When Xiao Hongchen heard his grandfather's words, he first felt relieved that he hadn't been scolded—then immediately became indignant.
"Rash? Me? And I should learn from Wang Chen? Could it be that Grandfather thinks Wang Chen is stronger than me—more of a genius than I am?"
All his life, Xiao Hongchen had been the example others looked up to. When had he ever needed to learn from someone else?
His pride was thoroughly provoked. He had to see for himself what abilities Wang Chen possessed that could make his grandfather praise him so highly.
Meanwhile, inside the Mingde Hall assessment chamber, several Seventh-rank Soul Engineers exchanged polite words with Wang Chen before taking their leave.
They were shrewd men. A first meeting was best kept short—just enough to establish familiarity. Push further, and it risked becoming overbearing and irritating.
Soon, only Lin Jiayi, the Director of Instruction, and Wang Chen remained in the hall.
Lin Jiayi said:
"Wang Chen, from this moment, you are a full member of Mingde Hall.
Each year, you'll receive a quota of rare metals for cultivation. If you make research breakthroughs, you may report them, and upon approval, the higher-ups will reward you.
When you reach Seventh-rank Soul Engineer, you'll be allowed to lead your own team. If you ever reach Eighth-rank, you'll be given a private laboratory within Mingde Hall itself…"
But Wang Chen felt little interest.
The so-called quota of rare metals was trivial compared to what he could mobilize through the Wang Clan's vast resources.
As for higher ranks and privileges, he had never planned to build his career inside Mingde Hall.
Feigning humility, Wang Chen replied:
"Director Lin, as you can see, I have some skill in crafting soul tools. But right now, what limits me isn't knowledge—it's soul power.
My cultivation is too weak to support making or using higher-level soul tools. So my focus will be on strengthening my cultivation rather than research here. For that reason, I won't be spending much time in Mingde Hall."
Lin Jiayi's lips twitched.
"Too weak to support higher-level crafting? Does this boy even realize how abnormal that sounds? Hah… perhaps this is what people call the troubles of a genius."
He said aloud:
"Since you don't have assigned projects or tasks, Mingde Hall won't restrict you. But if you're only here in name, many benefits won't apply to you."
Wang Chen nodded calmly. He didn't mind.
At that moment, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen entered the chamber.
Lin Jiayi, loyal aide to Jing Hongchen, quickly greeted them with a smile:
"Young Master, Young Miss."
Meng Hongchen immediately asked:
"Director Lin, did Brother Wang Chen pass the Mingde Hall assessment?"
Xiao Hongchen pricked up his ears, waiting for the answer.
"He passed," Lin Jiayi said simply.
The moment those three words landed, Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up.
He knew very well that Wang Chen was barely fourteen, not even fifteen yet—and already could pass Mingde Hall's assessment, reaching the level of a Fifth-rank Soul Engineer.
No wonder his grandfather had praised him.
Xiao Hongchen grinned inwardly.
"This level of ability qualifies him as my opponent."
Out loud, he declared:
"Wang Chen, I want to spar with you!"
Wang Chen raised an eyebrow.
What? Did this kid take stimulants? He actually wants to spar with me? Isn't this just asking for a beating?
He glanced at Xiao Hongchen—handsome but still immature. To him, Xiao Hongchen was just a child.
From Wang Chen's perspective, Xiao Hongchen's strength was laughably weak. Far beneath his notice.
Wang Chen had long since outgrown comparisons with his peers; his eyes were fixed only on Ninth-rank Soul Engineers and the ruling elites of the Sun Moon Empire.
Against that scale, someone like Xiao Hongchen wasn't even worth considering.
Still, since the boy wanted a lesson, Wang Chen didn't mind wasting a second or two. Let him taste failure—let him learn that there is always someone greater.
He nodded.
"Alright."
Meng Hongchen's eyes sparkled with curiosity. With Lin Jiayi, a Contra-level powerhouse, watching over them, she wasn't worried about injuries.
Her brother's strength she knew well. But Wang Chen's? That was a mystery. She couldn't wait to see who would win.
"Brother Wang Chen, good luck!" she cheered.
Lin Jiayi, however, felt uneasy.
From the earlier assessment, he had already glimpsed Wang Chen's frightening strength. Mingde Hall's Fifth-rank Soul Engineers had been defeated by him in just two moves.
That kind of power wasn't something young Master Xiao, only just at the Fifth-rank and Soul Sect level, could match.
If they really fought, Xiao Hongchen's confidence would be shattered.
Lin Jiayi tried to intervene diplomatically:
"Young Master Xiao, Wang Chen just finished his assessment. He's exhausted. Why not wait until he's recovered before sparring?"
It was a tactful way to stop the duel while saving Xiao Hongchen's pride.
But Xiao Hongchen didn't take the hint. He pulled a small jade vial from his storage soul tool and tossed it to Wang Chen.
"I won't take advantage of you. Be at your best. Take an hour to recover, then we'll fight."
Lin Jiayi was speechless.
"My dear Young Master, you really are no match for him. Why won't you listen?"
Wang Chen glanced at the jade vial and casually tossed it back.
"No need. I'm in perfect condition. We can fight now."
Meng Hongchen clapped her hands.
"I'll be the referee! The spar begins!"
The match started.
One breath later—
A devastating fist-shadow obliterated the storm of soul cannons Xiao Hongchen had unleashed.
The aftershock alone struck Xiao Hongchen, sending him tumbling dozens of times before he lay sprawled on the floor, eyes blank.
Only a single thought remained in his mind:The Sun Moon Empire's strongest genius… has changed hands.