Close-combat soul tools often resemble common weapons like swords and blades, but they can unleash powerful attacks and can be imbued with various soul power attributes, such as fire, ice, or lightning. Long-range soul tools, powered by soul energy for ranged attacks, consume more energy but offer great distance and power. Fixed-mounted soul tools, requiring minimal soul power to operate, can achieve even greater range and power, although they lack precision, especially against moving targets.
In addition to these three main types, there are specialized soul tools, such as storage, transport, auxiliary, control, and energy-storing soul tools. Storage soul tools facilitate carrying items, transport soul tools are for mobility, auxiliary and control types offer extra combat support or control abilities, and energy-storing soul tools store energy, including soul power.
Xiao Yan didn't yet know that this last type, the energy-storing soul tool, would lay the groundwork for his future innovations, including the Eastern Wind Lotus Flow, a groundbreaking weapon he'd eventually develop on the Douluo Continent.
After listening to Qian Duoduo's introduction, Xiao Yan finally had a preliminary understanding of soul tools. On his previous visit to the department, he had merely assisted He Caitou in firing a fixed-mounted soul tool; he hadn't learned much beyond that.
Seeing that the introduction was nearly complete, a sly glint flashed in Qian Duoduo's eyes as he suddenly asked, "Xiao Yan, after everything I've explained, what is a soul tool?"
Xiao Yan touched his chin, pausing in thought, before calmly replying, "A soul tool is a device activated by soul power. It can be a weapon, or it can be a tool for aiding daily life and work."
"Correct. In the Soul Tool Department, we primarily focus on weaponized soul tools," Qian Duoduo nodded. "An attack-type soul tool is a weapon powered by a soul master's soul energy. Any soul tool is intrinsically linked to soul power. Even fixed-mounted tools, which rely the least on soul power, are no exception."
Xiao Yan murmured thoughtfully, nodding.
"The origins of soul tools are hard to trace," Qian Duoduo continued. "But their development truly began four thousand years ago with the collision between the Sun-Moon Continent and the Douluo Continent. The conflict between these continents eventually led to war. Although Douluo emerged victorious, the Sun-Moon Continent, through their advanced soul tools, inflicted severe losses on the three empires of Douluo."
"The Sun-Moon Continent, now the Sun-Moon Empire, has a unique advantage in rare metals. These metals are key to producing high-quality soul tools and are abundant within their territory. Soul tools, particularly military-grade ones, have become as significant as soul masters in defining a nation's military might. Though traditionalists in the academy argue that soul master cultivation outweighs the importance of soul tools, remember, Xiao Yan: in any future wars, the clash of military soul tool technology will likely determine victory."
With that, Qian Duoduo picked up a military soul tool resembling a handgun and handed it to Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan, activating his Ling Mou (Spirit Eyes) and infusing his soul power, fired a shot, instantly shattering a metal target a hundred meters away.
"Today, whoever controls advanced soul tool technology holds the upper hand in war," Qian Duoduo declared, his eyes gleaming.
"So, from what you're saying, Shrek Academy's soul tool technology isn't the best on the continent?" Xiao Yan lowered the military soul tool, pondering before turning to Qian Duoduo.
Qian Duoduo nodded, not denying it. "You're right. Shrek Academy is called the continent's top academy because our Martial Soul Department is unparalleled. But our Soul Tool Department isn't. The strongest institution in soul tool technology is the Sun-Moon Empire's Royal Soul Tool Academy, which focuses entirely on training soul engineers and researching soul tools."
"We're constantly striving to catch up with them, but we haven't succeeded yet."
"The Sun-Moon Empire, rich in rare metals, can produce exceptional soul tools and cultivate top-tier soul engineers. Soul engineers are divided into ranks based on the level of soul tools they can create or operate, from Level 1 to Level 10."
"Currently, though, the highest rank achieved on the continent is Level 9; no one has reached Level 10. Do you know why?" Xiao Yan shook his head.
"To reach Level 9, a soul engineer needs to attain Titled Douluo strength. For a Level 10 soul engineer, a power level of 95 is required. Given the immense dedication needed to cultivate as a soul master, few can afford to split their attention and study soul tools simultaneously. Thus, there are only three Level 9 soul engineers on the entire continent."
Xiao Yan, touching his nose, voiced his doubts. "If soul tools are this powerful, why hasn't the Sun-Moon Empire retaliated against the Douluo Three Nations after their defeat and years of development?"
"Let me explain," Wang Yan stepped forward, pulled over a chair, and sat down, his expression serious. "With the appearance of fixed-mounted soul tools on the battlefield, the Douluo Three Nations no longer held a clear advantage over the Sun-Moon Empire. If not for our top-tier soul masters, the Sun-Moon Empire might not have held back all these years. And there's something else I can tell you."
"You know Elder Xuan, right? His martial soul is the Gluttonous Divine Ox, a rare and powerful spirit. At Rank 98, he's practically unrivaled. But today, the Sun-Moon Empire's top Level 9 soul engineers could, using their soul tools, pose a threat to his life and even sway the course of a battle. That's how powerful soul tools are. If a Level 10 soul engineer appears in the Sun-Moon Empire, then even…"
Wang Yan trailed off, visibly agitated.
After a moment, Qian Duoduo continued, "Consider whether you want to join the Soul Tool Department as a core disciple. I'll give you a week. In that time, you'll have free access to the department and can explore everything here."
"We just completed the Year One class divisions, so if you're finished, you're free to go."
Xiao Yan nodded, bowing politely to Qian Duoduo. "Thank you for explaining so much about soul tools on the Douluo Continent. I'd like some time to think over whether to join the department."
The prospect of weapons powerful enough to kill a Dou Huang rank intrigued Xiao Yan. After all, the top ten in the Jia Ma Empire were merely at Dou Huang and Dou Wang levels. If he ever returned to the Dou Qi Continent...
A few minutes later, Wang Yan walked Xiao Yan out of the Soul Tool Testing Area. Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, a smile played on Qian Duoduo's face, unaware that his plans would soon be disrupted.
This is a setup chapter, leading to the eventual showdown between Xiao Yan and Dai Huabin. As for future developments, Xiao Yan, though aware of the Body Sect, doesn't yet know its location. Everything will unfold logically. Following Xiao Yan's nature from "Battle Through the Heavens," he isn't one to join forces easily, with the exception of Yao Lao's Falling Star Pavilion. Ultimately, it'll be the Body Sect who'll choose to ally with him!
After all, who wouldn't want to side with Xiao Yan, given his powerful allies like Yao Lao, Electrolux, Tian Meng, and soon, the Ice Emperor?
It's said better to be Xiao Yan's follower than Tang San's rival—so who will
make the right choice and invest in this unstoppable force?
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