Welcome to our new Patron: Kiara Maxwell!
------------------------------------------------------
"Thank you for the enlightenment."
Ning Fengzhi lightly flicked his sleeves, as if struck by sudden clarity. He extrapolated further, "So, the stronger the martial soul, the greater the boost to the Universal Pearl—and vice versa."
"That's correct. That's the principle."
Gu La nodded in agreement.
"What about differences in cultivation levels? Would higher cultivation yield a greater boost? For example, would a level thirty Wind Wolf soul master and a level seventy Wind Wolf soul master stimulate the Universal Pearl differently?"
Without hesitation, Gu La immediately replied, "Of course. A soul master's cultivation is the process of developing their martial soul. Naturally, the higher the cultivation, the stronger the martial soul's traits become, and the better its stimulation of the Universal Pearl."
"I see."
Ning Fengzhi mentally reviewed everything, ensuring nothing was overlooked.
Suddenly, a silver bell-like laughter rang out from outside the pavilion. Ning Rongrong had sneaked out at some point and was now using the Universal Pearl to interact with others' martial souls.
When she noticed her father looking at her, she stuck out her tongue, quickly suppressing her mischievousness and pretending to be serious.
"Rongrong, it's time to return to the sect."
Ning Fengzhi cleared his throat and bid farewell to Gu La: "Today has been incredibly enlightening. Thank you for your help, worthy nephew. I'll visit again in the future."
"You're always welcome."
Ning Fengzhi glanced at his daughter, who was dragging her feet, and said, "Rongrong, come back to the sect with me. Study swordsmanship for a while before returning here."
Ning Rongrong cast a reluctant glance at Gu La, who waved her off. With no choice, she followed Ning Fengzhi and left.
Once everyone had departed, only Gu La remained under the four-sided pavilion. The celadon teacup trembled slightly in his hand as telekinetic force guided the tea into his mouth, its fragrance refreshing.
He took out the dazzling Star Crystal Ingot and pondered what it could be used for.
"The Star Crystal Ingot can serve as core material for soul tools above rank ten. Its innate spirituality allows the finished soul tool to retain the potential for sentience after formation."
"It can also aid in researching metal awakening, which could lead to advancements in mecha and battle armor."
"However, both require vast amounts of data and talent support. I'm stretched thin—I can't just wait until I ascend to godhood to 'reach out' into the future for resources."
"I need a research assistant. Something like a Rotom assistant."
Gu La solidified his idea, taking out some rare metals he had traded for and redeeming a computer blueprint from the system.
"Ultimate fire should be able to melt the Star Crystal Ingot. It can later be fused as the core with Rotom. For now, I'll forge a batch of parts using rare metals."
Gu La studied the blueprint, combining it with soul tool data exchanged from various factions to draft new designs.
"Deep Sea Sunken Silver has the best energy conductivity—it'll serve as the circuitry. Meteorite Iron will form the shell, encasing the crystal core…"
Muttering to himself, twelve pieces of rare metal floated up and melted into liquid streams in the flames, resembling a galaxy.
Suddenly recalling something, he redeemed a Poké Ball engraved with lightning patterns from the system. Occasional golden sparks leaked from its surface.
"Two Legendary Exchange Coupons… Such a steep price for Rotom's data core… Truly exorbitant. But it's necessary to preserve the possibility of evolution. Once I research awakening methods, I can help Rotom evolve within the Douluo Continent…"
By the time moonlight filtered through the clouds, a forge appeared in the pavilion, laden with seven hundred and twenty parts.
The blueprint Gu La had redeemed was for a computer used by researchers in the Pokémon world, boasting powerful data analysis capabilities akin to a miniature supercomputer.
Building on that, Gu La added constructions from other instruments. For instance, he dismantled part of a previously purchased laser cutter and installed a small laser emitter.
There was also a gene sequencer capable of analyzing biological genetic data on the spot, allowing Gu La to conduct experiments more efficiently.
Regardless of whether they'd all be used, the Star Crystal Ingot was top-tier soul tool material. Simply crafting a single research machine would be wasteful. More functions meant less effort in the future.
Gu La's mastery of telekinesis reached artistic heights. On each part's surface, he inscribed double-layered soul circuits, the smallest being as fine as a hair—most were energy circuits researched by various factions, potentially flawed but manageable since Rotom, as a plasma lifeform, could perfectly control the machine's functions and repair itself later.
Telekinesis rapidly assembled the parts. Gu La placed the shaped Star Crystal Ingot at the center. Beneath the night sky, the crystal absorbed starlight.
As the final part was assembled, starlight poured down like an inverted Milky Way, coating the gleaming golden mainframe with flowing liquid starlight.
Gu La's pupils contracted slightly as he sensed the crystal's spirituality growing stronger. If it continued absorbing starlight, it might truly transform into a new lifeform—or perhaps a soul tool?
"That won't do."
Gu La opened the Poké Ball. "Rotom, it's your turn. Go and merge with your new home!"
A red glow flashed from the ball as Rotom circled Gu La once, emitting cheerful chirps of "Rotom~Rotom~."
Its body was composed of plasma—an orange core surrounded by translucent blue plasma that could solidify into hands.
After expressing its excitement, it dove into the soul-guided computer like a fledgling returning to its nest, instinctively transforming the machine into part of its own body.
"Error! Error! Energy circuit malfunction!"
A mechanical voice sounded from beneath Rotom. The silvery screen lit up, and the transformation halted halfway, black smoke threatening to rise.
Gu La sensed Rotom's confusion. Surprised that Aura could perceive the emotions of a plasma lifeform, he felt awkward. "Time was tight—errors were inevitable."
With a thought, he redeemed a new computer and crafted another set of parts.
"You absorb what you need first, ensuring normal functionality. Delete any unused features for now."
At Gu La's command, the entire forge began to vibrate. Currents generated magnetic fields, suspending metal parts in the air like grains of sand.
Rotom emitted a joyful electronic tone: "Rotom~ Energy matrix reorganized. Shall I show you something amazing?"
Before Gu La could respond, a holographic projection suddenly appeared on the northern wall of the lab—it was a full-body scan of Gu La.
"Detected trainer's injury. Requesting emergency rescue protocol."
Gu La was speechless. He hadn't expected this so-called "amazing thing."
"Deactivate the alarm. I'm already recovering—no need for treatment."
"Rotom~ Noted."
Rotom hovered above the forge, incessantly chirping as if newly born. Finally calming down, it remembered its purpose.
"Trainer, nice to meet you. Allow me to demonstrate my true capabilities~"
The mechanical voice grew ethereal. To Gu La's surprise, he detected impatience in Rotom's tone.
"Alright, introduce yourself first."
"As you wish, Rotom~"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)