"What?!" Shui Lingfeng stared at Shui Ya in shock, clearly finding it hard to believe.
He turned his gaze toward Qian Yufeng. "President, is... is this true?!"
He had been stuck at Soul Emperor for twenty years!
Twenty years! Did they know how he had lived through those twenty years?!
Soul Masters his age had already become Soul Douluo, just one step away from becoming Title Douluo.
His younger sister was exceptionally talented and was likewise only one step away from becoming a Title Douluo.
Shui Lingfeng had always possessed an intensely competitive spirit, but his hemophobia had truly left him with no way around it.
He wanted to become a Title Douluo so badly that he dreamed about it!
His martial soul was a top-tier water-element beast martial soul—the Cold Wind Falcon.
It was a soul beast with the bloodline of the Ice Phoenix, and even after becoming a human's martial soul, it remained immensely powerful.
It could be called a top-tier beast martial soul that combined attack and speed.
Back then, he had become a Soul Emperor at just twenty years old.
Shui Ya had only become a Soul Emperor at twenty-one, and afterward, she had spent most of her time in the Mimicry Training Ground, with her Soul Power cultivation speed barely slowing at all.
She had reached Soul Douluo in seven years.
Shui Lingfeng believed that once his soul ring problem was resolved, he could reach Title Douluo within five years!
"You brat, could your sister possibly be lying to you?!" Qian Yufeng scolded with a laugh.
He continued, "This old man now has nine soul rings. I came this time specifically to help you solve this problem."
"Have a cup of tea with this old man, then we'll go find your father. He naturally needs to hear such good news!"
Qian Yufeng's words immediately left Shui Lingfeng overwhelmed with excitement.
Now that things had been said to this extent, it had to be true.
His soul ring problem was about to be resolved.
Shui Lingfeng poured Qian Yufeng a cup of tea. "President, please have some tea!"
"You brat!" Qian Yufeng took the tea with a smile and slowly drank it.
Meanwhile, Shui Ya attended to Qian Lingxin and Qian Lingsu, pouring each of them a cup of tea.
At Qian Yufeng's side, the two were maids, but within the Soul Master world, they were also Title Douluo revered by countless people.
The two women only seemed humble in Qian Yufeng's presence. When carrying out missions alone, however, their status was entirely different.
Before the family head, you could treat me as a maid and I would not argue with you. But when the family head was absent, you had to address me as Your Grace!
Shui Ya naturally understood this and would not dare neglect either of them.
Soon, after the tea had been finished, Shui Lingfeng led Qian Yufeng to his father's laboratory.
The laboratory was located in the northwestern corner of The Manor and covered at least three hundred square meters.
Taking in the antique technological decor before him, Qian Yufeng grew increasingly curious about what Shui Xunlong had been tinkering with.
"President, Father should be working on blueprints at this time. It seems he has run into a difficult problem recently."
"I don't understand these things. He only has me purchase materials, while he handles everything else himself."
Shui Lingfeng spoke up. At home, he was basically just a messenger.
He could not help with his sister's matters, nor did he understand his father's research. He might as well be a decorative mascot.
"This old man would certainly like to see what your father has been tinkering with!" After saying that, Qian Yufeng pushed open the laboratory doors.
At first glance, he saw the first bicycle in the Douluo world.
It perfectly matched what he had told Shui Xunlong back then: put several wheels together, and they could carry a person forward quickly, at speeds no slower than a horse carriage.
Thinking Qian Yufeng did not recognize the vehicle, Shui Lingfeng introduced it. "This was the first thing Father developed. It emphasizes balance and applying force properly. It has now become a collector's item."
"The third generation of this vehicle has already been manufactured, and its customers are all major nobles across the continent."
Qian Yufeng knew it. Shui Xunlong really loved fleecing nobles.
He had learned that trick from Qian Yufeng himself, so there was no way Qian Yufeng could criticize him for it.
They then arrived at the laboratory's central research area, where a sign reading "No Unauthorized Entry" hung above the door.
"Boy Shui, this old man is already at your door. Why are you still keeping it shut?!"
Qian Yufeng knew Shui Xunlong had sensed his aura long ago. If he was not opening the door, he definitely was not doing research.
"Isn't this our esteemed President? What brings you to my little place today?"
A hearty laugh came from the other side of the door, which then opened.
A man around fifty-five walked out, sporting an explosive hairstyle, a hairline receding halfway up his head, and grayish-white hair.
Seeing the glasses he wore, Qian Yufeng said in surprise, "Tsk, you brat. A black pig wearing glasses, pretending to be cultured now, are you?"
"President, why is it that nothing good ever comes out of your mouth?!"
"I've researched quite a few good things over the years. Even Master Craftsman Lou has been full of praise for them!"
Shui Xunlong immediately retorted, clearly deeply dissatisfied with Qian Yufeng's words.
People's prejudices were like mountains. They had not met for years, and he had long since changed his temperament.
"What have you developed over these years, brat? Don't worry, this old man won't reveal a single word."
Qian Yufeng did not believe him at all. Instead, he wanted to see his research.
"Then don't be too shocked. I really have come up with quite a few good things over the years!"
Shui Xunlong revealed a confident expression before leading Qian Yufeng into the room where he conducted his research.
First came various series of telescopes, all far more refined than those Qian Yufeng had had people research.
"These Observation Scopes are the most basic kind. Of course, those nobles are crazy about this stuff."
"Especially those young noblemen. They are willing to pay ten thousand Gold Soul Coins for one. What a bunch of spendthrifts!"
Though Shui Xunlong called them spendthrifts, his tone did not conceal his delight in the slightest.
But the next sight directly stunned Qian Yufeng.
There were actually quite a few firearms displayed in the room!
No, how had he managed to create this thing?!
If the Two Great Empires or other Soul Master factions found out, this Manor would be impossible to keep!
Pointing at a gun resembling a Type 56, Qian Yufeng said, "When did you develop this kind of weapon? This is something that could overturn the current battlefield. What are you trying to do?!"
Shui Xunlong looked at him in surprise. He had not expected Qian Yufeng to understand the purpose of this thing.
"This Thermal Pipe Micro-Cannon was developed for hunting soul beasts. You know Ling Feng's situation. I thought of developing a weapon capable of killing soul beasts from afar, and that was how I invented it."
"After my improvements, using special pellets, it can kill a thousand-year soul beast from two thousand meters away."
"Anyone below Soul Saint who is unprepared will be killed in a single strike."
He explained the weapon's origins. It had all been for his son; being a father was not easy for him either!
"..." Qian Yufeng had known this fellow would pull something, but he had not expected him to pull something this huge!
If thermal weapons entered the world, they would have a revolutionary impact on the continent.
Fortunately, these were merely thermal weapons similar to semi-automatic rifles. If they had been Gatling Guns, Maxim Guns, or the like, he would have confiscated them without mercy.
Things that did not belong to this era could not be allowed to appear. Who knew what serious consequences they might cause?
This brat had truly come close to earning MVP!
Qian Yufeng withdrew his gaze and said solemnly:
"Xunlong, this old man is warning you. You cannot continue researching these weapons!"
"I already have a solution to your son's martial soul problem!"
Before you continue