Three days after splitting the loot, Xiao Lin and the others had returned to their lives at Notting Academy.
At this moment, Xiao Lin was nestled in his underground basement, secretly studying the items dropped by the black-robed elder.
On the table, most of Xiao Lin's research materials had been swept aside in a pile on the ground, messy and disorganized.
Only three items were left on the table:
The blood-red loquat fruit,
The blood-red agate,
And a black leather-bound book.
These few items had filled him with anticipation for three whole days.
Only after returning to Notting Academy and entering his secret base could Xiao Lin finally begin his research.
First up was the blood-red loquat fruit that the Soul Hunting Squad and Brother Tao didn't want. Xiao Lin had already found its true effect in the book dropped by the black-robed elder.
As Xiao Lin had suspected, this item wasn't meant for human soul masters—it was for soul beasts.
When consumed by a soul beast, it would enhance the beast's innate potential while also plunging it into hallucinations.
If, at that moment, a soul master skilled in illusion control were to manipulate the beast's hallucinations, the beast could fall into an endless illusion cycle.
Essentially, this was the Douluo version of a personal Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Within the illusion, everything—time, space, gravity—was under the control of the illusion master.
If one wanted to make the soul beast wish for death, they could. This would induce infinite fear in the beast, allowing its spirit and physical vitality to perfectly fuse.
In the end, this fusion would create a soul bone inside the beast.
After reading the description of the blood-red loquat fruit, Xiao Lin broke out in a cold sweat.
This method was no less horrifying than the artificial inferior soul bones from Douluo Dalu 2—a type called Arcane Soul Bones.
In Xiao Lin's view, soul bones were extremely random.
Besides hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts, only some gifted beasts—those with innate talents to condense a soul core—had a chance to drop one.
Otherwise, it depended on soul beasts with extremely high bloodline strength.
Xiao Lin thought, if Di Tian had a child, even if it only had a hundred years of cultivation, it'd probably have a good chance of dropping a soul bone.
Looking at the lone blood-red loquat fruit in his hand, Xiao Lin felt it was such a waste.
Unfortunately, he couldn't find the method for producing the loquat fruit.
According to the book from the black-robed elder, the process was extremely evil.
Sadly, it wasn't something he could replicate. Instead, he had to figure out a more ethical method of soul bone creation.
Fortunately, of the three items he had, this loquat fruit was the least useful.
Since Xiao Lin didn't know how to cast illusions, he could only think of a few tortures to use on something like a Man-Faced Demon Spider.
The loquat fruit was a one-time-use item, so he could only use it on an evil soul beast with a high drop rate like the Man-Faced Demon Spider.
"Man-Faced Demon Spider… you better hope I don't run into you."
Second Item:
After reading more from the black book, Xiao Lin finally understood what the blood-red agate really was.
It was the black-robed elder's Martial Soul, manifested into a physical form. After absorbing the life force of multiple soul masters, it became a special inferior external soul bone.
Why call it a soul bone?
Because this blood-red agate had absorbed nearly all the soul power of the Bullet Bee.
Moreover, the Bullet Bee had consumed a blood-red loquat fruit and endured the elder's illusions.
In other words, the agate was a soul bone dropped from the Bullet Bee.
As for why it was an external soul bone—that's because it didn't correspond to any of the standard six slots for soul bones.
If Xiao Lin absorbed this agate, he might end up with a so-called golden core in his abdomen.
Put bluntly—it might be a kidney stone.
Well… not necessarily. An external soul bone like this could also go to the brain and become a brain tumor.
Xiao Lin was caught between shock and delight.
The joy came from having another external soul bone—another potential artifact.
The shock came from how low-quality it was, not to mention its many side effects.
According to the black book, the blood-red agate had absorbed the life energy and fear of other soul masters.
This gave it a power to manipulate fear-based emotions.
Unfortunately, Xiao Lin also saw traces of another power—evil.
It was this evil force that allowed it to control fear and turn into a special soul bone.
Evil and fear—two extremely dangerous forces. Xiao Lin didn't want to mess with them.
With such a bright future ahead, there was no need to take such a risky route.
Not only did he not want to absorb it, he wouldn't even give it to Tang San.
He had finally managed to turn Tang San into someone who could reason a little. If he gave him this evil power, Xiao Lin couldn't even imagine what might happen.
What if Tang San reverted into that absurd personality from Douluo Dalu 2? Xiao Lin would laugh out of sheer frustration.
"Innate evil powers… damn it, I ought to just…"
He considered destroying it, but in the end, he didn't.
Better to study it further.
"If fear and vitality can create a soul bone, what if I used the power of infinite love instead?"
"Hmm??"
"Why does that feel wrong?"
"Isn't that the plot of Tang San and that silly rabbit?"
Even though it felt a bit off, Xiao Lin still believed he'd found a source of inspiration.
Maybe this was one possible path to soul bone creation.
Though, given the current soul master–soul beast relationship, Xiao Lin figured love wasn't really feasible.
Setting aside the blood-red agate for now, Xiao Lin finally turned to the black book.
This black leather-bound book recorded many things.
Some explained the truth behind the blood-red loquat fruit and the agate. Others detailed secrets about Martial Soul Fusion.
Xiao Lin flipped to that section.
Douluo Calendar, June 7, 1999.
I, Shi Ke, awakened my Martial Soul—blood-red agate—with innate soul power level six.
A deacon from Spirit Hall invited me to join Spirit City's Spirit Hall, saying I'd have better prospects there.
Since Spirit City was near our Sword Mountain City, I agreed. But I couldn't bear to leave my parents behind… unless they could come with me.
The deacon praised me for being smart and filial, so I went with my parents to Spirit City.
Douluo Calendar, August 4, 1999.
Spirit City was too far. Even by carriage, it took us a month and cost a lot. My parents were heartbroken.
I wondered which great teacher in Spirit City would train me.
We waited two hours outside before someone came to fetch me.
Dammit—Spirit City doesn't allow regular people inside.
The teacher said not even the Pope could bring in ordinary folks.
Even the lowest service staff are all soul masters.
My parents had to find a place outside the city, living in a makeshift wooden hut.
I swore I'd work hard to earn money and build them a big house.
Douluo Calendar, August 5, 1999.
The teacher gave me a meditation technique. He said my Martial Soul wasn't actually "blood-red agate."
Its real name was "Prankster Ruby"—a powerful control-type Martial Soul.
It's poor at amplifying soul skills, but excels at controlling and weakening enemies. A top-tier control soul.
I was thrilled. That meant I could earn a fortune someday.
The teacher enrolled me at the beginner academy in Spirit City. I'm a genius.
My dorm room is bigger than my whole house. Only two people per room. My roommate is dumb Wu Feng—his Martial Soul is Blue Silver Flower.
Douluo Calendar, August 6, 1999.
My parents are dead.
Killed by thugs outside Spirit City.
I'm furious. I don't even want to cry. I want revenge!
Mom… Dad…
Why didn't Spirit City let you stay with me?!
AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!
(End of Chapter)