Chapter 115: The Assessment of Mingde Hall (1)

Nonsense, fighting you is just torturing myself; you damn well have no sense of martial virtue, back then a Five-Ring Peak fighting me, a Level 2 Great Soul Master.

Now I am a Four-Ring, I could definitely hammer you, but I know there is no need, because once I beat you, you would have to treat me like an experience pack to grind every day; fighting you is purely torturing myself.

That is the reality, so Su knows how to weigh the pros and cons clearly.

"There is one more thing, in the future I might need rare metals to make Soul Guidance Devices, and that will require your help."

Looking at Ji Juechen, whose eyes were burning with fighting spirit, Su Yu knew that Ji Juechen's way of thinking was actually very simple: when you have enough strength to be his opponent, the requests you make are actually considered reasonable.

Communicating with Ji Juechen has always been simple, mainly because Ji Juechen is not good with words, and his mind is simple, without so many twists and turns.

When class started again, Su Yu also ushered in his assessment: crafting a simplified version of a pseudo-Level 5 Soul Guidance Device.

According to Xuan Ziwen's requirements, the materials Su Yu used had to be provided by Xuan Ziwen, to prevent Su from cheating.

Although the crafting process for Keke and the others was arduous, they finished their work one after another; when it was Su Yu's turn.

Su Yu was unusually calm, starting to carve the rare metal unhurriedly; every time the knife fell, it gave Xuan Ziwen a familiar feeling that was hard to name.

"It seems Junior Brother Luo Yu intends to try the assignment Teacher Xuan gave us, do you think he can succeed?" Looking at Su Yu still attempting it step by step, Keke couldn't help but ask.

Xuan Ziwen observed Su Yu quietly, signaling Keke and Ju Zi not to disturb him, as the greatest taboo for a Soul Engineer is being disturbed while carving a Soul Guidance Array.

As time passed, Su Yu was not only carving a Level 5 Soul Guidance Array, but also adding new things, such as Hidden Weapons, energy gathering devices, and so on...

The plasticity of Soul Guidance Devices is actually very strong; Xuan Ziwen's assignment this time was just a simple Level 5 Soul Guidance Protective Shield. If, at the moment the shield is deployed, a Flash Cannon is added, suddenly firing a Flash Cannon while activating the Soul Guidance Protective Shield...

The opponent would definitely be blinded on the spot, or one could add a detachable explosive array, similar to the usage of the Mother-Child Soul-Chasing Life-Taking Gall, separating a Level 4 Soul Guidance Bomb the moment the Flash Cannon erupts with light...

This thing is incredibly insidious; caught off guard, the opponent would be tricked nine times out of ten.

Of course, this design concept can only be crafted in private; after all, this kind of thinking simply does not exist in the Douluo Continent, and to a large extent, it is still the limitation of the original author's thinking.

As time passed, one Soul Guidance Core Array after another was outlined, and a fist-sized sphere had already been hollowed out for the most part.

Seeing that the Soul Guidance Device in his hand was about to take shape, everyone's hearts hung in the balance. Once Su Yu succeeded in crafting it, it would signify that Su Yu would officially step into the ranks of Level 4 Soul Engineers, and a Level 4 Soul Engineer capable of crafting Level 5 Soul Guidance Devices at that!

In Su Yu's mind, this hollowed-out metal sphere was already displayed like a three-dimensional image; no one noticed that on Su Yu's covered forehead, a third eye quietly opened.

With the help of the Fate Eye and Yi Lao, Su Yu can unleash all of Huo Yu Hao's soul skills. Huo Yu Hao's soul skills are nothing more than advanced applications of Spirit Power. The power of the Fate Eye is even greater than his so-called Spirit Eye. Although it cannot attach a Soul Ring, this is completely inconsequential.

With the help of the Fate Eye, he can see through all Soul Guidance Array cores; as long as the opponent's Spirit Power cannot resist his intrusion, their Soul Guidance Devices are basically all flaws!

Even if Su Yu cannot use his own soul skills, he can now completely disguise himself as a Spirit-type Soul Master, because Yi Lao is his greatest reliance.

As the final knife fell, a Level 5 Soul Guidance Protective Shield was officially formed. Putting away the engraving knife in his hand, Su Yu handed the completed Soul Guidance Device to Xuan Ziwen.

"Teacher Xuan, please inspect it."

Xuan Ziwen took the Soul Guidance Device and began to dismantle this Level 5 Soul Guidance Device crafted by Su Yu.

"The Soul Guidance Core Array has no errors, the carving locations have no errors, the assembly has no errors..."

After a careful inspection, Xuan Ziwen returned the Soul Guidance Device Su Yu had crafted back into Su Yu's hands.

"Congratulations, from now on, you will be an official Level 4 Soul Engineer. Tomorrow I will go to Mingde Hall to register your latest information. If you can pass the Mingde Hall assessment, then your Level 4 Soul Engineer status will be recorded by Mingde Hall. With the guarantee of Mingde Hall, there will be no flaws in your identity."

Su Yu nodded, then said: "I have decided to apply to Mingde Hall, thank you for your guidance, Teacher Xuan."

Taking the Soul Guidance Device handed over by Xuan Ziwen, Su Yu bowed to Xuan Ziwen, then turned and left the laboratory.

After returning to the dormitory, Ji Juechen had also managed to get some rare metals from somewhere. Clearly, Ji Juechen was very attentive regarding Su Yu; he firmly believed that as long as Su Yu could continue to spar with him, his soul power would have a greater breakthrough.

"So when are we going to spar? I can't wait anymore!"

Looking at the high-spirited Ji Juechen before him, Su Yu said indifferently: "Next week, let me rest this week."

Fine, you really want to fight, right? Next week I'll twist your head off!

Wandering alone in Mingdu, Su Yu encountered Ju Zi, who was buying materials. Looking at Ju Zi before him, Su Yu slowly said: "Sister Ju Zi, do you have any plans for the future?"

Ju Zi put the materials in her hand into her Storage Soul Guidance Device, tilted her head and looked at Su Yu: "Luo Yu, are you really planning to join Mingde Hall?"

"To pursue top-tier Soul Guidance knowledge in the future, I have no choice but to join Mingde Hall. If I were a member of the imperial family, perhaps I wouldn't have to run around for my future. Isn't it the same for you, Sister Ju Zi? If you weren't all alone, how could you be living so hard?"

Looking at Ju Zi before him, Su Yu said in a helpless tone.

Actually, in terms of circumstances, Su Yu's situation is indeed much harder than theirs now. The future imperial war, plus the secrets within himself—strictly speaking, Su Yu's situation is far worse than Ju Zi's.

"Yes, but do you think everyone has as much talent as you? Walk with me; studying day after day like this really makes one feel very tired."

Su Yu is now as tall as Ju Zi; he is still wearing simple cloth clothes, and Ju Zi is also dressed simply.

Looking at the sorrowful Ju Zi, Su Yu slowly said: "Sister Ju Zi, why has Senior Zi Mu been pursuing you, but you just won't give him a chance?"

"It's not that I won't give him a chance, it's that he truly cannot give me what I want... a sense of security." Ju Zi answered absentmindedly, her thoughts having long since drifted away from the topic at hand.

"Luo Yu, perhaps you really won't understand why I am like this, but..." Ju Zi said this, her eyes slightly closed, "If your family also remained on the battlefield forever..."

"I know..."

The current identity of Luo Yu is also a war orphan. Although he doesn't have much feeling about war, Su Yu was born in Zhong Hua Jia...

Even if it's a lie, let's just call it a white lie.

Su Yu slowly said: "When your parents were conscripted into the army, and after the war ended, all that came back was the news of their deaths. At that moment, even the courage to survive is completely lost. Actually, everyone is the same..."

Ju Zi nodded gently, her eyes a bit hazy, as if she had completely immersed herself in her own world, and whispered: "Dad was the best chef. I was born in a small town on the empire's border. Mom was the most beautiful woman in the town. Dad opened a small restaurant, but business was very, very good. Dad said his greatest joy was cooking delicious food for Mom and me. It's a pity that all of this disappeared..."

The tenderness in Ju Zi's eyes suddenly turned into sadness, and tears rolled down in large drops, "War, it was war that destroyed my home. Dad was forcibly conscripted to the front lines and never returned from the war with the Star Luo Empire. Mom fell seriously ill from excessive grief and left me three years later. So, just like you, I have long been an orphan."

A tear wet Su Yu's sleeve. Looking at the young girl crying silently in the sunset, Su Yu could only comfort her quietly.

Looking at the setting sun, Su Yu actually knew clearly that she was not the only tragic person, just like Qiu Er...

Wang Dong, or Dong'er, how much longer until I can go back...

Perhaps it was because of Ju Zi that Su Yu's calm heart stirred once more. In this world of the Peerless Tang Sect, besides his own parents, the only person Su Yu cares about is Wang Dong.

At night, Su Yu sat quietly by the window, putting down the engraving knife in his hand. Before him was the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear soul bone that Wang Dong had once entrusted someone to send over. Because there were too many things going on, he had kept this soul bone sealed in his Soul Guidance Device.

Now, when Su Yu touched this soul bone again, he didn't expect that half a year had already passed. In the original work, Mu Lao only had half a year left before his limit. Now, without the interference of Evil Soul Masters, he can at least live a few more years.

"Tomorrow I will join Mingde Hall. Let's give it a try; at least I am now a qualified Level 4 Soul Engineer. I hope I can get what I want in the future. I don't want all my efforts to be in vain."

The next day.

Ju Zi was the same as usual; the two walked side by side. Keke, Zi Mu, and Wang Shaojie, the five of them walked into Mingde Hall under the leadership of Xuan Ziwen.

"I hope there will be time for us to meet again in the future."

Waving his hand at Ju Zi beside him, Su Yu resolutely stepped into Mingde Hall; time would not wait for anyone, and in one year, or perhaps two years when the exchange student program ended, Su Yu would surely have grown to a terrifying level.

The assessment for Mingde Hall is divided into four parts: an examination of Soul Guidance knowledge reserves, practical combat drills, Soul Guidance Device design, and Soul Guidance Device fabrication.

Although the process is complex, it must be said that under the screening of such an assessment, those who can join Mingde Hall are absolutely not mediocre talents.

The first assessment was completely effortless for Su Yu; as of now, Su Yu's Spirit Power could be said to be unrivaled below the Seven-ring level, and even a Seven-ring Soul Saint would not dare to claim their Spirit Power is stronger than Su Yu's.

The stronger one's Spirit Power is, the stronger their memory becomes; otherwise, how could one remember those complex and difficult Soul Guidance Arrays or understand those headache-inducing design blueprints?

The second assessment is a practical combat drill, and the opponent is also a Level 4 Soul Engineer; the requirement this time is to hold out for fifteen minutes under the opponent's attacks.

The rules are that one cannot use Soul Guidance Devices above Level 5 or Fixed Soul Guidance Cannonballs, but other combat methods are unrestricted.

"Level 4 Soul Engineer, Aoxiu," the Soul Engineer opposite slowly said.

"Level 4 Soul Engineer, Luo Yu."

The battle was on the verge of breaking out; the opposing Soul Engineer was a standard artillery-style Soul Engineer, with a large number of cannon barrels instantly covering his entire body, and for a moment, dozens of dense cannon barrels aimed at Su Yu in unison.

Su Yu also knew well that he could not use his previous soul skills, otherwise, in this place full of surveillance, he would definitely be captured for research.

The biggest drawback of artillery-type Soul Guidance Devices is their poor flexibility; the moment the battle began, Su Yu directly deployed a Flying Soul Guidance Device, rapidly dodging the opponent's attacks.

The opponent's attacks became increasingly dense as time passed, with a large number of Soul Guidance Rays locking down a vast area of movement space.

Just when the proctors thought Su Yu had already lost, a delicate sphere appeared in Su Yu's hand; as the Soul Guidance Protective Shield unfolded, Aoxiu opposite also mobilized a large number of Soul Guidance cannon barrels to aim at Su Yu again.

However, in the next instant, a Flash Cannon instantly exploded from atop the Soul Guidance Protective Shield, and Aoxiu, who was fully focused, instantly fell into blindness.

But the battle continued; although Aoxiu had lost his vision, he still had all his Soul Guidance cannon barrels fire a volley, knowing that as long as he maintained suppressive fire, even if he couldn't see for a short time, the opponent would be unable to get close.

Yet the opponent's volley was easily avoided by Su Yu, and just as Aoxiu realized his attacks had missed, the next instant, a crisp metallic clinking sound made him instinctively feel fear.

A small ball emitting a beeping sound landed in the gaps of his Soul Guidance artillery platform, wedged tightly among his dense cannon barrels.

"The exam is over, Aoxiu, you have already lost!"

When the staff member said this, Su Yu also stopped the manipulation of the core array; this type of trigger-based Soul Guidance Device only requires stopping the injection of soul power into the core array to cease activation.

Therefore, when the examiner announced the end of the exam, Su Yu stopped driving the Soul Guidance Device, as there was no need to cause casualties.