Chapter 27: Soul Guidance Arrays and Arcane Runes

Fan Yu observed Huo Yuhao with a critical eye, nodding slightly. "Your physical condition is good. What is your martial soul?"

"Spirit Eyes."

The moment those words left Huo Yuhao's mouth, Fan Yu's composed demeanor cracked, a flicker of excitement flashing in his gaze. "Spirit Eyes? A spiritual attribute martial soul?" His tone carried a rare urgency. "Are you from the Body Sect?"

His sharp eyes swept towards Ning Tian and Chen Junting, clearly identifying them as the group's decision-makers.

Ning Tian chuckled softly, extending her delicate right hand. A prismatic radiance bloomed as a seven-story pagoda emerged, exuding an ethereal brilliance.

Fan Yu inhaled sharply. "Seven Treasures Glazed Tower… The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect."

He Caitou, standing nearby, widened his eyes. He had casually encountered these freshmen, never expecting them to hail from one of the most prestigious sects in the continent.

But Fan Yu's excitement dimmed as he turned back to Huo Yuhao, a trace of regret surfacing in his expression. "What a pity. Your soul power is too weak, and your cultivation talent is not outstanding. Otherwise…" He sighed but quickly dismissed his disappointment. "No matter. You wanted to see soul guidance devices, didn't you? Come with me."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode purposefully down the hall.

He Caitou motioned for the others to follow. They trailed behind, their curiosity mounting as Fan Yu led them deeper into the building. At the corridor's end, a massive dark-brown metal door loomed before them, inscribed with the words: Soul Guidance Device Testing Area.

As they approached, the door rumbled open, revealing a long passage lined with identical steel doors, each marked with numbers like Test Area No. 30 and Test Area No. 29. The air vibrated with a faint hum, an undercurrent of energy coursing through the facility.

Fan Yu stopped at Test Area No. 12, pressing a hexagonal silver token against the scanner. The door slid open, revealing a vast workshop cluttered with shimmering metal components, half-assembled soul guidance devices, and intricate carving tools.

"Caitou, show Huo Yuhao around," Fan Yu instructed before disappearing into another section.

He Caitou grinned, turning to Huo Yuhao. "Junior brother, let me introduce you to the art of soul guidance."

Chen Junting and Ning Tian exchanged glances, then split off to explore different sections. Wu Feng, eyes gleaming with curiosity, hovered near a half-assembled device, running her fingers along the engraved circuits.

Meanwhile, Chen Junting found himself drawn to the neatly stacked soul guidance components. He picked up a piece, running his fingers over the intricate engravings. The delicate, swirling soul guidance array etched onto its surface seemed to pulse faintly, as though brimming with hidden potential.

"So this is a soul guidance array…" he murmured, eyes narrowing in thought. "The foundation of every soul guidance device…"

Then, a distant memory stirred. A vision of arcane runes, glowing in ethereal golden patterns, flashed across his mind.

A realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

What if… the soul guidance array could be fused with arcane runes?

The mere thought sent a thrill down his spine. He was so lost in thought that he barely noticed the familiar whisper echoing through his mind.

"You can try it."

Chen Junting's eyes sharpened. "Yi Lao, you're awake."

In the depths of his consciousness, an elderly figure emerged—Electrolux, the enigmatic spirit dwelling within him. His silver-gray eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom, his long gray hair cascading over a black robe adorned with shimmering golden runes.

"Yes, thanks to your Gold of Life, my friend."

Chen Junting smirked. "Each takes what they need."

Electrolux chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. "Ah, but I still owe you. As long as I remain within your spiritual sea, I am forever in your debt. Unless, of course, you cast me out… or grant me the means to be reborn."

Chen Junting raised an eyebrow. "So, are you here to pay your 'rent'?"

A deep laugh rumbled from Electrolux. "Indeed. And in return, let me show you something…"

With a wave of his hand, radiant gold and gray arcane runes materialized in the air, shimmering like celestial script.

"These," Electrolux intoned, "are magic runes—the foundation of true magic. Where soul guidance relies on engraving arrays onto metal, magic relies on activating these runes with spiritual power."

As he spoke, the ancient knowledge unfolded before Chen Junting's mind, the complex structure of soul guidance arrays aligning with the mystical flow of arcane runes. The connections were undeniable.

And then, a bold thought struck him.

What if a soul guidance device didn't need a power source? What if it could absorb energy directly from the heavens and the earth? What if runes could be inscribed in the air itself, forming arrays out of nothing?

His breath hitched.

"Wait… isn't this… a formation?"

Excitement surged through him, and he turned to Electrolux with blazing eyes. "Yi Lao, do you think this is possible?"

Electrolux hesitated, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Perhaps. If so… you may have just glimpsed A New Path"

Chen Junting clenched his fists, his mind racing. A new branch of cultivation, a fusion of arcane runes and soul guidance arrays… If he could make this work, the possibilities were limitless.

The art of formations… A discipline that could last through eternity, a force that could shape the very world itself.

His pulse thundered in his ears as a single thought took root in his heart.

If no one has walked this path before… then I shall be the first.

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(End of this chapter)

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Stones me~