The Mingdu war forced Xuan Ziweng to end his closed-door training.
Huo Yuhao confirmed this through Orange, and after obtaining Xuan Ziweng's consent, he immediately informed Su Yu.
Su Yu didn't delay and arranged to meet Xuan Ziweng the next day in his laboratory.
"Su Yu?"
Xuan Ziweng always admired Kong Deming, and, by extension, had a good attitude towards Su Yu, Kong Deming's direct disciple, even taking time out of his schedule to meet with Su Yu.
"Senior Brother Xuan."
This address from Su Yu made Xuan Ziweng very happy.
"I heard from Yuhao that you need my assistance?"
Xuan Ziweng, engrossed in Soul-guiding Devices, went straight to the point without any detours.
"Indeed." Su Yu liked this straightforward approach, "I have developed a Rune Technique and need to reference your Seal Bottle Technology."
Su Yu briefly described his needs.
Listening to Su Yu's description of the Rune Technique, Xuan Ziweng's eyes were filled with astonishment.
This Rune Technique sounded extraordinary, being a spiritual power cultivation method.
"Teach me the Seal Bottle Technology, and I can exchange my Rune Technique with you, Senior Brother."
Xuan Ziweng waved his hand.
"No need to be so formal."
His research into the Seal Bottle Technology was not for personal gain.
The Crown Prince repeatedly requested it, yet was refused only because the Crown Prince's intentions were too obvious.
He intended to use the Seal Bottle Technology directly for military equipment, which Xuan Ziweng was very opposed to.
Even so, he was actually preparing to hand over the Seal Bottle Technology in the near future.
The main reason he researched the Seal Bottle was to promote the development of civilian Soul-guiding Devices.
The Sun and Moon Empire had already started popularizing the use of Soul-guiding Devices, initiating the process of civilianization of these devices.
Their consumption of Soul Power was minimized, especially with Soul-guided Light Bulbs, which were equipped with a simplified battery version of the Seal Bottle and could function for at least three days after one charge.
A Soul Master could charge hundreds of such battery bottles in a day.
Even Soul Warriors below Level 10 could charge these battery bottles.
However, the civilianization of Soul-guiding Devices was still hindered.
The issue was the inadequate seal of the bottles, resulting in severe energy loss.
After charging, even without use, the best-made bottles would naturally lose energy in a week.
This created a compulsion to use them immediately, or otherwise suffer a loss.
The popularization of simple Soul-guiding Devices like Soul-guided Light Bulbs was just an attempt.
And it stopped at that attempt.
The key obstacle to further development was the sealing technology.
Once perfected, allowing the energy storage of a bottle to last from a month to several months, the popularization of household Soul-guiding Devices would accelerate.
This attempt would continue.
Various functional Soul-guiding Devices would eventually appear in non-Soul Master households.
...
Since the technology was soon to be submitted and it was Kong Deming's direct disciple Su Yu seeking help, Xuan Ziweng had no intention of holding back.
However, Su Yu still provided Xuan Ziweng with the Rune Technique.
Mainly because Su Yu had other requests.
But now wasn't the time to mention them; he needed Xuan Ziweng to cultivate and understand the Rune Technique deeply.
"Your Rune Technique is truly a marvelous concept."
The potential for widespread use of this Rune Technique was remarkable.
Any Soul Master who had developed their Sea of Spirit could potentially sketch runes to cultivate.
However, developing the Sea of Spirit itself was a major barrier, or the Rune Technique's significance would be even greater.
...
Su Yu had no hesitation in passing the Rune Technique to Xuan Ziweng.
Not spreading it wildly referred to not publicizing it widely, not to keeping it from others besides a known few.
Xuan Ziweng was set to be an important future assistant in Battle Armor technology development, and teaching him the Rune Technique early laid the groundwork.
As for whether the Rune Technique might flow to the Tang Sect through Xuan Ziweng,
Su Yu wasn't worried at all.
Xuan Ziweng was merely obsessed with Soul-guiding Devices, dedicated to their research, not inherently disloyal. As long as he had enough research projects and inspiration, he wouldn't stray.
Such a dedicated researcher was hard to find, even with a lantern.
Su Yu took a look around Xuan Ziweng's research lab.
It had to be said, the scope of Xuan Ziweng's research was incredibly broad.
Apart from Soul-guided Cannons, Xuan Ziweng had innovative research projects in nearly every aspect.
"Senior Brother, is this a Soul-guiding Armor?"
Su Yu asked while holding a Heart Protection Mirror-like Soul-guiding Device.
"That's right, this Heart Protection Mirror and those two protective bracelets were made by me."
Su Yu's use of "Senior Brother" proved fruitful, as Xuan Ziweng explained diligently.
Since they were "Senior Brothers," sharing more information wasn't an issue.
"I want to create a Level 8 Soul-guiding Device by connecting different parts of the armor.
But unfortunately, creating three components is my current limit."
Su Yu couldn't help but twitch.
Level 8 Soul-guiding Device, dear brother.
Before Mirror Hongchen got inspired by me, the full-body armor he made was only at Level 6!
And you want to create a full set of Level 8 Soul-guiding Armor straight away.
Mirror Hongchen was a Ninth-Level Soul Guide, among the top of his class, comparable to a Level 98 Super Douluo in position.
While Xuan Ziweng was merely an Eighth-Level Soul Guide...
The fact that he could create three components already spoke volumes about his research capabilities.
"Senior Brother, it seems there's been progress on Soul-guiding Armor technology on the Hall Master's side. If you're interested, I think you can go and discuss it with the Hall Master."
Xuan Ziweng nodded, indicating he would find time to seek guidance from the Hall Master.
Su Yu continued to tour Xuan Ziweng's laboratory.
"Oh?"
Su Yu pointed at a staff-shaped Soul-guiding Device and inquired to Xuan Ziweng beside him, "Senior Brother, what is this Soul-guiding Device?"
It didn't look like a laser-type offensive Soul-guiding Device, nor was its material that of a defensive type.
"This is an auxiliary Soul-guiding Device I developed, the Star Staff."
Xuan Ziweng sighed.
"Unfortunately, this Star Staff is a Seventh-Level Soul-guiding Device, yet its effect is only at the level of a Fourth-Level Support Soul Master."
No matter how much he researched, he was always a step short of the auxiliary effects of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill, leaving the Seventh-Level Soul-guiding Device essentially underwhelming.
Su Yu, however, was intrigued.
Though Xuan Ziweng downplayed its significance, Su Yu was very satisfied with the Star Staff's effects.
It was a Soul-guiding Device capable of influencing the Power of the Stars.
Its core could be integrated into runes, applicable in both battles and cultivation.
"Senior Brother, may I have a copy of the blueprint for this Star Staff?"