Douluo: A Person in Peerless, Fake God

Because of this, Su Luoheng gained a more intuitive understanding of Teacher Ran's teaching ability. He looked up at Ran Yuming with eyes full of admiration, and the confusion that had previously clouded his expression vanished in an instant.

He turned toward the smiling Ran Yuming and thanked him sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher!"

Ran Yuming, who had been watching him the entire time, set down his teacup and asked with a faint smile, "Do you understand your problem now?"

"Yes."

Su Luoheng calmed his inner excitement and nodded. "The core array isn't the main point; the soul guidance inscriptions are the greatest benefit gained from the analysis of soul skills. Just like this second-level core array, the reason it could succeed was because of your deep understanding of soul guidance inscriptions, and the reason I failed was for the same reason."

"Not bad."

Ran Yuming nodded at Su Luoheng with a faint smile, clearly satisfied with his self-summary.

However, he added one more point.

"Actually, besides the difference in materials, your failure also had to do with your soul power level."

"Oh?"

"If you were at level twenty soul power, you wouldn't have failed while inscribing a second-level core array. Because your soul power is currently only at level seventeen, you had to exert a significant amount of soul power when trying to activate the soul guidance circuit, and since you inscribed the lines according to the standard pattern, that is why the soul power blockage occurred."

"So that's how it is..."

Su Luoheng's expression cleared as he understood what his teacher meant.

A glimmer of appreciation flashed in Ran Yuming's eyes.

In any world, a smart student will always receive more attention from their teacher; after all, what teacher doesn't like a student who catches on quickly?

Ran Yuming immediately took this opportunity to further educate Su Luoheng on the knowledge of soul guidance device inscriptions.

These were all little tricks and techniques Ran Yuming had summarized over the years. Since every soul master had different experiences and habits, most teachers would not explain these in such detail.

Su Luoheng was currently recovering his soul power.

Although he couldn't craft a core array, he couldn't let this time go to waste.

A moment later.

Su Luoheng looked at the soul guidance device in his hand and, struck by a sudden thought, asked, "Teacher, can I be considered a second-level soul master now?"

"What do you think?"

Hearing this, Ran Yuming looked at Su Luoheng with a playful, ambiguous smile.

"I suppose... I count?"

"Don't you know how this core array succeeded?"

"Hehe~"

Su Luoheng laughed and scratched his head.

"You brat, you're dreaming quite big."

Ran Yuming was amused and said, "Just focus on making your soul guidance device. We can talk about that once you can independently craft a second-level soul guidance device."

"Teacher, didn't you say that people should have dreams?" Su Luoheng leaned in with a cheeky grin.

Ran Yuming shot him a sidelong glance, though a smile still lingered on his lips. "That was to give you a goal, not to have you daydreaming all day."

"Alright, stop with the backtalk. You've rested long enough and your soul power is mostly recovered. You have to make one more core array today before you can leave class."

"Oh, come on~"

As he spoke, Ran Yuming kicked the boy toward the experiment table.

"Another one?"

"Isn't that a bit too much?"

"..."

Although Su Luoheng complained bitterly, he did not slack off when it was time to be serious.

He immediately threw himself into the crafting of the soul guidance device.

One hour later.

As he injected his soul power, the metal block cracked.

Unsurprisingly, without Teacher Ran's reminder, he still hadn't succeeded.

Although he had tried his best to avoid the previous issues, he still failed to inscribe a successful core array.

"Sigh..."

Su Luoheng let out a soft sigh and set down his carving knife.

He picked up the failed metal block to examine it, carefully summarizing the reasons for this failure.

In truth, he had anticipated this, so he was not surprised.

Learning soul guidance devices was never something that could be achieved overnight. Even with the help of his Analysis soul skill, mastering the engraving of soul guidance circuits required time.

Therefore, Su Luoheng quickly adjusted his mindset and calmly accepted the failure.

Because he had already found a clear direction, he knew that once he integrated today's lessons, becoming a Level 2 soul master would be a natural progression.

Thus, he no longer dwelled on the success or failure of this attempt.

Having summarized the issues behind this failure, he threw himself back into his experiments.

Just then, Ran Yuming walked over and patted him on the shoulder, rousing Su Luoheng from his immersion in the soul guidance experiment.

He looked up at Teacher Ran. "Teacher?"

"It's about time; let's stop here for today."

From a moment ago until now, Su Luoheng had been at it for nearly four hours. His soul power and mental energy were almost exhausted; if he didn't rest soon, he would barely be able to hold on.

"Has it really been that long?"

Hearing Teacher Ran's words, Su Luoheng stretched in surprise.

He had thought it had been an hour at most, never expecting that he had lost track of time until late at night.

Now that it was mentioned, he truly felt a sense of fatigue.

"From now on, come to the laboratory to study every day after school, including holidays. This is the identification badge for our laboratory; keep it safe."

As he spoke, Ran Yuming handed Su Luoheng a bright silver token.

"Also, your main task for now is to become proficient with soul guidance circuits. Before I have other arrangements, you must complete the engraving and summary of the core magic circle twice every day. As for the metal materials in the lab, feel free to use them as you please; there is no need to report to me."

"Yes, thank you, Teacher."

Hearing this, Su Luoheng knew he had chosen the right teacher. Being allowed to use all the metal materials as he pleased was more than just generous.

He had guessed that his teacher would provide materials, but he had never imagined such a grand gesture.

Ran Yuming waved his hand and said, "Alright, go back and get some rest."

Just as Su Luoheng bowed respectfully and was about to leave the laboratory, Ran Yuming's eyes drifted to the five books piled on the table. He suddenly remembered the bet they had made that morning during the soul skill test. He had even selected the books for Su Luoheng that afternoon, but he had almost forgotten in the rush of work. Fortunately, he remembered in the end.

"Luoheng, wait a moment."

Ran Yuming handed the five carefully selected soul guidance books to Su Luoheng. "Take these five books back and study them well; they will be very helpful to you."

"Thank you, Teacher."

"Alright, go on."

Su Luoheng left the laboratory with a beaming smile.

This apprenticeship was an absolute steal!

Now that he was a student of Teacher Ran, wouldn't he be able to read all the books in this room whenever he wanted?

Su Luoheng: Teacher Ran, you are my god!

"..."

Soon, Su Luoheng's figure disappeared at the end of the hallway. Looking at the failed core magic circle left on the table, a satisfied smile appeared on Ran Yuming's face.

Although it wasn't a success, it was a significant improvement compared to the first attempt.

He believed that it wouldn't be long before Su Luoheng could officially advance to a Level 2 soul master.

He was very satisfied with this child's learning ability.

Humming a little tune, Ran Yuming walked out of the laboratory.

Although Su Luoheng had become Ran Yuming's student, he did not make a big show of it. Every day was a three-point-one-line routine of classroom, laboratory, and dormitory.

In addition to the regular curriculum, Ran Yuming would also provide him with extra guidance from time to time.

Most of the time, Teacher Ran was very busy, and Su Luoheng was often alone in the laboratory.

However, he would set aside time every week to answer Su Luoheng's questions.

Although the learning process was arduous, he felt fulfilled every day.

If Teacher Ran hadn't rejected the idea, he would have wanted to live in the laboratory. Who could understand the temptation of unlimited metal usage to a soul master?

With Teacher Ran's careful instruction and sufficient resources, Su Luoheng's progress in soul guidance devices was rapid.

After nearly a week of practice and study, he finally succeeded in completing a Level 2 soul guidance device on his own!

If this were in the three countries of the original Douluo continent, Su Luoheng would already be a Level 2 soul master.

However, according to the standards of the Sun Moon Empire, it was still not enough.

A Level 2 soul master must be able to manufacture Level 2 soul guidance devices, but someone who can manufacture a Level 2 soul guidance device is not necessarily a Level 2 soul master.

That is why someone like Su Luoheng, who could only forge a Level 2 soul tool despite being a Level 1 soul master, was required to master five different soul tools before being recognized as a Level 2 soul master. It was precisely for this reason that "shoddy goods" became the common perception held by Sun Moon Empire soul masters toward those from the three Douluo nations.

A hierarchy was born from this.

Mingde Hall-certified soul masters > Sun Moon Empire soul masters > Douluo three-nation soul masters.

This was also the reason why, in the original story, Xuan Ziwen insisted on re-testing Huo Yuhao's soul master capabilities upon seeing his Level 3 soul master badge.

The standards for granting soul master ranks in the original three Douluo nations were far too lax.

The Sun Moon Empire, which centered its entire civilization around soul masters, naturally looked down upon the casual standards of the three Douluo nations.

They viewed it as a lack of respect for the soul master hierarchy.

In the process of studying under Ran Yuming, Su Luoheng had to admit that the gap between his mother and his teacher was like a chasm. At first, Su Luoheng thought it might be because Teacher Ran was a Level 7 soul master, but later, after attending lectures by other Level 7 soul masters, he discovered that they were far inferior to his teacher in every aspect. Personally, he felt that Teacher Ran was no worse than the Level 8 soul masters at the academy.

At this moment, Su Luoheng realized completely: his teacher was truly extraordinary!

Yet, he also felt puzzled; his knowledge and ability should not be limited to that of a mere Level 7 soul master.

However, Teacher Ran had never mentioned it, and he could never find an opportunity to ask.

Time slipped away in a flash.

Su Luoheng's proficiency in the field of Level 2 soul tools improved day by day, and his mastery of soul circuits became increasingly skillful. In just one month, he successfully completed his second Level 2 soul tool independently, and then, over the next month and a half, he completed his third and fourth Level 2 soul tools in succession...

The speed of his progress was so rapid that even his teacher, Ran Yuming, could not help but offer his praise.

In the realm of Level 2 soul tools, there was nothing left for him to teach Su Luoheng; the only things he still led in were the keen eye and experience of a high-level soul master.

Su Luoheng finally began to craft his final Level 2 soul tool.