Soul Blade

Zhao Tieshan sighed and tossed the metal plate onto the table.

Gu Ci walked over and picked up the metal plate for a look.

The arrays of a Second-Grade Soul Tool were several times more complex than those of a First-Grade one. Though Zhao Tieshan was highly skilled, he had only recently begun working with Soul Tools, so mistakes were inevitable.

"Grandpa Zhao, the circuit direction at this node is reversed."

Gu Ci pointed at one spot. "It should run clockwise, but you engraved it counterclockwise."

Zhao Tieshan leaned over for a look, then slapped his thigh. "It really is! No wonder it kept feeling wrong!"

Gu Ci pointed out several more problems. Zhao Tieshan nodded repeatedly as he listened, his eyes full of admiration.

Though he was decades older than Gu Ci, when it came to Soul Tools, this six-year-old child was the true expert.

"Young Master, you came at just the right time."

Zhao Tieshan took an unfinished short blade from a cabinet and handed it to him.

"Take a look at this. I've drawn the Core Array, but something still feels off."

"The Blade Edge Array and the Thunder Pattern Array on the blade don't seem able to operate at the same time. When one activates, the other shuts down."

Gu Ci took the short blade and examined it carefully.

The blade had already been polished into shape. Two sets of arrays had been engraved onto its silvery-white surface—one was a Blade Edge Array, used to generate a Soul Power edge.

The other was a Thunder Pattern Array, used to add lightning damage.

The two arrays were independent, but they shared the same Soul Power input node.

That was the problem.

"Grandpa Zhao, these two arrays can't share the same input node," Gu Ci explained.

"The Blade Edge Array requires a steady, continuous output of Soul Power, while the Thunder Pattern Array requires a pulsed burst of Soul Power."

"If you connect them together, the Soul Power flow will conflict."

Zhao Tieshan froze for a moment. "Then what do we do? We can't exactly open two input ports, can we? That would be far too troublesome to use."

Gu Ci thought for a moment and picked up the Engraving Knife. "I'll modify it."

Zhao Tieshan and Qian Sihai exchanged a glance, then both leaned closer.

Gu Ci held the Engraving Knife, his fingers astonishingly steady.

He had not opened the Heavenly Eye, but the intuition for energy flow it had granted him gave him an understanding of arrays far beyond that of ordinary people.

The Engraving Knife moved across the metal surface. Array patterns spread across the blade, intertwining and separating like an intricate spiderweb.

Zhao Tieshan watched from the side, dumbstruck.

This six-year-old child's engraving technique was actually more precise than his own, despite his decades as an old blacksmith.

The depth and angle of every cut were exactly right—not too much, not too little.

"Add a Split Node here."

Gu Ci explained as he engraved, "Once the Soul Power enters, it first passes through the Split Node and divides into two paths."

"One path directly supplies the Blade Edge Array, while the other passes through an Energy Storage Circuit before supplying the Thunder Pattern Array. That way, the two arrays can operate independently without interfering with each other."

"An Energy Storage Circuit?"

Zhao Tieshan's eyes lit up. "Is that the one mentioned in the materials you showed me before?"

"That's right. A First-Grade Energy Storage Circuit is very simple. It's just a spiral-shaped array. Once Soul Power circles through it and emerges, a continuous output can be converted into a pulsed burst."

Gu Ci's hand never stopped. Before long, he had engraved a spiral pattern the size of a fingernail onto the blade.

"That way, the Blade Edge Array alone can be activated during normal use. When lightning effects are needed, activate the Thunder Pattern Array instead. The two arrays can be used together or separately."

Half an hour later, Gu Ci set down the Engraving Knife and let out a long breath.

Dense array patterns covered the short blade like exquisite decorations, gleaming with a faint silver light beneath the lamp.

He handed the short blade to Zhao Tieshan. "Grandpa Zhao, give it a try."

Zhao Tieshan took the short blade and poured in a trace of Soul Power.

The blade lit up, and a thin layer of Soul Power edge clung to its cutting edge, radiating a cold gleam.

With a thought, he activated the Thunder Pattern Array. Fine blue arcs of electricity immediately danced across the blade, crackling sharply.

"It worked!" Zhao Tieshan's hands trembled with excitement.

"The two arrays are operating at the same time without interfering with each other! Young Master, your skill is ten times better than mine!"

Qian Sihai also leaned in, clicking his tongue in amazement. "This blade is far better than the previous one."

"The last one could only use lightning by itself. The blade edge and lightning couldn't be activated together. This one can operate both arrays at once, so its power is at least doubled."

Gu Ci smiled and handed the blade to Zhao Tieshan. "Grandpa Zhao, keep this blade here as a sample."

"When we make Soul Sword Blades in the future, follow this design."

Zhao Tieshan treated it like a priceless treasure, turning the blade over and over in his hands as he muttered, "Split Node, Energy Storage Circuit... Brilliant, simply brilliant!"

Gu Ci picked up the blueprint and drew the modified array design onto it.

He drew with great care. Every node and every circuit was clearly marked. He even wrote the activation sequence of the arrays and the threshold for Soul Power input beside them.

"Grandpa Zhao, practice with this design first. Once you're proficient, we can consider making a Second-Grade version."

Zhao Tieshan's eyes widened. "A Second-Grade version? How powerful would a Second-Grade Soul Sword Blade be?"

Gu Ci considered it. "A First-Grade blade edge can cut through ordinary armor. A Second-Grade one should be able to cut through Plate Armor."

"The power of the Thunder Pattern Array would also increase, changing from paralysis into genuine electric shock damage."

"If we're lucky, a single strike could leave a Three-Ring Soul Elder unable to fight."

Zhao Tieshan sucked in a sharp breath.

One strike to render a Three-Ring Soul Elder combat-ineffective—if this were equipped by the military...

"Young Master, if Spirit Hall finds out about this..."

Gu Ci's smile vanished, and he turned serious. "That's why we need to move faster. Before they make up their minds to act, we must have enough strength to protect ourselves."

"Grandpa Zhao, Soul Tool research cannot stop. Civilian products can be slowed down, but combat-use products must be accelerated."

Zhao Tieshan nodded heavily. "Don't worry. This old Zhao's life belongs to your family. Even if I have to risk everything, I'll make this work."

Gu Ci nodded. After giving a few more instructions, he finally left the Heavenly Workshop.

The night breeze was faintly cool as he walked home.

Zi Dian lay sprawled across his shoulder, lazily yawning.

Night Shadow followed silently through the darkness.

Gu Ci looked up at the Soul Lights lining the street. White light spilled across the bluestone pavement, leaving the entire street bright and quiet.

These things were changing the city bit by bit, while the Soul Sword Blade in his hands represented another path—a more dangerous one.

He knew Spirit Hall would not remain silent forever.

Yin Wuji had left, but those watchful eyes remained, as did those who coveted Soul Tool technology.

He had to get ahead of everyone else and make every preparation.

News that the Heavenly Workshop had introduced Soul Sword Blades was like a stone cast into a lake. Ripples swiftly spread throughout Heaven Dou City, then from Heaven Dou City to every corner of the continent.

The Heaven Dou Empire's royal family was the first to react.

When the news reached the palace, Xue Ye was reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study.

He set down his vermilion brush and remained silent for a long time.

"You're saying that the Heavenly Workshop has made a Soul Tool capable of harming people?"