He Caitou let out a hearty laugh. "Actually, being a swordsman isn't bad for you; it's pretty handsome. But considering your Martial Soul, a long-range Soul Tool should be more suitable, right?"
The Spirit Eye, a Martial Soul capable of remotely locking onto an enemy's position, was practically born for stationary Soul Tools.
God only knows why the original timeline's Old Huo was made to specialize in melee Soul Tools... Don't they know that beyond seven steps, a gun is both fast and accurate?
"Ah, that floating cannon you mentioned—I've already tried making it. It's just that the levitating soul formation is far too complex, and battery life is an issue. I can only try to make a prototype for now."
Just then, a white, graceful figure took the initiative to step forward, arriving beside Huo Yuhao and He Caitou.
"Senior He, and student Yuhao, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"
"Oh, Junior Sister Ning Tian."
Huo Yuhao casually gestured with his hand. "Classmate Ning Tian, please, have a seat."
Ning Tian elegantly smoothed her skirt and sat down. "Thank you."
Huo Yuhao smiled and said, "I heard Classmate Ning Tian has already reached the standard of an entry-level Rank 1 Soul Engineer. Congratulations."
Ning Tian gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "It's nothing to celebrate. I'm far behind compared to you."
He Caitou interjected, "Being able to enter the Rank 1 Soul Engineer assessment after only two months of study—that speed would be among the best even in the Sun Moon Empire. Junior Sister Ning Tian doesn't need to be so modest."
The Soul Tool Department hadn't managed to recruit Huo Yuhao, but at least they had a Soul Elder genius like Ning Tian join. Furthermore, Ning Tian had practiced Distracted Control, so her Mental Power was stronger than her peers. Combined with her natural talent and Fan Yu's personal guidance, her entry into the field was relatively smooth.
Entry does not equal becoming; one must distinguish between the two.
Being able to "enter" meant having the hope of becoming a Rank 1 Soul Engineer, but it still required time to accumulate experience.
As a girl and an Auxiliary System Soul Master, Ning Tian didn't have to swing a hammer to forge shells like other Soul Engineers. This was a special exemption from Fan Yu; otherwise, Ning Tian's entry might have been indefinitely delayed...
Not everyone is a combination of a "grind-king" and a top student like Old Huo, who could become a Rank 2 Soul Engineer in eight months by studying only a few hours at night. Even He Caitou took a full year and four months to become a Rank 1 Soul Engineer.
One can only say the profession of Soul Engineer is too competitive. If placed in the era of Tang Wulin or Lan Xuanyu, the current Ning Tian could have at least become a Rank 1 Mecha Designer.
"Oh ho... it looks like Auxiliary System Soul Masters have a new career path! I knew it, Classmate Ning Tian's aptitude definitely had a chance."
The three of them chatted and ate with smiles and laughter; the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.
Wang Dong stared at the three of them without blinking—more accurately, staring at Huo Yuhao.
An indescribable bitterness made it impossible for Wang Dong to eat, especially seeing Huo Yuhao acting all "lovey-dovey" with another girl.
Wang Dong lowered his head and gritted his teeth, refusing to let the "little pearls" (tears) fall.
Clearly... I worked so hard to force myself to forget him, so why does he have to appear in front of me again?
Looking at the gentle smile on Huo Yuhao's face and remembering the coldness and impatience he showed when speaking to him, the sharp contrast made Wang Dong almost lose his composure.
Why won't you even look at me? Am I really that annoying?
He really wanted to rush up, grab Huo Yuhao by the collar, tell him loudly that he was actually a girl, and then demand to know why he kept bullying him.
But that wasn't right either... Huo Yuhao was just ignoring him. Could that even be considered bullying?
Wang Dong sadly realized that he had no standing to stand beside Huo Yuhao and accuse him.
"If you hadn't guided me to study Soul Tools, I might still be wasting time over at the Martial Soul Department. Oh, right, this is for you. It's not anything expensive, but please accept it."
Ning Tian's pretty face flushed slightly as she pulled a red box from her storage bracelet and handed it to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao took it and glanced at it.
"This is... Mmhmm, thank you."
Ning Tian was very thoughtful. What she gave Huo Yuhao wasn't a combat Soul Tool, but a very simple and practical Soul Tool insulated lunch box.
Ning Tian wasn't a Rank 1 Soul Engineer yet; according to Caitou, she was still at the threshold of engraving a Rank 1 core formation. She likely asked other students to help her make it.
This girl really put some heart into it.
Wang Dong's pupils shrank, but a very faint sound reached his ears.
Snap!
It sounded like the noise of chopsticks being snapped.
Looking toward the sound, there was a young girl dressed in red leather, her ponytail tied neatly. She stood by a table with her back to the crowd.
One could see her body trembling slightly.
Wang Dong & Wu Feng: Clearly, I was here first...
Watching the laughing Huo Yuhao trio, Lan Xuanyu's face turned so dark it looked like it was about to drip ink.
It really is...
What should be done? Can her Aunt still be counted on?
And this Huo Yuhao, how can he be such a playboy!
Lan Xuanyu really wanted to go up and give him a beating, but no matter how he looked at it, he had no chance of winning...
I'll endure for now and let you have your fun for a few days...
...
On the way back to the dormitory, He Caitou hooked his arm around Huo Yuhao, teasingly saying, "Not bad, Yuhao. Ning Tian is quite sought after in the Soul Tool Department. When do you plan to win her over?"
"The young sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—a certified little rich girl. Don't forget your brother when the time comes."
"Brother He, what nonsense are you talking about..." Huo Yuhao rolled his eyes helplessly. "She and I have an agreement to team up for next year's competition."
"Eh... is that the only reason? The way she looks at you is definitely not right."
Suddenly remembering Long Qiu'er's transcendent beauty, Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Let's not talk about that. Brother He, give me a Mental Enhancement Cigar first."
"Haha, you're the only one in the entire Academy who doesn't look down on my Soul Skill."
The two of them found a bench by the dormitory's green belt and sat down. He Caitou chanted his cringeworthy Soul Skill incantation and handed a long, thin cigar to Huo Yuhao, popping one into his own mouth and lighting it.
Exhaling a smoke ring coolly, He Caitou said tentatively, "Speaking of which, do you really not plan to join the Ultimate Soldier Plan?"
Qian Duoduo had personally come to find Huo Yuhao later, hoping to use the Ultimate Soldier Plan to win him over and tie him completely to Shrek Academy, but Huo Yuhao still refused.
Huo Yuhao also blew a smoke ring and said mockingly, "That is a nonsensical, wishful-thinking plan. I don't want to waste time on it. And..."
Looking at the bitter smile on He Caitou's face, Huo Yuhao said pointedly, "Brother He, don't you think Shrek's hand is reaching a bit too far? Changing a war with the power of one person... Didn't they say they were neutral? Why are they trying to meddle in a war?"
"..."
He Caitou lowered his head in silence, letting the cigar burn in his hand, but Huo Yuhao could see the inner conflict and complexity in his eyes.
He said in a raspy voice, "Yuhao, to be honest, I don't have many friends here at Shrek. You are the only one who doesn't look down on me and is willing to talk to me. Can I consider you a brother?"
"...Of course. Actually, I don't have many friends either. We're both in the same boat."
He Caitou gave a bitter laugh. "That's because all your friends are outstanding women, and they're all beautiful older sisters. You have no idea how many people in the Outer Court envy you."
"That... we'll talk about that later." Huo Yuhao interrupted Caitou's teasing with a bit of fluster. "So, Brother He, why are you suddenly saying this? Did you want to talk to me about something privately?"