Lou Gao frowned. "Teacher, why can't I go with you?"
"Because that's Poison Douluo's territory. If I bring too many people, he'll blame me."
"But don't be upset. I have an apprenticeship gift for you."
"An apprenticeship gift?"
Wu Changkong pulled Lou Gao aside and took something from his storage device.
It was a pair of thin, snug silver-gray gloves with long fingers. A pale blue crystal was set into the back of each hand, surrounded by fine lines that spread outward like veins.
"These are Level-Two Soul Tool Fists. They're yours." Wu Changkong handed them over.
Lou Gao froze, then waved them away. "Teacher, I'll go with you. I'm not afraid of hardship. No matter how difficult Sunset Forest is, I can—"
"You're staying." Wu Changkong pressed the Soul Tool Gauntlets into his hands.
"You're my apprentice, so you should listen to your teacher."
"Oh, do you have money?"
"If you do, go to Ironheart Smithy in Skywater City and ask them to help you find a place to live. I'll be back next year."
Lou Gao still wanted to refuse, but when he looked down at the gloves in his hands, he became transfixed.
He turned the silver-gray gloves over and over, then held them close to study them. The longer he looked, the brighter his eyes grew.
"Are these... Soul Tools?"
"Yes."
"They're Level Two Soul Tools. You can study them for now. There's also this."
He took a thin booklet from his storage device. Its cover bore no title, and the paper was rather coarse.
"What's this?"
"It's the Soul Tool Beginner's Guide I wrote. It covers everything from basic principles and inscribing Magic Arrays to material ratios. Don't rush through it. Read the theory at the front before moving on to the practical work."
He