Chapter 12 – What If I Create a Realm of Apocalypse?
Under the adoring gazes of many first-year Class Three students, Teacher Xuan concluded the lesson. In the subsequent theoretical classes, Huo Yuhao wasn't called upon again, which he didn't mind—but he did find them rather boring.
Too slow!
Everything the teachers explained, he could understand completely after just a single listen. It took almost no effort on his part. Honestly, it felt like a waste of talent.
If things continued at this slow pace, who knew how long it would take him just to become a Level 1 Soul Engineer? He probably wouldn't even get the chance to practice making soul guidance devices in the short term.
So, after classes ended in the afternoon, while most students either went to train or lazed around, Huo Yuhao made his way to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's library, holding the special identity token exclusive to soul engineers.
He had a rough plan in mind: before the semester ended, he would aim to become a Level 2 Soul Engineer. That was the only way to earn real recognition and be promoted to the first-tier cultivation team.
Unlike Shrek Academy, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy had a different system—each semester lasted five months, with two semesters per year and one month of vacation after each.
A month of this semester had already passed, meaning Huo Yuhao had just four months left to pass the academy's strict Level 2 Soul Engineer assessment.
At the same time, if he wanted to follow Tianmeng to the Extreme North during the break, he'd need to reach the threshold of Level 20 soul power. That said, it wasn't strictly necessary. Since he no longer had an empty slot for a second martial soul, Ice Empress wouldn't become his second martial soul anyway, but would instead offer herself as a wisdom soul ring with Tianmeng's help.
So even if he didn't reach Level 20, it wouldn't be a problem. But… he was someone who refused to be outdone.
Huo Yuhao once wore iron training shorts for a whole year at Shrek Academy and only gained nine levels. With travel time included, Huo Yuhao now had five months to rise five levels—and become a Level 2 Soul Engineer. It was a tough challenge, no doubt, but not impossible.
With the lingering effects of the "Strong Luck Echo," the last bits of Tianmeng's origin power had completely enhanced his potential. Combined with the overpowered external soul bone ability grafted onto his skin, the current Huo Yuhao was far beyond the original.
Even the Huo Yuhao, who had taken two Mystic Water Pills and a Soul Ascension Pill, couldn't compare.
Next, when studying Soul Guidance Devices, it would be Ice Silkworm True Body plus Ice Silkworm metamorphosis every three days, along with Spiritual Detection Sharing, directly transforming him into an unkillable cockroach. He would study until he died, or rather, study so he wouldn't die.
'Come on, Yuhao, show the Sun Moon Empire what a little talent earthquake feels like.'
'Let them see who the real damn genius is!'
He had to admit, the study plan that Director Lin Jiayi had prepared for him was extremely helpful. It saved him from running around the library like a headless chicken.
Finding a quiet corner, Huo Yuhao pulled out a thick book titled "Basic Architecture of Level 1 soul guidance devices" and began flipping through it carefully.
The atmosphere was peaceful. The warm glow of sunset brushed through his hair and spilled across the book's pages, bringing an unexpected sense of calm. It even reminded him of the time he spent studying for graduate school exams back on Earth—though back then, he didn't have eidetic memory or an energy-packed mind and body like he did now.
Unsurprisingly, many students nearby couldn't help but glance over. A new, handsome face that no one recognized was bound to attract attention.
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"Yuhao, why aren't you cultivating your soul power?"
As he left the library after finishing "Basic Architecture of Level 1 soul guidance devices", he strolled back to his dorm while chatting with Tianmeng in his spiritual sea.
"Tianmeng, soul guidance devices are the mainstream on the Sun Moon Continent, and the Empire values them immensely. I need to fully understand this system. Only if I display my talent here will I be taken seriously."
"Besides, I don't have an advanced soul power meditation method yet. Relying on basic trial and error is just too slow. But don't worry—once the higher-ups recognize my value, I'll receive top-tier cultivation resources for both the soul master and soul engineer paths."
Huo Yuhao knew very well that while soul engineers had the potential to become mainstream, their upper limit was still… limited.
Even if someone became the first-ever Level 12 Soul Engineer, it would still be nothing in the eyes of the gods in the God Realm—no real threat.
So why pursue soul guidance device development?
He had many reasons, but one immediate goal: to showcase his genius and secure the resources he needed for his soul master training.
Now that he had twin martial souls, and his second martial soul was the End-Time Bell, which could resonate with his destiny—his path forward was clear:
- Main path: Soul master
- Secondary path: Soul engineer
The soul engineer path may be limited, but that didn't mean he couldn't forge a path of his own.
Just basic soul guidance device production might not be impressive. But what if…
- He combined it with Electrolux's necromancy?
- Gained control over an Undead demi-plane?
- Centered it all around the End-Time Bell martial soul to forge a personal "Realm of Apocalypse"?
Soul Guidance Devices empowered by necromancy—at that point, their strength wouldn't be constrained by simple Level 9 or Level 10 definitions anymore. If he could control an Undead Demi-plane filled with custom soul guidance devices etched with necromancy magic, he might not even need to fight personally. That level of arsenal would be terrifying.
Which is why these early foundations in soul guidance device knowledge were essential. To build a towering skyscraper, you first need a solid base. Ambition without groundwork is just wishful thinking.
He wanted both the soul master path and the soul engineer path. With his current talent and the blessing of the Douluo World's luck, he could reach the peak of either path—there was no need to choose one and abandon the other.
While the Sun Moon Empire wasn't as advanced in soul master training compared to Shrek, the difference wasn't massive. The meditation techniques here wouldn't be inferior either. His current goal was to showcase talent in soul engineering to win access to high-grade cultivation methods.
At that point, his soul power cultivation speed would skyrocket—one day of training would equal many days of ordinary effort.
"Besides, Tianmeng, who said I'm not cultivating? Nighttime is soul power training time. I haven't forgotten our trip to the Extreme North."
Tianmeng grinned. Following a clear-headed, hard-working genius like Yuhao was just too satisfying.
'Yuhao's right. Wasting time on slow soul master cultivation right now is inefficient. I've sealed nine spiritual origins inside him. As long as he stays on course, his future soul rings will easily reach the 100,000-year level. There's no need to worry about soul power progression.'
'Once his talent is recognized and resources flood in, we can head to the Extreme North and let Bingbing offer herself as a wisdom soul ring. His second martial soul will then gain the Extreme Ice attribute, making his future a smooth road.'
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(End of Chapter)