Velvet drapes hung low over the tall windows, and a crystal chandelier hung beneath the domed ceiling, its countless facets shattering the candlelight into golden gleams that fell upon every piece of silverware and white porcelain plate on the long table.
Silver knives and forks lay neatly arranged, while stemmed glasses shone with a cool luster beneath the lights, reflecting the attendants' figures.
Flowers and candlesticks stood at the center of the long table, their fragrance delicate and the candlelight trembling faintly.
"Teacher, please sit." Xue Qinghe turned slightly aside, raising his right arm in a gentle gesture of invitation, his manner refined and courteous.
Ning Fengzhi nodded in acknowledgment and took his seat with unhurried steps. Sword Douluo Chen Xin likewise sat in the seat an attendant pulled out beside him.
Tap-tap-footsteps sounded outside the door. One person's steps were measured and deliberate, steady yet light as they landed, each seeming to fall upon the heart, neither hurried nor slow; the other's carried a touch of lightness. One followed the other, one weighty and one nimble, the two sets of footsteps weaving a staggered rhythm through the silence.
The one behind is a child. Could it be...? A thought stirred in Ning Fengzhi's mind.
The instant the doors opened, a flicker of understanding crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes. Emperor Xue Ye wore formal robes adorned with subtle gold patterns, his steps steady and imposing. His silver-white temples set off the majesty of one long seated upon a throne, and every step carried an unquestionable air of nobility.
Ling Yu followed close beside him, his posture straight and his steps composed and measured. Neither ostentatious nor overstepping his bounds, he possessed a quiet elegance that blended seamlessly with the court's splendor.
"So today's honored guest is the viscount." The corners of Ning Fengzhi's lips lifted slightly, his smile as gentle as a spring breeze, his eyes carrying a measure of composure. By now, he had already guessed the purpose of today's banquet.
"My respects, Sect Master Ning, Your Eminence Sword Douluo." Ling Yu stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"You jest, Sect Master Ning. He should no longer be called a viscount, but the Earl of Nuoding." Emperor Xue Ye's gaze swept slowly across the hall, his voice deep and authoritative.
"It seems I have been poorly informed."
Once everyone had taken their seats, Xue Qinghe clapped twice lightly.
Maids dressed in matching, understated, elegant gowns filed inside, their movements light and their steps soundless, silver serving trays resting steadily in their palms.
In orderly succession, they gently placed exquisite dishes upon the long table, remaining quiet and decorous throughout, without disturbing the atmosphere in the hall.
"With your wisdom, Sect Master Ning, I imagine you have already guessed the purpose of today's banquet." Emperor Xue Ye held his silver knife and fork, his movements steady and elegant. He applied just the right pressure as he cut his steak, the blade making only the faintest sound against the porcelain plate.
"Please forgive my dullness, Your Majesty. I must ask you to enlighten me." Ning Fengzhi maintained that smile as gentle as water, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
"Then I shall speak plainly. With your capabilities, Sect Master Ning, you presumably already know that the Earl of Nuoding's first Soul Skill can examine the internal structure of Soul Tools."
"I have heard a little." Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged. His fingertips rested lightly against the white porcelain cup as he slowly turned it.
"He has already made his first Soul Tool."
Although Ning Fengzhi had already guessed as much and had spent years cultivating his composure, he still failed to control his emotions at that moment, and the tea rippled slightly.
A flicker of satisfaction flashed through Emperor Xue Ye's eyes.
"Then what does Your Majesty propose?"
"How about the imperial family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect joining forces?" Only a few days earlier, Emperor Xue Ye had still been furious over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's prying, yet now he could calmly take the initiative to propose cooperation.
"In what area would we cooperate?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would contribute its discarded Soul Tools and metal resources, and the Soul Tool blueprints would be shared."
Ning Fengzhi said nothing upon hearing this, merely taking a slow sip of tea. The gentleness between his brows remained, but the faintest trace of solemn contemplation passed through his eyes.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would also be willing to share the work of guarding the research laboratory."
"Personnel from two sides would be difficult to coordinate, making lapses in security more likely."
"Then could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect send people to learn?" The habitual gentle, scholarly smile on Ning Fengzhi's face slowly faded, and the last trace of warmth in his eyes was replaced by unfathomable stillness.
He gently set down his teacup. Its porcelain base met the tabletop with a crisp sound that was almost inaudible, yet exceptionally distinct.
"If they meet the requirements."
"What requirements?"
"That will depend on the Earl of Nuoding's opinion." Emperor Xue Ye's gaze darkened slightly as it settled on Ling Yu.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo also turned to look at Ling Yu at the same time, their eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny, curiosity, and regret.
His expression solemn, Ling Yu rose and bowed once more before speaking. "There aren't many requirements for research Soul Engineers. Spiritual-type Soul Masters are best, with calm minds and steady hands, proficiency in carving, forging, and smelting, and familiarity with the properties of various metals and gemstones. Some talent for cultivation would be even better. The higher the rank of the Soul Tool being made, the greater the required Soul Power Level."
The same complaint rose in everyone's minds: You call those requirements low?
"Oh? Research? Are there other types?" Ning Fengzhi raised his brows slightly, a trace of surprise passing through his gentle gaze.
"Theoretical Soul Engineers are mainly responsible for designing Soul Tools, but their Soul Power Levels limit them, preventing them from manufacturing them. They rely on their understanding of the properties of metals and gemstone materials, as well as their knowledge of formation patterns."
"Research Soul Engineers are mainly responsible for practical design and manufacture, and they use the tools themselves."
"Operational Soul Engineers use Soul Tools made by others."
Ning Fengzhi nodded lightly, a little more genuine appreciation appearing in his expression.
"Would mass production present technical difficulties?"
"The outer casing of a low-rank Soul Tool is mainly responsible for protection and heat dissipation. It doesn't have many requirements, and you can even have blacksmiths with a certain level of skill forge it."
"But starting with the inner casing, Soul Engineers need to be involved. The conductive Soul Power lines must be engraved in a single pass, or conflicts will occur and the tool's service life will be reduced. This requires Soul Engineers to melt the metal with their own Soul Power."
"The inner casing is mainly responsible for conducting and amplifying Soul Power, while the most crucial part, the core, has even higher requirements than the inner casing. Ideally, the maker should have some spiritual perception."
Ning Fengzhi's brows drew together slightly, his smile fading as his eyes grew more contemplative.
The demanding requirements and hardships of becoming a Soul Engineer far exceeded his expectations, quietly denting his earlier confidence that success would be as easy as reaching out his hand.
"Then what rank of Soul Tool can you currently make?"
Emperor Xue Ye cast a brief glance at the attendant beside him, his gaze commanding without any show of anger, signaling for him to present the item.
Ning Fengzhi reached out and gently unfolded the blueprint. His expression gradually grew focused, with a little more seriousness settling between his brows.
"This sort of Soul Tool hasn't reached any rank yet. As for ranked Soul Tools, those may still require another two to three months," Ling Yu said mildly, his tone gentle and calm.
After listening to Ling Yu's introduction and seeing the complexity of a Soul Tool's structure firsthand, Ning Fengzhi sighed softly and put away the blueprint with gentle but solemn care. A trace of puzzlement passed through his warm eyes.
He looked at the youth before him. Rather than searching for some elusive "one of their own" who met a host of conditions, winning him over would be faster.
Xue Ye is truly lucky. With research talent like this, even the Heaven Dou Secret Medicine was probably his work. A thought stirred in Ning Fengzhi's mind. For an instant, he even considered turning hostile and abducting Ling Yu to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but he quickly suppressed it.
He already knew how much Ling Yu mattered to Xue Ye. For such a pillar of the nation, even deploying the army would be unsurprising.
Perhaps this mutually beneficial cooperation was already the best choice.
Perhaps Rongrong... In that instant, a thought stirred in Ning Fengzhi's mind.