Chapter 18: FIrst Step in Soul Tool

Jiang Jue saw a plump figure appear before him—it was none other than Jing Hongchen.

Jing Hongchen's eyes briefly flashed with shock and anger upon seeing two people suddenly appear in his room. However, he quickly masked his emotions and replaced them with a smile.

"No need to be so polite, Hall Master Hongchen."

"This time, I've brought my beloved disciple here to study under you."

Zhongli Wu spoke indifferently, yet Jing Hongchen could still feel a faint but undeniable pressure emanating from him.

However, Jing Hongchen acted as if he hadn't noticed anything and maintained his cheerful demeanor.

Smiling Tiger.

Zhongli Wu silently evaluated him in his heart.

Ever since he started meddling in the battle for succession within the Sun Moon Empire's royal family, he had been keeping a close eye on the various factions at court.

By now, most of the ministers had already taken sides. Among the few forces that remained neutral, one was Mingde Hall, which was under the control of this very Hall Master Hongchen.

However, due to Mingde Hall's extraordinary influence, no one dared to voice any objections.

"My junior brother already informed me that your esteemed sect's Holy Son wished to study at my academy, so I've made preparations in advance."

"This must be your sect's Holy Son—what a splendid young man."

Jing Hongchen looked at Jiang Jue with a smile. With his perception, he could clearly sense the youth's soul power, which was far more robust than that of an ordinary Soul Master of the same rank, as well as his surging vitality.

Rank 32 soul power… If he didn't use any stimulants, he is indeed worthy of being called a genius.

I haven't checked his bone age yet, so I don't know how old he is.

If he knew that Jiang Jue wasn't even eleven years old yet, who knows what his expression would be.

Jiang Jue maintained a gentle smile and slightly bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, Hall Master Hongchen. Thank you for taking the trouble to arrange everything for me."

These days, who didn't know how to speak politely?

"Hahaha, it's no trouble at all."

Jing Hongchen glanced at Jiang Jue with some surprise but laughed heartily.

Whoosh!

A spatial ring shot out from Zhongli Wu's body at high speed toward Jing Hongchen.

Snap!

Jing Hongchen caught it firmly and, with some curiosity, asked,

"Master Zhongli, what is the meaning of this?"

"My disciple is here to study under you, so of course, I must pay tuition. Take a look."

Jing Hongchen infused his spiritual power into the ring and immediately sensed the rich energy fluctuations within. Inside, there was an array of radiant and dazzling materials.

With his keen eye as a Rank 9 Soul Engineer, he could instantly tell what these materials were.

The ores exuding energy fluctuations were rare metals used in soul tool crafting—most of them unavailable on the market, making them extremely scarce.

He even spotted a few silver dragon scales inside. Even in his own Mingde Hall, these were exceptionally rare.

The materials in this spatial ring were enough to craft seven or eight Rank 9 soul tools!

"This is far too valuable… I feel a bit embarrassed accepting it."

Even someone as wealthy as Jing Hongchen was taken aback.

However, despite his words, his hands moved swiftly, and he stored the ring away without hesitation.

He was willing to declare this the most expensive tuition fee in history.

"This is a small matter, but my disciple must not suffer any mistreatment here."

"Rest assured, Master Zhongli, I will arrange the finest teachers to instruct your disciple."

Jing Hongchen's expression turned serious as he spoke with sincerity.

"Good. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave."

Zhongli Wu gave Jing Hongchen a deep look, then gave Jiang Jue a few parting words before disappearing from the room.

"What might I call you, young friend?"

Jing Hongchen asked Jiang Jue warmly, though he assured himself that his friendliness had nothing to do with the spatial ring from earlier.

"My name is Jiang Jue."

"Then I shall take the liberty of addressing you as Jiang Xiaoyou (Little Friend Jiang)."

"Shall I have someone take you to see where you'll be studying?"

"I will follow Hall Master's arrangements."

Jing Hongchen pressed a button on his desk.

Knock, knock!

Soon, a knock came from outside.

"Enter."

Jing Hongchen called out, and a stocky, middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Hall Master, you called for me?"

"This is Lin Jiayi, the teaching director of our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. If you ever need anything, you may come to him—or even directly to me."

Jing Hongchen introduced the man to Jiang Jue, then turned to Lin Jiayi and instructed,

"Jiayi, take Jiang Xiaoyou to see where he will be studying."

"Yes, Hall Master."

Lin Jiayi turned to Jiang Jue and said,

"Jiang, please follow me."

"Alright."

Just as Lin Jiayi turned around, Jing Hongchen's voice sounded in his mind.

"Do not take Jiang Jue to the first-year classrooms. Take him straight to the Third Laboratory."

Lin Jiayi didn't ask any questions or change his expression. He simply gave a slight nod to indicate his understanding.

After the two left, Jing Hongchen retrieved the spatial ring he had just stored away and muttered softly,

"I have arranged the best teacher for Jiang Xiaoyou. How much he can learn will depend on himself."

After leaving Jing Hongchen's office, Lin Jiayi walked ahead, retrieving a tray from his spatial ring and handing it to Jiang Jue.

"This contains the academy's guidebook and some other materials. You may take a look."

"Thank you, Director Lin."

Jiang Jue accepted the tray and stored it in his own spatial ring.

There would be plenty of time to review these things later; there was no rush.

Lin Jiayi led Jiang Jue into the second teaching building, then directly took the stairs upward.

This teaching building had six floors. Lin Jiayi led Jiang Jue up to the fifth floor, then turned down a hallway.

After walking a few dozen meters, they stopped in front of a door.

The sign on the door read: Third Laboratory.

Huh? Where are they taking me?

Shouldn't I be going to a classroom? Why am I in a lab?

Jiang Jue frowned slightly and asked Lin Jiayi,

"Director Lin, are we in the right place?"

"Rest assured, this is where you're meant to be."

Lin Jiayi took out a plaque from his pocket, waved it in front of the door, and a flash of light passed over it. The door slid open.

"Come in."

Lin Jiayi gestured for Jiang Jue to follow.

The laboratory was spacious, at least 160 square meters, and filled with various soul tools and metal materials.

In the center stood a massive experimental table. Its matte silver-white surface was clean and orderly, giving off a sense of comfort.

Only one young teacher, no older than thirty, was present. He was seated at the experimental table, one hand holding a soul tool shaped like a baby bottle, the other sketching blueprints.

"Professor Xuan, I've brought you a promising student."

Lin Jiayi cleared his throat, drawing the young teacher's attention.

"This is Xuan Ziwen, a top-tier instructor at our academy and a research advisor at Mingde Hall. He will be your instructor in soul tool engineering."

Then, turning to Xuan Ziwen, Lin Jiayi added,

"This is the new student I brought you. Jiang will be learning under you from now on."

Wait, they're putting me here? Xuan Ziwen teaches sixth-years!

Well, Xuan Ziwen isn't bad, though.

Jiang Jue thought to himself.

Xuan Ziwen was the genius soul engineer who was later recruited by Huo Yuhao, playing a key role in the rise of the Tang Sect.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I have other matters to attend to."

With that, Lin Jiayi strode out of the lab.

"Professor Xuan, I will be your student from now on."

Jiang Jue greeted proactively.

Xuan Ziwen, having been interrupted, put down the baby bottle soul tool and turned to Jiang Jue.

"Jiang, what level soul engineer are you?"

His voice was calm as he idly twirled a pen in his fingers.

"I am a Rank 0 soul engineer."

"Oh, Rank 0… wait, what?!"

Xuan Ziwen abruptly stood up, his voice nearly cracking.

"You haven't even been assessed as a soul engineer?"

"Professor Xuan, I've barely had any exposure to soul tool crafting."

Jiang Jue replied honestly.

"Damn that Lin Jiayi! My research time is precious, and now I have to teach a complete novice?"

"No way, I need to talk to Hall Master Hongchen!"

Xuan Ziwen adjusted his glasses, muttering to himself as he turned to leave.

"Professor Xuan, Hall Master Hongchen was the one who instructed Director Lin to bring me here."

Jiang Jue said softly behind him.

Just as Xuan Ziwen reached the door, he froze, then slowly turned back, staring at Jiang Jue in disbelief.

"What… did you just say?"