Empty-Handed Wolf Trap!?

Sun Moon Empire, Sun Moon Royal Academy, dormitory.

Inside the dormitory, Jin Tianming severed his spiritual connection. He was no longer sleepy at all and glanced at the sky outside the window, which had yet to brighten.

He picked up the Soul Tool book on the table that he had not finished reading last night and continued reading. He had to quickly reach the cultivation level of a first-class Soul Engineer within a week.

Things like communication devices would be very useful for the main body's plans to build a force next.

Time passed quickly. At some point, the sky brightened. Jin Tianming sensed someone approaching, so he closed his book and calmly looked toward the door. "Hall Master Jing, you're already at the door. Why not come in?"

Outside, Jing Hongchen heard the voice from within and understood that Jin Tianming had already discovered him. Was this guy's Spiritual Power really that terrifying?

No wonder the force behind him had sent him to Sun Moon Royal Academy to study Soul Tools. The Spirit Type was the foundation of learning to make Soul Tools. Without Spiritual Power, no matter how well you understood the theory or explained it verbally, it could not compare to actual practice.

Jing Hongchen pushed open the door and entered. Seeing that Jin Tianming had already prepared tea for him, he immediately sat down and asked curiously, "Why is your Spiritual Power perception so strong?"

If it was some heavenly treasure, perhaps he could find some for Xiao and Meng as well.

"Talent."

Jing Hongchen: ...

Hearing Jin Tianming's answer, he fell silent. There was simply no way to continue this conversation.

Ignoring Jing Hongchen's rather unpleasant expression, Jin Tianming said, "Hall Master Jing, are you planning to personally take me to class?"

"Or do you have some other purpose?"

Jing Hongchen stared at the youth before him. He truly suspected that this boy was not actually a boy. He clearly appeared so arrogant, yet controlled it perfectly—enough to infuriate someone without actually killing them from anger.

"Hah..." Jing Hongchen took a deep breath and calmed himself before stating his purpose. "An elder wishes to see you. Come with me."

He did not believe that the Titled Douluo from yesterday had not told Jin Tianming about those matters. Jin Tianming nodded at this, drained the last sip of tea, and said, "Hall Master Jing, lead the way!"

Jing Hongchen lowered his head and glanced at the tea he had yet to drink. After thinking about it, he decided not to drink it.

He immediately rose and left the room, with Jin Tianming following behind him.

Jin Tianming was truly curious about the person who could force back Xuanzi, who would later reach Rank 99. He was also curious why Xuanzi had not improved his second martial soul. If he had improved it, entering the ranks of Limit Douluo should have been guaranteed.

Or had he taken so many pills that his body could no longer withstand another nine soul rings?

Jin Tianming was extremely curious about all of this.

They soon arrived at the Hall of Worship. Jing Hongchen had come in the morning this time, and with a youth beside him, he would likely draw some attention.

Jing Hongchen casually swept his gaze over those covert looks before leading Jin Tianming into the Hall of Worship.

After walking for quite a while, the two finally reached the area under Kong Deming's charge. Kong Deming had already prepared tea for his two guests. Seeing Jing Hongchen and Jin Tianming arrive, he smiled warmly. "Please, sit. This is some of the finest tea in the Sun Moon Empire."

As soon as Kong Deming finished speaking, his eyes seemed glued to Jin Tianming and never moved away. Had he not observed carefully, he truly would not have noticed anything. But once he did, he was nearly frightened out of his wits.

If one did not carefully sense the pressure emanating from this youth, one would never know just how terrifying it was. Even Kong Deming's martial soul was trembling!

Jin Tianming was somewhat displeased by Kong Deming's gaze. Such unabashed staring was truly irritating. He sat down first, propped his chin on his hand, and said, "Old man, did you enjoy using Spiritual Power to spy on my martial soul?"

Kong Deming: ???

Jing Hongchen: ???

Kong Deming looked at Jing Hongchen in disbelief, his gaze seeming to say, This is the arrogant youth you mentioned?

Why did he feel this was more like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers—the kind who would be beaten to death if he lacked any strength or backing?

Facing Kong Deming's questioning gaze, Jing Hongchen did not know what to say either.

Seeing that Jing Hongchen could not explain it to him, Kong Deming could not be bothered to waste more time. He looked warmly at Jin Tianming and apologized, "Student Jin Tianming, I was simply too curious about your martial soul, so I used my Spiritual Power to sense it. If you are displeased, I apologize."

"Then apologize already! The way you so brazenly spy on others is truly disgusting." Jin Tianming showed this old fellow absolutely no respect. In this world, there was only that main body guy who could make him show some respect.

Kong Deming: ...

Jing Hongchen: 6

The two looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

This youth truly did not understand social etiquette.

Kong Deming apologized, "I'm sorry, Student Jin."

"Alright, I forgive you." Jin Tianming nodded to show that he forgave Kong Deming. Since he had already seized the initiative, there was no need to keep pressing the issue. He took a sip of the tea prepared for him before asking curiously, "May I ask what Mr. Kong Deming wants with me?"

Seeing that they had entered the topic of the day, Kong Deming no longer pursued the earlier matter and revealed why he had summoned Jin Tianming. "I heard that Student Jin made a deal with Jing Hongchen?"

Hearing this question, Jin Tianming instantly understood what this old fox meant. He wanted to know the contents of Jin Tianming's negotiation with Jing Hongchen. First, to verify the force behind Jin Tianming; second, to confirm whether what Jing Hongchen had told him was true and whether he had concealed anything.

Sitting beside Jin Tianming, Jing Hongchen silently picked up his tea and drank. He looked completely calm on the surface, but his heart was already in turmoil. This old fox Kong Deming was probing again.

Jin Tianming gave Jing Hongchen a deep look. Seeing his calm expression, he suddenly found it dull. As expected, they were both old foxes of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Sure." Jin Tianming recounted his conversation with Jing Hongchen, but what he said was exactly the same as what Jing Hongchen had told Kong Deming yesterday.

Kong Deming was not only observing whether Jin Tianming was lying, but also watching Jing Hongchen's expression and eyes from the corner of his eye to see whether there was even the slightest change.

After digesting Jin Tianming's words, he poured another cup of tea for both of them and said to Jin Tianming, "Student Jin, are you interested in making a deal with me?"

"What kind of deal?" Jin Tianming became somewhat interested. However, Kong Deming's next answer made him understand what shamelessness truly was.

"I want a treasure that can help me break through Rank 95. In exchange, you and the force behind you may choose any ninth-class Soul Tools from the Hall of Worship!"

There did not seem to be anything wrong with Kong Deming's words. Any ordinary person would absolutely think they were getting the better deal.

But Jin Tianming was no ordinary person. He might be arrogant, but he had not eaten his own brain.

This was no ordinary deal. It was clearly an empty-handed wolf trap. If Kong Deming broke through Rank 95, would Jin Tianming still have a chance to choose Soul Tools?

This guy's calculations were truly loud and clear! Did he really think Jin Tianming did not understand how terrifying a Rank 95 Soul Engineer was?

Thank you, handsome guys and beautiful ladies, for the monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. I'm truly very grateful!