept through the Mingde Hall ruins once more.
Only Gu La knew that the Snow Empress's true core soul had quietly slipped into Huo Yuhao's body—hidden somewhere unknown.
With their target self-destructed, Du Busi no longer wished to fight. He roared: "Retreat!"
Leading the Body Sect disciples, they retreated into the tunnels like a receding tide, vanishing instantly.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Jing Hongchen, furious beyond measure, led the remaining able-bodied Mingde Hall members and guards in pursuit.
The ground shook with vibrations and collapse sounds.
Gu La no longer paid attention. Mingling with the panicked crowd, he quietly left the ruins.
The chaos continued until nightfall.
That evening, members of the royal disciplinary team arrived at his door. Their leader was a royal branch Soul Douluo and a high-ranking disciplinary officer.
His face was grim. He directly questioned: "Gu La, we suspect you looted important items from Mingde Hall during the chaos. Immediately hand over your storage soul device for inspection."
Gu La didn't even bother lifting his eyelids. He uttered a single word: "Scram!"
Overwhelming spiritual power erupted like a blazing sun, instantly knocking the entire squad off balance. Those with weaker cultivation fainted outright.
"How dare you resist arrest! You're clearly guilty!" The Xu surname Soul Douluo officer was both shocked and furious. Eight soul rings rose beneath his feet—two yellow, two purple, four black. His Sun martial soul erupted, sending waves of scorching heat toward Gu La as he prepared to apprehend him.
Gu La was tired of talking—he had indeed taken quite a lot.
His Angel martial soul appeared again. Sacred light flames collided with the other's sunlight.
Absolute attribute suppression immediately manifested. Gu La's Ultimate Light easily overwhelmed the other's top-tier Sun martial soul. The blazing holy flames forced him to retreat repeatedly, appearing utterly disheveled, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Just as the conflict was about to escalate, Jing Hongchen arrived.
He looked exhausted and haggard. The destruction of Mingde Hall had devastated him.
He stepped between the two and said gravely to Officer Xu: "Release him. Gu La has been within my sight the entire time—he even saved many students. He had no time for anything else."
The Xu surname officer felt choked—how could he release someone he hadn't even captured? But Jing Hongchen's authority was long-established—he didn't dare push back directly.
Jing Hongchen then turned to Gu La, his gaze sharp, carrying an unprecedented warning.
"Gu La, you'd better behave. My mood is extremely poor right now—I won't care about any damned threats anymore!"
Gu La could sense the suppressed rage and heartbreak emanating from Jing Hongchen. He understood what the destruction of Mingde Hall meant to him.
Especially since Huo Yuhao had taken the giant humanoid soul device, and he himself had reaped many advanced rare metals—he estimated Mingde Hall would have to tighten its belt for the foreseeable future.
So this time, he didn't argue. He simply nodded faintly, giving face to this heavily loss-ridden principal.
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