Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

Unable to refuse?

Zhang Tianxing looked at Xu Yuan's confident demeanor and couldn't help but sigh.

This must be the audacity of youth.

To be honest, if it were someone else, Zhang Tianxing would have questioned them.

But right now, this overly confident person was Xu Yuan.

All he could do was curiously ask where Xu Yuan's confidence came from.

"I'm already a Saint Craftsman."

No further explanation was needed.

The simple statement "I am already a Saint Craftsman" was enough to make everyone's jaws drop.

Even as an expert in cosmic research and a leading figure in starry sky studies, Zhang Tianxing was utterly shocked.

Soul forging?

You can soul forge?

Zhang Tianxing had long been aware of Xu Yuan's forging talent. Back when Xu Yuan and his classmates came to Tianding Starry Sky Soul Master Academy for their evaluation, he had already showcased his forging abilities. During his second visit for exchanges, he hadn't stopped forging either.

However, soul forging was on a completely different level.

It could be said that master forgers who achieved spirit forging were the pillars of the forging world—the noble core figures who truly upheld the profession of blacksmithing.

And above spirit forging, there was soul forging—a whole new leap forward.

Once soul forging was completed, the properties of the metal underwent a transformation, much like how a soul master gained immense potential after obtaining their True Body.

A soul master with a True Body experienced a dramatic spike in combat strength, unlocking limitless possibilities.

Similarly, metals that underwent soul forging also possessed infinite potential because they were no longer blank slates—they became metals imbued with inheritance.

One could say that these metals, having inherited part of the blacksmith's abilities, essentially gained special powers. Through soul-guided arrays, whether crafted into soul-guided tools or battle armor, these so-called powers could be unleashed, producing astonishing effects.

Take battle armor, for example. The materials required for three-word battle armor had to be soul-forged metals. The biggest difference between three-word and two-word battle armor lay in functionality.

Two-word battle armor, compared to one-word battle armor, could integrate into the soul master's body, allowing it to be constantly nurtured by the soul master and granting it the potential for true evolution.

Three-word battle armor, compared to two-word battle armor, added even more functionality. The most notable feature of three-word battle armor was its ability to project the soul master's martial soul and generate a domain aura. Three-word battle armor already possessed domain-like effects. Upon completion, it could activate the characteristics of the soul-forged metals in the entire set of battle armor, resonating with the soul master's abilities to form a domain perfectly suited to the soul master!

The formation of this domain depended not only on the battle armor user's martial soul and abilities but also on the soul-guided arrays and the inheritance carried by the soul-forged metals.

It wasn't just about the domain aura. At the three-word battle armor stage, the parts of the armor could also be customized. For instance, an additional battle armor weapon could be crafted, granting auxiliary-type soul masters genuine combat qualifications. Alternatively, the battle armor weapon could be fused with the soul master's martial soul to specifically enhance the martial soul's explosive power.

And the foundation for all of this was soul forging!

Zhang Tianxing was stunned for a long time.

"No wonder you're so confident."

He let out a bitter laugh.

He could already imagine the scene when those people, full of skepticism, asked Xu Yuan what qualifications he had, only for Xu Yuan to reveal his identity as a Saint Craftsman.

It would certainly be amusing.

So, when contacting them, they wouldn't mention this secret.

---

Observatory Platform

"Several years have passed, but this place hasn't changed at all."

Under Zhang Tianxing's guidance, Xu Yuan once again arrived at the Observatory Platform.

Hearing Xu Yuan's remark, Zhang Tianxing rolled his eyes.

"The grand array of the Observatory Platform is incredibly complex. How could any changes be visible in just two or three years? Unlike you—after two or three years, you've already become a Soul Emperor."

At this point, Zhang Tianxing felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He was also a soul master, but at this moment, he was only at Level 93. Over the past two years, he had naturally made progress—just one level.

Compared to Xu Yuan's progress, the contrast was too stark.

Zhang Tianxing joked that his heart was hurting a little.

"I'll activate the grand array for you. Contacting those factions will take time—I estimate it'll take at least half a month for their representatives to arrive."

Xu Yuan was prepared to wait.

Zhang Tianxing called over the head teacher, Li Zhilong, who was also Xu Yuan's former senior.

Xu Yuan has arrived!

For the students of Tianding Starry Sky Soul Master Academy, this was an opportunity.

Because Xu Yuan was here, using the Observatory Platform for cultivation, the students could also benefit from the platform's advantages.

Every activation of the Observatory Platform came at a high cost. Xu Yuan always trained here because the efficiency was significantly higher. Naturally, for activating the platform, he had to pay the corresponding resources.

Of course, for Xu Yuan, who could perform soul forging, these resources were nothing.

Xu Yuan was already familiar with this process.

However, this time, a student from Tianding Starry Sky Soul Master Academy caught his attention.

He looked toward a twelve-year-old boy.

The boy had a delicate appearance, seemingly harmless from afar. But in reality, Xu Yuan felt a sense of power emanating from him, as if this seemingly frail body could unleash terrifying strength.

At this moment, a blood-red gemstone floated above the boy's head.

The gemstone resonated with the stellar energy drawn down by the Observatory Platform, channeling the stellar energy into the boy's body.

It was clear that the boy was extremely excited—the cultivation effect of the Observatory Platform was indeed excellent.

Following Xu Yuan's gaze, Zhang Tianxing also noticed the boy.

"Huh!"

Zhang Tianxing let out a soft exclamation.

He sensed an inexplicable fluctuation.

"This child's martial soul seems to have an unexpected affinity with stellar energy."

Does it possess stellar attributes?

But looking at that blood-red gemstone, it didn't seem to have stellar attributes.

Zhang Tianxing turned to look at Li Zhilong beside him.

Li Zhilong knew the situation of his students like the back of his hand and immediately provided an introduction of the boy.

"This child is Wang Jinyang. He was exceptionally admitted this year and is undoubtedly the most outstanding student in this batch."

From the corners of Li Zhilong's mouth, it was clear that he was very satisfied with this student.

"His martial soul is the Power Gem. It passively enhances his own strength, adding this effect to every soul ring. Additionally, each soul ring still retains its original soul skill effects."

As Xu Yuan listened to Li Zhilong's description, a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes.

In other words, whenever Wang Jinyang obtained a soul ring, he would gain a soul skill based on the abilities of the soul spirit and the characteristics of his martial soul. On top of that, there was an unchanging additional effect: a strength boost triggered upon activating the soul skill.

"He's already reached Level 31 in soul power at just twelve years old," Li Zhilong added.

With this cultivation speed and martial soul ability, applying to Shrek Academy would definitely be feasible.

Unfortunately, Wang Jinyang didn't enter Shrek Academy. Due to personal reasons, he chose to enroll in Tianding Starry Sky Soul Master Academy instead.

"I never expected his martial soul to have such a high affinity with stellar energy. In theory, his martial soul shouldn't possess stellar attributes."

Li Zhilong's expression was also filled with confusion.

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