18: Chapter 18: Qian Duoduo's Attributes Are Maxed Out, He's Shocked

"Elder Yan, I appreciate your kindness."

"It's just... isn't this 'exchange' method a bit too... too uninhibited?"

"Besides, I've brought a new student with me and still need to take him to the Soul Tool Department to report. It's really not convenient for me to stay long."

After saying that, Su Chen wanted to grease his soles and quickly slip back to the Outer Court.

Yan Shaozhe merely gave a light wave of his hand, and an invisible, gentle force blocked Su Chen's path.

"No rush."

He glanced at Ma Xiaotao, who stood beside them with her head lowered silently, her pretty face slightly flushed.

"Although Xiaotao's evil fire is temporarily suppressed, the root cause hasn't been removed; it could flare up again at any time."

"If you leave, what happens if something goes wrong again?"

Yan Shaozhe's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

He directly assigned Su Chen a task.

"How about this, for the next few days, you will stay in the Inner Court."

"Live in the room next to Xiaotao so it's convenient for you to help her suppress the evil fire at any time until her condition is completely stable."

Su Chen immediately wore a look of bitterness.

"But Elder Yan, I promised Huo Yuhao earlier..."

"I originally planned to take him to the Soul Tool Department today to find Elder Qian."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe actually developed a bit of interest and looked at Huo Yuhao.

"You're that little fellow with the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul?"

"Yes," Su Chen quickly explained. "His spiritual power talent is extremely high, far exceeding ordinary people. I feel his potential in spirit tools might be even greater than as a Spirit Master."

At these words, Yan Shaozhe touched his chin thoughtfully.

"The Soul Tool Department... that old fellow Qian Duoduo has indeed been nagging for years about wanting a candidate with strong spiritual power."

He looked at Su Chen as if he had made a decision.

"Let's do this."

"Once Xiaotao's situation is stable, I will personally take you two there and help introduce you to Old Man Qian."

"With me making an appearance, it'll be much better than you going yourself."

The conditions Yan Shaozhe offered were impossible for Su Chen to refuse.

Since things had been put that way, what else could Su Chen say?

To be personally introduced by the Dean—that was immense face.

Trading a few days of time for a favor.

This wasn't a losing deal.

Su Chen did the math in his head and nodded.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble Elder Yan."

...

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

With Su Chen's help, the evil fire in Ma Xiaotao's body finally settled down, and her whole person was much more energized.

Yan Shaozhe was also a man of his word.

Early that morning, he took Su Chen and Huo Yuhao toward the Soul Tool Department's territory.

The Soul Tool Department was located on the other side of Shrek's Inner Court, completely different from the simple and elegant architectural style of the Martial Soul Department.

As they approached, an incredibly massive metallic building came into view.

The entire outer shell of the building was forged from some unknown alloy, shimmering with a cold metallic luster.

The surface was densely engraved with countless complex patterns.

From time to time, various colored lights would flash along the patterns, filled with a sense of futuristic technology.

"Good grief, did they move the Transformers' hometown here?"

Su Chen couldn't help but complain in his heart.

Beside him, Huo Yuhao's eyes were already wide with wonder.

His Spirit Eyes Martial Soul had quietly activated without him realizing, a faint golden light shimmering in the depths of his pupils.

Those spirit tool patterns, which seemed dizzying to outsiders, became crystal clear in his eyes.

Every node and every connection seemed like the most exquisite work of art in the world.

Just then.

A voice as loud as thunder rang out from a second-floor window.

"Hahaha! I was wondering why my left eyelid kept twitching today—turns out it's you, Old Yan!"

Before the voice had even faded, an extremely burly figure walked out of the main gate, striding toward them.

The newcomer was at least two meters twenty tall. Under his bronze skin, his muscles were knotted like a moving small mountain.

He wore a simple gray jumpsuit with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his hands were stained with black engine oil and metal dust.

Though he looked like a high-level technician, his bright, spirited eyes revealed an extraordinary presence.

This was the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department, Qian Duoduo.

"Elder Qian, long time no see."

Yan Shaozhe showed a gentle smile upon seeing him.

"I've brought you a candidate with excellent spirit tool talent today."

Su Chen also chimed in from the side, saying with a smile, "Elder Qian, this kid's spiritual power talent is absolutely top-notch. It would be a huge loss if you don't take him."

Qian Duoduo's gaze swept over the three of them, finally landing on the most inconspicuous one, Huo Yuhao. His eyes visibly brightened.

"Oh?"

"You're that little fellow with the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul?"

Huo Yuhao felt a bit nervous, but he still took a step forward and bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Outer Court freshman Huo Yuhao greets Vice Dean Qian!"

"Mm, not bad."

Qian Duoduo nodded in satisfaction, quite admiring his steady demeanor.

Qian Duoduo waved his large hand and said impatiently.

"Alright, enough with the formalities."

"Come on, follow me inside. I'll personally test your talent."

...

Qian Duoduo led the group through the metallic corridors to an empty hall.

In the center of the hall was a large circular metal platform.

"Kid, stand up there," Qian Duoduo pointed to the platform, his tone serious.

Huo Yuhao was a bit nervous, but he obediently walked up.

Qian Duoduo walked to a control console next to the platform and slammed his large hand onto a red button.

Hum—

A soft sound rang out.

The ground around the platform split open, and twelve metal pillars engraved with complex patterns slowly rose, surrounding Huo Yuhao in the middle.

Each pillar was embedded with a fist-sized gemstone, each a different color and flowing with light.

"This is a Spiritual Talent Tester."

Qian Duoduo explained, "It's specifically used to detect various spiritual power data, such as control, perception, and so on."

"Close your eyes, release all your spiritual power, and pour it into the platform."

Huo Yuhao did as he was told and slowly closed his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul at his brow quietly began to operate.

The next second.

The first metal pillar lit up, emitting a faint white light.

Immediately following were the second, the third...

The color of the light also gradually changed from white to a pure yellow.

Then, eight pillars in a row lit up with a purple glow.

A hint of surprise had already surfaced in Yan Shaozhe's eyes.

But before he could speak, a sudden change occurred!

Of the remaining four pillars, two of them suddenly erupted with a dazzling, brilliant golden light!

The entire hall was illuminated by this golden radiance.

Qian Duoduo's eyes instantly bulged, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.

"This... how is this possible!"

He took three steps in two, almost lunging at the control console, staring intently at the string of data that appeared on it.

[Spiritual Perception: 100 (Full Score)]

[Spiritual Control: 100 (Full Score)]

"Double... double hundreds?"

Qian Duoduo's old face, which was perennially covered in engine oil and metal dust, turned flushed red at this moment.