The front hall of the Duke's Mansion was still brightly lit. Ye Xiaosheng had not yet removed the auxiliary Soul Guidance Device crafting apparatus from his body. He stretched his arm, yawned, and when he looked up, he saw Wang Nan walking in.
"Why aren't you resting so late?"
"You know my rest schedule is never punctual." Ye Xiaosheng stood up. "Once I start crafting Soul Guidance Devices, it's normal for me to go days and nights without sleep."
"What, are you out of materials again?"
"It's not about materials this time." Ye Xiaosheng's expression grew more serious. "Soul Guidance Devices similar to those in Gengxin City have appeared in other cities again."
"Which kind this time?"
"Not just one kind. The Soul Guidance Device vehicles from before could only operate inside cities due to road conditions, so there were fewer imitations. But now a large batch of smaller gadgets has suddenly appeared."
Wang Nan raised an eyebrow and sat down on a nearby chair. "How's their quality?"
"The quality is acceptable," Ye Xiaosheng said, leaning closer. "You're not planning to ignore it again like before, are you?"
"You know me well." Wang Nan nodded. "Outside Liujin Province, our influence is limited anyway. Let them do it. As long as the quality is decent, it will ultimately benefit ordinary people."
"As expected of you." Ye Xiaosheng gave him a thumbs-up. "Oh, right. The sound-transmitting Soul Guidance Device you asked me to research is finished. As long as the relay device is launched into the high sky, similar to a high-altitude detection Soul Guidance Device, it can cover the entire Gengxin City."
"However, the relay's charging still needs improvement, and the range is limited. For now, it can only be used within Gengxin City."
"That's enough." Wang Nan nodded lightly. "Take it slowly. Soul Guidance Device research is never something that can be rushed. Iteration will always bring progress."
"Even though you don't personally craft Soul Guidance Devices much, you understand these things very clearly." Ye Xiaosheng sighed. "I really don't know how your mind works. These ideas just appear so naturally. It was definitely worth it for me to come here with you."
"I only know these things." Wang Nan sighed softly. "It's a pity they can't help you break through your Soul Master level."
"I'm not like you." Ye Xiaosheng glanced at Wang Nan and spoke earnestly. "Although I also graduated from Shrek Academy, I know my own talent. I'm still far from true geniuses like Yuhao."
"An eighth-rank Soul Master is basically my limit. I'm already very satisfied being able to research and craft Soul Guidance Devices here. Most of the devices used by ordinary people outside were designed and made by me. That kind of recognition is something every Soul Master dreams of."
As Ye Xiaosheng spoke, his expression suddenly shifted. He looked up and saw Ma Xiaotao walking in.
"Alright, you must have something important to discuss since you came back this time." He smiled knowingly. "I'll head back to rest and won't disturb your good fortune."
"Go."
Ma Xiaotao covered her mouth and chuckled as she watched Ye Xiaosheng leave.
"Everyone knows the Soul Guidance Devices crafted by Ye Xiaosheng come from the Duke's Mansion, yet they still dare to imitate them. There must be people backing this," she said.
"Did you hear everything just now?" Wang Nan watched Ye Xiaosheng's figure disappear beyond the front hall.
"Yes. You weren't exactly trying to hide it."
"The nobles of the Star Luo Empire couldn't win me over, so they resorted to petty tricks." Wang Nan waved it off. "I'm not promoting Soul Guidance Devices to make gold coins. Let them do as they please. I'm too lazy to care."
"Enough about that." Wang Nan looked up at her. "Yuhao, why is he here?"
"You already noticed?" Ma Xiaotao moved closer and sat beside him.
"I noticed the moment I came in."
"Yuhao arrived this afternoon. The notice from the Star Luo Empire came a bit late." As she spoke, Ma Xiaotao handed him an envelope bearing the royal seal of the Star Luo Empire, still unopened.
"Yuhao said the Star Luo Empire wants to entrust the two of you with rescuing a ninth-rank Soul Master. Initially, they valued Yuhao's ability to conceal and alter his aura, but later felt his strength was still insufficient, so they asked you to accompany him."
Wang Nan read the letter quickly, his gaze pausing on the title "Sealing God."
Sealing God Douluo.
If Wang Nan was not mistaken, this was the Soul Master who had crafted the ninth-rank Soul Guidance Device known as the Sealing God Platform, sealed the Snow Empress during her transformation, and handed both the platform and the Snow Empress over to the Star Luo Empire.
Originally, this Soul Master should have been discovered by the Sun Moon Empire during the Star Luo Empire's auction of the embryo, but now the situation seemed to have changed.
After the Continental War, the Three Great Empires had begun fully accepting Soul Guidance Devices, but they had started far too late. None of them possessed their own ninth-rank Soul Masters. As a result, the Star Luo Empire urgently needed this Sealing God Douluo.
Moreover, Sealing God Douluo had transmitted a great deal of information during the war, making him a meritorious contributor who could not simply be abandoned.
However, rumors claimed that he had gone missing near the end of the Continental War. Why was he only now in need of rescue?
Wang Nan finished reading the letter. According to its contents, the failure of the war had caused turmoil within the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family. Sealing God Douluo was a subordinate of a pro-peace prince.
That was why he had continuously transmitted intelligence to the Star Luo Empire. Now that Xu Tianran had quelled the internal strife, Sealing God Douluo had fallen into his hands and was likely being held in Holy Spirit Cult territory.
"Dongyang City." Wang Nan folded the letter and spoke the name.
"Is that where you and Yuhao are going this time?"
"Yes." Wang Nan nodded. "I'm not unfamiliar with that place. There are many Evil Soul Masters there, and according to Nangong Wan, the Holy Spirit Cult may be hiding other secrets in Dongyang City."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No need." Wang Nan stood up. "Even if there's danger, the Sun Moon Empire alone can't keep me. You stay here and look after things."
Ma Xiaotao's face flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Alright."
"Get a good rest tonight. We leave early tomorrow."
That night, tenderness went unspoken.
---
Early the next morning, Huo Yuhao awoke from meditation. As he looked at the rising sun in the east, a faint purple light flickered through his eyes.
Moments later, he rose and walked to the front hall, where Wang Nan was already waiting.
"Wang Dage!" Huo Yuhao exclaimed in surprise.
"Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao saw the familiar smile on Wang Nan's face, unchanged from when they were children.