Chapter 13

"Excellent. Your soul power cultivation has already made you a peerless prodigy, and your spiritual sea-level mental strength has reached the minimum standard of a Titled Douluo. You're still young—your future accomplishments are limitless."

Leng Yaoju smiled warmly as she encouraged the two, then turned her gaze toward Na’er and said:

"Huan Nao sent a soul tool communication, asking you to come see him. Something about a mecha repair exam paper?"

At these words, Na’er’s smiling lips instantly drooped. She glared at Zhao Xuanzhen and snapped, "You’re not even human—you’re dragging me into this too!"

Last night, Huan Nao conducted a mecha repair assessment, adhering to the principle of combining theory with practice. The exam was divided into two parts: written test and hands-on operation.

The final major question on the written test was absurdly advanced, involving knowledge of three-character Doukai repairs. Han Tianyi gave the two of them a mecha repair manual the day before the exam, which contained the exact answers.

Zhao Xuanzhen believed Han Tianyi wouldn’t act without purpose, so he advised Na’er to skim through it. Na’er clearly didn’t take it seriously—resulting in her being tormented in the true illusion, chased around the entire arena by the Snake Emperor Medusa.

"Sigh…"

Na’er let out a long sigh, feeling the sorrow of an old soul trapped in a child’s body.

"Go quickly—Medusa is getting impatient." Zhao Xuanzhen patted her shoulder, stabbing her with blunt honesty. "Next time, memorize the answers."

Na’er bristled with indignation: "Memorizing answers is no different from cheating! Dare you face me fairly in a real test!"

With a grim little face and steps heavy with martyrdom, she marched to meet Medusa’s gaze.

After Na’er left, Leng Yaoju turned her head toward Zhao Xuanzhen: "Since Huan Nao is testing mecha repair, I should evaluate your mecha design and mecha manufacturing skills."

"No problem, Teacher." Zhao Xuanzhen accepted readily.

The master and disciple arrived at the Deputy Tower Master’s exclusive Doukai chamber. Leng Yaoju tapped the metal table lightly, and a countdown timer appeared.

"Xuanzhen, create a soul tool with maximum capability within two hours."

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded. After four years of study, this wasn’t his first timed assessment. His eyes swept over the dozens of metals on the table, and he immediately made his choice—picking up a silvery-white metal.

Rare metal: Chen Silver.

Soul tools differ from Doukai and mecha—they don’t require especially rigorous forging, especially for mid- and low-grade soul tools below Level Seven. Just complete the tempering process.

He swiftly finished the preparatory work. The cubic Chen Silver was divided into small metal pieces. In his left hand he held the Chen Silver; in his right, a blue engraving knife.

The engraving knife was the essential tool for soul masters to inscribe core arrays. This one was entirely translucent like crystal, its handle deep blue, gradually fading to transparency along the blade until the razor-sharp tip.

After a brief inspection of the Chen Silver, Zhao Xuanzhen began carving—his movements swift, each stroke unbroken. To Leng Yaoju’s watching eyes, the knife in his fingers spun like a dancing ice flower.

"The prototype of a style..." Leng Yaoju murmured inwardly.

Soul masters inscribe core arrays onto rare metals; mecha manufacturers inscribe soul-enhancing arrays onto forged metals. The two share a similar essence.

To advance beyond Level Seven—and especially to reach higher levels—a mecha manufacturer must develop their own unique style. As a Level Eight mecha manufacturer, Leng Yaoju could clearly see Zhao Xuanzhen was still in the process of exploring his style, yet a prototype had already begun to form—he was walking the inevitable path toward becoming a high-level mecha manufacturer.

Time passed slowly. Complex patterns were etched densely across the Chen Silver’s surface. Leng Yaoju frowned slightly. "Energy storage, energy storage, energy storage, energy storage, explosion, explosion…"

"Chen Silver has excellent soul power conductivity and is harder than ordinary rare metals, but no matter what, it can’t withstand four rounds of soul power storage. Are you making a single-use soul tool?"

Leng Yaoju didn’t lower her voice. Zhao Xuanzhen paid her no mind whatsoever—ears deaf to the world, eyes fixed solely on his soul tool. Fine Chen Silver powder drifted and scattered.

"Now he’s etching a speed array. So it’s a single-use explosive type." Leng Yaoju realized.

"Teacher, are you deliberately distracting me?" Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help asking.

The soul of a soul tool is its core array. The crafting process allows no error—even a hair’s breadth off can ruin everything. Leng Yaoju’s voice kept interrupting—he strongly suspected she was doing it on purpose!

"A capability assessment must contain challenges."

Leng Yaoju smiled slyly, openly admitting: "I am one of your challenges."

"Friendly reminder: passing the assessment comes with a reward."

"Care to give me a hint?"

Leng Yaoju smiled sweetly: "These past four years, you and Na’er have trained deep within the Spirit Transmission Tower, rarely stepping outside. You only get half a day off per week. Tomorrow, I’ll take you both on a trip—enjoy the beauty of nature, relax, have some fun."

"That’s quite tempting."

Zhao Xuanzhen kept carving steadily, curious: "Which city are we going to? Heaven Dou City, Star Luo City, Ling Dou City, Dragon City?"

Leng Yaoju smiled: "You guessed none of them."

"One of the eighteen Pillar Cities of the Spirit Transmission Tower—Hai Dong City."

"As a coastal city, Hai Dong City has abundant tourism resources and is the origin of many Federation seafood delicacies. You two can sunbathe and eat seafood while I observe a prodigy—and we’ll all take a short vacation together."

Donghai City, as a coastal town, is rich in tourism resources and the origin of many federation seafood; you two can sunbathe and eat seafood while I briefly investigate a genius, then we’ll take a short vacation together.

Zhao Xuanzhen’s eyes flickered with something unusual. He asked casually: "What prodigy is worth your personal attention?"

Leng Yaoju smiled: "A first-year student at Hai Dong Academy. A little girl, about your age, with exceptional talent—Gu Yue."

As Zhao Xuanzhen expected, the prodigy who drew Leng Yaoju’s attention in Hai Dong City was Gu Yue!

Gu Yue’s appearance in Hai Dong City means she’s found Tang Wulin and is targeting the Golden Dragon King’s Divine Core within him.

Leng Yaoju didn’t know Zhao Xuanzhen’s thoughts. She continued: "Gu Yue’s martial soul is called Element Master—just like your True Self and Na’er’s White Silver Dragon Spear, it’s unique."

"Elemental power is formidable. Even a single-element martial soul draws fierce competition from major factions. But Element Master controls multiple elements—and can combine them!"

"According to the Hai Dong Spirit Transmission Tower’s head, who’s my former subordinate, Gu Yue demonstrated six elements—Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Light, and Space—in the Chujishenglingtai . She strongly urged me to recruit her, and she’s willing to join the Spirit Transmission Tower."

The Donghai City Spirit Tower director is my former subordinate; according to him, Gu Yue demonstrated the six elements—earth, water, wind, fire, light, and space—in the Chujishenglingtai , and strongly urged me to bring her into our fold; she also expressed her willingness to join the Spirit Tower.

"No. Never."

Leng Yaoju’s tone was serious: "Without you, I might have taken Gu Yue as my disciple. But now—you are my only disciple."

"This trip to Hai Dong City is indeed to recruit Gu Yue into the Spirit Transmission Tower and grant her Core Disciple status. But more importantly—to make her join the Phoenix Clan faction, and stand with us. The Spirit Transmission Tower is riddled with rival clans; it’s not united."

"The main Leng family line is dwindling. Xiao Ling comes from the collateral Ling Feng branch. You are her son, my direct disciple—you must inherit my position."

"Na’er, Gu Yue, even Da Bai and Xiao Bai—all are indispensable allies to you."

"By the way, Gu Yue has a hidden sect behind her. Her mother once met face-to-face with the Hai Dong Tower Master, requesting Gu Yue bypass the branch training and be assigned directly to headquarters."

"That woman calls herself the Titled Purple Dragon. The Hai Dong Tower Master believes she’s at least a Super Douluo—meaning Gu Yue’s background is extraordinary."

Gu Yue has a mother? Titled Purple Dragon?

Zhao Xuanzhen didn’t believe a word. A name flashed instantly in his mind.

The Ninth Most Terrifying Beast of the Continent—the Hell Demon Dragon King, Zi Ji!

Dragon bloodline, true dragon soul beast. No one else could better play the role of Gu Yue’s mother.

So Gu Yue still chose that path: seize the Golden Dragon King’s Divine Core, join the Spirit Transmission Tower, use her talent and background to gain the attention of its high-ranking officials, then establish the Ten Thousand Beasts Platform to control human soul masters—and complete the soul beasts’ revenge against humanity!

"Why are you still chatting with me? Focus on inscribing the core array—your speed has slowed!" Leng Yaoju tapped the table.

"Teacher, you started this topic…"

"I am the obstacle. You must overcome it—not climb up my back." Leng Yaoju watched Zhao Xuanzhen calmly, effortlessly demonstrating how she could be right either way.

The soul tool was at a critical stage. If Leng Yaoju kept interfering, he’d surely fail. Zhao Xuanzhen paused briefly, then a blueprint floated out of his storage soul tool and landed before Leng Yaoju.

"Teacher, could you take a look at this blueprint?"

"Of course."

Leng Yaoju took it. Her eyes fell on the blueprint—and her body instinctively trembled, her phoenix eyes gleaming.

The blueprint depicted a one-character Doukai design—nearly complete. Even with her Level Nine mecha design expertise, she couldn’t find major flaws.

Normally, one could begin researching one-character Doukai after reaching Level Three in a second profession. Perfecting it requires Level Four. Based solely on this blueprint, Zhao Xuanzhen was already a Level Four mecha designer!

Normally, a second profession breakthrough to level three allows one to attempt designing a single-character Battle Armor; perfecting such armor requires level four; with only this blueprint, Zhao Xuanzhen is already a level four mech designer!

Leng Yaoju was deeply shaken, analyzing every detail of Zhao Xuanzhen’s design philosophy.

Having silenced the distracting teacher, Zhao Xuanzhen accelerated again. The engraving knife became a light, nimble breeze—touching and leaving instantly, never pausing. His movements flowed like water, as if the knife merely brushed the surface of the Chen Silver.

The master and disciple remained silent—one studying, one carving. Outside, dusk fell. The chamber’s soft lights activated automatically, maintaining brightness. Neither Zhao Xuanzhen nor Leng Yaoju noticed the change—both lost entirely in their own worlds.

The countdown ended. The Chen Silver had become a hollow, intricately carved conical soul tool, its surface twisting with three-dimensional patterns.

A wall of alloy rose from the floor. Zhao Xuanzhen hurled it with soul power. A series of piercing explosions followed, scattering metal powder.

Leng Yaoju affirmed: "Modified high-explosive energy-charged shell, combining fixed-type soul tool technology. Slightly weaker than a standard Level Four fixed soul cannon shell—but far cheaper to produce. Economical and practical."

"Congratulations. Level Four mecha manufacturer. Level Four mecha designer—at age ten."

"Not just that." Zhao Xuanzhen said. "Han Lao certified that both Na’er and I are Level Four mecha repairers."

Leng Yaoju recalled the nearly impossible promise: to surpass Level Four in all three second professions within five years. Zhao Xuanzhen had done it in four.

"The new tide pushes the old…," she sighed. "From now on, I won’t stop you from cultivating all three professions."

“The new wave pushes the old…,” she sighed, “from now on, I won’t stop you from cultivating all three professions.”

"No need to thank me between master and disciple…"

Her jade hand lightly touched Zhao Xuanzhen’s cheek. Her crimson pupils seemed to gather a storm within, whispering softly:

"Xuanzhen, don’t blame me for being strict these past years. You are my entire spiritual Jituo . I want to see you tower above all others—become the peerless one among your generation…"

Warmth flowed from her palm. Zhao Xuanzhen’s dark, still eyes rippled. He asked:

"Peerless among peers… is that all?"

Hearing this, Leng Yaoju smiled as if released: "If you can go further—that would be best. I harbor a selfish wish: to nurture you step by step—to reach the heavens above, and probe the underworld below!"

"To do so, I am willing to give… everything!"

"I will. Teacher, I’m going back to cultivate."

Zhao Xuanzhen’s expression was unexpectedly cold and detached. He bid farewell to Leng Yaoju and stepped into the high-speed elevator bound for the ninety-ninth floor.

No one saw—his eyes were no longer naturally black, nor the deep blue of the Divine Plate Dao Art. They glowed with dazzling golden light, radiating awe-inspiring authority!

Na’er had not finished training. Only Zhao Xuanzhen remained on the ninety-ninth floor.

"Four Plates in Harmony."

The Eight Trigrams and Odd Gates instantly sealed the entire floor—no aura leaked out.

"Wanwan lei qing, lan yin xu guo…"

Zhao Xuanzhen saw his reflection in Leng Yaoju’s eyes—present on her, yet not truly seen by her.

"I am I alone—the supreme of the mortal realm. I will become the highest, highest Zhao… wait—I really am surnamed Zhao!"

I am myself, the finest in the mortal world. I will become the highest, highest Zhao... wait, my real surname is Zhao!

Forget it, you can't just mess around with that thing!

“Reach up to the clouds, probe down to the underworld… Teacher, I won’t be the second Clear Sky Douluo—I will replace him and ascend to the pinnacle of the continent, and… your heart!”

“Eight Trigrams Mystic Gate, Divine Disc!”

The Eight Trigrams Mystic Gate’s four discs—Heaven, Earth, Human, and Divine—correspond respectively to celestial timing, geographical advantage, human harmony, and divine aid.

Zhao Xuanzhen commonly uses the Earth Disc’s art, but the most powerful of the four discs is undoubtedly the Divine Disc art, which houses the eight great powers of the world!

His golden eyes burned in silent stillness as Zhao Xuanzhen observed the night sky; two nights from now, the celestial pattern would be a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, the stars blazing brilliantly.

To fulfill his lifelong wish, he needed a world free of divine interference—this was the only chance for mortal strength to surpass the gods.

Yet Zhao Xuanzhen was only a two-ring Great Soul Master, incapable of bearing such celestial timing; he needed a medium.

Divine Disc: Eight Deceitful Gods!

The Eight Trigrams Mystic Gate cast a golden shadow, its formation slowly rotating in harmony with the laws of heaven and earth.

The Divine Disc’s Eight Deceitful Gods are embodiments of heaven and earth’s power, eight mysterious forces corresponding to all things in the world; they are born at the absolute limit of a realm, requiring immense time to absorb celestial and terrestrial energy—but the Mystic Gate’s master can accelerate their growth using celestial timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony!

Possessing celestial timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony grants immense influence on the Douluo Continent—for example, the supreme factions that stand atop the continent: the Spirit Transmission Tower, Shrek Academy, Tang Men, the War God Hall…

The greater the light, the darker the shadow.

The Holy Spirit Cult, the Abyss, the Demon Hell… these evil forces also wield heavy celestial timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony.

Within these realms, the Eight Deceitful Gods grow at maximum speed, becoming the pinnacle of life in this era of the Douluo Continent—the quasi-god.

Celestial and terrestrial spirits are bound by the limits of their world; for the Eight Deceitful Gods to become gods, only two paths exist: the world’s plane must ascend, or the Mystic Gate’s master must transcend the world!

“Southern Fire, take your place.”

Absolute, all-consuming silence descended. At the center of the Eight Trigrams Mystic Gate, a black abyss split open—a shadow that devoured even light—absorbing decades of celestial and terrestrial energy from the Spirit Transmission Tower, the first Eight Deceitful God stirred slowly to life.

The sound of scales scraping like two iron mountains colliding, a crimson vertical pupil emerged from the abyss; a massive head rose, followed by a body like a steel tower, crimson patterns glowing between its black scales like cooling lava.

A serpent of monstrous size—its body dwarfed the ninety-nine-story ceiling, revealing only its head and a portion of its Qu —each breath scorching hot, tearing spiderweb-like crimson cracks into the air.

The serpent gazed down at Zhao Xuanzhen; deep within its crimson pupils, black clouds swirled like volcanic eruptions. Then, slowly, it lowered its head and spoke in human voice:

“Eight Deceitful God, Teng She, greets the Master of the Mystic Gate.”

(End of Chapter)