The light from the three crystals continued to rise, growing brighter and brighter until the entire office was bathed in silver-white.
"Her mental strength is at least at the late stage of the Spirit Connection Realm!" Fan Yu blurted out, his voice full of disbelief.
A newly enrolled student had already reached the late stage of the Spirit Connection Realm in mental strength. There were hardly any such examples in the history of the Soul Guidance Department.
What shocked him even more came next: Huo Yutong didn't stop.
She split her Soul Power into three streams and fed them into the crystals along three different paths at once.
Three circuits lit up simultaneously between the crystals. They intertwined without interfering with one another, tracing a precise and elegant three-dimensional pattern of light above the base.
Then Huo Yutong moved her five fingers slightly. In an instant, the three circuits disassembled and reassembled into a completely different topological structure, without the slightest hitch, as if she had practiced it thousands of times.
"Building three circuits at once, then instantly rearranging them?"
Fan Yu gripped the edge of the desk, his voice trembling slightly. "That's a technique mastered only by at least a Level 4 Soul Engineer!"
Xian Lin'er was so stunned by the sight that she couldn't speak, but the test wasn't over yet.
Huo Yutong stared at the base for a moment, then suddenly extended her index finger. A wisp of Soul Power, fine as a thread and nearly invisible to the naked eye, gathered at her fingertip.
She slowly guided the thread of Soul Power into the base's core, precisely touching a tiny component hidden in the layer of metal beneath the central crystal.
The thread of Soul Power curled nimbly around the component, as if her fingertip were caressing an exquisite work of art.
Fan Yu's expression changed completely. "Soul Power Micro-carving!"
It required an almost abnormal degree of control over Soul Power. The slightest deviation would ruin everything. Yet the child standing before him, who hadn't even attended a single Soul Tool class, had mastered it on her own.
"This child's perception and control of Soul Power have reached an unfathomable level," Fan Yu murmured.
"Her mental strength is practically tailor-made for Soul Tools..."
Before he had finished speaking, Huo Yutong raised her head and pointed to the base's core. Her voice was soft but clear. "Teacher, there's a broken component beneath this crystal. It has a crack in it."
Fan Yu froze for a moment, then hurriedly grabbed the base and removed its outer casing.
When he saw the hairline crack in the metal plate beneath the central crystal, he went rigid. It was a flaw he had left behind when he made the testing device. The spot was extremely well hidden, and not a single student had ever noticed it in all these years.
Fan Yu set down the screwdriver, turned to Xian Lin'er, and drew a deep breath before speaking solemnly.
His voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Dean, this student has to become my disciple!"
"I can say with certainty that she'll become a Level 9 Soul Engineer. She may even have a chance to reach the legendary rank of god-level Soul Engineer! She's the future of our Soul Guidance Department!"
Xian Lin'er's heart shuddered. A Level 9 Soul Engineer was already among the continent's best, while god-level Soul Engineers existed only in legend.
She instinctively looked toward Tang An, her eyes full of shock and gratitude.
Fan Yu noticed Xian Lin'er looking at Tang An with deference and immediately understood. This white-clad young man was the one truly in charge. Even Xian Lin'er had to read his mood.
He turned to Tang An at once and said urgently, "Young Master, please let Huo Yuhao become my disciple! I, Fan Yu, will teach her everything I know and make sure her talent doesn't go to waste!"
Tang An leaned back in his chair and didn't answer right away. Fan Yu grew so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead, but he didn't dare press him. He could only watch Tang An hopefully.
A moment later, Tang An finally spoke. "All right, but she has to complete the Freshman Assessment first. Afterward, she can officially join the Soul Guidance Department. Until then, she can study the basics with you in her free time."
Fan Yu was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "No problem! The Freshman Assessment is important, and so is laying the groundwork. We can do both without delaying either!"
Tang An's tone shifted, and the corner of his mouth lifted. "Also, since she's becoming your disciple, you two should show some sincerity, shouldn't you? A future Level 9 Soul Engineer deserves a proper apprenticeship gift."
Xian Lin'er and Fan Yu exchanged a glance and immediately understood that the Vice Pavilion Master was asking for a gift on Huo Yutong's behalf.
Without hesitation, Fan Yu pulled a silver badge from his robes. It was octagonal, its surface engraved with layers upon layers of defensive circuits, and it glimmered with a faint, gentle light.
"This is the Level 8 Defensive Soul Tool I made myself—the Silver Glow Shield. When activated, it forms a Level 8 defensive barrier in front of the wearer and can withstand three full-power attacks from anyone below the Titled Douluo rank.
"In a life-or-death moment, pouring in all your Soul Power will unleash a single defense approaching Level 9. It's my most prized treasure, but today I'm giving it to Yuhao as her apprenticeship gift!"
Xian Lin'er came back to her senses as well. She took a thumb-sized bead from her Storage Soul Tool. It was crystalline throughout, with what seemed to be silver mist slowly swirling inside. A soothing wave washed over the mind.
"I came across this Spirit Condensing Bead by chance when I was training in the Far North. It's a treasure that enhances mental strength. Wearing it while cultivating can accelerate the gathering of mental strength, and it greatly benefits Mental Attribute Soul Masters who are condensing a Soul Core.
"Since Yuhao has a Mental Attribute Martial Soul, this gift is perfect for her. Vice Pavilion Master, I hope this small token meets with your approval?"
Tang An took the two gifts. He could tell at a glance that they were both genuine, and he was pleased. But he merely nodded, then handed them to Huo Yutong. "Put them away, and thank your two teachers."
Huo Yutong accepted the two treasures, overwhelmed. Gratitude filled her little face as she gave each of them a respectful bow.
After spending this time with Tang An, her horizons had broadened. She knew how valuable these two items were.
Tang An said to Fan Yu, "Teacher Fan, take Yutong around the Soul Guidance Department and help her get familiar with the place. Show her the way around, and have her start learning the basics with you tonight."
Fan Yu had been eager to start teaching his new disciple right away, so he agreed at once. Huo Yutong glanced at Tang An. He nodded to her, and only then did she follow Fan Yu out of the office.
The door closed, leaving only the two of them in the office.
Xian Lin'er stood where she was, looking at the closed door before turning back to Tang An. Complex emotions showed in her sapphire-blue eyes.
After a moment's silence, she spoke softly. "Vice Pavilion Master, I haven't even done anything to help you, yet you've given the Soul Guidance Department such a wonderful gift.
"A child with the potential to reach god-level would be a sect's greatest treasure anywhere. And you've simply handed her over to our Soul Guidance Department."
"I don't even know how to thank you."
Xian Lin'er meant every word. She had hurried over today hoping to prove her worth and make a good impression on the Vice Pavilion Master, so Cai Mei'er wouldn't be the only one reaping the benefits.
In the end, she had done nothing at all. Instead, the Vice Pavilion Master had taken the initiative to recommend Huo Yutong to her. The favor was so great that a mere verbal thank-you felt nowhere near enough.
Tang An leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over Xian Lin'er.
She wore a fitted, deep teal pantsuit that made her figure all the more alluring.
Her exquisite face had both the boldness of the Martial Combat Department's dean and the grace of a mature woman.
Now she was biting her lip slightly, her sapphire-blue eyes fixed on him. She was no longer as brisk and forthright as usual.
Both women had offered themselves up, but Cai Mei'er had taken the initiative to offer more, while Xian Lin'er felt indebted to him. Their states of mind were completely different.
Still, they were headed in the same direction: both wanted to bind the Vice Pavilion Master to them with their sincerity.
Since she'd practically placed herself at his feet, he might as well help her repay the favor.
Tang An rose and walked up to Xian Lin'er. Unhurriedly, he said, "Since Secretary Xian feels indebted to me, why not thank me with a practical gesture?"
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