Ran Yuming's Laboratory [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!] / Want to Be My Student? [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!]

Chapter 38: Ran Yuming's Laboratory [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!]

An hour later.

The bell rang right on time.

After a brief wrap-up, Ran Yuming's first lesson came to an end. He waved his hand and said, "All right, that's it for today's lesson. You can all go."

"..."

After the lesson, the second-year students had gained a great deal. Each had come to their own understanding of how to become a Level 2 Soul Engineer, and they looked at Elder Ran with newfound respect.

He was something else~

They had studied under plenty of teachers, but only Teacher Ran had made them feel so enlightened after a single lesson.

"As expected of Teacher Ran! That was an amazing lesson!" Xu Yu's eyes shone with admiration.

"Yeah..."

Su Luoheng deeply agreed.

Before this, he had thought he had a decent grasp of Level 2 Soul Tools. But after this lesson, he realized he still had plenty of shortcomings. The gap between him and a true Level 2 Soul Engineer wasn't just a matter of Soul Power. Of course, Soul Engineer ranks here were judged by the Sun Moon Empire's standards.

Before long, most of the students had filed out of the classroom.

Su Luoheng gathered his things and was about to leave when he reached the door. Suddenly, Ran Yuming called out to him.

"Stay a moment."

"Teacher Ran." Su Luoheng stopped and greeted him respectfully.

Only after all the students had left the classroom did Ran Yuming ask with a smile,

"Do you still remember me?"

"Mm."

"Good. That's good. Come with me." Ran Yuming nodded with a cheerful smile, then headed off on his own.

"..."

Su Luoheng hesitated for a moment, but then quickly followed.

His instincts told him he should go along.

Ran Yuming didn't seem to walk quickly, yet whether Su Luoheng sped up or slowed down, the distance between them stayed at around two meters.

After leaving the second-year teaching area, Elder Ran led Su Luoheng toward the senior teaching area behind it.

They wound through the halls for a full fifteen minutes before arriving at a six-year teaching building. Ran Yuming took Su Luoheng inside.

Su Luoheng looked around and asked, "Teacher Ran, is this the upper-year area?"

"Mm."

Ran Yuming motioned for him to step into the elevator and explained, "This is the six-year teaching building. My private laboratory is here."

The academy assigned laboratories to all teachers at Level 7 and above. They were generally located in the six-year buildings, making it convenient for the teachers to instruct the six-year students.

Although Ran Yuming was currently teaching second-year students, that didn't affect his use of this laboratory.

"Teacher Ran, why did you bring me here?"

"You'll find out in a moment."

Ran Yuming kept him guessing and didn't explain further.

As they spoke, the elevator stopped on the eighth floor.

"Come on~"

"..."

Su Luoheng shrugged and continued following Ran Yuming.

His instincts told him this wasn't a bad thing, anyway.

Ran Yuming seemed to be in high spirits, a smile on his face. He led Su Luoheng down the corridor for another dozen meters or so, then stopped in front of a metal door.

A sign was mounted on it: Laboratory Seven.

Ran Yuming took out his identity badge and waved it in front of the door.

"Beep—"

The electronic lock gave a soft click. A white light flashed, and the two heavy metal doors slowly swung open.

"Come in."

Ran Yuming's voice came from inside, and Su Luoheng followed him into the laboratory.

The first thing Su Luoheng noticed was how spacious it was. It was about the size of two classrooms. Various Soul Tool instruments and rare metals were neatly arranged on the circular, silver-white testing table in the center. The tabletop held quite a few things, but everything was orderly, giving the room a tidy, pleasant feel at first glance.

Apart from the testing table, bookshelves lined three of the walls.

They were filled with books about Soul Tools and works by renowned Soul Engineers. Every book, without exception, had a neatly affixed label beside it.

What Ran Yuming cared about most in this laboratory wasn't the Soul Tools or rare metals, but the shelves packed with books on Soul Tools. He had spent decades collecting them, and most of the books he had gathered here were practically impossible to find on the market.

Looking at all those books, Su Luoheng couldn't help asking,

"Teacher Ran, have you read all these books?"

"More or less..."

Ran Yuming rested a hand on the bookshelf, a complicated look flickering across his eyes. "Whenever I have some free time, I read a few. Over the years, I've gotten through most of them."

Su Luoheng couldn't help admiring Teacher Ran even more.

There were nearly several thousand books in the room. Even if he didn't read every one cover to cover, simply leafing through them all would take a great deal of time and perseverance.

Given Ran Yuming's status, he wouldn't make an empty boast. One could only imagine how extensive his knowledge was.

No wonder he was so renowned at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Ran Yuming saw Su Luoheng's reaction and gave a faint smile. His confidence that he could take this disciple on had grown a little stronger.

"All right, kid. Do you want to know why I brought you here?"

"Yes."

Su Luoheng answered without thinking.

"Then why aren't you coming in?"

As he spoke, Ran Yuming patted Su Luoheng on the shoulder, then strode farther into the room.

At that, Su Luoheng hurried after him.

Ran Yuming led Su Luoheng to the testing table and swept his wide sleeve through the air. A flash of blue light appeared, and three Soul Tools of different designs materialized on the table.

The first was a silver beam-type Soul Tool.

The second was a red, long-bladed melee Soul Tool.

The third was a blue, longsword-type melee Soul Tool.

All three seemed to be of excellent quality, at least Level 2 or higher.

"Teacher Ran?" Su Luoheng glanced at the testing table, unsure what was going on.

"Use your First Soul Skill to describe the core arrays and construction of these three Soul Tools. Then I'll tell you why I brought you here."

As he spoke, Ran Yuming pointed to the Soul Tools on the table.

Su Luoheng glanced at them, instinctively examining them.

It was a habit he'd picked up during his days scouring the streets of Ming Capital. Whenever he saw a Soul Tool, his first reaction was to examine its level.

"..."

"What is it? Is there a problem?"

Seeing that Su Luoheng had yet to move, Ran Yuming looked over in puzzlement.

Su Luoheng's eyes shifted. He glanced at the books on his right and asked with a smile, "Teacher Ran, if I manage to analyze all of them, is there a reward?"

"You little rascal~" Ran Yuming's eyes turned, and he let out a laugh. "Have you set your sights on my books?"

"I enjoy reading in my spare time. Would you let me borrow some of your books, Teacher?"

Su Luoheng nodded, admitting it openly.

"I generally don't lend out my books."

Chapter 39: Want to Be My Student? [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!]

Ran Yuming changed tack and continued, "But I can't have you waste your Soul Power for nothing. How about this? As you said, I'll offer you a little bonus. If you can analyze one Soul Tool, I'll lend you one book. If you manage to analyze all three, you can borrow five."

"What do you think, kid?"

"Thank you for the books, Teacher."

Su Luoheng bowed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

He had sensed the three Soul Tools earlier. They were all Level 2.

At present, his First Soul Skill could handle ordinary weapons up to Level 2 and sword-type weapons up to Level 3.

It would have been somewhat difficult to analyze all three before, but now that his Soul Power had increased by one level, his analytical ability had improved as well. These three Soul Tools would be no problem.

"Don't get too excited just yet. Whether you get the books depends on your ability. If you can't analyze even one, don't say I never gave you a chance."

Ran Yuming knew exactly what Su Luoheng was thinking. He made a point of reminding him that he was willing to lend the books, but only if Su Luoheng had the ability to earn them.

"Teacher Ran, I'm determined to get those books." Su Luoheng's smile remained confident. He had absolute faith in himself.

"Then let's begin."

Seeing this, Ran Yuming stepped aside with a smile.

"Mm."

A glint of anticipation flashed in Ran Yuming's eyes.

This was a test he had prepared specifically for Su Luoheng. The three Level 2 Soul Tools were all different designs. He had already seen the limits of Su Luoheng's skill with sword-type Soul Tools during the entrance examination. Now he wanted to test the First Soul Skill's ability with ordinary weapons, as well as its Soul Power consumption.

First, he could test Su Luoheng's abilities and decide how best to teach him in the future.

Second, taking on a disciple was a major decision, so putting him through a test would make the choice more reliable.

Of course, the first was his main concern.

Meanwhile, Su Luoheng stepped up to the testing table.

After a little thought, he picked up the longsword Soul Tool first.

Then he focused and slowly closed his eyes. His Soul Power transformed into spiritual power and poured out of him like a tide, enveloping the Soul Tool in his hand. At once, the longsword Soul Tool's detailed construction and core arrays appeared in his mind.

The analysis of the longsword was complete before long.

He checked his Soul Power and found that he had used less than twenty percent.

Su Luoheng didn't stop. He picked up the long-bladed Soul Tool on his right and began analyzing it.

Though the long blade and the longsword were both Level 2 Soul Tools, his Soul Power was consumed more than twice as fast this time.

That was the nature of Unlimited Blade Works.

Analyzing sword-type weapons consumed far less Soul Power than analyzing ordinary weapons.

Time ticked by, and Su Luoheng's Soul Power gradually dwindled.

Ran Yuming watched in silence from behind him.

When he sensed the difference in Soul Power consumption between Su Luoheng's analysis of the sword-type Soul Tool and the ordinary weapon, even someone as learned as he was couldn't help looking astonished.

A strange Martial Soul, a strange Soul Skill.

His future was boundless. He truly was the disciple Ran Yuming had chosen at first glance.

The only question was where his limit lay.

But he would find out soon.