Chapter 204
Chapter 204: The Sword Fanatic’s Domain: Solitude
I’m going home soon. It’s been two and a half years – eldest senior brother, third senior brother, fourth senior sister, fifth senior sister, are you guys doing fine? And Wang Dong, please wait for me and second senior brother. Shrek’s Seven Monsters will be reunited once again. How nice would it have been if you were still alive, teacher! I haven’t let you down, and I have never slacked for a single second over these two years. I have finally contributed to the academy’s Soul Tool Department. You will see – one day, our mastery of soul tools will surpass the Sun Moon Empire.
Huo Yuhao didn’t hurry for breakfast after he finished cultivating his Purple Demon Eyes, but instead returned to his bed and meditated for another two hours. Continuous deep sleep calmed his spiritual sea too much, and his body needed a certain level of adjustment.
His soul power had improved at an impressive speed over this period of time. However, even a normal soul master’s cultivation speed would slow down after reaching Rank 50, let alone his.
He washed up after two hours and had his breakfast at the canteen. Huo Yuhao was just about to look for Fan Yu and his second senior brother, but he met someone he didn’t want to see.
Jing Ziyan and Ji Juechen seemed a little strange today. They wore grave and solemn expressions on their faces, as if they were about to face something important and substantial. They came up to Huo Yuhao and blocked his path.
Huo Yuhao said exasperatedly, “You two are just too impatient. Why do you look so grave? You just want to fight, right? Name a place. I will definitely give you guys some excitement before I leave.”
Jing Ziyan was normally the one who spoke, but it was Ji Juechen who opened his mouth today. “The Soul Practice Arena. Let’s go!” With that, he turned around with his giant sword and started to walk.
Jing Ziyan glanced deeply at Huo Yuhao and said, “We will be serious today.”
The corner of Huo Yuhao’s mouth twitched, and he replied, “When are you guys not serious? Are you trying to say you’ve been showing me mercy this whole time? Let’s go then, let’s finish the battle as quickly as possible. I still have to pack my things.”
Jing Ziyan nodded and followed behind Ji Juechen.
—
They seemed to have arranged things with the Soul Practice Arena, and the teachers in charge of this place didn’t stop them, and allowed the three of them inside.
“How much?” Huo Yuhao asked Ji Juechen.
Ji Juechen answered, “One hundred gold soul coins for two hours.”
Huo Yuhao chortled and said, “I don’t need two hours against the two of you.”
Ji Juechen’s eyes sparkled, and he said, “Don’t be complacent. The truth is that I didn’t give my all when we battled each other before this. The reason for that was because I didn’t want to take advantage of you because my soul power was stronger. However, that also meant that I wasn’t able to unleash my full potential and abilities. I will give my all today, and if you feel like you can’t take it, you can admit defeat.”
Huo Yuhao was astonished, and said, “We’re fighting for real?” He knew that Ji Juechen had suppressed his soul power when they had fought before this. Jing Ziyan didn’t do so, but she rarely used soul tools at all when they battled. All she used were her soul skills.
Ji Juechen nodded, and Jing Ziyan was already equipping her soul tools on the other side. It was clear that the two of them wanted to have a last practice battle with Huo Yuhao before he left where they gave everything they had.
Huo Yuhao’s eyes also grew serious. “Alright.”
Ji Juechen said, “Do you need to adjust yourself?”
Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “Have you paid for me?”
“What?” Jie Juechen was momentarily stunned.
Huo Yuhao said, “The entry fee! The one hundred gold soul coins.”
“……”
“Have you paid for me?”
“Yes!” The chill in the Ji Juechen’s voice grew sharper.
“That’s good.” Huo Yuhao seemed to heave a sigh of relief.
Ji Juechen nodded towards Jing Ziyan and said, “You first.”
Huo Yuhao suddenly said, “I don’t think this is exciting enough. Let’s have a bet, and our stakes shall be money. What do you think?
Jing Ziyan snapped, “Are you that broke?”
Huo Yuhao nodded and replied simply, “Yes.”
“How much do you want to bet?” Ji Juechen said angrily. “Are you sure you’re going to win?”
“Of course!”
Ji Juechen grunted coldly. “I’ll lay down everything I have.”
It was Huo Yuhao’s turn to be taken aback. “Are you sure? How much do you have?”
Ji Juechen muttered, “More than you think.”
Huo Yuhao turned towards Jing Ziyan, and Jing Ziyan nodded at him. “How can I sit this one out?”
“I think it isn’t fair for you guys,” Huo Yuhao said a little disapprovingly, “I don’t have much if you guys beat me, but I am taking both of your money if I win.”
Jing Ziyan said, “That’s fine. We don’t care.”
“But I am unwilling to rip you guys off,” Huo Yuhao said seriously. “How about I take the two of you on together? It’s fairer that way.”
Silence!
“Back, back. Don’t you know we have to distance ourselves?” Huo Yuhao waved towards them as he moved back to his own corner.
“You’re being serious?” Ji Juechen muttered coldly.
Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “Aren’t you guys being serious, too? Do you guys think that you’re the only ones who have been holding back?”
Ji Juechen took a deep breath and said, “Alright. Together, Ziyan.”
Jing Ziyan didn’t expect Ji Juechen to agree to Huo Yuhao’s idea of two-versus-one. This was totally unexpected and didn’t match Ji Juechen’s typical arrogance.
“Juechen, you…”
Ji Juechen spoke plainly. “Since the decision has been made, we have to be clear.”
“Alright.” Jing Ziyan’s eyes immediately grew solemn.
Jing Ziyan had a layer of armor on her body at this moment. This armor was light purple in color, but it wasn’t full-body armor, and only protected her chest, shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Ji Juechen still had that cool and ruthless demeanor as he walked up beside Ziyan. His eyes were fixed on Huo Yuhao.
There was a faint smile at the corner of Huo Yuhao’s lips. It felt as if he were looking down on them, and it also felt as if he were completely indifferent as he slowly stepped back.
“I will use soul tools, since you guys are, too. However, we won’t use long-range soul tools. Is that acceptable?”
Jing Ziyan answered, “Yes.”
Huo Yuhao stopped moving backwards, and one soul tool after another quickly appeared on his body. The soul tools on his body looked covert and hidden, and their colors leaned toward gray, and it was hard to determine their shapes and sizes from a distance. They didn’t seem very big.
Jing Ziyan knew that Huo Yuhao typically used soul thrusters when in close-combat battles, but she didn’t know what other soul tools Huo Yuhao would use this time.
“Come!” Huo Yuhao invited them.
Jing Ziyan began to move. Her body exploded with purple fog, which enveloped both Ji Juechen and herself. The purple fog grew denser, and eventually covered the entire area.
Huo Yuhao was familiar with her soul skills, and this was her first one – Illusory Fog.
Huo Yuhao wasn’t hasty to leap into action. Instead, he stared at the purple fog with sparkling eyes. From his perspective, Jing Ziyan’s threat level was nowhere close to Ji Juechen. Jing Ziyan’s offensive abilities were strong, but they wouldn’t be able to immediately determine the outcome of battle even if they hit him. It was different for Ji Juechen, and if his Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword erupted, a single strike could determine the victor of this battle.
Something happened that astonished Huo Yuhao, and he realized that he had lost his perception and sensation of Ji Juechen.
The typical sharpness of Ji Juechen’s sword intent disappeared, and Ji Juechen himself vanished. It felt as if he had disappeared inside the purple fog. Huo Yuhao’s spiritual power was formidable, but he couldn’t detect Ji Juechen at all – from Ji Juechen’s perspective, Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Detection had failed.
If this battle had happened before the last school holiday, Huo Yuhao’s fighting strength would have been affected by his astonishment. However, an idea now flashed in his mind.
Huo Yuhao made his move. The four soul thrusters on his back sparkled at the same time, and his entire body curled up faintly above the ground before he launched himself forward like a cannonball, right towards the dense purple Illusory Fog.
A layer of icy armor covered his entire body as he moved : the Ice Empress’ Armor. The crystal ice protecting his body didn’t affect his soul tools under the intricate control of his spiritual power.
A sphere of purple light suddenly appeared before Huo Yuhao. This sphere was only about the size of a fist, and fog surged around and within it, as if the sphere itself was made of fog.
“Fierce! Using your killer move from the get-go.” Huo Yuhao was slightly taken aback. This was Jing Ziyan’s sixth soul skill, Fog Bomb.
Huo Yuhao reached forward with his right hand, grabbing directly for the Fog Bomb. However, the Fog Bomb suddenly withdrew, and the surrounding purple fog became more intense as it barreled towards Huo Yuhao.
Green light exploded, and his Domain of Perpetual Ice was activated. It was the best solution against the fog.
However, a series of explosions and crackling sounds could be heard. The fog that was being frozen began to tremble violently, and an enormous propulsion force then surged towards Huo Yuhao.
She’s detonating her own Fog Bomb, just to maintain the Illusory Fog?
The corner of Huo Yuhao’s mouth curled into a faint smile. Too bad – my Domain of Perpetual Ice can be maintained for much longer than before.
The fog covered everything, but countless snowflakes could now be seen within it, while the temperature began to plummet once more. All of a sudden, all of the purple fog began to explode outwards. The fog became like goose feathers in the process of the explosion before it gradually dissipated, while the original spot where the fog had condensed became as clear as crystal.
The green light on Huo Yuhao’s body was gone, and Jing Ziyan had a look of shock and surprise on her face as she lunged towards him from five meters away. She didn’t understand how Huo Yuhao had broken through the premeditated and combined manipulation of her Illusory Fog and Fog Bomb. She thought that she could lock onto Huo Yuhao in that moment, but… Huo Yuhao wasn’t looking at her at all, his eyes were fixed on the other side.
Ji Juechen was just standing there quietly. His entire body seemed to be covered with a pale-gray layer, and he no longer felt like a person to Huo Yuhao. Instead, the current Ji Juechen was like a statue – a stone statue, and his aura had vanished just like that. However, Huo Yuhao could feel an intense urgency and danger coming from this statue in his spiritual sea.
Impressive, Ji Juechen. Have you evolved again?
Huo Yuhao didn’t advance, but retreated instead. A powerful beam of light erupted from his chest – it was another soul thruster, and it drove his body backwards explosively in an instant.
Jing Ziyan’s body flashed forward in an attempt to block him. However, how could Huo Yuhao give her this opportunity? He swiped with his right hand, and the Darkgolden Terrorclaws slashed out.
However, he was surprised then Jing Ziyan’s body exploded with a sphere of brilliant purple light, and two crescent blades appeared in each of her hands. That purple radiance was a Class 6 protective soul barrier, and she took the hit from Huo Yuhao directly, even though Huo Yuhao had unleashed a complete version of his Darkgolden Terrorclaw!
All this just to stop me from retreating?
“Pshhhh!” The Darkgolden Terrorclaw swiped down violently. Suddenly, Jing Ziyan’s entire body transformed into fog and dissipated. Her Class 6 soul barrier had just been baiting him, while the dissipated fog began to condense once more, and enveloped Huo Yuhao inside. The sticky feeling made him feel like he had landed in an enormous web, and his speed plummeted.
Even though Jing Ziyan’s soul tools dropped to the ground because of the transformation, she had still managed to achieve her original goal. The soul tools on her body weren’t meant to confuse Huo Yuhao, but she had had to drop them because Huo Yuhao broke through her fog too quickly, faster than she had expected.
Impressive – Fog Transformation and Condensed Fog!
The radiance in front of Huo Yuhao’s chest receded, and he didn’t continue using his soul thruster too stubbornly. His feet touched the ground, and an intense layer of golden light burst from his body.
The thick and sticky Condensed Fog was shaken off, and was no longer able to touch his body. This fog was formed by Jing Ziyan’s own body, and was the most powerful aspect of her martial soul; it could be said that she was halfway to a Martial Soul True Body! However, Huo Yuhao’s Sovereign’s Descent and the level of his spiritual power meant she wasn’t able to use it directly on him.
Huo Yuhao made a peculiar and slow gesture. His left hand gradually pushed forward into the purple mist, while he raised his right hand. There was a flourishing golden luster on both of his palms, and his Spirit Eyes erupted with golden light.
The dense fog began to tremble violently under the churning effect of his palms, as if it were about to break free from Jing Ziyan’s control.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Ziyan.” Huo Yuhao lowered his voice and spoke as an intense chill burst from his body. The temperature plummeted, and quickly dissipated the large area of fog before him.
Huo Yuhao had already used the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice once just now, but he didn’t want to reveal too much, and he withdrew it as soon as it was released. Jing Ziyan was powerful in her fog form, but Huo Yuhao would definitely wound her deeply if he used the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice once more, possibly to the point where she couldn’t return to human form.
The fog condensed once more, and Jing Ziyan reverted to her human form. However, the immense roiling force on the fog still took effect on her body, as she spun around rapidly a few times on the spot, stumbled, and almost fell before she managed to barely regain her balance.
At this moment, Ji Juechen made his move.
Jing Ziyan had managed to achieve her goal of delaying Huo Yuhao after all.
A streak of gray light swept out like a whip. There wasn’t a single undulation of soul power when it first appeared, and not even a single trace of anything at all. It was just a pale gray light that didn’t seem to have any substance at all.
However, a thin black line followed wherever this light reached; this was clearly the appearance of space being slashed apart.
Huo Yuhao had been monitoring Ji Juechen from the beginning. From the moment Ji Juechen made his move, Huo Yuhao drifted lightly into the sky and fluttered backwards like a snowflake. This time, he didn’t use any soul tools.
Thick golden hues congregated in his left palm, and a pale orange shadow flickered behind his back. His left hand crystallized like suet white jade under the cocoon of the golden luster.
Huo Yuhao pushed out with his palm lightly and undramatically, blocking off the gray streak that had arrived before him.
Jing Ziyan’s eyes were frozen open, as she was afraid she would miss something. The golden streak and the gray light separated once they touched.
Huo Yuhao’s body drifted through the air as if he were a leaf and slowly fell to the ground.
Ji Juechen’s body appeared in his original location. His expression was calm like a statue, but the Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword in his hands had turned white.
Boom, boom, boom…
A series of crackling sounds could be heard as the snowy-white Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword shattered just like that, and disintegrated into a million pieces that drifted away on the wind.
Huo Yuhao landed on the ground twenty meters away and stared at his opponent.
Ji Juechen said nothing. The Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword had been by his side for more than twenty years, and yet he didn’t show any emotions as the sword disintegrated into a million pieces.
The battle didn’t stop there. He suddenly raised his right hand into the air and pointed towards Huo Yuhao in the distance. A streak of gray sword energy exploded into being, and rapidly grew in size as it barreled through the air, eventually transforming into a sword shadow three meters long as it surged towards Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao raised his right hand and slashed out with a similar light sword, while dark blue light flickered once, then disappeared.
The sword lights looked vast, but were actually as thin as paper. However, the thin swords still collided directly with each other in the sky with absolute precision.
A shrill ring could be heard as a thin black line appeared in the sky, extending and sealing shut in an instant.
Boom!
A deafening sound was released right after the black line vanished, and terrifying shockwaves rippled out in all directions.
Ji Juechen immediately slid backwards, his feet actually plowing two deep grooves in the tough ground. On the other side, Huo Yuhao’s situation wasn’t that much better. His entire body was tossed into the air, but he drifted and turned in the sky like a snowflake as he used his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and dispersed most of the impact before he landed on the ground stably.
He planted his feet on the ground, his eyes were fixed on Ji Juechen in the distance.
“You have actually grasped the secrets of merging spiritual power and soul power. You have lived up to the name of being a sword fanatic! If I’m not wrong, that was your Domain! What is it called?”
Ji Juechen said plainly, “It’s called Solitude. It’s not complete – otherwise, I wouldn’t need Ziyan to hold you back.”
Huo Yuhao smiled and said, “The truth is it’s still a contest between the two of us. Your fighting style is just too unique, and there’s no way you can work together with other people. You didn’t have to do that – even if Ziyan hadn’t held me back, I would still want to test your Domain’s power.”
Ji Juechen’s eyes sparkled. “What’s that sword of yours called? I can feel a solitary arrogance within the extreme cold – and from that palm, as well.”
Huo Yuhao replied, “The sword is called Unparalleled Chill, and the palm is called Snowless Glacier. Both are soul skills that I’ve recently mastered.”
Ji Juechen said plainly, “I lost.”
Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “No, you haven’t lost. This battle isn’t over – you integrated spiritual power and soul power, and that move you invented where you convert sword intent into physical form hasn’t been completely unleashed yet. My Unparalleled Chill can’t be used continuously, and it takes a heavy toll on my soul power. Therefore, the outcome of this battle is still undecided.”
Ji Juechen shook his head. “I’m very clear about whether I’ve lost or not. You didn’t use your Sovereign’s Descent – furthermore, you already held back against Ziyan. Your Domain has changed.”
Huo Yuhao chortled and said, “Your perception is sharp! If my future opponents were like you, I don’t think there’d be a place for me in the world anymore.”
Ji Juechen asked, “Will you always be at Shrek Academy?”
Huo Yuhao answered, “For now, yes. At least, I will be there until the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.”
“Alright. All the best.”
“Yes.”
Jing Ziyan came up to Ji Juechen and gave Huo Yuhao another deep glance. “Don’t think we’ll just let you be when you go back to Shrek Academy.”
Huo Yuhao chuckled and said, “Do come if you have the ability to do so. That’s my turf, and Shrek Academy’s soul masters are much stronger than I am. When the time comes, you guys probably won’t know who to challenge.”
Ji Juechen’s eyes sparkled as he said, “I hope you’re not lying to me.”
Huo Yuhao answered with a stunned look on his face. “Are you guys really thinking of going?”
Jing Ziyan laughed and said, “We just might.” With that, she grabbed Ji Juechen and left the arena.
Huo Yuhao watched them walk away, and laughed as well. He mumbled under his breath, “I can’t wait for the two of you to go. If the two of you really go, I will definitely find a way to convince you guys to stay!”
He stared at the Soul Practice Arena and puffed out a steamy breath. He raised his right hand, and a single gash could be seen in the center of his palm.
“Such powerful sword intent. You really haven’t lost, Juechen. Do you know that my Enfeeblement and Chaos are completely useless against you? The determination that you have that is as solid as a sword spells disaster for control-type soul masters. I still haven’t perfected the fusion of my Snow Empress’ Three Ultimate Techniques and my Sovereign’s Descent!”
Huo Yuhao didn’t have that many friends in this place, but he still decided to find someone. This time, he could seek him out without worrying too much.
——
“What? You want to see the Hallmaster?” Lin Jiayi stared at the youth before him, and a look of astonishment came over his eyes.
Over two years of exchange studies were about to end. Shrek Academy’s students were obedient and orderly, and there were quite a few prodigies amongst their ranks. However, his impression of this youth before him was the strongest – back during the exchange students’ contest, he had actually gone into deep meditation for half a year, but his cultivation hadn’t improved a single bit.
Huo Yuhao nodded and said, “Is that alright? We’re leaving soon. I want to express my gratitude to the Hallmaster before I leave, and there are some things I wish to discuss with him.”
It was immensely difficult for normal students to see the Hallmaster of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, to the point where it was almost impossible. What status did the Hallmaster have? He held a position in the Sun Moon Empire where he was above everyone else, and below only a single person.
However, this student was different. His status was special, to the point where Lin Jiayi didn’t dare to reject him without a good reason.
“Alright. Please wait a while, I’ll find out if the Hallmaster has time to see you.”
“Alright.” Huo Yuhao sat to one side and tilted his head down until his chin was almost touching his chest, putting on a serious and obedient look.
Lin Jiayi picked up an internal voice-projecting soul tool and used a special soul power undulation to send a message outwards.
It didn’t take long before Jing Hongchen’s voice could be heard on the other end of the receiver.
“Eh? Huo Yuhao wants to see me? Okay, bring him in.” Jing Hongchen quickly accepted Huo Yuhao’s request. The truth be told, he was curious as to what exactly this youth from Shrek Academy wanted with him. Can it be that he wants to join the Illustrious Virtue Hall? No, that’s impossible!
Jing Hongchen’s mood dropped when he thought about this.
Lin Jiayi escorted Huo Yuhao to Jing Hongchen’s office.
“Greetings, Hallmaster.” Huo Yuhao came forward and greeted him politely.
Jing Hongchen smiled and said, “Please, have a seat.”
Huo Yuhao didn’t sit down, but he remained standing as he said, “I have something I wish to discuss with you in private. Is that possible?”
Jing Hongchen was stunned momentarily before he waved towards Lin Jiayi.
The corner of Lin Jiayi’s mouth twitched. The Hallmaster is just so nice towards this conniving fella. However, he didn’t hesitate, and quickly retreated from the room before he latched the door behind him.
“You can speak now.” Jing Hongchen scrutinized the youth before him. Huo Yuhao had become a whole lot taller over the past two years, and he was quite the young man now. He was well-built, his shoulders were broad and his back was wide. His arms were big, his waist was small, and Jing Hongchen even realized, to his surprise, that Huo Yuhao seemed to have a special quality that wasn’t there before. Huo Yuhao’s relatively normal facial features were calm and determined, and he had some of the charisma that was inherently held by mature men—his sparkling eyes were especially riveting, and gave people a strong impression.
Huo Yuhao said, “I’ve been at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy for more than two years. Over these two years, I have received a lot of and help from you, Hallmaster, and I have improved exponentially in my mastery of forging and using soul tools. Our exchange program is about to end, and I wish to give you a personal present to express my gratitude.”
“You want to give me a present?” Jing Hongchen’s curiosity was piqued. Not a single student had ever done this before, and honestly, nobody dared to. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that Huo Yuhao wanted to see him to gift a present.
Jing Hongchen looked at Huo Yuhao, amused. He said, “Your present might not be that easy to accept, eh?”
Huo Yuhao hurriedly shook his head and said, “Of course not. This is purely to express my gratitude. It’s a soul tool that I crafted myself. I hope you’ll like it.”
He touched his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges as he spoke and retrieved a black metal box before he placed it before Jing Hongchen.
“Hallmaster, this is just a model, and it’s intended as a souvenir for you. I have already installed the gears and buttons, and if you want to use it, it’s like this…” He demonstrated how to use the soul tool in front of Jing Hongchen.
Had Xuan Ziwen been here, he would have realized that the metal box Huo Yuhao was giving Jing Hongchen was identical to the one Huo Yuhao had shown him long ago when he was first stunned with awe and astonishment at Huo Yuhao… Jing Hongchen took the metal box and made a few glances at it. This soul tool seemed a little crude, and there was nothing intricate or exquisite about it at all. He used his soul power to probe the inside of the soul tool, and discovered that there was only a simple energy-gathering formation array inside.
“Okay, thank you.” He felt a little contemptuous, but he didn’t show it.
Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully and said, “Then I shall take my leave. Farewell, Hallmaster.” He turned around as he spoke and didn’t stay any longer.
Huo Yuhao left, and the corner of Jing Hongchen’s mouth curled into a mischievous smile. Is he trying to tell me that he hadn’t learned anything much, so he’s giving me this toy to mock me for being unwilling to teach him real knowledge? He is quite bold, indeed. And he still taught me to use this rickety object that can’t even be considered a Class 1 soul tool?
As these thoughts spun in his head, he subconsciously followed Huo Yuhao’s simple instructions to operate the soul tool as he pointed it at the wall and pressed the button.
From Jing Hongchen’s perspective, this was probably just a soul ray, and it wouldn’t be that powerful either. When he used his soul power to inspect the item, he had noticed that the energy-gathering formation array had soul power stored inside; it was probably Huo Yuhao who had infused his own soul power inside, and he hadn’t used it yet.
A series of howling sounds could be heard, and gave Jing Hongchen a shock.
Several pop sounds could be heard from the wall immediately afterwards. Jing Hongchen glanced subconsciously at the black box in his hands before he quickly came out from behind his desk. At this moment, the doorbell rang.
“Come in.” Jing Hongchen stopped in his tracks.
Lin Jiayi came in from outside and said, “Do you have any instructions, Hallmaster?”
Jing Hongchen saw that it was Lin Jiayi, and he continued walking to the wall on the opposite side and quickly found the small metal arrows that had drilled completely into the wall.
He picked up the black box and infused some soul power inside. He pressed the button once more, and another series of shooting sounds could be heard. A shadow flashed by before the same popping sounds could be heard from the wall.
“This…”
Jing Hongchen’s eyes filled with bewilderment. He suddenly understood something, and immediately said to Lin Jiayi, “Go find Huo Yuhao and bring him back here.”
“Yes.” Lin Jiayi didn’t dare to probe as he turned and ran to call Huo Yuhao back.
How did the soul tool activate its formation arrays? How did it shoot out the arrows? It’s not a soul ray, it’s more like the model of a stationary soul tool. What’s more frightening is that this soul tool doesn’t need soul power to activate it, and I can simply press a button to use it after infusing soul power. How is this automatic setup crafted?
Jing Hongchen couldn’t wait any longer, and started to take the black box apart to see. However, he had only made the first move before a series of clanging sounds could be heard from inside the box.
A self-destruct mechanism! What a guy! Jing Hongchen didn’t have to look to know that the soul tool’s internal gears and setup were now dysfunctional.
Huo Yuhao had just left, so calling him back wasn’t that difficult. This was especially so when he was walking slowly anyway, as if he had no intention of walking too far away.
It didn’t take long before he was standing before Jing Hongchen once more.
Jing Hongchen lowered his voice and said, “Tell me, what are your intentions?’
Huo Yuhao didn’t ask Lin Jiayi to leave, and he stared at Jing Hongchen with a confused look and asked, “What intentions?”
Jing Hongchen felt his heart skip a beat. You do know how to act!
“This.” He shook the black box in his hands.
Huo Yuhao was stunned momentarily and said, “I have no motives at all. That’s just a souvenir for you. Eh, why is it broken?” Rattling sounds could be heard from the black box when Jing Hongchen shook it, and it was clear that its inner mechanisms had been destroyed.
Huo Yuhao seemed perplexed, and he looked hurt as he said, “Hallmaster, even if you look down on this thing I made, I only wanted to give it to you as a souvenir. You didn’t have to break it.”
Jing Hongchen was almost fooled by Huo Yuhao’s emotional sentiments. This fella was just too good at acting. “Enough. Stop pretending. Name a price. I want the overall structure of the automatic mechanism.” With his level of perception, he could naturally see the unique and special effects of this black box’s internal automatic mechanisms.
Huo Yuhao seemed lost as he said, “What automatic mechanisms? I just casually made this thing, and I’ve already given it to you!”
He’s still pretending? Jing Hongchen felt as if all his patience was gone. “I am referring to the inner workings of this black box. Draw it out—if that’s alright, I’m willing to pay you for it.”
“Oh, so that’s the case.” Huo Yuhao looked like he just had a revelation. “But, Hallmaster, I have put a lot of effort into this research. It’s not going to be cheap if I’m to sell it!”
Jing Hongchen snapped, “Name your price. Do I look like a stingy person?”
Huo Yuhao extended one hand and opened all five fingers. He thought for a while before he retracted two fingers, and left his index, middle, and fourth finger extended.
“Three will do. I will exchange this with you for three Class 9 soul tools.”
His tone was casual and natural, as if he were just casually requesting three sacks of rice from Jing Hongchen.
Lin Jiayi almost vomited blood. What? Three Class 9 soul tools? What does he think Class 9 soul tools are? A Class 9 soul engineer would have to put in so much blood and sweat, and materials as well, to complete a Class 9 soul tool. Does he really want to exchange this rickety old box for three Class 9 soul tools?
The flesh on Jing Hongchen’s face froze, and the faint smile on his face immediately vanished into thin air. “You’re trying to rip me off?”
Huo Yuhao shook his head and said, “No, I’m not. I just feel like my research is precious and worth this price. Furthermore, we can still negotiate the price, don’t you think so?”
Huo Yuhao lifted his other hand sincerely and pressed down his extended fourth finger on the other hand. “Two will do. What do you think?”
Jing Hongchen was infuriated. “No way. Your automatic mechanisms are quite valuable, but how can your research compare to a Class 9 soul tool?”
Huo Yuhao replied, “A Class 9 soul cannon shell will do—I’m not picky.”
Scram… The word came to the edge of Jing Hongchen’s mouth and he almost blurted it out. He suddenly recalled how this rascal had tried to rip him off back during the exchange competition. It was obvious that Huo Yuhao had intentionally brought this soul tool for him to see, and he would wait for a high price before he was willing to sell it.
The truth was that Jing Hongchen wasn’t that furious. He felt a little fortunate actually—at least, Huo Yuhao let him see this soul tool after all, and he didn’t take it back directly to Shrek Academy; he hadn’t bypassed him altogether. This automatic mechanism would be very effective if it was installed in stationary soul tools. Furthermore, its principles could be combined with other soul tools, and there would perhaps be other wondrous effects. This form of automation meant even normal citizens could use soul tools that were charged beforehand! He had also heard from Xuan Ziwen they were likely to achieve a breakthrough in their research with Sealed Milk Bottles.
If this automatic mechanism was combined with exemplary soul tools and Sealed Milk Bottles…