Chapter 13: Jing Hongchen, Level 1 Soul Engineer Assessment
Illustrious Virtue Hall
"Spiritual Detection Sharing?"
Jing Hongchen looked at Lin Jiayi, who was still brimming with excitement, and gave a slight nod.
"Yes, Dean. For soul engineer research, this is simply a divine skill. Although Yuhao hasn't yet shown any particular talent for soul guidance device crafting, I can guarantee he has the potential to become a level 9 soul engineer."
Jing Hongchen smiled faintly. "It's far too early to make such claims. We haven't even provided that child with proper soul engineer training resources yet. Isn't this just to test his talent in soul engineer research?"
"But you and I both know that even if that child's talent as a soul engineer is exceptional, his soul master cultivation cannot be neglected. As much as I hate to admit it, soul masters still hold the upper hand when it comes to top-level combat power."
That was precisely why the Sun Moon Empire—despite its formidable national strength—remained hesitant to go to war.
If the empire could somehow suppress the ultimate combat strength of the original Douluo Three Kingdoms and Shrek Academy, victory would be assured. But even then, the Sun Moon Empire's shortcomings would remain glaring.
At present, the empire had only one Level 10 Soul Engineer—equivalent to a Half-Ultimate Douluo. If they could produce another, the balance of power might tilt decisively. Yet, achieving that was no easy feat. It required not only a staggering amount of resources but also truly extraordinary talent. {T/N: According to Timeline Kong Deming shouldn't have become a Level 10 Engineer yet}
Huo Yuhao… could this child be the key to breaking through this bottleneck?
Jing Hongchen shook his head, setting the thought aside for now, and gave his instructions.
"I understand. Continue to observe him. Once he shows his talent as a soul engineer, I will meet him personally. If his identity is truly without issue, I'll provide him with abundant cultivation resources—and perhaps even accept him as my disciple."
"Yes!" Lin Jiayi nodded, still in disbelief.
The dean was willing to consider taking Yuhao as his disciple without even meeting him in person. This was Jing Hongchen—the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall and the person closest to becoming a Level 10 Soul Engineer in the empire, second only to Elder Kong, the master of Gongfu Hall (Worship Hall).
---
One month later – Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Teaching Department Experimental Area
"Yuhao, are you sure you want to take the Level 1 Soul Engineer exam now?"
Shi Xuan, Huo Yuhao's instructor, looked at him with disbelief—and a hint of anticipation.
A single month? This kid had never even touched soul guidance device crafting before and had been studying for only thirty days. Could he pass the theoretical knowledge exam and craft a Level 1 soul guidance device entirely on his own?
Shi Xuan knew Yuhao often stayed up all night in the library, but this was still far too fast. If he succeeded, he might even set a new Sun Moon Empire record for the fastest certification as a Level 1 Soul Engineer.
"Teacher Xuan, I'm certain. Let's begin."
Over the past month, Yuhao hadn't just memorized theory in the library. Using the free metal quota provided by the academy—and the ten thousand gold soul coins Lin Jiayi had personally donated—he had engraved numerous Level 1 core arrays himself.
If he weren't confident of passing with a flawless score, he would never have chosen to take the exam this early.
Time, after all, was also a resource. He had already mastered ninety-nine percent of the theoretical knowledge for a Level 1 Soul Engineer and personally engraved five complete Level 1 core arrays. If not now, then when?
"Alright," Shi Xuan said, "I'll inform the Dean of the Teaching Department to supervise your theory test. As for the practical portion, you can choose the difficulty yourself."
Yuhao nodded. There were many different Level 1 core arrays, each with varying difficulty. The harder the array, the higher the potential score.
But then, a small smile curved his lips. Why choose an existing design? Wasn't innovation also a part of the exam?
After a month of observation and practice, he already had a clear idea of what his very first original soul guidance device would be.
Lin Jiayi soon arrived. Despite observing Yuhao for a month, he still found it hard to believe the boy was already taking the exam.
Still—he believed in Huo Yuhao's talent and in his own judgment.
—
"The examination begins."
At Shi Xuan's command, the theoretical knowledge test for Level 1 soul engineers appeared on the soul guidance screen in front of Yuhao. He glanced through the questions once, then immediately focused, answering without hesitation.
"How difficult are these questions?" Lin Jiayi asked curiously.
Shi Xuan thought for a moment before replying.
"With the adjustments you requested, these questions are already at the upper limit for Level 1—some even approach Level 2 difficulty."
Lin Jiayi stopped speaking. A genius should be tested like a genius. Ordinary assessments could never reveal the true brilliance of someone like Huo Yuhao.
"Dean, just wait. This kid is going to shock you."
Hands clasped behind his back, Lin Jiayi watched with anticipation.
Meanwhile, Yuhao was already immersed in a sea of knowledge, his answers flowing smoothly.
—
Sample Questions:
Q: Which of the following materials is most suitable for making a Level 1 soul guidance device core base? Explain.
A. Sinking Silver, B. Sinking Iron, C. Star Silver, D. Scarlet Flame Metal
Answer: B. Sunken Iron.
Analysis: Sunken Iron is highly ductile and inexpensive, making it a common choice for Level 1 soul guidance devices. Star Silver requires high purity to be effective, while Red Flame Metal and Sunken Silver are high-end materials, unsuitable for a basic core base.
Fill in the blank: What is the main function of the "energy gathering pattern" in the core array?
Answer: They improve soul power storage efficiency.
Analysis: Energy gathering patterns are the foundation of the array, responsible for the stable storage and conversion of soul power.
Drawing Question: Draw the core pattern structure of the basic
"energy-gathering array," labeling the energy input and output nodes.
Scoring Criteria: Main circular pattern (40%), central triangular energy node (30%), and three external auxiliary conduction patterns (30%).
Application Question: If a Level 1 defensive soul guidance device fails to activate after engraving the array, list at least two possible causes.
Answer:
1. Array patterns are broken or incompletely closed, interrupting energy conduction.
2. Material purity is too low to handle the array's soul power load.
3. The soul power injection direction is opposite to the design (e.g., clockwise vs. counterclockwise).
---
Before long, Yuhao had completed every question and handed the soul guidance screen to Shi Xuan and Lin Jiayi—it felt almost like taking a closed-book school exam.
Under their watchful eyes, the results appeared.
Full marks.
His application answers were precise, his drawings perfect, and his analysis flawless. It was as if the questions themselves had been written with his answers in mind.
Shi Xuan and Lin Jiayi exchanged a look—both shocked, yet thrilled.
"Alright," Shi Xuan said at last, "with the theory complete, we move on to the practical crafting test. No matter what metals Yuhao requests, we'll provide them."
Lin Jiayi's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"I have a feeling this kid is about to give us an even bigger surprise."
—
End of Chapter