First Test of Skill, Soul Tool Theory Stuns the Crowd

At dawn, the caravan was surrounded.

"Nobody move!"

A furious shout rang out from all directions as dozens of fully armed soldiers charged out of the woods and encircled the caravan.

Huo Yuhao instantly sobered up, and the Thought Palace immediately began operating.

[Enemy count: fifty-three. Standardized equipment, professional formation.]

[Analysis result: definitely not ordinary bandits; suspected regular military.]

"Everyone, don't panic!"

A middle-aged man in silver armor rode over, the emblem of the Sun Moon Empire displayed on his chest.

"I am Zhao Tieshan, captain of the patrol unit of the Sun Moon Empire's Third Border Defense Legion. By order, I am inspecting all passing caravans!"

Lei Ming hurried forward and bowed. "Greetings, Captain! We are a legitimate caravan, and all our documents are in order!"

"I will inspect the documents."

Zhao Tieshan coldly swept his gaze over the caravan. "But the border has been unsettled lately. All goods and personnel must undergo a thorough inspection."

Huo Yuhao secretly observed the group, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

[Thought Palace, deep analysis.]

[Equipment configuration: standardized soul tools, uniform attire, professional formation.]

[Personnel quality: average soul power rank above three rings; well trained.]

[Conclusion: this unit's configuration far exceeds that of an ordinary patrol. It more closely resembles an elite force carrying out a special mission.]

"Begin the inspection!"

At Zhao Tieshan's command, the soldiers swiftly got to work.

Their inspection was exceptionally thorough, overlooking no detail.

When they reached the soul tools Huo Yuhao had modified, one soldier suddenly stopped.

"Captain! There's something wrong with these soul tools!"

Zhao Tieshan strode over and picked up a modified protective shield, examining it carefully.

"This modification work..."

His expression grew increasingly grave. "Who modified this?"

Everyone turned their eyes toward Huo Yuhao.

"I did." Huo Yuhao calmly stepped forward.

Zhao Tieshan looked him up and down. "You? At your age?"

"Age doesn't determine skill," Huo Yuhao said evenly.

"Interesting."

Zhao Tieshan sneered and abruptly pointed toward the cargo area. "Open those special goods and let me see them."

Lei Ming's expression changed. "Captain, those are all ordinary goods..."

"I said open them!"

Zhao Tieshan's tone hardened. "Or do you have something you don't want others to see?"

Just as the atmosphere became tense enough to snap, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke.

"Wait."

He walked toward Zhao Tieshan, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Before inspecting us, I have the right to verify whether your equipment complies with regulations."

"What?" Zhao Tieshan froze.

"I am a soul engineer apprentice of the Sun Moon Empire. Under imperial law, I have the right to conduct a technical inspection of law enforcement personnel's equipment."

Huo Yuhao spoke with complete justification. "If your equipment does not comply with regulations, then this inspection is illegal."

The surrounding soldiers exchanged looks, clearly having never encountered such a situation.

Huo Yuhao's confidence stunned Zhao Tieshan. After hesitating for a moment, he said:

"You say you're a soul engineer apprentice? What proof do you have?"

"Skill is the best proof."

Huo Yuhao pointed at the soul tool on Zhao Tieshan's waist. "That detector of yours is malfunctioning. I can tell."

"Nonsense!" Zhao Tieshan instinctively touched his waist. "My detector is perfectly fine!"

"Is it?"

Huo Yuhao sneered. "Then activate it now and see whether its detection range is only sixty percent of normal."

Half convinced and half doubtful, Zhao Tieshan activated the detector, and his expression instantly changed.

Sure enough, the detection range had clearly shrunk!

"Th-That's impossible!"

"There's a tiny crack in the third layer of the energy circuit, reducing the efficiency of soul power conduction."

Huo Yuhao spoke calmly. "It should have happened three days ago. You may have suffered a minor impact then."

Zhao Tieshan's eyes widened in shock.

He really had taken a fall three days ago, but he had thought it was nothing serious!

"Y-You... how did you know?"

"Experience."

Huo Yuhao walked over. "Let me take a look. I can fix it."

Zhao Tieshan hesitated for a moment before handing over the detector.

Huo Yuhao took the soul tool, and the Thought Palace activated instantly.

[Analysis complete: There is indeed a crack in the third layer of the energy circuit. Repair difficulty: moderate.]

[Repair plan: Re-solder the crack and optimize the energy flow. Estimated repair time: five minutes.]

He pulled out his tools and began dismantling the soul tool.

Everyone around him held their breath, watching his every move nervously.

Huo Yuhao's movements were exceptionally practiced, each one precise and perfectly executed.

Five minutes later, he had reassembled it.

"Give it a try."

Zhao Tieshan took the detector and activated it, his expression changing drastically.

Not only had it been repaired, its detection range was actually wider than before!

"Th-That's impossible!"

"I didn't just repair the crack. I also optimized the energy circuit."

Huo Yuhao said evenly, "Its efficiency is now fifteen percent higher than before."

Everyone present was stunned.

This level had already reached the standard of a third-rank soul engineer!

"Also, your detector's design has flaws."

Huo Yuhao continued, "The arrangement of the second-layer circuit isn't efficient enough. If you change it to a spiral configuration, its efficiency can increase by another twenty percent."

Zhao Tieshan was completely dumbfounded.

This kid could not only make repairs, but also offer suggestions for design improvements?

His theoretical knowledge was simply outrageous!

"May I ask who your master is, little brother?"

Zhao Tieshan's attitude made a complete one-hundred-eighty-degree turn, and his tone became incomparably respectful.

"I'm self-taught," Huo Yuhao said calmly.

"Self-taught?"

Zhao Tieshan was even more shocked. "With your talent, you should go further your studies at the Royal Academy!"

"That's exactly what I intend to do."

"Wonderful!"

Zhao Tieshan clapped excitedly. "I can write you a letter of recommendation! With your skills, you'll definitely pass the entrance examination!"

Just as everyone thought the crisis had been resolved, Mo Sen suddenly stepped forward.

"Wait!"

He pointed at Huo Yuhao and shouted, "This kid is a spy from the Star Luo Empire!"

The scene instantly fell silent.

Everyone stared at Mo Sen in shock.

"What are you talking about?" Lei Ming snapped.

"Captain, you've been deceived!"

Mo Sen looked righteously indignant. "This kid knows so much about Sun Moon Empire technology. He must be a spy!"

"And he knows our cargo inside out. Maybe he's been secretly investigating us all along!"

"What evidence do you have?"

Huo Yuhao looked at Mo Sen, his voice terrifyingly calm.

Mo Sen was shaken by that composure, but he still forced himself to say, "You know so much about Sun Moon Empire technology, and you know our cargo so well. If you're not a spy, then what are you?"

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Tieshan suddenly burst into laughter, leaving everyone stunned.

"Mo Sen, has water gotten into your brain?" Zhao Tieshan pointed at Huo Yuhao. "We in the Sun Moon Empire would welcome a genius like him with open arms. How could he possibly be a spy?"