Qian Duoduo

Jiang Che looked into Ma Xiaotao's eyes, his tone so resolute that it didn't sound like comfort, but rather the statement of a fact.

Ma Xiaotao felt a flutter of panic under his gaze, her earlobes quietly flushing a shade of pink, yet she still put on a brave front: "I know, I know. Let go already, you're going to pinch my face out of shape."

Jiang Che smiled and let go, taking the opportunity to ruffle her hair, which earned him another coquettish glare from her.

"Alright, it's been three months since I last helped you suppress the Evil Fire, hasn't it? Let's take the time to do it again now."

After helping Ma Xiaotao suppress the Evil Fire, Jiang Che arrived at the outer courtyard once more, though this time he headed toward the Soul Tool Department.

"Knock, knock!" He stood before an office door and rapped twice.

"Enter!" A deep, booming voice resonated from within.

"Dean Qian." Jiang Che opened the door and greeted him proactively.

Jiang Che pulled the door shut behind him, his gaze landing on the burly figure behind the desk.

Qian Duoduo was holding a thick charcoal pencil, sketching on a blueprint. Hearing the noise, he looked up, his eyes, which resembled copper bells, sweeping over.

"It's Jiang Che." Qian Duoduo set down his pencil, his voice, as deep as a hammer striking a thick steel plate, echoing in the office. "What is it? Do you need something from me?"

"I've come to borrow the Soul Tool Department's facilities to craft some soul tools," Jiang Che stated the purpose of his visit.

Hearing this, Qian Duoduo arched his thick brows, immediate interest sparking in those bell-like eyes.

"You've just broken through to Title Douluo and you aren't thinking about hunting for a Soul Ring, yet you have the heart to come study soul tools?" Qian Duoduo looked at Jiang Che with a chuckle.

Although he disliked Jiang Che's senior brother, he would never project his resentment toward Yan Shaozhe onto Jiang Che. In fact, all the elders on Sea God Island held this outstanding junior in high regard.

After all, they were old now, and Jiang Che was someone they had watched grow up.

"The matter of the Soul Ring cannot be rushed. If I head to the Far North blindly without proper preparation, even having several lives wouldn't be enough," Jiang Che replied, unfazed by Qian Duoduo's teasing, and laughed along with him.

"The environment in the Far North is harsh, the soul beasts are ferocious, and there are unknown dangers lurking. I want to craft a few high-level soul tools suited to myself."

"Firstly, to boost my combat power, and secondly, to have a bit more confidence in my own survival. Once everything is ready, it won't be too late to seek out a suitable Soul Ring."

Qian Duoduo nodded repeatedly at these words, his deep voice filled with approval. He slammed a large hand onto the desk, causing the soul tool blueprints to shift slightly: "Well said! You lad are far more steady than your senior brother; you have a method to your work and don't act rashly! The Far North is no place to play around. Being well-prepared is never a mistake. With this mindset, it's no wonder you could break through to Title Douluo at such a young age. Your future is limitless!"

"Sigh, we soul masters know our own struggles. Although many in the Martial Soul Department look down on the Soul Tool Department, that's only because they haven't seen the current development of soul tools." Qian Duoduo sighed suddenly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes. "The people in the Martial Soul Department are still immersed in the glory of defeating the Sun Moon Empire a thousand years ago; they all look down on soul masters now."

"That is indeed a problem for most of us in the Martial Soul Department. While they don't exclude the use of soul tools, they are extremely resistant to learning how to craft them. If we don't make changes, we will likely remain at the mercy of others forever." Jiang Che knew that what Qian Duoduo said was correct, and in the near future, the entire Shrek Academy, including the three great empires of the original Douluo Continent, would pay the price for their arrogance.

But as he was now, even having broken through to Title Douluo, he could not change all of this. Only by reaching the Super or even Limit Douluo realm and raising his status within Shrek could he initiate reform.

"You are absolutely right." Qian Duoduo stood up and paced twice around the desk, his burly frame standing before Jiang Che with the expectations of an elder: "We are all old now, and the future will have to rely on you yourselves. You have the greatest talent of this generation; the burden on your shoulders in the future will not be light."

"Tell me, what grade of soul tool do you want to make, and what equipment do you need? My Soul Tool Department may lack many things, but we have all kinds of smelting and engraving equipment, and I can approve a portion of rare metal materials for you."

"I want to attempt an Level 8 Soul Tool. I mainly want to refine a few offensive and defensive integrated personal soul tools, and craft a long-range soul tool weapon suited to my own soul power. I need a high-level smelting furnace, a precision soul tool engraving table, and some rare metals and core array materials." Jiang Che spoke bluntly, stating his requirements. "My soul tool cultivation is currently stuck at the peak of Level 7, and I want to take this opportunity to try and break through to a Level 8 Soul Master, so I would like to ask for your guidance, Dean Qian."

"Level 8 Soul Tool? And you want to push for Level 8 Soul Master?" A sharp light flashed in Qian Duoduo's eyes, his gaze toward Jiang Che growing even more satisfied. "Good lad, your ambition is not small, but I like it! A disciple of our Shrek must have this kind of drive!"

He immediately reached into his robes and pulled out a cyan token engraved with complex soul tool patterns, handing it to Jiang Che. A faint ripple of Level 9 Soul Master soul power emanated from the token: "Take this token. The high-level exclusive laboratory on the top floor of the Soul Tool Department is yours to use. The equipment inside is all top-tier, enough for you to refine Level 8 soul tools. Take whatever materials you need from the lab; don't be reserved. If you encounter bottlenecks during the crafting process, or have doubts about array engraving or soul power integration, come find me in the office anytime. I will personally guide you."

Jiang Che took the token, feeling the gentle flow of soul power in his palm, and quickly bowed in thanks: "Many thanks, Dean Qian, for your support."

"Why be so formal with me? If you can achieve something in the path of soul tools, it is the glory of our Shrek." Qian Duoduo waved his hand, instructing in a gruff voice, "Refining high-level soul tools carries significant risk. When engraving arrays, you must be calm and focused, controlling your soul power output. Don't be impatient; safety first. You can study in the lab with peace of mind; I will give orders that no one is to disturb you."

"I will keep your instructions in mind, Dean." Jiang Che nodded, gripped the token, turned, and left the office, heading straight for the Soul Tool Department's laboratory building to begin his crafting and breakthrough.

"Wait a moment!" Qian Duoduo suddenly called out to Jiang Che, who was about to leave.

"Is there something else?" Jiang Che turned back to look at Qian Duoduo.

He saw Qian Duoduo return to his seat, open the drawer under his desk, and pull out a thick notebook. He carefully wiped the notebook clean.

"This is the notebook I used specifically to record my insights and the problems I encountered whenever I crafted soul tools when I was young."

"This notebook records everything up until a period after I became a Level 9 Soul Master. I hope there is content in here that can help you. At the same time, there are some problems in it that I still haven't solved to this day. If you have the ability, help me solve them while you're at it."

As Qian Duoduo spoke, he shoved the notebook into Jiang Che's arms, giving him no chance to refuse.

Looking at the notebook in his arms, Jiang Che felt a touch of emotion. He had grown up on Sea God Island and had mostly interacted with the older generation of elders like Mu En, which naturally included Qian Duoduo.

"Don't worry, Dean. I won't return this notebook to you until I've solved these problems," Jiang Che said with a smile.

"Haha, then I shall look forward to you returning the notebook to me." Qian Duoduo laughed as well, because if Jiang Che could truly solve all the problems inside, he would undoubtedly already be a Level 9 Soul Master. He, too, looked forward to Shrek seeing another Level 9 Soul Master emerge.