God-Slaying?

"All right. As for the Soul Spirit Method and your teacher, I won't interfere. You're clever, and I trust you know where to draw the line."

Kong Deming patted Xu Lanqing on the shoulder, his expression kindly.

He was quite satisfied with this disciple. His personality and intelligence were both beyond reproach.

It was a shame he was so young. If only he were of the same generation as Xu Tianran...

Still, as things stood, it wasn't impossible.

Kong Deming shook his head, and his aged voice rang out:

"Lan Qing, be careful around the Third Prince. The situation within the empire is tense right now. Although I'm the chief Soul Engineer, I'm constrained in many ways and can't get involved."

They were now truly on the same side.

"I understand, Teacher." Xu Lanqing nodded.

Xu Lanqing, too, regarded Kong Deming as a teacher worthy of his respect.

Kong Deming's gaze fell on the paper in Xu Lanqing's hands, and he couldn't help smiling. The wrinkles on his face quivered.

"What's this? Have you taken an interest in Soul Tools? Weren't you planning to become a powerful Soul Master?"

"Soul Tools can provide powerful support, so they're an indispensable part of the equation. Combining the two is what makes a Soul Master powerful."

Xu Lanqing raised the paper and explained his thinking.

"That's true. Ever since our defeat, the empire has placed great importance on cultivating powerful Soul Masters. After all, the more powerful the Soul Tool, the more powerful the Soul Master needed to make or operate it.

"Powerful Martial Souls are generally cultivated along the path of Soul Masters. As for Soul Tools, being able to use them flexibly is considered good enough.

"Unfortunately, we're still far behind our enemies when it comes to cultivating Soul Masters, especially Shrek Academy."

Kong Deming sighed, his voice full of emotion.

Then he glanced at the contents of the paper and teased him with a smile:

"This is a Level 9 Soul Tool. Can you understand it?"

"I can."

To Kong Deming's surprise, Xu Lanqing nodded. "Though I can only understand a little."

"Oh? Tell me what you've got."

Kong Deming grew interested. He wanted to see what Xu Lanqing could make of it.

Xu Lanqing turned to the first page and pointed at the writing.

"This is about the Humanoid Soul Guidance Device. I don't understand the structure and so on, but from what's written here, their ultimate goal is to enhance the device's amplification capabilities.

"But the demands it places on the Soul Master using it are far too high. Almost no one can operate it, and it takes several people to pilot this Humanoid Soul Guidance Device."

"And your point is?"

"So why don't we try approaching it from a different direction? We could shrink it down and make it into an armor-like Soul Tool, a portable version for one person. That would lower the requirements for the Soul Master using it..."

The Humanoid Soul Guidance Device was, in fact, the origin of Battle Armor. Xu Lanqing only needed to suggest the idea; with Kong Deming's knowledge of Soul Tools, he would naturally be able to develop it further.

Kong Deming's eyes grew brighter and brighter. His brow furrowed and relaxed in turn, and his hand unconsciously tightened around his beard.

He muttered to himself:

"But that would bring a whole host of new problems. First, the forging: how can we reduce its size without compromising its functions?

"Then there's the design, the production, and so on..."

"As for the forging, we could try imbuing the metal with a spirit. That might have remarkable results..."

The forging techniques of the time had already reached the equivalent of Thousand Refinement.

The core of an advanced Soul Tool was a core array engraved onto Thousand Refinement metal.

"Imbue it with a spirit? Imbue it with a spirit... That's it! How did I not think of that?"

Kong Deming slapped his thigh. A flood of ideas came to him, and he cried out excitedly.

"Lan Qing, you're a true genius when it comes to Soul Tools!"

He immediately rushed to the worktable, his face alight with excitement as he frantically scribbled and sketched. He had to record the inspiration while it was fresh.

Seeing this, Xu Lanqing didn't disturb him. He quietly stepped toward Snow Empress.

"What were you two talking about? I didn't understand a thing." Snow Empress glanced at Kong Deming, who was bent over his work, and asked curiously.

"We were talking about how to shrink that hunk of metal. Uh, well, I didn't understand it either. I was just making a suggestion." Xu Lanqing pointed at the Humanoid Soul Guidance Device.

"By the way, you just..." He trailed off.

"Now that I'm human, I should have a new name."

Snow Empress stood ramrod straight, like plum blossoms braving the winter frost, her clear, lilting voice melodious.

"I still prefer calling you Snow Empress, or Snow Maiden. It feels more like you that way." Xu Lanqing's eyes held a smile.

They stood close together.

Faint, cool, delicate fragrance wafted from her, tinged with a hint of sweetness. It was elusive, yet seemed to seep into the very depths of one's being, leaving one intoxicated.

Snow Empress lowered her lovely eyes and saw Xu Lanqing gazing at her without blinking, his dark, deep eyes full of warmth. He was so captivating.

It made her feel flustered and giddy.

She turned away, her slender, pale fingers toying with the equally snow-white strands of hair hanging over her chest.

"Suit yourself."

"Then I'll call you Snow Maiden from now on." Xu Lanqing seized the opportunity.

Snow Empress's fingers paused. She said nothing.

"Hahahaha!"

A booming, aged laugh filled the room. Looking at what he had made, Kong Deming grinned from ear to ear.

"Teacher looks so happy. You must have made quite a breakthrough." Xu Lanqing congratulated him.

"I did make some progress, but this is only the beginning. There's still a long road ahead."

"Everything's difficult at the beginning. Now that you have a direction, you have a chance of succeeding."

Kong Deming nodded and said warmly, "Lan Qing, you've been a great help this time."

"It's because you're so knowledgeable, Teacher. I only made a suggestion. Besides, being able to help you is my honor."

"Enough with the pleasantries. Do you think I don't know what you're like? You've been here a while, haven't you? I'll take you all out now."

Xu Lanqing beamed. "You know me so well, Teacher. There's no rush to leave. Snow Maiden and the others are new here, so perhaps you could..."

As he spoke, he raised his right hand and rubbed his fingers together.

"You little rascal. Now you're trying to shake me down?"

Kong Deming glared at him, bristling. "The law strictly forbids the empire's Level 9 Soul Tools from leaving the country."

"Come on, Teacher. Snow Maiden isn't an outsider. How can that count as letting them leave the country?" Xu Lanqing continued grinning shamelessly.

Snow Empress's breath caught, and a lovely blush rose across her snowy cheeks like a rosy cloud.

"Fine, fine. You win."

Kong Deming casually flicked out nine streaks of light, which hovered before Xu Lanqing. "Just nine Soul Tools. Any more, and people might gossip."

"Thank you, Teacher! You're the best!"

Xu Lanqing was overjoyed and quickly put them away.

He had only hoped to get three or four, so nine from Kong Deming was more than he'd ever expected.

Snow Empress thanked him as well, since Xu Lanqing had asked for her sake.

"By the way, Teacher, this High-Energy Compression Array Soul Guidance Device..." Xu Lanqing flipped through the pages in his hands and suddenly asked.

"You mean this? I led its development. It's the pride of the Royal Research Institute."

Kong Deming looked a little proud, but then he sighed.

"Unfortunately, it's not finished yet. It's only a prototype. It can only be installed in specific locations, takes up a huge area, and can't be moved.

"On top of that, materials and technological limitations mean who knows how long it'll take to complete."

"Then the theory behind it is real?" Xu Lanqing thought of something and swallowed.

"That's right. It can compress and store Soul Power without limit, with no leakage, as long as there's enough Soul Power and enough time.

"In theory, it's powerful enough to slay a god!"

The air fell silent.