Xiao Hongchen remained frozen in place for a long time.
His mouth hung slightly open as he stared at the bottomless hole blasted through the alloy target by the fifth-rank soul cannon.
His mind was completely blank.
Only when Jing Hongchen's voice rang out did he finally snap back to reality.
"Perfect."
Jing Hongchen gently stroked the newly crafted soul cannon, admiration undisguised in his eyes.
"Whether it's the stability of the energy circuits or the efficiency of spirit power amplification, it far exceeds that of an ordinary fifth-rank spirit tool."
"This piece from Little Yuan… can be called a masterpiece."
---
Xiao Hongchen swallowed hard.
When he looked at Liu Yuan again, there was no longer any trace of rivalry—only pure admiration… and even a hint of reverence.
"Brother Liu Yuan… you really are a monster."
He struggled for a long time before finally managing to say it.
He genuinely couldn't think of any better word.
---
Meng Hongchen also rushed forward, her eyes sparkling brightly.
"Brother Liu Yuan, you're amazing! It's even better than the fifth-rank spirit tools Grandfather makes!"
Liu Yuan gave a helpless smile and lightly tapped her head.
"Little Meng, don't exaggerate."
"Compared to the Dean, I still have a long way to go."
"I'm just a fifth-rank soul engineer, that's all."
---
Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, but his gaze toward Liu Yuan grew deeper.
Not arrogant. Not rash. Steady and composed.
This child's future… is limitless.
"Alright!" he waved his hand grandly. "That's enough for today!"
"To celebrate your advancement to fifth-rank—my treat! Eat whatever you like!"
---
Days Later…
Liu Yuan's life returned to a steady rhythm.
Cultivation.
Crafting.
Refinement.
---
Now that he had advanced, he began forging a full set of personal spirit tools.
The first—
A defensive tool.
A plain black bracelet.
Unremarkable in appearance.
But within it were engraved complex fifth-rank defensive formations.
Once it detected hostile spirit power fluctuations—
A high-intensity shield would instantly activate.
---
The second—
A melee weapon.
Fifth-rank soul tool brass knuckles.
Once equipped, every punch he threw carried terrifying vibrational force and piercing power.
A perfect solution to his close-combat limitations.
---
Testing Grounds
Inside the academy's testing field, Liu Yuan stood facing Xiao Hongchen.
"Ready?"
Liu Yuan casually lifted his wrist, revealing the black bracelet.
"Come at me."
Xiao Hongchen took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.
"Here I come!"
---
His spirit activated instantly.
Multiple cannon barrels locked onto Liu Yuan.
Energy surged—
And fired!
---
"Buzz—!"
The bracelet lit up.
A translucent shield enveloped Liu Yuan.
---
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The energy blasts struck—
But only ripples spread across the barrier.
Nothing more.
---
"What?!"
Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened.
Blocked… just like that?
---
"It's not over yet!"
Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a fifth-rank cannon and fired continuously.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!"
Rapid impacts echoed.
But the shield held firm.
Unshaken.
---
"This defense…"
Xiao Hongchen was completely stunned.
This was absurd.
---
"My turn."
Liu Yuan moved.
---
In an instant—
He vanished.
---
Xiao Hongchen's pupils shrank.
Too fast!
Before he could react—
Liu Yuan was already in front of him.
---
A punch.
---
But not aimed at him.
Instead—
It slammed into the alloy target behind him.
---
"BOOM—!!!"
The explosion thundered.
The half-meter-thick alloy target—
Shattered instantly.
Fragments scattered everywhere.
---
Xiao Hongchen froze.
Cold sweat streamed down his face.
If that punch had landed on him…
---
"I yield! I yield!"
He raised both hands immediately, face full of despair.
"This isn't even a fight anymore!"
"You're completely broken!"
---
At that moment—
A clear, lively voice rang out.
"Brother! Brother Liu Yuan! So you're both here!"
---
They turned.
Meng Hongchen was running toward them.
---
"Meng…" Xiao Hongchen waved weakly.
"What is it now?"
---
She stopped in front of them, slightly out of breath—
But her eyes were shining.
"I have big news!"
"School officially starts tomorrow!"
"But instead of classes…"
---
She paused dramatically.
---
"There will be a school-wide tournament!"
---
"A tournament?" Xiao Hongchen straightened instantly. "Why?"
---
"To select representatives."
She explained quickly.
"The academy will evaluate all students through this competition."
"And choose the best among us…"
"To represent the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy…"
"In the upcoming All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament!"
---
"Boom!"
The news struck like thunder.
---
"Great!"
Xiao Hongchen clenched his fist, excitement blazing in his eyes.
"I've been waiting for this!"
"This time, I'll definitely be selected!"
"I'm going to face Shrek Academy myself—and show them who the real number one is!"
---
Liu Yuan's heart also began to race.
Finally…
The moment had come.
Ever since receiving that mission in the Extreme North—
He had been waiting for this.
---
The stage was set.
The path forward—
Clear.
---
A new spirit…
What will it be?
---
A faint smile app
eared on Liu Yuan's lips.
And at that exact moment—
The familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
---
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have triggered a limited-time mission.]
[Mission: Win the academy's internal tournament and become captain of the Sun Moon Team!]
[Reward: ???]
---
The smile on Liu Yuan's face deepened.
The real game…
Was about to begin.
-------------Author---------------
Read 40 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$