Jiang Jue took the spatial ring, which was embedded with a piece of starlight sapphire.
Although this starlight sapphire was only the size of a thumb, it was still quite precious because starlight sapphires naturally possessed spatial attributes.
Even such a small piece, when added to the crafting of a soul tool, could expand its space by several hundred cubic meters.
Jiang Jue used his spiritual power to probe into it. Since Wang Gengyin had already been refined by the Soul Refining Banner, the restrictions on the ring did not reject Jiang Jue, allowing him to access it effortlessly.
"Not bad at all. Looks like if I want high-level soul tools in the future, I can just rob soul engineers for the greater good," Jiang Jue mused.
Inside the spatial ring were three Grade-Nine soul tools and four Grade-Eight soul tools, along with countless mid-to-low-tier soul tools.
A vast collection of rare, colorful metals and an array of bottles and jars were neatly arranged.
"Wang Gengyin was really working with benefits—bringing home resources from the job. A model employee indeed."
"But what exactly are in these bottles and jars?"
A flash of blue light appeared in Jiang Jue's hand as he pulled out a thick glass bottle.
Inside were a few pills the size of dragon eyes, emitting a faint yellow glow with a crystalline, translucent appearance.
"These must be the cultivation-enhancing pills circulated in the Sun-Moon Continent."
Jiang Jue uncorked the bottle, and a rich, fresh fragrance filled the air.
"Young Master, it's best not to consume these things."
Zhang Peng hesitated before advising.
"I know, Elder Zhang, no need to worry."
Jiang Jue shook his head slightly, signaling that he understood.
The pills in the Douluo Continent often had severe side effects. Alchemy was not a well-developed field here, so while these pills smelled decent, their crude refining process left a lot of impurities.
As far as Jiang Jue knew, only a certain turtle sect's Mystic Water Pill had slightly better effects.
If he wanted to boost his soul power, he could always visit the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well later and consume immortal herbs—no need to drink poison for thirst.
"Hmm? What's this? A diary?"
Jiang Jue let out a soft exclamation as he discovered a beast-hide book inside the spatial ring.
Taking it out for a closer look, he realized it was Wang Gengyin's personal journal.
"What kind of proper person even keeps a diary? Elder Zhang, do you?"
Jiang Jue turned to Zhang Peng.
"Hah, who writes diaries these days? I certainly don't."
Zhang Peng remained calm, though his eyes flickered slightly.
He subtly shifted his own spatial ring further back.
"Hahaha, writing that stuff is just—"
Nan Gongwan was in a good mood since his status within the Soul Refining Banner had risen again.
But just as he was about to say something, he noticed Zhang Peng staring coldly at him, as if saying another word would result in immediate violence.
Nan Gongwan quickly shrank his neck and kept silent.
Jiang Jue flipped open the diary and started reading.
Once someone entered his Soul Refining Banner, they were his people, and their possessions were his possessions. He was merely helping them resolve their earthly burdens—this logic was sound.
The more he read, the deeper his frown became.
"This isn't a diary—it's a full record of treason and espionage!"
"Wang Gengyin was a double agent, codename Pangolin."
"He worked as an enshrined expert for the Sun-Moon Empire, receiving their pay while secretly selling classified strategic information to enemy nations."
"And not just one country—he was supplying both the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire. Collecting two paychecks at once—what a business genius!"
As a trusted expert of the Sun-Moon Empire, Wang Gengyin had access to classified intelligence. Selling it to enemy nations allowed him to profit just by standing still.
But why did he write all this down? Was he afraid of mixing up information? Or worried the buyers wouldn't pay him?
Jiang Jue muttered to himself. It seemed his Soul Refining Banner did not take in useless people.
Now, he had some clues as to why the Snow Empress' embryo ended up in the Star Luo Empire—perhaps Wang Gengyin accidentally leaked the information, leading to a black-market deal where the Star Luo Empire took advantage of the situation.
But now, everything belonged to him.
A flash of gray light, and Wang Gengyin reappeared in the interrogation room.
"Greetings, Banner Lord!"
Wang Gengyin bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with devotion.
The Mental Branding technique was truly terrifying!
"Rise. Look at these soul tool blueprints—can you understand them?"
Jiang Jue took out several schematics and handed them to Wang Gengyin.
These were designs for a new type of soul tool. Jiang Jue intended to have Wang Gengyin act as his personal soul engineer, turning his ideas into reality.
After all, his Emperor's Banner did not support freeloaders—those residing inside had to pay rent.
"Hiss… what an innovative concept!"
Wang Gengyin first frowned in concentration, then his expression gradually turned feverish.
"A genius! The person who designed this is an absolute genius!"
As a Grade-Nine soul engineer, Wang Gengyin could instantly grasp the blueprints' significance.
This was precisely the direction the Sun-Moon Empire's soul engineering research was heading! Although he was a traitor, his passion for soul tool technology remained unwavering.
"Good. From now on, you'll build according to my specifications."
A sharp gleam flashed in Jiang Jue's eyes as he issued the command.
His Soul Refining Banner contained the mental essence of the Skydream Iceworm, so he wasn't worried about Wang Gengyin resisting or exhausting himself.
As for rare metals, Jiang Jue chuckled—did people even realize how valuable the Twilight Water Alliance, the Sun-Moon Empire's largest smuggling syndicate, truly was? Resource shortages weren't an issue at all.
"Yes, Banner Lord!"
Wang Gengyin nodded firmly. He had assumed that joining the Soul Refining Banner meant fighting life-or-death battles for Jiang Jue. But being allowed to conduct soul tool research? That was something to look forward to.
Compared to combat, he much preferred the refinement of soul tools.
Of course, he didn't realize that in Jiang Jue's plans, he would research soul tools most of the time, but in real crises, he would still have to fight.
After all, as a double agent, being both a scholar and a warrior was only fair, right?
On the side, Nan Gongwan felt a bit uneasy—why did he suddenly feel that his position as the first-ranked soul in the Soul Refining Banner was no longer secure?
It seemed he needed to remind Wang Gengyin of the hierarchy. Nan Gongwan's eyes flickered slightly.
Jiang Jue noticed their thoughts but didn't interfere.
Competition breeds progress. As long as they all worked for him and he retained absolute control, the more rivalry, the better.
"Oh, right, Young Master. There was a cold pond near our destination, and it contained seven Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotuses. I retrieved them, but left the ones below ten-thousand years untouched."
Zhang Peng suddenly spoke, taking out seven pure white snow lotuses from his spatial ring. Their unique fragrance filled the air, making one feel refreshed.
"Thank you for your efforts, Elder Zhang."
Jiang Jue took four and left three for Zhang Peng.
"Young Master, this—"
"Elder Zhang, you mentioned you were close to breaking through to Rank 97. These lotuses can help stabilize your foundation and serve as resources for your breakthrough."
Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotuses weren't as powerful as Hundred-Thousand-Year Snow Lotuses, but their medicinal properties were still excellent—perfect for Zhang Peng's situation.
Zhang Peng wanted to decline, but Jiang Jue's gaze stopped him.
"Sigh… Thank you, Young Master. If you ever face danger, I will repay this with my life!"
Zhang Peng declared solemnly.
"No need for such words, Elder Zhang. I might need your strength soon."
Jiang Jue's eyes were deep, glinting under the dim yellow light.
With both the Snow Empress and Ice Empress under his command, and his forces gathering—things were about to get interesting.