Tang Wulin arrived at the Spirit Pagoda and entered a room. Several pairs of eyes turned to look at him, with two of those gazes being particularly complex.
They were from Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi.
Wang Jinxi's face showed a hint of fatigue. When Tang Wulin appeared in his line of sight, his eyes flickered, and his expression turned complicated.
Zhang Yangzi's gaze at Tang Wulin carried a sense of grievance, as if his position had been snatched away.
What exactly had happened?
Tang Wulin was utterly confused.
Luoyang Lu, who was also present, glanced at Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi before speaking to Tang Wulin, who had just entered, "Wulin, here's the situation. Your bloodline has influenced Jinxi, causing his martial soul to undergo a positive mutation. It hasn't stabilized yet, but strictly speaking, this is a good thing."
"However, if his martial soul fully mutates, Jinxi and Yangzi won't be able to use their martial soul fusion skill anymore."
"Ah?" Tang Wulin was stunned, and he also understood why Zhang Yangzi's gaze was so complicated.
Didn't this mean he had essentially taken Wang Jinxi away from Zhang Yangzi?
Thinking this, Tang Wulin looked at Luoyang Lu with some unease, "Teacher, can this be resolved?"
"Don't worry, it's not a big issue. Wulin, for now, you should separate from Jinxi during your cultivation. Then, cooperate with the Spirit Pagoda to have your bloodline examined."
Seeing this, Luoyang Lu offered a reassuring smile to Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi, "You don't need to worry. The Spirit Pagoda has the ability to stabilize martial souls. No matter which path you choose to take, it's possible. For now, just go back and continue your cultivation as usual."
Hearing this, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief and left.
"Wulin, come with me. To stabilize Jinxi's bloodline, we might need your help." After the others left, Luoyang Lu said to Tang Wulin and then walked toward the door.
Tang Wulin followed behind, hesitating whether he should directly tell Luoyang Lu about the Golden Dragon King bloodline. (Tang San's divine sense: No, you don't want to!)
If he knew about this, solving these troubles should be easier...
"Actually, I've been investigating your bloodline recently and finally found some records."
Walking through the corridor, Luoyang Lu suddenly looked at Tang Wulin and said, "Your bloodline is likely related to the Golden Dragon."
Tang Wulin was stunned, "Golden Dragon?"
"Yes, the Golden Dragon, the pinnacle of strength!"
Luoyang Lu nodded, "Currently, one of the young lady at the Spirit Pagoda has the Golden Dragon as her martial soul. However, she doesn't have the same level of suppression and enhancement effects as you do. Your bloodline might be related to the legendary Dragon King."
This information was provided to them after communicating with the ancient clans.
As expected of a hidden family with a heritage dating back to ancient times, their strength was not to be underestimated. No wonder they had produced two prodigies like Gu Ruiqiu and Gu Yuena.
"..."Well, it seemed he didn't need to say much more. Teacher Luoyang Lu had already deduced most of the situation.
As expected of the Spirit Pagoda with its rich foundation.
Tang Wulin clicked his tongue.
The two arrived at the Spirit Research Institute. After communicating with the staff for a while, Luoyang Lu led Tang Wulin inside.
"Wulin, first, draw some blood, then summon your spirit."
Without hesitation, Tang Wulin followed Luoyang Lu's instructions. He first had a researcher draw some blood, then summoned his spirit.
A small, golden snake climbed onto Tang Wulin's arm, its vertical pupils observing the surroundings.
Luoyang Lu stared at the now greatly transformed Gray Sea Snake and, after a moment of silence, said:
"Wulin, we might need your spirit to cooperate with some research. It has undergone mutation due to your bloodline and is the best indicator of your bloodline's influence."
Hearing this, Tang Wulin looked worried, "Jin Yu won't be harmed, will it?"
The name he had initially given his spirit wasn't Jin Yu, but as it became influenced by the Golden Dragon King bloodline, Tang Wulin felt the previous name was no longer suitable and changed it to this.
He had always valued this partner who had chosen him.
Luoyang Lu smiled, "Don't worry, you can stay by its side. It's nothing dangerous, just extracting a trace of bloodline power for research."
After saying this, Luoyang Lu called over a staff member, intending to find a spirit researcher to help. However, before long, they saw Huo Yuhao walk in through the door.
"Yuhao, what brings you here?"
"I'm quite interested in Wulin's dragon bloodline. I'm also a spirit researcher at the Spirit Pagoda. Mind if I take a look?"
After saying this to Luoyang Lu, Huo Yuhao turned to Tang Wulin, who looked bewildered, and smiled, "Wulin, do you agree?"
Seeing it was Huo Yuhao, although Tang Wulin was surprised that someone of his age held multiple positions and was involved in spirit research, he did feel a sense of relief.
Huo Yuhao always gave off a reliable vibe.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Yuhao."
Seeing this, Luoyang Lu didn't stop him.
Three years ago, Huo Yuhao had expressed interest in spirit research and had studied with some researchers. According to their evaluations, Yuhao's professional skills were quite good, and he could easily pursue a career as a researcher...
Hmm, is the Spirit Research Institute trying to poach Yuhao?
Luoyang Lu belatedly realized this and looked at the staff members who were staring at Huo Yuhao, deep in thought.
---Tang Wulin followed Huo Yuhao to a laboratory.
The interior of the lab was simple and orderly, with various precision instruments neatly arranged around the room, emitting a metallic sheen.
Huo Yuhao walked to an experiment table and took out a box from his storage soul tool, opening it.
Inside was a hexagonal metal case about the size of a palm, with mesh-like engravings on its surface and a transparent crystal embedded in the center.
This was the Blood Source Core Crystal, a soul tool without a rank, used by the Spirit Pagoda to extract spirit bloodline power for artificial soul technology.
Yes, souls.
Ordinary spirit beasts could have their bloodline genes extracted directly for research. But what about those extinct spirit beasts that only existed as souls?
How could they extract a trace of bloodline power from the essence of precious spirits like the Blue Silver Emperor without harming them?
With these questions in mind, this soul tool was born.
However, today, it wasn't the main focus.
Under Tang Wulin's curious gaze, Huo Yuhao didn't explain in detail but instead pointed to a formation in the corner of the lab.
"You and Jin Yu stay in the formation. I'll extract a trace of bloodline power through the Blood Source Core Crystal."
Tang Wulin nodded and followed Huo Yuhao's instructions, obediently staying in the soul tool formation with Jin Yu.
Huo Yuhao then placed the Blood Source Core Crystal at the core of the formation and activated it with his soul power. In that instant, an invisible spiritual force distorted the room.
Huo Yuhao turned his gaze to Jin Yu, raised his hand, and gently placed it on the spirit's forehead without it noticing.
In that moment, Huo Yuhao's eyes turned a lifeless gray, and he muttered softly as gray mist began to rise.
A contract formation appeared on Jin Yu's forehead, and the gray mist spread, enveloping both Jin Yu and Tang Wulin.
In that instant, Huo Yuhao used a pre-prepared method to temporarily transfer Jin Yu's contract to himself.
And then... he began extracting the bloodline!
Tang San's divine sense abruptly awakened. Sensing that Tang Wulin was facing some unknown threat, he immediately turned his attention to the outside world. When he saw the somewhat familiar figure, his expression gradually froze.
"Huo Yuhao?!!!"