The Hongchen Class Begins: Certain Students, One Particular Student, and a Heartsick Xuan Ziwen (4K)

"Master Kong's teachings were profound. This disciple has benefited greatly."

Jing Hongchen cupped his hands in a disciple's salute, finding time to shoot Ye Yulin a fierce glare.

That bald old donkey had started putting one man down to flatter another. The hall master had never realized that Starry Sky Douluo was such an opportunist, such a slippery, scheming sycophant!

Knowing he had behaved poorly, Ye Yulin made a rare concession and offered an apologetic smile. "I was only joking, Old Toad. Don't take it to heart. Ten thousand people have ten thousand definitions of Soul Tools. We're all indispensable parts of the empire.

"During the Hongchen Class selection tournament, ultimate metal proved its extraordinary talent. All the more reason for the empire to hold Lin Qing close and keep him from thinking about the three great empires. You must tread very carefully."

"I know what I'm doing."

At those words, Jing Hongchen pointed at his heart, a supremely confident smile appearing on his plump face. "The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has poured everything into nurturing ultimate metal. Saying we spend money like running water would be no exaggeration. Monthly lists of the rare metals consumed by the Metal World drift into the dean's office like snowflakes.

"I can guarantee that, outside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, not a single academy in the four great empires could offer him the same treatment."

"Material incentives matter, certainly, but a heartfelt sense of belonging is the true trump card."

Kong Deming corrected him solemnly. "We must spare no effort in nurturing ultimate metal and helping him through his dormant period before rank seventy. At the same time, we must let him naturally find a mentor to guide his path, dear friends whose hearts are in perfect accord with his own, and a beloved partner with whom he can harmonize like zither and lute.

"Emotional bonds always outweigh profit. As long as the Sun Moon Empire has people Lin Qing cannot bear to leave, we need not worry about him turning to Douluo in the future."

"I understand. Take Sea God Tang San, who ascended to the Divine Realm from the Douluo Three Kingdoms ten thousand years ago." Ye Yulin scratched his utterly hairless head. "Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, the Shrek Seven Devils, and the Soft Bone Rabbit Xiao Wu were all reasons for the Sea God's loyalty to Shrek Academy."

"How dare you, bald donkey! Yu Xiaogang was fifty before he broke through to rank thirty. How dare you compare him to the peerless brilliance of the Sun Moon Empire's pillar!

Jing Hongchen never let a grudge linger overnight. After angrily denouncing Ye Yulin for insulting his teacher and betraying his forebears, he began listing his choices. "For the mentor who guides his path, Master Kong is naturally the only choice.

"For a dear friend of kindred spirit, Xiao is perfect. Two metal-attribute prodigies will naturally have plenty in common.

"As for a beloved partner who harmonizes with him like zither and lute-everyone can see it. Everyone!"

"Enough. Stop randomly pairing people off."

Kong Deming flicked two fingers against the back of Jing Hongchen's head. He remembered these two unfilial fellows arguing about their seniority earlier. This great fat toad had even dreamed of placing himself a generation above him!

"Little Jing, if I remember correctly, the Soul Master Tournament is next year. Have both teams been assembled?"

"The seven main competitors are already ready, but the Reserve Team hasn't been selected yet. I planned to begin once the new term starts and select seven talented students under fifteen from the Hongchen Class to form the reserve lineup," Jing Hongchen answered obediently.

"Too inflexible!" Ye Yulin declared, spittle flying. "With the speed at which ultimate metal cultivates by devouring metal energy, he's certain to become a Five-Ring Soul King next year. Do you understand what an ultimate Soul King represents? If we don't go all out for the championship this time, when will we?

"If you ask me, we should simply relax the age restriction and send two teams of main-lineup caliber. I'll personally lead them to Star Luo City and battle Shrek Academy until heaven darkens and earth falls into shadow!"

"Hmm?"

Suspicion stirred in Jing Hongchen's heart. He stared at the righteous-looking Ye Yulin, wondering whether the bald old donkey had proposed removing the age restriction to secure a place for his prospective direct disciple, the overage Ye Guyi.

"I share that intention," Kong Deming said quietly. "The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has been suppressed by Shrek Academy for a full four thousand years, just as the Sun Moon Empire has been jointly suppressed by the Douluo Three Kingdoms for four thousand years.

"The Soul Master Tournament is not merely a contest between young people. The political significance behind it matters far more.

"Let the sun and moon span the heavens and illuminate the continent!

"Change begins today!"

"This disciple obeys! I will gather the Hongchen Class and Mingde Hall to select a second Sun Moon team whose overall combat strength is every bit the equal of our seven main competitors. We will overturn the entire continent's expectations and seize the championship in one stroke!"

Jing Hongchen's words rang with unwavering resolve, his eyes blazing.

If he broke Shrek's ten-thousand-year monopoly on the championship, Jing Hongchen would undoubtedly become the greatest dean in the history of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. An immortal legacy was beckoning to him!

The next day, in the Hongchen Class.

The Hongchen Class was a Special Class established through a massive allocation of resources by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Its members enjoyed top-tier treatment comparable to that of foreign students at certain universities.

Even its classroom was enormously spacious, and all thirty students had their own dedicated Soul Tool laboratory tables.

The silver-white metal tables were clean and tidy, a pleasing sight. Blocks of rare metal were stacked at the upper-right corner of each tabletop, covering most of the common varieties found in the Sun Moon Empire. They were provided free for students to manufacture Soul Tools.

Everyone chose their laboratory tables. Lin Qing sat in the center of the front row and was instantly surrounded. The seating arrangement across his row was as follows.

Ye Guyi → Lin Qing → Meng Hongchen → Xiao Hongchen.

Ju Zi and Keke, that tragic pair of best friends who had barely lasted two minutes combined, resolutely chose the laboratory tables behind Lin Qing. Those near vermilion turned red; those near ink turned black. They intended to follow the example of an outstanding classmate.

The moment she saw Ye Guyi sit down, Nana activated her Ghost Martial Soul and beat Tang Gang to the seat behind the angelic young lady.

Previously, the two had been strangers who had fought only once, so she could not act especially close to Ye Guyi. Now that they were classmates, she finally had a perfectly legitimate reason to bask in Angel Holy Light!

"Ring, ring-

-"

The class bell rang, and a figure strode into the Hongchen Class classroom. He was a middle-aged man who looked a little over thirty, with a somewhat stern set to his brows and a gleaming Level 8 Soul Engineer badge on his chest.

"My name is Xuan Ziwen, and I'm the homeroom teacher and Soul Tool instructor for the inaugural Hongchen Class. The senior students should be familiar with me. After all, some of you are already students under my guidance. I hope we can cooperate well in our studies ahead and research advanced soul guidance technology together."

"Teacher Xuan is Mingde Hall's Chief Researcher. The dean really went to some trouble-"

The senior students whispered among themselves, marveling that the Hongchen Class truly lived up to its billing.

Xuan Ziwen was famous among the teachers for his high standards and strict demands. Only exceptional sixth-year students could join his experimental team. Who knew how much effort Jing Hongchen had spent behind the scenes persuading the Chief Researcher to teach the Hongchen Class?

"I'll briefly explain the Hongchen Class schedule. I'll teach in the mornings, while the afternoons will be devoted to practical combat lessons or lectures by Level 9 Soul Engineers.

"Today is the Hongchen Class's first day, and our opening shot must ring loud and clear. Hall Master Hongchen has specially invited a Level 9 Soul Engineer to conduct your first practical combat lesson. You can look forward to that. For now, let's begin our Soul Tool lesson."

Quickly finishing his introductory remarks, Xuan Ziwen cut straight to the point and diligently began explaining Soul Tool knowledge.

"Everyone here is an elite Soul Engineer, so you should know of a view that has become widespread in our field in recent years. The stronger a Soul Tool, the more powerful the cultivation required of the Soul Master operating it. Likewise, only Soul Masters with profound cultivation can manufacture powerful Soul Tools.

"Combining the paths of Soul Engineer and Soul Master offers limitless prospects.

"However, while heaven granted the Sun Moon Empire abundant metal deposits, it did not grant us large numbers of talented Soul Masters. In this respect, Sun Moon and Douluo are exact opposites.

"Why are Level 10 Soul Engineers considered legendary in the Sun Moon Empire? Because one of the prerequisites is cultivation beyond rank ninety-five, the realm of a Super Douluo.

"Human energy is limited, and neither Soul Master cultivation nor advancing as a Soul Engineer is easy. We subsequently drew inspiration from Soul Master classifications and divided Soul Engineers into various developmental paths, such as close-range thrusting, long-range bursts, domination of the skies, and so forth-

"Certain students should rein in those wandering thoughts."

In the midst of his flowing lecture, Xuan Ziwen suddenly caught a student's attention straying and issued a stern reminder. That core member of the Qing Army reluctantly withdrew his gaze.

"Senior students have usually established their own developmental paths-one particular student, where exactly are your eyes looking?

"Some have even let their souls wander beyond the heavens. You know perfectly well who I'm talking about!"

His brows knotted into deep furrows, and his temples throbbed. With a dark expression, Xuan Ziwen said, "For the next question, Meng Hongchen, please stand and answer."

"Oh! Yes!"

Little Meng sprang to her feet, blinking her innocent, icy-blue eyes. She had been admiring a face of unsurpassed beauty, utterly entranced, her cheeks flushed-only to hear her full name called without warning.

"The initial combination of Soul Masters and Soul Engineers gave rise to practical-control Soul Engineers. Tell me, what is the shortcoming of practical-control Soul Engineers?"

Miss Meng herself followed a half-close-combat, half-practical-control path and did not believe practical control had any shortcomings. She turned a pleading gaze toward Lin Qing.

Thank heavens, her savior silently mouthed the answer. Filled with delight, Meng Hongchen said, "Soul Engineers are perfectly attuned to the Soul Tools they make themselves. Practical-control Soul Engineers, however, don't study Soul Tool manufacturing. They must spend time achieving a seamless state in which Soul Engineer and Soul Tool become indistinguishable."

"Correct. Please sit."

Xuan Ziwen did not mind Little Meng seeking outside assistance. He only wanted to remind her to pay attention rather than let her lovestruck mind ruin her future.

Making an example of Meng to warn the monkeys proved highly effective. The Hongchen Class students listened with complete concentration, dog-paddling through the ocean of Soul Tool knowledge.

Xuan Ziwen became absorbed in imparting knowledge and could hardly pull himself away. Only when his mouth and throat grew dry did he pause for a sip of water. Glancing at the soul guidance clock on the wall and seeing that half the lesson remained, he said, "The Hongchen Class has provided Mingde Hall-grade laboratory tables for its students. For the remaining time, we'll have an in-class test. Put your full effort into making a Soul Tool so I can see your manufacturing fundamentals for myself."

They got straight to work. All thirty students were already itching to test their laboratory tables. Rubbing their hands eagerly, they quickly selected the rare metals they needed and began manufacturing their Soul Tools.

Thirty differently shaped carving knives glittered coldly as they danced over rare metal. Every cut made by these seasoned, outstanding Soul Engineers was precise and elegant. Metal shavings flew, and intricate Core Arrays gradually took shape.

Xuan Ziwen softened his footsteps and moved among the thirty laboratory tables, carefully observing each student's carving. He began with the two sixth-year students under his guidance, Wang Shaojie and Zi Mu.

Both maintained their customary styles. Wang Shaojie worked in broad, sweeping strokes, while Zi Mu remained steady and methodical, just as Xuan Ziwen had expected.

Next, Xuan Ziwen stood between Ju Zi and Keke.

Ju Zi had not scored highly in the practical combat assessment. Her Soul Tool manufacturing score was what had earned her admission to the Hongchen Class, and her inventive design instantly drew Xuan Ziwen's attention.

The energy-concentrating Soul Cannon Keke designed also had much to commend it, comparing favorably even with the work of the Level 5 Soul Engineer Wang Shaojie.

Research-oriented Soul Engineers generally favored gifted young talents with a spark of inspiration. Six Level 8 Soul Engineers would serve as advisors the following week, and Xuan Ziwen was one of them. At that moment, he wanted to take Ju Zi and Keke under his wing.

A few steps farther on, Xuan Ziwen reached Lin Qing's side to observe the ultimate metal talent who had shaken the entire academy.

Blazing Sun Iron was a fire-attribute rare metal found in volcanic regions. Resistant to heat and high temperatures, it was an excellent material for Soul Tool casings.

Xuan Ziwen guessed that Lin Qing was likely making a high-explosive ranged Soul Tool and quietly watched his every movement.

There were no unnecessary motions. Lin Qing's carving technique was crisp and efficient. Machine element coated his carving knife, and with each cut, the surface of the Blazing Sun Iron softened, offering almost no resistance.

Ultimate metal was unrivaled under heaven in its control over rare metals. Before machine element, even the hardest metal became soft enough to wind around a finger.

As the casing took shape at a feverish pace, Xuan Ziwen became utterly engrossed. Afterimages danced at the knife's tip, and crimson-gold shavings scattered to form an even layer beside it.

Time trickled past, and Xuan Ziwen's feet remained rooted beside Lin Qing. A cannon barrel winding like a great dragon lay on the laboratory table. He was certain this was a casing for a peak Level 5 Soul Tool, perhaps even a Level 6 one. After sublimation by ultimate metal, the Blazing Sun Iron had surpassed its own limits and reached an entirely different tier!

Uniquely blessed. Favored by heaven.

Those phrases sprang into Xuan Ziwen's mind. This ultimate talent was so powerful it simply defied reason.

If Metal Sublimation were used to manufacture Level 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells, why would the Sun Moon army need linked Soul Tools? Even a Limit Douluo would have to open wide and swallow two ultimate Level 9 fixed shells first!

With the casing complete, the Core Array naturally came next. This time, Lin Qing did not choose any of the rare metals provided on his laboratory table.

Instead, he took a small piece of blazing-red metal from his Storage Soul Tool.

"Red demon fine gold?!"

Disbelief covered Xuan Ziwen's face.

The Sun Moon Empire's most precious fire-attribute rare metal contained tremendously powerful fire energy. Its texture was also exceptionally tough, and even intense, high-temperature flames could not soften it.

Red demon fine gold had always been a major headache for all Soul Engineers. They could only forcibly alter its shape with soul power, enduring its invasive fire poison throughout the process. By the time they finished the Soul Tool, they had lost half their lives as well.

Such metal was generally used to make Level 8 and Level 9 Soul Tools. There was no possibility of providing it free to students. Its price was so exorbitant that even Xuan Ziwen could not bear to use it himself. He had no idea where Lin Qing had obtained that little piece of red demon fine gold!

The truth was simple. During the battle involving Qing, Lin Qing had bet everything on his own victory and spent all the Gold Soul Coins he won on red demon fine gold, because he intended to create an offensive Soul Tool surpassing the Dragon Devourer!

Even red demon fine gold could not stop the invasion of machine element. After a few seconds, it abandoned resistance on its own and blissfully enjoyed the pleasurable comfort of Metal Sublimation, allowing the knife's tip to leave deep marks in its body.

"High explosive, combustion, acceleration, solar disc-"

Xuan Ziwen stared blankly at the Soul Guidance Array patterns emerging on the red demon fine gold. It was as though a Fixed Soul Cannon Shell had suddenly exploded before his eyes.

The solar disc Core Array was Kong Deming's own invention. As far as Xuan Ziwen knew, the old man had taught it to only a handful of high-ranking Soul Engineers. He himself had received it only after becoming a Level 8 Soul Engineer. At that moment, Mingde Hall's Chief Researcher suddenly felt a little heartsick-