"Mm... Compared to before forging, both its hardness and ductility have improved, and even its ability to absorb Soul Power has become much stronger..."
Before long, Xuan Ziwen slipped back into the same mystical, muttering state Bai Chen had seen earlier. Bai Chen was already used to it, so he pulled over a chair and sat down.
After a long while, Xuan Ziwen finally set down the metal in his hand and let out a long breath.
"This is truly incredible technology. If it were made public, it would cause enormous upheaval throughout the entire soul tool world."
"I'm glad to have your approval."
"Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me, what's your purpose?"
Xuan Ziwen pulled a chair over in front of Bai Chen and sat down.
He was merely deeply obsessed with soul tools, but that did not mean he understood nothing else.
Everything that had happened since Bai Chen approached him proved that this kid had come prepared. He had no idea when this monstrous child had set his sights on him.
Surprisingly, Xuan Ziwen did not find himself particularly resistant to it. Perhaps because Bai Chen had treated him well so far, he felt more curious than wary.
Bai Chen said seriously,
"I hope you can become my teacher and teach me soul tool technology. In exchange, I can also teach you this forging technique."
"That simple?"
Xuan Ziwen could not help freezing.
Before seeing the finished product Bai Chen had forged, he had actually considered buying the technique.
But now that he had personally seen the quality of Thousand-Forged Metal, he had already abandoned that thought.
This technique was simply too precious. At his current level, he could not afford it.
Who would have thought Bai Chen would hand over such a technique so easily? For a moment, Xuan Ziwen felt as though he were dreaming.
Bai Chen shook his head and reminded him,
"Senior, let me make this clear first. There is no time limit on this deal, which means that once you agree, you must remain my teacher indefinitely."
"But doesn't that apply the other way around as well?"
Xuan Ziwen calmly asked in return,
"By your logic, you will also have to remain my teacher in the field of forging."
"That's right."
"Then it's a deal."
Xuan Ziwen said lightly,
"Please guide me from now on. Uh... Sorry, what was your name again?"
Bai Chen laughed.
"Bai Chen."
"Oh, then Bai Chen, I'll be counting on you from today onward."
Xuan Ziwen smiled happily and extended a hand toward Bai Chen.
Seeing this, Bai Chen also reached out and gave his hand a firm shake.
With that, their deal was officially settled.
Bai Chen released his hand and smiled.
"By the way, Teacher Xuan, would you be interested in leaving the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and developing your career in our Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect?"
"Oh, so you're from the Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect."
Xuan Ziwen suddenly understood.
"So this technique of yours also came from the Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect?"
If that was the case, it was not strange at all.
Learning Soul Tools
Xuan Ziwen came from the Heaven Dou Empire. He knew a fair amount even about the fallen Tang Sect, let alone the Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect, which still possessed considerable influence.
In his impression, the Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect had risen to prominence through its special ability to perceive gemstones. If so, it was hardly strange that they possessed miraculous metal-smelting abilities as well.
At the same time, Bai Chen's maturity beyond his years had been explained. It seemed this child had received elite education from a young age, which was why he possessed such a mind.
After successfully convincing himself, Xuan Ziwen shook his head at Bai Chen.
"I'm afraid that, at least for now, your Nine-Treasure Glazed Sect is far less attractive to me than Mingde Hall. Here, I can enjoy the best research environment. That is what matters most to me, and I have no reason to leave."
"I understand."
Bai Chen did not press the matter further.
There would be plenty of time in the future. There was no need to rush.
"Then let's begin the lesson."
Xuan Ziwen straightened his posture and asked,
"First, let me ask you a non-technical question. What do you think a soul tool is?"
"A tool."
Bai Chen immediately replied,
"In my view, soul tools are not fundamentally different from other tools created by humans. They are all implements humans use to overcome difficulties. Soul tools merely have requirements for Soul Power at present."
"Mm, very good." Xuan Ziwen smiled. "I'm relieved that you didn't say they're weapons."
In fact, for the vast majority of soul masters who had just begun exploring soul tools, soul tools were no different from weapons.
But Bai Chen did not see them that way.
From the very beginning, he had not chosen to study soul tools merely to improve his combat strength.
"Then why do you want to study soul tools? Or rather, what is your reason for studying them?"
"To advance society."
This time, Bai Chen answered without hesitation as well.
Yes, this was the most important reason Bai Chen wanted to study soul tools.
The nature of soul tools as "tools" meant that they did not belong to the same system as a soul master's abilities.
No matter how powerful a soul master was, that power belonged only to an individual. But the soul tools created by powerful Soul Engineers could truly influence society as a whole.
Take Xuan Ziwen before him, for example. The Sealed Milk Bottle he developed in the future gave ordinary people an initial possibility of using soul tools. Perhaps his combat ability as a soul master was not especially strong, far inferior to those renowned Title Douluo, but his position in human history surpassed that of quite a few Limit Douluo.
Bai Chen had always been deeply proud of his identity as a human. In his view, the civilization humanity had created through its unique creativity was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Since he existed across three eras at once and possessed such formidable talent, he naturally wanted to do everything he could to make the world a better place.
And the simplest, most direct way to change the world and advance humanity was to bring the soul tools of the future into the present.
"I see. That really is an excellent reason."
Xuan Ziwen's smile grew gentler.
Over the years, he had met many Soul Engineers. Some studied soul tools for money, some to increase their strength, and some because their families demanded it. As for himself, it was simply out of interest. He truly had not encountered many Soul Engineers like Bai Chen.
There was no distinction between noble and lowly reasons for studying soul tools, but he appreciated Bai Chen's reason more.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Xuan Ziwen nodded in satisfaction and asked,
"Then the last two questions. How old are you now, and what level Soul Engineer are you?"
"Six years old. Level Four."
"..."
The gentle smile on Xuan Ziwen's face instantly froze.
After three seconds of silence, his loud cry rang throughout the laboratory.
"You're only six years old?!"
Bai Chen was already relatively tall among children his age, and recently, due to his Martial Soul, he had begun developing early. Judging by his appearance alone, most people would have guessed he was around ten.
So although Xuan Ziwen had considered the child mature before, it had still been within the bounds of understanding.
But six years old was an entirely different matter.
"And you said you're a Level-Four Soul Engineer? Are you serious?!"
Generally speaking, a Soul Engineer's level was closely tied to a soul master's level.
For most people, their Soul Engineer level was less than or equal to their soul master level.
It was common for a Soul King to be a Level-Four Soul Engineer, but it was basically impossible for one to be a Level-Six Soul Engineer.
Only a very small number of exceptional geniuses could create soul tools above their level.
He had just seen Bai Chen's number of Soul Rings. He had only one. Though a purple first Soul Ring was utterly abnormal, in Xuan Ziwen's eyes, a one-ringed Level-Four Soul Engineer was even more shocking.
Bai Chen helplessly pushed Xuan Ziwen away and said,
"Teacher Xuan, you've forgotten that I'm also a blacksmith. The metal I forge can reduce the difficulty of making soul tools to a certain extent."
"Even so, even so..."
For a moment, Xuan Ziwen was too flustered to speak coherently.
Bai Chen felt somewhat helpless.
He could hardly say that he was a transmigrator who had several more years of study than ordinary people, could he?
It took Xuan Ziwen a full ten minutes to calm down completely. With a stern expression, he said,
"Since you claim to be a Level-Four Soul Engineer, make me a Level-Four Soul Tool right now. Let me see what you can do."
"Alright."
Bai Chen did not refuse. Since Xuan Ziwen had become his teacher, it was only a matter of time before he learned Bai Chen's true level.
There was nothing wrong with showing him a little of what he could do.
With that thought, Bai Chen took several pieces of Thousand-Forged Metal from his Storage Soul Guidance Device.
At the same time, several dark-golden streaks of light tore through the air as Darkgolden Terrorclaws sprang from the tips of his right fingers, radiating a razor-sharp aura.
"This is..."
Xuan Ziwen revealed a surprised expression. He had just been about to say something when he saw Bai Chen begin engraving with the Darkgolden Terrorclaws, forcing him to swallow his question.
Before long, he had forgotten what he wanted to ask and stared blankly as Bai Chen manufactured a soul tool at an unbelievable speed.
The Darkgolden Terrorclaws were far sharper than ordinary engraving knives. After trying them a few times, Bai Chen had completely fallen in love with them.
The Darkgolden Terrorclaw Right Palm Bone was practically equivalent to giving Bai Chen five sharp engraving knives. Working on multiple parts at once, he completed a Level-Four Soul Tool in only a few minutes.
By then, Xuan Ziwen was somewhat dazed.
He swallowed with difficulty, took the soul tool, and inspected it. Only then did he say hoarsely,
"Mm, this is indeed a Level-Four Soul Tool..."
Jing Ziyan
To be honest, Xuan Ziwen was rarely this shaken in confidence.
He was easygoing by nature, but he also had his own pride. He had always believed that even among the entire Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, he was one of the very best geniuses. But now...
Seeing how dejected he looked, Bai Chen narrowed his eyes and reminded him,
"Teacher Xuan, I can only achieve this because of forged metal. If you used it, you would certainly be able to create soul tools beyond your own level as well."
He understood his own situation best. There were three main reasons for his exaggerated accomplishments.
First, as a transmigrator, he naturally possessed the mentality of an adult. While other children were still acting spoiled around their parents, he had already begun teaching himself about soul tools.
Second, his Martial Soul gave him an advantage. A powerful Martial Soul was unquestionably helpful in soul tool production. Although his Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff was not among the most helpful types, it had indeed played a positive role.
Third, Thousand-Forged Metal allowed him to employ many exceptionally bold designs, forcibly raising the upper limit of what he could create.
Without those three reasons, his talent in the field of soul tools was actually far inferior to Xuan Ziwen's. He could only be considered a conventional genius.
Yet Xuan Ziwen merely shook his head with a bitter smile.
Before you continue