Core Formation

A year later, at Shi San's Blacksmith Shop.

"Senior Disciple Brother, this sword is very well forged. The entire thing is made of Iron Essence, but why did you forge the blade and hilt as one piece? Not only does that use more Iron Essence, it also makes the sword heavier. Wouldn't it be better to use a lighter material for the hilt?"

Shi Yi nodded. "What I want to forge isn't an ordinary sword. If the hilt is made from ordinary lightweight materials, it could easily be crushed. And if the blade and hilt are made of incompatible materials, there will be problems with Soul Power circulation."

Tang San was slightly startled. "Senior Disciple Brother, are you trying to forge a sword that Soul Masters can use?"

Shi Yi nodded. "That's right. There's only one step left."

The sword gleamed coldly, with a hole in its hilt.

Melee Soul Tools were the first project Shi Yi had attempted. Compared to other Soul Tools, they possessed an unparalleled practical foundation. If one asked what weapons the non-Soul Master residents of the continent used most often, the answer would be blades and swords; for the military, it would be spears.

Shi Yi had forged this sword from materials he had gradually saved up using his daily Soul Master stipend. In truth, he was better suited to long weapons such as spears and staffs than blades or swords. Unfortunately, he was simply too poor right now. A spear forged entirely from Iron Essence could sell for at least five hundred Gold Soul Coins on the market. The only reason he could acquire Iron Essence cheaply was because he had learned the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer from Tang San.

"One step?" Tang San asked doubtfully.

"Xiao San, for this sword to truly succeed, it still needs something—something that can make Soul Power display the properties you want and amplify those properties," Shi Yi said with a light smile.

"What is it?" Tang San asked.

"A brain. The Core Formation of a Soul Tool," Shi Yi said with a smile.

With that, Shi Yi stored the sword he had forged in his Soul Tool.

The surprise on Tang San's face deepened. After studying under Yu Xiaogang for a year, he naturally knew what Soul Tools were.

A weapon-type Soul Tool? I wonder how its power compares to hidden weapons.

Tang San did not continue asking. Shi Yi's Soul Tool was clearly still in the research stage.

Seeing that Tang San had no further questions, Shi Yi continued contemplating the design for his first Soul Tool.

"Iron Essence is the best material I can currently use. Most weapons used by elite armies are forged from Iron Essence. Its greatest advantage is its durability, but it's far too heavy—much heavier than ordinary iron. If I hadn't absorbed the Thousand Jun Ant's Soul Ring, I probably wouldn't even be able to lift it, much less swing it freely. As for the materials used in the Core Formation, Wind Attribute ones are ideal. They can make the weapon lighter and more agile while enhancing its cutting ability."

"I can only ask Teacher for help with the materials. I should think through the Core Formation design first."

With that thought, Shi Yi took out his little notebook from his Soul Tool and began pondering.

Based on Shi Yi's research into Soul Tools, a Core Formation represented the underlying logic behind a Soul Tool's operation. Taking the Storage Belt Yu Xiaogang had given him as an example, even its simple storage function consisted of two different layers within its Core Formation.

After carefully observing it, Shi Yi determined that the two sections represented storing and retrieving. He had attempted to carve the same Core Formation onto other materials, but it had produced no effect. He had two theories: either his carving was incomplete or contained subtle errors, or the problem lay in the materials. Every gemstone on the belt was far from ordinary.

"The primary functions of a Melee Soul Tool's Core Formation are energy storage and amplification. It allows a Soul Master, while using Soul Power normally, to unleash power beyond their own with every move. If it relies on Wind Attribute materials, then since Soul Masters can accelerate their cultivation through special Soul Power circulation routes, the energy-storing Core Formation must be carved into a closed loop, just as Soul Power forms a cycle inside a Soul Master's body. Different materials have different inherent patterns. If I want to increase energy storage speed and amplify Soul Power bursts, I need to experiment with the most efficient routes and shapes for Soul Power circulation within the material."

"No wonder most Core Formations are circular."

At that thought, the corners of Shi Yi's mouth rose slightly. He already had an experimental approach for carving Core Formations. All he lacked now were materials.

With no other choice, Shi Yi could only quietly forge iron alongside Tang San.

After Shi Yi and Tang San finished a day's work at Shi San's Blacksmith Shop, Shi Yi hurried to the second floor of the Cafeteria at dinner time, eagerly waiting for Yu Xiaogang to appear.

Yu Xiaogang arrived at the Cafeteria on schedule. When he came upstairs and saw Shi Yi, surprise appeared on his face. Shi Yi had arrived unusually early today.

After skillfully ordering several dishes from the Cafeteria window, Yu Xiaogang slowly sat down across from Shi Yi.

"If you have something to say, say it," Yu Xiaogang said helplessly as he looked at Shi Yi.

Shi Yi grinned ingratiatingly. "Teacher, do you have any money? Or could you help me get some Wind Attribute special materials with exceptionally good conductivity?"

Yu Xiaogang looked surprised. "In just one year, your Soul Tool research has made progress?"

Shi Yi smiled. "All that's left is testing."

"I don't have money, but I may be able to help you with Wind Attribute special materials," Yu Xiaogang said.

Shi Yi looked surprised and held out his hand toward Yu Xiaogang.

"Not now. Perhaps in a few days," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.

"In a few days? You're not planning to turn to those two old friends of yours, are you?" Shi Yi asked with a smile.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi and sighed softly. "It seems you already know my background. I also haven't contacted Flender in a long time."

"How do you know that old friend of yours has what I need?" Shi Yi asked curiously.

Yu Xiaogang sank into recollection. "Because building an academy is Flender's dream. Back when we traveled the continent, Flender collected quite a few materials with different attributes. The most important thing for an academy is its Simulated Training Environment. Only by piling together a large quantity of special materials with the same attributes through special methods can one create a Simulated Training Environment suitable for Soul Masters."

Shi Yi's eyes suddenly lit up. Flender's reserves were far more abundant than he had imagined.

If I can successfully create the first Soul Tool, then when I go to Shrek in a few years, I'll also be able to connect with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I won't have to worry about materials or money ever again.

"Alright, eat first. Since you already have an idea, I'll write a letter after dinner and help you get some materials," Yu Xiaogang said.

Shi Yi nodded happily.

Three days later, Shi Yi returned to his room after finishing the day's work.

The moment he opened the door, he saw all kinds of materials piled in Yu Xiaogang's room, each glimmering with a cyan light. His childish eyes filled with excitement.

At that moment, Shi Yi gained a clear understanding of Soul Saints. He had assumed that a Soul Saint like Flender, someone who refused to bow to the powerful and wealthy, would be poor. Yet Shi Yi was certain that the Wind Attribute materials in this room were more than enough for his experiment to succeed.

Shi Yi made a simple inventory. There were not only special metals, but also many Wind Attribute materials obtained from Soul Beasts—hard claws and fangs, Spirit Feathers, inner cores, and the like.

Shi Yi casually tapped several of the special metals.

"Good heavens, ordinary carving knives can't even carve these materials," Shi Yi muttered.

"If these things become the core of something forged from Iron Essence, once the Soul Power condenses to a certain degree, the entire Soul Tool will probably collapse."

Shi Yi picked through the various materials before finally finding a large piece of Wind Attribute special metal.

It was an ordinary Wind Crystal. Though it was not particularly precious, this piece was valuable because it was pure enough. That would make it easier to carve, while its properties would be sufficient without causing the Iron Essence to fail under the power.

At last, Shi Yi found a Spirit Feather among the pile—a remarkably sharp Spirit Feather. Merely holding it in his hand, he could feel a breeze brush over it. This was indoors; how could a gust of wind appear from nowhere?

"This thing is a naturally made carving knife. If it were made into a hidden weapon for Tang San, the damage it could inflict certainly wouldn't be low." Shi Yi's face lit up as he looked at the Spirit Feather's power.

Shi Yi carefully attempted to use the Spirit Feather to divide the large Wind Crystal into smaller portions. The Spirit Feather's Sharpness far exceeded his expectations. With a casual swipe, it sliced through the Wind Crystal. Seeing this, Shi Yi was certain that the item in his hand had come from a Wind Attribute Soul Beast that was at least thirty thousand years old.

Shi Yi marked the large Wind Crystal with a pen, divided it into several portions, and immediately began experimenting.

In Shi Yi's view, a Soul Tool's Core Formation resembled a computer's CPU from his previous life. Carving a Core Formation meant continuously adding cores and threads to the underlying formation based on the material, ensuring greater efficiency. To carve with precision again and again within an already minuscule Core Formation, turning it into a multicore, multithreaded structure, required exceptional eyesight and Mental Power.

No wonder Soul Engineers wear glasses. It would be great if I could learn Purple Demon Eyes from Xiao San. Still, I should get to work first. Just because the butcher's gone doesn't mean I have to eat a pig with its hair still on, right?

"Start with the simplest circular closed loop. Try creating multiple connected cycles within it..."

Shi Yi carved with complete concentration, not even noticing the sounds of Yu Xiaogang returning and opening and closing the door.

Seeing Shi Yi's state, Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction. It was the first time he had seen Shi Yi look so serious. Of course, this also showed just how difficult Soul Tool research was.

Though Shi Yi was still a child, Yu Xiaogang had never treated him as one.

Thus, Shi Yi repeatedly switched between carving and replacing the Wind Crystal in his hand. He even cast aside his daily meditation, the most important part of his routine.

Yu Xiaogang did not disturb him. He simply entered meditation himself.

No one knew how much time passed. When Shi Yi made the final cut, a breeze emerged from the Wind Crystal in his hand. Shi Yi knew that he had succeeded.

Using a simple circle as the formation base, Shi Yi drew inspiration from the taiji of his previous life and carved two mutually dependent yet interconnected cores inside the formation base, accelerating the efficiency of Soul Power circulation.

Shi Yi then excitedly took the Iron Essence longsword from his Soul Tool. He had long since reserved a groove in the hilt, and he embedded the Wind Crystal bearing the Core Formation into it.

Looking at the sword in his hand, Shi Yi could not help saying joyfully, "I succeeded."

Shi Yi came back to his senses and looked out the window. Without realizing it, dawn had already broken. A simple Dual Core Formation had taken him an entire day and night. Yu Xiaogang had gone somewhere unknown.

Just as Shi Yi wanted to test the first Soul Tool he had forged, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion washed over him. His eyelids suddenly felt as heavy as Mount Tai.

The longsword fell from his hand, and Shi Yi collapsed unconscious.

No one knew how long passed before Shi Yi gradually awoke, his entire body filled with a hollow weakness.

"Awake?" Yu Xiaogang's voice entered Shi Yi's ears.

Shi Yi struggled to turn his head and saw Yu Xiaogang examining the sword he had forged.

Shi Yi smiled weakly. "What do you think? Pretty good, right?"

Yu Xiaogang put down the sword, produced a bowl of porridge from somewhere, and fed Shi Yi a spoonful. "Not bad. With the Wind Attribute enhancement, its Sharpness far surpasses ordinary blades and swords. The speed of the sword and the weight of holding it both change with the infusion of Soul Power. Most importantly, with continuous Soul Power infusion, it can easily release Wind Attribute Sword Qi. With this sword and your strength, even an ordinary Soul Grandmaster would not be your match."

"Is that so? Just as I expected." Shi Yi paused, then struggled into a sitting position. Taking the bowl from Yu Xiaogang, he began eating by himself. Being waited on really did feel somewhat unfamiliar.

"Remember, do not casually tell others that you can make Soul Tools," Yu Xiaogang softly warned as he placed the longsword beside Shi Yi.

Shi Yi nodded slightly. "I understand."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi with emotion. The child before him had accomplished something beyond his imagination.

"It would be best to use this sword sparingly as well. It would not be good if someone with ill intentions noticed it. Compared to offensive Soul Tools like this, I think you should research defensive Soul Tools more. I truly cannot imagine what this world will look like once Soul Tools become widespread," Yu Xiaogang said.

After drinking a few mouthfuls of porridge, Shi Yi gradually recovered some strength.

Shi Yi smiled. "Teacher, weapons themselves are not at fault. Soul Tools have not become widespread yet—has that made conflict any less common?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. "You have a point, but what worries me more is not Soul Masters, but Soul Beasts. Once this kind of Soul Tool becomes widespread enough, Soul Masters' strength will soar, and there may no longer be any place for Soul Beasts on the entire continent."

Shi Yi nodded in agreement.

"Rest well for a few days. At your age, you are not suited for such prolonged research."

With that, Yu Xiaogang took out his little notebook and began examining the sword Shi Yi had forged.