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Zhao Yuan's brow furrowed deeply.
Wang Lin was clearly treating him with utter contempt. The core of today's conflict was Lin Qingyue; by sending her away now, did Wang Lin actually think he could just let the matter drop?
"Hmph! Even if the Pope himself showed up today, this matter is getting settled!"
"Presumptuous!"
Zhao Yuan's words instantly incensed Wang Lin.
On the Sun Moon Continent, the faith of the Sun Moon Cult members was unshakable. Even if Zhao Yuan was merely using a figure of speech, it was perceived as a direct desecration of the Pope's authority.
"Zhao Yuan, you dare disparage the Pope? Today, even if City Lord Zhao himself comes, an explanation will be demanded!"
A series of soul rings materialized around Wang Lin—two yellow and two purple. As the four rings pulsed with light, a fiery red glow erupted from the ring on his right hand. A longspear, wreathed in roaring flames, dropped into his grip.
A blurred phantom of a flaming spear emerged, overlapping and fusing with the Soul Tool spear in his hand.
Tool Soul Fusion!
Zhao Yuan's heart skipped a beat, a wave of panic washing over him.
Wang Lin was merely a supervisor. Above him were the Vice-Pavilion Masters, and above them was the Pavilion Master. Zhao Yuan's elder brother, the City Lord of Ninghai, held a status equal to that of the Sun Moon Pavilion's Master. Despite this power dynamic, Wang Lin was still willing to clash head-on—he even dared to threaten to detain Zhao Yuan.
He did so because he was undeniably strong.
Wang Lin was barely twenty-five years old, yet his soul power had already reached Rank 45. While such a feat might be considered world-class genius on the Douluo Continent, in this era of the Sun Moon Continent—where medicinal enhancement was rampant—it was merely considered "high-tier."
However, his true strength lay in the fact that he wasn't a pure Soul Master. He was a Soul Tool Engineer, and a genius who had perfectly integrated the two paths.
The "Blazing Spear" in his hand was a Soul Tool he had custom-built for himself, pouring immense effort into its creation. It was capable of fusing with his martial soul, which effectively boosted the quality of his martial soul by an entire grade. Furthermore, it provided him with an additional thousand-year soul skill. His four existing soul skills were all amplified by the Blazing Spear, allowing him to unleash devastating damage.
In essence, with the Blazing Spear's assistance, Wang Lin fought as if he possessed five thousand-year soul skills. With four amplification skills and one high-intensity attack skill engraved into the spear's core formation, his combat prowess and endurance were at the peak of his rank.
Could he fight a Soul King? If that Soul King lacked Soul Tools and a ten-thousand-year fifth ring, Wang Lin could indeed bridge the gap. That alone spoke volumes of his power.
As for Zhao Yuan, he was merely a Soul Elder. Even though he possessed a mid-level Soul Tool gifted by his brother, he lacked the skill to use it effectively. He couldn't even handle low-level Soul Tools with fluid ease, let alone achieve a state where his martial soul and Soul Tool functioned as one.
Su Wen had sensed the fluctuations long ago.
His mental strength was staggering. Unless he was deeply immersed in research, his spiritual sense was constantly expanded, keeping the entire Sun Moon Pavilion under his "surveillance." He had noticed the moment Zhao Yuan intercepted Lin Qingyue.
When the conflict escalated, he stepped out of his workshop.
However, his aura was perfectly restrained, making him invisible to Wang Lin and Zhao Yuan. It was Lin Qingyue, frantically looking for a way to de-escalate the situation, who spotted him. Her eyes widened, carrying a silent plea for help.
If a full-blown battle erupted between Supervisor Wang Lin and Zhao Yuan, it would inevitably stir up massive waves in the already restless Ninghai City.
The City Lord's Mansion—or more accurately, the official organization under the Sun Moon Imperial Family—and the various branches of the Sun Moon Cult were already at each other's throats. Violent clashes had already broken out in many other cities. In such conflicts, the civilians were always the most pitiable, caught in the crossfire for no reason.
Su Wen noticed Lin Qingyue's gaze, but his attention was currently fixed on Wang Lin's state.
"The fusion of a Soul Tool and a martial soul... and the degree of integration is quite high," Su Wen thought, feeling a spark of excitement.
As expected, the development of Soul Tools in this era was at a historical peak! While they might lag behind future generations in terms of high-level or specialized Soul Tool evolution, their application of Soul Tools in combat had reached a pinnacle.
The worship that Soul Masters of this era felt for Soul Tool Engineers wasn't blind; it was rooted in the tangible power these tools granted them. While the pure cultivation of these Soul Masters might be inferior to those on the Douluo Continent, their "Complete Form" involved the seamless combination of man and machine.
Perhaps this is also related to the slow development of Soul Cannons, Su Wen mused.
In this era, Soul Cannon technology was either immature or strictly gatekept. Ordinary Soul Tool Engineers couldn't access it. In times of relative peace, the development of projectile-based Soul Tools was tightly controlled by the authorities; even those who knew the craft weren't permitted to use them in standard combat.
As Su Wen observed with curiosity, Wang Lin moved. Holding the Blazing Spear, he lunged forward.
Raging flames erupted, locking onto Zhao Yuan. The spear moved like a dragon, spinning into a fiery vortex as it surged toward his target.
"Wang Lin, you wouldn't dare!" Zhao Yuan's eyes were filled with terror. Despite having released his martial soul, he couldn't even bring himself to resist. The ground beneath him even began to show a faint, damp patch of cowardice.
BOOM!
The flames were abruptly extinguished. Zhao Yuan was left with extensive burns, the tip of the spear hovering mere millimeters from his eye. The sharpness of the point caused his pupils to shrink into needles, terrified that Wang Lin would actually deliver the killing blow.
"Pavilion Master," Lin Qingyue suddenly called out, bowing toward a figure who had appeared beside Wang Lin.
A new person had entered the fray, dressed in a grey longrobe.
Su Wen studied the newcomer. Hearing Lin Qingyue address him as the Pavilion Master, Su Wen felt a sense of relief.
Not bad. Just a Soul Emperor. I can handle that easily. This was likely the ceiling for combat power in Ninghai City.
Wang Lin retracted his spear and looked at Pavilion Master Lin Tian. "Pavilion Master, how should we deal with Zhao Yuan?"
He hadn't actually intended to kill him. Sensing Lin Tian's arrival, he had pulled his strike just in time.
"Mm. Wang Lin, you did well today!" Lin Tian had no intention of shielding Zhao Yuan. On the contrary, he was very pleased with Wang Lin's actions, and he didn't hide his admiration.
Wang Lin was a core disciple of the Cult, currently in Ninghai City for his trials. Lin Tian had been impressed with his performance throughout. Calculating the time, Wang Lin's trial was nearing its end, and this conflict with Zhao Yuan provided the perfect excuse for Lin Tian to make a move.
"Hand Zhao Yuan over to the Cult's branch office and lock him up. If that Zhao Hai dares to come to my Sun Moon Pavilion to cause trouble, I'll be happy to have a 'chat' with him myself," Lin Tian snorted coldly.
"Yes, Pavilion Master!"
Wang Lin was surprised by Lin Tian's decisiveness, but he didn't lose his composure. He hoisted the limp, puddle-like Zhao Yuan into the air and handed him over to the deacons who had rushed to the scene.
"Sir, would you care to step aside for a word?" Lin Tian looked toward Su Wen, extending a hand in invitation.
Su Wen nodded, making no move to refuse.
(End of Chapter)