"Why learn something bad when there's something good to learn?"
"I'm not stupid!"
Su Yu rolled his eyes.
"True."
Wang Dong thought about it for a moment and realized Su Yu had made a valid point. Moreover, Su Yu's talent in soul devices was evident to everyone. Attending the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was indeed a good choice.
"I'm so busy that my feet barely touch the ground. Other than cultivating, I have to study soul devices. Unlike you, with so much free time every day."
"Didn't you say you wanted to catch up to me and become stronger than me? With the way you're going, there's no way you'll ever catch up in this lifetime," Su Yu said calmly.
Wang Dong bit his lip but didn't argue. He had been at the academy for so long, yet aside from forging, he hadn't gained much. On the other hand, Su Yu had achieved considerable success. If things continued like this, the gap between them would only grow larger.
"So, what should I do?"
Wang Dong asked, looking lost.
"Have you heard of the Real Combat Soul Engineering Department?"
Su Yu asked.
"The Real Combat Soul Engineering Department? What's that?"
Wang Dong looked puzzled. He had never heard of it.
"It's a newly emerging field of soul engineering at the academy," Su Yu explained.
"In recent years, there have been many overt and covert conflicts between the Sun Moon Empire and the three nations of the original Douluo Continent. Both sides have learned a lot from each other."
"The Douluo Continent has invested heavily in soul engineering, leading to the rise of the Soul Engineering Department. In response, the Sun Moon Empire, having experienced the strength of soul masters, began nurturing their own. This gave birth to Real Combat Soul Engineers."
"To put it simply, Real Combat Soul Engineers are battle soul masters who use soul tools to enhance their abilities. They don't create the devices but can skillfully use them to boost their combat power and survival skills."
"Their strength comes from the combination of soul tools and martial souls, giving them an advantage over both traditional soul engineers and soul masters. This path is also the most suitable for you at the academy."
"You don't like traditional soul engineering, right? Then join the Real Combat Soul Engineering Department. You won't have to study how to make the soul tool."
Indeed, this seemed like the right path for Wang Dong. The Real Combat Soul Engineering Department didn't neglect martial souls. Its goal was to combine them with soul tools to unleash greater combat potential. Su Yu thought the academy made a smart move by creating this department—Jing Hongchen was indeed a far-sighted person.
"But don't tell me you're even against using soul tools," Su Yu continued.
"If so, there's nothing more I can do for you. If that's how you feel, you might as well leave now."
"If you reject soul tools here, countless people will dislike you. You don't want to be seen as a weirdo, do you?"
These words were aimed at Wang Dong, but Su Yu also had a certain God-King in mind, whom he was sure was secretly watching. The God-King's hostility toward soul tools likely stemmed from them replacing hidden weapons. But honestly, hidden weapons were never that impressive anyway. Besides, the God-King had kept some for himself and didn't pass them on.
The decline of the Tang Sect was only natural, wasn't it? Now he's blaming Soul Tools?
Su Yu thought the God-King had a pretty narrow view.
Wang Dong stayed silent, listening to Su Yu's words. After a while, he forced a stiff smile.
"Thanks, but let me think about it."
"Think it over carefully," Su Yu replied. He had said what he needed to say. He had done his part as a friend. If Wang Dong still couldn't accept soul tools, there was nothing more he could do.
"Mm."
Wang Dong hummed softly, absentmindedly stirring the food in his bowl.
"Hurry up and eat. Someone might come looking for us later."
"Huh?"
Wang Dong looked at Su Yu in confusion.
Su Yu didn't explain. They had been at the academy for two months now, and he knew they had been watched closely. After what happened today, Su Yu figured it was nearly time to meet Jing Hongchen.
Sure enough, just as Su Yu predicted, not fifteen minutes after they finished eating and returned to their dormitory, someone came looking for them.
It was a middle-aged man, clearly wise—after all, his hairline was receding.
"Teacher, who are you looking for?"
Su Yu opened the door and asked the unfamiliar man. Wang Dong poked his head out from inside the room.
"You must be Su Yu and Wang Dong. I'm Lin Jiayi, the academy's Director of Education."
"So it's Director Lin!"
Wang Dong straightened up, showing respect. Su Yu's gaze sharpened as well. The Director of Education at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy? He must be at least a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. His soul engineer rank must be at least level eight—otherwise, there was no way he could hold this position.
"What can we help you with, Director Lin?"
Su Yu asked calmly. Though surprised by Lin Jiayi's identity, Su Yu remained composed. He had met plenty of powerful people before. Wang Dong also showed respect but wasn't particularly nervous.
"The Hall Master would like to meet with both of you," Lin Jiayi smiled.
Su Yu's eyes flashed—just as he had expected. Wang Dong looked at him in astonishment. Had Su Yu guessed this right? And the Hall Master was personally sending someone to invite them?
Everyone knew who the Hall Master was. Who else could it be but Jing Hongchen, head of the Illustrious Virtue Hall? The Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall was a figure of great importance across the entire continent.
Even Wang Dong was now shocked.
"What does the Hall Master want with us?"
Su Yu asked deliberately.
"That I don't know. You'll understand once you meet him."
Seeing Su Yu remain calm despite knowing it was Jing Hongchen who wanted to see him, Lin Jiayi nodded approvingly. At the very least, this boy had more composure than most students.
"Got it. Are we going to Illustrious Virtue Hall?"
Su Yu asked. He had always been curious about what was inside and wanted to see if he could complete a task or two there. But Lin Jiayi's response left him a bit disappointed.
"No, that's not it. The Hall Master is in the principal's office of the sixth-year teaching building on campus. There's no need to go to Illustrious Virtue Hall," Lin Jiayi said with a chuckle.
"Only sixth-year students get the chance to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall once a week."
"But with your talent, I believe it won't be long before you have the opportunity to join Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Lin Jiayi, being an experienced and perceptive man, easily saw through Su Yu's thoughts. However, he didn't find it strange. Illustrious Virtue Hall was revered as the sacred place of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, much like how Shrek Academy revered its Inner Court. Naturally, countless students dreamed of entering Illustrious Virtue Hall.
Since Su Yu was now a soul engineer, it was perfectly normal for him to want to enter. However, Illustrious Virtue Hall had its own rules, and Su Yu hadn't yet met the requirements.
Wang Dong didn't show much reaction to Lin Jiayi's words, but Su Yu felt a twinge of disappointment—he wouldn't be visiting Illustrious Virtue Hall or earning rewards there, at least for now.
"Alright, students, we should get going. The Hall Master is waiting for you," Lin Jiayi said, clapping his hands.
"Director Lin, please wait a moment," Su Yu said as he and Wang Dong exchanged glances. The two of them quickly tidied up, put on their uniforms, closed the door, and followed Lin Jiayi.
The three of them walked to the sixth-year teaching building and went straight up. Compared to the first- and second-year areas, the sixth-year teaching building was much quieter. There were hardly any people in sight. The huge building only housed a few dozen students, but each of these students was a level-five soul engineer. Given their high level, the small number seemed reasonable.
The group ascended to the sixth floor and headed toward the back. They stopped at the door of the second classroom on the right, where Lin Jiayi casually knocked.
"Come in," a middle-aged man's voice called from inside.
Lin Jiayi led the two students into the office. Su Yu's eyes shifted slightly, landing on the middle-aged man seated at the main desk. He was short and stout with an unremarkable appearance, but his eyes gleamed with intelligence. Su Yu could sense a powerful aura emanating from him, creating an oppressive pressure. While not as terrifying as that of some fierce beasts, the presence was deadly enough to warn Su Yu that this man was a titled Douluo.
There was only one such renowned titled Douluo at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy—the Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen.
Beside Jing Hongchen stood a man and a woman—both strikingly handsome and beautiful. They were none other than Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen, whom Su Yu had met not long ago. He hadn't expected to see them here today.
Meng Hongchen noticed Su Yu's gaze, smiled sweetly and nodded at him in goodwill. Xiao Hongchen, however, stared intensely at Su Yu, his eyes filled with defiance as if daring him to a challenge.
"Hall Master, Su Yu and Wang Dong are here," Lin Jiayi said respectfully.
Jing Hongchen nodded, and Lin Jiayi tactfully stepped aside.
Jing Hongchen's gaze fell on Su Yu and Wang Dong. Though it was just a glance, it carried immense pressure. Wang Dong's knees nearly buckled under it, but Su Yu quickly grabbed his hand, standing tall and composed. With Su Yu's support, Wang Dong managed to steady himself, avoiding any embarrassment.
After a moment, the invisible pressure vanished entirely, and Wang Dong let out a sigh of relief, shooting Su Yu a grateful look.
"Not bad," Jing Hongchen remarked calmly as he observed the two of them.
"Thank you for your praise, Hall Master," Su Yu said, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.
Jing Hongchen smiled slightly.
"The reason I've called you here today is simply to have a chat—nothing more."
"You've been enrolled for two months now, and I've been keeping an eye on you both. After all, it's been a long time since Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy has had soul master talents as you enroll."
"Moreover, you both come from the Ice God Palace and the Clear Sky Sect."
Upon hearing this, both Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen were visibly shocked. They had looked into Su Yu's background and knew he was from the Ice God Palace, but they hadn't expected Wang Dong to be from the Clear Sky Sect—the sect that was once the number one in the world.
Wang Dong was equally stunned. He turned to Su Yu, eyes wide with disbelief.
Su Yu was from the Ice God Palace? That legendary, ancient, and mysterious superpower? No wonder he was so strong! At that moment, Wang Dong felt as though he had suddenly understood everything.
"Even though we come from the Ice God Palace and the Clear Sky Sect, we're still students of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy," Su Yu said calmly, his face expressionless.
"Is the academy going to treat us differently because of our backgrounds?"
Jing Hongchen met Su Yu's gaze, and Su Yu didn't back down. The Hall Master's sharp eyes failed to shake him. After a moment, Jing Hongchen suddenly smiled, and the previously tense atmosphere lightened.
"Such courage—indeed worthy of being the heir of the Ice God Palace," Jing Hongchen chuckled.
"But you're overthinking it. Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy doesn't care about a student's background, nor would we treat anyone differently because of it."
"I called you here today simply to satisfy my curiosity. Why would disciples from ancient sects like the Ice God Palace and the Clear Sky Sect choose to attend our academy? Logically, disciples from such esteemed sects would attend Shrek Academy, right? Especially the Clear Sky Sect, which has deep ties to Shrek."
Jing Hongchen looked at the two of them, genuinely curious.
"Do you want to know the reason, Hall Master? It's quite simple," Su Yu said, blinking as if activating his persuasion skills.
"I'm all ears," Jing Hongchen replied, intrigued.
Even Meng Hongchen was now watching Su Yu intently, eager to hear his explanation.
"First, it's the strength of soul tools. Their power is undeniable. Is there anything wrong with wanting to become a powerful soul engineer?"
"No, there isn't," Jing Hongchen replied with a smile.
"Secondly, the development of soul tools is advancing too quickly. No matter how much soul masters resist, they can't deny that the widespread use of soul tools is the trend of the future. Nothing can stop that."
"As the saying goes, if you don't progress, you'll fall behind, and if you fall behind, you'll get beaten. With such a promising future for soul tools, if we cling to the so-called pride of soul masters and refuse to adapt, we'll eventually be left behind by the times."
"Only by keeping up with the times can we truly grow stronger. That's why I came here."