Chapter 536: Underlying Currents · Part Two
This ongoing suppression had long kept Shrek's Soul Tool Department in limbo, neither fully developed nor completely abandoned. This was especially frustrating for Xian Lin'er, the department head. Despite Shrek's position as the leading academy on the continent, the Sun Moon Empire had still never won a single Soul Master Tournament. Yet that only gave the old fashioned soul masters more reason to block advancements in soul tool technology.
Though Shrek's recent defeat had provided Xian Lin'er with a rare opportunity to advocate for soul tools, she felt a twinge of regret for speaking so impulsively, worried that her stance might displease Mu En, her master. After all, Mu En represented the pinnacle of the old era.
Then Mu En's gentle voice broke the silence, "What do the rest of you think?"
Xian Lin'er's heart lifted. As Mu En's disciple, she knew her master was likely aligned with her perspective. Reflecting, she realized it was foolish to worry after all, Mu En himself had established Shrek's Soul Tool Department, a clear sign of his support for soul tool advancement.
The other elders exchanged uncertain glances, their hesitation born from loyalty to the traditional ways of soul mastery. But beyond that, they were uneasy, shocked by the power these new soul tools had demonstrated. In ancient times, a soul master would need at least twenty years to reach the level of a Soul Saint. Today, though that time had shortened, it still took over a decade to reach such heights. Yet the current age had indeed changed; young Soul Elders could now gain the power of a Soul Saint by using mysterious armored soul tools a reality that would stun any soul master.
Mu En sighed, drawing everyone's attention. "Since you all have no thoughts on the matter, I will speak. Weakness and ignorance have never been obstacles to survival. Arrogance is. I have long understood that the future of soul masters lies with soul tools. Just as our ancestors once wielded simple wooden clubs and bows to hunt, now we must seek strength in tools that magnify soul power."
With an ironic smile, Mu En continued, "Do you know why we haven't simply seized the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology by force, despite our greater strength?"
The crowd looked puzzled. Mu En's unparalleled power could have easily crushed the Sun Moon Empire's defenses and taken their soul tool knowledge. Why hadn't he?
Mu En's smile turned wry. "You have much to learn. I had intended to keep this secret until my death, passing it down only to the next Pavilion Master. But the time has come. This age is on the verge of upheaval, so this secret may no longer be worth keeping."
Everyone's curiosity piqued. What kind of secret could have held Mu En back from confronting the Sun Moon Empire head on?
"Remember," Mu En said gravely, "the Sun Moon Empire has not only ninth level soul engineers but also a rare class they define as tenth level soul engineers. A soul master wielding a tenth level soul tool can rival even an Absolute Douluo like me. Fear of a mutual loss that could leave us vulnerable to the lurking threat of evil soul masters is why I have refrained from taking action."
The news was staggering. Ninth level soul engineers, with their ninth level soul tools, could already match Super Douluos a concern in itself. But now the revelation of a tenth level soul engineer posed an even more daunting reality.
Xian Lin'er couldn't hold back her question. "Master, if an Absolute Douluo paired with a tenth level soul tool, could they rival the legendary gods themselves?"
The question touched on the limits of Mu En's knowledge. Though he was a half god, he had not yet reached the threshold of a quasi god. Reflecting on Kong Deming's power, he slowly shook his head.
"An Absolute Douluo is not merely at level 99. There are three stages within this level. The first is the newly ascended Absolute Douluo, then the half god Douluo like myself, and above that, the quasi god, just one step away from true divinity. A tenth level soul tool can perhaps match the power of a quasi god but would not reach the level of the gods themselves."
Satisfied with his answer, Xian Lin'er nodded, and the other elders were equally pensive, absorbing the weight of Mu En's words.
Mu En's gaze then shifted to another figure. "Shao Zhe."
Yan Shao Zhe stood up. Like Xian Lin'er, he too was a Super Douluo, possessing the Bright Phoenix martial spirit and the title of Radiant Phoenix. He was also Mu En's first disciple and the current head of Shrek's Martial Soul Department.
"Shao Zhe, soul tools are the future of soul mastery. Shrek cannot remain stagnant in this area. I want you to work with Lin'er and select promising students from the Martial Soul Department who show an aptitude for soul tool mastery."
"But Master, our academy's Soul Tool Department…" Shao Zhe trailed off, glancing hesitantly at Xian Lin'er. His message was clear: their academy's soul tool capabilities were limited. How could they possibly match the prowess of the Sun Moon Empire or Tianxing Academy?
Xian Lin'er shot him an annoyed look. If not for Mu En's presence, she might have landed a blow on Shao Zhe right then.
Mu En remained expressionless. "I know. But who said those students will be trained here?"
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Chapter 537: Underlying Currents · Part Three
Yan Shaozhe's mouth dropped open as he stared at Mu En, unable to process his words.
Mu En sighed. Shaozhe's talent in soul mastery was indeed extraordinary, and he managed the Martial Soul Department quite well. However, having grown up under Mu En's tutelage, he had become overly proud, assuming that Shrek could overcome any obstacle on its own.
"I intend to organize a group of students to study soul tool technology as exchange students at Tianxing Academy."
Yan Shaozhe instinctively voiced his objection. "But Master, they won't just hand over such critical knowledge to us, especially as we're from another academy. The Sun Moon Empire won't let their students attend Shrek Academy either."
"Of course," Mu En said calmly. "I plan to open some of Sea God's Pavilion's inner cultivation chambers to Tianxing Douluo's disciples, and I'll even offer them some personal guidance. With such terms, I believe even he would find it agreeable."
Everyone gasped. The offer was so generous that they couldn't help wondering if they had misheard. The golden tree was the very core of Shrek's legacy, guarded even from insiders, let alone outsiders. But no one dared to question Mu En's decision; as Sea God's Pavilion's leader, his decisions were final.
Mu En continued, in words that soon had the elders praising his wisdom.
"I understand your concerns, and I know you may feel some discontent over my decision. However, according to intelligence from the Sun Moon Empire, they have already offered large quantities of rare metals in exchange for admission to Tianxing Academy. That means it's not just Shrek that wants to learn Tianxing's soul tool techniques the Sun Moon Empire does as well. This alone shows how valuable Tianxing Douluo's technology must be, if even the Sun Moon Empire desires it. If we want Shrek to avoid being left behind, this price is necessary. That will be all for now; I am tired. Lin'er, once the candidates are chosen, you will accompany them as the leading teacher for their studies at Tianxing Academy."
Xian Lin'er's cheeks flushed with excitement as she eagerly agreed.
With all the arrangements in place, Mu En resumed his usual routine, lying down in the shade outside the outer dormitory building. Watching students come and go was his way of reconnecting with life's vitality. Yet, peace didn't last long, and he was soon troubled by an unexpected issue.
News of the exchange program spread quickly, and both the inner and outer disciples learned why Shrek had lost this year. For the first time, Shrek's students began to take soul tools seriously. These were Shrek's elite, the brightest young stars of the Douluo Continent, and no student with ambition wanted to miss this opportunity. Both the inner and outer disciples vied fiercely for the limited exchange spots.
But only outer disciples would be allowed to participate, as inner disciples were mostly on the verge of graduation, already well into their soul master paths with little room to pivot to soul tool training. This time, all ten exchange slots would go to outer disciples.
Shrek had been allocated ten slots, but with over a thousand students in six grades, competition was fierce. Though Shrek's standards had slipped somewhat in recent years, no one dared take this selection lightly they needed to choose students with the most talent for soul tools to avoid wasting these precious opportunities.
"Ancestor, please help me! I really want to go to Tianxing Academy and study soul tools," begged Beibei, who had often been a source of headaches for Mu En.
"Give it up, Beibei," Mu En replied, opening his eyes. "You have no aptitude for creating soul tools, and these slots are precious. To waste one on you would be a travesty. And as my heir, your duty is to focus on training, to carry forward my legacy, and not let the Light Holy Dragon's bloodline be lost."
"But…" Beibei's face filled with frustration. He desperately wanted to see Tang Ya again. He could certainly go to Tianxing Academy just to see her, but he didn't want their relationship to become even more strained. Though deeply in love, Beibei wasn't foolish.
Mu En's eyes flashed with displeasure. He had already arranged a perfectly capable and beautiful match for his grandson, but he had instead fallen for someone from a fallen family.
"Enough, Beibei. If you insist on this, I'll have no choice but to confine you to the academy grounds until you've advanced to the Soul Saint rank," Mu En said sharply.
Beibei ultimately submitted to Mu En's authority, focusing on his training.
Xu Sanshi had similar intentions. He approached Qian Duoduo, the Martial Defense Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department and tried to use their shared Xuanming Sect affiliation to gain a favor. However, creating soul tools wasn't like solving a math problem; it required true aptitude. Xu Sanshi, with no foundation in the field, had no place in the exchange program, and Qian Duoduo had no patience for Xu Sanshi's approach, kicking him out without hesitation. The incident left Xu Sanshi the subject of academy gossip for some time.
The soul tool selection process lasted two weeks, finally yielding ten students, including Tang Wulin and He Caitou, both of whom were under Fan Yu's mentorship.
Tang Wulin, who had vowed to rebuild Tang Sect, had managed to become a disciple of Fan Yu, Shrek's top eight level soul engineer. Though Fan Yu held neither the dean nor vice dean positions, he was widely regarded as the academy's leading authority on soul tools and was even considered the most promising future dean by many faculty members. Being his disciple was immensely advantageous for Tang Wulin.
Now, with his beautiful wife Lin'er preparing to travel to Tianxing Academy with the students, Qian Duoduo looked heartbroken but couldn't intervene. As much as he wanted to go, Shrek needed one dean to stay behind to manage the Soul Tool Department, so the second chaperone position went to Fan Yu.
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Chapter 538: Underlying Currents · Conclusion
Fan Yu, the Soul Tool Department's most promising candidate to break through as a rank 9 Soul Engineer, was given the role of assistant team lead, and no one was surprised. Survival of the fittest; it was only natural.
When Shrek's delegation finally arrived at Tianxing Academy, Xian Lin'er, leading the group, found that the Sun Moon Academy delegation had arrived before them.
"Greetings," Xian Lin'er offered curtly.
Sun Moon Academy's delegation was led by Jing Hongchen, who, in every way, overshadowed Xian Lin'er. Yet Shrek's pride didn't allow her to bow her head.
Jing Hongchen nodded indifferently, his tone impatient. "We've been waiting for days. Get settled quickly. I need to study these new soul tools with Tianxing Douluo. If he hadn't insisted on waiting for you, we'd already be learning."
The sharp reprimand darkened Xian Lin'er's expression, but she held her tongue, equally eager to learn Ye Wen's soul tool technology.
After moving the group into the accommodations Ye Wen had prepared, Xian Lin'er wasted no time and led them to Ye Wen's residence.
Contrary to what the Shrek group expected, Ye Wen's residence was not a grand villa but a small, simple cabin in the heart of a dense forest. No one could fathom why an Absolute Douluo would choose to live in such a run down place, but only Ye Wen knew it was his link to an unreachable past.
"You're all here? Find a place to sit," Ye Wen said indifferently as he glanced at them.
In Ye Wen's view, this so called exchange was unnecessary. If he truly wanted resources, he could acquire them easily. His purpose in sharing this soul tool knowledge was purely to muddy the waters, giving Huo Yu'er and the others the chance to navigate the chaos undetected.
Though he disliked seeing Tang Wulin among the Shrek students especially since Tang Wulin seemed to share his father's propensity to appropriate others' ideas and call them his own Ye Wen was unbothered. Soul tool technology was intricate, and he only planned to teach up to the level of seventh tier tools. The more advanced battle armor, capable of countering even gods, would be reserved for Huo Yu'er and her companions.
Among the Sun Moon Academy group, however, was a figure who surprised Ye Wen. Unlike the youthful Tang Wulin, she was a tall, elegant woman with an intelligent, cultured air. Ye Wen smiled slightly.
"It's time to plant a little minefield in the Sun Moon Empire," he thought to himself.
Although wars on the Douluo Continent had often hinged on vast armies, in reality, it was the high level Douluos Titled Douluos or Soul Saint battalions that truly determined the course of wars. With Ye Wen's enhancements to the Douluo Three Nations, the technological gap between them and the Sun Moon Empire had nearly closed, and with the Douluo population advantage, they could potentially overpower the Sun Moon Empire.
However, too easy a victory would be uninteresting and counterproductive to Huo Yu'er's long term development. Now that this future empress and general had arrived at his doorstep, Ye Wen saw no reason not to use her to his advantage.
Though Ju Zi's approach to warfare had been clumsy in the original story, Ye Wen recognized her talent at least by Douluo standards. Her only real flaw was her unimpressive cultivation talent, having barely reached the Soul Saint level. For Ye Wen, however, solving that problem was as simple as providing some powerful herbs; Douluo Continent's standards for godlike potential were laughably low.
The real issue was that ascension to a divine position often required inexplicable luck or powerful connections. Although Ju Zi was loyal to Crown Prince Xu Tianran, Ye Wen was fully confident he could turn her allegiance. Her father's death may have spurred her hatred for the Star Luo Empire, but the Sun Moon Empire was equally to blame. After all, Ju Zi's father had been a chef, not a soldier, drafted only to die in a senseless war.
An exploitable divide between the oppressors and the oppressed it was a natural class conflict.
Ye Wen, however, wasn't in any rush; he had plenty of time to allow Ju Zi to settle in before making his move.
The soul tool armor technology Ye Wen planned to teach focused not only on soul tool arraying but also heavily on metal forging. Different soul tools required different alloys and arrangements to function, highlighting the importance of metals. Yet metal forging as an advanced craft wouldn't flourish until far in the future an oversight that spoke volumes about how stubborn thinking could blind an entire world.
It was a straightforward concept, but no one had managed to figure it out before.
Perhaps some did try, but they were dismissed as insignificant, their insights ignored because of their low social standing and insufficient strength.
Ye Wen, however, had now openly demonstrated the value of metal forging by showcasing its power, effectively revealing new potential uses for soul tools.
But Ye Wen had another reason for spreading this technology. When Soul Saints could take on armies alone, empires would reconsider sacrificing ordinary soldiers in vast numbers, realizing such tactics were futile. With that, the militarization of lower level soul masters and civilians would decrease.
Ye Wen's influence over this world would, in later years, bring reverence and deep analysis of the mysterious "Sage Master." But that was a story for another time.
At present, Ye Wen was briefing the group on the materials they would need for the next day's lessons. Though he'd permitted them to study, he wouldn't provide the materials himself.
The Sun Moon Academy students had arrived days earlier, but Ye Wen, saying he preferred to explain things only once, had kept them waiting until Shrek's group joined.
When he instructed everyone to bring their own metals for the next day's forging lesson, a shocked silence filled the air. Jing Hongchen's granddaughter, Meng Hongchen, raised her hand to ask, "Lord Ye, we're soul engineers why should we learn forging? Isn't that a lowly profession?"
Ye Wen looked at her coolly and replied, "A lowly profession, you say? When blacksmithing's value becomes undeniable, what you deem 'lowly' will become noble. Now, follow my instructions."
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Chapter 539: Turmoil
As Ye Wen's calm rebuke lingered, Jing Hongchen's face flushed with embarrassment, realizing he hadn't explained the distinctiveness of Ye Wen's soul tool knowledge to his grandchildren beforehand.
"My apologies, Lord Tianxing," he said. "It was my failure in teaching them properly. Please, continue."
Ye Wen, unaffected by the interruption, resumed his instructions. Those aware of his groundbreaking approach to soul tool materials were already familiar, while Shrek's side seemed pleased to see Sun Moon Academy embarrassed.
Yet, as Ye Wen delved deeper into the division of metal forging levels, everyone present realized how crude and naive their previous understanding had been. Ye Wen outlined a metal forging system that classified processed metals into five distinct levels:
The most basic level, "Hundred Refines," offered slight improvements to soul tool strength and functionality. Above it was "Thousand Refines," which served as the entry level material for creating armor soul tools like those used by Huo Yu'er and her companions.
However, it was the next three levels that truly shocked the audience and explained the extraordinary power displayed by Huo Yu'er and the others.
The level above Thousand Refines was Ten Thousand Refines Metal. Unlike the earlier levels, which could be achieved through diligent training, Ten Thousand Refines required the blacksmith to have keen insight, attuning to the metal's unique essence to evoke a soul resulting in what Ye Wen termed "Spirit Metal." Only at this level could one forge armor capable of merging with a soul master's body.
Ye Wen clarified that anyone wishing to learn the creation of armor that could enhance a soul master's power to rank 70 would need to master this forging technique otherwise, nothing could be achieved.
Yet, Ye Wen did not claim to be a saint. He mentioned the final two stages Soul Refining and Heaven Refining only as hypothetical concepts, explaining that he was still developing them. He offered a deal: should anyone reach these stages in the future, they could come to him and negotiate a condition for further guidance.
While the students were captivated by this new metal forging hierarchy, the teachers from Shrek and Sun Moon academies eyed Ye Wen with suspicion. He claimed Soul Refining and Heaven Refining were "concepts he hadn't mastered yet," but with specific terms already named, they doubted his words. Still, there was nothing they could do; Ye Wen's authority was unquestionable.
Even learning to create Spirit Metal at the Ten Thousand Refines level was enough to satisfy everyone there. After all, it allowed soul tools to be absorbed into one's body, much like soul bones. Using this Spirit Metal was like gaining an additional soul bone's worth of power.
As the highest ranking soul engineer present, Jing Hongchen's eyes burned with excitement. Achieving rank 10 as a soul engineer required fusing with one's soul tool, and this Spirit Metal was precisely the stepping stone he needed. A crazy idea flashed through his mind: If our High Priest learned the Soul Refining technique that Tianxing Douluo spoke of, could the Sun Moon Empire reach the level of the fabled rank 11 soul engineers, those on the threshold of godhood?
His excitement was hard to contain, but Jing Hongchen restrained himself, trying to appear inconspicuous.
Tang Wulin was another struggling to contain his enthusiasm. As a descendant of the most ancient forging sect, the Hao Tian Sect, no one could claim superiority in forging. Mastering the famed Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique, Tang Wulin had the natural advantage of powerful legs his second heart, as it were which allowed him to wield the technique with strength unmatched by ordinary soul masters.
Learning that the first two levels of forging could be achieved through repetition alone, Tang Wulin was certain he could master Thousand Refines faster than anyone present. His natural gifts provided too many advantages in forging.
However, as he left Ye Wen's residence, a hint of displeasure crossed Tang Wulin's face. Though he resented Ye Wen for disrupting his plans, he understood the doctrine of survival of the fittest. Even his powerful, pure hearted father though he had no memory of him now would have no objections.
But there was something that still lingered. Tang Wulin's gaze darkened slightly.
Having learned about the forging hierarchy from Ye Wen, Tang Wulin never doubted he would reach the level of Spirit Metal that Ye Wen had described. He inwardly cursed Ye Wen for withholding the two most advanced techniques.
"Damn you, Tianxing Douluo! To claim you haven't mastered the final two stages while hoarding such invaluable knowledge what a two faced 'philanthropist' you are! One day, when I've grown strong enough, you'll pay the price!"
Inwardly, he seethed at Ye Wen's deception, but he knew he wasn't yet powerful enough to challenge him. Even his father and uncle together couldn't overpower him.
Yet he felt confident. As the heir to Sea God, Tang Wulin was destined to stand at the pinnacle of Douluo Continent's power, and he'd have plenty of time to settle the score.
This era of Douluo Continent was full of filth, and even the loyal Tang Sect had fallen into decline. It was up to him, Tang Wulin, to restore the Tang Sect's glory and cleanse this corrupt world.
No one noticed Tang Wulin's dark thoughts. All attention was focused on the new wave of excitement over metal forging knowledge that Ye Wen's teachings had sparked.
In response to the rising demand for metals, prices were beginning to rise across the board, no matter the type of metal. While the Sun Moon Empire, with its abundant reserves, was better off, the Douluo Three Nations struggled, facing scarcity in their mineral resources.
There were unexplored riches in the Northern Wastes, where vast metal deposits lay hidden, but the region's harsh environment made extraction impossible. Adding to their frustration, Ye Wen had already secured access to these resources for himself.
Left with no choice, the Douluo Three Nations scoured every corner of their territories, desperate to collect rare metals. Without them, the advanced knowledge learned from Tianxing Douluo would be useless.
The Douluo Three Nations found themselves increasingly resentful, even as they pushed their resources to the limit.
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Chapter 540: Bewitchment (Part 1)
As days passed, Ye Wen watched as the students learned and gradually mastered the initial levels of forging, Hundred Refines and Thousand Refines, which were relatively simple. In this era, knowledge once acquired became the learner's own, so Ye Wen's forging techniques quickly spread across the entire continent.
Many seasoned blacksmiths were moved to tears; they had lived humbly most of their lives, yet now, in their old age, they had become highly sought after experts in the eyes of powerful factions. Many blacksmiths revered Ye Wen as a true divine craftsman, some even claiming he was the reincarnation of the God of Forging.
As Ye Wen noticed the thin currents of faith gathering around him, he felt a mix of amusement and disbelief at the reverence he'd stirred.
In the days that followed, Ye Wen led a quiet life, teaching students, sipping tea, and occasionally relaxing. He didn't rush to approach Juzi, the young woman whose intelligence and determination had caught his attention. He knew these exchange students were here to learn for several years, not just a few months, and he planned to wait until the time was right.
Now, as Ye Wen sat among the exchange students, sipping tea with a contented smile, he watched a scene that held an unexpected charm: young women holding heavy hammers, pounding metal ingots. They were flushed, damp with sweat, their faces touched with a delicate, feminine resolve. Ye Wen mused that in the past, he'd missed out on such simple joys; beauty, humor, and charm had always surrounded him he had only needed to notice them.
Meanwhile, Juzi was miserable. She was driven by a fierce desire for revenge, not by any desire for frivolous feelings or strenuous work. When she had the chance to avoid effort, she took it without hesitation. "I'm a strategist," she thought. "I work with my mind! I never should have agreed to the crown prince's request to come here and learn Tianxing Douluo's soul engineering techniques. Who knew it would involve swinging a sledgehammer? It's maddening!"
Seeing her disgruntled expression, Ye Wen felt even more amused. He called out to her directly, "Put in some effort, Juzi. Yes, I mean you. You may have mastered Hundred Refines, and Thousand Refines isn't too hard, but with your attitude, you'll find it very difficult to master it. Focus a little!"
Juzi had no interest in learning to forge, but with her desire for revenge resting on Crown Prince Xu Tianran, and this powerful figure before her being none other than a rank 99 Limit Douluo, she had no choice but to force a smile. "Thank you for the guidance, Your Excellency. I'll do my best," she replied with strained politeness.
Being a support type soul master, Juzi was naturally weaker physically, though she had decent cultivation. Swinging a hammer was still extremely taxing for her. Ye Wen observed her forcing a smile, looking utterly drained, and refrained from further teasing her. After all, Juzi had grown somewhat accustomed to his presence, and Ye Wen felt it was nearly time.
That evening, after a long day of grueling forging practice, Juzi felt utterly exhausted. Her entire right arm was sore, and her muscles felt as if they might swell and harden.
"Will I end up with muscles?" she thought, dreading the idea. She turned to reviewing the notes Ye Wen had provided on soul tool theory.
The "combat armor" concept was, at its core, still soul engineering, though Ye Wen's crafting patterns were more advanced than anything in this era. His designs were comprehensive: once exchange students received his blueprints, they could master them if their soul engineering skills were strong enough. The armor that Huo Yu'er and her companions wore was indeed a powerful level seven soul tool, and factoring in its spirit infused metal, it could almost be considered level eight.
However, since the big competition, Huo Yu'er and her peers had refrained from showing off their armor. If the value of their combat armor had been widely understood, it would have made every soul master drool with desire.
Currently, the most devoted student of forging was Sun Moon Academy's lead instructor, Jing Hongchen. He was thrilled to finally see a clear path to becoming a level ten soul engineer. Although the students weren't skilled enough to work with the combat armor designs that Ye Wen distributed, Jing Hongchen, as a rank nine soul engineer, had no trouble understanding them. He was captivated by the era defining array patterns Ye Wen had created.
Now, all he needed was a soul tool crafted from spirit infused metal that could integrate with him, and he would reach the fabled level ten soul engineer rank defined by the Sun Moon Empire.
With this achievement, the advanced forces of the Sun Moon Empire and the Douluo Continent would soon stand on nearly equal footing. Yet this didn't imply peace, as Ye Wen's shared knowledge of soul tools benefited many others beyond Jing Hongchen alone. Numerous rank eight and rank nine soul engineers across the Sun Moon Empire now dove into a relentless surge of self improvement, utilizing Ye Wen's teachings to break through their limits.
This trend meant that the Sun Moon Empire's overall strength would soon see a dramatic boost. The Three Douluo Nations, although they wished for peace, realized that if they allowed the Sun Moon Empire to continue strengthening unchecked, the day would come when they'd be overrun in battle. Tensions along their borders intensified; both sides stood on edge.
Now, at last, the Three Douluo Nations fully understood the adage "to fall behind is to invite aggression." With their ancient cultivation traditions no longer a guarantee of military superiority, they deeply regretted having allowed Ye Wen to share his knowledge so freely.
Later that night, as Juzi combed through Ye Wen's notes on soul tool theory, she grew increasingly frustrated. The concepts were far beyond her abilities as a rank five soul engineer. But she knew it didn't matter if she couldn't master them; she was little more than a pawn sent by Xu Tianran to maintain relations with Ye Wen.
Juzi thought of the training she'd endured today. She knew her talent was limited, and no matter how hard she worked, she couldn't reach Title Douluo, let alone reach a power level high enough for revenge. Moreover, as a support type soul master, her usefulness on the battlefield was limited.
With these thoughts, she lost interest in studying and prepared to rest. She reached to turn off her soul powered lamp when a faint voice drifted through the night air: "Come alone. I'll be waiting for you in the lakeside pavilion."
Juzi froze. Only a soul master with formidable spirit power could transmit their voice remotely like this. She knew this voice well. She bit her lip, hesitated briefly, then left her room. When summoned by a Title Douluo, how could she afford to be careless?
The night was dark, and Juzi, like the other exchange students, wore the school uniform of Tianxing Academy, allowing her to blend in easily on campus. As she approached the pavilion, she took a deep breath, steeling herself. She wasn't sure what Tianxing Douluo wanted from her, but she trusted that he wouldn't harm her.
"Greetings, Your Excellency," she said as she approached.
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