The soul-guided technology program at Tianxing Academy would undoubtedly become a pivotal force in shaping the future of the Douluo Continent.
Setting aside the knowledge of inscribing soul-guided arrays, which the Sun Moon Empire didn't believe it lagged behind the other Three Kingdoms of Douluo in, what truly shocked Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming was that Ye Wen had also shared his knowledge of metal forging.
The profession of blacksmithing was likely even older than that of soul masters.
After all, during humanity's primitive stages—before the awakening of martial souls or the development of extraordinary abilities requiring cultural accumulation—ancient weapon forging already existed.
However, no one on the Douluo Star had ever thought to combine the extraordinary abilities of soul masters with forging. The reason? Those who practiced forging were typically low-status individuals, ordinary soul masters without significant cultivation or influential backgrounds.
Because of this, the craft of forging only truly flourished thousands of years later, allowing master smiths to earn their rightful recognition.
Kong Deming pondered the enrollment policies of Tianxing Academy and solemnly stated:
"Your Majesty, let us leave the future for the future. Our most pressing task now is to quickly learn the soul-guided knowledge being disseminated by Tianxing Academy. Otherwise, there may be signs of the Douluo Continent surpassing us. If that happens, all our decades of effort will have been in vain."
The Sun Moon Emperor nodded in agreement. "What you say is correct, my loyal minister." He then turned to Jing Hongchen, who was in charge of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Academy. "I'll leave the selection of students to attend Tianxing Academy in your capable hands."
"It is my duty," Jing Hongchen replied. "Furthermore, I intend to accompany this group of selected students to Tianxing Academy myself.
Once I fully grasp the soul-guided technology of this Tianxing Douluo, I believe I can achieve the same breakthrough as Great Elder Kong Deming—melding with a soul-guided device to reach the realm of a Level 10 soul engineer."
Upon hearing this, the Sun Moon Emperor's eyes lit up. This was excellent news.
After all, the Sun Moon Empire currently had only one Super Douluo under its banner—Great Elder Kong Deming. However, theoretically speaking, a Level 10 soul-guided device should make him no less formidable than Longshen Douluo Mu En, who had previously demonstrated immense power.
That said, theory and reality often diverged. A Level 95 Super Douluo equipped with a so-called Level 10 soul-guided device still couldn't match Longshen Douluo Mu En—but the gap wasn't too wide.
If they could produce another Level 10 soul engineer, the future might hold the possibility of directly confronting Mu En.
This train of thought inevitably led back to Ye Wen, the transcendent Douluo.
A competent ruler's mind is naturally riddled with suspicion.
In the Sun Moon Emperor's view, Ye Wen's current neutrality stemmed not from disinterest but from the Three Kingdoms of Douluo failing to offer an enticing enough proposition.
The Sun Moon Emperor congratulated Jing Hongchen, wishing him success in breaking through to become a Level 10 soul engineer. Then, with great seriousness, he instructed: "I understand how crucial this Tianxing Douluo's soul-guided technology is to you. But please don't forget that this Tianxing Douluo remains a significant threat to our Sun Moon Empire. During your visit, I hope you'll gather intelligence on his weaknesses—or opportunities to assassinate him, if possible."
Assassinating a transcendent Douluo, especially one at the peak of his power, was no small feat. Even with an arsenal of Level 9 soul cannon shells as backup, Jing Hongchen dared not guarantee success. Still, he accepted the mission with a grave yet determined expression.
The three most powerful figures of the Sun Moon Empire then discussed the finer details of the trip. Night grew deeper before they finally dispersed.
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Shrek Academy - Inner Court, Sea God Pavilion
At this moment, seated around an opulent golden ancient tree table, a group of Super Douluos sat silently, their expressions heavy and unspoken.
Xuan Zi was still striving to break through...
As the team leader, Wang Yan bore undeniable responsibility for Shrek's failure.
However, the true team leader was Xuan Zi. Moreover, due to a moment of carelessness, an inner court disciple had perished—a tragedy only mitigated by Ye Wen, who had saved these future hopes of Shrek. Though the academy now owed him a massive debt, Shrek's decline had been averted.
But given Xuan Zi's earlier achievements—and the overwhelming strength displayed by Tianxing Academy—the Shrek leadership present felt a profound sense of crisis, leaving them no time to dwell on blame.
Even if they had pursued accountability, it would have been futile. Doing so would only make Shrek appear petty. After all, holding a mere Soul King accountable for Shrek's honor seemed absurd.
"Is that so? We've ultimately lost..." Mu En's gentle voice broke the silence, devoid of any discomforting emotions.
Due to the relentless exploitation by the gods, the essence of the Douluo Continent had suffered severe damage. Ten thousand years ago, transcendent Douluos among the Title Douluos could live for over a thousand years. Now, their lifespans were reduced to just three hundred years—no longer than a newly minted Title Douluo.
Mu En himself had suffered grievous injuries during a life-or-death battle with Dushi, the former leader of the Body Sect, further shortening his lifespan.
Now, his time was truly running out.
"Why has everyone fallen silent?" Mu En's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of playful teasing. Then, more seriously, he continued:
"Raise your heads, everyone. It's just a defeat. No one dares claim they'll never fail—not me, not you, nor anyone else on the Douluo Continent.
Lin'er, I heard that this time, Shrek lost the championship because Tianxing Academy employed a peculiar soul-guided device. Is that correct?"
At this, a woman approximately 1.7 meters tall with neatly coiled black hair stood up. She exuded an air of sharpness and authority. This was Xian Lin'er, the dean of Shrek Academy's soul-guided technology department, a Super Douluo with a cultivation level of 96. Her title was "Martial God," though her actual combat prowess didn't quite match the grandeur of her title.
She was also an eighth-level soul engineer and, most importantly, one of Mu En's disciples.
"Yes, Master.
Early on, things went smoothly for us at Shrek Academy. Xiaotao and the others are undoubtedly among the strongest of their generation.
However, Tianxing Academy resorted to unethical tactics, employing a bizarre soul-guided device capable of forcibly boosting a soul master's cultivation to Level 70. That's why our people lost.
Therefore, I suggest that you take the lead in amending the rules of the Soul Master Tournament to prohibit the use of cultivation-boosting soul-guided devices."
"Mm," Mu En responded indifferently, saying nothing further. His silence made Xian Lin'er wonder if she had spoken too impulsively or made a misstep.
After all, Shrek's soul-guided technology program was something of an afterthought—a product born out of necessity. As the top academy on the Douluo Continent, Shrek lacked even a single ninth-level soul engineer.
Of course, interference from obstinate traditionalists within the soul master community hadn't helped matters.
Without talented students joining the program, even vast resources couldn't propel it to the pinnacle.
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