After what had just happened, Lin Xiao and the others became noticeably quieter.
Judging by the expressions of Ma Rulong and Mi Jia, it was clear they had a ton of questions for Lin Xiao, but due to Lin Jiayi's earlier instructions, they held back from asking.
Ju Zi, on the other hand, kept her eyes lowered, avoiding looking at Lin Xiao and unconsciously putting some distance between them.
Lin Xiao wasn't sure what to say to them. It wasn't until they reached a wide-open area that he glanced at the sky, then at Ju Zi, before stopping.
"We've been traveling most of the day. Let's rest for a bit. In places where soul beasts roam, try not to wait until your soul power is nearly depleted before resting, just in case something unexpected happens."
"Got it, Senior," Ma Rulong replied, breaking the silence among the group. He sat down with Mi Jia, and they began talking in low voices.
Lin Xiao didn't listen closely, but from their occasional glances toward him, he could guess what they were discussing.
Looking at Ju Zi, who was sitting alone to the side, he took a couple of steps closer.
"Are your injuries alright now?"
From Ju Zi's reaction, Lin Xiao knew she had recognized him, so he didn't bother hiding it.
Ju Zi finally looked up, her gaze a bit evasive. "I'm fine."
"Good." Lin Xiao sat down as well, cautiously scanning the surroundings. "Even though it's just for your second soul ring, if you're not feeling well, there's still some risk, especially after traveling so long."
"I'm really fine." Ju Zi leaned against a tree, curling up slightly. After a long silence, she spoke softly, almost out of nowhere. "Thank you."
"No need to be polite." Lin Xiao didn't ask what she was thanking him for and responded casually before taking out the mechanical arm again.
Finding a soul ring was partly a matter of luck. Lin Xiao and the others had been wandering the Jingyang Mountain Range for most of the day, dealing with a few soul beasts that attacked them, but they still hadn't found a suitable soul ring.
Ma Rulong and the others weren't too anxious, as it wasn't their first time hunting for soul rings, and they were well-prepared. However, Lin Xiao had other tasks on this trip.
Since he had promised Lin Jiayi, Lin Xiao naturally wouldn't slack off. Under the lingering glow of the setting sun, he looked at the mechanical arm, now tinged with an orange-red hue, as his mind buzzed with thoughts.
He had to admit, the soul tool's power was impressive. Even against a higher-level hundred-year soul beast, Lin Xiao didn't need to exert much effort. The soul tool's own strength was enough to handle it easily.
Moreover, besides mounting a soul tool cannon, it could also be equipped with close-combat soul tools or ones designed to restrain opponents. Lin Xiao had no doubt that, in the future, on a battlefield, it could even be fitted with modules to launch fixed soul tool projectiles.
However, to accommodate various situations, switching between different weapons for different opponents added an extra step. This not only tested the soul mentor's proficiency with the soul tool but also their judgment of the battle situation.
It was likely a compromise made to simplify the soul tool's array, but it felt somewhat redundant.
Even if it was meant to be mounted on a humanoid soul tool, this process mimicked how soul mentors used soul tools. However, swapping modules for a humanoid soul tool required an even more complex structure and was harder to control.
Night fell quickly in the Jingyang Mountain Range, and soon, only a faint red remained in the western sky.
Ju Zi, sitting nearby, gazed at Lin Xiao, bathed in the orange-red glow, and seemed momentarily lost in thought. Meanwhile, Ma Rulong and Mi Jia had set up a simple campsite.
"Senior, have something to eat," Mi Jia called.
"Huh?" Lin Xiao snapped back to reality. "Alright, thanks. But in the wild, it's best not to light an open fire. It could attract soul beasts."
"Don't worry, Senior. We brought dry rations," Mi Jia said with a smile, pulling out some items. "Oh, and some insect-repellent powder to sprinkle around later. Otherwise, bugs might come close at night."
"You guys come out here often?" Lin Xiao stood up, taking the dry rations Mi Jia handed him.
"Not too often, but the academy tests a lot of soul tools in the field. The teachers always prepare some things for us, and I've gotten used to bringing some along. With these, we don't have to worry about mosquitoes at least. Though, it'd be nice if there was something to keep soul beasts away so we wouldn't have to stay up keeping watch."
"Those powders probably won't work on soul beasts, but soul tools might be more effective," Ma Rulong chimed in, seemingly in response to Mi Jia's complaint.
"Doesn't the academy have any soul tools to help soul mentors keep watch at night?" Lin Xiao suddenly asked.
"Huh?" Mi Jia didn't immediately grasp what Lin Xiao meant.
"I mean, since there are triggered soul tool shields, why not try making triggered soul tool cannons that automatically attack when they detect an enemy? Even if they can't fully replace a human keeping watch, they'd at least make things easier."
"That…" Ma Rulong paused his actions. "Soul tool cannons need a soul master to charge them, don't they? They wouldn't work otherwise."
Lin Xiao smacked his lips but didn't respond further. Thinking of the pre-charged soul tool in the mechanical arm, he wondered if something like an "unmanned soul tool cannon" might appear in the future.
After they finished eating, the surroundings had grown completely dark. Occasional howls from soul beasts in the distance carried a hint of eeriness.
"Alright, we'll make do here for the night. Rest well. I'll keep watch," Lin Xiao said.
"Senior, I'll take over for the second half of the night," Ma Rulong offered, looking at Lin Xiao with some concern.
"Sure." Lin Xiao didn't refuse. After all, they didn't know how long they'd be staying in the Jingyang Mountain Range, and he needed to conserve his energy too.
Though they called it resting, in the wild, no one truly slept. The other three's breathing gradually steadied, clearly entering meditation.
Lin Xiao sat to the side, gently running his hand over his storage soul tool. The mention of an "unmanned soul tool cannon" had sparked more thoughts.
Why did humanoid soul tools have to be operated by a soul mentor inside? Since large soul tools already required charging soul tools to assist with control, why not remove the soul mentor's cockpit entirely? That would simplify the structure significantly.
Although soul tools weren't exactly the same as the machines in his memories, they could achieve many things those machines couldn't…
As Lin Xiao's thoughts wandered freely, a faint rustling sound suddenly came from behind.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Xiao turned to see Ju Zi quietly getting up.
"Is it something private you need to take care of?"
Ju Zi froze for a moment, quickly realizing what Lin Xiao meant by "private." Her face flushed, but the darkness hid it.