Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
******
A Flawless Creation!
This was the caliber of the core formation Su Wen had just inscribed.
Not only was every stroke perfect, but there also seemed to be a faint, ethereal resonance between the formation and the world itself. It was as if the work had undergone a mysterious sublimation, allowing it to exert power far beyond its theoretical limits.
In the lexicon of Soul Tool engineers, there was a specific, prestigious term used to evaluate such a phenomenon: A Stroke of Divine Genius.
When an ordinary Soul Tool engineer crafted a device, simply achieving a perfect rendition of the core formation's intricate lines was a Herculean task. As for a "Stroke of Divine Genius"? That was something that could only occur through a serendipitous alignment of luck and skill—much like a soul master experiencing a sudden epiphany or falling into a state of Deep Meditation. It was a phenomenon that could be sought but never guaranteed.
And yet, what was Lin Tian witnessing at this very moment?
He was looking at a vast collection of mid-level Soul Tools, and within them, the majority of the core formations had been completed with that very "Stroke of Divine Genius."
This implied something staggering: Su Wen possessed the ability to capture that fleeting state of divine inspiration and replicate it perfectly, time and time again!
"Brother Su, may I take the liberty of asking... do you have some kind of special technique?" Lin Tian stammered.
"Of course I do," Su Wen replied with a natural, easy nod.
"Uh..." Lin Tian froze, stunned by the bluntness of the answer. He just admitted it? Just like that?
Su Wen knew exactly what was racing through Lin Tian's mind. The older man was likely worried about the inherent risks of admitting to possessing such a coveted secret. However, Su Wen harbored no such fears. In the current Sun Moon Continent—or indeed, the entire Douluo Planet—soul masters or soul beasts capable of truly threatening him certainly existed, but he wasn't about to cross paths with them just because he let this slip.
With an absolute strength bordering the threshold of a Super Douluo and a mastery over the power of space, Su Wen's survival capabilities were top-tier.
Long ago, he had slain Tang Xiao while the latter was utilizing the Great Sumeru Hammer's Ring Bursting technique. While that victory hadn't relied solely on raw power—Su Wen had employed numerous "underhanded" tactics and frequent teleports to wear down a Tang Xiao who was determined to take Su Wen to the grave—it proved his lethality.
While his raw output might not have reached Tang Xiao's level back then, he had used spatial manipulation to exhaust his opponent to death. Now, his strength had only grown. Although he hadn't quite reached the formal rank of a Super Douluo, when combining his spatial abilities with his various other methods, he could hold his own against a Rank 96 or 97 Super Douluo without needing to flee. Against a Rank 98, he could certainly ensure his own survival. Even against the Rank 99 Peerless Douluos, Su Wen wasn't entirely without options.
Furthermore, Su Wen possessed one supreme advantage: Balance.
His development was incredibly well-rounded. Every single one of his attributes and skills had reached the threshold of the Super Douluo level. Consequently, whether he faced a Power Attack System, Defense System, or Control System Super Douluo of Rank 96 or 97, he possessed the tools to fight them on equal footing.
Lin Tian, of course, was oblivious to all of this.
He only knew that Su Wen was peerless among soul masters of the same rank—so powerful that not a single Soul Emperor on the Sun Moon Continent could match him, even those equipped with advanced Soul Tools. In Lin Tian's mind, Su Wen's strength likely capped out at the Soul Saint level.
A Soul Douluo? Impossible.
A Title Douluo? Even more inconceivable.
As for the realm of a Rank 95+ Super Douluo—a tier currently non-existent on the Sun Moon Continent—Lin Tian didn't even have the imagination to guess in that direction.
"Actually, it isn't that difficult," Su Wen continued. "In fact, this relates directly to my purpose for coming to the Sun Moon Continent."
"Your purpose?" Lin Tian's eyes flickered. He felt as though he had stumbled into uncovering Su Wen's true goals. He didn't fear an opponent who was strong or mysterious; he feared an opponent whose motivations were a complete vacuum.
"Exactly. Tell me, how much do you know about the Douluo Continent?"
"Not much," Lin Tian admitted, his expression stiffening with a hint of embarrassment.
He knew it existed and that the soul masters there lacked the heritage of Soul Tools. Instead, they focused purely on martial soul abilities. He had heard that a soul master from that land would utterly crush a Sun Moon soul master of the same rank if the latter wasn't wearing Soul Tools. That was the extent of his knowledge; his teacher hadn't offered much more detail.
"It doesn't matter much. You only need to know that I am the founder of a Sacred Land on the Douluo Continent. I've come to the Sun Moon Continent to expand that Sacred Land to these shores."
As soon as Su Wen spoke, Lin Tian's face paled.
A Sacred Land?
To his ears, that sounded like an organization on the same level as the Sun Moon Imperial Cult—a monolithic, monopolistic superpower that held supreme authority over the hearts and minds of the people. And Su Wen wanted to expand his Sacred Land here?
Wouldn't that make him a direct enemy of the Sun Moon Imperial Cult?
"My Sacred Land is called the Academy," Su Wen said calmly, ignoring Lin Tian's defensive posture. "We do not participate in power struggles. Our philosophy is that 'Knowledge is Power.' Our sole mission is to spread knowledge and advance the world of soul masters. Of course, since I'm expanding to the Sun Moon Continent, I suppose I'll have to add 'advancing the world of Soul Tool engineers' to that mission."
Despite Su Wen's explanation, Lin Tian found it hard to believe such an organization could exist. A group that didn't seek profit, but only reputation? A faction so pure felt almost unnaturally idealistic.
"It's fine if you don't believe me yet. You'll understand in time. I won't force the Academy onto this continent; I intend to discuss a partnership with the high-ranking members of the Sun Moon Imperial Cult first. I even plan to consult with the Sun Moon Imperial Family."
"You want to cooperate with the Imperial Family too?" Lin Tian's expression darkened further.
He had assumed Su Wen was already leaning toward the Imperial Cult's camp. Now it seemed that wasn't the case. Su Wen was still very much an outsider, playing his own game.
"Indeed. My goal is to establish the Academy across the entire Douluo Planet. Currently, the Sun Moon Continent is the only place left without one."
Understanding that mere words couldn't convey the benefits of the Academy, Su Wen condensed a page-shaped Soul Imprint. "Merge your mental strength into this and experience it for yourself."
Lin Tian hesitated for a moment but ultimately complied. He realized that if Su Wen harbored any ill intent, he had no power to resist anyway.
Ten minutes later, the page in Lin Tian's hand dissolved into light.
His consciousness returned from the "Academic Realm," but Lin Tian remained in a daze, his eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and profound disbelief.
This... this is the Academy?
"Old Brother Lin, since you know of the Douluo Continent's existence, you must have a connection to the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Imperial Cult, right?" Su Wen asked. "I hope you can act as a bridge and help me get in touch with the person backing you."
Pulled back to reality, Lin Tian's expression was complex. It took a long time before he could find his voice. "Sigh... I will do my best to contact my teacher for you."
"Right, here is some information on Meditation Techniques. You can try practicing them first. Since you've already opened your Sea of Spirit, you should be able to get the hang of the basics fairly quickly. Once you do, you'll have a chance to attempt a 'Stroke of Divine Genius' yourself."
Su Wen had indeed used these techniques to achieve his results. To be precise, it wasn't just the meditation—it was the Artistic Conception. By infusing his own intent into the strokes, the effects of the core formation lines merged with his conception, creating a resonance with the world.
That was the secret behind the Stroke of Divine Genius.
(End of Chapter)