"Well said. Anything more to add?"
Jing Hongchen smiled, looking at Su Yu with admiration. Su Yu's words had truly resonated with him. The widespread use of soul tools was an unstoppable trend, no doubt about it.
"I didn't expect you to be so insightful. The future of soul engineers is far brighter than that of soul masters," Xiao Hongchen proudly chimed in.
Standing next to Su Yu, Wang Dong immediately looked displeased.
"Senior Xiao, I must disagree with that," Su Yu said, shaking his head, and offering a different opinion.
"Oh? And what insight might you have?"
Xiao Hongchen sneered, crossing his arms with a haughty expression.
"Your claim that the future of soul engineers surpasses that of soul masters is a serious misconception. I've always spoken about the unmatched future of soul tools, not that soul engineers are superior to soul masters."
"Quite the contrary, I believe the rise of soul tools won't diminish the status of soul masters but will instead make them even stronger."
"The soul masters of the old Douluo Continent still believed that soul masters and soul tools were in opposition, separating the two. This is a serious mistake."
"Soul tools and soul masters do not conflict."
"After all, what is a soul device? It's merely a weapon! When using the same weapon, can a soul engineer who depends solely on soul tools be superior to a soul master who also uses them?"
"The physical attributes of soul masters are generally much better than those of soul engineers. Senior Xiao, do you disagree with that?"
"Hmph!"
Xiao Hongchen snorted, unable to refute the point. Soul engineers often relied on artificially enhanced soul power, making their physical abilities far inferior to those of soul masters at the same level.
"It seems Senior Xiao agrees with me. Now, here's the issue: many powerful soul tools require strong physical attributes to operate, which soul engineers often lack. Soul masters, on the other hand, can handle them."
"This is the advantage of soul masters."
"The future I've always envisioned is one where powerful soul masters are paired with powerful soul tools, making them even stronger."
"I'm sure the Hall Master has already realized this; otherwise, why would the Real Combat Soul Engineering Department exist? Isn't that right?"
Su Yu said, turning his gaze to Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen quietly observed Su Yu for a moment before beginning to clap.
"Well said. I'm starting to feel fortunate that you are a student at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. If a genius like you had appeared in one of the three nations of the original Douluo Continent, I think I'd lose sleep over it."
Jing Hongchen sighed. To him, Su Yu's understanding was even more terrifying than his talent. If the three nations of the original Douluo Continent changed their thinking and prioritized soul tools, combining them with their already powerful soul master forces, it would pose a huge threat to the Sun Moon Empire.
Fortunately, the ancient soul master powers of the Douluo Continent were so deeply entrenched that even Shrek Academy's Soul Engineering Department was suppressed by its Martial Soul Department. This was exactly what Jing Hongchen wanted to see—the less the three nations valued soul tools, the happier he was.
"You flatter me, Hall Master. I'm just an ordinary person," Su Yu said humbly.
"Haha, if you're an ordinary person, then there aren't many geniuses left in this world," Jing Hongchen chuckled, then asked, "Do you have any other reasons?"
"If I had to offer a third reason, it would be that I don't think Shrek Academy has anything more to teach me. Could they possibly understand ice better than my Ice God Palace?"
"Hahaha, indeed, no one in this world understands ice better than your Ice God Palace!"
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, completely reassured. Each of Su Yu's reasons was highly persuasive. Indeed, Shrek Academy had nothing more to teach him, but the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was the best soul engineering school on the continent. Su Yu's decision to come here made perfect sense.
"And what about this little guy, Wang Dong? He doesn't seem to like soul tools very much, does he? There's even been some conflict about it recently, am I right?"
Jing Hongchen's gaze shifted to Wang Dong.
Wang Dong trembled, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
Su Yu placed a hand on his shoulder and laughed loudly.
"Hall Master, you misunderstand. It's not that Wang Dong dislikes soul tools; he just doesn't like boring, tedious studies. Not everyone has the talent to learn how to make soul tools."
"Wang Dong has never been fond of studying since he was a child. Forcing him to learn this is just too difficult for him."
Wang Dong: ???????
I've never liked studying. Are you implying that I'm an uneducated slacker? Who told you that? You're slandering me! Su Yu is slandering me!!!
Wang Dong wanted to glare at Su Yu, but Su Yu quickly squeezed his wrist. Realizing Su Yu was just making something up to help him, Wang Dong stopped fussing, though he couldn't help but pout.
Stupid Su Yu. Smelly Su Yu. Bad Su Yu.
"Well, when you put it that way, it does make some sense," Jing Hongchen said, tapping his fingers on the desk. Some people were simply disinterested in studying, and perhaps Wang Dong was one of those.
"Hall Master, I think Wang Dong would be better suited for the Real Combat Soul Engineering Department. What do you think? He's highly talented and quick-witted. I believe the Real Combat Soul Engineering Department would be a better fit for him."
"The Real Combat Soul Engineering Department, huh?"
Jing Hongchen mused.
"This little guy does seem energetic. Perhaps it would suit him. I'll have someone transfer him another day, that is, if he's willing."
"He's willing. Of course, he's willing. Isn't that right, Wang Dong?"
Su Yu gave Wang Dong a meaningful look.
Wang Dong quickly caught on.
"I'm very willing. Thank you, Hall Master."
"It's no trouble at all," Jing Hongchen chuckled.
"Hall Master, there's one more thing," Su Yu said as if remembering something.
"Oh? Is there something else?"
Jing Hongchen asked.
"This morning, two fifth-year students bullied Wang Dong, taking advantage of their seniority. Their behavior was atrocious—utterly disgraceful. I never expected such a terrible incident could happen at the prestigious Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. It tarnishes the academy's reputation and corrupts its atmosphere. As a student here, I am deeply pained by this."
Su Yu spoke with heartfelt emotion, and Jing Hongchen's mouth twitched. If he remembered correctly, it was those two fifth-year students who ended up crawling away. Why did it sound like Su Yu and Wang Dong were the victims here?
Still, bullying was unacceptable. After a moment, Jing Hongchen said, "I've already sent people to handle the matter. Those two fifth-year students will be appropriately punished."
"Is that all?"
Su Yu asked.
Jing Hongchen looked confused. What more do you want?
"So, what do you think I should do?"
Jing Hongchen asked.
Su Yu paused before responding.
"When bullying happens in the academy, it can leave a very negative impact. The bullies should naturally be punished, but the academy's failure to properly supervise the situation also bears some responsibility, don't you think?"
"Do you know how much this bullying has affected our classmate Wang Dong? Do you realize how much his young heart has been hurt? This could potentially become a lifelong shadow for him."
Su Yu pulled Wang Dong over, wearing a sorrowful expression.
"If this matter isn't handled properly, it could affect Wang Dong's future growth. Hall Master, you wouldn't want to see such a talented young student like him be ruined, would you?"
Jing Hongchen: (ー_ー)!!
Xiao Hongchen: ╮(￣⊿￣)╭
Wang Dong: …
Su Yu's words left not only Jing Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen speechless, but even Wang Dong was a bit dumbfounded.
Is it that serious?
"Just say it—what exactly do you want? Be direct," Jing Hongchen said, rubbing his forehead, surprised by how far Su Yu was stretching things.
Isn't this a bit too exaggerated?
"I think, given what happened and the harm Wang Dong has suffered, shouldn't the academy offer some form of compensation?"
Su Yu finally revealed his true intentions, speaking bluntly.
Wang Dong suddenly turned to look at Su Yu. So, after all that, Su Yu was trying to get compensation for him? Wang Dong felt a warmth in his heart and was somewhat touched.
"Well, well, are you trying to extort the Hall Master now?"
Jing Hongchen finally understood. So, Su Yu was trying to pull a fast one.
Over all these years, no one had dared to make such demands in front of him, so he hadn't anticipated this. He hadn't expected Su Yu, this little rascal, to be so bold.
To ask him for compensation.
If Wang Dong had truly been hurt, fine. But wasn't he perfectly fine? As for any psychological trauma, that was pure nonsense. A kid from the Clear Sky Sect, fragile? No way.
"So, what kind of compensation do you want? Should the Hall Master offer you some high-grade soul tools?"
Jing Hongchen asked with a forced smile.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. It's just that Wang Dong's soul power is still a bit low, don't you think, Hall Master?"
Su Yu said, smiling.
Alright, alright, you're pushing it, aren't you? Jing Hongchen thought, both amused and exasperated. It had been years since anyone dared to try something like this on him, yet Su Yu had the guts.
Just as he was about to respond, Meng Hongchen suddenly spoke up.
"Grandfather, I think what Su Yu said makes a lot of sense. Our academy did fail in its responsibilities, and giving Wang Dong some compensation is the right thing to do," Meng Hongchen said sweetly.
Xiao Hongchen: Σ(д|||)
Jing Hongchen: m9(｀д)!!!!
Both grandfather and grandson were utterly shocked by Meng Hongchen's words.
Xiao Hongchen was stunned. Meng, what are you saying? Can't you see that Su Yu is just trying to extort Grandfather? Wang Dong wasn't hurt at all!
Jing Hongchen, after a brief moment of surprise, felt a wave of frustration rise within him. He glanced at Su Yu again, his gaze now more scrutinizing, with a hint of hostility.
He looked at Meng Hongchen, then back at Su Yu, feeling increasingly displeased. You little brat, are you trying to steal my precious granddaughter?
Seeing Meng Hongchen's behavior, he seriously suspected that Su Yu had already made a move on his precious granddaughter.
Meanwhile, Su Yu, hearing Meng Hongchen's words, flashed her a smile. Meng Hongchen blushed slightly and lowered her head, looking shy, which made Jing Hongchen's eyes practically burn with anger.
Alright, alright, you have some nerve, kid.
The genius he had admired a moment ago now seemed like a wild boar trying to uproot the cabbage in his garden.
Jing Hongchen's gaze toward Su Yu grew even more fierce.
Su Yu's eyebrow twitched, confused by the look.
"Hall Master, why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, no, you're right," Jing Hongchen gritted his teeth, forcing out the words, and then gave a rather unpleasant smile.
"Wang Dong, today's incident was the academy's fault. Here, take this Spirit Ascension Pill as compensation from the academy."
Even though Su Yu had exaggerated a lot, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy did bear some responsibility for the incident. Jing Hongchen wasn't stingy, and giving Wang Dong a little compensation was no big deal.
What truly annoyed him now was Su Yu seemingly making a move on his precious granddaughter.
Wang Dong was stunned, and Su Yu nudged his shoulder. Wang Dong immediately snapped back to attention, stepped forward, and accepted the pill.
"Thank you, Hall Master."
Wang Dong politely thanked him and returned to Su Yu's side.
Jing Hongchen didn't seem to care much about the pill. He looked at Su Yu as though he were evaluating a prospective son-in-law.
"Su Yu, can I call you Little Su?"
"Of course," Su Yu, still puzzled, answered casually.
"Little Su, when did you and Meng first meet?"
Jing Hongchen asked, his tone friendly, though Su Yu detected a slight chill.
He glanced at Jing Hongchen, then at Meng Hongchen, and suddenly a thought popped into his head. No way… Does Jing Hongchen think I'm pursuing Meng Hongchen?
After all, Meng Hongchen had just defended him, and Jing Hongchen might have misunderstood the situation. Seeing the shy look on Meng Hongchen's face, Su Yu realized that Jing Hongchen had probably gotten the wrong idea.
"We only met two months ago, and we've only seen each other a few times since," Su Yu answered honestly.
"Oh?"
Jing Hongchen was taken aback. Su Yu didn't seem to be lying. Moreover, Su Yu's attitude toward Meng Hongchen didn't seem as close as he had imagined. But Meng Hongchen, on the other hand, seemed to have a bit of a thing for Su Yu.
Damn it, could it be that I've got it all wrong? Maybe it's not Su Yu pursuing my granddaughter, but my granddaughter offering herself. Jing Hongchen's heart skipped a beat as he realized this might be the case.
With this possibility in mind, the visible displeasure on Jing Hongchen's face dissipated significantly. If Meng Hongchen is offering herself, how could I blame Su Yu? I wouldn't have much ground to stand on.
Jing Hongchen decided it was better to figure things out before jumping to conclusions.
"Is that so? Meng, is that true?"
"Yes, Grandfather," Meng Hongchen replied softly.
Jing Hongchen breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Su Yu wasn't after his precious granddaughter, that was good. But then he thought, If my granddaughter is offering herself, wouldn't that be even worse? Jing Hongchen's heart skipped another beat.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Jing Hongchen turned to Su Yu and asked, "Little Su, I've always been curious about your martial soul. Would you mind showing us? Of course, if you'd rather not, I won't press the matter."
Jing Hongchen finally brought up the question that had piqued his curiosity for a long time.