Soul Tool

Wang Dong gently supported Huo Yuhao, helping him finish the last few laps. Huo Yuhao said gratefully, "Thank you." Wang Dong waved her hand in disgust. "Stay away from me, you reek of sweat..." Huo Yuhao could not help but smile.

"Everyone, assemble!" After Zhou Yi counted the students, she called out more than a dozen names. "You lot, pack your things and leave the academy." The moment she said this, everyone was stunned. The students whose names had been called looked confused. "Teacher, we all finished!"

Zhou Yi snorted coldly. "Did you think I hadn't noticed your little tricks? Using external aids is clearly cheating." One of them pointed at Huo Yuhao indignantly. "What about him? He didn't finish either!"

Lin Qianyi immediately retorted, "How can receiving someone else's help be the same as cheating?" Zhou Yi nodded. "Well said. In my class, helping one another is allowed, but taking shortcuts is absolutely forbidden. You lot... pack your things and leave."

Huo Yuhao silently lowered his head, secretly glad that he had friends to help him. Zhou Yi led the remaining students back to the classroom, leaving only echoes drifting across the training ground.

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and Teacher Zhou Yi kept Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao behind. Once silence returned to the classroom, she took them into her office. The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the walls and lending Teacher Zhou Yi an added air of authority.

Huo Yuhao lightly clenched the hem of his clothes, feeling somewhat uneasy. He had long heard that this dean of studies was renowned for her strictness; even the naughtiest students behaved properly before her. In contrast, Lin Qianyi looked calm, though a trace of vigilance flashed through her bright eyes.

"You two are hiding something special." Teacher Zhou Yi stared straight at them, her gaze sharp as fire. "I can sense the martial soul aura of every other student, but yours... are different."

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and met her gaze. "My martial soul is the Spiritual Eye. It belongs to the Spirit Attribute."

Lin Qianyi followed, "Mine is the Azure Luan."

Zhou Yi's expression immediately turned serious. "One is a rare spirit-type martial soul, while the other is a legendary top-tier soul beast. As far as I know, among flying martial souls that can wield the sounds of wind and clouds as weapons, aside from the Phoenix and Vermilion Bird, only the Azure Luan remains."

She rose to her feet, her tone allowing no argument. "Come with me. There's something I need you to confirm." Without waiting for the two to react, she strode out the door, leaving behind only a meaningful silhouette.

Zhou Yi led Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao westward before turning north. A massive gray building came into view; they had reached the edge of the outer courtyard. The building radiated a weighty presence. Its brick walls incorporated many kinds of metal, as though silently recounting the immense power contained within. On a sign to one side, the words "Soul Tool Laboratory" stood out prominently.

Huo Yuhao was full of doubts, unable to understand why she had brought them here. He had wanted to ask, but Lin Qianyi stopped him with a glance. She knew that if Zhou Yi did not wish to explain, asking would be pointless. They might as well follow quietly. After a moment's thought, Huo Yuhao understood as well and gave a slight nod.

Zhou Yi led Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao into the Soul Tool Laboratory, where a deep, shadowy corridor stretched out before them. Tightly shut doors lined both sides like silent guards. The cold numbers on them—No. 1, No. 2...—seemed to conceal countless unknown secrets. Zhou Yi led the two farther inside, her steps steady and familiar, as if every pattern here were etched into her heart.

The number "12" on the innermost door carried a mysterious air beneath the faint light. Zhou Yi raised her hand, and a hexagonal silver token quietly appeared in her palm. It gave off a faint glow, like a sacred relic. She aimed it at the center of the door. In an instant, the solid door, seemingly isolated from the world, appeared to awaken. A crack slowly opened with a click. The token began to spin, and the door gradually opened with a deep rumble, as if telling an ancient tale.

Zhou Yi gestured for Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao to follow. The two exchanged a glance without saying anything, then silently followed behind her through the mysterious door.

Just then, a middle-aged man standing a full 1.8 meters tall strode over. His sturdy frame was as imposing as a mountain. Simple cloth garments wrapped around his powerful body, while his bare arms displayed his tremendous strength. His deep eyes seemed to hide endless stories. He asked, "Zhou Yi, what's going on?"

Zhou Yi explained, "Fan Yu, haven't you always wanted a Spirit Attribute soul master? I found you two. This is Huo Yuhao, and his martial soul is the Spiritual Eye. This is Lin Qianyi. Though her martial soul is not Spirit Attribute, her talent is absolutely not to be underestimated."

Fan Yu's gaze swept over Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi. When he saw Huo Yuhao, he frowned slightly. "This kid looks a little too frail. This little girl, on the other hand, seems decent enough." Zhou Yi was somewhat displeased. "Are you questioning my judgment?" Hearing this, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of defiance. Zhou Yi said, "Huo Yuhao, show him what you can do."

"Alright!" Huo Yuhao answered at once, then released Spiritual Detection Sharing, instantly linking Fan Yu, Zhou Yi, and Lin Qianyi. In that moment, Fan Yu felt as though the world before him had been drawn close through a magnifying glass. Every detail within fifty meters, even things too subtle for the naked eye to notice, entered his mind with perfect clarity. After Huo Yuhao withdrew his Soul Power, Fan Yu suddenly slammed his palm on the table. The action startled Zhou Yi, and she thought, What's gotten into him today? I've never seen him this flustered before.

Fan Yu stared at Zhou Yi in shock. "Fifty meters? This..." Zhou Yi asked, "Still questioning it?" Fan Yu could not help but reveal a helpless smile. He knew his earlier attitude had been rash, but now this seemingly frail youth had thoroughly astonished him.

Fan Yu called to a youth nearby, "Cai Tou!"

A broad, sturdy young man slowly walked over. Though he stood two meters tall, he gave off an honest, simple air. He appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old. His skin was dark as iron, and beneath his crew cut was a clean, sharp face. His plain cloth clothes could not conceal the powerful lines of muscles all over his body. He was He Caitou.

"Teacher, were you looking for me?" He Caitou's voice carried a simple, respectful tone.

Fan Yu pointed at Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao. "Take them to try firing a Fixed Soul Device."

When He Caitou's gaze fell on Lin Qianyi, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. "The little girl is going too?" he asked again, his voice full of confusion.

Fan Yu nodded firmly. "That's right."

"Alright then. Hello, junior brother and junior sister. I'm He Caitou. You can just call me Cai Tou from now on." He Caitou smiled honestly, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Lin Qianyi was quiet by nature, especially in formal settings, but she never neglected proper etiquette. "That won't do. Addressing you that way would be somewhat disrespectful. We should call you Big Brother He instead." Her voice was cool, yet polite.

Huo Yuhao was secretly surprised by this change. This girl, who usually barely spoke, had responded so quickly and appropriately. "Yes, calling you Big Brother He is indeed more suitable," Huo Yuhao agreed.

"Fine, then I'll take you there right away!" He Caitou answered before turning to lead the way. His broad back somehow gave the two of them a sense of security.

He Caitou brought Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao to the edge of the testing grounds, deliberately keeping a safe distance from them. He lightly patted his waist, and a strangely shaped device appeared in his palm—a five-meter-long black metal tube with a thick rear end covered in mysterious engraved patterns.

He Caitou skillfully operated the device, flicking his right hand twice. A square lid ten centimeters on each side slowly opened. He carefully lifted a golden block and steadily placed it into the opening, his gaze focused and serious. "Ready."