[You reflect on what you've learned, gaining a deeper understanding of Soul-guiding Device creation]
Su Yu took a deep breath, recalling all the information about Soul-guided Grenades.
Then he opened his eyes, and his engraving knife fell steadily.
Yang Chengyu was also watching Su Yu's every move, observing how he engraved dense patterns on the small core component.
Su Yu's Soul Power input was very steady.
This was his inherent control power over Soul Power, not something deliberately trained, but rather a side effect from daily developing the Body Tempering Technique and exploring the flow of meridians within his body.
It reached the critical node!
Su Yu's engraving of the array reached the first critical node.
This involved the convergence point of three core patterns!
Su Yu appropriately increased his Soul Power input.
The engraving knife he held was a third-level Soul-guiding Device knife, extremely sharp, and capable of conducting Soul Power well.
There were even auxiliary patterns inscribed inside the knife to assist Soul Guides in better and more precisely controlling Soul Power.
Soul Power adhered to the tip of the engraving knife, and as the tip etched patterns on the core component, the Soul Power, under Su Yu's control, split into three streams at this point.
Two of the streams interfaced accurately with the Soul Power running through two other patterns.
The other stream continued to follow the engraving knife's path.
Su Yu's engraving of the array was very stable.
Seeing this, Yang Chengyu could already confirm Su Yu's skill level.
He was amazed in his heart.
Who would have thought, a newcomer with no understanding of Soul-guiding Devices a month ago, could reach the level of a Level 1 Soul Guide within a month.
Moreover, throughout this month, he was self-taught.
As for the possibility that Su Yu was acting.
In Yang Chengyu's view, as a Sixth-level Soul Guide, there was no trace of such a possibility.
If Su Yu could act so well to replicate the novice clumsiness of his first device creation, Yang Chengyu would also be impressed.
Time passed.
Beads of sweat had already started to drip from Su Yu's forehead.
Concentrating for half an hour to engrave the array wasn't strenuous, but fatigue from exertion and tension was definitely present.
With the final pattern perfectly inscribed.
Successful Soul Power interfacing.
The entire array emitted a blue glow.
"Alright, your skill is already sufficient."
Yang Chengyu tried to maintain a calm facade while evaluating the Soul-guided Grenade Su Yu made.
"First-time making it, the technique is still clumsy, with many flaws in the forging and engraving of the shell and core components.
If you could address these, reducing errors during forging, the array inscription would be easier.
The whole process of making a Soul-guiding Device is interrelated; even forging and engraving can affect the subsequent array inscription.
Of course, with such rough components, your ability to complete the array shows a deep understanding of arrays."
The core component surface actually had many irregularities and tiny pits, invisible to the naked eye, which would impede the flow of Soul Power during inscription.
But Su Yu managed to handle these well.
"If you want to compete for the core disciple status, getting certified as a Second-level Soul Guide is a must before the assessment.
Your current level is enough for First-level Soul Guide certification.
You have one month left; if you encounter any problems, you can come to me."
Su Yu nodded.
Yang Chengyu continued.
"If you can reach the level of a Second-level Soul Guide before the assessment, I can help you secure the top treatment for core disciples from the Dean."
Hearing this, Su Yu thought of other aspects and finally understood which side Yang Chengyu was on.
Mirror Hongchen!
This Hall Master of Mingde Hall and a member of the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy's Dean's faction.
"This is good too; Mirror Hongchen is an independent faction in the Sun and Moon Empire, relatively the safest, and most convenient for my cultivation and research."
Su Yu was leaning towards Mirror Hongchen in his heart.
The previous Vice Dean Xu, just from the Xu surname, could actually infer his identity.
Definitely of royal blood.
And he would definitely get entangled in the royal power struggle.
The royal power struggle was extremely dangerous, with a risk of becoming a disposable pawn at any time.
Even potential wasn't what they valued; they cared only about the final result.
Whether the collusion between the Sun and Moon Empire and the Evil Soul Masters started with the current Crown Prince Xu Tianran or before him, Su Yu did not know.
However, Mirror Hongchen clearly wasn't aligned with them.
"I have to become a core disciple, and I also have to join Mirror Hongchen's faction."
Su Yu made a decision in his heart.
"Teacher, I'll be counting on you in the future." Su Yu bowed to Yang Chengyu.
Yang Chengyu waved his hand, smilingly expressing that it was no trouble.
Su Yu left the office.
Yang Chengyu was in a daze for a long time.
A month's First-level Soul Guide.
Considering the prerequisite techniques for Soul-guiding Device creation, including forging and engraving, reaching Level 1 Soul Guide within a month of joint learning was remarkable.
Su Yu had already matched the record in the Sun and Moon Empire.
The current record for a Second-level Soul Guide is held by Mirror Hongchen's grandson, Xiao Hongchen.
Three months.
Although Su Yu was now a Soul Venerable, Xiao Hongchen was only a Grand Soul Master at that time, but a Second-level Soul Guide requires just Grand Soul Master level Soul Power.
Moreover, Su Yu being able to cultivate to Soul Venerable was indeed his capability.
History will only remember the data.
Coming to his senses, Yang Chengyu tidied up the workshop, assembling Su Yu's parts in a thrice, a complete Soul-guided Grenade appeared in his hand.
"Time to report to the Dean."
Yang Chengyu stored the Soul-guided Grenade in a Storage Soul-guiding Device and left the office heading towards Mingde Hall.
...
Su Yu returned to the dormitory.
"Boss, what did the teacher want from you?"
Not Much Money asked curiously as Su Yu walked in.
"Nothing much, just wanted to understand my basic situation."
"Oh." Not Much Money nodded, not pursuing further.
After making a Soul-guiding Device for the first time, especially the first time, Su Yu was mentally exhausted, highly focused, and very tired.
He sat cross-legged on the bed.
Circulating Soul Power, he began to restore his state.
...
A vast space.
A small puddle bubbling.
Su Yu's consciousness took his form, appearing in this space.
A gray bead floated above the puddle.
"The cultivation of Spiritual Power is still too slow."
Although Ellex fell asleep after entering Su Yu's Sea of Spirit.
Yet he also opened the Sea of Spirit for Su Yu.
And after opening the Sea of Spirit, although Su Yu didn't have any cultivation technique, he found means to enhance Spiritual Power through his own exploration.
It was just that the efficiency was somewhat low.
"Magic requires Spiritual Power; I wonder if there is a method of cultivating Spiritual Power in Ellex's memory." Su Yu thought.
Unfortunately, no matter how Su Yu called, the gray bead formed by Ellex did not respond.
Su Yu had to rely on his own efforts.