Chapter 47: Finished Weapon
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were curious to see Shi Yi had been quite quiet lately.
When Ning Rongrong asked Zhu Zhuqing again what Shi Yi was doing, she replied uncertainly, "Probably carving."
"Carving?" Ning Rongrong said in disbelief, then glanced at the jewelry on her wrist.
Zhu Zhuqing said slowly, "He never does meaningless things. He's probably training some special ability, just like my reflexes."
Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully. "Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword are also the two who often compare things that seem completely unrelated to soul master training, but they taught me that everything around us has its meaning."
"You two seniors are right," a deep, magnetic voice echoed.
Shi Yi slowly emerged from the hut. Reappearing, he had dressed neatly, his clean, short hair slightly disheveled. His eyes were deep and bright, like windows that could see into people's hearts. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, always adorned with a faint smile.
The two paused for a moment. Ning Rongrong's eyes unconsciously widened, as if drawn by an invisible magic, unable to look away. Zhu Zhuqing, regaining her composure, turned her head slightly, a blush creeping across her cold face. This was the first time in days they had seen Shi Yi so meticulously groomed. Normally, Shi Yi would simply tidy up before returning to his training and research.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Shi Yi asked Ning Rongrong with a smile.
Ning Rongrong, regaining her composure, blushed and held out her hand to Shi Yi, "Where's the thing you said you'd give me?"
Without hesitation, Shi Yi pulled out a hair crystal the size of an egg from his soul guide and handed it to Ning Rongrong.
"What's this?" Ning Rongrong examined and squeezed the hair crystal, finding it incredibly soft.
"Hair crystal is a very special metal. Combined with the core magic array I've created, it can change shape at will. A hair crystal this size is enough to form a protective barrier around you," Shi Yi said to Ning Rongrong.
"What is this? A soul guide... But it's so soft, what level of defense can it provide?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise.
Shi Yi shook his head slightly and said, "As long as your soul power is sufficient, even I, at my current level, wouldn't be able to break through this defense. Furthermore, the hair crystal is particularly sensitive to soul power, and is more effective against energy attacks composed of soul power. It should be able to defend against attacks below Soul Sage level without any problem. A more powerful Soul Emperor might be able to break it, but it would take some time. As for Soul Kings and Soul Sects, it's highly unlikely they could shatter this thing."
"What? How is that even possible?" Ning Rongrong watched Shi Yi, her heart pounding with fear. Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Shi Yi intently.
"This is a hair crystal. Do you know what a hair crystal is? And it's the hair crystal I forged through my Chaos Cloak," Shi Yi said to Ning Rongrong. Ning Rongrong shook her head in confusion.
Shi Yi was at a loss for words. In the original novel, Tang San possessed only a primitive hair crystal, yet with the cultivation of a Great Spirit Master, he was able to penetrate Zhao Wuji's defenses and inject his dragon whisker needle into his body. Even if Zhao Wuji hadn't truly attacked, it was clear that, fueled by his spirit power, the crystal possessed immense penetrating power and high metal strength.
"You can try it. Simply inject your spirit power into it and control it to form a shield," Shi Yi chuckled.
Ning Rongrong also injected her own spirit power into the hair crystal in her hand. The moment it felt the spirit power, its properties instantly became unstable. Ning Rongrong then controlled the hair crystal to float, as Shi Yi instructed, forming a golden film as tall as a person in front of her.
Shi Yi summoned Xiao Yi and said to him, "Try hitting it hard."
"Hey... don't..." Ning Rongrong said hurriedly.
"We still have to try it. Otherwise, using it in battle could cause problems. If it breaks, I can just reforge it," Shi Yi said to Ning Rongrong.
At this moment, Xiao Yi also received Shi Yi's command, and its massive forelimbs and saber teeth slammed down.
With a muffled thud, Xiao Yi was actually shaken apart by the seemingly fragile golden membrane. Shi Yi could clearly sense Xiao Yi's surprise.
Shi Yi nodded and said, "Although my skills are not yet mature, utilizing the properties of the hair crystal to achieve this effect is impressive."
Ning Rongrong was surprised, "And this is only at the rudiments?"
Shi Yi nodded and smiled. "This hair crystal is just leftover material from making the carving knife. There is still much room for improvement in the construction of the core array. In fact, this is far from a true soul guide, but it is the most important part of a soul guide. If I can ever create a defense that can store soul power and sense soul power, even those without soul power can use it, then it will be a truly perfect soul guide."
"Can this be mass-produced?" Ning Rongrong looked at Shi Yi, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes.
Shi Yi smiled and said, "Can you find so many hair crystals? Do you know how much the materials for this thing you have cost? Only a young lady like you can afford a soul tool made of pure hair crystal. I just want to use hair crystal to make a carving knife."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue and said, "What's the name of this thing?"
Shi Yi was a little embarrassed. He had always been bad at naming things; as long as it was useful, he didn't think about it.
"How about calling it Crystal Gold Guardian?" Ning Rongrong said excitedly.
Shi Yi quickly gave a thumbs-up and smiled, "What a great name."
Ning Rongrong then contentedly stored it in her soul tool. Shi Yi then took out a hair crystal, much smaller than Ning Rongrong's, from his own soul tool and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong looked at Shi Yi, unsure of what to think.
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to sense Ning Rongrong's mood and said a little embarrassedly, "I have some too..."
"Everyone who sees it gets a share. I'll use up the little I have left. Consider it my hush money. Let me show you how." Shi Yi chuckled.
"The hair crystal can be used for more than just defense. You fight mostly with claws and hand blades. Using soul power as a blade, the hair crystal can also be used as a weapon, like this." Shi Yi said, injecting soul power into the hair crystal in his hand.
The hair crystal instantly transformed, clinging to Shi Yi's fingers and the sides of his palm, transforming into claws and palm blades.
"Although it's not a lot of material, it's extremely practical. This will greatly increase your attack power. With your current level and the strength of the hair crystal, if you encounter that turtle Xingdou again, I think you can use your speed to penetrate its defenses." Shi Yi smiled.
With that, the claws and palm blade returned to their original state, and Shi Yi extended his hand to pass it over.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the hair crystal in Shi Yi's hand, a complex expression in her eyes. This extremely suitable design made her very happy, but at this moment, Zhu Zhuqing thought of Ning Rongrong beside her and showed hesitation.
Shi Yi saw Zhu Zhuqing's hesitation and asked in confusion: "Why? Don't you like it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing quickly shook her head, took the hair crystal from Shi Yi's hand, and asked, "Where's yours?"
Ning Rongrong also looked at Shi Yi curiously.
Shi Yi pulled out a hair crystal the same size as Ning Rongrong's from his soul guide. However, unlike Ning Rongrong's, the intricate and dense patterns on this one were quite distinct, even covering the entire crystal.
Shi Yi injected his soul power into it, and in a split second, the entire crystal lit up, transforming into a carving knife that floated in Shi Yi's palm.
"What's the use of this?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Shi Yi smiled and casually threw the carving knife, seemingly without much force. Under the astonished gazes of the two, the carving knife easily pierced the tree as if it were made of tofu.
"So sharp," Zhu Zhuqing whispered.
Shi Yi then slowly picked it up. His mental strength had not yet reached the level required to control physical objects.
Shi Yi walked up to the two and said, "This is a carving knife. While it won't significantly increase my strength, it holds immense significance. The special patterns on the hair crystals in your hands were carved with it. These patterns are called core formations, and they're like the soul power channels within a soul master's body. This is why soul guides can harness soul power. A good carving knife means I can carve stronger metals, creating even more powerful soul guides."
Ning Rongrong understood why Shi Yi chose hair crystal as the material. The most important thing about a tool is its ease of use, and a tool that can change shape naturally makes work more efficient.
"It's been so long, I can barely remember the days," Shi Yi said to the two.
"It's been fifty-three days. In a few days, the dean will be taking us to Tiandou," Ning Rongrong said.
Shi Yi nodded slightly and continued, "Then your soul power levels should have broken through, too. I've increased them by three levels in the past few days."
"Three levels? You're thirty-four now?" Ning Rongrong asked incredulously.
Shi Yi came to his senses upon seeing this, feeling a bit embarrassed. He couldn't say he still had the medicinal power of the immortal essence in his body. He'd certainly squeezed out some of it from constantly swinging the hair crystal with his chaotic cloak.
"You should have broken through too," Shi Yi quickly changed the subject.
Ning Rongrong nodded proudly, "Of course, but I haven't gone to get my spirit ring yet. Shrek is going to Heaven Dou, so I went back home and asked Grandpa Jian to take me there."
Zhu Zhuqing also whispered, "I did break through. The dean took me to find a spirit ring, and it's now level thirty-two."
Shi Yi nodded and said, "Well, after Zhuqing breaks through, you can return to your previous training."
"This training is almost complete," Zhu Zhuqing said softly.
Shi Yi smiled and said, "Of course I understand you're almost there. With your soul power breakthrough and the blessing of your new soul ring, you'll certainly be there soon. That previous goal seemed almost impossible for you at level 29, but it was this impossibility that propelled you to continuous growth."
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have a sudden realization.
Shi Yi paused, then added meaningfully, "With your soul power, strength, and speed increasing, what you need to do now is return to your previous training and control your new state as perfectly as you did at level 29. Then pursue new and higher goals. Perhaps this time, you can successfully break through this impossible goal before the next soul ring arrives."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Yi and whispered, "I hope so."
Shi Yi nodded and chuckled. "Alright, now you can take that iron legging and go to Teacher Zhao with Rongrong. I think you should be able to move within gravity with it strapped on."
"Who's going to cook?" Ning Rongrong asked, glaring at Shi Yi.
"There's a cafeteria," Shi Yi said matter-of-factly.
"No, Zhuqing has been bringing you meals for so many days. You have to make it up to us by cooking," Ning Rongrong said to Shi Yi.
Shi Yi, resigned, nodded and said, "Alright, then you two should just call Teacher Zhao over to eat together. He doesn't have any tools."
Soon, Zhu Zhuqing disappeared from their sight. The errands, of course, fell to the Agility Attack Department.
Time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, the two-month rest period was over. Shrek Academy was originally purchased by Flanders, and there wasn't much valuable there. None of the teachers objected to Yu Xiaogang's proposal.
After all, while rationality may be good, reality is harsh. Without resources, they couldn't support an academy on their own. Even training the Shrek students had already drained Flanders's small treasury, which he had accumulated over the years.
With the appointed time approaching, at Flanders' command, everyone packed their bags and prepared to depart for Tiandou Royal Academy.
When leaving, everyone stood at the entrance of the academy. Flanders looked at the plaque engraved with the words Shrek Academy, which looked a bit dilapidated. For a moment, he felt mixed emotions.
"Let's go." Flanders gathered his composure and gave the order to set off. A group of more than ten people set out to leave Shrek.
"Let's talk about the dean. At least you can use the whole carriage. You can use your legs. There are also auxiliary tools here." Shi Yi said helplessly.
Shi Yi had taken five days to return from the Sunset Forest. Although walking would be faster than the carriage, it was really tiring.
"You pay, I have no objection." Flanders glared at Shi Yi with a dark face.
After hearing this, Shi Yi stopped talking. Money was not the key point. Asking him to pay was like slapping him in the face as the dean.
Seeing Shi Yi had no objections, Flanders nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright, little monsters, you've had two months of rest. From now on, speed up your journey. Everyone must keep up with my pace, otherwise, hehe."
Flanders seemed to have returned to his old self, a cunning look in his eyes. He grabbed Yu Xiaogang's arm with one hand and leaped forward as soon as he finished speaking.
Zhao Wuji also grabbed Shao Xin and rolled his eyes at Flanders.
And so, everyone set off on the road to Tiandou Royal Academy.
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(End of this chapter)