"Not a divine descendant, but I can't think of any other reason why he would be so incredibly gifted... This talent... never seen before," Xu Lin said, his body trembling with excitement.
He was almost certain that Yun Ze would surpass Yun Ming in the future and become the undisputed number one on the continent. Perhaps there was even a chance... to become a god.
Just the thought of it made him even more excited. The reason for Shrek Academy's current position was because they had produced a god in the past. If they had another one in the future, they could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with Shrek, or even surpass it.
"Haha, I will become the greatest dean of the Sun and Moon Royal Academy," Xu Lin thought to himself in a frenzy of joy.
Even if Yun Ze did not become a god, Xu Lin could still break through the bottleneck of the ninth-level Soul Engineer and become a tenth-level Soul Engineer, on par with the gods.
Regardless of which path Yun Ze took, as the one who discovered his talent, Xu Lin would undoubtedly leave a significant mark in the academy's history.
Yun Ze ignored Xu Lin's enthusiastic gaze and, after recovering his soul power, continued engraving the formation arrays.
Once the main components were engraved, it became much easier to work on the auxiliary components, which he completed at an extremely fast pace, finishing one every seven to eight minutes.
Over three hours later, Yun Ze completed the assembly and created his first Soul Guidance Device—a Level 3 Soul Guidance Laser Gun.
"Dean, please check it," Yun Ze said calmly, handing the device to Xu Lin after inspecting it briefly.
"I've watched you make it. I know very well whether it's successful or not. On behalf of the Sun and Moon Royal Academy, I welcome you to enroll," Xu Lin replied with a wide smile.
"Once you enroll, everything will be up to you. Consider the academy your home. If you need anything, feel free to come to me," Xu Lin continued, though he still took the laser gun, not to check its success, but to test its power.
Yun Ze and Gu Yue Na exchanged a smile.
Xu Lin led them to a special room with a simple layout, containing only some metallic instruments.
"Biū!" A laser shot out from the gun's barrel, reaching the red target in an instant. The display screen beside it immediately showed the following text:
Damage: Soul Ancestor level; can be resisted by a 44th-level Defense-type Soul Ancestor using full power; can be resisted by a 47th-level Attack-type Soul Ancestor using full power; can be resisted by a 51st-level Agile Attack-type Soul King using full power; can be resisted by a 62nd-level Support-type Soul Emperor using full power.
Shooting speed... Agile Attack-type evasion probability...
Comprehensive evaluation: Level 4 intermediate Soul Tool.
Seeing the data, Xu Lin, though mentally prepared, couldn't help but feel astonished. As he had suspected, this Soul Laser Gun's power had reached the level of a Level 4 Soul Tool Device.
"Yun Ze, would you be willing to sell this to me? I want to study the formation arrays inside," Xu Lin said, excitedly.
The formation arrays Yun Ze had modified were of great research value, which piqued his intense interest.
"This material originally belongs to you, Dean. There's no need to say 'sell.' Feel free to take the Soul Tool if you want," Yun Ze replied.
"Haha, you're quite a smooth talker," Xu Lin said happily.
"You've turned these metals into a Soul Tool of much greater value, so I won't take advantage of you. I'm giving this to you."
Xu Lin took out a red engraving knife from his storage ring. The knife was engraved with small formation arrays, and its blade glowed red, as if it were stained with fire.
"This is the Fire Pattern Engraving Knife," Xu Lin said. "Dean, isn't this too precious?" Yun Ze hesitated to take it.
"You recognize this engraving knife?" Xu Lin asked, surprised.
"I've seen it in books. It's ranked 19th on the Engraving Knife Rankings. It can enhance the power of fire-type Soul Guidance Devices by nearly half."
"For Fire-type Soul Engineers, the difficulty of engraving formation arrays is reduced by about 20%, and it also decreases soul power consumption."
"The value of this engraving knife is at least over a hundred million federal coins for a Fire-type Soul Engineer. It's too precious, and I can't accept it," Yun Ze said.
"You're quite knowledgeable," Xu Lin said with growing admiration. "Now I believe you really have photographic memory. There's no way you could know so much otherwise."
Xu Lin was more and more impressed by Yun Ze. Then, deliberately adopting a stern expression, he said:
"There's nothing wrong with accepting this. It's a gift to welcome you. Don't worry about the value, just take it."
If it had been anyone else, Xu Lin would not have given away such a precious Fire Pattern Engraving Knife. But Yun Ze was different. For a super talent like him, as long as they could establish a good relationship, what was a Fire Pattern Engraving Knife worth?
"I'll buy it from you for 130 million federal coins, that way I can accept it with peace of mind. Otherwise, I won't take it," Yun Ze said after thinking for a moment.
Xu Lin quickly realized Yun Ze had principles and would not easily accept a gift without compensation. To Yun Ze, money was easy to come by, but the favor tied to accepting a gift would be harder to repay. Compared to a favor, Yun Ze preferred to just pay the money.
"You stubborn kid," Xu Lin said, shaking his head. "Just take it. Do you think I lack 130 million federal coins?"
Xu Lin knew Yun Ze's background might be quite powerful, and he could probably come up with the money. However, he still didn't want to charge him, and now he simply wanted to give it to him.
Xu Lin even realized the price he'd suggested was the top price for the Fire Pattern Engraving Knife, and he might have even gotten a slight deal, as the actual auction price would likely be lower.
"No, I insist," Yun Ze replied firmly, shaking his head. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
With that, he turned and began walking towards the door. The engraving knife was useful, but if accepting it meant owing a favor, Yun Ze preferred to decline.
"Wait a moment," Xu Lin quickly called out to Yun Ze, hurrying to stand in front of him and handing over the engraving knife. "Fine, take it, but remember to send me the 130 million federal coins."
Yun Ze smiled faintly, taking the engraving knife. "Give me your account number, and I'll transfer it to you by tonight."
Xu Lin handed over his federal bank card. "Transfer the money to this card."
Xu Lin showed Yun Ze the card number, hoping to test his memory.
"Got it," Yun Ze said, looking at the card for less than five seconds before looking away. He then gave Xu Lin some basic information, and with that, Yun Ze and Gu Yue Na left in the elevator.
After seeing them off, Xu Lin returned to his office and dialed a number: "Come to my office."
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man arrived at Xu Lin's office and respectfully waited for instructions.
"Go to Xingyue City and investigate this child. I need to know his detailed background," Xu Lin said, handing the man Yun Ze's application form.
"Understood," the man replied, taking the form and leaving.
Once the man had left, Xu Lin made another call: "Tomorrow night, I want to convene the highest-level meeting of the academy."
"Notify all the members of the board. Make sure everyone attends. No one is allowed to miss it."
Xu Lin then made another call, this time in a more respectful tone:
"Teacher, tomorrow night the academy is holding the highest-level meeting, and I would like you to attend as well."
"Another highest-level meeting? Didn't we just have one recently for that Gu Yue Na girl?" A surprised and elderly voice responded from the other end of the line.
"Tell me, what's so important? If it's not that big a deal, I won't come. I'm busy with research."
"This matter is actually related to Gu Yue Na..." Xu Lin began explaining patiently.
After listening for a while, the person on the other end of the line fell silent, and then, with a slightly trembling voice, asked, "Xu, is everything you said true?"
"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you, Teacher?" Xu Lin said seriously.
"Alright, I'll be there tomorrow night. Make sure that child attends the highest-level meeting as well. I need to meet him," the voice said.
"Got it," Xu Lin replied respectfully.