Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
"Teacher, I've completed the tasks you assigned."
Kong Deming looked at his disciple with joy in his heart.
For the past three months, he had been closely monitoring Su Yu's progress, so today's outcome was expected. However, when the moment finally arrived, he felt an overwhelming sense of emotion.
Su Yu was a prodigy.
Whether in martial soul cultivation or in becoming a soul master, Su Yu excelled.
Kong Deming had also been required to master these soul tools to build a solid foundation, which took him a full four months to achieve at that time.
That was a whole month longer!
Not just that!
Kong Deming had tirelessly researched soul tools day and night; unlike Su Yu, who managed to complete this task while maintaining a steady pace in his martial soul training.
"Your soul power has also broken through?"
"That's right; I broke through to level thirty-five last night."
At twelve years and seven months, he had reached level thirty-five!
At this rate, Su Yu might reach level forty by the time he turns thirteen.
This wasn't like Meng Hongchen or Xiaohong Chen, who relied on pills to achieve their ranks.
Su Yu's progress was based on solid cultivation!
While he also took some pills, he didn't neglect to refine every ounce of soul power, ensuring that he mastered each level of cultivation thoroughly.
If we were to rate his understanding of his own power on a scale of one hundred,
Su Yu would score over ninety-five.
Meng Hongchen could barely reach eighty-five.
As for Xiaohong Chen?
Heh.
With her collection of soul cannons, she could manage around ninety.
Without that arsenal of soul cannons, she would struggle to utilize even sixty percent of her own power effectively.
In Xiaohong Chen's case, her martial soul power primarily served to support her soul tools.
Meng Hongchen, on the other hand, focused on both making soul tools and continuing her martial soul training.
While Xiaohong Chen seemed to steal the spotlight, it was actually Meng Hongchen who possessed the greater innate talent among the siblings.
"Teacher, what about the reward you mentioned?"
Su Yu had been eagerly anticipating the reward Kong Deming promised.
In truth, he didn't lack much.
If he had to identify something he was missing, it would be something for self-preservation.
"The reward, ah…"
Kong Deming stroked his beard thoughtfully as he spoke.
"I've prepared two treasures, both related to soul tools and martial soul cultivation.
Since you've passed my test for soul tools, if your talent for martial soul cultivation meets my approval, you will receive both treasures."
As he spoke, Kong Deming paused his grooming gesture and began to retrieve two items from his storage soul tool.
In his left hand was a metal sphere, with complex patterns swirling inside. Su Yu suspected it was a type of ninth-level soul tool.
The formations within it appeared even more intricate than those on Su Yu's soul carving knife.
In Kong Deming's right hand floated a snow lotus as pure and white as jade.
"Blossoming at the ninth rank, this is a ninth-rank snow lotus!"
Su Yu's eyes sparkled with excitement as he counted the petals of the snow lotus and exclaimed.
"That's right. I acquired this during my travels in the far north.
The snow lotus, which grows in the extreme northern regions, possesses immense vitality. The ninth-rank snow lotus has undergone nine transformations, making it extremely rare.
Consuming a ninth-rank snow lotus is sufficient to induce a transformation in your martial soul.
Especially for your Blue Silver Grass martial soul, it might further enhance the life attributes of your martial soul."
The ninth-rank snow lotus couldn't be compared to celestial herbs, as it lacked the ability to directly transform Su Yu's Blue Silver Grass martial soul to its ultimate life attribute.
However, it could definitely elevate Su Yu's Blue Silver Grass martial soul to the level of a top-tier martial soul.
Moreover, having undergone nine transformations in the depths of the extreme north, the snow lotus's resilience and resistance to ice attributes are at the highest level. Refining it would greatly enhance Su Yu's martial soul in both areas.
"This soul tool is called the Divine Light Shield, a simplified version of my Silver Moon Divine Light Shield. It has a triggering feature that can withstand three attacks from Super Douluo or below."
Su Yu gazed at the two treasures, his breath quickening.
If he had to choose one, he would definitely pick the ninth-rank snow lotus; after all, the earlier the transformation of his martial soul, the better.
However, since he had the chance to obtain both treasures, he naturally wanted them all.
Only children make choices.
I want them all!
"Teacher, what other tests are there?"
Kong Deming nodded in satisfaction and put away the two treasures.
"The Empire of the Sun and Moon has a thriving soul tool industry, possessing the power to overwhelm the three major empires of the original Douluo Continent.
Yet, because of Shrek's obstruction, they have not been able to unify the continent.
I've been pondering this: Shrek's lack of ambition and disdain for my soul tools—aren't we guilty of the same mistake?"
Su Yu silently nodded in agreement.
As expected of a pillar of the empire, Kong Deming had a far-reaching and open-minded vision.
"I heard you once say that soul tools represent a greater possibility for soul masters. The combination of soul tools and martial soul cultivation is the strongest path."
Su Yu nodded; he had indeed expressed this during his time in Xu Kun's office.
"Your thoughts are correct, but how many can truly manage to balance both martial soul cultivation and soul tool study?
Moreover, how many can excel on both paths to reach the pinnacle?"
Kong Deming sighed, his tone heavy with experience. He had attempted this himself but had never even found a suitable candidate.
In truth, he had great hopes for Meng Hongchen, believing she had the potential to implement his ultimate battle soul master plan.
However, with Su Yu's emergence, he had shifted his focus away from Meng Hongchen.
"Su Yu, although your martial soul is merely Blue Silver Grass, your talent and comprehension are extraordinary. You can manage martial soul cultivation without neglecting the study of soul tools.
You are the most suitable candidate for my ultimate battle soul master plan!"
Su Yu sensed the expectation in Kong Deming's voice.
He nodded and said, "Teacher, I will do my utmost to reach the pinnacle on both paths and fulfill your dream!"
"Good!"
Kong Deming was exhilarated, placing both hands on Su Yu's shoulders.
"Next, I will test your martial soul cultivation."
While Su Yu had not neglected his martial soul training,
it was still only the Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
How much battle power could he truly wield?
That was Kong Deming's final uncertainty.
"Your test is quite simple: defeat the siblings, Xiaohong Chen and Meng Hongchen!"
Su Yu couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and tears upon hearing the task assigned by his teacher.
After all this, he still had to battle those two siblings?
"Xiaohong is the previous candidate for my ultimate battle soul master plan. If you defeat her, you will completely replace her and become the executor of the plan!"
Xiaohong Chen: What about me?
Su Yu silently mourned for Xiaohong Chen.
It seemed that Xiaohong Chen was merely a bonus.
If one were to investigate closely, they would find that all the accolades of the siblings were concentrated on Xiaohong Chen, while Meng Hongchen, despite having comparable strength, faded from everyone's sight.
Meng Hongchen and Xiaohong Chen were not twins!
They were one year apart!
A one-year gap.
Their soul power and soul master levels were not that different!
To clarify Meng Hongchen's setting, don't say I've exaggerated; the original text does not elaborate much. It can be considered a secondary creation, right? Strengthening Meng Hongchen a bit will surely not meet with any objections, right?
(End of Chapter)