Relying too heavily on soul tool arrays leads to bottlenecks like the one they were facing now.
Too many arrays not only required more charging soul tools for support but also placed a significant strain on a soul mentor's mental strength.
Lin Jiayi snapped out of his thoughts and noticed Lin Xiao, sitting nearby, also deep in contemplation. Sensing his gaze, Lin Xiao turned to look at him.
"It seems you've gained some insights from testing the soul tool these past days?" Lin Jiayi asked with a smile.
"Just some wild ideas. I'm not sure if they're useful yet," Lin Xiao replied. Though he had many thoughts, he had only recently reached the threshold of a level-two soul mentor. Without practical testing, he didn't dare guarantee that ideas capable of reshaping the soul tool crafting environment would work.
"Inspiration is a valuable gain. Many advancements in soul tools have come from wild imaginations. Before flying soul tools existed, no one thought soul tools could enable flight," Lin Jiayi said, not merely comforting Lin Xiao but genuinely optimistic about him. He had observed Lin Xiao's battles these past days, and not everyone could wield the complex mechanical arm with such finesse.
"By the way, Teacher, the blade on the mechanical arm broke during the earlier fight."
"No problem. The modular design was made for easy replacement and repairs. A broken blade is simple to fix. Anything else you want to say?"
"Well…" Lin Xiao paused slightly.
"Don't worry, speak freely."
"Teacher, I have to say, it's a very good soul tool, but to achieve what you initially said—handling all kinds of opponents—it's probably not as effective as the all-terrain soul tool."
"Haha," Lin Jiayi laughed twice. "You don't hold back, do you? I know the gap between them, but…"
He trailed off. Though he was optimistic about Lin Xiao, some things were left unsaid. "We'll compile the specific data when we get back. As long as you've gained something, this trip wasn't in vain."
During their casual chat, half a day passed, and Ju Zi had finished absorbing her soul ring.
"It's about time. Let's head back," Lin Jiayi said, scanning the group as his flying soul tool unfolded again.
"Finally going back," Ma Rulong let out a long breath. "I'm going to sleep well when we get to the academy."
In the Jingyang Mountain Range, though they hadn't moved at night, the Silver Wolf pack's attack had left them unable to rest soundly.
"Let's go, then." Lin Jiayi waved to the group. "You and Mi Jia still have the Douluo Tournament to prepare for, so make good use of the remaining time."
"Got it, Director Lin."
Through the faint membrane of the flying soul tool, they looked down at the scenery below, their mood entirely different from when they arrived.
Lin Xiao also felt a rare sense of relief. Though he didn't have much attachment to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, returning there was far better than spending nights outdoors.
However, his hope of resting well might not come to pass.
Lin Jiayi's flight speed was swift, and they returned to Mingdu in less than half a day. When Lin Xiao parted ways with the others and reached his dormitory, the sun hadn't yet set.
Yet, several figures were already waiting for him, led by someone he hadn't seen in a while—Shangguan Qing.
"You're back," Shangguan Qing said, his expression somewhat uneasy as he greeted Lin Xiao, then lowered his voice. "Um, Sister Wei'er wants to see you."
Sister Wei'er?
Years of vigilance made Lin Xiao scrutinize their attire from the moment he saw them. They made no effort to conceal their origins, all wearing uniforms from a certain establishment.
Qiwu Garden.
As the name suggested—phoenixes only perch on wutong trees—only the wealthy or noble frequented this place.
Such people shouldn't have any connection to him, but Shangguan Qing's words gave Lin Xiao some guesses.
"Please, honored guest."
The person behind Shangguan Qing stepped forward slowly, and the others moved closer, subtly surrounding Lin Xiao.
"This is the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy. Is this how you invite an honored guest?"
Lin Xiao's soul power surged within him, ready to escape. This was the academy, after all; any commotion would quickly attract the guards.
"No need to worry, honored guest. We've come fully prepared. Hall Master Hongchen is also our honored guest, and we wouldn't put our guests in a difficult position. If today is inconvenient, please accept this invitation and attend the banquet at Qiwu Pavilion in two days."
The person in Qiwu Garden attire presented an invitation with both hands, its text adorned with gilded decorations. The invitation alone was likely worth a considerable sum.
Lin Xiao, half-doubting, took it and stored it in his storage soul tool without looking closely.
The group didn't mind. Seeing Lin Xiao accept the invitation, they bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Shangguan Qing glanced back at Lin Xiao before following the others.
Lin Xiao had likely guessed who Shangguan Qing's "Sister Wei'er" was, but that only deepened his confusion.
He was just a student at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy. Why would Shangguan Wei'er personally summon him?
Unable to figure it out, Lin Xiao turned and headed straight for Lin Jiayi's soul tool research lab.
Sometimes, Lin Jiayi felt far more reliable as a teacher than Nightmare Douluo, who had raised him since childhood.
"Qiwu Garden?"
In the soul tool research lab, Lin Jiayi opened the invitation with a puzzled look. "It's definitely their handiwork."
Seeing Lin Xiao's wary expression, Lin Jiayi chuckled. "Relax. Qiwu Garden is a well-known establishment in Mingdu, having hosted many nobles and even royalty. They wouldn't tamper with an invitation."
"But… I don't know why they'd seek you out."
"Teacher, should I go to the banquet?"
"If you ask me, I'd say go. I don't know why Shangguan Wei'er is interested in you, but for her to openly come to the academy to invite you means she's unlikely to cause trouble. Otherwise, it'd damage her reputation if word got out. But…"
Lin Xiao caught the implication in Lin Jiayi's words.
For someone like Shangguan Wei'er, she might not remember everyone who attended her banquet, but she'd definitely take note of anyone who slighted her.
The people from Qiwu Garden hadn't hidden their origins, and many knew they'd come to the academy to invite a student. This was both to reassure Lin Xiao and to ensure he had little choice but to attend.
Sigh—
Lin Xiao sighed inwardly. If his cultivation matched that of a Titled Douluo, he wouldn't be troubled by this. Whether to go or not would be his decision alone.
In the end, it all came down to strength.
At night, a figure left Lin Xiao's dormitory, heading out of the academy.