As he completed the final assembly, a beautifully crafted gem was born in his hands.
Emitting a black-golden glow, the gem itself gave off a sense of hardness.
"Oh?"
Su Yu had precisely timed his creation, and there weren't many soul guides who finished crafting alongside him. Soon, it was his turn for his work to be reviewed by the judging panel.
Soul Power was infused into it, and the black-golden gem emitted a beam of light, enveloping the Soul Master who injected the Soul Power.
"A Defense-type Soul-guiding Device, I just wonder how strong this defense is."
The judge responsible for the experience adjusted the amount of Soul Power input, feeling the changes in power of this defensive shield.
Meanwhile, he was also attempting to gauge the general strength range of this shield.
He opened his eyes with a slight astonishment.
Surprisingly high?
He controlled the shield of the Defense Gem, attaching it to a professional testing device, adjusted the device's initial values, and began the test.
The device started applying force, and as the force increased, with a bang, the shield shattered.
"In terms of defensive strength, it's considered top-grade among Defense-type Soul-guiding Devices!"
The many Soul Guides among the judging panel were amazed. They didn't expect that Su Yu, the late contestant, could create such a level of Defensive Soul-guiding Device in just one hour.
They looked at Su Yu with a hint of investigation in their eyes.
Just where did this genius come from?
Even a few Seventh-level Soul Guides among their judging panel wouldn't dare to say they could ensure the successful creation of a Sixth-level Soul-guiding Device within an hour, let alone produce such a top-grade item.
Not right!
The judge responsible for testing the effect of the Defense Gem sensed something was off.
Defense was not the sole capability of this Soul-guiding Device.
From the very beginning, he'd sensed that as Soul Power was inputted, two distinct effects could be felt, he just initially tried the defense effect.
Tuning the operation of Soul Power, activating another effect of the Defense Gem.
In an instant, the judge's pupils contracted, his breathing quickened, and he looked at Su Yu, with a shocked expression emerging.
However, he dared not speak out about this specific feature.
Silently, he handed the Defense Gem over to other judges to feel.
All of the judges ultimately unanimously gave it a perfect score without mentioning the second effect of Su Yu's Defense Gem.
Some of the audience couldn't see anything special, only puzzled about what was shocking these judges one after another.
After the defense effect was tested, the audience already realized the impressiveness of the Soul-guiding Device.
But there was no need to be shocked again during the process of re-experiencing the Soul-guiding Device, was there?
Outrageously strange...
However, number sixty-six is really amazing.
Those who previously claimed Su Yu was just showing off or a clown for daring to compete after arriving two hours late had to admit they spoke too loudly earlier.
The task of this round of competition was to create at least a Fifth-level Soul-guiding Device and obtain an excellent evaluation from the judges to pass.
This so-called excellence also had specific tests, with little room for subjective definition, since even Martial Soul strength and Soul Power strength were quantifiable in Mingdu, naturally defense and attack power quantification methods had long been realized.
The judges' identities were merely to convince the audience.
An excellent evaluation typically denotes items ranging from upper-medium to top-grade among the same level.
Alternatively, creating a Sixth-level Soul-guiding Device could also pass.
But Su Yu directly entered the competition with a top-grade Defensive-type Sixth-level Soul-guiding Device, making him undoubtedly the first this round.
"This round earned quite a lot."
Because of Huo Yuhao, being late for the competition instead resulted in greater gains.
However, such a tactic can only be used once, as the audience would no longer be so extreme moving forward.
...
Qian Duoduo looked at the judge panel's behavior on the big screen in silence.
As a professional Soul Guide, he guessed a few things.
After testing the defensive capability, using Soul Power to sense again undoubtedly meant there was another effect.
And this effect, all the judges unanimously chose not to speak of it...
"Top-secret technology?"
Qian Duoduo felt number sixty-six was not simple.
"In the Sun and Moon Empire, it's considered top-secret technology, even in such a black market competition, these judges dared not explain anything...
Could it be the latest technology from Mingde Hall?"
Qian Duoduo's breath quickened.
He felt he had discovered an important person.
Under thirty years old, able to craft a top-grade Defensive Soul-guiding Device in one hour, and mastering highly confidential technology from Mingde Hall!
This...
Unbelievable!
"Did he master Armor Technology?" Qian Duoduo's mind echoed with such a thought.
"It must be!"
Such a genius-level Soul Guide must have mastered the most cutting-edge technologies.
Qian Duoduo took a deep breath, calming his emotions, remembering this contestant number sixty-six, then nonchalantly left the black market.
On the platform, Su Yu glanced toward the direction where Qian Duoduo was once seated.
"What's this feeling?"
Su Yu felt as if he was being watched.
Not just any ordinary observance.
"A Titled Douluo?"
Su Yu didn't dwell on it too much, not being overly worried.
Within the confines of Mingdu, he was absolutely safe.
"Sir."
Just as Su Yu was about to leave, he heard a call.
The head of the arena ran up to him with a flattering expression, "Sir, this is the Defense Gem you crafted."
He handed the Soul-guiding Device crafted by Su Yu.
"Sir, here's your reward for this event."
The head took out a Storage Soul-guiding Device again, filled with various rare metals, especially many rare high-level rare metals included.
"Your black market's capabilities are indeed impressive."
With a sweep of Spiritual Power, Su Yu knew the value of these rare metals. Of course, he was referring to their source capabilities, not their earnings.
Earning money and exchanging it for equivalent high-level rare metals are two different matters.
Even if many bets in this match were directly placed with rare metals, high-level rare metals are still uncommon.
"You jest, sir. In this Aodou Commerce Association's event, we'll be relying on your performance, sir."
Su Yu's performance today had already indicated his strength, potentially surpassing the originally prepared candidate by the Aodou Commerce Association.
...
After a brief exchange with the head of the Aodou Commerce Association, Su Yu left the black market with Huo Yuhao, returning to Mingde Hall.
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao's expression changed slightly, looking toward a certain direction.
Su Yu also followed Huo Yuhao's gaze.
"Who!"
Su Yu was also amazed by Huo Yuhao's perception, which was even sharper than his own.
But ultimately, Su Yu had materialized Spiritual Power. After Huo Yuhao discovered something, he released his Spiritual Power and instantly sensed something was amiss, too.
Someone was monitoring outside Mingde Hall?
"Not just one person?"
Su Yu's Spiritual Power swept over, terrifying Spiritual Power instantly pressured many so strongly that their vision blurred, unable to escape.
Huo Yuhao further unleashed Soul Shock, completely capturing these individuals.
However, there was still a powerful surge of Soul Power flashing past and rapidly fleeing.
"Yuhao, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Huo Yuhao steadied himself, calming the turmoil in his Sea of Spirit, his face slightly pale, "That person is strong, perhaps not qualitatively different in Spiritual Power from me, but with a much higher Soul Power Level."
The commotion brought a swift response from many, even in the middle of the night, quickly arriving at the scene.
"Take them back and interrogate them," Su Yu instructed the Guard Team members.
"Yes!"
Su Yu held Mirror Hongchen's token, able to command these members of the Guard Team.
Back in their room.
"My sensitivity still isn't as high as Yuhao's, I need to make up for this. Although my power is growing, leaving fewer Soul Masters I cannot contend with, I should nonetheless prioritize this aspect."
Su Yu first reflected on his shortcomings, then began pondering the issue this time.
"Who's going to make a move against Mingde Hall?"
"Xu Tianran? Unlikely. Despite collaborating with the Holy Spirit Sect, his intention is purely utilitarian, eventually intending to act against them. Mingde Hall, being a direct force of the Empire, he wouldn't cut off his own arm."
"Could it be the Evil Soul Master?"