Chapter 101: The New-Type Army Corps

Hearing the word "tank" from Huo Yuhao, Xu Tianran's eyes lit up. These machines might be useless against powerful soul masters, just waiting to be destroyed like targets on a training field—but as tools to crush weaker enemies, they were perfect. And the fact that they could be operated by ordinary people made them even more valuable.

"Right now, tanks can already be mass-produced. But the other one…"

Huo Yuhao walked over to the soul tool shaped like a metallic bird. He gently touched the wings attached to its body.

"This one's called an airplane. As the name suggests, it's meant to fly."

Xu Tianran stared at the massive construct in surprise. Could something this large actually fly?

On the current Douluo Continent, the only ways to fly were either reaching the cultivation of a Soul Sage or higher, or using a flying-type soul tool. But both were only for individuals. An entire vehicle capable of carrying people into the sky was unheard of.

"Xiao Huo, this airplane you speak of... it can really fly?"

Huo Yuhao nodded and then shook his head.

"In theory, I believe it can. Right now, this airplane is still in its construction phase. We'll know for sure once we begin testing."

This was a jet-type aircraft that Huo Yuhao designed based on the jet propulsion structure he remembered from his past life. Driven by soul-powered propulsion engines, it was more accurately a "thrust-propelled aircraft."

Next, Huo Yuhao introduced many other modified military-use soul tools designed for ordinary people. After all, soul tools made for soul masters couldn't simply be handed to commoners just by slapping on a sealed milk bottle. The recoil alone was far too much for an ordinary body to withstand. They had to be redesigned from the ground up.

Looking at the various soul tools designed for commoners, Xu Tianran's imagination ran wild. If all these tools were equipped to a military force made entirely of ordinary people, it would amount to a full-blown military revolution.

Tanks, aircraft, power armor, and countless soul tools usable by ordinary people… and at the center of all of this was the young, merely fifth-ranked Soul Engineer standing before him—Huo Yuhao.

After finishing the tour, Huo Yuhao turned to face Xu Tianran with a serious look in his eyes.

"The creation of sealed milk bottles has opened the door to limitless possibilities in the field of soul tools. No exaggeration—this is the beginning of a new era. What you see here, Your Highness, is just the tip of the iceberg. If Mingde Hall can receive full national-level support, I won't claim we'll uncover the entire iceberg, but we can at least place the Sun Moon Empire at the forefront of the age and lead it into a thousand years of glory."

And he wasn't just being poetic. In the original history, the Sun Moon Empire, despite being suppressed during one era's upheaval, still managed to rise again under Huo Yuhao's leadership and unify the continent into the Sun Moon Federation. Now, with Huo Yuhao guiding it even earlier, an empire that flourished for a millennium wasn't so far-fetched.

So, Huo Yuhao continued to sketch a grand future—an iron fleet ruling the seas, aircraft carriers and flying squadrons dominating the skies, rail networks uniting the entire empire, and power grids lighting up every corner of the realm.

And finally, he emphasized again: Only with the full support of the state could Mingde Hall make all of this reality.

Of course Xu Tianran understood what Huo Yuhao was getting at.

That was why he felt so stirred. Mingde Hall, with all its power and potential, was expressing clear intent to back him as the next Emperor.

"Hahaha. As for support… I, a mere crown prince, am afraid I don't have much influence just yet."

Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly. This guy again. Beating around the bush just to push me into making the first move.

Still, he didn't mind. With no hesitation at all, he replied firmly,

"Your Highness needn't worry. Mingde Hall will clear every obstacle in your path to the imperial throne."

These weren't just Huo Yuhao's words—they represented Jing Hongchen's stance as well. That was why he could be so direct.

Xu Tianran was beyond pleased. Since Mingde Hall was willing to show this level of trust in him—

"Good! Then I, Xu Tianran, promise that from the moment I ascend the throne, the entire royal house of the Sun Moon Empire will give Mingde Hall its full support. Every plan you have will be carried out with the might of the nation behind you."

And just like that, a pact that would change the future of the Douluo Continent was formed in a simple conversation between two men standing at the cusp of a new era.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Xu Tianran felt as if he had gone back in time—young again, like before the injury that left him in a wheelchair. At that moment, he suddenly remembered his original purpose for visiting Mingde Hall.

"Xiao Huo, the main reason I came here today is to discuss forming a new-type army corps, one made up of ordinary people armed with soul tools. The imperial court is unstable right now, and I'm deeply worried about Father's health. A force like this—unexpected, overwhelming—might be key in the battle for the throne that I will inevitably face."

"Xiao Huo, you are truly a genius and someone who can shoulder great responsibility. Despite your youth, I have decided to entrust the task of establishing this new-type army to you entirely."

"I will assign you command over several thousand-man regiments composed of ordinary soldiers. Once I take the throne, you will assume the highest command of the entire new army corps."

Huo Yuhao raised his brows in surprise. Military command? Xu Tianran trusted him that much?

But on second thought, it wasn't all that strange. First, no matter how powerful this new-type army became, it would never threaten the future emperor, who still controlled the Four Great Hands of the Nation and the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment. Second, none of the current military leaders had any idea how these new weapons worked—perhaps giving control to their creator would let the force reach its full potential. And third, allowing commoners to wield supernatural power was a challenge to tradition. Xu Tianran surely wanted to purge those old factions, but he wouldn't put himself directly in the line of fire. Letting Huo Yuhao take the lead would be a convenient shield.

Huo Yuhao smirked inwardly.

'Well played, Xu Tianran. But hey, I see myself as a researcher… If I can hold military power while I'm at it—why not?'

(End of Chapter)

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