Haotian Sect.
Inside the sect's council hall.
Sect Master Tang Xiao and the five elders were currently discussing the impact of the latest issue of Martial Spirit Journal.
Although the Haotian Sect had long since withdrawn from the world, at first, they hadn't paid much attention to Master Xiao Yan's papers.
But now, Xiao Yan's several papers were well-known throughout the entire soul master world.
Even while in seclusion, the Haotian Sect very much acknowledged Xiao Yan's theories.
For example, the paper on soul power circulation—within the Haotian Sect, among those who awakened the Clear Sky Hammer, there were those who specialized in Flame Hammers and Thunder Hammers.
Now, faced with Xiao Lin's new papers,
Sect Master Tang Xiao and the five elders all wore solemn expressions.
So many papers in one go—it made even Tang Xiao sigh in admiration at Master Xiao Yan's productivity.
"Ahem. I've finished reading all of Master Xiao Yan's papers. This self-condensing soul ring technology will have a massive impact on our sect. I believe our Haotian Sect must acquire this technology."
At that moment, the second elder, the most respected among the five elders, voiced his opinion.
"Not just that. We also need to locate this Master Xiao Yan—and bring him into the Haotian Sect."
The second elder's words were shocking; the other four elders were slightly startled, then turned their eyes toward Tang Xiao at the sect master's seat.
Hearing this, Tang Xiao frowned slightly, but he wasn't entirely satisfied with the second elder's wording.
"What the second elder says is indeed reasonable, but I still need to hear the opinions of the other elders."
He then turned to the remaining elders.
The first elder spoke first.
"I think the second elder has a point. Our sect has been forced into seclusion. If it were only for a short while, it wouldn't matter, but over time, it's become more and more difficult for our younger generations to acquire suitable soul rings."
"Not only that, regarding the future of soul tools Master Xiao Yan mentioned, I think it's fitting that we, the Haotian Sect, take the lead."
The first elder believed that, since they had been forced into hiding and the Spirit Hall wouldn't let them emerge, it had become extremely difficult for their younger members to find appropriate soul rings.
If this situation didn't change, their Haotian Sect would gradually weaken.
Over the past few years, there had even been disciples who, in order to improve, had secretly fled the sect.
If they could obtain the inheritance of the perfect self-condensing soul ring, then every disciple of the Haotian Sect would have ideal soul ring configurations.
Moreover, they were skilled in blacksmithing—crafting soul tools and guiding the future of soul tools should naturally fall to them.
The first elder was already imagining a scene of Haotian Sect's proud geniuses wielding fixed-mounted soul cannons, sweeping across the battlefield with devastating force.
However, the first elder's vision was shortsighted; soul tools weren't something anyone who could hammer iron well could just produce.
Once the first elder finished speaking, the other three elders immediately voiced their agreement.
Muscle-bound and not exactly bright, they hadn't even considered how to find Xiao Yan—
Let alone whether Xiao Yan would cooperate with them.
But since all five elders expressed such views, even as sect master, Tang Xiao couldn't say much against them.
In truth, he himself didn't know of any better solution.
Thus, he issued a direct order:
"Send word to our hidden disciples out in the world—search for Master Xiao Yan's whereabouts, and invite him to the Haotian Sect."
…
Heaven Dou City.
Inside Ning Fengzhi's mansion.
Ning Fengzhi, along with Gu Rong and Chen Xin, had just finished reading Xiao Yan's new papers.
Upon finishing them, the first thing Ning Fengzhi thought of was the applications of soul tools.
Compared to soul tools, self-condensing soul rings were a minor matter—it didn't really matter whether they existed or not.
But the future of soul tools—Ning Fengzhi felt he could glimpse something there.
In the future, auxiliary-type soul masters would definitely gain higher status, because the existence of soul tools could grant them destructive power not weaker than that of battle-type soul masters.
And as soul tools continued to mature, auxiliary-type soul masters might even surpass battle-type soul masters in strength.
This was the future Ning Fengzhi saw.
All this time, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had relied on Gu Rong and Chen Xin as its two pillars.
This had always worried Ning Fengzhi deeply.
If someday he, Uncle Gu, and Uncle Jian were gone—could Rong Rong manage the sect properly?
Would Rong Rong be bullied in the future? It had always been his concern.
Originally, he had thought of finding Rong Rong a good match—someone like Xiao Lin.
Now, what he wanted was for the future disciples of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to have a brighter future.
If he could witness a glorious future for the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi felt he'd be even happier than when Ning Rongrong obtained her perfect fourth soul ring.
"Sigh, I wonder how Master Xiao Yan's soul tool production is going. I really wish I could see with my own eyes the fixed-mounted soul cannon described in the paper."
Ning Fengzhi sighed suddenly.
"I think even Master Xiao Yan probably hasn't built such a fixed-mounted soul cannon yet. In just five years, there's no way Master Xiao Yan could both research and manufacture something like that."
Gu Rong stroked his beard confidently.
Though the future of soul tools described in the paper was thrilling, as a Titled Douluo, Gu Rong could immediately see what was off.
The issue lay in the descriptions of the fixed-mounted soul cannon's destructive power.
Any true Titled Douluo would know exactly how destructive their own attacks were.
Any professional researcher would be the same.
For Master Xiao Yan, a professional soul tool expert, to describe it so vaguely made no sense.
As Gu Rong's words fell, he noticed Ning Fengzhi's expression stiffen slightly.
Then he added, "Still, I believe Master Xiao Yan must have completed some lower-grade versions of soul tools already—otherwise, he wouldn't be able to make such predictions."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's expression softened a little.
"Indeed, as Uncle Gu says, perhaps I should visit Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and ask Tang San."
"Yes, you should ask. But in the end, soul tools are still external aids."
At this moment, Chen Xin voiced his own view.
"No matter how powerful soul tools become, it depends on how powerful the wielder is."
"The paper claims the fixed-mounted soul cannon can destroy heaven and earth, but whether it's in the hands of a Titled Douluo or a Soul Douluo—it would make a big difference."
Hearing Chen Xin's words, Ning Fengzhi nodded unconsciously.
On the surface, Chen Xin was speaking about the difference between a Titled Douluo and a Soul Douluo, but in truth, he was reminding Ning Fengzhi about the gap between auxiliary-type soul masters and true battle-type soul masters.
Thinking of his own useless physical strength, Ning Fengzhi fell silent.
"Perhaps in the future, auxiliary-type soul masters will also need to learn how to fight."
Ning Fengzhi murmured, then suddenly his eyes lit up.
Speaking of auxiliary-type soul masters, he quickly thought of the Xu family—a hidden clan in the Star Luo Empire.
Though they were also auxiliary-type soul masters, the Xu family's martial spirits possessed some offensive capabilities.
Perhaps the future would belong to families like the Xu family.
At that thought, Ning Fengzhi suddenly felt as if the title of "Continent's Number One Auxiliary Martial Spirit" might one day be taken away.
"Sigh! Looks like the future of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will rest in Rong Rong's hands."
"Hopefully, Rong Rong can trick that silly boy Xiao Lin into joining the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
(End of Chapter)