"From today onward, each of you will need to customize a set of Shrek Academy uniforms." Gu La's gaze swept over his avatars. "Your tasks remain unchanged—continue refining your secondary professions. However, now that you possess the ability to cultivate independently, I won't interfere too much in your daily activities."
He paused, his tone becoming solemn. "For convenience in future operations, I've given each of you names based on your martial soul characteristics. Let me also outline my plans for your futures."
His fingertip first pointed to the Abyss Avatar. "Standing amidst the abyss, yet untainted by it—you shall be named Bai Yuan. You will specialize in mecha repairs. In the future, I will send you to join the Blood God Legion to absorb Abyss energy and strengthen yourself."
Turning to the Killing Willow Avatar, a flicker of admiration passed through Gu La's eyes. "Mastery of both telekinetic blades—Liu Nian Dao. Your absolute rationality makes you perfect for specializing in mecha design."
"The Tang Sect loves being arms dealers, so you're best suited for their missions. Later, once I find a way to absorb Abyss power, you can also join the Blood God Legion."
Gu La's tone shifted. "As for your existence, don't worry about being discovered by Shrek Academy. In the future, they'll have their hands full dealing with other matters and won't have time to focus on external forces."
The youth formed from the Jade Green Banyan Tree had a gentle and natural demeanor. Gu La nodded and continued, "Returning to the essence of wood—you shall be named Mu Yi. Continue specializing in innate martial souls and the ultimate wood attribute."
"You will focus on forging. I'll send you to apprentice under Mu Ye, and while you're at it, learn forging techniques from Zhen Hua as well."
"When the opportunity arises, I'll ask Gu Yue if there's any Life Gold left. If she has none left after recovering from her injuries… I'll go back ten thousand years to retrieve some for you… Never mind, I'll make multiple trips to different parallel universes. Each of you will get a piece."
With a single thought, Gu La decided to sacrifice at least six versions of Huo Yuhao from parallel universes—after all, he had plenty of opportunities.
When pointing to the Ghost King Vine Avatar, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees. "Parasitic manipulation, insidious and unpredictable, balancing yin and yang… Yin Wan Sheng."
"You will specialize in the final stages of mecha manufacturing. Later, focus on mastering puppet or clone abilities. Sigh… with your eerie aura, why didn't the Sea God Pavilion recruit you?"
Yin Wan Sheng shrugged, while Bai Yuan let out a soft snort.
"You will infiltrate the Holy Spirit Sect. I want you to monitor their general movements, especially the whereabouts of Dark Phoenix Douluo. I need to help my teacher find her sister—after all, we are master and disciple."
Lost in thought, Gu La's gaze finally settled on the Blue Lotus Avatar. His voice carried a note of expectation. "Pure in all six senses, the Vajra of lapis lazuli—you shall be named Qing Lüli."
"My expectations for you are the highest. Your martial soul is a spiritual variant of the mental system, naturally possessing a seven-aperture clever heart and unparalleled enlightenment."
"You will pursue the path of a researcher. For now, focus on studying artificial spirit soul technology. Once you've mastered it, there will be another mission."
"In the future, you can prepare yourselves. Once you reach your bottlenecks, I will send you out."
The five avatars bowed their heads in unison, approving of this arrangement. With formal names, their actions outside would become more convenient. And with clear future plans, they wouldn't need to consult Gu La for every decision.
After seeing the avatars off to the Secondary Profession Association, Gu La didn't delay. He took Qing Lüli directly to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, passing through layers of checkpoints to reach the top floor.
"Teacher," Gu La bowed to Leng Yaozhu, who was busy handling affairs. "This is my newly condensed Blue Lotus Avatar. I'd like you to guide her in learning spirit soul creation."
Leng Yaozhu examined Qing Lüli with interest. "Fascinating. A soul skill avatar reaching this level…" No wonder it was the combination of a god-level martial soul and the Ancient Golden Tree.
She touched Qing Lüli's forehead, and a flash of golden light illuminated her face. "Indeed, she possesses independent consciousness… and she's a girl, just like Yue'er…"
Leng Yaozhu gave Gu La a regretful look. "Alright, let her study under me."
Gu La tensed slightly but wisely refrained from asking what his teacher regretted.
After settling Qing Lüli, Gu La turned back to Shrek and headed toward the Mecha Association.
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Gu La stepped into the display hall of the Mecha Association. Various models of mecha were displayed around him, ranging from basic training types to high-level combat models, covering everything imaginable.
The interior of the association featured futuristic tech-style designs, with holographic projections floating in the air, showcasing the parameters and prices of different mechas.
The hall was eerily empty, forming a stark contrast to the bustling Forge Master Association.
As Gu La collected his student card at the registration desk, the duty teacher couldn't help but warn him: "Classmate, piloting mecha will consume a lot of your cultivation time. It's better to treat it as a hobby and not let it distract you."
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher," Gu La smiled as he accepted the card. "But I have my own plans."
While walking through the soul-guided corridor, his thoughts churned continuously.
The Mecha Association, like other professional associations, was often the first choice for most soul masters with average talent in the outside world.
However, among the elite students of Shrek Academy, where Outer Court students aimed to graduate with one-word battle armor, few would bother studying mecha.
But Gu La was different. His current cultivation required meticulous effort, and with his avatars handling secondary professions, he had plenty of time to spare for other pursuits.
For instance, learning to pilot mecha and owning his very own.
He had long been fascinated by Leng Yaozhu's black mecha, especially its ability to transform between mecha and a soul-guided vehicle—a dream come true for any man.
So, it wasn't surprising that Mu Ye had become obsessed with mechas, ultimately losing his chance to become a Super Douluo. Who wouldn't be captivated by a massive mecha that resonated with their inner desires?
Gu La indulged in imagining his ideal mecha. Though he couldn't picture its exact form yet, it had to be stylish and unique!
Through the glass, Gu La caressed a miniature model of a mecha displayed in the corridor. "Twenty thousand years of evolution have brought the martial soul system close to perfection."
"The super-evolution device might have caused a sensation in Tang San's era, but now it's obsolete, far inferior to mecha and battle armor."
"But in the Pokémon world, there are steel-type Pokémon—some of which are ancient mechanical creations. Could mecha be revived as living beings?"
The wild idea sparked in Gu La's mind and refused to fade. He quickly made his way to the training field, already envisioning dozens of experimental plans.
He wanted to know—if machines were imbued with life, would they give rise to soul beasts, or something entirely unprecedented?
Upon entering the training field, Gu La's gaze immediately locked onto the black mecha at the center. Hidden beneath its sleek lines was terrifying firepower, and the soul-guided array on its chest pulsed with dangerous light.
"This is a decommissioned mecha, nothing but an empty shell without an energy core. All its weapons have been depleted—it belonged to a teacher who sacrificed themselves during a soul-guided train attack. That teacher always dreamed of revitalizing mecha, but unfortunately, few people in the academy share that passion."
A young man approached, explaining the situation to Gu La.
"May I touch it?" Gu La asked.
"Yes," the young man nodded. "But it's outdated. The latest mecha designs surpass it by several versions."
Gu La didn't explain further, simply running his hand gently over the cold metallic exterior of the mecha. To his perception, the steel construct emitted faint pulses, as though it were alive.
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