Soul Guidance Combat Class

"It's not that simple."

Jing Hongchen smiled.

"If merely six instructors could raise someone with no foundation to a second-level Soul Engineer in fifteen days, Mingde Hall would have far more students than it does now."

"Alright, it's about time for class."

"I recall that today is the academy's monthly Soul Guidance Combat Class. It's a good chance to test the results of your studies these past few days."

Soul Guidance Combat Class?

Ye Luochen's gaze shifted slightly.

Over the past few days, he had spent most of his time studying Soul Guidance theory and crafting techniques.

As for actual combat application, he truly had not encountered much of it.

After bowing in salute, Ye Luochen left Mingde Hall.

Not long after he departed, Elder Ma's voice rang out in the hall.

"How is it, Hall Master? Has Ye Luochen's background been verified?"

"Yes."

Jing Hongchen nodded.

"I had people investigate thoroughly. Ye Luochen's childhood, educational history, and experiences at Shrek all checked out."

"There shouldn't be a problem with this kid. We can gradually raise his clearance later and start teaching him some real things."

If anyone from the other three Douluo Kingdoms had been present and heard this, they would surely have called Jing Hongchen truly cunning.

Someone had traveled thousands of miles to seek refuge here, yet he had still investigated his background. Until the investigation was complete, he would not even teach him the real stuff.

But upon careful thought, Jing Hongchen's actions were understandable.

Although the Sun Moon Empire and the Original Three Kingdoms were currently at peace, the higher-ups of every nation knew perfectly well that this peace was merely superficial.

Their covert struggle had never truly stopped, and all manner of methods emerged one after another.

The most classic of them was espionage.

During the great war, the Original Three Kingdoms had suffered greatly in terms of Soul Tools.

If they wanted to develop on their own, they would likely never catch up to the Sun Moon Empire.

Thus, the Original Three Kingdoms began entertaining other ideas. They sent large numbers of spies into the Sun Moon Empire, infiltrating the various Soul Engineer academies to steal Soul Guidance technology.

In the early years, the Sun Moon Empire had leaked a great deal of precious information because of this.

Therefore, when someone like Ye Luochen—someone from the Star Luo Empire, from Shrek—appeared at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy and displayed exceptionally high talent in Soul Tools...

Jing Hongchen immediately took action.

On one hand, he kept Ye Luochen steady. On the other, he began a thorough investigation into Ye Luochen's background.

Fortunately, the results did not disappoint Jing Hongchen.

"I truly never expected that such a genius would really be marginalized by Shrek and end up in the hands of our Sun Moon Empire."

"It seems Heaven wishes to see the Sun Moon Empire prosper."

Meanwhile.

Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, Soul Guidance Combat Zone.

A large number of students had already gathered on the spacious training grounds.

Compared to theory classes, combat classes were clearly more popular among the students.

Excitement was visible on many faces.

"Is it still free combat today?"

"Who knows? Let's see what the teacher arranges."

"Hehe, you beat me last time, but that might not happen this time. Let me show you the power of the Soul Guidance Cannon I just made!"

The crowd chattered endlessly.

Just then, the teacher stepped onto the elevated platform.

"Quiet."

As his voice rang out, the venue quickly fell silent.

The teacher swept his gaze over the students before speaking.

"Today's lesson is very simple."

"Combat."

"Soul Engineers cannot merely sit at laboratory tables engraving core formations. Most Soul Tools must ultimately serve in battle."

"Therefore, practical combat ability is equally important."

"Now, draw lots. Students who draw the same number will be opponents in this combat class."

"Number one: Ye Luochen. Number one: Yang Ming."

The first pairing was announced, and many students froze upon hearing the result.

"Ye Luochen? The new student is participating in this Soul Guidance Combat Class too?"

"Damn, he actually got on stage. Everyone here is already a fourth-level Soul Engineer, while he only just started... Huh? Wait, guys, what's that on Ye Luochen's chest?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that appears to be... a second-level Soul Engineer badge?"

"Hiss—"

For a moment, gasps sounded one after another.

"How long has it even been? He's already a second-level Soul Engineer?"

"I don't believe it! It's fake, it has to be fake! Wuwuwu, I want to inspect that badge!"

"The badge can't be fake. Who would dare use a counterfeit badge in the academy?"

"So this is what a genius is like? I'm jealous."

Unlike the crowd, which had fallen into an uproar over the badge on Ye Luochen's chest...

Xiao Hongchen merely stood with his arms crossed, watching the arena with great interest.

Meng Hongchen stood beside him and asked curiously,

"Who do you think will win?"

Xiao Hongchen replied calmly,

"His rate of improvement is indeed terrifying, but in Soul Guidance combat, I don't think he has much chance of winning."

Meng Hongchen nodded.

She agreed with that.

Becoming a second-level Soul Engineer in half a month was indeed outrageous.

It was so outrageous that even the ever-proud Xiao Hongchen had described it as "indeed terrifying."

But being able to use Soul Tools and being able to make them were completely different things.

Practical combat application was worlds apart from engraving Soul Tools at a table.

No matter how talented he was, it was unlikely that he could catch up to a fourth-level Soul Engineer in practical combat application within such a short time.

Meanwhile, after Ye Luochen and Yang Ming stepped onto the stage and indicated that they were ready,

the teacher waved his hand.

"Begin!"

The moment his words fell, the fourth-level Soul Engineer opposite Ye Luochen moved.

Several Soul Tools lit up at once.

A Soul Guidance shield unfolded.

Soul Guidance rays erupted.

As they gradually enveloped Yang Ming, dozens of red beams instantly swept toward Ye Luochen.

Faced with such swift and dense attacks, Ye Luochen's expression changed slightly.

He moved his feet and dodged aside.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Explosions rang out continuously across the field.

When the smoke and dust dispersed, the situation in the arena became clear once more.

Although that round of attacks had failed to hit Ye Luochen, everyone present could see it.

Ye Luochen had already fallen into a disadvantage.

From Yang Ming's performance just now, it was not difficult to tell that he was a very typical turret-type Soul Engineer.

In this situation, if Ye Luochen failed to seize the initiative, then given Yang Ming a little more time, he would be able to arm himself from head to toe.

He would turn into something like an impregnable turret fortress.

At that point, defeating him would require strength far beyond his own.

"This is difficult. It seems the new student is still lacking in actual combat experience."

"Yeah. Once Yang Ming turns himself into a heavy artillery fortress, with the new student's similar Soul Power Level and a two-level gap in Soul Engineer rank, he'll only be able to take a beating."

"As expected, even a genius has weaknesses."

At the edge of the field, the watching students discussed the match incessantly. Most of them did not think highly of Ye Luochen.