Bang!
With a deep gunshot, the bullet drew a straight trajectory and hit the bullseye of the target twenty meters away.
Chengying handed the revolver to Tang Chen, personally guiding him into a proper shooting stance, letting him feel firsthand the power of a firearm.
In truth, the revolver was something Chengying had handcrafted under Bingdi's persistent urging. Compared to a weapon, it was more of a finely crafted piece of art. Each bullet was worth nearly a gold soul coin undeniably a luxury item.
Only because Chengying was wealthy enough could he afford Bingdi's habit of casually burning through ammo daily. Still, if this weapon were ever sold publicly, support-type soul masters would undoubtedly scramble for it.
Bang!
Chengying looked up just as expected, Tang Chen had missed the mark, the bullet leaving a nick on the edge of the circular target. For a first-timer, that was already quite good.
Even so, after experiencing the sensation of firing a gun, Tang Chen was visibly stunned. Then, he took aim again and fired.
Six-ring!
Eight-ring!
Eight-ring!
Ten-ring!
After emptying the remaining five bullets, Tang Chen looked down at the little weapon in his hand, his eyes completely changed.
It wasn't that the weapon's power was overwhelming—Tang Chen was confident that, if prepared, he could block all the bullets fired by an ordinary person. But he was no ordinary man. He was Tang Chen, the once-in-a-century genius of the Clear Sky Clan, stronger than 90% of soul masters across the continent.
And among that 90%, very few could withstand a surprise attack from an armed civilian.
What was truly terrifying was how easy this thing was to learn. With just basic training, one could effectively wield it. If such weapons were to become widespread, the gap between ordinary people and soul masters would rapidly narrow.
"People die when they are killed. A bullet to the head—brains burst out, red and white. Whether soul master or commoner, there's no difference in death.
Everything you want must be defended with blood and life. The next era will be one of iron and blood. Beneath the muzzle, all beings are equal. No class can ascend the stage of history without shedding blood. I'm merely giving them a chance to bleed for the future."
As he spoke, Chengying held up a bullet, sounding unintentionally theatrical.
Yet Tang Chen didn't find it melodramatic—on the contrary, he felt fired up. In every generation, some defectors are branded traitors or heroes. But in truth, they're just passionate youth like himself.
"All the knowledge you're learning will give cold steel the power to ignite flames. So, do your best! Someday, your Clear Sky Hammer will smash the shackles of this era!"
Chengying reloaded the revolver and handed it back to Tang Chen.
"This is the first gift from your teacher. It won't directly boost your combat ability. I just hope you never forget the vow you made today—never point your gun at those you swore to protect."
Tang Chen solemnly accepted the revolver. "I shall never forget today's vow. I will use my Clear Sky Hammer to shatter the chains of this era."
"Good! Now that our little speech is done, it's time to go do your homework," Chengying said, suddenly feeling embarrassed by his earlier theatrics. Even though no one in Douluo Continent would call him out for it, he still cringed a bit—so, in retaliation, he assigned Tang Chen triple homework.
Still caught up in his righteous fervor, Tang Chen nodded enthusiastically and promised to finish it all.
Chengying could only think: Too naïve. He hadn't yet experienced the horror of Chengying's homework. Even Dugu Bo had slogged through an entire year before finally earning his own lab. Speaking of Dugu Bo, his first gift had actually been a microscope—though at first, Chengying often "borrowed" it without asking.
Now that there were higher-magnification microscopes available, Chengying noticed that Dugu Bo still cleaned and maintained that old wooden microscope every day, keeping it in pristine condition.
Thinking of this, Chengying briefly considered picking Dugu Bo up from the hospital—then quickly gave up on the idea. That research maniac could use a few days of proper rest. Otherwise, he'd sneak back into the lab the first chance he got.
Ever since Chengying introduced trinitrotoluene—commonly known as TNT—into the lab's tech tree, things had become extremely dangerous. Dugu Bo's interest in experimental explosives was second only to his obsession with live subject transformation. If not for Chengying's high durability, he probably would've been half-blown up by a midnight explosion from the basement lab by now.
"I'm just saying," came a voice from the window. Bingdi, perched on the sill, suddenly jumped onto Chengying's back, startling him. "That whole speech you gave earlier… wasn't that the 'chuunibyou' stuff you always talk about?"
"…More or less." Chengying laughed awkwardly. "I just don't know whether Tang Chen will hold onto that resolve in the future. Watching fellow soul masters fall from glory, enduring reproach and scorn from friends and comrades—it won't be easy."
"Then why teach him all this? Aren't you just setting him up for heartbreak?" Bingdi's cool arms looped around Chengying's neck, her small face nuzzling against his cheek.
"Everyone chooses their own path. I'll only teach him what he wants to learn. How far he goes—that's up to him." Chengying gently lifted Bingdi off his back.
"Don't act all mysterious. I know the real reason—you're just impressed with his talent. Once you have a bunch of Title Douluo-level disciples, you won't need me anymore!" Bingdi pouted, jealousy bubbling up from nowhere.
"Don't be jealous," Chengying chuckled. "Yes, I admire Tang Chen's talent—but that's only so we can one day live peacefully.
You know better than anyone: if you ever use Soul Sage-level power or above, someone will recognize you. Then we'll be forced to either flee to the Far North or fight the world alone.
That's why I'm doing all I can to build our strength—to minimize the risk of your identity being exposed." He gently stroked Bingdi's hair, smiling softly.
"But you're getting stronger and stronger… Back then, you were this clueless goofball who couldn't even take human form. I had to fly you around, clean up your messes. Even when soul masters chased you and you were scared I'd eat you, you'd still shout my name at the top of your lungs.
But now? You're a great sage. The whole empire knows your name. The best princes seek your counsel. The most talented youth call you 'master.' Enemies who once made you scream for help now beg for mercy at your feet… Meanwhile, I—I'm just someone who knows how to fight. I'm becoming useless."
Bingdi squatted down, hugging her knees, her voice tinged with sadness and grievance. The more she interacted with humans, the more human-like her thoughts became. She was no longer the little loli who could be appeased with a hotpot. What she craved now was the feeling of being needed.
Hearing this, Chengying crouched down and pressed his forehead to hers. "I may have all of that now… but no one else can walk with me forever. You are irreplaceable to me."
That cheered Bingdi up a little—until she heard what Chengying said next.
"So… can you maybe shapeshift into a less loli-like form? This is just torture look, no touch!"
"You big perv! You lecher!" Bingdi forgot her gloom in an instant and started chasing Chengying around, the courtyard once again filled with laughter and chaos…