Douluo: A Fake God in Peerless

Sixth-grade teaching building, Seventh Laboratory.

As soon as class ended, Su Luoheng rushed to the laboratory at top speed. Ran Yuming, who had been waiting for a long time, did not waste any time and continued with the lecture from that morning.

"Luoheng, there were some minor issues with your theory this morning. Let me help you sort through it again."

"Yes, Teacher."

Hearing this, Su Luoheng nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation.

His teacher's lecture that morning had already benefited him greatly; he was certain that this one-on-one targeted tutoring would yield even more significant gains.

"Your understanding of second-level soul device core arrays is quite good—perhaps even better than some official second-level soul masters. However, your approach to theoretical construction is still stuck in the mindset of a first-level soul device."

"..."

With that, Ran Yuming began the formal instruction.

Throughout the afternoon, he had organized Su Luoheng's problems. Since the boy had a solid grasp of second-level soul devices, Ran Yuming didn't need to worry about the general direction; he only needed to focus his guidance on the weak points regarding structural composition.

As for the other issues, they would have to wait until after the experiments.

This one-on-one session allowed Su Luoheng to appreciate Ran Yuming's teaching ability more intuitively. Every point was precise and hit the nail on the head, giving him a sudden sense of clarity.

The second-level soul device theory, which had been somewhat fuzzy before, became increasingly clear under Ran Yuming's guidance.

By the end, Su Luoheng didn't even need the teacher to point things out; he could try to identify the problems himself.

This was something an ordinary teacher could not achieve.

Although Su Luoheng had mastered no fewer than twenty second-level core arrays through the Analysis ability of his first soul skill, according to Ran Yuming, he had only grasped the form, not the essence.

Compared to first-level soul devices, second-level soul devices had much stricter requirements for the construction of the arrays. They could not be mastered just by analyzing them once; to present them perfectly, one needed to integrate their soul guidance knowledge thoroughly. However, with a master's guidance, the entire process would be significantly shortened.

Without a doubt, Ran Yuming was exactly that kind of master.

If someone as well-read as him didn't count as a master, then there wouldn't be a single one to be found in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Half an hour later.

Having benefited immensely, Su Luoheng wore a look of sudden realization. So that's why I failed every time I reached the critical moment of forging a second-level soul device, he thought. Aside from insufficient soul power, there was also this factor.

Now, after Teacher Ran's clarification, Su Luoheng felt an urge to try again.

"Teacher, I think I understand now."

"Then go ahead and try."

"Your soul power has reached level seventeen now; you can attempt to make a second-level soul device again."

Ran Yuming smiled calmly and gestured toward the experimental table, where the metal materials were already laid out. In fact, even if Su Luoheng hadn't brought it up, he would have had him try it anyway.

Everything he had solved so far was purely theoretical.

Learning soul devices could not be done just by talking on paper; one needed practical operation to uncover more problems.

"Understood."

Su Luoheng nodded and walked over to the experimental table.

There were over a dozen types of metal materials suitable for engraving core arrays at his current stage. After a brief selection, he picked up a piece of Mithril to serve as the base for the second-level core array.

Mithril was relatively soft in texture, making it easier to carve and resulting in a higher success rate.

Su Luoheng wiped his wrist, and an exquisite, small, dark silver engraving knife appeared in his hand.

An engraving knife was what a soul master used to carve core arrays.

Although it was not a soul device itself, it was extremely important.

No soul master could do without an engraving knife; it was a necessity for crafting soul devices.

A suitable engraving knife could significantly increase the success rate of soul device production and was the most important factor in becoming a high-level soul master. The top-tier engraving knives on the Douluo Continent were collectively known as the Ranking Engraving Knives. A total of one hundred famous knives were recorded, most of which were in the hands of top soul masters.

It was evident that the role of an engraving knife to a soul master went without saying.

As a first-level soul master, Su Luoheng naturally had his own engraving knife.

This was the knife his mother, Ye Lan, had specially prepared for him when he first became a soul master. It was crafted entirely from extremely sharp diamond, possessing attributes of sharpness, durability, and stability. It could handle most metal materials without the need for soul power, making it very suitable for him and sufficient to use until he became a fourth-level soul master.

Although the engraving knife provided by Teacher Ran Yuming was made of better material, at such a critical moment, it was better to use the one he was more familiar with.

Su Luoheng had already decided what soul device to make.

It was the short sword second-level soul device he had once used to hunt his first soul ring. It was the same second-level soul device he had tried to make at home; although he had never succeeded, he had gained a wealth of experience.

"Hoo..."

Su Luoheng calmly picked up the engraving knife, his gaze focused.

The small knife was exceptionally agile in his hands. His fingers danced, the knife flickered, and the blade's light moved like a shadow. His hand speed grew faster and faster, almost turning into a blur. Every movement was as elegant as a gorgeous dance, smooth and flowing. Soon, he had trimmed the palm-sized piece of Mithril into the diamond-shaped silver block needed for engraving the core array.

At this moment, Su Luoheng paused slightly and flipped the engraving knife around.

As the engraving of the core array began, Su Luoheng's gaze turned serious.

This was the true beginning.

"Sshhh, sshhh..."

A faint friction sound arose between the metal and the carving knife. Although his movements and speed had slowed, his hand remained steady; every stroke of the knife was calm and resolute. With each pass, his expression grew more focused, his entire being poured into the manipulation of the blade and the inscription of the core array.

Ran Yuming stood silently behind Su Luoheng, watching every carving motion.

He nodded occasionally, then frowned.

The carving movements shifted continuously as Su Luoheng worked.

As time passed, under the meticulous carving and polishing of the knife infused with soul power, complex patterns were gradually etched onto the surface. The metal block began to glow with faint silver light, emitting a strange aura as the lines of the core array became increasingly distinct.

The array, now more than half-finished, radiated a luster; it looked as though only a few final strokes remained for success.

Yet, at this moment, Su Luoheng's movements suddenly stalled. Fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, his muscles tensed, and his nervousness became visible to the naked eye.

Back home, his attempts at the second-level soul guidance array had always failed during these final steps.

Reaching this stage again, it was inevitable that he would feel pressure and tension.

Could he succeed?

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and opened them again... Repeating this several times, Su Luoheng's initial tension began to calm.

There was no need to doubt himself.

Whether in soul power or understanding, he was stronger now than he had been before.

This time, he would surely succeed!

Su Luoheng's gaze turned firm as he adjusted himself back to his initial state.

Gripping the carving knife, he began to engrave once more, his movements returning to the steady rhythm he had started with.

Seeing this, a gratified smile appeared on Ran Yuming's face.

Su Luoheng had not disappointed him; he had adjusted his state so quickly. Even if he were to fail this time, it would not affect him.

The path of a soul master was one of progress through failure and setbacks.

Developing new soul tools, crafting high-level soul devices—it was all a process of struggling through failures.

Therefore, failure was not terrifying.

What was terrifying was losing confidence and being unable to move forward.

Only those with tenacious perseverance and an indomitable spirit could become powerful soul masters, and it was precisely this that stumped so many.

That Su Luoheng possessed such character at his young age was truly precious.

Meanwhile.

"Sshhh, sshhh, sshhh..."

Metal shavings fell away continuously. The core array gradually neared completion, the aura from the metal block grew more intense, and the silver radiance shone ever brighter.

It seemed success was imminent!

Swish, swish—

After a few more strokes, Su Luoheng slowly set down the metal block.

The engraving of the core array was successfully completed. The silver-white diamond-shaped metal was now covered in a dense, meticulous web of soul guidance inscriptions.

This was the first time he had completely carved a core array; it was a significant step forward for him.

However, it was not entirely over yet.

Next, he had to activate the core array and confirm it could function properly; only then would it be a true second-level soul tool.

"..."

Su Luoheng held his breath, carefully removing all the shavings from the grooves, then held the metal block in his left hand, slowly injecting a gentle stream of soul power into it.

His eyes were fixed intently on the circuits.

As the soul power flowed in, the core array was activated, and the metal block emitted a silver glow. Everything was moving in a positive direction. Yet, just as success was within reach, the core array encountered a problem again: just as the soul power was about to activate the entire array and link all the previously engraved lines together, it abruptly jammed at the final connection point, causing the entire core array to fail to function properly.

How could this be?!

Su Luoheng's brows furrowed tightly as he stared at the scene in disbelief!

He had clearly constructed every circuit with the utmost rigor; why would it fail to activate?

This was impossible...

For a moment, Su Luoheng was stunned, and in that instant, his mind went completely blank.

The result was completely unexpected.

Even as he felt confused, his soul power continued to pour out.

Under the constant pressure of the soul power, the energy that could not form a cycle became blocked at the connection point. As more and more power surged in, cracks began to appear in the surrounding circuit inscriptions, and it looked as though it was about to collapse!

"Crack, crack—"

The sound of shattering reached his ears, and Su Luoheng finally snapped back to his senses, hurriedly withdrawing his soul power.

However, it was already too late.

Once the core array began to collapse, it triggered a chain reaction; faced with the rapidly disintegrating core array, Su Luoheng was equally helpless.

Was he going to fail again?

Everything had been so close to success, so why did it have to end like this?

Watching the cracks spreading before his eyes, a sense of frustration could not help but rise in Su Luoheng's heart.

Yet, at this very moment, a gentle voice came from behind him.

"Use a straight blade to carve a path in the back, guide all the soul power into the first circuit inscription, and then channel all that soul power out."

"Teacher?"

Su Luoheng was slightly stunned, looking at the core array that was on the verge of total collapse.

Is it really still salvageable at this stage? he wondered.

At the same time, Ran Yuming's voice sounded once more, "If you don't hurry up and start, the core array really will collapse."

Hearing this, Su Luoheng's spirit jolted.

Without a moment's hesitation, he swung the carving knife in his hand, rapidly etching the pattern. Following the method his teacher had taught him, the excess soul power was actually channeled away, flowing back into the first circuit before being retracted into his body, halting the core array that had been on the brink of collapse.

But that was all he managed to achieve.