"I've named it the Ice Crystal Hand Cannon," Wei Xuan said.
"Ice Crystal Hand Cannon…" Kong Deming repeated softly, then smiled and nodded. "A fitting name."
"Compact in size, convenient to use, and remarkably powerful," he commented, his gaze studying the weapon carefully.
After a pause, his eyes landed on the surface engravings — the Energy-Converging Array — and a faint smile spread across his face, growing into visible excitement. "But what surprises me most," he said, "is how efficient this Soul Tool is."
"When Soul Power is injected, this array actively draws energy from the surrounding environment to charge the cannon."
"The energy gathered through the formation actually exceeds what the Soul Master provides. That's… unbelievable."
Kong Deming's tone carried genuine awe.
To him, this weapon was nothing short of flawless. Even with his unmatched experience, he could find no fault.
Wei Xuan regarded him calmly. Indeed — this man's insight into Soul Tools ran deep; he hadn't even needed to test the cannon to perceive its properties.
"This fourth-tier Energy-Converging Array — you've improved it as well, haven't you?" Kong Deming asked, certain of the answer.
The array resembled the standard fourth-tier version, but its structure was more refined — its function more powerful.
"Yes," Wei Xuan admitted. "I modified it slightly. When applied to this weapon, its energy efficiency reaches sixty percent."
"In simple terms," he explained, "if a shot's total energy is divided into ten parts, six come from environmental absorption, while the user provides only four."
Both Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen froze, pupils contracting in disbelief. Their eyes met — and both men saw the same expression mirrored back: shock.
A sixty-percent efficiency rate — it was revolutionary.
Even though it was technically a fourth-tier array, what they saw in it was a paradigm shift in Soul Engineering — one that could redefine the empire's technological hierarchy.
"Your Highness," Jing Hongchen said breathlessly, "could you record this improved Energy-Converging Array in full? If possible, I'd like to help spread it."
Then, growing more animated, he added, "No — not just this one! If you can, please record all your improved formations. Your research could advance the entire field of Soul Toolcraft."
With that, Jing Hongchen bowed deeply — a full ninety degrees, his tone solemn and sincere.
The bow wasn't to the imperial prince — but to the creator who had just rewritten the science of Soul Tools.
Wei Xuan, startled by the gesture, quickly helped him stand. "Hall Master Hongchen, there's no need for that."
"Since I am part of the Sun and Moon Empire, it's only natural that I contribute to it. Even if you hadn't asked, I'd still share my findings freely."
"Truly?" Jing Hongchen asked, both surprised and touched.
Kong Deming's brows lifted slightly, his gaze toward Wei Xuan softening further.
"Of course," Wei Xuan said lightly. "These results aren't secrets. Keeping them to myself would serve no purpose."
To him, this was simple. These were basic insights, far beneath the level of knowledge he truly possessed.
"Your Highness, on behalf of the Illustrious Virtue Hall — and on behalf of all Soul Engineers of our empire — I thank you," Jing Hongchen said earnestly.
He didn't offer any trade or reward — such an idea would be absurd.
Wei Xuan's contributions were beyond price. Even if the entire Illustrious Virtue Hall were sold, it wouldn't match their worth.
Those improvement were practically a complete redefinition of what it meant to be a Soul Engineer. A Level 3 Engineer using Wei Xuan future arrays would perform as a present day Level 4 or even Level 5 Engineer. It represented a huge leap in performance.
And Jing Hongchen knew it. All he could do was remember this kindness for life.
After all, the one who would benefit most from these discoveries… was him. Wei Xuan had just given him a legacy greater than any Hall Master before him.
Wei Xuan simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"Hongchen, well done," Kong Deming said, patting his shoulder approvingly before vanishing silently — without a trace of motion.
Jing Hongchen's heart raced. To be praised by his teacher was rare enough, but this time it carried true warmth.
Meanwhile, Wei Xuan's eyes gleamed faintly. His spiritual sense had caught it — Kong Deming hadn't simply disappeared. He'd used spatial Soul Tool technology.
"So… his research already extends into space manipulation," Wei Xuan mused inwardly, forming a clearer picture of the man's capabilities.
The Next Day
Morning sunlight streamed in, bright and pleasant.
Inside the office, Jing Hongchen handed Wei Xuan a water-blue badge adorned with three diamond-shaped stars — the mark of a Level 3 Soul Engineer.
"Congratulations," he said warmly. "You're now officially recognized as a third-tier Soul Engineer."
In truth, Wei Xuan's abilities already met fourth-tier standards. But without practical testing, Jing Hongchen couldn't confer that rank yet.
Still, witnessing the birth of a six-year-old Soul Engineer filled him with pride.
Wei Xuan examined the badge, then pocketed it.
"You're not going to wear it?" Jing Hongchen asked in surprise.
Soul Engineer badges weren't just identification — they were a symbol of honor.
"What for?" Wei Xuan chuckled. "I know what I am. No need to advertise it."
Jing Hongchen paused — then smiled knowingly. Indeed, a six-year-old Level 3 Engineer would attract too much attention.
He then pulled something else from his storage ring — the Darkgold Engraver.
"My teacher asked me to give you this," he said. "A gift to celebrate your advancement."
Wei Xuan blinked. "A gift like this? Isn't that… a bit much?"
The Darkgold Engraver — ranked fifteenth among all Engraving Blades — was worth over two hundred million gold coins, easily.
Even among ranked blades, those in the top twenty were priceless, their worth measured not just in money but in heritage.
No one besides Kong Deming could give such a gift without hesitation.
"Too much? Definitely," Jing Hongchen said, his tone half-jealous. "Teacher's never given me anything that valuable."
Then he grinned. "But honestly, you deserve it. A prodigy like you needs the best tools. With this blade, your future creations will be even stronger."
Indeed, the power of ranked blades wasn't just in sharpness. They imbued formations with resonance — enhancing the Soul Tool's overall performance by up to twenty percent.
Wei Xuan nodded. He could feel its quality just by holding it. After a moment's hesitation, he accepted it. "I'll remember Elder Kong's kindness."
"Heh," Jing Hongchen chuckled. "You really are something."
Then he reached into his own ring and produced a silver ring, smiling slyly.
"This is from me," he said.
Wei Xuan didn't hesitate — he took it immediately, infusing a thread of spiritual sense into it. Inside, he found a small box.
He summoned it with a thought — nine smooth, brown pills rolled softly within, exuding a faint medicinal fragrance.
"These are Soul-Enhancing Pills," Jing Hongchen explained. "Take one whenever you hit a bottleneck — it'll help you break through instantly."
Every level in a Soul Master's cultivation had a bottleneck; breaking through often required time and patience. A pill that could bypass that was invaluable.
Wei Xuan frowned slightly as he inspected one.
Jing Hongchen misread the look, thinking it was curiosity. "They'll also speed up your cultivation. With them, you could reach Grandmaster rank within two years!"
"And that's not all," he continued enthusiastically. "There are other pills too — one for each stage up to Soul Sage. Each aids breakthroughs efficiently."
In total, ten kinds — all meant to accelerate growth.
"These will carry you all the way to the Soul Saint realm," he said proudly. "Well? Impressed?"
The pills' combined worth easily exceeded five million gold coins — every one a rare, refined-grade product with minimal side effects.
Wei Xuan quietly placed them back in the box and shook his head.
The alchemy was crude — a waste of ingredients.
Jing Hongchen, expecting gratitude, was caught off guard. "What kind of reaction is that? Do you even know how rare these are? Even royalty can't easily get their hands on them!"
"I know…" Wei Xuan began, then stopped himself, smiling faintly. "It's just… I don't like relying on pills to increase my strength. It feels forced — unnatural."
"Ah, you're worried about that?" Jing Hongchen waved it off. "Don't be. These are the best quality — minimal side effects!"
"At worst, you'll be a little weaker in direct combat, but for Soul Engineering, it's only beneficial. You'll reach Level 8 by fifteen at this rate!"
"A Level 8 Engineer is stronger than most Soul Douluo. Who cares about martial strength?"
Wei Xuan shook his head. "Hall Master, I think you're missing the point."
"Oh?" Jing Hongchen raised a brow, still smiling.
"In my view," Wei Xuan said firmly, "a Soul Engineer is still a Soul Master — first and foremost. They should strengthen themselves, not abandon personal cultivation for tools."
Jing Hongchen's smile faded slightly, his brow furrowing. Wei Xuan's words didn't just challenge him — they challenged the entire philosophy of the Sun and Moon Empire.
But Wei Xuan continued, calm and steady: "No matter how powerful a Soul Tool is, it remains an external force. A Soul Master may wield it — but should never depend on it, much less serve it. To sacrifice one's own growth for the sake of Soul Tools — in my eyes, that's not worth it."
(End of Chapter)