"If you put it that way, then I guess I'm no longer sleepy."
Yang Yunhai's spirit was immediately lifted. Though he still wore a cautious expression, he spoke softly, "Bishop, if possible, I hope I can obtain a storage-type soul device, preferably one that can store living beings."
"This recent martial soul evolution has made me realize the wonders of rare herbs. So, I want to start studying medicinal plants next."
"And while I'm at it, I'd like to see if I can expand my newly gained sensing ability. Right now, I can only communicate with Blue Silver Grass. But maybe, with more practice, I can establish a connection with other plants."
What he meant was, perhaps this new ability might help him locate immortal herbs. The bait is cast, won't Chrysanthemum Douluo take the hook?
If he's willing to share information about immortal herbs, I'll gladly bow and call him master!
Though the chances were slim, Yang Yunhai thought it was worth trying. There was nothing to lose, after all. Besides, Salas had already checked his body earlier. Even if Chrysanthemum Douluo did come, it was unlikely he'd bother to examine him again, which made the safety of his soul bone much more secure.
The more knowledge about immortal herbs, the better.
"Also, if I'm going to research soul master theory in the future, I might need small soul beasts for experimentation. A soul device capable of storing living beings would make things much easier."
After saying this, Yang Yunhai took a step back and added, "Of course, if that's not possible, a regular one will do."
If he could get a soul device that stores living creatures, he could use his third soul skill to create microscopic parasitic spores and find a chance to let one land on Dugu Bo. The spore would absorb a tiny amount of soul power to maintain itself and act as a tracker for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Later, he could use his Blue Silver Grass sensing ability for remote tracking. Once inside, the herbs could be collected using the storage device.
Although difficult to pull off, it was a viable backup plan if the path through Dugu Yan didn't work out.
"Hmm, I'll report your request and reasoning to His Holiness the Pope," Salas nodded. A soul device capable of storing living beings was indeed rare across the soul master world, but a regular one shouldn't be an issue.
"Also, I have another request," Yang Yunhai added. "I hope the bishop can give me a map of the Heaven Dou Empire. It doesn't have to be too detailed, something like the distribution maps used by the sub-temples would suffice. That way, I won't get lost when I travel."
Could this kid be directionally challenged? Was he struck by lightning too many times and lost his sense of direction? Salas couldn't help but wonder.
After all, the stories had mentioned how Yang Yunhai once got lost while traveling outside Nuoding City.
Come to think of it, he also stumbled into the mountain with the rare treasures purely by accident.
Thankfully, it hadn't affected his intelligence. With that, Salas stopped overthinking and nodded. "That's simple. When I return, come here and take it along with the soul device."
A full map of the Heaven Dou Empire was quite large, and without a soul device, it would be hard for Yang Yunhai to carry. Also, walking out of the Spirit Temple with such a conspicuous item would draw attention and possibly link him to the temple.
"Thank you, Bishop," Yang Yunhai quickly expressed his gratitude.
"There's one more thing. On my way out of the Star Dou Forest, I saved a girl who had gotten separated from her group. Her name is Zhu Zhuqing. I'd heard about the Star Luo royal family and the Zhu clan's situation while I was near the border. She came to find her fiancé, Dai Mubai. Since we were headed the same way, I accompanied her to Soto City, where we saw Dai Mubai walking into a hotel with two other girls in his arms."
"So, I brought her to Heaven Dou City and plan to have her enroll in the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with me."
"..." Salas glanced at him again and after a pause, calmly said, "If possible, try to recruit her into the Spirit Hall. As for the Star Luo Empire and Dai Mubai, don't bother. This is the Heaven Dou Empire."
In terms of value, Yang Yunhai far surpassed Dai Mubai, making the choice obvious.
Given the ruthless nature of the Star Luo Empire's royal succession, if necessary, Salas wouldn't mind helping the crown prince Davis eliminate his brother, just so Yang Yunhai could feel secure in the Spirit Hall.
If the so-called third prince vanished entirely, Zhu Zhuqing, just a minor daughter of the Zhu clan, wouldn't matter anymore.
"I'll give it a try," Yang Yunhai nodded.
"Good." Salas gave a slight nod, picked up the Martial Soul Certificate on the desk, and walked back to his office while speaking.
"I'll issue a new Martial Soul Certificate for you. Your martial soul remains Blue Silver Grass, and your soul power is listed as Level 31."
"With your age and cultivation, and your intent to join Heaven Dou Academy's top team, you'll definitely need to show some of your strength after enrollment."
"Once you successfully join the team, word will spread, and many factions will start investigating your background in Nuoding City."
"When that happens, your sudden leap from Level 21 to Soul Elder in less than a month will no longer be a secret."
"Other factions might not act, but if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the top three sects, gets involved, things could get tricky."
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy was established by the imperial family, and its overseer is Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who is the personal disciple of Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Because of this connection, and your martial soul being Blue Silver Grass, he likely won't act rashly until his investigators return. But once they report back, everything changes."
"No one would ignore such a rapid advancement by a civilian soul master. Everyone would want to dig deeper."
"Especially considering Ning Fengzhi's inherited Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul has a natural flaw. That makes this even more tempting."
"So, before their investigation concludes, use this window wisely. With your age and strength, once you enter Heaven Dou Academy, the first to receive the news and meet you will likely be Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. You must take full advantage of this opportunity. If he offers to recruit you, agree for now, it will serve as a delay tactic and secure his protection. That way, Ning Fengzhi won't dare make a move against you."
"I suspect he'll later try to approach you through Xue Qinghe and question you directly."
At this point, Salas had finished making the new certificate and returned to the sofa. He placed the certificate on the tea table and pushed it in front of Yang Yunhai.
"By the way, do you remember the exact location of the mountain where you found that bamboo shoot?"
"I don't remember the exact spot," Yang Yunhai shook his head and gave his pre-prepared answer. "But if I'm not wrong, it should be somewhere on the western side, near the Star Dou Forest, heading toward the border."
"As for the size of the mountain or how far it was from the border, I have no idea."
"I was completely lost in that mountain. I don't even remember exactly where I walked. When I finally got out, I was still disoriented."
"To be honest, after leaving that mountain, my mind was blank."
After all, he'd been lost in the mist inside that mountain for a long time.
Salas nodded slightly, "If Ning Fengzhi ever asks, just vaguely say it was on the eastern side. You can even bring up the rare treasure incident during your first meeting with Xue Qinghe."
"With how quickly your Blue Silver Grass has advanced, I bet he'll be curious enough to ask. That will be the perfect chance to hint at it."
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