Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest: Saving Tang Ya, the Orphan of the Tang Sect. Reward: Soul Tool Analysis (Proficient)!]

[Note: Can analyze the core formation principles and structure of all soul tools below Rank 8.]

Not bad, not bad.

Sitting by the campfire.

Xu Cheng pretended to doze off while actually checking the system rewards.

Saving Tang Ya wasn't just his own idea—it was also driven by a system quest.

Behind the main quest, there were numerous side quests, intricately connected like a spider's web. They were scattered throughout, but in reality, they also helped Xu Cheng steadily progress toward the main quest.

As for [Soul Tool Analysis]...

A soul tool is composed of a core formation, various formation pathways, connecting hubs, outer shell metal, and so on.

The most important part of it is the core formation.

It regulates the operation of the entire soul tool, similar to a CPU, including the soul tool's power, range, firing speed, and more.

The higher the rank of the soul tool, the more intricate and difficult its core formation is to analyze and replicate.

Every soul engineer, when first learning about soul tools, stands on the shoulders of predecessors (by analyzing the core formations created by those who came before).

Those with lesser talent can simply replicate these low-level core formations to create soul tools, which is already enough to make them wealthy in this world (the soul tool market is huge). Alternatively, they can join the military and become a qualified low-level soul engineer.

Those with greater talent can thoroughly analyze the core formations of their predecessors, understand their principles, and then create their own. Of course, generally, only those who reach at least Rank 5 as a soul engineer can achieve this level.

Returning to core formation analysis.

A beginner, when first encountering soul tools, must start by analyzing the core formation. It's like using spiritual power to imprint it in their mind.

Then, using spiritual power and an engraving knife, they replicate it onto a new piece of metal.

And thus, a Rank 1 soul engineer is born.

Of course, being able to analyze doesn't mean one can replicate it.

For example, even though Xu Cheng can now analyze Rank 7 soul tools, he can't replicate them. The reason is simple: his spiritual power isn't sufficient. If he were to force it, he could suffer backlash from the high-level formation, potentially turning him into an idiot...

Ah, Heavenly Dream Iceworm...

If only he had the Heavenly Dream Iceworm, this problem would be easily solved.

Xu Cheng sighed softly.

Once, he had tried to follow Huo Yuhao's path, wandering around that area in an attempt to lure out the Heavenly Dream Iceworm. But after three months, nothing happened.

He had no choice but to give up and wait until four years later, when the main storyline would begin, to make further plans.

"Have you rested enough?"

Xu Cheng opened his eyes and spoke softly.

"..."

The surroundings were silent.

Wu Yun sat cross-legged nearby, his back straight, casually tossing a few pieces of firewood into the campfire.

But he didn't respond.

"Stop pretending to sleep. Let's go hunt for a soul ring early. I still have to go to school tomorrow morning."

Xu Cheng said indifferently.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Tang Ya, who had been lying on the ground "unconscious," slowly sat up, her eyes filled with complexity as she looked at Xu Cheng, who had removed his black robe. He seemed to be about the same age as her, with a slightly youthful face.

Just moments ago, she had clearly heard.

Between the two of them, Xu Cheng was the leader. The super powerhouse known as "Wu Yun" even referred to him as "Saint" or something.

And at such a young age, he had already obtained his third soul ring...

He was practically a monster.

And what was even more monstrous was that she clearly remembered, just as she was about to fall into crisis, those eerie, blood-red eyes that had appeared... they seemed to belong to him as well.

"That's my domain skill. Don't overthink it."

Xu Cheng smiled kindly.

But when Tang Ya saw this, her heart skipped a beat.

His eyes were already blood-red, as captivating as amber, with a hint of eeriness. His skin was fair, and his appearance was extremely handsome. Standing at about 1.7 meters tall, he was like the prince from a fairy tale.

Especially with his terrifying talent and the fact that he had just saved her.

In Tang Ya's heart, the term "evil soul master" seemed to have quietly faded away.

Yes, someone like this must surely be the young master of some great family or a hidden sect!

"A domain skill? That's so powerful."

Tang Ya sighed sincerely.

But then she suddenly hung her head.

What she had just done—the bloodlust, the killing—must have completely ruined her image in his eyes. He might even classify her as an evil soul master. A wave of inferiority complex surged in her heart.

Would he really... not disdain her?

"Um, but I just killed so many people. Can I still join your sect?" Tang Ya buried her head in her arms, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"Haha..."

Xu Cheng chuckled and looked at Wu Yun.

The two exchanged a glance, both smiling.

So she didn't understand the situation. No wonder the girl didn't seem scared at all.

"First, I'm not called 'um.' You can call me Xu Cheng, or Brother Cheng, whatever. Second..."

Xu Cheng spoke leisurely.

"Don't you know that the Holy Spirit Church is the largest evil soul master organization on this continent?"

"..."

Tang Ya slowly raised her head, her expression frozen, as if her CPU had overheated.

After a long while, her pupils suddenly contracted.

She turned and ran.

"Too late."

Xu Cheng smiled and gently raised his hand.

In the next moment.

A massive chasm appeared in front of Tang Ya. If not for her agile movements and the use of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, she would have barely managed to stop herself at the edge.

"Whoosh!"

A few pebbles fell into the chasm, but no sound echoed back. It was truly bottomless!

"You! You're an evil soul master!"

Tang Ya turned around with difficulty, her face filled with terror as she looked at Xu Cheng, who was still sitting by the campfire, leisurely roasting spirit beast meat.

She hadn't heard of the Holy Spirit Church, but she had definitely heard of evil soul masters.

In her impression, these soul masters were always associated with words like cruelty, violence, killing, and evil.

Could it be...

"Don't overthink it." Xu Cheng casually waved his hand. "I wasn't the one who harmed your family. It was Tie Li, who coveted the Tang Sect's location and colluded with the city defense troops. Don't pin that blame on me."

"Wait, you can read minds!!!" Tang Ya felt her scalp go numb.

She hadn't noticed earlier, thinking he was just good at guessing, but now...

"A little, but not much."

Xu Cheng took a bite of the roasted meat and waved it in front of Tang Ya. "Hungry? Want some?"

"I will never eat anything from an evil soul master!" Tang Ya flipped her hand, and countless hidden weapons appeared between her fingers. With her back to the abyss, she stared warily at Xu Cheng.

"I'll give you two choices."

Xu Cheng pointed at Wu Yun while chewing on the roasted meat.

"One, he takes you back to the Holy Spirit Church headquarters, brainwashes you, and turns you into a killing machine."

Seeing Tang Ya trembling all over, her hands barely able to hold the hidden weapons steady.

He then pointed at himself.

"Two, stay by my side. I won't erase your consciousness. Serve the Holy Spirit Church, and in five years, I'll set you free..."

"Choose one."

(End of Chapter)