Chapter 19: Entering the Sun Moon Empire's Academy
Xiao Qiang arrived in the capital of the Sun Moon Empire for the first time. Unfamiliar with the city, he wandered its streets with cautious curiosity.
Fortunately, he was a soul master—one with a particularly striking configuration of two yellow and one purple soul ring. This combination, considered one of the strongest possible for someone of his age, garnered him more respect than suspicion. Being only fourteen years old and possessing such a rare soul ring ratio meant that people treated him with courtesy, even admiration. There was no talk of him being a 'red tag' or bearing a divine pattern, and no one dared to mislead him after seeing his rings.
Thanks to this, Xiao Qiang soon made his way smoothly to the registration office of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.
Some things, it seems, remain the same no matter the world.
When you're weak, you're surrounded by people who seek to exploit you. But when you're strong—even just a little—good people suddenly appear all around.
Though Xiao Qiang wasn't yet at the peak of power, the fact that he had three rings at such a young age made him an extraordinary talent. Two yellow and one purple ring meant a solid foundation, and at age fourteen, he had the potential to compete in the All-Continent Soul Master Tournament six years down the line.
Assuming he was nurtured with proper resources, he would likely reach the Soul King level within those six years—more than enough to qualify as a regular member of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's team. In the soul master world, even a pre-selected member of such a team enjoyed a status that surpassed that of Olympic athletes in Xiao Qiang's previous life.
"Fourteen years old, three soul rings… Two yellow, one purple!"
The teacher in charge of enrollment, Wang Heng, widened his eyes after testing Xiao Qiang's bone age using a soul tool and seeing the soul rings flare to life around him.
Even in Shrek Academy, that configuration was excellent. In the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy—where outstanding talents were relatively rarer—Xiao Qiang's qualifications alone would make him a prime candidate for class monitor.
"Very impressive," Wang Heng praised sincerely. "Your soul rings and soul power are both top-notch. I wonder… Have you achieved a level three soul master certification?"
He raised his hand quickly as if to calm any worry. "Don't stress, I'm just curious. Even without a soul master rank, your soul ring configuration alone is enough to get you into the soul master department with full marks."
Though Wang Heng was a Soul King himself, with two yellow and three purple rings, he knew well when not to offend someone who might become a seven- or even eight-ring powerhouse in the future.
"Actually, Teacher Wang, could you arrange a level four soul tool assessment for me directly? I don't want to waste time on the level three exam," Xiao Qiang said calmly.
"You can craft a level four soul tool?" Wang Heng's eyes bulged. He fully understood what it meant for a fourteen-year-old to be capable of crafting a level four soul tool.
Even a level three soul tool craftsman at that age was extremely rare. But level four? That was practically unheard of. A young craftsman of that caliber was almost guaranteed to become a level nine soul tool master in the future—an invaluable asset to the Sun Moon Empire.
Wang Heng could already see his next ten years of annual bonuses secured.
"Of course," Xiao Qiang replied with a gentle smile. "I wouldn't ask if I wasn't confident."
"Alright then, follow me," Wang Heng said immediately, assigning another student to take over the rest of the registrations. He personally led Xiao Qiang into the academy grounds.
As they walked together, Xiao Qiang admired the refined and modern aura of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.
"Is this what human academies are like?" Tian Meng's voice sounded in his mind. "It doesn't feel as good as the Star Dou Great Forest. There's hardly any life force in the air."
"This is already impressive, Brother Tian Meng," Xiao Qiang replied inwardly.
To Tian Meng, the lack of natural vitality in the air made the place feel dull. But Xiao Qiang, having lived in the industrialized world of Blue Star, appreciated how clean and unpolluted the city was. Thanks to soul power as a clean energy source, even the capital—home to the empire's researchers and factories—was free of thick smoke.
He remembered the smog-filled cities of his previous world. Back then, industrial expansion often came at the cost of the environment, leaving cities choking in black clouds of smoke. In contrast, the Sun Moon Empire's clean soul power technology was a marvel.
"But I still don't like it here," Tian Meng grumbled. "Let's get the assessment done quickly. I'm craving some barbecue. And hey—why not just take the level five exam directly? Wouldn't that save time and get us even more attention?"
"I only have three rings right now," Xiao Qiang explained. "If a three-ring soul master goes straight for the level five assessment, people might think I'm just bluffing. If they assume I got in through tricks or connections, the higher-ups won't take me seriously. That means fewer resources—less than you were hoping for, Brother Tian Meng."
"Ah… You're right. You really are my little brother," Tian Meng replied proudly. "You understand me well. Good job."
Their conversation ended just as they reached a soul-powered car that resembled a mid-19th-century vehicle from Xiao Qiang's past life. He took the co-pilot seat, and Wang Heng powered the vehicle using his soul energy. They soon arrived at a large building and parked.
The two entered and stepped onto a soul elevator. Wang Heng injected soul power and pressed the number seven. Soon, they reached the seventh floor and walked into a corridor lined with numbered rooms.
Stopping at Room 709, Wang Heng tapped his teacher's ID against the door, infused it with soul power, and opened it.
The room was about forty square meters—simple and spacious. Aside from a glowing soul light above, the only furnishing was a table piled with more than thirty kinds of rare metals.
"Use any of these metals as you like. Just produce one functional level four soul tool. As long as it works properly, you pass," Wang Heng instructed.
"Understood." Xiao Qiang nodded.
This was the standard procedure for the Sun Moon Empire's assessment of soul tool levels. No matter how strong one's soul power was, it didn't count unless the proper level of tool could be crafted. There was no such thing as 'level three and a half' in this system—either you could do it, or you couldn't.
Xiao Qiang approached the table and surveyed the metals. Then, he handed over control of his body to Tian Meng. Within seconds, a level four soul cannon had been flawlessly constructed.
With Tian Meng's immense spiritual power, crafting such a device was child's play.
As expected, the assessment went smoothly.
"This soul cannon is fully functional. No issues at all," Wang Heng confirmed, visibly excited. "Congratulations! You're now officially a level four soul tool craftsman."
He was about to hand over the corresponding badge when Xiao Qiang stopped him.
"Teacher Wang Heng," Xiao Qiang said with a composed expression, "since I've passed the level four assessment, could you please arrange the level five assessment for me as well?"