At this moment, upon hearing the expectant and nervous inquiries from Xiao Hongchen and the others, Liu Yuan's tense nerves finally relaxed.
He turned around, a bright smile spreading across his slightly pale face—carrying the pride and confidence unique to youth.
"It should be... finished."
He lightly shook the plain-looking obsidian-black bracelet in his hand and said calmly:
"However, whether it's a mule or a horse, we'll only know after testing it. Let's go—time to try it out."
"Good!"
Ma Rulong was the first to respond. With his steady and pragmatic temperament, he immediately led the group toward the independent testing area attached to the research lab.
---
The testing area was a completely enclosed space, reinforced with thick alloy walls inscribed with defensive formations capable of absorbing stray energy.
The floor and surrounding walls were covered with scorch marks and deep scratches—clear proof of countless previous trials.
"Captain."
After stopping, Ma Rulong retrieved a shoulder-mounted soul tool cannon from his storage device. Its sharp design radiated power.
"I have a fifth-rank stationary soul tool cannon. It's fire-attributed and reasonably strong. Shall we start with this?"
However, before he could finish—
Xiao Hongchen let out a sharp sneer.
"Fifth-rank?"
He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow with exaggerated disdain.
"Brother Ma, are you serious? Why did we go through all this effort?"
He tapped his finger emphatically.
"Our target is that crazy woman from Shrek—Ma Xiaotao! She uses Ultimate Fire! A fifth-rank attack wouldn't even tickle her!"
His tone rose, firm and decisive:
"If we're testing, we test at the highest level! We need to simulate her full-power attack—otherwise, this is meaningless!"
Ma Rulong's face flushed slightly at the rebuttal.
He understood the logic—but still felt frustrated.
"I know that!" he said in a low voice. "But this is the strongest fire-attribute tool I have."
For a moment, the atmosphere turned awkward.
---
Just then, Meng Hongchen, who had been silent all along, suddenly clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up.
"Oh, what's so difficult about that?"
She rolled her eyes at the two of them and said casually:
"Why don't we just ask my grandfather? He's a Ninth-Rank Soul Engineer. What spirit tool doesn't he have? Seventh-rank? Even eighth-rank wouldn't be a problem!"
A single sentence woke everyone up.
"That's right!" Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up. "Let's go find Grandpa!"
Without hesitation, he dashed out.
The others followed immediately, rushing toward Jing Hongchen's office.
---
Inside the Dean's Office—
Jing Hongchen was enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Leaning back in his chair, he held a cup of freshly brewed tea, gently blowing away the steam.
Recently, he had been in an exceptionally good mood.
Liu Yuan's arrival had not only brought a future pillar to the academy, but also unified the team into a cohesive force.
For the first time, Jing Hongchen truly believed they could surpass Shrek Academy.
But that peaceful moment lasted less than ten seconds.
Bang—!
The door burst open violently.
Startled, Jing Hongchen spilled hot tea onto his hand. His brows shot up as terrifying pressure surged from his body.
"Who dares—"
Before he could finish shouting, he saw who had entered.
Meng Hongchen. Xiao Hongchen. Ma Rulong. Lin Xi.
And behind them—
Liu Yuan.
His anger instantly subsided.
Rubbing his temples, he said irritably:
"Meng girl! How many times have I told you to knock first?!"
"Grandpa, it's urgent!"
Meng Hongchen rushed over, grabbing his arm and shaking it playfully.
"We have huge news!"
Without waiting, she quickly explained everything—the bracelet, Liu Yuan's breakthrough, and their need for a high-tier fire-attribute spirit tool.
---
Silence fell.
Jing Hongchen's relaxed expression vanished completely.
His eyes widened as he stared at Liu Yuan, his voice rising in shock:
"What?!"
"You're saying... it's already finished?!"
As a Ninth-Rank Soul Engineer, he knew exactly how difficult it was to replicate a Spirit Ability within a spirit tool.
He had expected it to take until the tournament—
But this?
One day?!
---
"Yes, Dean."
Liu Yuan stepped forward and handed over the bracelet calmly.
"I was fortunate enough to succeed. But we still need testing to confirm its effects."
Jing Hongchen grabbed the bracelet like a priceless treasure.
His spirit power carefully probed inside—
And what he sensed made his breathing grow heavy.
The inscriptions... were flawless.
And beyond current theory.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He slammed the table and stood up abruptly.
"Genius! Heaven bless my Sun Moon Academy!!"
Then he asked sharply:
"Seventh-rank? Is that enough?"
His gaze locked onto Xiao Hongchen.
"Or should I bring out the eighth-rank 'Blazing Sun' cannon?!"
Everyone sucked in a cold breath.
Eighth-rank?!
That was excessive!
---
"Cough... Grandpa, that's a bit much," Xiao Hongchen said awkwardly.
"Ma Xiaotao is only a six-ring Soul Emperor. Her peak attack should be around seventh-rank level. That would give us the most accurate results."
Jing Hongchen nodded.
"That makes sense."
He waved decisively.
"Let's go. Testing Ground Number One. I'll test it myself."
---
Soon, they arrived at the academy's top-tier open testing field.
Without hesitation, Jing Hongchen wore the bracelet.
Then—
He summoned a massive cannon shaped like a crimson dragon's head.
Seventh-rank spirit tool—
Red Dragon's Breath!
"You five—come here!"
He commanded firmly.
"Channel your spirit power into this. Full power. Fire at me."
"Yes!"
Liu Yuan, Xiao Hongchen, Ma Rulong, Meng Hongchen, and Lin Xi stepped forward.
They placed their hands on the cannon.
Five streams of spirit power surged into it, causing it to vibrate violently.
The gemstone at its mouth glowed brighter and brighter—
The air warped from the heat.
Jing Hongchen stood calmly in front of it, robes fluttering.
"Ready?"
At the center, Liu Yuan controlled the energy flow.
Feeling the overwhelming power, his eyes sharpened.
He nodded firmly.
"Fire!"
---
Boom—!!!
A blazing crimson beam erupted—
Brighter than the sun—
Roaring straight toward Jing Hongchen!
At the very instant it was about to strike—
The bracelet activated.
Buzz—
A silent black ripple spread outward.
Like a void—
Like something capable of devouring light itself.