Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

"Who?"

Chen Xinjie asked in a low voice.

Not only him, but Yun Ming, Long Ye Yue, and the four Limit Douluos from the Qiangu family also turned their attention toward the prosecutor.

This inspection was conducted without resistance from Qiangu Dongfeng, who had temporarily conceded to avoid further endless scrutiny. 

This time, out of respect for the three quasi-gods present, I've allowed you access to our data.

At such a confidential level of inspection, if no results are found, I hope you will stop targeting the Spirit Pagoda in the future.

It was precisely because of this that Qiangu Dongfeng was surprised—why were there files they couldn't interpret?

Upon hearing that eight of the nine files were signed by Xu Zhi, Qiangu Dongfeng felt his heart tighten for some inexplicable reason.

He focused intently on the identity of the ninth file's signer.

The prosecutor took a deep breath and solemnly announced the answer:

"Xu Yuan!"

He knew who Xu Yuan was.

Of the seven Limit Douluos present, four were aware of Xu Yuan's identity.

Those who didn't know quickly caught up after Qiangu Dongfeng discreetly informed them through telepathy.

Xu Yuan?

"Who?" Yun Ming asked in surprise.

He looked at the prosecutor, observing his demeanor, which seemed sincere.

Yun Ming's eyes betrayed a hint of confusion.

How could it be Xu Yuan?

Chen Xinjie's expression grew serious.

He turned to the prosecutor, seeking more detailed information.

"These nine files aren't completely indecipherable, but their contents cannot be interpreted. It seems they require a special method to unlock."

As he spoke, the prosecutor glanced at Yun Ming, implying something unspoken.

Chen Xinjie turned to look at Yun Ming.

Seeing that Yun Ming also seemed unaware of the situation, Chen Xinjie shifted his gaze back to Qiangu Dongfeng.

"Tower Master Qian, these nine files shouldn't count as classified, right?"

Qiangu Dongfeng looked at the prosecutor, scrolling through the nine files displayed on the soul-guided tablet handed to him. After carefully examining their dates and contents, he was equally baffled.

"In that case, we'll need to make copies of these nine files," Chen Xinjie said gravely.

These were leads.

Qiangu Dongfeng's gaze darkened.

He naturally didn't want to hand them over, but since these files weren't related to any collusion with evil soul masters, allowing them to be copied seemed harmless.

"Since these files are signed by Xu Zhi and Xu Yuan, I believe my disciple should have the right to know. Shrek Academy also demands a copy," Yun Ming interjected.

After the nine files were duplicated, Yun Ming retrieved his own soul-guided tablet, opened the files, and stared at their incomprehensible contents, lost in thought.

Could this be some kind of special cipher?

But when Xu Zhi encountered trouble, Xu Yuan was only five years old and hadn't even awakened his martial soul yet.

What kind of cipher could the two of them have established?

Or did Xu Shengqun know something?

Yun Ming saved the files, put away his tablet, and looked at Chen Xinjie.

"The Spirit Pagoda has no ties with evil soul masters. Let's go," Chen Xinjie said sternly.

"Director Chen, if that's the case, I hope you won't bring up this suspicion again in the future," Qiangu Dongfeng stared at Chen Xinjie, speaking deliberately.

Chen Xinjie paused briefly before replying indifferently:

"We won't."

With that, the people from the War God Hall and the Federation all withdrew.

Yun Ming and Long Ye Yue exchanged glances and also departed.

Qiangu Dongfeng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a trace of gravity.

"Today, the Spirit Pagoda has suffered a great loss of face. You'd better think about how to stabilize your position," Qiangu Diting snorted coldly before vanishing in a flash.

Qiangu Qingfeng remained calm, casting a glance at Qiangu Dongfeng before leaving without a word.

---

The Dark Blood Demon was subdued.

Xu Yuan acted, using his dream realm to capture the vengeful spirit.

Regarding this, Yu Guanzhi wanted to say something, but after seeing the menacing glare from Mu Ye, he decided against questioning it.

However, he did inquire about another matter.

"Young man, is your martial soul… a brush?"

Since his own martial soul was a brush, Yu Guanzhi paid close attention to this detail.

Xu Yuan looked at Yu Guanzhi with a calm expression, not hiding anything, and nodded slightly.

"If you have any doubts about cultivation, feel free to seek me out. Perhaps we can exchange insights," Yu Guanzhi said.

He didn't phrase it as an invitation for Xu Yuan to consult him.

The abilities Xu Yuan demonstrated earlier already reflected a highly mature system.

Moreover, Xu Yuan's mastery of the brush surpassed Yu Guanzhi in certain aspects.

Thus, Yu Guanzhi preferred to call it an exchange of ideas.

Soul masters with similar martial souls always had common ground, and mutual discussion could lead to further progress.

Yu Guanzhi's resources were abundant, thanks to his family background and personal status, but he still lacked peers with the same type of martial soul. As a result, he had been stuck at the demi-god level, relying solely on his own insights.

In his view, if he could discuss with someone else who also specialized in the brush arts, he might have a chance to advance further.

Therefore, he treated Xu Yuan with courtesy.

Even though Xu Yuan's earlier display of power was likely due to clever techniques and he was still only a Soul Emperor, Yu Guanzhi showed no disdain.

"If I have the opportunity, I will definitely seek guidance from you, Senior," Xu Yuan said respectfully, clasping his fists.

Yu Guanzhi nodded and turned to oversee the mech pilots beginning to clean up the scene.

Xu Yuan, Xu Shengqun, and Mu Ye then headed toward Tiandou City.

---

Tiandou City.

Blacksmiths Association.

"How was it? Was my strength satisfactory?"

In dealing with the Dark Blood Demon, Mu Ye was the primary contributor.

He had completely dominated the Dark Blood Demon in every aspect—both in terms of raw power and ability-based suppression.

"But where did you learn the technique to materialize your blood essence like that?"

Mu Ye basked in his moment of triumph before turning to ask Xu Yuan about the Dharma Heaven Manifestation.

Secret techniques like the Dharma Heaven Manifestation had been attempted by generations of the Body Sect, but no one had succeeded.

Mu Ye only made progress in developing this secret technique after re-fusing with Xiao Hong and binding his mech as his own soul spirit.

The technique he used to condense blade energy during today's battle was one of its fruits.

However, he hadn't expected Xu Yuan to have mastered it as well—and seemingly in a fully developed form.

"It was something I happened to complete by chance," Xu Yuan briefly explained the process of successfully cultivating the Dharma Heaven Manifestation.

"You little—" Mu Ye was speechless.

What he envied wasn't the opportunity Xu Yuan had to absorb vast amounts of energy, but rather Xu Yuan's fifth soul skill—Blood Essence Manifestation!

This was the key to Xu Yuan's success in mastering the Dharma Heaven Manifestation.

This could be considered the pinnacle of body-type martial soul skills. In fact, no such skill had ever existed in the history of the Body Sect.

Perhaps it was because this soul skill was strictly speaking self-created by Xu Yuan.

Due to the unique nature of Xu Yuan's martial soul, when the Heavenly Origin Five Elements Spear awakened a second time as a blood essence martial soul, it fused with Xu Yuan's blood essence. The condensed blood essence crystallized into a metal-like substance, perfectly integrating into the essence of Jue (the spear).

This pure blood essence became part of Jue's sentient alloy, granting it this soul skill.

Thus, it could be said that this soul skill was created by Xu Yuan himself.

After understanding the situation, Mu Ye changed the subject, his expression turning serious.

"Will collecting the Dark Blood Demon's martial soul affect you?"

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