Xuan Zi, You're Too Attached

"What does Sect Master Ning need?"

Chen Fu was somewhat surprised to see the visitor. He had assumed it would be a steward, but he had not expected a big shot instead.

Ning Yi felt rather helpless at that. The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect had always been the one fulfilling others' requests, yet the first thing he was asked upon meeting was whether he needed something.

"I happened to bring my daughter to Shrek City today to take care of something. I learned that Brother Chen was graduating, so I came by to pay a visit."

Ning Yi tugged lightly at the little girl beside him, who looked to be around ten years old. She was a very adorable little thing.

"This is Ning Tian, right? She's quite cute."

Ignoring the little girl's resistance, Chen Fu stepped closer and rubbed her head, then took a small box from his space ring.

"A little gift for you, as a meeting present."

It was a Soul Tool accessory that could stabilize spiritual fluctuations, one of Chen Fu's trial creations from his research into Spiritual Power.

"Why aren't you thanking your brother?"

Ning Yi did not refuse. Chen Fu's Soul Tools came in two kinds: those he sold and those he gave away. The former were fine products, while the latter were absolutely the finest of the fine.

"Thank you, Brother." Though reluctant, she still behaved with proper grace.

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

Watching the father and daughter leave, Chen Fu could roughly guess that they would return.

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

To avoid putting pressure on Shrek Academy, Chen Fu had chosen to settle down on Main Street, where Titled Douluo were stationed at all times.

[Nirvana] was the goodwill Chen Fu had conveyed to Sea God Pavilion. Teacher Fan Yu had likely already explained his situation to the Dean of Shrek Academy.

The core energy-storage technology of the [Ark] alone had been enough to tempt Shrek Academy. Yet even with the completely unprotected First Generation Ark before them, the Soul Engineer team led by Fan Yu had spent three years and still only grasped fragments of it.

Though Douluo Continent had little awareness of protecting technology, it did not mean one had to hand everything over. The First Generation Ark, without any anti-deciphering protections, was already an enormous contribution to Shrek Academy.

The Academy had not allowed him into the inner courtyard. On one hand, the inner courtyard truly could no longer teach him much in the field of Soul Tools. On the other, it was also telling him that if he wanted protection, he should contribute in other ways.

Although Chen Fu was full of doubts about Shrek Academy's teaching logic, the Academy was still fairly reliable when it came to protecting outstanding students.

They would not teach him, but they could still take him on as a disciple.

Once the Academy cracked Ark Technology, Chen Fu would no longer need to fear anyone coveting his more refined core technology.

"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile..." Chen Fu murmured inwardly. Even if the world had changed, the fundamental logic of evolution should still be shared. Martial Soul Evolution could be put on the agenda.

[Task Bar Updated]

Time rewound to shortly after Ma Xiaotao had parted ways with Chen Fu, when she headed for the inner courtyard.

Caressing the ring around her neck, Ma Xiaotao pondered. Though she was usually rather fiery around Chen Fu, she was not stupid. Bringing out his "true graduation work" at this time carried a different meaning.

[Nirvana] had been made specifically for her. More accurately, it had been made for the people behind her to see.

Summoning Phoenix Wings, Ma Xiaotao sped off, quickly flying across Sea God Lake. Several hazy figures appeared on distant Sea God Island.

Seeing them, Ma Xiaotao beat her wings and transformed into a streak of light that shot toward the figures.

"Dean!"

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

"You're here. Did the little fellow have any words for us?"

Xuan Zi instinctively looked her over, then focused his gaze on Ma Xiaotao's neck.

"He said this is his true graduation work."

Though she was somewhat 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!"

Xuan Zi burst into laughter and casually drew the Nirvana Ring into his hand. After sensing it in secret for a moment, he finally gave up helplessly and asked,

"What exactly does it do?"

"It purifies evil fire."

Those four simple words entered his ears, freezing Xuan Zi's arm. He hurriedly cradled the ring in his hands, afraid it might be damaged by even the slightest bump.

Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul problem had always been a source of worry for him. To think that such a thorny issue could now be solved by a tiny ring-shaped Soul Tool was simply unbelievable.

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."

Like the difference between guns and cannons and nuclear weapons: the former threw the world into turmoil, while the latter kept the world at peace.

"Elder Xuan, may I examine this Soul Tool?"

Fan Yu was also filled with shock. Chen Fu's technical logic differed from his own, but could the gap really be this enormous?

"Be careful. Don't do anything reckless!"

Fan Yu possessed the highest level of Soul Tool expertise here and might be able to discern something, so Xuan Zi had no choice but to carefully hand the Nirvana Ring to him.

Watching Xuan Zi move so gingerly and cautiously, Fan Yu felt somewhat helpless. Chen Fu's Soul Tools had always been known for their quality. They were not that fragile.

"Unbelievable!"

Guiding his Spiritual Power along the Soul Power circuits, Fan Yu sensed an intricate yet orderly map of countless pathways. He was truly stunned.

He had managed to crack part of the First Generation Ark, but the flawless, naturally formed ring in his hand left him completely at a loss.

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

The [lin] character on the curved surface of the ring meant that Chen Fu had used anti-deciphering measures on this Soul Tool.

Any incorrect attempt would burn out the internal circuits of the Soul Tool and render it useless.

"The kid was right. We can only learn from his technical logic, then develop and expand upon our existing Soul Tools. If we follow his path, we will never surpass him!"

After a long silence, Fan Yu sighed.

"That's different from what you said about him before."

Xuan Zi narrowed his eyes at Fan Yu. If he did not explain this clearly, Xuan Zi would definitely make things difficult for the man who had caused him to lose a genius Soul Tool student.

"Chen Fu's research has always focused on making Soul Power independent of rank. If he succeeds, the conflict with the Soul Master System will be far too great."

"It's the Soul Master Aristocratic System, Teacher Fan Yu. Please don't blur the distinction." Ma Xiaotao had heard Chen Fu's ideas before. The expansion of power among the lower classes was the decisive force that drove civilization forward.

"Fine, even if it's the Soul Master Aristocratic System, do you know how many of Shrek Academy's students and teachers were born into aristocratic families? At least eighty percent! Our school itself is an aristocratic school!"

"Elder Xuan, Xiaotao, and all those Pavilion Elders behind Sea God Pavilion can all be considered representatives of the aristocracy. Once Chen Fu publishes the results of his rankless research, the consequences will be terrifying!"

Xuan Zi fell silent. If even a Low-level Soul Master could operate a Level Nine Soul Tool weapon and fire at him, that was a sight he did not wish to see.

Shrek's nature as an academy made them inclined to protect Chen Fu, but its aristocratic nature also made him difficult to accept.

"If a Low-level Soul Master can defeat the strong, then can a top-tier Soul Master defeat someone even stronger?"

Ma Xiaotao broke the silence.

Stronger than the top tier... that level... What a terrifying temptation. Xuan Zi shuddered all over, then immediately regained his clarity.

Choosing between vested interests and future benefits was undoubtedly difficult.

"Xuan Zi, you're too attached."

(Brothers, give me some votes so the author knows he isn't writing alone.)