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Behind Su Yu, there were still many students and parents waiting. Seeing Su Yu's soul ring combination left everyone in shock.
A Soul Elder!
A thousand-year second ring!
That level of strength is jaw-dropping anywhere.
"Teacher, am I qualified to join the academy now?" Su Yu asked with a smile, holding up his Blue Silver Grass.
The teacher, finally snapping out of his amazement, nodded excitedly. "Of course, you are! I'll register you right away."
As he spoke, the teacher began asking Su Yu for his details.
"Name?"
"Su Yu."
"Which department are you applying for?"
"The Martial Soul Department. But, Teacher, my family is poor, and I've never had access to soul tools. However, I'm genuinely interested in soul tools and would like to join the Soul Tool Department.
"I've heard that students can transfer departments later. I also heard that even Martial Soul students can borrow materials related to soul tools. Is that true?
"And I've also been told that some Soul Tool Department classes are open to Martial Soul students for auditing."
The teacher looked up at Su Yu with an approving expression, as if saying, "Soul tools are the future. Smart move, kid!"
He appeared quite patient with Su Yu, who clearly had a passion for soul tools. Given Su Yu's impressive talent in soul master cultivation, what if he also had a gift for soul tools?
"You've done your research well. Yes, new students get one chance to change departments after admission.
"The usual requirement is to earn a Level 1 Soul Engineer certification or master the theoretical knowledge of a Level 2 Soul Engineer and pass the academy's assessment.
"You have two months, so if you work hard, mastering the theoretical knowledge is certainly possible.
"As for the rest, you can ask the admissions officer. Let me finish registering your details first."
The teacher then continued to gather Su Yu's information.
"What is your soul power level?"
"Level 33."
Level 33!
It wasn't just the recently broken-through level of 31—it was already level 33!
The teacher was stunned.
Twelve years old, and at level 33!
In the Sun and Moon Empire, many soul masters relied on medicinal aids for cultivation.
This was especially common at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
However, those who could afford such aids were from noble families, at least those with a Level 5 Soul Engineer in the family to support them.
Based on Su Yu's described family background, the solidity of his soul power, and his ability to absorb rings beyond his level, it was clear that his cultivation had been achieved entirely through his own efforts.
To reach this level at just twelve years old...
It was truly terrifying.
Even Shrek Academy might not have a talent of this level, right?
A twelve-year-old Soul Elder, maybe. But a twelve-year-old Soul Elder with a thousand-year second ring? Definitely not!
And yet, such a genius had appeared at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy!
And he was deeply eager to learn about soul tools!
The teacher's heart swelled with delight.
In the top right corner of Su Yu's form, he wrote the word "core."
"Alright, take this registration form and report to Dean Xu at the Martial Soul Department's office," the teacher said.
"Thank you, Teacher," Su Yu responded gratefully.
New students typically didn't need to meet with the deputy dean, so the fact that this teacher was sending him to Dean Xu suggested some kind of special treatment.
As for why Dean Xu was the deputy dean, Su Yu knew that the academy's head was Jing Hongchen.
Martial Soul Department Office!
Su Yu pressed the office's doorbell. After a long wait, someone finally came to open the door.
When Su Yu stepped inside, he was greeted by a high-tech platform filled with various rare metals and intricately carved pieces of metal in all shapes and sizes.
Huh.
Su Yu glanced back at the sign outside to confirm that this was indeed the Martial Soul Department office.
"What do you want?"
The impatience in Vice Dean Xu's voice was unmistakable.
"Hello, Dean Xu. I'm a new student this year. The admissions officer told me to bring this form to you to complete my registration."
Xu Kun held back his irritation as he took the registration form from Su Yu and gave it a quick glance. His expression immediately sharpened.
A Soul Elder?
A thousand-year second ring?
At twelve years old?
"And to think he's cultivated a Blue Silver Grass martial soul this quickly..."
Xu Kun wanted to verify the note on the form about a possible mutation in Su Yu's martial soul.
A surge of powerful energy radiated from Xu Kun, and Su Yu immediately tensed up.
Around Xu Kun, two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings hovered—eight in total.
In an instant, Su Yu felt as if his body would be crushed by the immense pressure, instinctively summoning his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
As soon as the Blue Silver Grass appeared, some of the pressure on Su Yu lightened.
The Blue Silver Grass, with its rich life energy, naturally carried a tenacious will, helping Su Yu withstand Xu Kun's oppressive force.
Even when Xu Kun raised the pressure to a level matching a Rank 40 soul power, Su Yu managed to hold his ground.
Xu Kun observed closely and nodded, satisfied with Su Yu's performance. He had found his answer.
"So that's it. A mutated martial soul, and it developed life attributes."
That explained everything.
Su Yu overheard Xu Kun's muttering but didn't correct him. His Blue Silver Grass was just an ordinary one; everything extraordinary about it was the result of careful soul ring selection.
But there was no need to argue over something that concerned his cultivation secrets.
"Teacher, I'm actually interested in soul tools. I want to transfer to the Soul Tool Department in two months.
"However, my previous circumstances didn't allow me to learn anything about soul tools, nor have I had any exposure to them. Do you think I still have a chance?"
Su Yu glanced at the crafting table behind Xu Kun, sensing that while the vice dean was part of the Martial Soul Department, he clearly dabbled in soul engineering as well. Mentioning this interest shouldn't offend him.
As expected, Xu Kun didn't seem upset by Su Yu's desire to switch to the Soul Tool Department, even though they were standing in the Martial Soul office.
"How much do you know about soul tools?" Xu Kun asked.
"Not much," Su Yu admitted.
"Then, what do you think a soul tool is?" Xu Kun changed his approach.
Su Yu paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words before responding. "I believe a soul tool represents the next step in a soul master's evolution."
"Oh? Explain,"
Xu Kun raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and gestured for Su Yu to continue.
"Power is the foundation of everything.
Whether it's the cultivation of martial souls or the crafting of soul tools, both are in pursuit of greater strength.
"While it's hard to say which one is stronger when developed on their own, combining the two will certainly create the strongest force.
"A soul master's cultivation, no matter how powerful, has limits. Soul tools, however, can help a soul master extend their strength beyond those limits.
"Soul tools also show their true power in the hands of strong individuals.
"Another important point is that a soul master's martial soul often limits their development path. Soul tools can compensate for that limitation.
"For instance, a support-type soul master with dreams of becoming an offense-type fighter could use soul tools to achieve that dream."
(End of chapter)