Inside the observation room.
A strange silence had settled over everyone.
As one, their gazes focused on Chen Mo through the glass.
Only minutes had passed since Elder Kong personally evaluated Chen Mo and announced that he had passed the Level 2 Soul Engineer Assessment.
Then Chen Mo requested to take the Level Three Soul Tool Assessment.
With each increase in level, the difficulty of the soul tool assessments rose exponentially.
The Level Three Soul Tool Assessment required mastery of techniques for layering multiple formations.
Moreover, the precision required for engraving reached the micron scale.
It also required incorporating one's own creativity and design concepts.
An ordinary soul engineer needed three to five years to advance from level one to level three.
Yet Chen Mo had reached that milestone in less than a year.
Such speed was unprecedented in the entire history of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Envy, jealousy, and astonishment showed in the eyes of Chen Mo's classmates.
They were all freshmen, yet they still had not passed even the Level One Soul Tool Assessment, while he was already ready to take the Level Three Soul Tool Assessment.
Kong Deming stroked his beard.
An unexpected bonus, too.
I never imagined this boy named Chen Mo would have such outstanding talent for soul tools.
It seems today's trip really wasn't wasted.
"Little Jing, you've done a fine job keeping this secret. Chen Mo's soul tool skills have clearly reached level three, yet you never breathed a word of it."
"No wonder you kept putting me off when I wanted to meet him. Were you afraid I'd steal your student?" Kong Deming looked at Jing Hongchen beside him.
Jing Hongchen hurriedly explained, "Elder Kong, you know me. When have I ever hidden anything from you? The truth is, I only just learned that Chen Mo's soul tool skills had reached level three myself."
That was what he said.
But in his heart, he was thinking.
Of course I'm afraid you'll steal my student.
After all these years as dean, I finally managed to take in a genius like this.
How could I let you snatch him away?
At the same time, he could not help feeling a little resentful toward Chen Mo.
He didn't even tell me beforehand.
Had he known in advance that Chen Mo's soul tool skills had reached level three...
He would absolutely have arranged a private assessment for him.
But now that things had come to this...
Jing Hongchen immediately decided to arrange for Chen Mo to enter the Illustrious Virtue Hall afterward.
That way, he could focus on teaching Chen Mo one-on-one.
As for the other students in the Illustrious Virtue Hall, he could simply assign another teacher to instruct them.
After hearing Jing Hongchen's explanation...
Kong Deming dropped all pretense and said, "Little Jing, how can you pay so little attention to your own student?"
"Ah, never mind. I know you've been busy ever since you became dean. How about this? These old bones of mine can shoulder a little extra work and help you teach him."
"It just so happens I haven't taken a student in a long time. Why not let me have Chen Mo?"
Xuan Ziwen seized the opportunity to chime in. "A wise decision, Teacher. That way, I'll have a junior fellow disciple."
∑(❍д❍ฺlll).
Jing Hongchen was stunned.
Holy shit?!
Not even bothering to put on an act anymore?
He's just openly poaching my student!
And Xuan Ziwen, what does this have to do with you?
You're already calling him your junior fellow disciple?
Have I agreed to let him go?
Just as he was about to say something...
Someone else spoke first.
Ning Tao had entered at some point and asked the eminent figures before him, "Former Hall Master, Dean, Chen Mo has been waiting for a while. Do you both agree to let him proceed with the Level Three Soul Tool Assessment?"
"Agreed!" Jing Hongchen was the first to respond.
Of course.
With such an outstanding student, he naturally basked in the reflected glory as his teacher.
Kong Deming nodded as well. "Every generation brings forth its own talents. Let him take the assessment. I'd like to see whether he can pass the Level Three Soul Tool Assessment."
"As for the project, let him choose it himself."
Inside the laboratory.
Chen Mo stood waiting, puzzled.
What's taking so long?
Could Teacher Jing Hongchen have been so delighted to hear that my soul tool skills had reached level three that he still hasn't recovered from the shock?
While he was pondering this...
Ning Tao walked in.
"Chen Mo, both the dean and the hall master have approved your Level Three Soul Tool Assessment."
"You may choose your own project. Once you've decided, the academy will provide the materials."
Chen Mo found that a little strange.
What does he mean, both the dean and the hall master approved it?
Doesn't Teacher Jing Hongchen currently hold both positions?
Still, he did not dwell on it, assuming Ning Tao had merely misspoken.
He soon chose his project.
A Level 3 Soul Tool—the Hovering Cannon!
Before long...
Ning Tao had gathered all the materials Chen Mo requested.
As the Timing Crystal began counting anew...
Chen Mo got to work, first making all the components the Hovering Cannon needed, including its outer and inner casings.
While they cooled and set...
Chen Mo began engraving the Magic Array Cores once more.
Because Level Three Formation Cores demanded extremely high precision...
He dared not be overconfident and immediately activated his martial soul, using his third soul skill.
Only then did he begin engraving.
Seven pebble-sized Level Three Formation Cores were placed on the table one after another.
These Magic Array Cores were interconnected, and each was also responsible for an independent function.
Then he began the final step: assembly.
Seeing that Chen Mo's soul tool had reached its final stage...
Kong Deming rose and headed for the door.
Jing Hongchen hurriedly asked, "Elder Kong, where are you going?"
"To evaluate Chen Mo's soul tool," Kong Deming answered simply.
Jing Hongchen quickly stepped forward. "Elder Kong, Chen Mo hasn't finished making his soul tool yet. Going down now might disturb him. It would be better to have it brought back here for evaluation."
"Hongchen, we're both sensible men. That boy is almost done assembling it. By the time we get down there, he'll probably be finished. We won't be disturbing him."
With that...
Kong Deming ignored Jing Hongchen and headed straight out the door.
Jing Hongchen hurried after him.
He certainly was not going to let Kong Deming steal a student he already had in hand.
Seeing both men go downstairs, Xuan Ziwen felt there was little point in remaining there alone.
So he followed them as well.
The three soon entered the laboratory.
At that very moment, Chen Mo finished assembling his Hovering Cannon.
Time taken: two hours and fifty-three minutes.
After wiping away his sweat, he looked up.
He discovered that his teacher, Jing Hongchen, had entered with Xuan Ziwen and an elderly man he had never seen before.
Judging by their positions, however...
Both Jing Hongchen and Xuan Ziwen were following a pace behind the elderly man.
The old man's status had to be extraordinary.
Chen Mo already had a rough guess as to his identity.
Ning Tao picked up the Hovering Cannon Chen Mo had made and handed it to the three men.
Kong Deming picked it up and took a look, an almost imperceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Then he handed the Hovering Cannon to Xuan Ziwen. "Ziwen, what do you think?"
"A standard Level 3 Soul Tool, completed to an exceptionally high standard. The Magic Array Cores are also superbly engraved."
Xuan Ziwen adjusted his glasses and delivered his assessment after examining it carefully.
Once the two had finished their evaluations, Jing Hongchen introduced the visitor to Chen Mo. "Xiao Mo, this is Kong Deming, the hall master of the Sun Moon Empire's Offering Hall. You may call him Elder Kong."
"Greetings, Elder Kong," Chen Mo said politely.
Kong Deming gave him a kindly smile. "Chen Mo, would you be willing to become my student?"
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