The Instrument of Change

"This isn't a price. It's a transaction."

The Noblewoman corrected Huo Yuhao, then continued.

"We have only three conditions.

"First, I hope the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will have priority purchasing rights for your Soul Tools, and that you will accept commissions for Level 9 Soul Tools to a certain extent. Of course, we will purchase every Soul Tool you sell us at fifty percent above market price.

"Second, I hope you can become an honorary guest of our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Of course, it will only be a nominal position. You will not need to bear any responsibilities, yet you will still enjoy the rights of a guest of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

"Third."

The Noblewoman paused slightly once more, then reached out and took the hand of the girl beside her.

"This is Ning Tian, the daughter of my elder brother—the Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—and the current Young Sect Leader. I hope... that you can accept her as your disciple."

Something unexpected had happened.

Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment. He had guessed that the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect might ask him to help train Soul Engineers, but he had not expected them to send Ning Tian directly to him.

Had the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect decided to transform ahead of schedule in this life?

In his memories of his previous life, Ning Tian had also begun learning Soul Tool crafting later on and had even wanted to reform the entire Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

As a sect whose inherited Martial Soul was the support-type Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect naturally was not considered strong in the eyes of the world. Yet the emergence of Soul Tools could give Support Soul Masters combat ability as well!

The current leaders of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had clearly noticed this, but they had lacked both technology and talent, leaving them unable to transform. And now, Huo Yuhao had suddenly appeared.

Perhaps, in the eyes of that Sect Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Huo Yuhao's appearance was an opportunity—an opportunity to make the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect stronger!

Therefore, after a brief period of consideration, they had decided to recruit him at any cost.

A few guesses formed in Huo Yuhao's mind. He looked at the tranquil, delicate girl beside him and gained a clear understanding of the courage of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect Master he had never met.

They've decided to bet on me?

Then I'll accept.

"I agree."

Huo Yuhao's voice remained calm, but upon hearing this, the smile at the corners of the Noblewoman's lips rose slightly on its own.

"Then thank you, Guest Master Tianmeng." The Noblewoman poured a cup of tea, then looked toward Ning Tian beside her.

Ning Tian immediately understood. She stood, accepted the teacup, and slowly walked to Huo Yuhao's side before speaking respectfully.

"Master, please have some tea."

How strange. A former classmate has become my disciple. Why does this feel so strange?

Huo Yuhao suppressed the odd feeling in his heart, then took the tea and drank a sip.

Then he asked, "What do you know about Soul Tools?"

"I know the foundational knowledge of a Level 1 Soul Engineer, but I have not formally attempted crafting yet," Ning Tian replied.

"Your Soul Power Level?"

Ning Tian raised a hand and summoned her Martial Soul.

A radiant Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda rested in her palm, while a Hundred-Year Soul Ring floated around her body.

"My current Soul Power Level is 17."

Huo Yuhao nodded. When he had enrolled at Shrek in his previous life, Ning Tian had been one of the only three Soul Elders in that class. Judging by her talent, she was likely a genius with either Innate Full Soul Power or Innate Level 9 Soul Power.

And now, at eight years old and Level 18, she would break through Level 20 after a while. Once she absorbed another Soul Ring, she might directly reach Level 22 or even 23.

Her talent truly was outstanding.

After thinking for a moment, Huo Yuhao took a book from his Storage Ring, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Ning Tian. "These are some of my insights from when I was a Level 1 and Level 2 Soul Engineer. You can read them."

After speaking, Huo Yuhao paused for a second or two before adding, "You may share them."

"Thank you, Master!"

Ning Tian spoke respectfully.

Huo Yuhao nodded. "You do not need to engage in Soul Tool crafting for the time being. Focus on cultivation first and raise your Soul Power Level. Once you have your second Soul Ring, I will formally begin teaching you. Before then, just study the insights I gave you."

Aside from one's own knowledge, the most important factor in Soul Tool crafting was the purity of one's Soul Power.

After all, the current classification of Soul Tool grades was determined by the amount of Soul Power expended during their creation.

For example, a Level 5 Soul Tool required a Soul Master at the Soul King level to craft it. If a Soul Ancestor tried to make a Level 5 Soul Tool, then even if their knowledge was entirely sufficient, they would still fail near the end due to insufficient Soul Power.

However, if a Soul Emperor crafted a Level 5 Soul Tool, their ample Soul Power reserves would give them more room for trial and error, making it easier to create a Level 5 Soul Tool.

That was precisely why Huo Yuhao wanted Ning Tian to reach Level 20 before beginning her studies.

Seeing from a greater height—that was all there was to it.

After settling Ning Tian's matters, Huo Yuhao turned his gaze back to the Noblewoman and placed a list of materials on the table.

"I'll come again in a month. By then, please prepare these materials for me."

The Noblewoman took the list, but the instant her eyes fell upon it, her gaze stiffened slightly.

Heavenly Origin Gold, Underworld Soul Gold... If she remembered correctly, weren't most of these materials used to make Level 9 Soul Tools?

Could it be...?!

The Noblewoman suppressed the shock in her heart. Though she had already expected it, she had not thought it would happen so quickly. It seemed her brother's decision had been correct. They truly needed to recruit Master Tianmeng at any cost.

The Noblewoman nodded and said softly, "All right, no problem at all. The materials will be ready before you arrive next month."

Sensing the Noblewoman's shock and various other emotions, a faint smile appeared in Huo Yuhao's heart.

"Besides that, I hope the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will help me promote this across the entire continent."

Huo Yuhao placed a square Soul Tool emitting a faint glow on the table.

"This... what is it?"

"A Soul Power Storage Core. Once Soul Power is stored within it, the Soul Power will automatically become ownerless Soul Power, which anyone can absorb and use—even ordinary people without Soul Power. It can store Soul Power up to the Soul Emperor level."

"You said... what? It can store Soul Power at the Soul Emperor level?!"

The Noblewoman immediately understood the significance of this Soul Tool, but in the next moment, Huo Yuhao spoke again.

"The rate at which Soul Power can be drawn out is limited, so it is useless in battle. However, it can be used by Soul Engineers during Soul Tool crafting."

There's a limit? Of course, something like this should have a limit. But even so, it's still terrifying!

After all, countless Soul Engineers had been limited in their Soul Engineer rank because of their own Soul Power Level. If this Soul Power Storage Core worked, then in a sense... even an ordinary person would now have the possibility of becoming a Soul Engineer!

The Noblewoman's breathing hitched slightly. She felt as though she could see a revolution belonging to Soul Tools about to arrive, and the person before her...

Would surely leave a vivid mark upon the history of future generations!