Rooted in Sun and Moon, Far North, Second Martial Soul!

[Without a doubt, Jing Hongchen does not fully trust me. I am still under observation; every word and action may be reported and analyzed.]

[But this is all within my expectations; one could even say this is the best possible start.]

White Tiger Lin Qing shows no dissatisfaction or surprise on his face.

He nods calmly.

"I understand. I will prove myself through my actions and results."

He offers no grand, empty promises.

Yet, this pragmatic attitude causes a flicker of imperceptible satisfaction to cross Jing Hongchen's eyes.

[The key is not that bit of surveillance or suspicion, but that I have already gained the qualification and platform to formally contact and study Soul Tool technology!]

The scene shifts once again.

This time, it is a bright and tidy classroom for Soul Tool theory.

Sunlight streams through massive glass windows, illuminating the smooth blackboard.

On the board are complex, interlocking diagrams of Soul Tool circuits.

A middle-aged lecturer with glasses and a refined temperament uses a light pen formed from soul power to highlight key areas on the diagrams, explaining the fundamental principles.

"The core of a Level 3 offensive Soul Tool lies in the optimization of energy compression and burst paths. While traditional double-helix circuits are stable, their explosive power has a ceiling..."

White Tiger Lin Qing sits in the front row by the window, his posture upright.

A thick notebook lies open before him, his pen moving rapidly across the paper to record the points emphasized by the lecturer.

On a level imperceptible to others, the Heavenly Eye Martial Soul between his brows is in a state of semi-activated, faint light.

"Delayed Vision" is quietly in operation.

The lecturer's rapid-fire explanation becomes clear and organized to his ears.

Those complex, dizzying Soul Tool circuits on the blackboard appear in his vision with every energy flow and every nodal structure slowed down, dismantled, and rendered exceptionally clear.

He can even simultaneously perform a Simulation of these circuits' operational states under different energy inputs within his mind.

[Possessing the two divine skills of 'Delayed Vision' and 'Spiritual Detection', I have displayed a terrifying talent and comprehension in both the theoretical study and practical operation of Soul Tools.]

The scene flashes through several segments.

At a practical workstation piled high with metal materials and carving knives.

White Tiger Lin Qing holds a refined gold carving knife, his wrist as steady as a rock.

The tip of the knife glides across the hard Starlight Blue Silver metal plate, leaving behind Soul Tool patterns of consistent depth and perfect curvature.

His movements are fluid and natural, without a hint of hesitation or tremor.

The complex blueprints are already etched into his mind.

The practical instructor guiding him nods repeatedly, his eyes filled with amazement.

"This level of micro-control over soul power output, this precision of the carvings... an incredible talent."

In the Soul Tool energy testing room.

The energy beam fired by the Level 2 Soul Ray Gun he crafted is condensed and stable; the depth and range of energy erosion left on the test target both reach an excellent standard.

[In less than a year, on the eve of my twelfth birthday, I successfully passed the qualification certification for a Level 2 Soul Master.]

The atmosphere in the Mingde Hall certification hall is solemn.

White Tiger Lin Qing stands before the test bench, having completed the final task—independently designing and crafting a fully functional Level 2 Soul Tool.

When the several senior Soul Masters on the review panel nod in unanimous approval, a silver badge engraved with two exquisite spiral threads is solemnly pinned to his student uniform.

Level 2 Soul Master badge!

[Even Jing Hongchen, who has maintained a scrutinizing attitude toward me, gave a high evaluation in private after receiving the detailed assessment report.]

Inside the Hall Master's office.

Jing Hongchen stands alone by the window, holding a thick file in his hand.

On the cover of the file, it reads: "Lin Qing—Annual Comprehensive Assessment Report".

He flips through the various records inside:

Straight A's in theory, record-breaking practical scores for a low-level Soul Master, steady growth in soul power, and three effective suggestions proposed for Soul Tool improvement projects...

After a long while.

He closes the file.

His gaze turns toward the young Soul Master students hurrying through the academy outside the window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"One year to go from knowing nothing about Soul Tools to standing firmly at the level of a Level 2 Soul Master..."

He murmurs to himself, his tone complex.

"This learning speed and practical talent are truly astonishing."

He fell silent for a moment, as if weighing something.

Finally.

He walked back to his desk.

He picked up a specialized soul tool pen and signed his name on the last page of the file, appending a concise note:

"Exceptional talent, immense potential. Continue observation, increase resource allocation at your discretion, and prioritize the cultivation of his soul tool research and practical combat application."

The nib scratched across the paper with a soft, rustling sound.

This was more than just a signature; it was a signal.

It meant that this genius youth from an enemy nation had truly begun to sink his first roots into the great tree that was the Sun Moon Empire.

As for whether these roots would grow into branches that sheltered the tree or toxic vines that eroded its core...

Time would provide the answer.

[Not long after I became a Level 2 Soul Master, my soul power also broke through to level 30.]

In the cultivation chamber of Mingde Hall, the light was soft.

White Tiger Lin Qing sat cross-legged in the center of the Soul Gathering Array.

The soul power around his body surged like tides, growing stronger and stronger.

At a certain moment.

A faint "click" seemed to echo from within his body, as if some invisible bottleneck had been shattered.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Silver light swirled in the depths of his pupils.

The soul power fluctuations on his body had clearly risen to a new level.

Level thirty!

Soul Elder!

Counting from the time his soul power soared to level 26 after absorbing the million-year second soul ring of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, only about a year had passed.

He had actually charged all the way from level 26 to the threshold of level 30 and successfully crossed it!

If this cultivation speed were made public, it would absolutely drop the jaws of many.

Even those so-called geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power would see their cultivation speed slow down significantly after level 20.

Yet, the speed of White Tiger Lin Qing was like riding a rocket; it was completely illogical.

"Tian Meng, I'm level 30."

White Tiger Lin Qing did not show much excitement.

He simply informed him calmly within the Spiritual Sea.

"Mm-hmm, Brother feels it."

The lazy voice of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm rang out, sounding as if he had just woken up, still carrying a nasal tone.

But soon, his voice became serious, even carrying an irrepressible excitement.

"Level 30... Good! Very good!"

"Lin Qing, do you remember the 'God-Making Plan' Brother told you about before? You have already taken the first step very steadily."

"Now, it is time for the second step—a crucial second step."

[The turning point of destiny has appeared once again!]

In the light screen.

The voice of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm echoed in the Spiritual Sea, carrying a certainty that had been planned for a long time.

"I will obtain a second martial soul for you!"

[Tian Meng told me it is time to head to the Far North to 'persuade' the Ice Empress to become my second martial soul!]