"Teacher Yang."
Su Yu entered Yang Chengyu's office and similarly saw the worktable used for crafting Soul-guiding Devices.
On it were already placed rare metals, the table was cleaned neatly, and there was also an engraving knife set to the side.
There was no doubt about it; Yang Chengyu was also a Soul Guide.
"Su Yu, a Three-Ring Soul Venerable, Millennium Second Ring." Yang Chengyu spoke as soon as Su Yu entered.
Su Yu didn't know what the teacher intended, so he could only face the situation in silence.
"I heard you're planning to join the Soul Guide System? But you have zero foundation in Soul Guide before entering the Academy?"
"That's right." Su Yu replied.
"You've been studying the basics in the Academy for a month now. How is it? Do you feel confident enough to attempt crafting a Soul-guiding Device?" Yang Chengyu gestured towards the worktable.
Su Yu's eyes flickered as he pondered Teacher Yang's intention.
"The teacher who guided you through the admission process might suggest you pursue theory first.
Pass the Soul Guide System exam first.
But I tell you, it's best to go the certified Soul Guide route.
Only then will you have the opportunity to become a Core Disciple.
In the Martial Soul System, you're definitely receiving the treatment of a Core Disciple, but once you switch to the Soul Guide System, your Soul Power realm will be utterly useless.
The Soul Guide System only cares about your level of skill in crafting Soul-guiding Devices!"
Yang Chengyu spoke unhurriedly.
"Teacher Yang, what are the benefits of being a Core Disciple?"
"If you want to go further on the path of Soul-guiding Devices, then Mingde Hall is a necessary choice. Because Mingde Hall represents the pinnacle of Soul-guiding Device crafting level in the entire Sun and Moon Empire.
And as a Core Disciple, after graduating, you can basically enter Mingde Hall for study directly, and with generous conditions.
Besides that, during your time studying at the Academy, you'll also receive resource allocation from the Academy.
The improvement of a Soul Guide's level can't be separated from a lot of practice, as well as the theory and blueprints for crafting Soul-guiding Devices.
A lot of practice also requires rare metals.
This is the most crucial step in where Soul Guides pull ahead.
Rare metals can be bought yourself, but it's not cheap; in your situation, even if you can get enough rare metals, it would probably take up a lot of your time.
But by becoming a Core Disciple, you can enjoy a quota of 100 kilograms of rare metals every semester, and when needed, directly extract the corresponding metals."
Hearing this, Su Yu had to take it seriously.
Rare metals are indeed a considerable expense.
Especially if you have to source them yourself, it wastes a lot of effort finding them. Because some types of rare metals aren't available just anywhere.
Although according to Yang Chengyu's subsequent supplement, excessively precious rare metals need consumption calculated in weight multiples.
The so-called 100 kilograms is just a standard unit. Some rare metals, one kilogram translates to this standard unit as three kilograms or even five kilograms.
Of course, even so, this treatment is very generous.
After all, at the student stage, they mostly use the most common metals, and 100 kilograms would be about the size of around fifteen soccer balls by volume.
One semester with 100 kilograms, equates to 200 kilograms a year!
"That's not the most important thing," Yang Chengyu's voice grew more intense, his tone became grave.
"The real benefits of being a Core Disciple lie in the openness of Soul-guiding device crafting technology, theory, and blueprints.
Being in the library for a month, you probably found out the library has abundant Soul Guide materials, but it only covers content below Third-level Soul Guide.
Anything above Fourth-level Soul Guide technology theory or even blueprints is not available.
As a Core Disciple, you'll get the Academy's support to learn crafting technology and theory of Soul-guiding Devices held by the Academy.
Even some rare Soul-guiding Device blueprints may be available for exchange at the Academy.
Starting treatment when entering Mingde Hall, as a Core Disciple, will surpass the average Soul Guide greatly."
Su Yu carefully listened to Yang Chengyu's explanation, and a decision was made in his heart.
He must obtain the status of a Core Disciple.
Su Yu knew his situation well.
No power, no influence, only talent.
Being a Core Disciple is a must.
Moreover, he needs to find a few backings too.
He didn't have time to do this in the previous month when he was absorbed in studying Soul-guiding Devices.
However, having solid abilities is the key, so he didn't regret it. After all, if his Soul Guide talent was unproven, even seeking support wouldn't elicit a response.
But now, there's a very good opportunity in front of him.
Su Yu looked at Yang Chengyu, calm and composed, and spoke, "Teacher Yang, I'd like to give it a try."
Yang Chengyu sighed with relief in his heart.
Su Yu's Soul Master talent is excellent, but his talent in Soul-guiding Devices is unknown.
In such situations, it needs to be tested.
If Su Yu is outstanding in this area, being the first to find out will give an advantage.
Especially if Su Yu's talent in Soul Guides is quite remarkable, combined with his talent in Martial Soul cultivation, he shouldn't be delayed by trifles.
"At Mingde Hall, you must start with the Crown Prince."
Su Yu was making a Soul-guiding Device with his own hands for the first time.
He closed his eyes to recall the basic principles of crafting Soul-guiding Devices.
After going over them, he familiarized himself with the tools on the table one by one.
This process took him a full half-hour.
Yang Chengyu didn't rush him.
"Let's make a Soul-guided Grenade."
Only Second-level Soul-guiding Devices are used in combat; a Level 1 Soul-guided Grenade is more of a device to detonate with Soul Power.
A Level 1 Soul-guiding Device is the initial integration and inscription of a Core Array.
To inscribe the Array correctly and fully complete the core constitutes a Level 1 Soul-guiding Device's standard.
This initial step is only relative to the entire Soul-guiding Device's Level 9.
Even the simplest Level 1 Soul-guiding Device involves interconnections between Arrays, how to handle node associations during inscription, and handling deviations from inscribing Arrays on the surface structure of rare metals, which has stumped countless people.
For Su Yu, the toughest step in this crafting process was the inscription of the Level 1 Core Array.
He took out a piece of Sinking Silver, turned on the workbench switch, and began baking the Sinking Silver.
Sinking Silver is the most common type of rare metal, very balanced in all aspects, and is one of the best materials for practicing crafting Soul-guiding Devices.
Su Yu heated the Sinking Silver until it was soft, then began hammering it with a forging hammer; at first, he was clearly unfamiliar, but as he hammered, he gradually found the knack.
[You perform metal forging, comprehend forging skills, your forging proficiency reaches the Skilled Level]
Just from the forging step, Yang Chengyu had an assessment of Su Yu's talent.
Very spiritual, very insightful.
Following this, Su Yu's performance confirmed this conclusion.
[You sculpt the exterior of the Soul-guided Grenade, comprehend sculpting skills, your sculpting skill reaches the Skilled Level]
Yang Chengyu watched with increasing astonishment, gaining a direct understanding of Su Yu's talent.
Meanwhile, Su Yu continued systematically with the crafting of the Soul-guided Grenade.
He first created the exterior, using the process to familiarize himself with the engraving knife and other tools.
Now, it was time for the most crucial step.
Crafting the Core Array!