After a brief pause, Han Lin seemed to realize that Shu Yan and the others had misunderstood him. Somewhat embarrassed, he scratched his head and quickly clarified:
"Your Highness, Young Friend Shu, please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean it the way you think. The issue truly lies with me."
"First of all, there have been successful precedents for combining soul tools with soul bones. I'm absolutely confident I can accomplish it, and it won't take more than half a month."
"However… as for preserving the soul beast's lingering resentment within the soul bone—that's likely a first in all the world. It's not just a matter of lacking experience. The sheer risk of that resentment erupting mid-process makes it nearly impossible to control… unless…"
Han Lin trailed off, clearly hesitant to continue.
Before Shu Yan could respond, Xu Jiujiu immediately picked up the thread:
"Elder Han, if you have any difficulties, please bring them up now. As long as it's within the Empire's capabilities, it won't be a problem."
Han Lin's eyes flickered with a deep, assessing look. He seemed to realize that of the three before him, the true decision-maker was not Xu Jiujiu, but the always low-key, reserved Shu Yan. Thinking back to Xu Jiujiu and Nebula Douluo's deferential behavior earlier, Han Lin's understanding deepened. Then, his tone grew more solemn as he finally spoke:
"In truth, it's not that complicated. I simply need a soul master with sufficiently strong spiritual power and soul power to help suppress the resentment within the soul bone during the crafting process."
"I must admit, my spiritual strength isn't enough to allow me to multitask during the forging. If I divide my focus, the whole process could fail…"
Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's face lit up slightly as she responded:
"That's not a problem. We'll just have Granny Manyi stay behind. With her spiritual and soul power, suppressing the remnant will of a ten-thousand-year soul beast is no trouble at all. Not to mention, her starlight-attributed martial soul can purify impurities within metals—it's practically tailor-made for this!"
As soon as she said that, both Han Lin and Nebula Douluo froze. Almost simultaneously, they blurted out:
"Absolutely not, Your Highness. I must remain to ensure your safety. This task should be left to that brute Ju Li instead."
"Definitely not, Your Highness! I've never gotten along with this old hag Nebula. If you force us to work together, I fear the whole of Star Luo City will be at risk…"
Xu Jiujiu paused, then gave a slightly awkward smile as she added:
"That was my oversight. Very well, I'll petition the Emperor to have Douluo Ju Li assist Elder Han instead. Elder Han, please do your utmost. Don't let us down."
Elder Han stood and bowed deeply, his tone firm:
"Please rest assured, Your Highness, Young Friend Shu. Within half a month, I'll personally deliver the finished product. If I fail to meet the deadline—I'll take my own life in atonement…"
Xu Jiujiu pressed her fingers to her forehead with a sigh, then murmured:
"It's not that serious. Elder Han, there's no need for such extremity. You… well, as long as you're happy."
Han Lin scratched his head and said nothing more. Shu Yan slowly rose as well, smiling as he said:
"Then we'll await good news at the Princess's manor. Elder Han, we'll take our leave."
Han Lin accepted the ten-thousand-year skull Shu Yan handed him with trembling hands, nodding heavily. He then personally escorted the trio to the door before dashing back to his secluded workshop—leaving Han Xin, who had just returned from scaling the wall again, utterly bewildered…
On the way back, Shu Yan leaned against the carriage window. Once it started moving, he massaged his temples and finally said:
"This Elder Han… really is quite the character."
Xu Jiujiu let out a helpless sigh and replied softly:
"That he is. But don't dwell on it. Elder Han's loyalty to the Empire is unquestionable. With him crafting the soul tool, you need not worry. That aside—can you now tell me why you're doing this? Sacrificing such a precious soul bone just to forge a soul tool—if you don't give me a good enough reason, you won't be allowed to sleep in a bed for the next year…"
Her tone grew increasingly menacing, even carrying a hint of chill by the end.
Nebula Douluo, who had been silently accompanying them, now turned her gaze over as well. She didn't concern herself with the couple's personal affairs, but when it came to this soul bone, she had a very strong opinion.
Head and torso soul bones were far rarer than those of other body parts. Among all soul bones, they were the most precious and scarce. This particular ten-thousand-year Titan Snow Demon's skull was not only completely intact but also perfectly compatible with Shu Yan's ice attribute. Shu Yan had already absorbed the Titan Snow Demon's soul ring—if he absorbed this soul bone too, it would be a match made in heaven.
Shu Yan had expected their dissatisfaction and confusion. The skull was indeed a rare treasure, tailor-made for him.
But truthfully, Shu Yan had no interest in the soul bone. Ever since he succeeded in allying with the Ice Empress and Snow Empress, his ambitions had expanded drastically. Yet at the same time, he was deeply aware of the limitations of this era. Though Tang San resided in the Divine Realm, he still monitored the Douluo Continent.
Even setting aside that divine threat, there were still Tang Hao and Ah Yin—both of whom had reached divine-level cultivation. With their unique identities, they posed significant risks.
And then there were the divine beasts from the Divine Realm—the Azure Divine Dragon and the Titan Giant Ape—both formidable threats in their own right...
Staring at the distant blue sky, Shu Yan's heart grew heavy, though his face remained composed. He exhaled lightly and said:
"The reason is simple—and well worth it. Jiujiu, you have to understand one thing: our goal has changed. Our vision must stretch further now."
"Once, our aim was to become a Title Douluo or a Super Douluo—maybe even push toward Limit Douluo with everything we had. But now, it's different. Our goals are higher, further. A single ten-thousand-year soul bone? Turning it into a soul tool will bring far greater benefit than me simply absorbing it."
"In fact, I can tell you plainly: with our current strength, acquiring higher-grade soul bones will be easy. Once I break through to the Soul Sage level, we'll be able to hunt down hundred-thousand-year soul beasts or even ferocious beasts in the ocean and harvest even greater soul bones. Compared to that, this one just isn't worth it."
"It's close. Everything is close. Once Elder Han completes the soul tool, we'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest. At that point, everything will fall into place…"
Xu Jiujiu was momentarily stunned. She remained quiet for a while, then leaned gently on Shu Yan's shoulder. After a long silence, she finally whispered:
"I still don't know what you're truly aiming for. But you've never been one to act recklessly. I'm sorry… I just need some time to adjust. I'll come around."
The figure of Nebula Douluo gradually faded into the background. She let out a faint sigh—barely audible. Suddenly, she felt old. The affairs of the younger generation… perhaps she should no longer involve herself. She would simply serve as their guardian, quietly protecting Shu Yan and Xu Jiujiu.
Shu Yan pinched Xu Jiujiu's cheek. The breeze swept past them, and his smile softened. His voice too, grew gentler:
"We won't be idle in the days ahead. You're the Princess—you know the state of the Empire far better than I do. I'll need to hunt down another group of evil soul masters—stronger, the better. They'll be essential for what comes next…"
Xu Jiujiu blinked, her eyes revealing deep confusion and shock. She hadn't expected Shu Yan's next move to involve such terrifying, vile beings as the evil soul masters.
But after thinking it over carefully, she eventually nodded with a sigh and said:
"I'll speak with my royal brother and investigate which evil soul master factions are currently running wild within the Empire. Consider it a public service—purging evil for the good of the people. But… this is no small matter. I'll need to discuss it with him thoroughly."
Shu Yan gave a nod and said no more
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/XenTronix