A Simple Idea

"So that's how you see it. Then my thoughts might be a little different from yours." Wang Nan casually spoke as he looked over the other exhibits. "I think Soul Engineers and Soul Masters should complement each other, not be mutually incompatible."

"Actually, if you look at it from another angle, Soul Engineers aren't all that different from Food Type Soul Masters. They both create things to assist themselves and other Soul Masters. The only difference is that one uses Martial Souls, while the other uses Soul Tools."

"How can those be compared? Learning how to use Soul Tools takes time. Doesn't that delay Soul Power cultivation?" Hearing Wang Nan's words, Gongyang Mo felt as though everything he knew about Soul Tools had been overturned. He had finally managed to find an angle from which to argue back.

"Does cooperation between Soul Masters happen overnight? Besides, learning some basic knowledge about Soul Tools will make it easier to deal with Soul Engineers in the future."

As they spoke, Wang Nan suddenly quickened his pace and swiftly arrived before a display stand.

"Has the VIP taken an interest in this Soul Bone?" The young woman who had previously led Wang Nan over followed after him. "This Right Arm Bone came from a Crimson-faced Ape. Though it lacks offensive power, it provides an ability called 'As Easy As Moving One's Arm.'"

Crimson-faced Apes were a type of Soul Beast that liked to live in the mountains. Their bodies were covered in white fur, while their faces were crimson, hence their name. They lived alone and enjoyed eating fruit. Of course, being vegetarian did not mean they had gentle temperaments. On the contrary, they often used tools like tree branches to harass the other Soul Beasts around them.

Unlike other Soul Beasts, in battle, besides using their claws and tails, they also attacked with the "weapons" in their hands. Their advances and retreats even followed a certain pattern, no less refined than some Soul Masters' Soul Skills.

The skill provided by its Right Arm Bone, "As Easy As Moving One's Arm," did exactly as its name implied: it greatly increased a Soul Master's control over weapons for a period of time.

This effect was somewhat useless for Beast Martial Souls, but it was perfect for Tool Martial Souls.

He looked at the price again: one million Gold Soul Coins. Fortunately, while it was still expensive, it was not outrageously so.

"If the VIP has taken an interest in it, please follow me over here to assess what discount you may receive." The young woman smiled and extended her right hand.

Wang Nan did not respond immediately. Instead, he turned back to look at Gongyang Mo. "Are you coming with me, or do you want to keep looking around?"

Gongyang Mo was still thinking about the difference between Soul Engineers and Food Type Soul Masters. Only when Wang Nan called him did he snap back to his senses. "I-I'm not going. I'll keep looking."

Wang Nan nodded, then followed the young woman to the assessment and registration area. Besides the staff, there was also an elderly woman with silver hair and a youthful face.

"When I passed by earlier, I happened to overhear your conversation with your friend. It's my first time hearing someone compare Soul Engineers to Food Type Soul Masters. Would you be willing to talk with me a little more?"

As the elderly woman spoke, she gestured toward the VIP room beside them.

Wang Nan knew that this old lady was likely one of the academy's senior elders. Without standing on ceremony, he followed her into the VIP room. Not long after they sat down, someone brought in two cups of tea and some pastries.

The elderly woman gave a kind smile. "I imagine quite a few teachers at the academy have told you that, in battles between powerful individuals, Soul Masters are superior to Soul Engineers. I'd like to know why you are interested in Soul Tools."

Wang Nan had expected his unusual ideas to draw attention, but he had not expected it to happen so soon. He had barely voiced them before being called over for a talk. It seemed Shrek Academy valued Soul Tools far more than he had imagined.

Still, there was nothing to hide, so Wang Nan told her the truth.

"Because in battle, Soul Tools can change the way a Soul Master fights. For example, Flying Soul Tools can give Soul Masters greater mobility, long-range offensive Soul Tools can expand their means of attack, and even high-level Soul Masters can reduce the damage they take through defensive Soul Tools."

"Different kinds of Soul Tools are like Support Type Martial Souls with different specialties. They help Soul Masters deal with battle more easily, and only Soul Masters can bring out the greatest power of Soul Tools. I think powerful Soul Masters paired with powerful Soul Tools are the best way to use them."

"Besides, as you just said, Soul Masters are only stronger than Soul Engineers in battles involving high-level Soul Masters. Then low-level Soul Masters like me should learn to use Soul Tools to protect ourselves."

"Hahaha, I was wondering what kind of student could make that brat Yan Shaozhe come personally. Now it seems you're quite an imaginative child." The elderly woman chuckled.

Wang Nan had no idea when he had ever met the dean of the Martial Soul Department, so he could only smile along with the old lady.

"You young people really do have ideas. Soul Tools are like an alternative kind of Martial Soul, while Soul Engineers are like an alternative kind of Soul Master." As she spoke, the elderly woman suddenly thought of something.

If Soul Engineers also count as a type of Soul Master, then could they have classifications like Assault Type and Control Type? Yes, they should. Soul Engineers also have cooperation similar to that of Soul Masters, so they must have different specialties and divisions of labor. Just as one person does not have the energy to cultivate both Martial Souls and Soul Tools at the same time, no Soul Engineer can achieve mastery in every direction. So the academy's training direction...

Only after a long while did she slowly speak again. "Let's stop talking about Soul Tools and talk about the Soul Bone you've taken an interest in. Unfortunately, with your current strength, the highest credit limit you can receive is only one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Even after a discount, you still cannot afford it."

Wang Nan was not surprised. He possessed neither unique Twin Martial Souls nor a powerful ultimate Martial Soul. The fact that he could receive a one-hundred-thousand limit was already because of his relatively high Soul Power Level. However, since this old lady had brought it up now, she likely had something else to say.

So Wang Nan remained silent and quietly waited for what came next.

Sure enough, the elderly woman continued, "However, I can reserve it for you first. Gathering Treasures Pavilion conducts a new assessment every year. If you can meet the requirements within three years, then not only can you take that Soul Bone away, I will also give you a gift. What do you think?"

Wang Nan agreed without giving it much thought. Even if he failed to meet the requirements, he would not lose anything. What was there to hesitate over?

For the remainder of the time, Wang Nan did not buy anything else. The expensive items would use up his limit, yet he still could not afford them, while the cheap ones were not worth buying. Wang Nan's family was not enormously wealthy, but they did not lack things like Medicinal Herbs. There was no need to go into debt over such things.

Just as Wang Nan was preparing to leave, the young woman from before suddenly called out to him.

"VIP, this is a gift our Pavilion Master has prepared for you, in gratitude for your valuable suggestion." As she spoke, she handed over a Storage Soul Tool shaped like a token.

Wang Nan took it and gathered his Spiritual Power to probe inside. He discovered that it contained the Level 4 Flying Soul Tool he had looked at earlier.

Generally speaking, one needed to reach four rings of Soul Power before they could provide enough continuous power for a Flying Soul Tool. Wang Nan's current Soul Power was insufficient to support long-distance flight, so he had not bought it earlier. He had not expected it to be given to him as a gift in the end.

"Then I'll accept it. Please thank the Pavilion Master for me."

"Certainly. Take care, VIP."

After Wang Nan left, a streak of light rose from Gathering Treasures Pavilion and flew toward Shrek Academy.