Ultimate Weapon
When it came to his expertise, Zhao Chenggong suddenly became enthusiastic and talked a lot in one breath, regardless of whether Wu Qi could understand him.
"Thanks to the Changde Academy's coastal location, we have ample testing grounds for our Soul Tool. Through testing, we have identified several feasible solutions and verified the reliability of various Soul Tool."
Wu Qi simply nodded slightly, without expressing his opinion.
As he spoke, he stood up. "It's getting late. I had already eaten dinner when you two arrived, so I won't keep you any longer."
The first negotiation almost failed, but Wu Qi didn't force it. Letting the other party cool off would have an unexpected effect.
Ma Benming sighed softly, then smiled and said, "I apologize Earl, we were being presumptuous."
Wu Qi waved his hand, "Take care, you two Soul Saint. I will personally visit Changde Academy when I have time."
Ma Benming was slightly startled, but he smiled and said, "Then the two of us will await your good news Earl."
Leaving the Hotel, Zhao Chenggong's expression was grave. "Dean, that Earl is no Ordinary Person. He could see through our strength at a glance; either he has an even stronger backer, or he himself is that stronger person."
The two men came only to test Wu Qi's strength and weakness.
It would be best if we could reach an agreement, but even if we couldn't, as long as we confirmed that the other party truly had the capability, that would be fine.
Ma Benming couldn't help but sigh, "That Earl looks to be only in his early twenties. Even with the best maintenance, he's probably only in his thirties at most. He's truly young and promising."
"Old Zhao, you have to listen to me on this. If we serve this official well, we might both be transferred back to the Royal Academy and won't have to stay in this godforsaken, barren place."
Inside the room.
Wu Qingtian walked out of the closet carrying a takeout container.
When Ma Benming and his companion arrived, he had just returned and had no choice but to hide.
"My lord, didn't you want to see them? Why did you refuse their invitation?"
Wu Qingtian deliberately hid himself away, hoping to create an opportunity for the other party to have dinner, but Wu Qi flatly refused.
Wu Qi smiled faintly and said, "Zhao Chenggong is alright, but Ma Benming is no pushover. If we act too eager, we'll lose the initiative, which will be detrimental to the negotiations."
"Put the lunchbox down, you can eat with us, don't be shy. When the time is right, we'll naturally visit Changde Academy."
Over the next few days, Wu Qi went to the Auction House.
Firstly, he wanted to see if there were any treasures he desired at the Auction House. Secondly, he wanted to sell some medicinal herbs to raise a large amount of funds.
Three days later, a discreet yet luxurious carriage drove out of the Hotel.
These past few days, the Hotel has only hosted one distinguished guest, Wu Qi. The moment the Hotel opened its doors, it was noticed by spies from various factions, who quickly relayed the news back.
Inside the Changde Academy.
To welcome this important guest, Ma Benming, along with a group of teachers, stood at the entrance of the academy to greet him.
Wu Qingtian couldn't drive, and Wu Qi didn't want to hire Carriage Driver. Under his Spiritual Power control, the horses pulling the carriage were exceptionally docile, heading towards the Changde Academy in the direction he indicated.
Wu Qingtian sat in front of the car, feeling the envious glances from the crowd on the street.
His emotions remained calm; he knew perfectly well that those envious glances were not for him.
Wu Qi took in all of this and felt a growing sense of goodwill towards him.
The carriage soon arrived at the Changde Academy, and with the enthusiastic support of Ma Benming and others, the group marched in a grand procession toward the Soul Tool Department Experimental Building.
During this time, many trainees turned their attention to him.
Changde Academy is more like a combination of an intermediate and Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Master Academy, with Soul Master at levels ten and above, as well as Soul Elder at levels thirty and above.
"Isn't that Wu Qingtian? A beggar on the street, how did he end up with that important person?"
"You're so ignorant! That outfit is a butler's uniform. Wu Qingtian is that important person's butler, etc. How did Wu Qingtian become that important person's butler?"
There aren't many academies on the Sun Moon Continent, and most students come from all over the continent to improve their strength.
The Sea Plunder City is far from the center of the mainland and is relatively desolate, while these students are all teenagers with boundless energy.
When he had nothing to do, he would provoke those who had nowhere to go in the city.
Wu Qingtian, whom they used to ridicule at will, has now become the butler of a big shot, and is treated with utmost respect by their Dean. How can they accept this?
Soul Tool Research Lab.
The students of the Soul Tool Department are busily assembling their respective Soul Tool.
From the nearby testing grounds, the sounds of Soul Tool could be heard from time to time.
In the present-day Sun Moon Continent, the Soul Tool Technology is far inferior to that of ten thousand years from now. At present, Soul Tool are more of a supplementary means of combat for Soul Master, rather than their only means of combat; the main attack still comes from their own Martial Soul.
However, with the assistance of Soul Tool, a mid-level Soul Grandmaster of mediocre talent has already possessed combat power comparable to Initial-Rank Soul Elder. This is the enhancement brought by the Soul Tool.
On the Douluo Continent, Soul Master are generally powerful. With the help of Soul Tool, they are not only capable of fighting opponents of higher levels, but also difficult to find opponents within the same level, which shows the power of Soul Tool.
After a while of touring, at Ma Benming's insistence, Zhao Chenggong reluctantly led Wu Qi to see his Ultimate Weapon —a strangely shaped Tower-Type Soul Tool.
According to Zhao Chenggong, this Soul Tool has reached the peak of the eighth rank, touching the threshold of the Level 9 Soul Tool. If activated by Soul Douluo at full power, it can suppress any Soul Master below the Titled Douluo.
However, Zhao Chenggong's abilities are limited, and this Soul Tool is only an outer shell. If he had the support of funds and rare metals, he might actually be able to complete it in his lifetime.
His words and actions clearly revealed his desire for Wu Qi to sponsor him.
After the tour, the group went to the reception room.
Ma Benming chuckled and said, "Earl lord, I'm not bragging, but on this continent, when it comes to Soul Tool Technology, the two Royal Academy of the Two Great Empires rank first and second; and this third place belongs exclusively to our Changde Academy."
Zhao Chenggong's Soul Engineer level has reached the seventh rank, but he lacks the materials and money to forge a famous Seventh-Rank Soul Tool, so his Soul Engineer level has not improved for a long time.
Wu Qi spoke up, "I personally greatly admire the strength of your esteemed academy's Soul Engineer. However, what I require is somewhat unusual. I wonder if your academy can grant me that request?"
Ma Benming chuckled and said, "Sir, you jest. Everything in this world has a price tag; it's just a matter of whether the buyer can offer something compelling."
Wu Qi neither agreed nor disagreed, and then stated his requirements, "I need Soul Tool Technology, blueprints and theories for levels one to six, the more comprehensive the better. You can name a price for this. For levels seven and above, estimate the value of each blueprint based on its comprehensive dimensions."