On Soul Tools

A pure Traditional Soul Master suddenly claiming to like Soul Tools was like a wolf saying it had fallen in love with eating grass—utterly unconvincing.

"Since you like them, with your strength, if you wish to come here for exchange and study, Mingde Hall would naturally welcome you."

Jing Hongchen paused, then changed tack. "But why must you lower yourself to become a teacher?"

"If you wish to research Soul Tools, wouldn't it be more convenient to serve as my guest advisor?"

Clearly, this Old Fox still doubted Gu Yuejin's motives.

After all, the position of "teacher" granted access to a great many core students of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Being a guest advisor is too troublesome. I don't like socializing."

Gu Yuejin remained calm as he gave Jing Hongchen an irrefutable reason:

"Besides, with my current cultivation, becoming a student would obviously be inappropriate. That would be bullying children."

"Furthermore, my apprentice's martial soul is the Spirit Eyes, and his spiritual attribute is exceptionally high. He possesses a unique natural advantage in learning Soul Tools."

"If I leave him with your academy, I can rest assured... ahem, let him go out and make his own way."

Without changing expression, Gu Yuejin dressed up "I want to slack off" in more tactful terms.

Only by becoming a teacher could he rightfully toss Huo Yuhao to those technical maniacs in Mingde Hall for training.

Meanwhile, he could hide behind the scenes and enjoy life, completing a few tasks along the way. What was not to like?

Of course, there was an even more important reason hidden in his heart, one he did not voice.

Judging by the timeline, less than a year remained until the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition.

If Huo Yuhao joined the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and represented the Sun Moon Team in battle—

Then, when he encountered the Shrek Academy team on the field and faced that "double-standard group" before they had fully matured—

Just imagining this former child of destiny ruthlessly slapping his "Original Work teammates" in the face was enough to make one look forward to it.

"That's wonderful!"

Unlike Jing Hongchen, who was deep in thought, Meng Hongchen's excitement was plainly visible.

She completely ignored her Grandfather's darkening expression, hurried over to Gu Yuejin's side, and said eagerly:

"Brother Gu Yue, you have to come!"

"Our academy is really fun! Mingde Hall has so many novel things. I'll show you around when the time comes, and I'll cover all the expenses!"

"Whatever rare metals you want, I'll get them from Grandfather's storeroom for you!"

She had not even married in yet, and she was already taking someone else's side?

And she was planning to empty out my storeroom?

Jing Hongchen's mouth twitched, and his chest ached sharply.

He hurriedly reached out, pulled his Granddaughter back, and forcibly cut in:

"Young Friend Gu Yue, since you intend to teach at my academy, this Old Man naturally welcomes you wholeheartedly."

"However, this Old Man has one more question."

Jing Hongchen's smile faded. His gaze became deep and sharp, as though he wished to see through Gu Yuejin's heart.

This was a test, and also a threshold.

"As a powerful traditional Soul Master, what exactly do you think of Soul Tools?"

"If it is merely simple curiosity, or for certain benefits... then I fear this Old Man cannot allow you access to the core instruction."

Hearing this question, Gu Yuejin smiled.

He casually tossed the pitch-black Mingde Hall token in his hand, his tone light but every word resounding:

"What do I think?"

"In my view, Soul Tools are nothing more than tools that enhance human abilities. There is no essential difference between them and martial souls, Soul Rings, or Soul Bones."

"Soul Masters cultivate Soul Power, hunt Soul Rings, and fuse Soul Bones—all to become stronger, are they not?"

"If so, why reject metal and machinery?"

At this point, Gu Yuejin's gaze turned somewhat cold, carrying a trace of mockery toward the old era.

"Those people who pride themselves on their purity, whose minds are shackled by a tiny piece of metal machinery, who believe that using Soul Tools tarnishes a Soul Master's honor—they are simply beyond foolish."

"Stubbornly clinging to the old ways, thinking themselves superior."

"The only fate awaiting them is to be eliminated by the times."

These words were truly deafening.

Jing Hongchen's eyes opened wider and wider, the admiration in them nearly overflowing.

This insight had struck straight into his heart!

However, Gu Yuejin was not finished.

He raised his eyes to Jing Hongchen, a few traces of sharpness within his smile:

"Soul Tool Technology in the Sun Moon Empire is indeed ahead of the rest. That is beyond question."

"But true powerhouses should wield tools, not be wielded by them."

"Soul Tools are extensions of one's limbs, not crutches meant to replace them."

"Many Soul Engineers rely too heavily on external objects and neglect their own cultivation. That, too, is a kind of sickness."

"Hall Master Jing, what do you think?"

Silence.

Deathly silence.

After a long while, Jing Hongchen suddenly clapped his hands and burst into hearty laughter.

"Good! What a fine sentiment—wielding tools!"

"Little Friend Gu Yue, based on those words alone, the doors of my Mingde Hall will always be open to you!"

If his earlier favor had been due to the lifesaving debt and Gu Yuejin's strength, then now Jing Hongchen truly acknowledged this Young People.

This was a resonance of ideals—perhaps even the meeting of kindred spirits!

"In that case, this Old Man shall prepare Mingde Hall to welcome you."

Jing Hongchen was in high spirits. The more he looked at Gu Yuejin, the more pleasing he found him. He even felt that, even if his Granddaughter were truly swept off her feet, it might not be such a loss?

"Brother Gu Yue, I'll wait for you at the academy! You have to come! If you don't, you're a puppy!"

Meng Hongchen waved reluctantly, looking back with every step, until Jing Hongchen forcibly pulled her into the air. The two became streaks of light and vanished beyond the horizon.

After seeing the grandfather and granddaughter off, Ice Valley returned to its former tranquility.

"Master, where are we going now?"

Feeling the surging Soul Power within him, Huo Yuhao was eager to try. "Are we heading straight to the Sun Moon Empire?"

"What's the hurry?"

Gu Yuejin withdrew his gaze and glanced at his foolish Apprentice, whose face was full of anticipation.

This Extreme North Journey had yielded quite a harvest.

Not only had he intercepted the Snow Empress and subdued the Ice Empress, but he had also established a connection with Mingde Hall.

But before heading to the Sun Moon Empire, there was still one matter that had to be settled.

Huo Yuhao's Body Martial Soul needed to undergo its Second Awakening.

Though the Spirit Eyes were powerful, without completing the Second Awakening, they were merely a somewhat higher-grade telescope.

Only after achieving a Silver Grade—or even Gold Grade—Second Awakening would the terrifying dominance of a Body Martial Soul truly reveal itself.

As a Transmigrator who had thoroughly read the Original Work, Gu Yuejin knew of two methods of awakening.

One was the secret art of the Body Sect: surviving after being pushed to the brink of death, or breaking through at the very limit between life and death.

That method was far too risky, and it could easily train one's brain into mush.

The other method was to make use of natural spiritual treasures.

For example... Immortal Herbs.

"Before we go to the Sun Moon Empire, I'll take you somewhere good."

Gu Yuejin gazed southward, his eyes seeming to pierce through countless mountains and rivers before landing on a forest shrouded in poisonous mist.

There lay the private garden left behind by Tang Great God King.

If he was going to fleece the sheep, he might as well do it thoroughly.