Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the room as Xiao Hongchen woke from his bed.
He rolled over and sat up, habitually turning his awareness inward to inspect his Sea of Consciousness. That silver-white world remained as still as a mirror. Deep within it, the gray orb of light continued to rise and fall slowly, like a sleeping heart.
After washing up, he changed into the uniform of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Clean and sharp, it outlined the youth's tall, straight figure. Pushing open his door, Xiao Hongchen headed directly downstairs to the first-floor hall.
The butler, Pin Hongchen, had already been waiting there. This collateral member of the Hongchen Family was just over sixty, with neatly trimmed silver-gray hair and a crisp black butler's uniform. His brows always carried an air of respectful composure.
He was one of the few Level Seven Soul Engineers in the family. His Soul Power had reached Rank Seventy-Nine, and he had gained some renown in Ming Capital during his younger days. However, having consumed too many medicinal drugs, he had never been able to break through to Rank Eighty.
Upon seeing Xiao Hongchen come downstairs, Pin Hongchen immediately bowed slightly, his voice low and respectful:
"Young Master, you are awake. Breakfast is ready. The family head and Miss Meng are waiting for you at the table."
Xiao Hongchen nodded, his gaze calm yet carrying unquestionable authority:
"Uncle Pin, there are two matters I need you to handle immediately."
Hearing this, Pin Hongchen bent even lower. "Please give your orders, Young Master."
"Help me acquire a batch of rare metals. This is the list of what I need. Get it done as quickly as possible and deliver them to my room."
As he spoke, Xiao Hongchen handed the butler the list he had carefully sorted through the previous night, which specified the types and required quantities of various rare metals.
He intended to devote himself to developing his Three-Legged Golden Toad Martial Soul. The Three-Legged Golden Toad was naturally gifted with extremely strong metal affinity and control. Now that he had the support of the Brain Martial Soul, his Spiritual Power far surpassed what it had once been. He could fully control metal powder with the same precision as Soul Power.
Xiao Hongchen had already begun imagining himself controlling metal like Gaara controlled sand in Naruto. When attacking, the metal powder could sweep forth like a storm. When defending, it could instantly form a heavy metal shield. It could even become metal spears, chains, or cages—offense and defense in one, immensely intimidating.
"Yes, Young Master. I will use the family's channels immediately. The first batch will arrive by tonight at the latest."
Xiao Hongchen gave a satisfied hum. After pondering for a moment, he continued:
"The second matter... help me discreetly look into someone's whereabouts. Her name is Ye Guyi. Her Martial Soul is the Holy Angel, and she should currently be in the Sun Moon Empire, around my age. The only specific feature I know is that she has long golden hair. She should be a very talented girl. Use the family's network to quietly investigate her movements. She may be a student at some high-level Soul Engineering academy, or she may belong to an underground organization, but do not alert her under any circumstances. Inform me immediately once you find her."
The decision to search for Ye Guyi was the result of Xiao Hongchen's careful consideration.
An Angel Martial Soul was naturally effective against Evil Soul Masters. The Holy Spirit Cult had deeply entrenched roots throughout the Sun Moon Empire. Bringing her over would be equivalent to planting a piece in advance that could restrain the Holy Spirit Cult.
As for the other reason... as a transmigrator, he had read so many novels and watched so much anime in his previous life that he inevitably had a bit of a weakness for the "blonde angel" archetype... no, quite a strong one.
Besides, within the Sun Moon Empire, the beautiful women with names in the original story could practically be counted on one hand.
His younger sister Meng Hongchen counted as one, but she was family. He could not entertain improper thoughts about her.
Ju Zi? That girl was too consumed by revenge. Not only was she a love-struck fool, she played house with Huo Yuhao during the national war and was an ungrateful wretch who plotted to murder Xu Tianran. Xiao Hongchen had always felt nothing for her.
Nana? The girl with the Ghost Martial Soul who had been persecuted by the Holy Spirit Cult seemed to be at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy now. However, Xiao Hongchen did not remember her very clearly. As long as he helped free her parents' souls, he should be able to win her over completely. Still, neither her talent nor appearance was considered outstanding.
Jing Ziyan? She had even less of a presence. Xiao Hongchen only knew that she had long been inseparably tied to Ji Juechen. Her talent was average, and she was relatively older as well. She truly was not suitable for joining Xiao Hongchen's core group.
Other than them, Ye Guyi seemed to be the only one left.
Mm, he would find Ye Guyi first and talk about the rest later. No matter what, he could not let her end up on Huo Yuhao's side. After that, he would simply let things take their course.
After hearing him out, Pin Hongchen frowned slightly but did not ask any further questions. He merely nodded respectfully:
"This subordinate understands. I will handle it as soon as possible and ensure that nothing leaks."
After giving those two instructions, Xiao Hongchen finally headed toward the dining room.
Breakfast had already been laid out. Meng Hongchen and Jing Hongchen were already seated at the table. The moment Meng Hongchen saw her brother, her eyes lit up, her long hair swaying gently. "Good morning, Brother!"
"Your body has only just recovered. Do not rush off to the academy. If you need anything, simply have Pin Hongchen handle it," Jing Hongchen said lightly.
Xiao Hongchen smiled at his sister and took his seat, his tone gentle yet firm:
"Grandfather, I am already fine. I plan to enter Mingde Hall early and study under Xuan Ziwen. As for the academy, I will only attend the classes I choose. Now that I have the Brain Martial Soul, I understand basic knowledge at a glance. There is no need to waste unnecessary time, but I certainly will not miss any assessments."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes slightly. After thinking for a moment, he nodded gently:
"Go ahead. I will smooth things over with the academy. It is time for you to enter Mingde Hall as well. Normally, only Soul Engineers above Level Five may enter after passing the assessment, but you have already completed a Level Four Milk Bottle. You far surpass ordinary Level Five Soul Engineers, so I will grant you special approval to enter directly. Xuan Ziwen may have an eccentric temperament, but he truly is Mingde Hall's chief researcher. If you can receive his guidance, it will be of great help to you in the future."
"Understood, Grandfather." Xiao Hongchen lowered his head and took a sip of milk, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
"Also, Grandfather, there is something else I would like to ask for your help with. I plan to build a training room in an empty space in the family's rear courtyard. It will need gravity devices, metal weight-training equipment, and so on. Could I trouble you to arrange the preparation of the equipment?"
Meng Hongchen blinked her azure eyes from the side and curiously interjected:
"Xiao, you want to train your physique? Didn't you used to hate sweating the most? Why the sudden change?"
Xiao Hongchen rubbed the top of his sister's head and explained with a smile:
"The past is the past, and now is now. Soul Engineers will eventually have to clash head-on with Soul Masters. It will not do if my physical fitness cannot keep up."
"Oh? After waking up, you are even going to focus on physical training? Not bad. You have ambition."
Jing Hongchen set down his teacup. His tone was unhurried, yet it carried the composure and instruction of an elder:
"Xiao is right. Many Soul Engineers focus solely on researching Soul Tools and dismiss physical strength entirely. Yet they do not realize that the higher one's level, the greater the role physical strength plays. At my level, Soul Power is no longer the sole factor determining victory or defeat. A powerful physique allows you to remain clear-headed during prolonged, high-intensity Soul Tool output. It prevents you from collapsing instantly when an Soul Master of the same level gets close, and it can even help you better withstand backlash and mental strain when condensing a Soul Core."
Jing Hongchen paused, the corners of his lips rising slightly:
"Since you possess this awareness, your grandfather will naturally give you his full support. I will have Pin Hongchen begin preparing today. It will be completed within a week at the latest. Whatever Soul Tool equipment you need, just tell him."
Xiao Hongchen nodded seriously. "Thank you, Grandfather. I will make a list of the specific requirements and give it to Uncle Pin."
Breakfast quickly came to an end amid a relaxed atmosphere.
Jing Hongchen wiped his mouth and rose to his feet. "I still have some matters to attend to. This is proof of entry into Mingde Hall. You two siblings should be careful on the road." As he spoke, he tossed Xiao Hongchen a metal token engraved with the words "Hongchen."
"Goodbye, Grandfather." Meng Hongchen gave a well-behaved bow, then tugged Xiao Hongchen's sleeve as she headed outside. "Brother, let's go to the academy together!"
Xiao Hongchen put away the token, and the two walked out of the Hongchen Family residence side by side.
The family's exclusive Soul Tool Vehicle had already been waiting outside the entrance. It was a luxurious silver-gray vehicle with hard, clean lines. The Hongchen Family crest was engraved on its body, while its interior was spacious and it traveled with almost no bumps.
The siblings sat inside the carriage. Leaning back against the soft seat, Meng Hongchen said with a smile, "The family's Soul Tool Vehicle is still more comfortable. It is much steadier than the public Soul Tool Vehicles on the streets."
Xiao Hongchen nodded slightly, gazing absentmindedly at the receding streetscape of Ming Capital outside the window. "Naturally."
The Soul Tool Vehicles currently on the market were, in the end, little more than carriages with Soul Tool core-powered drives installed. Their appearance remained old-fashioned, without much innovation.
Xiao Hongchen quietly made up his mind that someday, he would build a sufficiently eye-catching Soul Tool sports car—or a cool Soul Tool Motorcycle.
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