In this Family Tournament, during the second round of duels, all participants must use only the soul tools they personally crafted in the first round.
If anyone uses a soul tool outside the allowed scope, they will be disqualified immediately."
In the center of the Martial Arena, a middle-aged man descended from the sky. His cultivation had already reached Soul Sage, and though he looked nearly fifty years old, his aura was sharp and commanding.
"This time, I, Wang Yuan, will serve as the chief judge of the Family Tournament.
Any attempt to cheat will not escape my eyes. So, little ones, don't even think about it.
For the first round—soul tool crafting—you will be given three hours. Using the rare metals provided by the family, you must complete a soul tool.
The minimum requirement is one second-tier soul tool. Failure to meet this means immediate elimination."
At his words, rows of silver-white crafting tables were brought out, each about two meters long and one meter wide.
Upon them lay piles of rare metals, clearly prepared for the clan's youths to use as materials.
These tables might have looked simple, but in truth, they contained a wide array of functions: mold-making, stamping, high-temperature shaping, and more.
In fact, as long as materials were sufficient, even crafting a fourth- or fifth-tier soul tool on these tables was possible.
With the announcement that the first round had officially begun—
All the Wang juniors rushed forward, each taking a station. Before the eyes of the gathered clan, they began their work.
Soon, the Martial Arena was filled with the clanging of hammers, the grinding of metal, and the crisp rhythm of chisels.
Wang Teng stood proudly at his station, arms crossed, expression filled with confidence.
He was twelve years old this year. Not only a three-ring Soul Elder, but also a third-tier Soul Engineer.
The latter was, without question, the rarer achievement.
He pulled a blue carving knife from his soul tool case, considering what to craft in the three hours allotted—and how many.
Three hours was more than enough, he thought. Enough to create three third-tier soul tools.
"My martial soul techniques lack long-range attacks. So one of them must be a ranged soul tool.
Hmm… yes, a High-Temperature Soul Ray would be ideal. Strong attack, good range, and low soul power consumption.
With an attack-type soul tool, I'll also need a movement-type and, of course, a defensive-type.
Attack, defense, mobility—together, that will let me suppress everyone else in the younger generation."
Having decided, Wang Teng picked out a piece of third-tier rare metal and began inscribing the core array—the most crucial step.
Once the array was complete, the rest was merely shaping the outer and inner shell with the table's tools, then assembling them.
Meanwhile, Wang Chen had also begun.
At rank 29, a Grand Soul Master, he could already craft and use third-tier soul tools.
Thus, like Wang Teng, he too was a third-tier Soul Engineer.
But between one third-tier Soul Engineer and another, there was a gap.
With the Black Book aiding him, Wang Chen's learning ability was extraordinary. Although his cultivation limited him from inscribing higher-level arrays, within his tier, his skill was unrivaled.
To be specific, Wang Chen was at the peak of the third tier, while Wang Teng was only at the entry level of the third tier.
Wang Chen planned to craft only two soul tools: one for movement, one for attack.
As for defense, he chose not to waste time.
Better to pour that effort into refining the other two to their absolute limits.
As the saying goes: One perfected technique is worth a hundred mediocre ones.
Why spread his time thin on three ordinary third-tier tools when he could instead create two third-tier peak-grade tools?
Decision made, Wang Chen pulled a carving knife from his storage soul tool and began inscribing the core arrays.
Of course, making a peak-grade third-tier tool was far from easy.
It required far more focus than ordinary arrays.
This was because Wang Chen was applying an advanced technique he had learned from a fifth-tier Soul Engineer—the Core Array Linkage Amplification Technique.
Normally, only fourth- or fifth-tier engineers could master it.
By using this method, he would support a third-tier core array with three auxiliary second-tier arrays.
Strengthened in this way, the third-tier array could unleash nearly fourth-tier power.
Not only would this boost the tool's effectiveness—it would also greatly reduce soul power consumption.
For Wang Chen, still only a Grand Soul Master, this was crucial.
After all, a soul tool's power meant nothing if one didn't have the strength to sustain it.
Of course, there was a drawback: such arrays wore down faster than normal.
But for the Family Tournament, it was more than enough.
Wang Chen's slender, well-defined fingers danced across the metal, carving with the grace of a butterfly weaving through flowers. Each motion was fluid, precise, and full of artistry.
The sight immediately drew the attention of the clan elders.
As the saying goes: A master's skill shows the moment he takes the stage.
From a Soul Engineer's hand movements, pressure control, and rhythm, one could judge their level.
Chief Judge Wang Yuan paused, his expression shifting to shock.
"Impossible… that's the Core Array Linkage Amplification Technique! Incredible…
This boy, Wang Chen, has more talent as a Soul Engineer than as a Soul Master. Truly extraordinary!
At this rate, although Wang Teng surpasses him in cultivation, in the second round, he'll find Wang Chen a thorn far harder to deal with than expected."
Wang Yuan moved closer, standing right beside Wang Chen to observe.
The other judges, curious, followed suit.
Moments ago, they had been watching Wang Teng inscribe his third-tier core array—but upon seeing Wang Chen's work, their jaws nearly dropped.
Though both were crafting third-tier soul tools, the difference in technique was worlds apart.
Wang Chen's skill simply outclassed Wang Teng's by several streets.
The cluster of judges gathering around Wang Chen quickly caught the attention of the other competitors.
Even Wang Teng, who had been fully focused on his own carving, couldn't resist sneaking a glance.
And what he saw nearly shattered his composure.
What the hell?! This is supposed to be third-tier Soul Engineer work?!