The next day.
Lin Huai and the other four headed for the newly established Soul Tool Hall.
By chance, they ran into Bibi Dong, who had brought Hu Liena to visit as well.
Lin Huai was the first to greet Bibi Dong.
"Aunt Dong, I didn't expect you to come too."
"Your Holiness the Pope."*4
Bibi Dong nodded in acknowledgment, then introduced Hu Liena to Lin Huai.
"Xiao Huai, this is my disciple, Hu Liena. In a few days, you should be training together."
"You'll have to help me look after her."
Hu Liena's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Teacher, you've got it backwards!"
"He's so young. He's probably only obtained one Soul Ring at most, while I'm already Level 32!"
Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena seriously, her tone stern.
"You three will be grouped together with those four, and Lin Huai will be the captain."
"If he uses his Martial Soul, he can take on all six of you by himself."
Tian Yue and the other two looked a little sheepish.
Lin Huai suddenly realized that their group seemed rather unbalanced.
"Aunt Dong, wouldn't that leave us with one control-type, one agility-attack type, and five power-attack types?"
Bibi Dong remained composed.
"It's fine. We can assign a few substitutes to you later if needed."
"Besides, with a group like yours, you don't need support or healing Soul Masters."
Kuang Zhan agreed wholeheartedly.
"Your Holiness is wise. I was thinking the same thing."
"We may not stand a chance against Xiao Huai, but out in the world, we're genuine super geniuses!"
Seeing Hu Liena about to say something else, Bibi Dong cut in.
"All right. You can discuss it among yourselves later. For now, let's go inside and have a look."
The seven of them entered the Soul Tool Hall.
Though it still looked a little rough around the edges, all kinds of Soul Tool devices had already been set up.
Thirty Soul Engineers were discussing matters related to teaching.
When they saw Bibi Dong and the others arrive, they hurriedly rose to greet them.
"Your Holiness the Pope!"*30
Bibi Dong nodded in response.
"Spike, show us around."
"Pex, you can carry on with what you were doing. There's no need to mind us."
Spike was the Level 9 Soul Engineer.
Pex was the oldest of the three Soul Engineers.
Spike led the seven of them around the Soul Tool Hall, explaining how each device worked.
Bibi Dong ran her hand over a Soul Tool Lightbulb.
"This is quite nice. Install a few in my Pope Palace first."
Tian Yue picked up a Level 1 Soul Tool Ray and tossed it to Lin Huai.
"Xiao Huai, try shooting me with it."
Tian Yue immediately activated her Martial Soul Possession. Lin Huai didn't hold back and fired at her.
Of course, the attack didn't pierce the enemy's armor.
"Not bad. It really does pack the power of a first Soul Skill."
Spike was a little surprised. Was this little girl really that bold?
He took out four Level 6 Invincible Shields and handed them to the children, except for Lin Huai.
Then he solemnly took out a necklace and handed it to Lin Huai.
"The four young masters and misses have Level 6 Invincible Shields. They can withstand a full-strength attack from a Soul Saint. As long as they aren't damaged, they can be used again after their Soul Power is replenished."
The four eagerly turned the little devices over in their hands.
Spike looked at Lin Huai. He had noticed that Lin Huai was the disciple of that terrifyingly powerful Grand Elder.
"The necklace in Young Master Lin's hands is my own work. It can just about be considered a Level 9 Soul Tool Shield."
"Under normal use, it works like an ordinary Invincible Shield. But if a Titled Douluo injects Soul Power into it..."
"It can even withstand an attack from a Titled—"
He suddenly remembered how Qian Daoliu had killed a Fallen Soul Master of Titled Douluo rank with a single sword strike, and hurriedly changed his words.
"It can withstand one attack from an ordinary Titled Douluo."
Tian Yue demanded,
"Why does only Xiao Huai get one this powerful?"
Spike spread his hands, looking helpless.
"There's nothing I can do about that."
"Making Invincible Shields above Level 7 just isn't worth the effort. I only made this one on a whim."
"The metal needed for a Level 9 Soul Tool Shield could be used to make two Level 9 offensive Soul Tools."
"Now that I'm here, I have even less time for it."
Tian Yue's voice sank.
"I see. All right, then."
But when she spotted a Flying Soul Tool,
Tian Yue immediately forgot her disappointment and carried it around, peppering Spike with questions.
After touring the place, the seven of them were greatly impressed.
Bibi Dong instantly thought of many plans she could put into action.
She asked Spike for two more Invincible Shields and seven Level 4 Flying Soul Tools.
She had Hu Liena give the Invincible Shields to Xie Yue and Yan.
She gave the Flying Soul Tools to Lin Huai and asked him to distribute them to the others later.
"All right, Soul Tools really are excellent. I should return to the Pope Palace."
"What about you, Xiao Huai?"
Lin Huai wanted to tell the Soul Engineers about using gunpowder and electricity, so they could speed up the development of technology.
"We'll stay here and look around a little longer."
"Oh, right, Aunt Dong. The blacksmiths recruited in Gengxin City could be trained to become Soul Engineers."
Spike wholeheartedly agreed.
"That's right. Soul Masters with spiritual abilities and those with a talent for smithing can both become Soul Engineers quickly."
Bibi Dong replied,
"I understand. Nana, let's go."
The six of them watched Bibi Dong leave.
"Does Young Master Lin need anything else?"
Spike asked respectfully.
Lin Huai took a stack of blueprints from his ring and handed them to him.
"These show some basic applications of electric current, as well as ways to generate electricity."
"See if they can be combined with Soul Tools."
With the spiritual power of a Titled Douluo, Spike flipped through them quickly.
Seeing that Bibi Dong had already left, Scott could no longer hold back.
He sidled up to Lin Huai and whispered,
"Ancestor, what about my path to learning Soul Tools?"
"Look at you, getting impatient again."
Scott hurriedly chimed in,
"You're right to scold me, Ancestor, but I really want to improve!"
"I'll talk to Spike about it later."
Unable to hide his excitement, Scott continued admiring the Soul Tools, gazing closely at each one.
"A work of genius!"
"You've opened up an entirely new branch of Soul Tool research!"
Spike looked at Lin Huai and hurriedly asked,
"Young Master Lin, may I ask who drew these blueprints? I hope they can join the Soul Tool Hall!"
Lin Huai smiled at him.
Spike fell silent for a moment, unable to believe the thought that had just crossed his mind.
His voice slightly hoarse, he asked,
"Did Young Master Lin draw these?"
Lin Huai modestly waved his hand.
"Not entirely. I only compiled the experience of those who came before me!"
Spike asked, unwilling to give up,
"May I ask about Young Master Lin's Martial Soul talent?"
Tian Yue delivered the crushing blow for him.
"Don't even think about it. Xiao Huai is bound to reach Grandpa Qian's level."
Lin Huai hurriedly said,
"Don't say such inauspicious things. I'm going to become a god."
Everyone present fell silent.
Lin Huai continued,
"The basic theory behind this path is already complete."
"The rest—the improvements and innovations—is up to you!"
Spike bowed respectfully, filled with admiration.
"I absolutely won't let you down!"
Lin Huai took out another stack of blueprints and handed it to Spike.
This time, Spike accepted them with trembling hands.
Kuang Zhan stared at Lin Huai like he was a monster.
"Xiao Huai, how are you so good at everything?"
Lin Huai coughed. He couldn't exactly tell them he had experience from a previous life.
"Read more. Think more."
Spike took several deep breaths, trying again and again to steady himself.
"Is this a different kind of Fixed Soul Tool?"
"One that doesn't even need Soul Power?!"
Before you continue