In the Shrek team's meeting room, Wang Yan felt an unexpected surge of delight upon learning that both Beibei and Xu Sanshi had been chosen as members of the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils. This news filled him with even greater confidence for the matches ahead.
However, there was still one important matter he hadn't brought up, so the meeting wasn't over yet.
He began, "Although you didn't get to see the other academies' matches, I must inform you all that this year's Soul Master Tournament is very different from the previous ones. The key difference lies in the fact that purely Soul Master-focused academies have become rare. All academies are now moving toward the integration of soul tools and soul masters."
"The integration of soul masters and soul engineers?" Ma Xiaotao frowned and said, "Is that really necessary?"
"It is! Absolutely necessary!" Wang Yan's tone was firm. "Take that recent explosion, for example. If each of you had a defensive-type soul tool on hand, we wouldn't be in our current situation."
"Hmm?" Ma Xiaotao's frown deepened. Her views on soul tools were the same as her teacher Yan Shaozhe's — she believed that soul tools were a lesser path, lacking the brilliance and purity of the true Soul Master's way. So upon hearing Wang Yan's words, a wave of dissatisfaction instantly rose in her heart.
In her mind, Wang Yan — a teacher from the Martial Soul Department — favoring the Soul Tool Department so strongly was an act of outright betrayal.
"Perhaps some of what I say won't sit well with you," Wang Yan said solemnly, "but this is an undeniable fact. The integration of soul masters and soul engineers is a growing trend. It's irreversible. This trend began over fifty years ago and has now fully come to light in this tournament."
"Based on my observations from the first stage of the competition, out of 133 academies, nearly 80 percent — over one hundred — have already adopted soul tools. Except for a few dedicated soul engineering academies, the rest are all traditional soul master academies! And yet their students are all using soul tools. True, pure soul masters are already becoming rare."
"They've already forgotten the glory of being a soul master! Isn't the essence of a soul master's combat meant to be pure? Only the abilities we cultivate ourselves are the most reliable and trustworthy. Soul tools, in the end, are external objects," Xu Sanshi said, deep in thought. Coming from the Black Tortoise Sect — a classic hidden sect — he naturally held strong resistance to soul tools, as most hidden sects did.
Wang Yan nodded. "You're not wrong. And I can tell you with certainty, San Shi — your thinking reflects the majority of our academy's upper leadership. That's precisely why the development of our Soul Tool Department has always been restrained. However, based on what I've seen in this tournament, we've reached a turning point. We can no longer delay. It must change — and immediately."
"The current of the world favors those who adapt, and destroys those who resist!
Once we return to the academy after the tournament, I'll immediately present this viewpoint to the academy leaders."
"So what's the point of telling us all this?" Ma Xiaotao asked impatiently, her tone sharp.
"Uh…" Wang Yan was caught off guard and paused for a moment before replying with a helpless expression, "I just want to ask — other than Huo Yuhao and Caitou, does anyone else here currently have a combat-type soul tool?"
"I have a Grade 7 soul shield," Zhu Ziyang answered.
"I have a Grade 3 flash-type soul cannon," Tang Ya added.
"Oh?" Wang Yan was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected that apart from the two recognized soul engineers, others would also be carrying soul tools. He asked, "Ziyang, Tang Ya — you don't reject the use of soul tools?"
"For me, being a soul master or a soul engineer is just a cultivation path. If soul tools can enhance my strength, then naturally I won't refuse them," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly.
"You surprise me, Ziyang!" Wang Yan said with genuine admiration. "I thought that with your innate soul master talent, you'd definitely resist soul tools. I didn't expect your attitude to align so closely with the forefront of the continent's dual-path integration model. Truly remarkable—"
He didn't finish the sentence but instead turned to Tang Ya. "What about you, Tang Ya?"
"Heh… well, I used to hate soul tools. As you all know, Tang Sect's decline had a lot to do with them," Tang Ya said with a grin. "But if I want to revive Tang Sect, I have to understand how soul tools defeated our hidden weapons. So, I took the initiative to learn more about them."
"I see!" Wang Yan nodded in understanding. Then, without questioning further, he addressed everyone directly. "I know some of you strongly dislike soul tools, but I still hope each of you can at least own one — even just a defensive-type soul tool would do."
"Because in today's world, where everyone is using soul tools, if we don't, we'll be weaker than other teams. Especially now, in this era!"
"So tonight, there's an auction. I'll be taking you all there to purchase soul tools. Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan — I won't make it mandatory for you two. But for the seven reserve team members, you must come!"
"Yes!" Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and the others all responded in unison — regardless of their personal feelings.
Ma Xiaotao's expression remained dark, while Jiang Nannan looked toward Zhu Ziyang and quietly asked, "Brother, should we go?"
"Of course. Why not?" Zhu Ziyang replied.
That night, Wang Yan led the Shrek team to the entrance of an auction house.
There were nine of them — yes, only nine. In the end, Ma Xiaotao chose not to go, and the other absentee was surprisingly Wang Dong! That truly shocked Zhu Ziyang.
Based on what he had seen and observed over the past few days, he was fairly certain that Wang Dong was Huo Yuhao's destined partner. But what he hadn't expected was that the fated companion of Huo Yuhao — a soul engineer and perhaps a future milestone in soul tool history — actually rejected soul tools!
What a huge irony. So much for "shared ideals" and "harmonious resonance," huh?
"Yuhao, why didn't Wang Dong come?" Tang Ya asked.
"Sigh… Wang Dong said he has this inexplicable disgust and rejection toward soul tools. He doesn't even know why — he just can't bring himself to like them," Huo Yuhao said helplessly.
"That makes sense," Beibei offered, "After all, Wang Dong is from the Clear Sky Sect. And the Clear Sky Sect is the strongest among all hidden sects — their rejection of soul tools is deeply rooted. Look at San Shi — isn't he a perfect example?"
Xu Sanshi's face turned sour with unwillingness. Hearing Beibei tease him again, he snapped, "Pah! I'll buy ten soul tools tonight just to slap your smug face, you backstabber!"
"Backstabber?!" Beibei's face darkened instantly. "We'll see! You two-faced stone!"
Their banter lightened the mood, and laughter spread through the group.
When they entered the auction house, the interior was unexpectedly grand despite the small appearance from outside. According to Wang Yan, this was actually the largest auction house in Star Luo City.
Wang Yan led them straight to Hall No. 12 — today's soul tool specialty auction. All the items were Grade 6 and below, suitable for Soul Kings or weaker to use.
As the auction began, various soul tools were brought out one after another. Wang Yan made several purchases in a row, snapping up over a dozen soul tools without hesitation, leaving everyone marveling at his deep pockets.
Among all the soul tools, the one that interested Zhu Ziyang most was the final item — a Grade 4 soul tool known as the Milk Bottle. It could store soul power and accelerate its recovery — a great utility tool for sustained combat. Even though Zhu Ziyang already had a soul core, who would complain about faster recovery?
Unfortunately, there was only one bottle, and it was a shared team item — Zhu Ziyang couldn't claim it for himself.
As the auction neared its end and the final item appeared, a small incident occurred. When Huo Yuhao used Spiritual Detection to probe it, he was hit with backlash. Fortunately, he withdrew his spiritual power in time, or he might've suffered serious damage.
When the final item was revealed, both He Caitou and Wang Yan immediately understood why Huo Yuhao was affected — it was a ranked carving blade, the infamous Spirit Devourer Carving Knife!
Wang Yan instantly gave up on bidding.
Zhu Ziyang and the others, unfamiliar with the blade, were confused until He Caitou explained that the Spirit Devourer Carving Knife was a weapon notorious for devouring its own wielder — a vicious tool known to backfire.
No wonder Wang Yan refused to buy it. Unsurprisingly, the item failed to sell.
The auction concluded, and the group returned to the hotel.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.