Chapter 16: The Soul Engineer

"A childless emperor, after his death, we can install a compliant successor, and the Sun Moon Imperial family will eventually become puppets of our Holy Spirit Sect."

Zhongli Wu spoke with full confidence.

It turned out that Zhongli Wu's plan was to first have Xu Tianran unify the Douluo Continent, and then take control directly.

"Unless he is willing to raise someone else's son and create a fake heir."

Zhongli Wu even made a rare joke.

Jiang Jue's mouth twitched. Zhongli Wu had actually guessed correctly. To stabilize the throne, Xu Tianran was indeed willing to raise another man's son.

"Just wait and see. Within ten years, war will break out, and then the world will witness the strength our Holy Spirit Sect has accumulated."

Zhongli Wu was brimming with confidence.

"Master, I have a request."

Jiang Jue carefully considered his words before speaking to Zhongli Wu.

"What is it? Tell me."

Seeing that Zhongli Wu was in a good mood, Jiang Jue seized the opportunity.

"I want to learn soul tool technology and become a soul engineer."

"Oh? Why is that?"

Zhongli Wu looked at Jiang Jue's determined expression and asked.

"Because I believe soul tool technology will become increasingly powerful, and it can enhance my strength."

Hearing Jiang Jue's response, Zhongli Wu's eyes showed a hint of surprise.

His mother, Ye Xishui, was an extremely powerful nine-ranked soul engineer and had successfully integrated her spirit with soul tools.

"I see. I agree."

"However, there's one thing I must make clear to you. A powerful soul engineer must first be a powerful soul master. Don't put the cart before the horse. Focus on cultivation above all else."

Zhongli Wu admonished Jiang Jue.

He had no issue with Jiang Jue wanting to learn soul tool technology, but he was concerned it might hinder his cultivation progress.

"Thank you, Master. I will remember your words."

Jiang Jue replied respectfully. With Zhongli Wu's approval, things would proceed smoothly.

"The Third Elder is a soul engineer, but he's been requisitioned by my mother. So who will teach Xiao Jiang?"

Zhongli Wu pondered.

The Third Elder was the second nine-ranked soul engineer in the Holy Spirit Sect after Ye Xishui, with the title "Dark Thunder."

The nine-ring soul tool protective mirror Jiang Jue used in the Star Dou Forest was crafted by him.

"However, I recall the Third Elder came from the Mingde Hall. Perhaps we should send Xiao Jiang to study there."

The Mingde Hall, one of the three major powers on the continent, specialized in soul tool technology. Most nine-ring soul engineers had trained there.

As the saying goes, specialization leads to mastery. Studying there would be beneficial for Xiao Jiang, and since I'm often in Mingdu now, it would be easier to monitor his progress.

Zhongli Wu made up his mind but decided to ask Jiang Jue for his opinion.

"Xiao Jiang, where would you like to study soul tool technology?"

"I want to attend the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."

Jiang Jue presented his premeditated plan.

"Why not the Mingde Hall?"

The relationship between the Mingde Hall and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was similar to that between the outer and inner courts of Shrek Academy. The soul engineers in the Mingde Hall were the elite of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

"Because I have no foundation in this field. It's better to start from the beginning and build a solid base."

Although the Mingde Hall housed the elite of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, its members focused on their own research, making it unsuitable for a novice like him.

"Very well, I'll respect your decision. I'll arrange it."

Zhongli Wu agreed readily. Although Jiang Jue's answer differed slightly from his expectations, it was close enough.

"Huh?"

Just like that?

Jiang Jue had prepared a lengthy explanation, but Zhongli Wu agreed so easily.

As if reading Jiang Jue's thoughts, Zhongli Wu laughed heartily.

"You're not a child anymore. Do what you want. I won't interfere too much."

"Just remember that you are the Holy Son of our Holy Spirit Sect."

"Thank you, Master!"

Jiang Jue's expression shifted, and he spoke with reverence once more.

...

That night.

Mingde Hall, the Hall Master's office.

Jing Hongchen, dressed in a luxurious robe, held a carving knife, swiftly etching intricate patterns onto a piece of Chiyang Copper.

Soon, exquisite and profound circuits formed, creating core arrays that faintly glowed with red light.

Suddenly, he stopped carving, adjusted his golden glasses, and spoke calmly.

"Since you've arrived, why hide?"

"If you don't show yourself, I'll have to force you out."

His voice echoed in the quiet office, but there was no response.

A massive golden toad materialized behind Jing Hongchen, and standard soul rings rose from his feet—two yellow, two purple, and five black.

A powerful metallic aura instantly filled the room.

"Senior Brother, after all these years, you're still the same."

"The Mingde Hall's detection and alarm systems haven't changed either."

A gloomy voice emerged from the southwest corner.

A figure clad in black robes slowly appeared, surrounded by crackling lightning. However, the lightning lacked a yang energy, instead exuding a cold, sinister aura.

Standard soul rings also rose from his feet.

"Ming Lei?"

"It's me."

Jing Hongchen stood up from his chair, calmly observing Dark Thunder Douluo, whose title was also his name.

[T/N: Ming Lei means Dark Thunder]

Dark Thunder Douluo had entered the Mingde Hall at the same time as Jing Hongchen, and they shared the same teacher. Jing Hongchen was slightly older, so Dark Thunder addressed him as "Senior Brother."

However, Dark Thunder later left without a word due to his spirit's nature and joined the Holy Spirit Sect, while Jing Hongchen became the Hall Master of Mingde Hall.

The two stared at each other.

Suddenly, light flashed on both of them, and each shouldered a large-caliber, nine-ring fixed soul tool cannon.

"Senior Brother, I'm not here to fight today. How about we both put these away in three seconds?"

Dark Thunder Douluo spoke slowly.

"Agreed."

Jing Hongchen responded.

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Both simultaneously stowed their fixed soul tool cannons.

But they immediately drew nine-ranked soul tool ray guns, aiming them at each other.

"Senior Brother, we were taught by the same teacher. There's no breaking this stalemate."

Dark Thunder Douluo remarked, voluntarily putting away his soul tool ray gun.

If Jing Hongchen activated his nine-ranked soul tool ray gun now, Dark Thunder Douluo would be severely injured, if not killed.

But as he said, they were taught by the same teacher. There was no way to outmaneuver each other.

Jing Hongchen gave Dark Thunder a complicated look but still put away his soul tool ray gun.

"Why have you come this time?"

Jing Hongchen asked coldly.

"Senior Brother, don't be so cold. When I left without saying goodbye, it was because..."

"Why have you come this time?"

Dark Thunder Douluo's words were cut off.

Although Jing Hongchen didn't know why his junior brother had left without a word, he knew he had joined the Holy Spirit Sect and never returned to visit him or their teacher.

"Ahem, this time I came to ask if you want a genius, a once-in-a-century kind."

"Just say the word, and I'll deliver him to you tomorrow."

Dark Thunder Douluo had come at Zhongli Wu's request to help Jiang Jue join the Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

"?"

Jing Hongchen was stunned. He hadn't expected Ming Lei to come for this reason.

(End of Chapter)