Chapter 12: Rank 1 Soul Engineer Assessment
"More importantly, this type of soul tool can only be activated by soul masters. If one day I can develop a Rank 9 soul tool that even ordinary people can use, then I'll have no regrets in life."
Xuan Ziwen sighed emotionally.
Huo Yuhao, quick to flatter, immediately encouraged him, "Keep going, Teacher Xuan! I believe you can achieve it!"
Xuan Ziwen gave a bitter smile. "Huo Yuhao, I'm not even a Rank 9 Soul Engineer yet I'm still far from realizing that dream. In my lifetime, I probably won't live to see the day when ordinary people can use Rank 9 soul tools.
"I've dedicated my life to developing powerful and innovative soul tools, but no matter what, my cultivation limits me.
"I'm just a Spirit Douluo with eight rings no matter how skilled I am, I can't forge a Rank 9 soul tool.
"If I had Title Douluo level soul power, I'd have already reached Rank 9!"
Huo Yuhao's expression shifted slightly.
To be fair, Xuan Ziwen wasn't just boasting.
In the original story, his talent in soul tool research was undeniable but his cultivation held him back.
Later on, he relied on Huo Yuhao's help to break through to Title Douluo and finally became the first Rank 9 Soul Engineer on the original Douluo Continent.
His contributions earned him widespread respect.
Of course, in the eyes of Xu Tianran, the future Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, Xuan Ziwen's reputation was not so great.
After all, Xuan Ziwen was a second generation Sun Moon citizen he got his "green card", learned all the advanced soul tool techniques, and then ran off to Tang Sect.
From Xu Tianran's perspective, that was straight up defection.
"Alright, enough of that. Put the soul tool gun back on the workbench. Let's begin today's lesson.
"If your performance satisfies me today, I'll give you this Soft Bone Rabbit as your dinner."
Xuan Ziwen patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder before leading him to another experiment table.
Wow. You're really just offering me this rabbit as food? That's bold, Teacher Xuan!
For a moment, Huo Yuhao hesitated.
But then he remembered Tang San didn't have time to keep track of every single Soft Bone Rabbit out there.
And, considering his max level grilling skills, he started to get a little hungry.
"Grilled fish… grilled rabbit… The cooking process should be pretty similar, right?"
His gaze unconsciously shifted toward the Soft Bone Rabbit, and he could already imagine the taste.
To be honest, this rabbit looked pretty plump it probably had a lot of meat.
It was definitely going to taste good when roasted.
"Crafting core inscriptions is important, but if you want to become a true Soul Engineer, you must also learn to forge metal using soul tools.
"No matter how skilled you are, human labor has limits.
"Using soul tool powered forges dramatically improves efficiency and quality, making it an essential assistant in soul engineering."
Xuan Ziwen explained while demonstrating a specially designed forging soul tool.
Huo Yuhao instantly noticed a key difference.
Compared to Shrek Academy's Soul Engineering Division, Sun Moon's methods were far more advanced.
In the original story, when Huo Yuhao first joined Shrek, his introduction to soul engineering was just basic manual forging under Fan Yu.
He even had to use Tang Sect's "Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique", a skill originally from Clear Sky Clan.
But by Douluo Dalu 2, that same technique had somehow been written into the secret manual of Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons Division.
So now, Tang San owned the copyright to that technique.
Clear Sky Clan? Never heard of them.
Frankly, manual forging was outdated and inefficient.
How could it possibly compare to soul tool assisted forging?
Moreover, Douluo 2 didn't have the forging systems from Douluo 3.
And Fan Yu wasn't a legendary craftsman like those in Douluo 3.
So why insist on manual forging when even an 8th Rank Soul Engineer like Fan Yu should have known better?
Unless, of course, Tang San's influence had brainwashed him into rejecting efficiency altogether.
Twenty Days Later
Inside the lab, Huo Yuhao held a deep blue carving knife in his hand.
Looking at the metal block in front of him, he asked,
"Teacher Xuan, can I start now?"
Xuan Ziwen nodded.
"Go ahead. If you can successfully craft a functional Rank 1 soul tool, then I'll officially recognize you as a Rank 1 Soul Engineer.
"However, keep in mind I have high standards.
"Having a low rank isn't the problem the real issue is lacking creativity.
"A Soul Engineer without creativity is doomed."
His expression was serious as he spoke.
"Understood, Teacher Xuan."
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, picked up a silver white metal block, and began carving core inscriptions with his engraving knife.
As he worked, fine metal shavings scattered onto the table.
Of course, this wasn't the legendary "List Inscription Knife".
Those were incredibly rare and absurdly expensive he couldn't afford one.
"Once the Star Luo Empire's auction starts, I'll be able to get a Life Gold Inscription Knife."
Huo Yuhao muttered to himself while focusing on his engravings.
Passing this Rank 1 Soul Engineer assessment was crucial it meant higher status and income.
Soon, intricate patterns emerged on the metal's surface.
After a while, a small silver white sphere sat on the table.
At the top of the sphere, there was a small pull ring.
"Teacher Xuan, my Rank 1 soul tool is complete," Huo Yuhao announced.
Xuan Ziwen, having observed the entire process, frowned slightly.
Examining the small silver sphere, he commented,
"You engraved four core inscription arrays into the core structure.
"A soundwave attack array, an amplification array, a charging array, and a lighting array.
"Even though they're all Rank 1 arrays, engraving four inscriptions on such a small object is quite impressive.
"You clearly have great potential as a Soul Engineer."
(End of chapter.) Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon. Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1