First Meeting with Xu Tianran, Gu Yuejin's Feelings

The luxurious Soul Tool Carriage slowly departed from Hongchen Mansion, its wheels humming softly as they rolled over the smooth metal road.

Inside the carriage.

Xu Tianran leaned back against the soft cushioning woven from "Deep Sea Silver Silk," and the gentle, refined smile he wore, one that showed courtesy to subordinates, quickly receded like the tide.

In its place was a chilling coldness that made one's heart palpitate, and a deep-seated... jealousy and madness hidden in the depths of his eyes.

"A Soul Sage under twenty years old..."

He lowered his head, looking at his own numb legs, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip.

"Originally, I thought that old fox Jing Hongchen was exaggerating, trying to inflate the prestige of the Hongchen family."

"I didn't expect it to be true."

As the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran prided himself on his exceptional talent. If it weren't for that "accident" that caused his disability, his cultivation would not have stopped at this level.

But Gu Yuejin, whom he saw today, that young man with a perfect physique and terrifying cultivation, was like a mirror, reflecting the flaws in his body.

This caused the snake named "inferiority complex" in his heart to writhe madly.

"What annoys me the most is his attitude."

A sinister glint flashed in Xu Tianran's eyes.

"He appears respectful on the surface, but in reality, he's like a block of ice, keeping everyone a thousand miles away."

"He disdains high positions and generous emoluments, and is indifferent to imperial power and wealth."

"This 'desireless' attitude is simply giving my recruitment a cold shoulder!"

For an ambitious man with extreme control issues, whose psychology had gradually twisted due to his disability, he wasn't afraid of greedy people, but of those who had no weaknesses and couldn't be controlled.

"Hmph, everyone has desires."

Xu Tianran closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed the turmoil within him.

"No rush."

"Since he's teaching at the academy, I have plenty of time to slowly deal with him."

"Whether it's money, beautiful women, rare metals, or... that little disciple named Huo Yuhao."

"There will always be a bargaining chip that will make you kneel at my feet and become my sharpest blade."

Two days later.

Under Jing Hongchen's personal arrangement, Gu Yuejin and Huo Yuhao's enrollment and employment matters were all finalized.

As specially appointed teachers and core disciples, although they had privileges, the basic procedures still had to be followed.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Physical Examination Hall.

This place was filled with all sorts of sophisticated soul tool detection instruments, exuding a sci-fi vibe.

"Yuhao, go ahead and test your Soul Power," Jing Hongchen said with a smile, pointing to the latest model of the Soul Power Tester.

Huo Yuhao nodded and walked forward nervously, placing his palm on the large crystal sensor screen.

Hummm--

The instrument whirred to life, and a soft light illuminated, with the numbers rapidly climbing.

Finally, it settled.

[Soul Power Level: Twenty-eight]

"Twenty-eight?"

The teacher responsible for recording pushed up his glasses and looked with some surprise at the plainly dressed, somewhat naive-looking young man.

He had initially thought it was some relative who got in through the back door, but he hadn't expected someone his age to have a Soul Power Level of twenty-eight, which was considered top-tier in the Sun Moon Empire.

"Not bad."

The recording teacher nodded and picked up his pen. "Name, Huo Yuhao. What is your Martial Soul?"

"Spirit Eyes," Huo Yuhao answered honestly, pointing to his eyes at the same time.

"Spirit Eyes?"

The recording teacher froze, his pen hovering in mid-air, a look of bewilderment on his face. "Eyes? What kind of Martial Soul is that? A mutated beast Martial Soul? Or some special tool Martial Soul?"

In the Sun Moon Empire, most Soul Masters' Martial Souls were designed to complement Soul Tool cultivation. Martial Souls like this pure spiritual-attribute本体武魂 were extremely rare.

"Ignorant."

Jing Hongchen, standing nearby with his hands behind his back, chimed in to explain, his tone carrying a hint of pride:

"This is a physical body martial soul."

The main body's martial soul?!

The recording teacher exclaimed in surprise. The few teachers helping around also crowded over, their gazes towards Huo Yuhao instantly changing.

"That's right, not only is it the 本体武魂, but it's also an extremely rare 'eye' part within the 本体武魂."

Jing Hongchen looked at Huo Yuhao as if he were an uncarved piece of jade.

The Main Body Martial Soul possesses extremely strong potential for Second Awakening and terrifying bodily control, giving it a unique advantage in using high-level Soul Tools, especially mental-type Soul Tools.

"This kid is a natural-born Soul Master!"

With the Hall Master's personal endorsement, Huo Yuhao's file was instantly tagged with "S-Class Priority Attention."

"Alright, the disciple has been tested, it's time for the teacher."

Jing Hongchen turned his head and smiled at Gu Yuejin, who had been standing with his arms crossed.

Teacher Gu Yue, although you are a special appointment, according to academy rules, your Soul Power data must also be recorded upon joining.

"Troublesome."

Gu Yuejin shrugged and walked towards the testing platform.

At this time, the person operating the instrument was not the previous recorder, but a stern-looking middle-aged teacher in his forties.

He looked at Gu Yuejin approaching, his brow furrowed, a hint of undisguised doubt flashing in his eyes.

The academy had been buzzing for the past two days about how the Hall Master had brought back a "peerless genius" from outside and intended to directly hire him as the manager for practical combat classes.

Even the siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen highly praised this person.

But seeing him today...

"He's too young, isn't he?"

The middle-aged teacher muttered to himself.

He looked no older than twenty. No matter how mature his attire, that youthful aura couldn't be hidden.

"He's probably some young master from a hidden family, here to get a golden badge at our academy."

"And he's going to be the person in charge for practical combat class? It'll be embarrassing if he can't even beat the students."

Although he thought this, out of respect for Jing Hongchen's presence, he maintained a stern, professional demeanor:

"Place your hand here and circulate your Soul Power."

"To be clear, this instrument can withstand a Soul Power impact of up to level eighty. You..."

Before he could finish speaking.

Gu Yuejin casually placed his palm on the sensor.

BOOM--!!!

Without any preamble, without a gradual increase.

The Soul Power Tester, which had been emitting a soft glow, instantly erupted with a blinding light like the sun!

The entire physical examination hall was illuminated pure white!

"Beep beep beep--!! Warning! Warning! Energy levels too high!"

The instrument's alarm screamed frantically, as if it would explode at any second.

The middle-aged teacher was so startled that he stumbled back, falling onto the floor and knocking his glasses askew.

"This... this this this..."

He trembled, pointing at the display screen that was about to overload, his eyes bulging out.

The wildly fluctuating numbers finally locked onto a suffocating figure--

[Soul Power Level: Level Seventy-Seven]

Deathly silence.

The middle-aged teacher's mouth hung open as he looked at the young man, who appeared calm, as if he had just done something insignificant.

The slight disdain and doubt he had felt moments ago were instantly crushed by this terrifying number.

Level Seventy-Seven... a Soul Saint?!

A Soul Saint under twenty years old?!

"Good heavens... am I still dreaming?"

He pinched his thigh hard, wincing in pain.

Damn, is this real?