'How could humans in this world know about the Seven-Colored Lotus?'
Huolang was filled with confusion and surprise.
Their leader of the Fire Host Clan, Lord Tianhuo, was a member of the royal family and the heir to the chieftainship, possessing the Seven-Colored Lotus.
If it wasn't for being affected by the spatial rift, he would likely have become the next head of the Fire Host Clan.
But as far as Huolang knew, Lord Tianhuo had rarely displayed this flame in public.
Even the higher-ups of the War God Temple were unaware of it. The only person who might have known should have already passed away. How did this young man know about it?
Could there be other members of the Fire Host Clan in this world? Or did some royal family member fall victim to an unknown plot, turning into a soul beast of the Douluo Continent and being forced to take human form?
Huolang stared in Huo Yuhao's direction, his thoughts in turmoil.
"I am Huo Yuhao from the Spirit Pagoda. I heard that you come from another plane and are slightly different from the soul beasts here. Your presence could be helpful in the research of spirit souls. Would you be willing to assist me?"
Hearing Huo Yuhao's words, Huolang snapped out of his contemplation and gave Huo Yuhao a deep look before nodding slightly.
Having been in this world for so many years, they had established some connections with humans, but due to differences in lifespan and living environments, their relationship with humans wasn't particularly deep.
After all, they were "homebodies"the kind that stayed in the magma and never came out.
Even the War Gods of the War God Temple didn't interact much with them. Given the current unusual situation, Huolang's first thought was to have a proper conversation with Huo Yuhao rather than doing anything unnecessary.
The researcher from the Illustrious Virtue Hall was somewhat surprised but also relieved to see the two quickly reach an agreement.
If the Fire Host Clan was unwilling, they couldn't force them, as this clan was now under the jurisdiction of the War God Temple. Their Head was a powerhouse nearly at the level of a Limit Douluo. Forcing them was out of the question.
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly as they moved to the laboratory arranged by the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
The laboratory was clearly prepared with great care by the Illustrious Virtue Hall, on the left was an element stabilization chamber specially designed for the Fire Host Clan, while the right side was equipped with various advanced soul tool analysis instruments.
"The conditions are good. It seems the Illustrious Virtue Hall values this exchange and learning opportunity."
Gu Yuena looked at the environment, her gaze settling on Huo Yuhao and Huolang.
The two had been communicating through mental power for a long time. Although she didn't know the specifics, she could guess some of the content.
Soon, Huo Yuhao ended the conversation.
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
"I will convey your words to Lord Tianhuo."
With Huolang's agreement, Huo Yuhao began his research.
Connecting with the Fire Host Clan was one thing, but research was another. The Fire Host Clan's essence hadn't changed since arriving in Douluo Continent, and their aura wasn't related to soul beasts.
They were a true extraterrestrial race, not transformed into soul beasts, and were elemental lifeforms similar to the Snow Empress. This was an extremely rare research sample in the current continent.
In the original story, the War God Temple had them guarding the 17th level of the War God Temple's hell, which was such a waste.
Huo Yuhao, with his Spirit Eyes martial soul and profound research expertise, took the lead; Gu Yuena, with her unique understanding of elemental power, assisted from the side; and Lan Fuzi, who was initially a bit reserved, gradually got into the rhythm and took charge of recording data and maintaining the stability of the experimental environment.
The three of them each played to their strengths, working in perfect harmony, and soon began a systematic study of the Fire Host Clan's life essence.
However, since the Fire Host Clan had to live in magma and couldn't stay in the Illustrious Virtue Hall for long, after several hours of collaborative research, Huolang was sent back to the 18th level of the War God Temple's headquarters.
By the way, the War God Temple headquarters is located in Mingdu, with its entrance at the peak of the highest mountain in the western part of the city. The entire War God Temple is located inside this mountain.
The location of the Dark Department's headquarters is unknown, but there's no doubt it's also in Mingdu.
In other words, the headquarters of the Dark Department, the War God Temple, the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and the Spirit Pagoda are all in Mingdu.
Looking at it this way, which organization's headquarters isn't here?
It's quite obvious...
And on top of these organizations, if we add the Central Legion stationed in Mingdu by the Federation and other family forces, the number of powerful individuals staying here is overwhelming.
Just the number of Limit Douluos from all sides combined is at least six. No wonder Zhenhua chose to stay away from Mingdu.
Watching the Fire Host Clan members being taken away, Huo Yuhao turned to Lan Fuzi, who had been diligently assisting him, "Your technical skills are better than I expected. Keep up the good work."
Lan Fuzi's technical skills were indeed solid. She had likely been studying soul tool technology for a long time, not just starting after arriving in Douluo Continent.
Lan Fuzi was stunned for a moment before hurriedly nodding, "Yes, sir!"
She still couldn't figure out the true intention behind their arrangement for her to enter the Illustrious Virtue Hall, but one thing was clear, only by continuing to gain the favor of these two deities could she ensure her survival in this "perilous" situation.
As for their goals... the deities must have their reasons for doing this. Just follow orders obediently and don't overthink it to scare yourself.
Keep it up! Surviving is victory!
Huo Yuhao gave her a strange look before turning to Gu Yuena, about to say something when a knock on the door interrupted them.
"Hall Master Hongchen is in the lounge and would like to meet with you all."
...
"Na Nali, do you have anything else to say?"
"Old man, you're so stingy. Lending me that soul tool for a few more days wouldn't hurt, would it? It's not like you use it often."
"You don't know how to use it either, and that's not the attitude of someone asking for a favor."
Before even entering the lounge, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena heard familiar voices, their eyes flickering.
Was Miss Dark Bell here too?
Huo Yuhao pushed the door open to see Na Nali with her hands on her hips, glaring at the old man across from her. The old man, on the other hand, had a resignation expression, clutching a delicate soul tool in his hand.
Na Nali's eyes lit up when she saw them enter, and she quickly walked over.
"It's Yuhao and Gu Yuena! Help me judge this. He's holding onto a level 10 soul tool and not using it. What's wrong with me borrowing it? You saw me in action earlier, right? That thing is clearly better in my hands... Oh, it's the soul tool I used to disguise myself as Yuan En Yehui."
Before Huo Yuhao and the others could speak, Wang Hongchen spoke up calmly.
"I seem to recall that you came today to deliver a thank-you gift to these young ones? If I'm not mistaken, the reason that evil soul master was captured has a lot to do with these young friends from the Spirit Pagoda. You didn't just take credit, did you?"
With that, he nodded to Huo Yuhao and the other two, "Please, take a seat."
"Uh—" Na Nali, upon hearing this, turned as red as a cat whose tail had been stepped on, stammering, "W-who took credit?! I was the one who did the most work…"
Her gaze shifted to Huo Yuhao, and she suddenly couldn't continue.
Yes, she had contributed the most in the fight, but in the end, she had been tricked by the evil soul master.
If it weren't for the help from the Spirit Pagoda, they probably wouldn't have captured the person and would have returned empty-handed.
She, Na Nali, had essentially been carried to victory this time... Ugh, she still couldn't hold her head high in front of her elders.
Seeing Miss Dark Bell deflate instantly, Huo Yuhao felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
This situation was somewhat similar to how Na'er was suppressed by Miss Ruiqiu.
What was the relationship between the Illustrious Virtue Hall Master and this lady?
The answer came the next moment.
"Stupid old man, always undermining your disciple! Is this how you treat your student?"
Na Nali was crestfallen for a moment before stomping her foot in frustration. Remembering that there were three "juniors" present, she became even more embarrassed and simply left the meeting room.
Fortunately, she didn't forget her purpose, adding before leaving the room:
"Yuhao, Na'er, come out later. I have something for you."
With that, she slammed the door shut.
Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena exchanged glances.
Wang Hongchen, on the other hand, sobbed slightly, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
Na Nali had once studied under him. Although she ultimately chose the path of a soul master, their master-disciple bond remained unchanged.
When she had quietly gone off to carry out a secret mission, he had been worried and secretly lent her the level 10 soul tool he had crafted, just in case.
In the eyes of the older generation, Na Nali always seemed like a child who never grew up, whimsical and unconventional, completely lacking the expected composure of a top-tier powerhouse. Even so, no one can deny that she was destined to be a pillar of the Federation in the future.
A four-word battle armor master in her thirties, a level 98 Super Douluo, such achievements were rare even in the history of the Federation.
As for a freak like Atlas Douluo, who broke through to the Limit level at the age of 31?
Such people could be counted on one hand in the history of the Douluo Continent and were hardly a benchmark.
He had once even considered letting Na Nali succeed him, but she chose a different path, and he had no choice but to give up.
Now that he thought about it, the person who temporarily gave her the position of Dark Department Head likely had similar considerations, right?
This girl needed some training to succeed the older generation. She had to grow up eventually.
After a moment of reflection, Wang Hongchen turned to Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena with a smile.
"My apologies for the scene. I've heard about your achievements from Yi. Becoming a level 6 and level 5 professional at such a young age is something rarely seen in historical records."
At this point, Wang Hongchen didn't forget Lan Fuzi, who was standing to the side. Although he hadn't met her before, he thought for a moment and gave her a high compliment.
"..."
Lan Fuzi knew he was just being polite and felt a bit speechless, but she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Good, even a Limit Douluo couldn't see through her. It was just that Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena were beyond the norm.
Encountering deities on the road... that was just too overpowered.
"The research room I arranged for you must have already seen. The resources and equipment there are on par with those of a first-class researcher at the Illustrious Virtue Hall. In addition..."
Wang Hongchen waved his sleeve, and a gentle soul power ripple spread out. "The soul tool research materials and finished products in the room behind me are available for your perusal at any time."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of metal mechanisms operating came from the distance, and several soul tool lights lit up, illuminating a deep passageway.
Transparent display cases lined both sides of the passage, showcasing various soul tools, each with a glowing blue plaque floating below it.
Even more striking was the sight of dozens of black obsidian bookshelves reaching up to the dome at the end of the passage, the soul tool crystals embedded in their spines emitting faint elemental vibrations.
Huo Yuhao's spiritual power keenly sensed that these seemingly ordinary bookshelves had been treated with spatial folding technology, each drawer might connect to an independent storage space.
Tianmeng marveled in his spiritual sea, "Wow, the Illustrious Virtue Hall's collection is even thicker than the ice layers of the Extreme North! It's not something the Mecha Association can compare to."
Outside the room, hearing the sound of the mechanisms inside, Na Nali was also somewhat surprised, "Teacher is actually willing to open the Illustrious Virtue Hall's treasures to Huo Yuhao and the others?"
After all, Wang Hongchen had never let her touch them before.
The key to the secret room had been passed down only to Successive Hall Masters since the founding of the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
The secret room didn't house those earth-shattering top-tier soul tools and related materials.
However, every soul tool and every volume of text in there carries the rise and fall of the Illustrious Virtue Hall since its inception, from the crude soul power guiding devices of the early days to the intricate level 9 soul tool cores of today. They were quietly displayed, like a silent epic, recording how this organization rose from obscurity to stand at the pinnacle.
The finished soul tools inside might no longer have practical combat value, but they represent the roots of the Illustrious Virtue Hall. Many soul engineers had found inspiration there and advanced further.
Wang Hongchen's gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao for a moment, a hint of deeper meaning in his eyes.
"This was set up by the Silver Moon Douluo before his death, containing many of his notes, which were later supplemented by other soul engineers. He once said that if anyone in the Illustrious Virtue Hall were to walk the traditional path of a soul engineer again, this place could be opened to them as a foundation."
"Young friend Huo, you've chosen a difficult path, but your talent is truly astonishing. You've even pioneered new methods of spiritual power application and have a high chance of success."
"And since your goal is to research a life-bound soul tool, I think opening this place to you is the best choice. Perhaps... you might find more inspiration here."
Huo Yuhao wasn't a member of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, but Wang Hongchen was utterly convinced, this young man before him might be the most suitable person for this place in ten thousand years.
Missing this opportunity... would be a regret.
This was also one of the reasons he had invited Huo Yuhao to the Illustrious Virtue Hall after Yi Hongchen's recommendation.
Huo Yuhao looked towards the secret room, and for a moment, he seemed to see the figure of the Silver Moon Douluo ten thousand years ago, bent over his research, the ink on those glowing blue notes still fresh.
This was a gift across time and space...
When Huo Yuhao raised his head, there seemed to be stars swirling in his eyes, as if a peculiar artistic conception was slowly brewing, but it disappeared in an instant.
Huo Yuhao's lips curled into a knowing smile as he stood up and bowed deeply, "This junior thanks the senior for his generosity."
This bow wasn't just for Wang Hongchen before him.
Gu Yuena stood quietly to the side, and the presence in her spiritual sea also watched in silence.
They all understood—
At this moment, Huo Yuhao was also paying deep respects to that senior who had passed away ten thousand years ago…