Xuan Zi, You're Too Focused on Appearances

"Sect Master Ning, is there anything you need?"

Seeing the visitor, Chen Fu was a bit surprised. He had originally thought it was an elder, but unexpectedly it was the big boss.

Hearing this, Ning Yi felt a bit helpless. It was always their Nine Treasures Glazed Sect that fulfilled others' requests, and he hadn't expected to be asked if he needed anything upon meeting someone.

"I happened to bring my daughter to Shrek City today to handle some matters, and I didn't expect to run into Brother Chen graduating, so I came to pay a visit."

Ning Yi tugged at the little girl beside him, about ten years old, a very cute lass.

"This must be Ning Tian, she's quite cute."

He ruffled the little girl's head amidst her resistance, then took out a small box from his Space Ring.

"Here's a small gift for you, as a meeting present."

It was a Soul Tool accessory that could stabilize mental fluctuations, Chen Fu's experimental piece for mental research.

"Aren't you going to thank Brother quickly?"

Ning Yi did not refuse. Chen Fu's Soul Tools were divided into two types: one for sale, and one for gifting. The former were considered fine products, while the latter were definitely top-tier products.

"Thank you, Brother." Although unwilling, she still acted generously and politely.

After a few pleasantries, Ning Yi left with Ning Tian.

Seeing the father and daughter leave, Chen Fu could roughly guess that they would come again.

Not long after Ma Xiaotao left in the morning, a gaze fell from the void in the dark.

To avoid putting pressure on Shrek Academy, Chen Fu chose to set up his residence on this main street where Titled Douluo were always stationed.

[Nirvana] was Chen Fu's goodwill conveyed to the Sea God Pavilion. Tutor Fan Yu should have discussed his situation with the Dean of Shrek Academy.

The Ark Technology's core energy storage technology alone was enough to make Shrek Academy interested. However, facing the completely unguarded first-generation [Ark], Fan Yu's Soul Engineer team spent three years and still only had a partial understanding.

Although the Douluo Continent did not have a concept of protecting technology, it was not necessary to hand it all over. The first-generation Ark, without any anti-decryption protection, was already a great contribution to Shrek Academy.

The academy not letting him into the inner court was, on one hand, because the inner court could no longer teach him in the field of Soul Tools. On the other hand, it also implied that if he wanted protection, he should contribute in other ways.

Although Chen Fu's understanding of Shrek Academy's teaching logic was full of doubts, the academy's protection of outstanding students was quite in place.

They didn't teach, but they could take disciples.

After the academy deciphered the Ark Technology, his more perfected core technology would not be feared of being coveted.

"Nine Treasures Glazed, Nine Treasures Glazed..." Chen Fu muttered inwardly. Even if the world had changed, the basic logic of evolution should be common. Martial Soul Evolution could be put on the agenda.

[Quest Log Updated]

Time rewound. Not long after Ma Xiaotao parted ways with Chen Fu, she headed to the inner courtyard.

Touching the ring on her neck, Ma Xiaotao pondered. Although she usually had a fiery personality in front of Chen Fu, she wasn't stupid. Presenting the "true graduation achievement" at this time carried a different significance.

[Nirvana] was given to her alone, or rather, it was meant for the person behind her to see.

Summoning her Phoenix Wings, Ma Xiaotao sped along, quickly flying over Sea God Lake. Several hazy figures appeared on Sea God Island in the distance.

Seeing this, Ma Xiaotao flapped her wings and transformed into a rainbow, shooting towards the figures.

"Dean!"

The old man continued to drink, while the man beside him stood respectfully behind him.

"You're here, little one. Do you have anything to bring me?"

Old Xuan sized her up subconsciously, then focused his gaze on Ma Xiaotao's neck.

"He said this is his true graduation achievement."

Although reluctant, Ma Xiaotao still took off [Nirvana] and handed it to the old man.

"Don't break it, or I'll burn off all your beard!"

"Hahaha!"

Old Xuan laughed heartily, casually taking the Nirvana Ring into his hand. He sensed it secretly, then helplessly gave up and asked:

"What is its specific function?"

"Purifying evil fire."

Four simple words entered his ears, startling Old Xuan so much that his arm stiffened. He quickly held the ring in his hands, afraid of damaging it.

Ma Xiaotao's martial soul problem had always been a persistent worry for him. Now, to hear that such a troublesome issue could be solved by a small ring-shaped Soul Tool was simply incredible.

He shifted his gaze to the man behind him, who immediately understood.

"Chen Fu often says that low-level Soul Tools pursue power, while high-level Soul Tools solve problems."

It was like the difference between guns and nuclear weapons; the former caused global turmoil, while the latter brought world peace.

"Old Xuan, may I observe this Soul Tool?"

Fan Yu was also filled with shock. Chen Fu's technical logic differed from his, but not to this extent, surely?

"Be careful, don't mess around!"

After all, Fan Yu's soul tool technology was the highest here, and he might be able to figure something out. Old Xuan had to hand the Nirvana Ring over to him carefully.

Watching Old Xuan tiptoeing cautiously, Fan Yu felt a bit helpless. Chen Fu's soul tools were always known for their quality; they shouldn't be so fragile.

"Incredible!"

As he flowed his Spiritual Power along the soul power circuits, feeling the dense and orderly circuit diagram in his spiritual perception, Fan Yu was truly shocked.

He had managed to decipher a part of the first-generation Ark, but this perfectly formed ring in his hand left him with no clue.

As for forcibly impacting it with Spiritual Power, Fan Yu was certain that if he dared to do so, Old Xuan would definitely go berserk and crush him to death.

The "[Lin]" symbol on the ring's curved surface meant that Chen Fu had employed anti-decryption measures on this soul tool.

Trial and error would burn out the internal circuits of the soul tool, rendering it scrap.

"That kid was right. We can only learn from his technological logic and then develop and expand our existing soul tools. If we follow his path, we'll never surpass him!"

After a long silence, Fan Yu sighed.

"Isn't that different from what you told him before?"

Old Xuan squinted at Fan Yu. If this wasn't explained clearly, he would definitely make trouble for this person who had caused him to lose a talented soul tool student.

"Chen Fu's research direction has always been soul power without rank. If successful, it would conflict too greatly with the Soul Master System."

"It's the Soul Master Aristocratic System, Teacher Fan Yu, please don't blur the concepts." Ma Xiaotao, who was standing nearby, had heard Chen Fu's ideas. The expansion of bottom-tier martial power was the decisive force driving civilization forward.

"Alright, even if it's the Soul Master Aristocratic System, do you know how many students and teachers in our Shrek Academy are from noble families? At least eighty percent! Our school itself is a noble school!"

"Including Old Xuan, Xiaotao, and the elders behind the Sea God Pavilion, they can all be considered representatives of the nobility. Once Chen Fu's research results on the unranked system are announced, the consequences will be terrifying!"

Old Xuan fell silent. If a low-level soul master could drive a Level Nine Soul Tool weapon and strike him, that was a scene he did not want to see.

The nature of Shrek Academy inclined them to protect Chen Fu, but its aristocratic nature made it difficult for them to accept him.

"If low-level soul masters can defeat the strong, can top-tier soul masters defeat even stronger ones?"

Ma Xiaotao broke the silence.

Stronger than top-tier, that level... it was a terrifying temptation. Old Xuan shivered all over and then sobered up.

The choice between vested interests and future benefits was undoubtedly difficult.

"Xuan Zi, you are too focused on the superficial."