Compared to engraving the Core Array, crafting the outer shell was much easier.
Soon, parts of various shapes lay scattered across the table. Fan Yu worked swiftly, assembling them in the blink of an eye. The finished object resembled a thick cannon, a full two meters long, its pitch-black barrel gleaming with a cold light.
Fan Yu's laboratory had an area for testing Soul Tools. He immediately poured Soul Power into the one he had just crafted.
A brilliant white light began to shine from the muzzle. A vast amount of Soul Power compressed inside, radiating terrifying fluctuations.
Bei Bei felt a terrifying pressure bearing down on him. It was clear just how powerful this Soul Tool cannon was.
With a deafening roar, the test area it struck instantly turned blackened and charred, and a great deal of metal melted.
The shock wave from the explosion nearly sent Bei Bei flying.
This was his first time witnessing the formidable power of a high-level Soul Tool. That single shot was at least comparable to a Soul Saint's attack.
However, Fan Yu's brow remained furrowed. He didn't seem satisfied with the Soul Tool's power.
Light flickered in his eyes as he continuously pondered how to improve it.
Bei Bei walked over to the table and picked up a failed Soul Tool core. Just one tiny line had gone slightly crooked, and the entire core was ruined.
At last, Bei Bei couldn't hold back any longer. "Teacher Fan Yu, since engraving a Core Array requires such extreme precision, why not use a Soul Tool to replace the Soul Engineer's manual engraving? Compared to doing it by hand, that would greatly reduce the chance of mistakes."
Fan Yu, who had been lost in thought nearby, suddenly froze when he heard Bei Bei's words.
Bei Bei continued, "Use Soul Tools to make Soul Tools. High-level Soul Tools might be too complex to mass-produce, but surely low-level ones could be made in batches."
"What a brilliant idea! Using Soul Tools to make Soul Tools—how did you come up with that?" Fan Yu was surprised. He hadn't expected Bei Bei, who had only just encountered Soul Tools, to offer such a unique insight.
"I think Soul Tools should be a kind of technology that serves people, tools that can help us with all sorts of things. Why should they be so inconvenient?" Bei Bei explained his view.
Fan Yu could tell that Bei Bei had a great talent for Soul Tools. He couldn't help wanting to bring him into the Soul Tool Department.
"Would you be interested in studying Soul Tools? I can be your teacher!" Fan Yu invited him directly.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Fan Yu. I'd rather focus most of my energy on cultivating my Martial Soul." Bei Bei refused without hesitation. "I'm definitely interested in Soul Tools, but mainly because they can help me grow stronger."
"I see..." Fan Yu said, somewhat disappointed.
"Teacher Fan Yu, do you have a Soul Tool that can increase the gravity in an area? It only needs to simulate functions like Gravity Enhancement, gravitational compression, or a Gravity Mire," Bei Bei asked.
His Martial Soul was the Radiant Sacred Dragon, a true dragon among the dragon race, with significant advantages in physical strength and vitality.
He didn't want to waste that advantage. In a high-gravity environment, Bei Bei could train his body more effectively, even reaching his internal organs. The results would far surpass running laps around the track in iron clothing.
"There isn't a Soul Tool like that yet, but it shouldn't be too difficult to make. In return for what you said earlier, I can help you design one." Fan Yu thought for a moment, then asked, "Are you planning to use a gravity field to control your enemies, or to attack them directly with intense gravity?"
"I don't need it for combat," Bei Bei explained. "What I want is a room where I can adjust the gravity, so I can train my body inside."
"A Gravity Chamber! You really are a genius!" Fan Yu praised Bei Bei again, understanding what he had in mind.
His wife, Zhou Lian, taught in the Martial Soul Department. She liked having her students run laps around the track wearing iron clothing, with the aim of improving their physical fitness.
But Bei Bei's idea of a Gravity Chamber would expand the applications of Soul Tools into Soul Masters' everyday training. Compared with the traditional method of training in iron clothing, it could achieve vastly greater efficiency and results.
Fan Yu began to see even more possibilities. Soul Tools weren't just weapons for Soul Masters. Perhaps this was the most perfect way for Soul Tools and Soul Masters to work together.
If the Soul Tool Department could successfully build facilities like this and keep improving them until they offered fine-tuned control,
then the academy's leadership would surely send a large number of Martial Soul Department students there to train. They might even establish a whole new course.
This could ease the bitter relationship between the Soul Tool Department and the Martial Soul Department, allowing more teachers and students at the academy to see the potential of Soul Tools in other fields and change their opinions of them.
Fan Yu eagerly took out a sheet of paper and began sketching a prototype of the Gravity Chamber.
Bei Bei offered his suggestions, too, such as adding a Life Detection Device inside the chamber to prevent overtraining from causing serious injuries.
As they talked, they lost track of time. Bei Bei noticed that many Soul Tool Department students outside the laboratory had already gone home, and realized he had forgotten to meet Ma Xiaotao.
After saying goodbye to Fan Yu, Bei Bei hurried out of the Soul Tool Department.
After Bei Bei left, Fan Yu summoned several teachers from the Soul Tool Department to discuss plans for designing and building the Gravity Chamber.
When Bei Bei reached the entrance to the Soul Tool Department, he saw Ma Xiaotao standing there with her arms crossed. A young man and woman stood behind her.
"Xiaotao! I'm here!" Bei Bei called out, raising a hand as he hurried over.
As soon as he came close, Ma Xiaotao grabbed him by the ear, her expression displeased. "How many times have I told you to call me Sister Xiaotao? And do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you?"
"I went to the Soul Tool Department earlier and got held up for a while." Bei Bei grinned, thinking to himself that Ma Xiaotao was getting more and more violent. He quickly changed the subject. "Who are these two?"
"The Freshman Assessment is coming up soon. They're my teammates," Ma Xiaotao said, pointing to the pair.
"My name is Bei Bei," he introduced himself.
The young man beside Ma Xiaotao had long hair and delicate, almost feminine features. Even his voice was soft and gentle. "Aww, little brother, you're adorable. I'm Gongyang Mo."
Beside Gongyang Mo stood a rather ordinary-looking girl with short hair. She introduced herself somewhat shyly. "Xi Xi."
A glint flashed in Bei Bei's eyes as he thought, They're all familiar faces! They're incredibly talented, too. It's just a shame that Xuan Zi would put them through so much misery later.
"Don't let his age fool you. He's very strong—his Soul Power Level is higher than that of many freshmen." Ma Xiaotao smiled, draping an arm over Bei Bei's shoulder.
Ma Xiaotao was only twelve, but her Soul Power Level had already reached thirty-five.