The Soul Engineer assessment area at Sun Moon Royal Academy.
This was a standardized examination. Each assessment area was approximately twenty square meters and equipped with a fully functional workbench.
After checking Xiao Yan's identification, the teacher overseeing the assessment said:
"Xiao Yan, according to the Soul Engineer assessment regulations, you must independently create a Level 1 Soul Tool within six hours. You must also pass a functional test to qualify as a Level 1 Soul Engineer."
"The Soul Tool for this assessment is the Energy-Gathering Soul Guidance Ray Gun. The materials and blueprints you need are already on the workbench. You may begin."
"All right."
Xiao Yan nodded and went over to the workbench.
The components of the Energy-Gathering Soul Guidance Ray Gun were not complicated. For beginners, the most critical part was engraving the Soul Power circuits.
The connection between the soul-gathering array and the activation array was particularly important. A single deviation would break the connections between the Soul Power circuits, preventing the gun from firing Soul Guidance Rays properly.
But for Xiao Yan, this was hardly a difficult task.
For the past two months, he had practiced engraving all sorts of Soul Power circuits with a carving knife almost every day. The energy-gathering circuit was just one of them.
Faced with the pile of components, Xiao Yan first processed the metal materials, then engraved the Soul Power circuits according to the blueprints.
The engraving proceeded in an orderly fashion, and Xiao Yan made no mistakes.
Three hours later, an Energy-Gathering Soul Guidance Ray Gun with a simple design appeared in his hands.
After he handed it in, three teachers jointly inspected it. The tests showed that its Soul Power conduction was normal, its energy-gathering Soul Power circuit was stable, and its firing power met the standard for a Level 1 Soul Tool.
The teacher overseeing the assessment then stamped the record with the word "passed."
"Congratulations, Xiao Yan. You've passed the Level 1 Soul Engineer assessment."
"Thank you, teacher."
Xiao Yan accepted his assessment certificate. Though his face was calm, he was overjoyed deep down.
After all, this was the result of more than two months of hard work.
Becoming a Level 1 Soul Engineer was only the beginning. His main goal was to study more advanced Soul Tool knowledge.
After expressing his thanks, Xiao Yan learned that he would also receive a Level 1 Soul Engineer badge and a special uniform later.
After leaving the assessment area, Xiao Yan planned to find Teacher Wang Chengyuan.
Now that he had passed the assessment, the next step was to apply to skip a level.
He had mastered the basic courses inside and out. The next step was for others to learn more complex hybrid structures and core law engraving.
The teachers' office.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
Xiao Yan pushed the door open and entered.
Wang Chengyuan put down the teaching materials in his hands. Seeing Xiao Yan, he smiled and asked, "Did you pass the assessment?"
"Yes, I passed."
Xiao Yan nodded and handed over his assessment certificate.
"Not bad!"
Wang Chengyuan looked at Xiao Yan and nodded in satisfaction.
"You've only studied Soul Tools for two months, yet you've already passed the Level 1 Soul Engineer assessment. It seems your talent for Soul Tools isn't bad either."
Wang Chengyuan returned the certificate to Xiao Yan and asked, "What are your plans now?"
"I want to study advanced Soul Tool knowledge."
Xiao Yan stated his thoughts bluntly.
"That's a good plan."
Wang Chengyuan nodded slightly, not at all surprised.
Over the past two months, he had seen Xiao Yan's progress for himself.
Naturally, he was willing to offer what help he could to a talented student who was eager to pursue further studies.
But studying advanced Soul Tools was different from the basic courses.
The basics could be mastered gradually through textbooks and practice, but at the advanced level, much of the work involved design concepts, practical experience, and a deep understanding of Soul Tool principles.
If Xiao Yan continued attending large classes, his talent would likely be held back.
"Since you've passed the Level 1 Soul Engineer assessment, there really is no need for you to continue with the basic courses."
Wang Chengyuan paused briefly, then continued, "I'll make arrangements for you. I'll recommend you to Teacher Xuan Ziwen."
Xuan Ziwen.
Hearing that name, Xiao Yan's gaze flickered.
In the original story, Xuan Ziwen became Huo Yuhao's teacher when he was an exchange student, and was eventually coaxed away to Shrek Academy. At this point, he had to be at least a Level 8 Soul Engineer.
If I can study under him, the knowledge Xiao Yan can gain will certainly be more comprehensive and extensive.
"Sorry for the trouble, Teacher Wang."
"It's no trouble at all."
Wang Chengyuan waved a hand.
"But let me make this clear upfront. I can only introduce you. Whether he accepts you depends on Teacher Xuan himself."
"I understand."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
Two days later.
In a research room on the outskirts of Mingde Hall.
Xuan Ziwen flipped through the documents in his hands, his brow slightly furrowed.
Across from him, Wang Chengyuan was explaining Xiao Yan's situation.
"Teacher Xuan, this is Xiao Yan, the exchange student I mentioned to you before."
"He's only been at the academy for a little over two months, but he's already passed the Level 1 Soul Engineer assessment. He's done well in basic theory and Soul Power circuit engraving. I believe he can pursue more advanced studies, so I'd like to ask you to give him a chance."
Xuan Ziwen raised his head and glanced at Xiao Yan, who stood nearby.
"Hello, Teacher Xuan."
Xiao Yan's expression was calm. He was not nervous to meet a high-level Soul Engineer, and his manner was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Mm."
Xuan Ziwen nodded slightly, paying it no mind.
"You want to study under me?"
"Yes. I hope to learn about Soul Tools at a higher level."
Xiao Yan answered directly.
"Your talent is quite good, but studying under me would bury it." Xuan Ziwen changed tack. "I'll recommend you to my teacher. If he's willing to accept you, I can guide you for a while first."
Hearing this, Wang Chengyuan looked shocked. "Teacher Xuan, are we going to trouble Dean Kong with this?"
"This is no small matter. My teacher has been looking for a talented successor for a long time, so this is just right. I'll recommend him, but whether he's accepted will depend on my teacher." Xuan Ziwen shook his head.
"All right, you can go back now. I need to continue my research. Once there's news in a few days, I'll let him know."
"Sorry for the trouble, Teacher Xuan." Wang Chengyuan then led Xiao Yan out of the research room.
On the way, Wang Chengyuan said to Xiao Yan with a delighted expression, "Do you know who Teacher Xuan's teacher is?"
"Dean Kong? Could it be the master of Mingde Hall, Dean Kong Deming?" Xiao Yan voiced his thoughts.
Kong Deming could be called the father of Soul Tools in the Sun Moon Empire in the original story!
The number one Soul Engineer acknowledged by the entire continent!
"That's right, it's Hall Master Kong! If he accepts you, you'll ascend to heaven in a single step!"