From Jing Hongchen's explanation, they learned that the massive iron box before them was… a car.
Cars look like this?
Where were the horses? This "car" had no horses at all!
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Jing Hongchen gestured to the driver to open the door. He explained:
"This is a soul-guided bus developed by our Sun–Moon Empire. It is powered by a seventh-rank soul tool formation, with soul power storage devices embedded in the chassis to provide energy. That way, even ordinary people can operate it."
The idea had originated from Jiang Shengyu, while Mingdetang had been responsible for turning it into reality. A variety of new soul tool technologies were gradually spreading across the Sun–Moon Empire, and the soul-guided bus was only one small example.
Though current soul power storage technology was still imperfect, meaning a bus traveling from Mingdu to the border would need to recharge at least four times along the way, Mingdetang had already established a dedicated research division working to overcome this bottleneck.
"Ordinary people? Even those without soul power can use soul tools?" Jiang Nannan asked in astonishment.
Jing Hongchen nodded.
"Of course! Creating soul tools that allow ordinary people to benefit from them—this is Shengyu's dream, and now it is our guiding principle in Mingdetang."
"But… can people without soul power even manage soul tools properly?" Xu Sanshi muttered under his breath.
His words earned him a look of disdain from Jiang Nannan. Even Xiao Xiao frowned slightly and cast him a glance.
"This is precisely the duty of us soul engineers," Jing Hongchen replied with a smile. "Our responsibility is to ensure that ordinary people across the entire continent can enjoy the same conveniences as soul masters and soul engineers."
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi was left speechless. He wanted to refute the point, but could think of nothing to say.
Jing Hongchen led the group onto the bus, allowing them to experience it for themselves.
The driver steered the soul-guided bus smoothly out of the border pass and onto the highway. Outside the windows, the landscape flew by in retreat, leaving Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and the other girls with sparkling eyes, unwilling to miss a single moment.
Meanwhile, Xu Sanshi, Dai Huabin, and several others watched with somber expressions.
As Dai Hao's son, Dai Huabin had grown up with some understanding of military logistics. He immediately realized that if such a transportation tool were deployed within the army, the speed of troop movements would increase by an incalculable margin.
At one stretch of the highway, where it ran parallel with a soul-guided railway, a train roared past with a long line of carriages, drawing gasps of amazement.
"What's that? It's so long!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed, staring at the vanishing train.
"That is a soul-guided train," Jing Hongchen explained. "They are divided into cargo and passenger types. Their propulsion comes from a core array composed of multiple seventh-rank formations. Thus, their speed surpasses even that of the bus. Coupled with dedicated railways, their efficiency is far greater."
Now that was the true ultimate weapon for troop deployment.
If the Sun–Moon Empire were to go to war with the three nations of the original Douluo Continent, its armies could be transported rapidly from across the empire to the frontlines. There would be no need to maintain massive permanent garrisons at the borders.
By contrast, both the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empires bore heavy expenses to maintain their standing defensive forces at the frontier in response to the Sun–Moon Empire's military pressure.
Watching Jiang Nannan and the others marvel at the bus and train, Jing Hongchen wore a faint, knowing smile.
This is nothing yet. Mingdu, the capital of the Sun–Moon Empire, is where the true cutting-edge applications of soul tool technology can be seen.
It was the most prosperous, most advanced, most modernized metropolis in the entire world.
Once these "country bumpkin" students from Shrek set foot in Mingdu, only then would they understand what true technology was.
Meanwhile, deep within the Star Dou Forest, Di Tian returned from delivering the Reverse Scale to Jiang Shengyu and went directly to report to the Silver Dragon King, recounting the matter.
Upon learning that Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong seemed to share a special connection—an ability to sense one another's situations—the Silver Dragon King showed no surprise. She said to Di Tian:
"Di Tian, every person has secrets. These two were chosen by destiny itself. The world has entrusted them to resist the manipulations of the gods; naturally, it grants them unique qualities."
Di Tian nodded in agreement. But soon, he added:
"From that boy Jiang Shengyu, I sensed the aura of an ultimate-ice fierce beast. Such beasts exist only in the Extreme North. Yet with his current strength, it should be impossible for him to subdue such a creature…"
"Perhaps that beast recognized his uniqueness and chose to submit itself to him," the Silver Dragon King replied, declining to dwell on the matter of Jiang Shengyu and the Snow Empress.
Di Tian inclined his head, but voiced his concern:
"The fierce beasts of the Extreme North rarely interact with those of our Star Dou Forest. I only worry they may interfere with your plans."
"They will not. Since they have chosen to aid Jiang Shengyu, at least they are not our enemies."
The Silver Dragon King shook her head. After that, she asked:
"In your opinion, between Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, whose talent is greater?"
Di Tian thought for a moment before replying:
"Jiang Shengyu seems to have an unusually high tolerance for energy. Even when vast amounts of energy scour his body to the point of injury, his recovery is remarkably swift. Still, I believe Jiang Qingtong should not be far behind."
Neither Di Tian nor the Silver Dragon King knew the truth of the two.
They had no idea that Jiang Shengyu's fourth and fifth soul rings had essentially been forced onto him by overwhelming surges of soul power. If Jiang Qingtong had been given the same opportunity, she too could have advanced just as quickly.
But such methods carried grave limitations for their future.
Their current extraordinary talents were only the result of destiny "tilting the scales" for them. Yet destiny's power was already waning. Within Douluo Continent, the forces of heaven and earth could still be harnessed on their behalf—but beyond this world, such aid would vanish.
They were destined to challenge the order of the gods themselves. They could not rely forever on brute-force elevation.
Climbing ranks through external force might feel satisfying for the moment, but when it came time to fight gods, they would suffer for it. Thus, both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong continuously honed their cultivation diligently.
After Di Tian's explanation, the Silver Dragon King's massive head dipped slightly.
"They are our allies. The stronger they become, the brighter our future will be. However, we cannot place all hope on their shoulders alone—they are still human. I shall return to slumber to continue gathering strength. Di Tian, during this time, I want you to unite the strength of all soul beasts! Whether in the Extreme North, the Evil Eye, or even the beasts beyond Douluo Continent!"
Hearing this, Di Tian hesitated.
"Evil Emperor and Snow Empress both possess their pride. They may not so easily heed the commands of the Star Dou Forest."
"I grant you permission to draw upon my power when necessary," the Silver Dragon King said.
Di Tian bowed deeply.
"Yes, my liege!"
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