Ignoring the tea dripping down his face, Lin Jiayi urgently reported to the Dean, "Dean, the physical testing for our new students just finished, and we discovered that the Soul Guidance Physical Testing Device and Strength Testing Device used to examine the new students' physical fitness are missing. There were some Gold Soul Coins left in their place."
Hearing this, the anger that was about to flare in Jing Hongchen's eyes turned into surprise. He couldn't help but widen his eyes, disbelievingly asking again, "You're saying only the testing equipment was stolen, and the thief left money?"
Lin Jiayi nodded honestly, "That's what the staff said. I went to the scene, and there were enough Gold Soul Coins to buy two Level 6 Soul Guided Devices on the market."
Jing Hongchen: "...???"
Are thieves nowadays so ethical? No, if he has money, why doesn't he just buy them? Why does he have to be a thief for thrills?
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy isn't a military zone, but its defenses are extraordinary. Even an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo or a Level 8 Soul Engineer might not be able to escape unscathed after stealing something here.
What's more, he, the Hongchen Hall Master, is not to be trifled with. He didn't think anyone capable of stealing here wouldn't worry about his retaliation.
And after coming all this way, they only stole two Level 6 Soul Guided Devices? Weren't high-level Soul Guided Devices of Level 7 or 8 more appealing?
Even with Jing Hongchen's extensive knowledge, this sudden bizarre news left him a bit bewildered.
Seeing the Dean lost in thought, Lin Jiayi quickly pulled out a dark black envelope from his怀 and handed it over. "Also, Dean, I found this among the Gold Soul Coins. It has a Titled Douluo-level Soul Power seal on it."
"Now this makes sense. He's not a thief; he wants to send a message to this Hall Master."
Jing Hongchen breathed a sigh of relief, took the envelope, and injected some Soul Power into it. Six ink-brush characters immediately appeared on the cover: To Dean Hongchen.
"Heh, interesting. I didn't expect him to not only not be a thief, but also not a person from my Sun Moon Empire, but rather from the original Douluo Three Kingdoms."
Jing Hongchen's eyes gleamed with wisdom as he confidently remarked.
"Dean, how can you tell?" Lin Jiayi, quick-witted, played along.
"The Soul Power seal on this is incredibly powerful; I can't even break it easily. There are no Titled Douluo, or even Super Douluo, this powerful in the Sun Moon Empire."
Jing Hongchen said matter-of-factly, his voice filled with absolute confidence and a hint of pride.
Didn't he know the level of Soul Power of those Level 9 Soul Engineers? Besides Old Man Kong, no one was stronger than him, and Old Man Kong wouldn't play such a joke on him.
Furthermore, he hadn't detected any of that repulsive Evil Soul Master aura in the Soul Power seal. Clearly, it could only be a strong Soul Master from the original Three Kingdoms.
All illusions cannot escape the discerning eye of Dean Hongchen!
"Ah, this..." Lin Jiayi's flattering words got stuck in his throat, unsure how to respond.
Should he praise the Dean for being "quite self-aware and insightful"? But wouldn't that offend those Level Nine Soul Guidance Masters?
Fortunately, the Dean didn't focus on him. Instead, he waved his hand, conjuring a Ninth Level Soul Guided Device designed for breaking seals. After some effort, he finally broke the seal.
Lin Jiayi silently praised the Dean's extraordinary ability, while fine beads of sweat appeared on Jing Hongchen's forehead. His gaze deepened, and a flicker of intense fire ignited within him.
He couldn't be certain before, but now he was. The person who acted was definitely a Super Douluo, very likely a formidable individual at Level 96 or higher.
Such a powerful individual would be highly ranked even in the Douluo Three Kingdoms. This kind of challenge excited Jing Hongchen.
"This Dean wants to see what you're truly up to."
He tore open the envelope, pulled out the letter, and his eyes, filled with fighting spirit, suddenly narrowed as he saw the hastily scrawled handwriting.
"Your grandchild possesses extraordinary talent, with the potential to become a Super Douluo. May you nurture them well. My Qilin Child may contend with them in the future. Three Elixirs are bestowed to aid the younger generation."
It's actually for Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen?
Jing Hongchen folded the letter and glanced inside the envelope. Three small boxes emitted a faint herbal fragrance and mist.
"Well, well, quite generous." Jing Hongchen continued to open the small boxes. Within a misty haze, three plump, crystalline, deep-blue Elixirs with circular patterns lay.
"Is this the Mystic Water Pill?" Lin Jiayi recognized the type of Elixir at a glance, his eyes lighting up slightly.
The Mystic Water Pill has the effect of cleansing the meridians and marrow, which can enhance Innate Soul Power. Soul Masters below Level 20 who consume it can increase their Soul Power by at least one level. It is highly popular among Soul Masters and is worth a fortune.
This Elixir would be highly sought after even at the Mingdu auction. Soul Engineers with poor foundations loved this kind of treasure that could cleanse impurities from the body.
Inferior Elixirs harm one's foundation, while superior Elixirs strengthen it!
"Indeed, it is the Mystic Water Pill, and of superior quality, with potent medicinal properties." Jing Hongchen used a Level 8 detection device to scan it a few times, finding no harmful substances.
"Then Dean, what should we do with these Elixirs...?"
"What do you mean, 'what should we do'? Of course, we eat them." Jing Hongchen popped one into his mouth, chewing as he waved his hand.
"Go quickly and call Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen for me. Tell them there's something good. They've just broken through Level 20, so it's perfect for them to take this."
"Oh, oh, yes." Lin Jiayi nodded and quickly walked out of the office, thinking to himself how lucky the Dean was, with good things delivered right to his doorstep for his grandchildren as soon as they entered the academy.
After Lin Jiayi left, Jing Hongchen silently absorbed the medicinal power, staring thoughtfully at the two glowing Elixirs.
The Mystic Water Pill was said to be a unique secret medicine of a Hidden Sect in the Douluo Three Kingdoms. To offer three at once, could the person be connected to that mysterious Hidden Sect? Or perhaps even a powerful individual from that Hidden Sect?
But it didn't matter. He had absolute confidence in his two grandchildren, especially Xiao Hongchen, who had awakened a Divine Beast Martial Soul and was a top-tier genius even at Shrek.
"A Qilin Child, you say? My Hongchen Family's geniuses are not comparable to those useless ones from before. This Dean wants to see how capable your family's genius is. Such confidence suggests your junior is probably at Shrek..."
"Hmph, Shrek has been number one for ten thousand years, but my Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy will not be content to be second best for a thousand years. Mingde Hall will surely create new glory under this Hall Master's leadership..."
Jing Hongchen gently clenched his fist, his eyes burning with confident ambition.
"Buzz—"
A short while later, the office door opened again, and two silver-haired youths, a boy and a girl, trotted in briskly.
"Grandpa, why did you call for us? I still need to go to the library to study and get my Level 1 Soul Engineer certificate."
Xiao Hongchen, whose features were beginning to sharpen, walked casually up to Jing Hongchen, a serious smile on his lips.
Seeing his grandson so studious, Jing Hongchen felt a surge of paternal pride. He gently stroked Xiao Hongchen's forehead and said with a warm smile, "Of course I called you for something good. You're still young; there's no rush to level up as a Soul Engineer. You just started the academy, so interact more with your classmates. This is the best academy in our Sun Moon Empire, and there's no harm in making more friends."
Xiao Hongchen shook his head with a serious expression. "No, everyone outside is watching us now. I can't bring shame to the Hongchen Family."
His face bore the expression of "my generation's responsibility for the family's legacy," as he passionately declared his aspirations.
"Xiao, Grandpa must have a reason for telling us to make more friends. The Hongchen Family might need the help of friends to grow stronger in the future."
A clear, bell-like voice rang out. Meng Hongchen blinked her lively eyes, making a scolding expression like she was reprimanding a child.
She was trying hard to act like an adult, but her silver hair and rosy cheeks simply lacked any intimidating power.
Xiao Hongchen proudly tilted his head, pouting and crossing his arms. He said in a deep voice, "Meng, we are once-in-a-millennium geniuses of the Sun Moon Empire. There's no opponent in this academy worth my attention. Perhaps only in Shrek Academy would such people exist. In the next Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, I will surely display my abilities. I hope those people won't disappoint me…"
Having just arrived at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy today, he found the world's talents to be nothing special. He, Xiao Hongchen, was destined to create history for the Sun Moon Empire and become the Sun Moon Empire's Number One Genius!
"(ˉ▽￣~) Cut~~"
Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue at him, then turned her head away, ignoring her arrogant brother completely. She wasn't buying it.
Xiao Hongchen's eye twitched. He maintained his expression, convincing himself that this was his own sister, and not to get angry, not to get angry. It wasn't like this was the first time anyway…
Jing Hongchen smiled, enjoying the family moment. Only after the two had finished talking did he hand them the Mystic Water Pill.
"Here, this is the finest elixir from the Douluo Three Kingdoms, gifted by a Titled Douluo from there. Take it here, and I'll protect you."
Xiao Hongchen took the Mystic Water Pill, a flurry of question marks appearing in his mind. "Grandpa, what's going on? Did that Titled Douluo abandon the darkness and join our Sun Moon Empire?"
"Hehe, that person sent a challenge on behalf of their gifted younger generation, saying they would compete with the two of you in the future."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up with excitement. "Excellent! I hope that Titled Douluo's descendant is strong enough, and won't be defeated by me in just a few moves."
Meng Hongchen narrowed her beautiful eyes, examining the Mystic Water Pill, then suddenly smiled sweetly: "I hope you don't lose and get beaten down instead."
Xiao Hongchen's body stiffened, nearly dropping the Mystic Water Pill from his fingers. "Meng… would you die if you didn't annoy me?"
"Hehe, no, but it's a lot of fun; you're the Millennial First Genius of the Sun Moon Empire, so your heart needs to be strong."
"You annoy me every day, whose side are you on?!"
Meng Hongchen thought for a moment, then said with a serious look on her face:
"Hmm… that's hard to say. If that genius from the Three Kingdoms is handsome, maybe I'll team up with him to beat you up? You never know."
Xiao Hongchen covered his face in mock collapse, turning to complain to Jing Hongchen: "Ah, ah… Grandpa, look at her…"
Jing Hongchen didn't take it seriously at all, smiling as he comforted him: "Xiao, what Meng says isn't entirely unreasonable. She's your sister, so you, as her brother, should be more tolerant…"
"You, you two…"
Xiao Hongchen looked at the two with indignation, feeling that there was no longer a place for him in this cold Hongchen Family. He turned his grief into appetite, swallowed the Mystic Water Pill in one gulp, then sat cross-legged, out of sight, out of mind.
Damn Three Kingdoms genius, don't let me meet you too soon, otherwise I'll definitely defeat you soundly in front of Meng, and reclaim my dignity as a brother…
At noon, Xu Xiaoyun returned, riding on clouds, the outline of Xuanming Sect's manor coming into view.
This time I met Old Long and sent a message to Jing Hongchen. Now that Tian Xi will cultivate in the Sun Moon Empire, it should be much safer…
Xu Xiaoyun walked through the air along the stone path, reviewing his plan in his mind, pondering what else could be done.
Suddenly, Xu Sanshi's pained wail of indignation came from not far away, making him quicken his pace.
"Ah, ah, Tian Xi, what have you been eating? Don't chase me anymore, big brother can't take it!"
Xu Xiaoyun: "…"
Where did that kid Sanshi learn such rubbish? He needs a beating!