"Is there something Sect Master Ning needs?"
Seeing the visitor, Chen Fu was slightly surprised. He had expected a steward, not the leader himself.
Ning Yi smiled wryly. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was usually the one granting favors—not being asked if they needed anything right off the bat.
"I just happened to bring my daughter into Shrek City on some business. I heard you graduated today, so I thought I'd pay a visit."
He gently pulled forward a young girl, about ten years old—adorable, bright-eyed.
"This must be Ning Tian, right? Very cute."
Despite her protests, Chen Fu gave her hair a ruffle before retrieving a small box from his soul tool wristband.
"Here's a little gift. A token for our first meeting."
It was a soul tool accessory designed to stabilize spiritual fluctuations—one of Chen Fu's experimental creations from his research into mental fields.
"Aren't you going to thank your big brother?"
Ning Yi didn't object. Chen Fu's soul tools generally fell into two categories—those he sold, and those he gave away. The former were premium. The latter? Masterpieces among masterpieces.
"Thank you, big brother." Though reluctant, the girl still responded politely and with poise.
After a few more pleasantries, Ning Yi took his daughter and left.
Watching the father and daughter walk away, Chen Fu could guess—they would definitely be back.
Ever since Ma Xiaotao left earlier that morning, he could feel unseen gazes subtly falling upon him from the void.
To avoid bringing trouble to Shrek Academy, Chen Fu had deliberately chosen a shop on the main avenue—an area where Titled Douluo were frequently stationed.
The soul tool [Nirvana] was a gesture of goodwill sent toward the Sea God's Pavilion. His instructor, Fan Yu, had likely explained his situation to the Academy's headmaster.
Even just the first-generation [Ark] core energy storage tech had caught Shrek Academy's eye. And yet, despite having unrestricted access to an unprotected version, Fan Yu's soul tool research team had spent three years on it and still barely scratched the surface.
The Douluo Continent lacked formal protections for technology, but no one had ever required unconditional surrender of inventions either. Offering the unencrypted prototype of the Ark Core was already a tremendous contribution to Shrek.
The Academy had declined to admit him into the inner court partly because they had nothing left to teach him in soul tool theory—but also to imply: if you want protection, contribute something in return.
Though Chen Fu had many reservations about Shrek Academy's educational philosophy, he had to admit—they did a good job protecting their best students.
They might not teach him—but they allowed him to take disciples.
Once Shrek cracked the Ark Core, Chen Fu's improved core technology would no longer be at risk.
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile... Nine Treasure Glazed Tile…"
Chen Fu muttered to himself.
Even if the world changed, the basic principles of evolution should remain consistent. The possibility of Martial Soul evolution... could be put on the schedule.
[Mission Tab Updated]
---
Earlier That Day
Shortly after parting with Chen Fu, Ma Xiaotao headed straight for the inner court.
She touched the ring around her neck, deep in thought. Though she often acted impulsive in front of Chen Fu, she wasn't dumb. The timing of this so-called "real graduation gift" carried meaning.
[Nirvana] wasn't just for her—it was meant to be seen by someone behind her.
With a flap of her phoenix wings, Ma Xiaotao shot across Sea God Lake. In the distance, a few hazy figures appeared on Sea God Island.
Spotting them, she flared her wings and flew like a comet toward them.
"Dean!"
The old man was leisurely sipping his wine, while a younger man stood respectfully behind him.
"So you've come. Did that little rascal send a message?"
Elder Xuan casually glanced her way—until his eyes landed on the ring around her neck.
"He said... this is his real graduation project."
Though reluctant, Ma Xiaotao still removed the [Nirvana] ring and held it out.
"Don't break it! Or I'll burn your beard off!"
"Hahaha!"
Elder Xuan laughed heartily and casually took the ring, examining it with a trace of spiritual power—only to frown and give up shortly after.
"What does it do?"
"Purifies evil fire."
Those four simple words made Elder Xuan's hand freeze. He immediately cradled the ring as if it were made of glass.
Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul had always been his greatest concern. And now, this deeply problematic issue might be solved... by a tiny soul tool ring?
"What did he say?"
The man behind him answered promptly:
"Chen Fu often says: 'Low-tier soul tools chase power. High-tier soul tools solve problems.'"
Like the difference between firearms and nuclear weapons—one causes chaos, the other maintains peace.
"Elder Xuan, may I examine this soul tool?" Fan Yu, standing behind, finally spoke. His shock was no less than theirs. Though Chen Fu's design philosophy differed from his own, this was on a whole new level.
"Be careful. No funny business!"
Since Fan Yu had the highest soul tool expertise present, Elder Xuan had no choice but to reluctantly hand over [Nirvana].
Watching Elder Xuan gingerly hand it over like fragile glass, Fan Yu felt helpless. Chen Fu's craftsmanship was famously solid—it wouldn't break that easily.
"Incredible…"
Fan Yu used his spiritual power to trace the internal soul circuits. What he saw inside left him stunned—countless micro-circuits, neat, interwoven, and impossibly precise.
He'd deciphered part of the first-gen Ark Core. But this? This seamless circular construct was beyond comprehension.
And if he dared forcefully scan it with his spiritual power? Elder Xuan would probably crush him on the spot.
He noticed the engraved character [Lin] on the ring's surface—it was a signal. A built-in anti-decryption mechanism.
One wrong move would burn out the internal circuitry, rendering the soul tool useless.
"That kid was right. All we can do is learn from his design logic and develop our own soul tool systems. If we follow in his footsteps... we'll never surpass him."
After a long silence, Fan Yu finally sighed.
"That's not what you said about him before."
Elder Xuan narrowed his eyes.
If Fan Yu didn't explain himself properly, he'd be in for some serious consequences—for losing such a prodigious student.
"Chen Fu's research direction has always been soul power de-tiering. If he succeeds, it could completely destabilize the soul master system."
"The noble soul master system, you mean," Ma Xiaotao interrupted. She had heard Chen Fu's philosophy many times: The rise of grassroots combat power is the driving force behind civilization's advancement.
"Fine. But did you know? Over 80% of Shrek's students and faculty come from noble backgrounds. Shrek is, for all intents and purposes, a noble institution."
"Including Elder Xuan, you, me, and every Elder behind Sea God Pavilion—we're all representatives of that elite class. If Chen Fu truly achieves his vision of de-tiering soul power, the consequences would be terrifying."
Elder Xuan fell silent.
If a mere low-tier soul master could wield a ninth-grade soul tool and land a fatal blow... that kind of world was not something he wanted to see.
Shrek's nature inclined it toward protecting someone like Chen Fu—but its noble identity made it difficult to accept someone like him.
"If low-tier soul masters can defeat stronger foes... then wouldn't top-tier ones be able to defeat even greater foes?"
Ma Xiaotao broke the silence.
Beyond the current pinnacle—what then? That level... was an intoxicating temptation.
Elder Xuan's body tensed, then relaxed. His clarity returned.
Choosing between protecting vested interests and embracing the future... was never going to be easy.
"Xuan Zi… you've become attached."