Level 2 Soul Tools, Another Attempt

It sounded cruel, but how many ordinary Soul Masters were lucky enough to break through to Soul King?

That was why pills were so popular at the academy. Even if they didn't take them, most wouldn't get very far anyway, so the pills gave them at least a sliver of a chance.

But for a genius like Su Luoheng, they were more loss than gain, since he would break through sooner or later regardless.

"Luo Heng."

Ran Yuming patted Su Luoheng on the shoulder and said earnestly, "I expect more of you than simply becoming an outstanding Soul Engineer. With your talent and aptitude, you can go much further."

"I won't let you down, Teacher."

Su Luoheng was confident. He had always believed in his own abilities.

"Good! That's the spirit!" Ran Yuming laughed in satisfaction and gave Su Luoheng's shoulder a hearty pat. Confident but not blindly so—he suddenly realized that this new direct disciple was exactly to his liking.

Su Luoheng was just as pleased with his teacher.

Whether it was his status or personal ability, Ran Yuming could bring him tremendous advantages.

It wasn't that either of them was overly calculating.

Before a master and disciple accepted each other, what kind of bond could they possibly have? Wasn't it all about what they could offer one another?

Ran Yuming valued Su Luoheng's talent.

Su Luoheng valued Ran Yuming's status.

Each had something to gain. Clearly, this was a win-win master-disciple relationship.

"Luo Heng..."

Just as Ran Yuming was about to speak, his gaze wandered over to the badge on Su Luoheng's chest. He was wearing only the badge of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

"Luo Heng, where's your Soul Engineer Badge? Why aren't you wearing it?" He glanced over and asked casually.

"Teacher, I don't have a badge."

"Hm?" Ran Yuming raised an eyebrow.

Su Luoheng scratched his head and explained, "I learned Soul Engineering at home, from my mother, and through my First Soul Skill. I've never taken the Soul Engineer examination."

"Oh, right. There really aren't any examination centers in the Heaven Dou Empire. I'd forgotten about that."

Ran Yuming slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered.

Of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, the Dou Ling Empire and Star Luo Empire had both dabbled in Soul Tools to varying degrees. Only the Heaven Dou Empire had always maintained its hostility toward them. None of the academies in the entire country even offered courses in the Soul Guidance Department. So, although Su Luoheng was a Level 1 Soul Engineer, he couldn't get certified.

"Teacher, are Soul Engineer Badges important?" Su Luoheng asked curiously.

"Of course they are."

Ran Yuming nodded. As he rummaged beneath the workbench, he explained, "The academy distributes resources every month. You need your Soul Engineer Badge to verify your rank."

"Teacher, where can I get my Soul Engineer rank certified?"

As soon as he heard that the badge was tied to resources, Su Luoheng—who had previously thought it didn't matter—immediately took an interest.

"You little rascal, what's the rush?"

"Heh-heh." Su Luoheng gave an awkward grin.

"Don't worry. You'll get yours."

Ran Yuming could tell what his young disciple was thinking. He waved a hand, signaling him to be patient. "I should still have a few Soul Engineer Badges here."

"Hm? Why do you have those, Teacher?" Su Luoheng asked curiously.

"When I used to oversee Soul Engineer examinations, I remember having a few badges left over. Let me look for them."

"Then go ahead, Teacher."

At that, Su Luoheng obediently stayed where he was.

Seeing this, Ran Yuming chuckled to himself. This little guy really is still just a child.

But that was only natural. He was a child.

Then he pulled out the storage box underneath and began rummaging through it.

He remembered having a few low-level Soul Engineer Badges left over after he'd last assessed someone's rank. If he couldn't find them here, he'd have to swipe one from Lin.

As Ran Yuming thought this, he spotted the badges he'd left behind.

He rummaged through them and took out a Level 1 Soul Engineer Badge: an eight-pointed, water-blue star with a diamond set into it.

"Here, take it."

Su Luoheng quickly accepted the badge and pinned it to his chest.

The emblem of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and his Soul Engineer Badge sat side by side, the sun, moon, and stars shining together.

From this moment on, he was officially recognized by the Sun Moon Empire as a Level 1 Soul Engineer. At the academy, this wasn't merely a symbol of his status as a Soul Engineer; it also represented a month's worth of Soul Engineer resources.

As Su Luoheng fiddled with the badge on his chest, he suddenly remembered something.

"Teacher, I got this badge without taking the Soul Engineer examination. Does that comply with the academy's rules?"

"Of course it does."

Ran Yuming waved a hand and explained, "You already passed the advancement assessment, which means you were effectively recognized as a Level 1 Soul Engineer. This is just a replacement badge."

"I understand."

His main concern had been that the badge wouldn't be recognized and he wouldn't receive the resources. With Ran Yuming here, there was nothing to worry about now.

And even if the badge didn't work, he still had his teacher to help him.

After explaining the purpose of the Soul Engineer Badge, Ran Yuming began testing Su Luoheng's understanding of Level 2 Soul Tools. As a teacher, he needed to fully understand his student's level so he could tailor his guidance in Soul Engineering accordingly.

He was experienced in teaching, after all.

Otherwise, how could he have trained several students qualified to join Mingde Hall?

"..."

"Teacher, that's my understanding of Level 2 Soul Tools." After finishing, Su Luoheng humbly asked for guidance. A chance to receive Elder Ran's personal instruction was hard to come by.

"Good. Your theoretical knowledge is already sufficient."

Ran Yuming gave a slight nod, pleased with his performance.

There were still some details he could improve on, but overall, his theoretical grasp of Level 2 Soul Tools was solid.

"Have you tried making a Level 2 Soul Tool?" Ran Yuming asked.

"I've tried before, but I've never succeeded. I think it might be because of my Soul Power."

Su Luoheng answered honestly. According to Ye Lan's assessment, he kept failing to make Level 2 Soul Tools because his Soul Power rank was too low to sustain the expenditure required during their construction.

Ran Yuming considered this briefly, then nodded. "With Soul Power at Level 17, making a Level 2 Soul Tool would indeed be difficult."

"Chapter 42: Level 2 Soul Tools, Another Attempt"

"My Soul Power is still too low..." Su Luoheng nodded, looking a little disappointed.

"Have you forgotten how old you are?"

Ran Yuming rolled his eyes and chided him with a laugh. "If the other students in your class had Level 17 Soul Power at the age of nine, they'd be over the moon!"

"If you think that's low, what are the rest of them supposed to think?"

"Heh-heh."

Su Luoheng scratched his head. "I just—"

Grrr...

Before he could finish speaking, his stomach protested first.

Ran Yuming's voice cut off. He stared for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Su Luoheng awkwardly rubbed his nose.

He'd used up a lot of Soul Power and energy analyzing the Soul Tool earlier. More than an hour had passed, and it was already noon, so it was only natural that his stomach was rumbling.

It was just the timing...

Su Luoheng cleared his throat twice and said as if nothing had happened, "Please continue, Teacher."

"Haha, that's enough for today. We can talk about Soul Tools this afternoon. Come on, let's go eat first. I'll take you somewhere good!"

"Somewhere good?"

At the mention of good food, Su Luoheng perked right up.

"Are you paying, Teacher?"

"Of course. It's on me today. Eat as much as you want!"

With that, he ushered Su Luoheng out of the laboratory and headed toward the cafeteria.

Ran Yuming kept his word.

He took Su Luoheng to the top floor of the restaurant, and before long, a whole table of dishes was served.

The ingredients used in these dishes were all rather rare. If ordinary people ate them regularly, they could strengthen their bodies; Soul Masters could also benefit to some degree.

Su Luoheng ate with gusto.

Whether they could improve him or not, the dishes tasted incredible.

After lunch, Su Luoheng didn't return to the laboratory.

He had classes in the afternoon.

Although the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy specialized in Soul Engineers, years of research had led it to place increasing importance on Soul Masters' own abilities as well. For instance, Su Luoheng's second-year curriculum included not only Soul Engineering classes but also courses aimed at improving Soul Masters' physical fitness.

Ran Yuming placed great importance on the fundamentals of Soul Masters, of course, but he wouldn't interfere with the regular curriculum.

So they put off the Level 2 Soul Tool until all his classes were over. After all, there was no need to rush.

Back in the laboratory, Ran Yuming fell into thought.

"Su Luoheng..."

He was considering whether to wager on Su Luoheng. He had originally planned to wait until the boy became a Soul Grandmaster before deciding.

But Su Luoheng's performance today had greatly impressed him.

This time, he was truly tempted.

The students he'd taken on before had been nowhere near as capable at this age. And with Su Luoheng's unusual Martial Soul and Soul Skill, Ran Yuming had high hopes for the future of his direct disciple.

His talent as a Soul Master was just as outstanding as his talent as a Soul Engineer.

With the right guidance, a student like him might one day reach that field!

The field every Soul Engineer dreamed of.

Though Ran Yuming himself had no hope of reaching it in this lifetime, he could realize the theory through his legacy.

"Analysis of Soul Tools..."

Ran Yuming was still hesitating when a gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes. He murmured, "An ability this unusual is worth trying."

"Don't let me down, Luo Heng."

He had finally made his decision: he would devote himself to cultivating Su Luoheng.

Su Luoheng had the talent to justify it. What would become of him if Ran Yuming personally trained him?

A flicker of anticipation shone in Ran Yuming's eyes.

Time flashed forward to the afternoon.