Jing Hongchen sighed and shook his head. His grandson was excellent in every way—except that he was far too arrogant.
He thought himself peerless among his generation, yet he didn't understand that there is always better, skies beyond skies. One day, that pride might cost him dearly.
"Brother Wei Xuan isn't just good at remembering things—his Soul Tool talent is definitely better than yours!" Meng Hongchen said angrily, her round cheeks puffed adorably.
"You little fangirl!" Xiao Hongchen glared at her, fuming. "You won't even side with your own brother? Traitor!"
"I side with what's right, not with family! Brother Wei Xuan really is stronger than you!" she shot back.
"Traitor!" Xiao Hongchen emphasized again, thoroughly exasperated by her attitude.
"All right, that's enough. Why are you two quarreling again?" Jing Hongchen interjected, rubbing his temples. These two siblings were always bickering.
"Xiaoxiao," he said softly, "don't be upset. His Highness didn't get into the Illustrious Virtue Hall just because of his memory. He's also shown extraordinary practical skill. In Soul Tool creation, he truly is more gifted than you."
"I don't believe it," Xiao Hongchen said stubbornly, folding his arms.
Jing Hongchen chuckled and ruffled his hair. "You don't believe me? Then do you know what level of Soul Engineer His Highness is now?"
Before Xiao Hongchen could guess, he revealed the answer himself. "Level 3 Soul Engineer—nearly Level 4 in truth."
Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened. He stared at Wei Xuan, completely stunned.
"Wow! Grandpa, really? Brother Wei Xuan's already a Level 3 Soul Engineer?" Meng Hongchen gasped, eyes sparkling in disbelief.
She wanted to believe it, but it sounded impossible. A six-year-old Level 3 Soul Engineer? That defied reason.
Wei Xuan's face remained calm, almost detached, as if the topic had nothing to do with him.
Xiao Hongchen took a few seconds to recover, his first reaction being pure denial.
Knowing theory didn't equal actual craftsmanship. He knew Wei Xuan's theoretical mastery was immense—comparable to that of fifth or even sixth-tier engineers—but theory alone wasn't enough. Crafting Soul Tools required Soul Power. Without sufficient Soul Power, higher-level creations were impossible.
Twelve levels of Soul Power could plausibly make a first-tier Soul Tool, sure—but a third-tier one? That was ridiculous.
"Grandpa, even if you want to favor him, you don't have to lie to me," he said angrily, his eyes reddening.
"You think I'd lie to you?" Jing Hongchen said, half laughing in disbelief.
"You are! Third-tier requires making an actual third-tier Soul Tool. How could he possibly—"
Xiao Hongchen froze mid-sentence.
Wei Xuan had taken out his Ice Crystal Hand Cannon and, without a word, tossed it to him.
Instinctively, Xiao Hongchen caught it—and immediately shivered at the biting chill seeping from its surface.
"So cold…" he muttered, goosebumps rising. It felt less like a Soul Tool and more like a chunk of ancient glacial ice.
"A Soul Tool carries its creator's Soul Power signature. Try sensing it—you'll find it's mine," Wei Xuan said casually.
He even released a faint trace of his own aura, cold mist rising from his body, to make it easier for the boy to confirm.
"This Soul Tool is amazing!" Meng Hongchen said, leaning over curiously.
"My first creation," Wei Xuan explained. "The Ice Crystal Hand Cannon. It's a third-tier Soul Tool."
"So cool!" she said, her eyes shining with admiration.
Wei Xuan scratched his cheek awkwardly, unsure how to respond. To him, Meng Hongchen was little more than a child—adorable, yes, but a child nonetheless. He truly had no experience handling this kind of innocent infatuation.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hongchen—still skeptical—examined the cannon carefully. As the grandson of the Hall Master, he'd grown up surrounded by Soul Tools and knew how to evaluate them.
At first, he was doubtful. But as he inspected the device more closely, his expression changed—then froze in shock.
He began muttering, analyzing every line of its design, every rune, his eyes shining brighter with each passing moment.
"This… this is the most perfect third-tier Soul Tool I've ever seen. The craftsmanship is flawless!" he breathed.
"But wait… the inner array—this feels like a fourth-tier formation! It's more fitting to call it a fourth-tier Soul Tool."
He couldn't inscribe such formations himself, but he recognized their energy pattern immediately.
"Now do you believe Brother Wei Xuan's really a Level 3 Soul Engineer?" Meng Hongchen asked sweetly, clasping her hands behind her back.
"This…" Xiao Hongchen fell silent, awkwardness washing over him.
He didn't want to admit it—but facts spoke louder than pride.
"Grandpa was right," he muttered finally, glancing away. "You're better than me."
For someone as proud as him to say that was no small thing.
Jing Hongchen smiled approvingly. For his grandson to acknowledge another's strength—it was a good sign.
Wei Xuan smiled lightly. "So, you won't say I rely on memory and status anymore?"
Meng Hongchen giggled, watching her brother's face turn red.
Xiao Hongchen shifted uncomfortably, realizing how foolish his earlier words now sounded. He wished he could dig a hole and hide in it.
"Let's just get along from now on," Wei Xuan said kindly, not pressing for an apology.
Xiao Hongchen blinked, then nodded. "All right."
Wei Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "What's your current Soul Power level?"
"Level 25," Xiao Hongchen said proudly.
To reach Level 25 before the age of ten was exceptional even by the Sun and Moon Empire's standards—comparable to the top prodigies of the Douluo Continent.
Of course, Wei Xuan could tell he'd used pills to reach it. Without them, such progress was impossible here.
"Level 25, not bad," Wei Xuan said approvingly.
"Huh? Why are you asking?" Xiao Hongchen said curiously.
Wei Xuan smiled. "I've yet to test my Martial Soul in real combat. You'd make a good sparring partner."
"You want to fight me?" Xiao Hongchen blinked, baffled. "You're twelve levels below me. Isn't that asking for trouble?"
"Brother Wei Xuan, don't fight him!" Meng Hongchen said anxiously. "He's way stronger than you!"
Jing Hongchen remained silent, watching them both closely with an unreadable expression.
"I just want to test my strength," Wei Xuan said seriously. "I won't use Soul Tools—just my Soul Master abilities. You can fight however you like."
Xiao Hongchen's expression darkened. "What, do you look down on me? My Soul Power's already higher than yours, and you're not even using a Soul Tool. Do you think you can win using only your Martial Soul?"
Soul Engineers were typically stronger than same-rank Soul Masters. If he went all out, even some Soul Elders would struggle against him.
Wei Xuan clearly knew that—yet still challenged him. Wasn't that an insult?
Unless…
"Maybe Brother Wei Xuan thinks if you used Soul Tools, you'd have no chance at all," Meng Hongchen said quietly.
At that, Xiao Hongchen froze, staring at the Ice Crystal Hand Cannon still in his hands. Suddenly, realization hit.
"That cannon's power could shatter a fourth-tier barrier," Jing Hongchen remarked meaningfully. "If it struck you directly…"
Xiao Hongchen's face paled, and he shuddered, feeling the hairs on his neck stand.
"How about I use my Soul Tool after all?" Wei Xuan teased lightly.
"No! No need! Just your Soul Master strength is fine!" Xiao Hongchen said quickly, waving both hands in panic.
(End of Chapter)