30: Chapter 30 I'm sorry, brother-in-law!

Mu Qingci followed Kong Deming to a laboratory that was exclusive to him.

Kong Deming's exclusive laboratory looked much more luxurious than Jing Hongchen's; it could simply be described as top-tier.

All kinds of rare metals were packed onto the shelves; even those that were priceless and unavailable on the market were abundant here.

"Choose whatever metals you like from the shelves. I will give you one hour to make a peak Level 3 spirit tool. It must be at the peak level."

Kong Deming's requirements were slightly different from Jing Hongchen's previous assessment; the quantity was not as demanding, but the quality control was extremely strict.

Even though it was only a Level 3 Soul Engineer assessment, he required Mu Qingci to create a peak Level 3 spirit tool.

To successfully create a peak Level 3 spirit tool in one go, one almost needed to have stepped onto the threshold of a Level 4 Soul Engineer to achieve it.

It should be known that from the time Mu Qingci entered the Soul Engineer industry until now, it had been less than a year, so this assessment was quite arduous.

However, Mu Qingci did not back down; he walked to the shelves and quickly selected the metals he needed.

As Kong Deming pressed the timer in his hand, the assessment officially began.

Mu Qingci first began to carve the core array.

The Blade of Living Beings appeared in his hand; he had nothing to hide from his teacher.

Holding the Blade of Living Beings, it flew rapidly, almost faster than the eye could follow, leaving behind afterimages, and bit by bit, metal shavings were carved away.

Fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on Mu Qingci's forehead as one core array after another was completed.

Half an hour passed, and Mu Qingci finally finished carving all the core arrays.

In order to pursue perfection in quality, he had expended a massive amount of Mental Energy, and at this moment, his head felt slightly dizzy.

However, after the core arrays were finished, the subsequent external parts were much simpler, so Mu Qingci gritted his teeth and persisted, continuing his work.

Just as one hour was nearly up, with only a quarter of an hour remaining, Mu Qingci finished the production.

This time, he had chosen a melee spirit tool, which was relatively difficult among Level 3 spirit tools.

Injecting his Ultimate Light Soul Power into the core array, he successfully created this flowing light sword.

Kong Deming picked up the spirit tool and began to examine it.

Mu Qingci waited confidently on the side; he was very satisfied with his results.

Sure enough, Kong Deming's expression became increasingly satisfied as he examined the spirit tool.

"Mu Qingci, you have truly given me a massive surprise. I am looking forward more and more to the day you become my direct disciple!"

Kong Deming handed the flowing light sword to Mu Qingci and then continued: "However, your assessment is not over yet. Creating a peak Level 3 spirit tool is only the first step. Next, I will select an opponent for you. You must use the spirit tool in your hand—without using your Spirit—to defeat him to complete the assessment."

This assessment was an impromptu idea of Kong Deming's. He believed that Mu Qingci having talent in manufacturing spirit tools was not enough; he must also have superior conditions in using spirit tools to become a truly powerful Soul Engineer in the future and challenge the legendary realm of a Level 10 Soul Engineer.

"I will listen to you, Teacher."

Kong Deming brought Mu Qingci to a plaza within the Enshrinement Hall and, with a wave of his hand, a Soul Power barrier enclosed the plaza.

A familiar figure walked over to stand opposite Mu Qingci.

"Mu Qingci, your opponent today is me."

The person who arrived was none other than Xiao Hongchen.

"This is the grandson of that brat Jing Hongchen; you should recognize him. He just broke through to become a Level 5 Soul Engineer the other day. Defeat him using the spirit tool you just made, and the assessment will be considered complete."

In a situation where neither side could use their Spirit, it was equivalent to Mu Qingci having to defeat a newly promoted Level 5 Soul Engineer with the strength of a Level 3 Soul Engineer.

Xiao Hongchen looked at Mu Qingci with a face full of confidence: "Don't worry, Qingci, I won't tell my sister about you losing."

In Xiao Hongchen's view, even without being able to use his Spirit, relying on his strength as a Level 5 Soul Engineer to defeat a Level 3 Soul Engineer would still be easy, not to mention that his cultivation was at the Spirit King level, while the other party was only a Spirit Ancestor.

"Who wins or loses is not yet certain! Brother Xiao, excuse me!"

Mu Qingci gripped the flowing light sword and charged forward.

The appearance of the flowing light sword was modeled after the Hades Sword, but it only had one attribute: light. Mu Qingci found it quite handy to use.

Although he could not use his Spirit, his sword intent could still be used.

Holding the flowing light sword, his Ultimate Light Soul Power, carrying his sword intent, slashed towards Xiao Hongchen.

In order to pass this assessment and successfully become a Level 3 Soul Engineer, Mu Qingci used his full strength right from the start.

"Sorry, Brother-in-law!"

Countless sword intents poured down like a waterfall towards Xiao Hongchen, catching him off guard.

What Soul Engineers were least good at was melee combat. Since Xiao Hongchen could not use his Spirit, his actual combat ability was somewhat discounted, and he felt somewhat powerless in the fight.

A Level 5 spirit tool ray, which he had just made a few days ago, appeared on his arm, and he shot it at Mu Qingci without hesitation.

Facing this powerful strike, Mu Qingci just slightly turned his body and dodged it.

During his sword training, Mu Qingci had also developed a decent movement technique; even for close-range spirit tool ray attacks, wanting to hit him was not a simple matter.

The flowing light sword in his hand shone brightly—that was the effect of being driven by his Ultimate Light Soul Power—and a bright yellow sword qi slashed out, canceling out the ray that Xiao Hongchen had shot again.

"Damn it!"

Xiao Hongchen no longer had his previous composure; the memory of Meng Hongchen's mockery when he had lost to Mu Qingci before was still fresh in his mind.

This was also the reason why he had worked so hard to break through to become a Level 5 Soul Engineer.

But now, facing Mu Qingci again, and in the field of spirit tools where he was most proficient, he actually felt a sense of powerlessness again.

Xiao Hongchen truly fell into a state of despair; in front of Mu Qingci, all of his talent seemed no longer so dazzling.

With problems arising in his state of mind, Xiao Hongchen's attack frequency also began to drop.

Mu Qingci seized this opportunity and suddenly thrust forward to stand in front of him. By the time Xiao Hongchen reacted and wanted to dodge, the tip of the flowing light sword was already pressed against his throat.

Xiao Hongchen sat slumped on the ground, his eyes empty and lifeless.

Mu Qingci withdrew his longsword and revealed a perfectly appropriate smile: "I accept your concession, Brother Xiao!"

Looking at the hand Mu Qingci extended towards him, Xiao Hongchen seemed to feel less uncomfortable in his heart.

He also knew that instead of internalizing his frustration, it would be better to work hard to narrow the gap between them.

Xiao Hongchen grabbed Mu Qingci's hand and stood up: "You guy, you really are a monster! But I won't give up. I will definitely surpass you!"

"Keep it up, Brother Xiao, I will be waiting for that day to come!"