Imperial Worship Hall — Silver Moon Hall.
This was the residence of the Sun Moon Empire's strongest Soul Engineer, Silver Moon Douluo Kong Deming.
Led by an attendant, Wang Chen entered the grand and magnificently decorated hall and saw a tall elder with short, gray-white hair, wearing a bright yellow robe.
This man was none other than Silver Moon Douluo—Kong Deming.
Kong Deming stood before a long silver-white table, his expression calm as still water. Upon closer inspection, one could sense an invisible force radiating from him.
This power didn't exude any oppressive might. It seemed ordinary, without the sharp, overwhelming aura most experts carried.
However, having reached the realm of the Unity of Heaven and Man, Wang Chen, whose perception was extraordinarily keen, didn't see it that way.
He could clearly sense that the old man before him was unimaginably powerful and dangerous.
Compared to the Titled Douluo-level evil Soul Master he had once slain, that man wasn't even qualified to carry Kong Deming's shoes.
Within that seemingly frail, aged body was concealed an earth-shattering power. Though Kong Deming was simply standing there, it felt as if his existence was intertwined with the surrounding space itself.
The stronger one was, the clearer the meaning of this became.
This was the power of space—a mighty force that only Limit Douluos who had formed dual soul cores were qualified to comprehend.
That was why Limit Douluos were so powerful: because they had begun to perceive and gradually master the power of space.
Even so, most Limit Douluos only grasped the most superficial layer of that power. Yet, even that was enough to utterly crush any Soul Master who hadn't touched upon spatial energy.
The fact that Kong Deming could interact with the surrounding space so naturally proved how profound his understanding of spatial power truly was. No wonder he could, with only Rank 94 soul power, contend with Limit Douluo-level experts.
From this alone, it was clear just how terrifying Kong Deming's talent and comprehension were.
If not for devoting nearly all his energy to soul tool research, his achievements in Martial Soul cultivation would have been no less than those of Ye Xishui or Long Xiaoyao, the top Limit Douluos.
Kong Deming stood before the silver-white table, holding a silver carving knife—the number one-ranked engraving knife in the entire Sun Moon Empire, known as the Silver Moon Blade.
At this moment, Kong Deming was inscribing a core formation upon a piece of rare metal.
Seeing this, Wang Chen didn't make a sound. He simply watched silently from the side.
Anything Wang Chen witnessed would be recorded by his Black Book, allowing him to learn it instantly.
Wang Chen thought to himself, Let's see if I can record something this time. If I can, it'll be an enormous gain.
He focused all his attention on observing—but the more he watched, the more astonished he became.
He had thought that, with the Black Book's power, his mastery in this field was already no weaker than that of most Rank 9 Soul Engineers—that the only reason he couldn't yet inscribe Rank 9 core formations was due to insufficient cultivation.
But upon watching Kong Deming's process, Wang Chen realized just how wrong he'd been.
Rank 9 Soul Engineers were far from the pinnacle.
When Kong Deming engraved the formation, Wang Chen felt something strange—
Other Soul Engineers merely carved their formations upon the surface of the metal, but Kong Deming… engraved at a deeper level.
Yes—a deeper level, as if he were inscribing the formation within the internal space of the rare metal itself!
If a Rank 9 Soul Engineer could engrave ten formations onto a piece of rare metal, then Kong Deming could engrave twenty—or even more.
Under his hands, a small piece of rare metal became an object containing worlds within.
Wang Chen was utterly mesmerized. Kong Deming, too, focused intently, continuing to carve the complex core formation.
Time flew by. After an hour, Kong Deming finally finished.
The entire piece of rare metal, from inside to outside, was now covered in intricate core formations.
Every formation's pattern was incomparably complex—so much so that Soul Engineers of lower cultivation would feel dizzy merely looking at the structure.
Kong Deming grasped the piece of metal and infused it with soul power.
In an instant, all the formations lit up, interlinking layer by layer to form a perfect circuit.
The rare metal burst into a brilliant silver-white radiance, the surrounding space rippling with visible distortion—until, finally, a one-meter-wide silver vortex formed in the air, emanating a sense of awe and dread.
Wang Chen's pupils contracted sharply as he stared at that spatial vortex.
To influence space—not by brute force, but through precise control—was something beyond imagination.
Destroying space with raw power to create black rifts was easy enough; Wang Chen himself could do that.
But creating a stable spatial vortex like this? He couldn't.
This wasn't brute strength. It was a profound comprehension of space itself.
Wang Chen couldn't help recalling the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, Kong Deming's future life-bound soul tool from the original story.
That soul tool was formed by merging his Martial Soul with the power of heaven and earth—becoming one with the most powerful soul tool.
It could channel all attacks into space itself, seal off spatial zones, and trap enemies within its domain—unpredictable and infinitely powerful.
Before the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, any powerhouse who hadn't mastered spatial force was nothing but a helpless lamb awaiting slaughter.
Judging from Kong Deming's current control over spatial power, he must have already crafted the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, capable of manipulating space to some extent.
He had merely yet to fuse it as his life-bound soul tool.
Wang Chen speculated, Once Kong Deming breaks through to Rank 95 and attains the Unity of Heaven and Man, his life-bound soul tool will surely be born.
He thought inwardly:
"With Kong Deming's talent, the only reason he hasn't yet reached that realm is because all his time and energy have gone into researching soul tools.
"He's invested too little in cultivation and enlightenment. But it's precisely because of that devotion that the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield and the Humanoid Soul Tool could even exist."
While Wang Chen was still reeling from shock at Kong Deming's mastery, the old man placed the piece of rare metal on the silver table and turned toward him.
Kong Deming asked, "You've been watching for a while. What did you see?"
Wang Chen clasped his hands respectfully.
"Senior Kong, when you engraved the core formation, your method differed from ours.
"You weren't just carving on the metal's surface, but also within its internal space. Even the formation itself was three-dimensional. Did you… borrow the power of space?"
Kong Deming's deep, ancient eyes examined Wang Chen closely.
After hearing the Emperor's introduction of this prodigy, Kong Deming had grown curious and intended to take him as a disciple.
Ordinary geniuses didn't interest him. Every Rank 9 Soul Engineer who had studied under him had once been a one-in-a-million genius in their youth.
He had seen too many so-called "prodigies." Every year, during the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, countless such talents emerged across the Sun Moon Empire. But in the grand scope of the continent, what did they amount to?
Yet someone like Wang Chen—this kind of monstrous genius—was unprecedented.
If he didn't personally teach such a person, it would be one of the greatest regrets of his life.
Still, even if he was inclined to take Wang Chen as a disciple, Kong Deming had to test him first.
After all, that was only what the Emperor said—he had to see for himself. He had his own standards.
So, from the moment Wang Chen entered the hall, Kong Deming's examination had already begun.
After all, how could it be mere coincidence that Wang Chen had arrived just in time to witness him inscribing a core formation?
There are no coincidences in the world—only intentional arrangements.
Hearing Wang Chen's precise response, Kong Deming nodded slightly. The boy's perception was indeed exceptional.
He had actually noticed the use of spatial power in the engraving process—something even his Rank 9 Soul Engineers failed to grasp.
To become his disciple, one needed sharp perception and extraordinary comprehension. Without those, understanding the power of space was impossible.
Through his comprehension of space and a lifetime of soul tool research, Kong Deming had created the spatial soul tool—the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield—one of his proudest works.
If he didn't consider the Empire's collective interests and looked only at personal achievement, this creation thrilled him even more than the Humanoid Soul Tool or the High-Energy Compression Array Soul Tool.
The Silver Moon Divine Light Shield represented the culmination of his life's work—the very reason he stood at the pinnacle of the Sun Moon Empire.
He feared no Limit Douluo. With the Royal Soul Engineer Legion assisting him, he could even contend against two Limit Douluos at once.
However, Kong Deming was now old—and childless. For years, he had considered passing on his knowledge.
He didn't wish to die with all his life's learning buried with him.
But inheriting his knowledge wasn't easy. The threshold was incredibly high. Only a Rank 9 Soul Engineer with extremely strong spiritual power could even begin to comprehend spatial force.
Those with lesser strength couldn't even understand, much less learn.
Of all the Rank 9 Soul Engineers he had mentored, none had succeeded. Their comprehension of spatial force was zero—they could only assist him in minor tasks.
So, he had put off finding a successor—until now.
After seeing Wang Chen, he felt certain: this was the one who could inherit his legacy.
A Soul Emperor with such perception—once his cultivation and spirit grew stronger, he would definitely be able to grasp spatial power.
Kong Deming looked at Wang Chen and smiled faintly.
"Wang Chen, come here."
Wang Chen didn't know what Kong Deming wanted but approached respectfully nonetheless.
Kong Deming smiled. "Wang Chen, I've heard that you're the Sun Moon Empire's most gifted genius. Let me test you. If your answer satisfies me, I'll give you a gift."
Wang Chen nodded. "Please test me, Senior."
He was confident. With the Black Book in his possession, as long as he observed another Soul Engineer's craft, he could instantly learn it.
All the knowledge, theories, and techniques involved in creating soul tools would be absorbed as well.
Thus, among his generation, no one could surpass him in the art of Soul Engineering. Even extending the comparison to those up to age twenty-five—or thirty—he would still stand supreme.
If even he couldn't satisfy Kong Deming, then no one in the Sun Moon Empire could.
Kong Deming asked casually, "There are two main types of Rank 7 soul tool core formations—the composite type and the miniature type. Tell me your design approach when constructing an Aerial Shock Soul Tool."
In Kong Deming's view, this was a simple question. Theoretically, most Rank 6 Soul Engineers could answer it roughly correctly. It was a fitting question to test Wang Chen, a Soul Emperor.
He had heard from the Emperor that Wang Chen's talent on the path of a Soul Master was unmatched in the Empire's history. But Kong Deming was a Soul Engineer—his questions would naturally focus on soul tools.
Without even pausing to think, Wang Chen replied,
"For the Aerial Shock Soul Tool, the main structure should naturally use a miniature core formation.
"However, the fourth and fifth core formations must be connected using composite-type formations.
"This design maximizes both power and stability while minimizing material loss."
Kong Deming was impressed that Wang Chen had answered so easily—and correctly. He immediately followed up with a more difficult question.
And so, one question led to another. As the discussion went on, Kong Deming even had Wang Chen personally engrave core formations and craft soul tools on the spot.
Time flew by. Before they knew it, dusk had arrived.
Wang Chen looked at the silver-white bracelet on his wrist—a Rank 9 soul tool gifted by Kong Deming—with visible joy on his face.
He thought to himself, As expected of the Sun Moon Empire's greatest Soul Engineer—so generous!
Meanwhile, Kong Deming gazed at the Rank 7 soul tool Wang Chen had just crafted on the long table, his eyes filled with delight.
Not yet fifteen years old—and already a Rank 7 Soul Engineer. His theoretical foundation was solid, and though a few answers weren't perfect by Kong Deming's standards, they were impressive nonetheless.
A youth capable of such answers deserved no harsh criticism.
In the art of Soul Engineering, Wang Chen truly was a priceless, uncut gem.
Stroking his beard, Kong Deming smiled warmly and said,
"Wang Chen, would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Wang Chen: ⊙ω⊙ What?! There's such a great opportunity?!
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