"In ancient times, some craftsmen attempted to carve specific patterns and strengths of soul power onto gemstones and some rare metals to draw out their energy. This was the prototype of soul tools. Later, some tried to make soul tools using relatively ordinary materials. Although the lifespan of these tools decreased sharply, the requirements for manufacturing them were also greatly reduced."
"But in essence, soul tools are just tools made by soul masters to better utilize their abilities."
"However, now, the soul masters of the three kingdoms of Douluo look down on soul tools from the bottom of their hearts. They consider soul tools as mere tricks and believe using them betrays their ancestors' legacy. On the contrary, the Sun Moon Empire places too much emphasis on soul tools, neglecting the essence of soul tools, thus slackening the improvement of soul masters' personal strength."
"Little do they know that only a sufficiently powerful soul master can bring out the true power of high-level soul tools, achieving a synergy greater than the sum of its parts. Ignoring the personal strength of soul masters while focusing solely on an arms race, frantically manufacturing soul tools, has a significant drawback."
"Because rare metals are abundant and easily mined in the Sun Moon Empire, their soul tool development naturally revolves around the use of rare metals. It can be said that the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools rely entirely on the special properties of these rare metals. Once they are deprived of their variety of rare metals, the entire soul tool technology and the social system built around it will collapse."
At this point, Huo Yuhao smiled slightly and stopped speaking. Because the next topic would involve the planning and refinement of rare metals, which was too advanced and ahead of its time. Huo Yuhao didn't want Jing Hongchen to gain this knowledge for free.
Huo Yuhao's analysis of the conservatism of the Douluo Three Kingdoms' soul masters and the future predicament faced by the Sun Moon Empire fascinated Jing Hongchen.
However, he didn't expect Huo Yuhao to be even better at cliffhangers than some web novel authors, stopping at the most crucial point, leaving him itching with curiosity.
"Huo Yuhao, do you have anything else to say?" Jing Hongchen asked, clearing his throat.
"Something to say?" Huo Yuhao pretended to think. "Oh, thank you, Hall Master Hongchen, for giving us a ride. It will be inconvenient for you to enter the main city of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Just drop us off on the plain below."
Jing Hongchen gritted his teeth inwardly. He knew Huo Yuhao was playing dumb, but he had no choice.
If they were in the Extreme North, he might have considered capturing Huo Yuhao. But here, near the Heavenly Soul Empire, which was the base of the Body Sect, getting entangled with Yuhao would risk him not being able to leave safely.
"Wow, Huo Yuhao, you know so much." Beside him, Meng Hongchen's eyes sparkled. "Even our soul tool theory course teachers haven't mentioned these things. By the way, what level soul tool master are you?"
Given Huo Yuhao's familiarity with soul tools, it was clear he must have studied them. Judging by his previous cultivation level, he should be a second-level soul tool master.
"Me? I'm not a soul tool master. I've never studied soul tool courses." Huo Yuhao said helplessly.
Due to Du Bushi and conflicts with Fan Yu, Huo Yuhao neither became Fan Yu's disciple nor received instruction from Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo as in the original story.
Over the past eight months, he had occasionally watched others make soul tools and tried his hand at it, but he hadn't formally learned any soul tool making techniques. After all, while Shrek Academy's research level on soul tools was average, it was top-tier compared to the Douluo Three Kingdoms. They were unwilling to let their soul tool technology leak to the Body Sect.
"Ah? That's a shame," Meng Hongchen said in surprise.
After a moment of silence, Meng Hongchen rummaged through her storage soul tool and handed Huo Yuhao a thick notebook.
"Huo Yuhao, take this notebook as my thanks. If you study the methods inside, I believe you can make rapid progress given your talent."
In front, Jing Hongchen's body trembled, but he stayed silent, not stopping Meng Hongchen.
Huo Yuhao took the notebook with delight and opened it. The title page had eight large characters: Laughing at the World's Classroom Notes.
???
Indeed, Jing Hongchen's reaction wasn't because Meng Hongchen leaked the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool secrets but because he felt sorry for his grandchild.
Such low-level stuff would have circulated long ago. But Laughing at the World's classroom notes were precious, and losing such a big notebook meant several sleepless nights to make up for it!
"Thank you!"
Huo Yuhao smiled at Meng Hongchen. She had indeed done him a big favor.
For Huo Yuhao, who had read the original story, he didn't lack understanding and insight into soul tool technology. He was familiar with some key techniques, like forging.
But what stymied him was the basic entry-level knowledge of soul tools, which was not a problem for others. Because of Shrek Academy's knowledge blockade, he couldn't learn much about making soul tools.
Now, with Laughing at the World's notebook, his problem was solved.
The flying soul tool landed slowly, and Jing Hongchen retracted the golden wings back to who knows where. Then, this prominent figure in the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool world handed Huo Yuhao a token.
"This is my personal token. You saved Meng from soul beasts and helped her hunt for a soul ring. I am grateful."
"With this token, you can commission Mingde Hall to craft any attack or defense soul tool below level nine, with all material costs covered by me personally. Moreover, if you encounter any danger in the Sun Moon Empire, you can also use this token to seek Mingde Hall's help, but only once."
"Huo Yuhao, you are different from other Body Sect members. With you leading, perhaps the Body Sect will have a different future. Keep Laughing at the World's notebook and study it well. It contains some low-level soul tool crafting techniques and diagrams taught by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy and even by me personally."
"Well, there's no need to say more. Huo Yuhao, I look forward to meeting you in Mingdu again. I am very interested in what you said earlier."
The golden wings carried Jing Hongchen and Meng Hongchen skyward again, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared.
Huo Yuhao looked in their direction, touched the notebook and token in his hand, and smiled slightly. The prerequisite for starting the Sun Moon Empire chapter was achieved.
Next, it's time to give the people at Shrek Academy a little surprise.