Level 2 Soul Engineer! / Soul Condensing Pills, Core Students

Chapter 47: Level 2 Soul Engineer!

Three months later.

The sixth-grade teaching area, the seventh testing lab.

Su Luoheng stood at the workbench, holding a small sky-blue metal sphere in his left hand while swiftly moving the carving knife in his right. His movements were simple and nimble. Each cut was neither too deep nor too shallow, just right, leaving Soul Tool patterns across the surface of the sphere.

The metal sphere kept turning in his hand, and the carving knife in his right hand kept falling.

Fine metal powder drifted lightly across the workbench.

Su Luoheng gradually immersed himself in the intricate lines and runes, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the task, as if he had forgotten his surroundings, the passage of time, and everything else.

As time passed, the patterns on the sphere grew increasingly intricate and refined.

At the same time, a strange aura began to emanate from the sphere.

At last, when he had finished the final stroke, Su Luoheng stopped and set down the carving knife. He looked at the Core Array he had engraved with his own hands, then focused his thoughts and slowly infused it with Soul Power from his palm. In an instant, the metal sphere blazed with dazzling light!

The Level 2 Soul Tool Core Array was complete!

Holding the Level 2 Soul Tool Core Array, Su Luoheng couldn't help smiling with delight.

Three months of hard work had finally borne fruit.

"Teacher, I did it."

"Good, good, good! Luoheng, you did wonderfully—better than I expected! You've mastered Soul Tool patterns in just three months. I hereby announce that from this moment on, you're a true Level 2 Soul Engineer! You're also the first second-year student to reach Level 2!"

Ran Yuming stroked his long beard with satisfaction, his face bright with a gratified smile.

Su Luoheng, his disciple, was a Level 2 Soul Engineer!

The Level 2 Soul Tool Core Array he had just completed was the final requirement for becoming a Level 2 Soul Engineer.

In the nearly three months since Su Luoheng had become Ran Yuming's student, he had completed five different kinds of Soul Tools and mastered Soul Tool patterns. His rate of progress far exceeded Ran Yuming's expectations. Such talent was exceedingly rare even in the Sun Moon Empire.

Ran Yuming was overcome with excitement!

And let's not forget, Su Luoheng was only ten years old—a ten-year-old Level 2 Soul Engineer!

In the entire history of Soul Engineers in the Sun Moon Empire, there were only a handful like him. It was easy to imagine that his future would be brilliant!

His ability to complete all this in three months wasn't due to talent alone.

His Analysis Soul Skill was one factor, and Su Luoheng's own hard work was another.

Ran Yuming was glad he had taken Su Luoheng on without hesitation three months ago. Where else could he find a student with such talent and dedication?

"Luoheng, you've done wonderfully!"

"You're too kind, Teacher. I owe it all to your guidance."

Su Luoheng was unusually modest, though it was true that Elder Ran had taught him well.

If he had continued learning about Soul Tools the way he had before, he wouldn't have reached Level 2 until he was at least twenty.

"Hahaha..."

Ran Yuming patted him on the shoulder and teased him with a grin. "Well, well, you've learned to be modest. Luoheng, that's not like you!"

Su Luoheng chuckled. "Hehe, wasn't it you who told me to be humble?"

Ran Yuming laughed and tossed him a badge. "Here, this is your Level 2 Soul Engineer Badge. Take good care of it."

Su Luoheng thanked him and accepted the exquisite, water-blue, eight-pointed star badge with both hands. Two diamonds, marking its owner as a Level 2 Soul Engineer, were set into it, their colors shimmering in the sunlight.

His fingertips brushed over the water-blue badge, its surface soft and smooth to the touch.

Su Luoheng couldn't help clenching it in his palm. He let out a slow breath and murmured, "At last... I'm finally a Level 2 Soul Engineer."

Completing five Level 2 Soul Tools in three months had taken more than his exceptional talent as a Soul Engineer. The hard work he had put in along the way was just as important. Every day, he immersed himself in studying Soul Tools, returning to his dorm only when night had fallen deep.

Talent and hard work went hand in hand.

Thankfully, he hadn't let his efforts go to waste.

At the moment he reaped the fruits of his labor, every hardship had been worth it.

The badge that marked him as a Level 2 Soul Engineer was the best proof of that.

"I did it. I'm a Level 2 Soul Engineer."

"Mm, you did very well."

As Su Luoheng pinned the Level 2 Soul Engineer Badge to his chest, Ran Yuming, his teacher, wore a gratified smile as well.

A teacher was naturally delighted when his disciple made something of himself!

Su Luoheng suddenly remembered something and spoke up. "By the way, Teacher, I've finished those books you gave me last time."

"Go pick out a few more from the shelves in the back."

"Okay."

"..."

Su Luoheng headed to the bookshelf with practiced ease and began browsing.

He had already familiarized himself with every corner of the lab over the past few months. The reason was simple—he was responsible for the lab's weekly deep cleaning...

Teacher Ran called it "training."

At the same time, Ran Yuming was considering how to arrange Su Luoheng's studies from then on.

Whether one was a Soul Master or a Soul Engineer, Soul Power was of paramount importance.

Being a Level 2 Soul Engineer was already the limit of Su Luoheng's current Soul Power Level. To advance further, he first needed to break through in Soul Power.

But Soul Power didn't improve overnight.

It seemed they could put Soul Tool studies on hold for now and focus on Soul Power and cultivation as a Soul Master.

With that in mind, Ran Yuming reminded him, "Luoheng, you're making rapid progress as a Soul Engineer, but you can't neglect your cultivation as a Soul Master."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I feel like my Soul Power is about to break through."

"Close to level eighteen?" Ran Yuming raised an eyebrow.

"Mm."

Su Luoheng nodded and patted his chest, his brows full of youthful confidence.

Although he had focused most of his energy on Soul Tools lately, engraving each Core Array had also trained his Soul Power, which had continued to rise steadily during this time.

Hearing him say that, Ran Yuming felt reassured.

At the same time, his thoughts began to stir. With Su Luoheng's talent, he was qualified to compete for certain resources.

For example, the pills and spirit fruits prepared for core students.

He remembered that the last batch of side-effect-free pills had been made about a week ago. It had only been seven days, so the academy's storehouse should still have plenty left, right?

Ran Yuming decided to give it a try.

After all, his disciple was a ten-year-old Level 2 Soul Engineer!

His age and Soul Engineer level said it all.

Tsk, tsk~

Some people had doubted this old man's judgment before. If they knew his disciple had already reached Level 2, their faces would be quite a sight, wouldn't they?

Especially Lin Jiayi!

Thinking of this, Ran Yuming stroked his long beard, an amused smile flickering in his eyes.

Now that he thought about it, he was rather looking forward to it.

Chapter 48: Soul Condensing Pills, Core Students

Ran Yuming gave Su Luoheng half a day off as a reward for becoming a Level 2 Soul Engineer.

As for himself, he headed straight to the director of instruction's office. When Lin Jiayi learned that Su Luoheng had reached Level 2, he was utterly shocked. But the batch of pills was extremely important, and he didn't dare make the decision on his own. After calming Elder Ran down, he immediately reported the news to Jing Hongchen for a decision.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, center of the testing zone.

Mingde Hall.

Lin Jiayi stood respectfully before Jing Hongchen and reported the news about Su Luoheng.

At first, Jing Hongchen paid it no mind. Reclining in his chair, he sipped his tea with an indifferent expression. But when Lin Jiayi said Su Luoheng had reached Level 2, Jing Hongchen froze and sat upright, his expression growing increasingly astonished.

"That child has reached Level 2? Are you certain?"

"Yes. Elder Ran came in person to tell me just fifteen minutes ago. The child's First Soul Skill is Analysis, which allows him to see through the Core Arrays of Soul Tools. He also brought along the five Level 2 Soul Tools he made. I've examined them carefully, and there shouldn't be any problems."

As he spoke, Lin Jiayi took out the five Soul Tools.

"Analysis of Soul Tools?!"

Jing Hongchen didn't even spare the Soul Tools a glance. He sprang up from his chair.

His sharp gaze fixed on Lin Jiayi.

"Yes. Elder Ran has already tested it. At present, he can analyze Level 2 and Level 3 Soul Tools. According to Elder Ran's assessment, once his Soul Power breaks through, the range of his Analysis should increase as well."

Lin Jiayi held nothing back and immediately told Jing Hongchen everything he had learned.

"To think there could be such a special Soul Skill!"

After hearing Lin Jiayi's report, a flicker of shock passed through Jing Hongchen's eyes, and a ripple stirred in his heart.

The ability to analyze Soul Tools!

That skill might not be of much use in the world of Soul Masters, but in the world of Soul Engineers, it was a divine skill perfectly suited to the field. As long as he grew up normally under the guidance of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, and didn't die young, he was sure to become a Level 9 Soul Engineer!

It was a good thing such a genius was at their academy.

With talent like that in Soul Engineering, only their academy could help him reach his full potential!

Why hadn't this been mentioned when he first enrolled?

Had someone overlooked it?

With that in mind, Jing Hongchen asked casually, "Why wasn't such important information recorded when he first enrolled?"

"Hall Master, Elder Ran was responsible for testing Su Luoheng when he enrolled."

Lin Jiayi cupped his hands and replied with an awkward smile.

At this, a look of understanding crossed Jing Hongchen's eyes. He chuckled. "No wonder. So that's why Elder Ran insisted on taking this child in! That was the reason!"

"Your subordinate only just figured it out too."

Now that he thought back to how he had tried to talk Elder Ran out of it, he felt thoroughly embarrassed.

Jing Hongchen sat back down and teased him.

"Jiayi, you're not doing a very good job as director of instruction. From now on, the enrollment records for new students need to clearly list their Martial Souls, Soul Skills, and so on."

"You're right, Hall Master. I'll be more careful from now on."

Lin Jiayi lowered his head awkwardly. This really had been his oversight.

After laughing for a while,

Jing Hongchen grew serious and motioned for Lin Jiayi to continue.

"The reason Elder Ran told me that Su Luoheng had reached Level 2 was because he wanted to ask for side-effect-free Soul Condensing Pills for his disciple."

"Soul Condensing Pills..."

At that, Jing Hongchen set down his teacup and tapped the tabletop with his fingertips.

After pondering for a moment, he finally asked, "How many of the perfect-quality pills from our last batch are left?"

Lin Jiayi thought for a moment and replied, "We've already given two rounds to the core students. There should still be around forty left in the pill room."

"Then give that child Su Luoheng two for now," Jing Hongchen ordered solemnly after a brief moment of thought.

Lin Jiayi hesitated, but still spoke up. "Hall Master, isn't two too many?"

The Soul Condensing Pill was a medicine developed by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. Made from more than ten precious medicinal ingredients, it was primarily used to increase a Soul Master's Soul Power and absorption speed, and was suitable for Soul Masters below the Soul Ancestor rank. Thanks to its mild medicinal properties and lack of side effects, it was expensive throughout the Sun Moon Empire, yet always in short supply.

And only the core students of the academy could receive one pill each month.