City Lord Mansion.
In the quiet room filled with the fragrance of tea, the women sat scattered casually on the floor. The vast energy within their bodies circulated, derived from the blood and flesh essence origins that Shen Hanyu had refined. After refining it, everyone's soul power rank had at least seen a small improvement, but its true effect was reflected in the enhancement of their physical qualities.
Mad Bull Douluo sensibly did not involve himself further in the group's affairs. He found an excuse and hurriedly left the City Lord Mansion. No one, not even Xie Shiyu, could guess where he had gone.
Even so, Xie Shiyu did not doubt Mad Bull Douluo's loyalty.
Mad Bull Douluo had grown up in the Heavenly Sound Sect and was one of the several Title Douluo cultivated by the sect, with strength ranking in the upper-middle tier. He was also one of the few Title Douluo in the Sun Moon Empire who had not relied on pills or medicinal stimulants to cultivate. However, due to some accident, his fifth soul ring was only a thousand-year soul ring, a particularly regrettable point. To this day, the predecessors of their Heavenly Sound Sect were likely responsible for more than eighty percent of the reasons behind this situation.
Xie Shiyu did not mind. The origins and strength of Shen Hanyu's group were all mysteries. Although Mad Bull Douluo was strong in the Sun Moon Empire, he was no different from an ant before this group of people. Moreover, the other party had not only helped her resolve her fire poison but had also bestowed upon her a rare treasure for soul masters' cultivation. Although she did not believe the other party held any friendship toward her, at least for now, it was enough that everyone appeared to be companions on the surface.
Sometimes many things cannot be forced, but sometimes many things can be pursued. Having grown up in a large sect, Xie Shiyu had witnessed too many dirty methods and dark deeds since childhood. This had also trained her terrifying adaptability and ability to respond to situations. The current situation, in her eyes, could even be considered a good one...
...
Early the next morning, under Xie Shiyu's arrangements, several vehicles with rather special appearances appeared on the street in front of the City Lord Mansion.
Passersby around them cast curious glances. Although Mingxia City was an important large port city in the Sun Moon Empire, most people were seeing such peculiar soul guidance devices for the first time.
Everyone also curiously inspected the "sì bù xiàng" (neither fish nor fowl) in front of them, then turned to look at Xie Shiyu, who had brought it.
Xie Shiyu somewhat uncomfortably avoided everyone's gazes, then softly explained:
"This is the latest developed soul guidance power device. Although it is somewhat crude, one must admit that the price paid by the empire's various factions to research soul guidance power devices has been truly enormous. Even our Heavenly Sound Sect has only grasped a little bit of the surface knowledge so far..."
Xu Yuexuan also continued:
"If I am not mistaken, this soul guidance power device should operate on the same principle as the large storage-type power devices used by those giant warships. It has only been improved on the original foundation, shrinking the volume by nearly a hundred times while making some adjustments to the arrangement of the internal devices..."
Xie Shiyu chuckled lightly and then said:
"Princess, you are not the number one genius the imperial family publicly claims. With your cultivation and research into martial souls and even soul guidance devices, it can indeed be said to be rare in the world..."
Xu Yuexuan hurriedly waved her hand and said:
"When I was in the imperial family, Father Emperor once ordered that no matter how noble their status, all aristocrats or imperial bloodlines must attend the Royal Academy to study soul guidance device knowledge before the age of twenty. As imperial princes and princesses, we have been learning about contemporary soul guidance devices from the moment our martial souls awakened. Seeing these things really isn't anything special..."
"Also, I am no longer the Sun Moon Princess. If you are willing, you can just call me Yuexuan..."
Xie Shiyu was slightly stunned, then smiled lightly and said:
"Yuexuan..."
Xu Yuexuan also nodded with a light smile. Under the united and orderly situation of Shen Hanyu's group, the two of them, fellow countrymen from the Sun Moon Empire of the same age, mutually wanting to huddle together for warmth was the most normal thing.
While the two were chatting in a few words, Shen Liuyu had already stepped forward and gently knocked on the metal shell of this "sì bù xiàng," then said:
"This thing looks ugly. I wonder how effective it actually is. Otherwise, I feel like using this thing for transportation is not as good as letting my brother carry us while flying. That way, we can take in all the scenery and local customs along the way, and it would even be more comfortable."
Xie Shiyu said somewhat embarrassedly upon hearing this:
"This thing is only a prototype right now. I'm really not sure about its specific speed or controllability. However, with previous precedents, I think its performance should be good..."
Shen Hanyu, standing to the side, examined the thing Xie Shiyu had brought. Memories surged in his mind, and the image of taxis from his previous life inexplicably appeared, causing a trace of strangeness to appear in his expression.
A spark of interest appeared in Shen Liuyu's eyes, and she said:
"Never mind all that. How do you operate this thing? Let me try it first. Why do we need so much theory? My brother said that practice is the best theory!"
As she spoke, Shen Liuyu pulled Xie Shiyu's hand. Xie Shiyu only felt a terrifying force surge over, and she involuntarily lunged toward Shen Liuyu. In her fright, Xie Shiyu gained a new understanding of just how strong Shen Liuyu's power was.
...
After a simple instruction from Xie Shiyu, Shen Liuyu quickly mastered the specific method of operation. She then patted her chest confidently and stepped into the vehicle.
Accompanied by the simultaneous eruption of Shen Liuyu's spiritual power and soul power, the power conversion device located at the rear of the "soul guidance vehicle" slowly emitted a roar. Then, under the control of Shen Liuyu's spiritual power, a series of fine sounds suddenly rang out from within. In the next moment, Shen Liuyu along with the "soul guidance vehicle" shot forward like an arrow leaving the string. In the following instant, a loud bang suddenly came from the city lord's mansion's enclosing wall not far away. A small mushroom cloud rose into the sky, accompanied by a wave of heat. Amidst the rolling black smoke, Shen Liuyu walked out slowly.
Her originally fair skin was now covered in a layer of pitch-black. As she approached the group, she opened her mouth, and a wisp of black smoke suddenly puffed out. Realizing something was wrong, Shen Liuyu quickly turned her body away. For a moment, the scene fell into terrifying silence.
After a long silence, someone unknown started laughing and couldn't hold it in. Immediately after, everyone's faces showed a trace of amusement. Shen Liuyu stamped her foot, and Xie Shiyu was also somewhat dumbfounded. She then explained in a small voice:
"I forgot to mention that when operating this thing, you cannot mobilize too much spiritual power or soul power at once. Otherwise, controlling the speed and direction won't be something that can be managed in a short time..."
But then, looking at the somewhat at-a-loss Shen Liuyu, she bit her lip, stepped forward, took Shen Liuyu's hand, and led her running back into the City Lord Mansion.
...
Half an hour later, Shen Liuyu, now neatly dressed, reappeared before everyone.
Xie Shiyu looked at the few lumps of iron she had brought and felt somewhat helpless. She could only say:
"Sorry for wasting everyone's time. The current level of technology is limited. I think this thing will probably be abandoned before long. It seems that overly complex soul guidance facilities are still somewhat unfeasible in this era..."
Shen Hanyu chuckled lightly. After confirming that Shen Liuyu was fine, gentle soul power slowly enveloped those who temporarily lacked the ability to fly. The group then rose into the air.
He had somewhat anticipated Shen Liuyu's failure. This was a limitation of the era. In the short term, human soul masters could not overcome such complex soul guidance facilities and would ultimately have to abandon them. With the current development direction of soul guidance devices generally leaning toward militarization, few would likely notice the development of civilian soul guidance devices...
...
The group advanced at a very fast speed. Along the way, they passed many large cities of the Sun Moon Empire. There was even one instance where they were bombarded by soul guidance cannons.
Later, after Shen Hanyu waved his hand and destroyed the entire stretch of city wall, they learned that the location of this giant city had already entered the chaotic zone. To maintain local stability, the current city lord and nobles had installed highly lethal long-range soul guidance cannons on the city walls. Shen Hanyu's group had been mistaken for flying soul masters sent by other factions for reconnaissance. Those new recruits who had never experienced the cruelty of war had subconsciously opened fire...
Of course, they ultimately had to bear the consequences themselves. Shen Hanyu only glanced at the trembling soldiers and residents before leading the group away. He was now too lazy to take action. At his level of strength, the energy contained in his soul power was truly too terrifying. A casual strike carried power that even Title Douluo would find difficult to withstand. If he wished, he could turn the giant city beneath his feet into a living hell in an extremely short time...
After passing this giant city, the group soon entered a true war zone.
The scope of the spreading flames of war here was extremely wide. Compared to Douluo Continent's more traditional infantry and cavalry charges, the wars on the Sun Moon Continent were clearly more advanced...
Amid the roaring of various soul guidance cannons, Shen Hanyu's group even noticed the existence of mobile artillery platforms. Especially on a heavily guarded towering artillery platform at the rear of the battlefield, they saw a terrifying giant cannon with an enormous volume, its barrel diameter reaching over one and a half meters.
Every time the giant cannon fired, the surrounding ground would shake once. The smoke rising from its muzzle was extremely thick and terrifying, but it was quickly carried away by the strong winds shortly after appearing, fortunately not causing much hindrance to the cannon's operation.
Everyone watched this scene in shock. Shui Bing'er pursed her lips and said:
"Judging from the energy fluctuations produced by each shot, the power after the shell lands is definitely no less than a Soul Emperor using a large-scale destructive soul skill in the center of the battlefield. The damage it can cause is even harder to estimate. Can such terrifying power really be achieved by soul guidance devices..."
Everyone's eyes also carried a trace of shock and disbelief. It seemed that at this moment, they finally understood the true meaning behind what Xie Shiyu and Xu Yuexuan had said about soul guidance devices inevitably dominating future battlefields...
Xu Yuexuan tightly pursed her lips, looking at the huge artillery platform and the gunners below busily adjusting various facilities. She then said softly:
"This should be one type of Level 5 soul guidance device, a large-scale soul guidance device with relatively strong lethality but currently equipped in limited numbers. I once saw a model of this soul guidance device in Mingdu, but I didn't expect that in such a short time, it would already be pushed onto the battlefield..."
Everyone's gaze gathered over. Shen Liuyu asked curiously:
"Do soul guidance devices have levels?"
Xu Yuexuan nodded and then said:
"Actually, the concept of grading soul guidance devices already existed originally. Level 1 is the lowest, Level 9 is the highest. But at that time, the role of soul guidance devices was actually very small. As the era developed, the advantages of soul guidance devices grew larger and larger. Some people even devoted their entire lives just to advancing soul guidance device development. The empire gradually realized this and began popularizing related knowledge among the general public, which included the so-called soul guidance device grading concepts and the existence of soul mentors..."
"Of course, these events are already from more than one thousand three hundred years ago..."
"Also, I only said that the power of these shells reached the level of a Level 5 soul guidance device. As for its actual grade, it's hard for me to evaluate because determining the final grade of current soul guidance devices involves too many twists, turns, and differing opinions. Everything may only be settled a thousand years later..."
A trace of solemnity appeared in Shui Bing'er's eyes. She then looked toward Shen Hanyu and said somewhat worriedly:
"Merely a Level 5 soul guidance device already possesses such terrifying power. Then what about even higher Level 8 or Level 9 soul guidance devices? At that level, I'm afraid even Title Douluo would be unable to withstand such terrifying power..."
Shen Hanyu's expression remained natural, showing no unusual emotions. He pinched Shui Bing'er's cheek and then said:
"The essence of the soul guidance device operation is soul masters. Don't worry. Even if soul guidance devices develop rapidly in this era, they still cannot prevail in collisions against soul masters..."
"As for those high-grade soul guidance devices, manufacturing and controlling them is extremely difficult. Even if they are used in war, that is not something of our era. By that time, we will probably already be gods, possessing near-absolute control over the continent. No matter how strong soul guidance devices become, they will be strictly constrained. Rest assured, Bing'er. With us here, the situation you are worried about will definitely not occur on Douluo Continent..."
Hearing Shen Hanyu's words, Shui Bing'er's mood gradually relaxed. Looking at the battlefield filled with devastation and listening to the huge cannon roars echoing in her ears, a huge deep pit was suddenly blasted into the distant ground, and dozens more people lost their lives... Shui Bing'er sighed lightly. For a moment, she didn't know whether all of this was good or bad...
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"Douluo: Sword of Judgment and Eternal Ice 30 Advance chapters"
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defying the Heavens 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon the novel is already finished on Patreon."
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