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At noon, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy hosted a lavish lunch for the Shrek exchange students.
Fan Yu sat with the students, eating as he asked, "Today you toured the academy and experienced their physiological scanners. What are your impressions?"
He Caitou set down his utensils, his usually cheerful face tinged with a weary wry smile.
"Teacher… the gap… it's too wide. Their level of soul engineering philosophy and precision far surpasses our academy—let alone the Three Nations."
Fan Yu's expression grew serious. His gaze swept over every student.
"You're right, Caitou. The gap between us and the Sun Moon Empire in soul guidance device technology is objective."
"But precisely because we see this gap, we are here. Don't fear the distance. As long as the gap is visible, we can close it through hard study, relentless effort—and one day, surpass them. That is the true purpose of this exchange."
His voice rang with conviction—teaching his students, but also reminding himself.
Yet, in truth, he had little confidence they could absorb meaningful core technologies in just two and a half years.
It was obvious: Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy would guard its most critical designs and blueprints like state secrets.
Even if they were allowed to attend lectures or earn higher Soul Engineer badges, how much of the real cutting-edge technology could they truly access—and master—through formal, step-by-step learning?
His only real hope?
Huo Yuhao's incomparable Spiritual Detection.
That was the ultimate cheat code. If Huo Yuhao could see the internal structure of a high-level soul guidance device, he effectively stole its core secrets.
As for Gu La…
Fan Yu's gaze drifted unconsciously toward Gu La, quietly eating at the table.
Honestly? He had no idea what to make of the boy.
Gu La's Evolution Watch—he'd studied it meticulously. But its design philosophy, the structure of its soul guidance device arrays, bore no resemblance to any known school of thought. It felt… advanced. Not just refined—transcendent.
He had a gut feeling: Gu La's entire soul guidance device knowledge system might be fundamentally different from his own. Possibly… superior?
But he could never voice this. He had no right to demand Gu La share his lineage or blueprints. He buried his curiosity deep—and pretended he didn't see it.
—
In the afternoon, Sun Moon assigned mentors to each Shrek student.
Due to their unique profiles—Gu La, with his dual Ultimate attributes and the Evolution Watch; Huo Yuhao, with his twin martial souls and extraordinary spiritual power—they were both assigned to Laboratory Three, under the supervision of the Eighth-grade Soul Engineer, Xuan Ziwen.
The two entered a clean but cluttered lab, filled with half-assembled parts, schematics, and tools. A middle-aged man, wearing spectacles, dressed in scholarly attire, yet with eyes sharp as a hawk's, was bent over a workbench, sketching intently.
"Teacher," both said in unison.
Xuan Ziwen looked up, adjusted his glasses, and raised a hand to halt them.
"Don't call me 'teacher' yet. The academy's assignment is unavoidable—but here, to receive instruction, you must pass my test."
"Of course, even if you fail, you're still welcome to use the lab. But if you pass… I'll teach you everything suited to your level."
His gaze lingered longest on Gu La.
Though he favored civilian soul guidance device research and opposed militarization, he had followed the issue of the Evolution Watch. Even with his status as Sun Moon's top eighth-grade Soul Engineer, he found its concept breathtaking—and he was deeply curious about its creator.
Huo Yuhao stepped forward respectfully.
"Master Xuan, I accept your test."
Xuan Ziwen nodded, glancing at Huo Yuhao's third-grade Soul Engineer badge.
"As you're a third-grade Soul Engineer at Shrek, use one hour to construct a soul guidance device that best represents your current skill level."
He turned to Gu La.
"And yours? What's your grade?"
Gu La replied calmly, "I've never taken the official certification."
Xuan Ziwen's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
A traditional academy-trained Soul Engineer, he valued structure, hierarchy, and certified progression.
But the Evolution Watch… he gave Gu La extra patience.
"Then you have two hours. Build a soul guidance device at the absolute limit of your ability. If I'm satisfied, I'll petition the academy to grant you a matching grade. But—"
He emphasized, "No using soul bones or special catalysts like the Evolution Watch. This test must reflect your engineering, not borrowed power."
"Understood." Gu La agreed without hesitation.
"Materials are on that shelf. Take what you need. Return here in one hour." Xuan Ziwen dismissed them, returning instantly to his sketches.
Gu La and Huo Yuhao moved to separate workbenches.
Huo Yuhao, lacking the Dark Gold Terror Claw external soul bone, pulled out his basic engraving tools and selected the cheapest, most common iron essence as his core material. He focused entirely on carving the central array.
Xuan Ziwen glanced over and nodded slightly. He appreciated this thrift, this respect for fundamentals.
Gu La, meanwhile, stood before the material shelf, deep in thought.
He wasn't worried about the test. He wanted to build something useful.
He recalled Yun Ming's three devastating spear strikes—and the spectral image of the Atlas Spear.
A sudden insight struck him.
Could I… seal a fragment of that spear's intent? Create a soul guidance device that combines offense, defense—and even allows others to slowly perceive the spear's spirit?
Instantly, he acted.
He walked to the shelf and selected several rare metals—hard, excellent at conducting energy, and extraordinarily valuable. He didn't care about the cost.
Xuan Ziwen's mouth twitched.
Compared to Huo Yuhao's frugality, Gu La's lavish, almost careless spending felt like a spoiled nobleman playing with toys. It hurt Xuan Ziwen's practical soul.
Gu La's Dark Gold Terror Claw extended, glowing faintly with dark-gold energy. He used the claw as his engraving tool, carving directly into the hardened metal.
His movements were fluid, precise—complex soul guidance device arrays emerging beneath his touch like living art. The effortless mastery made Xuan Ziwen glance up again—and freeze, eyes widening slightly.
An hour passed.
Both had finished.
Xuan Ziwen set down his pen. "Bring your devices. To the testing chamber."
They entered the lab's annex. Xuan Ziwen turned. "Who goes first?"
Huo Yuhao glanced at Gu La, then stepped forward.
"Teacher, I'll go first."
Xuan Ziwen nodded. "Let's see the power of your… disposable soul guidance device."
He'd already identified the iron essence—unsuitable for repeated use. A one-shot device.
Huo Yuhao aimed his metal box at the distant targets, activated it with soul power.
Shhhhh—!
A storm of energy crossbow bolts erupted—a deluge of light, instantly shredding dozens of targets.
The burst firepower reached Level-4 soul guidance device levels. With better materials, it could have reached Level-5.
Xuan Ziwen's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Triggered cascading activation array? High-capacity soul power storage array? Pre-charged for non-Soul Masters to use? Brilliant! How did you solve the instantaneous output stability and structural integrity—?"
He was already analyzing the core technical hurdles, his admiration clear.
But he remembered the context. He held back his urge to dive deeper.
"Good. Wait your turn." He turned to Gu La. "Your turn, Gu La."
Gu La stepped forward.
He didn't bring a device.
He held a metal sculpture.
A tall, upright figure, holding a long spear. The face was blurred—deliberately.
A Soul Engineer with his control could render perfect facial details. The ambiguity was intentional.
Indeed, it was.
Gu La knew he couldn't capture even a fraction of Yun Ming's divine spear spirit in a hastily made device. So he chose to obscure the face—let the intent speak for itself.
Xuan Ziwen adjusted his glasses, surprised.
"A sculptural soul guidance device? Rare. The form suggests no direct offense or defense… is it a functional device?"
He didn't believe Gu La would waste time on decoration.
Gu La explained:
"You're partially correct. It's a trinity soul guidance device."
"Trinity?" Both Xuan Ziwen and Huo Yuhao blinked in astonishment.
Huo Yuhao instinctively tried to use Spiritual Detection—
—and recoiled.
A piercing, razor-sharp intent erupted from the sculpture, repelling his spiritual power like a blade. He froze, heart pounding.
"Correct," Gu La said, glancing at Huo Yuhao. "Like yours, it's a disposable device—but it doesn't degrade. It consumes the sealed intent within."
"I've sealed a fragment of a 'spear intent.' A Soul Master can activate it consciously—or it triggers automatically under mortal threat, summoning a spectral spear-wielder to attack or defend."
"Additionally, when worn close to the body, the intent subtly refines the wearer's spirit, allowing slow, passive cultivation."
"All three functions consume the sealed intent, which must be replenished. And because this is spiritual energy, it leaks slowly over time… so its practicality is limited." Gu La explained the flaws with calm neutrality.
Xuan Ziwen and Huo Yuhao were stunned.
Gu La activated the sculpture.
A faint, blurred spectral figure materialized—holding a spear. Its soul power output was modest.
But the intent—the cold, sharp, unstoppable will to pierce the heavens—struck them like a physical blow. Their brows prickled, as if an invisible spearpoint hovered before their eyes.
"Master Xuan, this spectral figure attacks only hostile lifeforms. Please test its defensive capability." Gu La said.
Xuan Ziwen, though primarily a researcher, was an eighth-grade Soul Engineer—he had survival techniques.
Curious, he donned a basic protective soul guidance device and nodded.
The spectral figure sensed hostility.
In an instant—it lunged.
A single, razor-thin spear of light shot forth.
Xuan Ziwen felt a dual assault: a mental spear of piercing will, coupled with physical force.
He barely reacted, activating every defense he had—heart pounding, regretting his decision—but gritted his teeth and held.
The test ended.
The spectral figure, now dimmer, hovered protectively around the sculpture.
Xuan Ziwen exhaled slowly, eyes wide with awe.
"Incredible! You've sealed spiritual intent—a metaphysical concept—and turned it into a functional offensive/defensive mechanism. This is groundbreaking!"
"Unfortunately…" He sighed, shaking his head. "The material and spiritual power requirements are extreme. True Spirit-type Soul Masters are rare. And the intent fades too quickly. Practical application is minimal… but the concept—it's revolutionary."
Gu La smiled, returning the sculpture to his pouch.
He'd held back. With soul-infused metals—or even Soul-Refined or Heavenly Refined materials—the leakage would slow dramatically.
He'd even realized: this principle was like a high-grade alert device—but orders of magnitude more refined.
Xuan Ziwen stared at the two boys, took a deep breath, and spoke with solemn gravity:
"You've both passed. Your imagination and execution in soul guidance device design… far exceed my expectations."
He paused. His gaze sharpened, almost burning with intensity.
"I now ask you both—would you consider leaving Shrek Academy? Join the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy? I will take you as my disciples."
He locked eyes on Gu La.
"My master is the only tenth-grade Soul Engineer alive today. I cannot name him—but I swear, with your talent, you will one day earn his personal instruction."
To attract these two geniuses, Xuan Ziwen revealed a state secret. His determination was absolute.
Yet—
Huo Yuhao and Gu La didn't hesitate.
They shook their heads together.
Huo Yuhao spoke firmly:
"Thank you, Master Xuan. But Shrek is my home. I will not abandon it. And Sun Moon's every breath is aimed at conquering the Three Nations. I cannot stand this place."
Gu La's voice was quiet, but firm:
"I agree. Soul engineering is merely a hobby. I won't change my path for it."
Xuan Ziwen's eyes dimmed with deep disappointment. He didn't press. He sighed.
"Very well. Everyone has their path. From tomorrow, you report to the lab. I'll teach you everything I can. Don't waste your gifts."
He knew: the empire's mission to recruit these two was doomed.
—
As Gu La tucked away the sculpture pulsing with the spear's terrifying intent, Xuan Ziwen remained lost in admiration—
—when, deep within Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Sea, a storm erupted.
"AOWWW! Ice, Old man! Did you see that?! What in the world was that?!"
Tianmeng Ice Worm rolled wildly in the sea of light, his spherical form vibrating with excitement.
"Spear intent?! You seal abstract spiritual will—like jam in a jar—and pull it out to hit people?!"
"Is this even possible?! How strong must his spiritual power be to contain that kind of violent intent without being shredded?!"
Ice Emperor's voice, usually cold and detached, carried unprecedented gravity.
"Silence, Tianmeng. You're loud. But… you're right. Gu La's understanding and control of spiritual power… has reached a level beyond comprehension."
"Sealing intent, stabilizing it, allowing repeated use—this isn't just raw power. It requires perfect micro-control of spiritual power… and a profound, intimate understanding of 'intent' itself. Perhaps… even touching realms we don't yet know. Unfortunately, you, fat worm, have vast power but zero application."
She sounded disgusted.
Even the usually serene Electrolux—the gray orb—rippled with profound disturbance.
His ancient voice, tinged with awe and deep inquiry, echoed:
"Remarkable… truly remarkable. This boy's technique transcends mere spiritual power manipulation. It resembles… infusing the intangible essence of spirit into solid metal, binding it with spectral soul power."
"I have traversed countless dimensions. I have never seen such exquisite mastery of spiritual power. Huo Yuhao—your classmate's depth… far exceeds anything we've witnessed."
Electrolux's tone turned grave.
"Especially how effortlessly he controls that piercing spear intent. This proves his own spiritual power is vastly stronger and more refined than he displays. Otherwise, he would have been torn apart by the backlash. This boy… is not simple."
Huo Yuhao listened to the stunned murmurs of his three mentors. His heart churned.
He'd grown used to Gu La's shocking revelations—dual Ultimate attributes, the Evolution Watch, his impossible physique and spiritual power.
Each time he thought he'd seen the bottom… Gu La revealed another layer.
A quiet pressure—and a bitter, unfamiliar unwillingness—rose within him.
He had Tianmeng Ice Worm's million-year spiritual power as a base. He had Ice Emperor's forty-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. He had Electrolux, the Calamity Necromancer, as his guide.
His opportunities were unparalleled.
And yet… in Gu La's presence… he still felt… insufficient?
But Huo Yuhao's will had been forged in fire. This pressure didn't crush him—it ignited him.
He clenched his fists, his gaze hardening.
Gu La is strong. His opportunities and talent may surpass mine.
But I have Tianmeng, Ice Emperor, Master Electrolux. I have my own unique advantages!
I will not lose heart. I will not belittle myself. I will study harder. I will absorb every lesson. I will grow—until I surpass him.
He tore his gaze from Gu La, took a deep breath, and refocused on Master Xuan Ziwen—and his own soul guidance device.
The path is walked step by step.
Right now—the most important thing was to seize this opportunity to learn.
—
Gu La sensed Huo Yuhao's gaze.
He didn't use spiritual power to detect it.
But when one's intent reaches a certain threshold, it subtly influences the world. He didn't need to sense it—he knew.
Xuan Ziwen, of course, was unaware of the silent storm within Huo Yuhao's mind.
He only felt regret at losing the two geniuses.
He waved his hand.
"Enough. You've passed. Tomorrow, report to the lab on time. I'll tailor your lessons. Now, go. Get familiar with your surroundings."
Gu La and Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully and left Laboratory Three—each carrying their own silent burdens, and their own burning resolve.
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