Huo Yuhao, standing nearby, was instantly drawn to the imposing heavy machine gun Soul Tool. His eyes locked onto it, and he couldn't look away.
He stared blankly at the heavy machine gun before him, its entire body a dark gold and its armor plates etched with sharp, fierce patterns. His eyes brimmed with shock and longing. In all his life,
he had never seen such an unusual, awe-inspiring Soul Tool. Compared with the ordinary Hidden Weapons of his sect, this Soul Tool undoubtedly possessed greater power and offered far more possibilities.
Su Ming took in Huo Yuhao's reaction and understood at once. He deliberately asked a question he already knew the answer to, feigning casualness as he spoke in a tone that made it sound like a passing thought:
"By the way, Yuhao, we've known each other for so long, yet I still don't know what your Martial Soul is."
"Tell me about it. I can help you figure out whether your Martial Soul gives you any special advantages in Soul Tool cultivation."
At his words, Huo Yuhao instinctively touched his eyes. Looking somewhat shy and self-conscious, he lowered his head and answered in a simple, uncertain voice:
"My Martial Soul is the Spirit Eye. It's just my eyes... There's nothing special about this Martial Soul. It's a very unremarkable mental-type Martial Soul, with no real combat ability."
As he spoke, a shadow crossed his brow. At Shrek Academy, where powerful students were everywhere, his mental-type Trash Martial Soul, which had no direct offensive ability, had always been a source of insecurity.
After hearing him out, Su Ming's face lit up with exaggerated yet genuine delight. He immediately stepped forward, his voice full of praise and admiration, and declared:
"A mental-type Martial Soul? That's wonderful! Yuhao, you have a natural gift!"
"You have to understand, making Soul Tools, operating them, and aiming with precision all require powerful spiritual strength. The stronger your spiritual strength, the greater your talent for Soul Tools. Your Martial Soul is practically tailor-made for them!"
Seeing that Huo Yuhao still looked a little lost, Su Ming pressed his advantage, speaking warmly but striking straight at the heart of the matter:
"Think about it. In the Spirit Department, everyone values assault and control-type Martial Souls. Your mental-type Spirit Eye would have a hard time standing out there, and you wouldn't be able to make the most of your strengths."
"But if you take up Soul Tools, your spiritual strength will be your greatest asset. Your future will be limitless. What do you say? Want to learn how to make Soul Tools with me?"
Huo Yuhao looked at the imposing heavy machine gun, his heart stirred. Every word Su Ming said struck a chord with him. He longed to grow stronger and to gain the means to make a place for himself.
But he was also full of doubts. He knew nothing about Soul Tools and worried he wouldn't be able to learn. On top of that, he was concerned about keeping up with his studies in the Spirit Department. For a moment, he was caught in indecision, his brows drawing together as he wavered.
Just as he struggled to decide, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's warm, confident voice suddenly rang out in his mind:
"Yuhao, say yes. He's absolutely right. Spiritual strength is your strong suit, and the path of Soul Tools couldn't be more suited to you."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm might not have been a top-tier fighter, but after living for a million years, its perspective far surpassed that of ordinary people.
It had immediately seen the tremendous potential Soul Tools held for the future, and it knew that Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eye Martial Soul was a perfect match for them. This was an exceptional opportunity for Huo Yuhao.
Noticing that Huo Yuhao still hesitated, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm spoke again, gently reminding him of exactly what troubled him most:
"And don't forget, once you learn to make Soul Tools, you can sell what you make for Gold Soul Coins. With money,"
"you can buy more cultivation resources. Whether you want to improve yourself or strengthen the Tang Sect, it'll be a huge help."
Hearing Brother Sky Dream's firm encouragement, the last trace of hesitation in Huo Yuhao's heart vanished.
He had always cared deeply about the Tang Sect and knew that it urgently needed Soul Tools to grow stronger. And with his own longing for power, he made up his mind.
He lifted his head. His gaze firm, he looked at Su Ming and spoke with respect and earnestness:
"Big Brother Su Ming, I've made up my mind. I want to learn Soul Tools from you! I've never dealt with Soul Tools before and don't know anything about them, so I'll have to trouble you to guide me and teach me step by step."
Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Su Ming couldn't help smiling with satisfaction. His eyes were full of relief and delight, and even his whole bearing seemed to grow lighter.
"Sure. We've nearly finished eating, and it's still early. There's nothing else we need to do right now."
"Yuhao, I'll take you to the place where I usually make Soul Tools. You can get familiar with the surroundings and learn a little about the Soul Tool Department."
Su Ming waved casually to the people around the table to say goodbye, then turned and gestured for Huo Yuhao to follow.
Wang Dong's eyes brightened at his words, and she instinctively stepped after them. She was evidently curious about the place where Soul Tools were made, too.
Su Ming heard footsteps behind him and glanced back. He gave Wang Dong a polite nod, his expression otherwise unchanged,
then turned around and continued leading the way, walking steadily in the direction of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department.
The two of them soon reached the Soul Tool Department.
The moment they entered, Huo Yuhao keenly sensed how different the atmosphere was from the Spirit Department's. The surroundings made him secretly wonder.
He quickened his pace and drew a little closer to Su Ming. Lowering his voice, he asked in confusion, "Big Brother Su, why does the Soul Tool Department feel so much poorer than the Spirit Department?"
At his question, Su Ming paused for a moment and turned to look at Huo Yuhao, surprise in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected him to notice so quickly, and asked:
"Oh? What makes you say that?" He didn't deny it, but admitted frankly, "You're right. The Soul Tool Department is far more strapped for resources than the Spirit Department."
"I can tell from the buildings around us."
Huo Yuhao pointed around them and explained earnestly,
"Look at the houses and lecture halls. They're nowhere near as grand or beautiful as the ones in the Spirit Department. Even the walls look old. The difference is obvious."
Hearing him, Su Ming let out a soft sigh. His face showed a mix of helplessness and discontent, and his voice took on an indignant edge:
"Why else? It's all because of Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Spirit Department—that miserly old skinflint!
"He's always going on about how Martial Souls come first. Deep down, he looks down on the Soul Tool Department and keeps suppressing us, withholding our resources.
"Whenever the academy allocates supplies, he holds back a huge chunk before they reach the Soul Tool Department. Because he keeps pulling this nonsense, I have to go out and buy resources myself whenever I'm short. After a while, of course, the Soul Tool Department ended up like this."
Watching Su Ming openly mock the dean of the Spirit Department, Huo Yuhao's face filled with embarrassment. He glanced around, worried someone might overhear them.
He hurriedly tugged at Su Ming's sleeve and whispered a warning:
"Um... Big Brother Su, we're badmouthing Dean Yan behind his back. What if someone hears us? Could that get us into trouble? He is one of the academy's senior leaders, after all."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Su Ming raised an eyebrow and laughed, completely unconcerned. His voice was calm and confident.
"I've never been afraid of Yan Shaozhe, that old skinflint. Don't worry. I've got powerful people backing me up."
The backing he meant was none other than the two pillars of Shrek Academy: Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion Master, and Xuan Zi, the Sea God Pavilion's deputy master.
Over the past few days, his unique Snow Mastiff Armor Martial Soul and exceptional talent for Soul Tools had already won him Mu En and Xuan Zi's favor and support. He was on close terms with both elders.
Unless Yan Shaozhe had a sufficiently legitimate reason that could convince everyone, even if he was displeased with Su Ming, he wouldn't dare make a move against him, much less cause him trouble.