"Oh? What makes you say that?" Chen Xin was somewhat surprised.
"His background and talent clash far too much with the story coming out of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace."
"Why would the imperial family choose him as a test subject? According to our investigation, he seems to be nothing more than a boy from the countryside near a small town."
"Besides, his talent is exceptional. When I examined him just now, I discovered that he was already rank twenty-three before the age of ten. Would they really be willing to use a genius like that as a test subject?"
"The instant he opened the door, he seemed to recognize us. I noticed a flicker of understanding in his eyes. It made me very uncomfortable," Chen Xin added.
"Oh? That really is interesting. Where could he have learned about us?"
"What about the secret medicine formula?"
"We'll work toward it gradually. We can't tear away all pretense of civility with the imperial family, either. Although they've openly assigned a Soul Saint to accompany him, it's hard to say whether they've made other preparations," Ning Fengzhi decided.
Ning Rongrong blinked as she listened to her father and Grandpa Jian's conversation, curiosity about the boy they had just met stirring in her heart.
"By the way, do you really intend to give Rongrong a thousand-year second ring? Wouldn't that be too heavy a burden?" Chen Xin stroked Ning Rongrong's head, only to see her stick her tongue out at Ning Fengzhi.
"Uncle Jian..." Ning Fengzhi was somewhat helpless.
"Rongrong's first ring was only just over a hundred years old, so she's already fallen far behind. Now something like the Heaven Dou Secret Medicine has appeared, too. She's the future successor. If she still has an ordinary soul ring configuration, it'll be difficult for her to draw other geniuses to her side in the future."
"From the moment the Heaven Dou Secret Medicine appeared, the threshold for elite Soul Masters rose another step. We can't fall behind again." Ning Fengzhi's expression grew grave.
"All right, then let's see after she takes the secret medicine." Chen Xin understood Ning Fengzhi's concerns as well.
The group landed before reaching the imperial palace. They still had to make a show of respect.
"Teacher!" Crown Prince Xue Qinghe approached them.
"Qinghe, sorry for the wait." Ning Fengzhi nodded and tugged Ning Rongrong, prompting her to greet him.
"Hello, Brother Qinghe!"
"Not at all. It's what I should do as your student. Greetings, Your Eminence Sword Douluo." Xue Qinghe bowed, then smiled and nodded at Ning Rongrong.
"By the way, we ran into His Eminence Poison Douluo. Has he arrived?"
"He's already gone inside. His Eminence Thunder from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has also arrived with his eldest grandson, Yu Tianheng."
Ning Fengzhi was briefly surprised, but quickly accepted it. He would have done the same himself. He then asked, "Have the people from the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall arrived?"
"Platinum Bishop Salas came, demanding three portions to take back the moment he opened his mouth. We cannot possibly let the secret medicine leave our hands. It must be taken in person, so after an argument, he stormed off." Xue Qinghe made the imperial family's stance on the secret medicine clear.
"As for the Clear Sky Sect, there's been no word at all. The Lower Four Sects have sent letters, but Father has yet to decide."
"I see. Then let's head inside. Qinghe, we'll leave it to you."
"As your student, I should naturally do my utmost." Xue Qinghe's expression was gentle, a faint smile resting at the corners of his lips. It was unobtrusive, yet inexplicably reassuring.
Several more days passed, and the commotion finally settled. The students would cast curious looks at Ling Yu, but they no longer crowded around him.
Looks like the fuss has passed. Now I can live a little more normally, Ling Yu thought.
Today was the acceptance inspection for the first Soul Tool research laboratory. He had to admit that Soul Masters entering the construction industry really were a dimensional strike. It had taken them only a little over ten days to build it.
"Rest assured, Your Highness. With how thick this door is, even a Power Attack System Soul King would need some time to get through it. That's enough to give those inside advance warning," Zhou Jianbang, the imperial construction supervisor whose Martial Soul was a mammoth, explained confidently.
"These are the specially made keys for the main door. There are three types in total. Insert even one wrong type, and it'll immediately jam inside. Here are the instructions."
"Next door are the forging bench and smelting furnace you requested. The fuel is ready as well."
"The storage cabinets inside have also been secured according to your requirements. Here is the key. Only this one in your possession can open them."
"The experimental bench has also been made blast-resistant according to your requirements."
"The ventilation structure and lighting are all made from the most suitable crystals and alloys."
"We've also prepared firefighting equipment as requested."
"Alloy plates have also been incorporated into the reinforced flooring."
After inspecting everything one by one, Ling Yu nodded. Zhou Jianbang's anxious heart settled as well. He had been afraid he had failed to grasp Ling Yu's requirements.
"Thank you for your hard work." Ling Yu bowed in thanks.
"Not at all, not at all. As long as you can use it with peace of mind, we can rest easy too." With that, Zhou Jianbang handed over the acceptance form.
After Ling Yu signed it, he left with his people.
"Senior Su Yao," Ling Yu called softly.
"Here!"
"Sorry for the trouble, but please arrange for someone to bring over those discarded Soul Tools from my home."
"Also, take this token to the imperial palace and collect some materials for me. I'd like to try a few things."
"Yes." Su Yao took the token and material list Ling Yu produced, then vanished in a flash.
Ling Yu took out a notebook and began organizing his thoughts-
The main body of a Soul Tool is generally divided into three parts-the outer shell, inner shell, and core. The outer shell is usually made of a hard, heat-resistant metal.
The inner shell amplifies and conducts Soul Power, relying on precious soul-conducting metals.
The core is the key among keys. Various arrays need to be engraved into it, and it must be made using precious metals and gemstones.
For now, the direction is to first sort and categorize the discarded Soul Tools, then use my Soul Skill to model them and draw up blueprints.
Then organize and draw the core arrays.
After that, identify each Soul Tool, determine the types of metal inside, and compile the findings.
Fortunately, there's a mineral identification class. When I run into something I don't know, I can ask the teacher.
I wonder if I can make a ray gun to play with.
After organizing his thoughts, Ling Yu glanced around the laboratory, locked the door, and headed for the library.
The instant he stepped through the entrance, his faint footsteps caught the attention of the girl in black gauze on the second floor-
It's him. Have things settled down? After glancing at him, the girl continued choosing books from the shelves, seemingly searching for some answer.
Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy-
"Second Soul Skill-Golden Body!" In an instant, golden light spread over Xiao Wu as she charged swiftly at Tang San.
Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to dodge, his expression helpless.
Under the effects of Xiao Wu's Golden Body, his second Soul Skill, Parasite, was difficult to activate. The Blue Silver Grass's poisonous thorns and neurotoxins could not breach Xiao Wu's defenses, either, and its toughness was no match for her attack power. It was always torn apart.
With his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul alone, he lost to Xiao Wu's rabbit Martial Soul. He could not use his trump cards, his hidden weapons and Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, either, so he could only rely on his movement technique to circle around and engage her.
"Tang San, why do you do this every time? Can't you fight me head-on?" Xiao Wu complained.
"Your second Soul Skill is too outrageous. This is all I can do."
"Then let's stop here."
"All right."
Ever since Ling Yu had left, Tang San's sense of urgency born from the fear of his hidden weapons being dismantled had disappeared. Under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, he had also gradually come to understand that having a companion to grow alongside was extremely important, so he began getting to know Xiao Wu.
Good thing Ling Yu left, Tang San thought.