"Breathtaking, this is simply a beautiful work of art."
In the laboratory, Kong Deming's eyes were filled with fascination.
He gently touched the surface of the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device, his hands trembling.
As if he were caressing an unparalleled beauty, with extreme care.
"Who are you!"
"What are you doing!"
"Take your hands off me now."
Suddenly, a hasty voice came from outside the laboratory.
Kong Deming instinctively looked up to see a handsome young man rushing in, looking at him angrily.
He couldn't help but frown.
Did he know who he was?
Even His Majesty the Emperor of the entire Sun-Moon Empire wouldn't dare to shout at him like this.
And yet this youngster had the audacity to scold him.
Who gave him such courage?
"Brother Qin, you've finally returned. Here, let me introduce you, this is my teacher, as well as the strongest Soul Master in our Sun-Moon Empire, Elder Kong!"
Xuan Ziwen winked and gestured frantically at Qin Xiao.
He was afraid Qin Xiao would rashly offend Kong Deming.
Kong Deming?
So it was Kong Deming!
Qin Xiao felt a slight stir in his heart.
Indeed, if it hadn't been Kong Deming, why would Xuan Ziwen let anyone so easily touch his Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device?
Only, this Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device seemed identical to him.
When he saw others touch it,
It felt as though someone was touching him.
In his heart, there was still an instinctive feeling of displeasure and opposition.
Of course.
This did not exclude the reason of Kong Deming's gender.
If you put a young, beautiful woman with long legs here, Qin Xiao might not even be resistant.
Cough cough.
That's a bit off topic.
"So it's Elder Kong, my apologies."
Qin Xiao cupped his hands together, showing respect.
After all, this man was the number one person in soul guidance devices in the Royal Soul Master Academy of the Sun-Moon Empire and held great authority, so it was important to keep up appearances.
"So you are Qin Xiao. As expected, you can indeed be considered a genius of our Sun-Moon Empire."
Kong Deming also withdrew his hand from the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device, placed both hands behind him, and adopted a look of profundity.
He was very reluctant in his heart but couldn't show it too obviously on the surface.
Given his status and position, he couldn't appear too ignorant.
Moreover, after the slaying of Duke Baihu, the people of the Sun-Moon Empire had started to regard Qin Xiao as one of their own.
Everyone comfortably referred to "our Empire" without feeling awkward.
Qin Xiao replied evenly, "Compared to Elder Kong, my small accomplishments don't amount to much."
"Heh, you really underestimate yourself too much. I won't lie to you, the research on Human-shaped Soul Guidance Devices has always been ongoing in our Royal Soul Master Academy, but there hasn't been much breakthrough, and the semi-finished Human-shaped Soul Guidance Devices are still hidden underground."
"Young man, don't belittle yourself, for your achievements in the area of Human-shaped Soul Guidance Devices have already surpassed many masters in our academy."
Kong Deming spoke bluntly, not hiding his admiration for Qin Xiao.
And, since Qin Xiao would sooner or later come into contact with these core secrets, he didn't make an effort to conceal them.
"Hehe..."
Qin Xiao knew that anything he said at this point would be wrong.
Too much humility would seem hypocritical.
If he wasn't humble, it would be easy to appear arrogant and haughty.
So, he could only laugh and scratch his head.
Not answering but also not denying, he let Kong Deming guess his own thoughts.
"Quit that silly grin and show my teacher how this Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device of yours operates."
At this time, Xuan Ziwen suddenly became particularly astute.
He quickly gave Qin Xiao a meaningful look.
Urging Qin Xiao to start his demonstration promptly.
Qin Xiao instantly grasped the meaning behind Xuan Ziwen's gesture.
Displaying his Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device was one aspect, but more importantly, he wanted to leave a stronger, more favorable impression on Kong Deming.
"Elder Kong, my Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device still has many flaws. I wonder if you could offer me some guidance?"
Qin Xiao asked.
A learner indeed... Kong Deming's admiration for Qin Xiao grew even stronger.
Not to mention his understanding of human relationships, which pleased him greatly.
Knowing his own lack of experience, he didn't boast but instead asked for guidance.
This act substantially salvaged his dignity.
"Of course, I can."
In fact, he had already been eager to begin.
"Good!"
Qin Xiao nodded, not saying anything more.
The next moment, a powerful spiritual force emitted from his body, focusing on the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device.
Swipe, swipe, swipe.
The Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device began to flicker with light as one Array after another activated.
Then, under Kong Deming's astonished gaze, the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device started to move.
It began its experimental steady walk.
However, because of the extensive damage it incurred during the killing of Duke Bai Hu, it had not been repaired yet, so it appeared to be limping.
But even so, it excited Kong Deming tremendously.
"The movement is actually so flexible. It's practically indistinguishable from a living person!"
He couldn't help muttering to himself.
Seeing this, Qin Xiao smirked inwardly.
It wasn't that their manufacturing capabilities were weak, just that their imaginations were not rich enough.
In the era of information explosion where Qin Xiao had lived, there were simply too many bizarre technologies.
Many of them, if placed in this world, would create miracles when combined with Soul Guidance Devices.
At that moment, Kong Deming asked again, "As I understand, your Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device is also capable of using soul tools, right?"
"Of course."
The Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device answered with a voice simulated by an Array.
Hiss, this thing can actually talk?
Kong Deming gasped in surprise.
Meanwhile, Qin Xiao controlled the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device to pull out a soul laser gun from the Spatial Storage Device.
"Hmm, due to the limitations of the space here, it is not convenient to use powerful soul tools. I will demonstrate with this soul laser gun instead."
He said while picking up the soul laser gun, aiming at a piece of metal not far away.
The next moment, Kong Deming saw a stream of potent Soul Power flow from the chest of the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device.
Then it rapidly traveled along the patterns on its body to the palm and connected with the Array on the handle of the soul laser gun, charging it with energy.
"Great stuff, so these soul tools are also designed to complement the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device."
Kong Deming's eyes revealed a look of astonishment.
He instantly understood the principle at work.
Although the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device was using a soul tool, at this moment, the two could be considered a single Soul Guidance Device.
Whoosh.
The soul laser beam flashed briefly, piercing a hole as thick as a little finger through the metal.
"Good, this is simply wonderful!"
Kong Deming couldn't help but clap his hands. "This Soul Guidance Device of yours is the most exquisite I've ever seen. I'm not ashamed to say I don't see any flaws, nor do I have anything to advise on.
However, I can feel that your Soul Guidance Device still has some defects, namely that many of the Arrays on it are of a low level. I expect you are already aware of this issue."
Qin Xiao nodded upon hearing these words, "Yes."
"Then why haven't you solved it? If these issues were resolved, the power of this Soul Guidance Device would increase several notches." Kong Deming asked again.
"Elder Kong, I certainly wish to solve these problems, but as you have seen, resources are limited."
"There's no money, no people, no materials... This Human-shaped Soul Tool, pieced together through a myriad of low-level Arrays, is already my limit," Qin Xiao admitted with a look of helplessness.
He continued to pour out his woes to Kong Deming without stopping.
In his view, this was like an enormous injustice forced upon him.
He had to seize this opportunity and fleece him thoroughly.
"What? So these are the problems you're faced with?"
Kong Deming was taken aback, his face filled with surprise and emotion.
Are these even problems?
To others, perhaps, but to him they were virtually insignificant.
"These aren't problems at all. Tomorrow, I'll arrange for people and materials to assist you," Kong Deming declared with a generous sweep of his hand, "No matter what, we must bring this Human-shaped Soul Tool to its optimal state."
His words were absolute.
"It's possible, of course, but there's no need to come here. I can distribute the blueprints to you, and then Elder Kong can have someone take care of it," Qin Xiao suggested, causing Kong Deming to feel surprised once again.
For a Soul Master, the core blueprints are crucial.
Many Soul Masters have their own signature soul tools they do not wish to share publicly.
Not to mention others.
Kong Deming and Xuan Ziwen were no different in this regard.
This was the foundation upon which a Soul Master established their livelihood.
In his opinion, this Human-shaped Soul Tool was of paramount importance; it was the basis for Qin Xiao's potential status in the Sun-Moon Empire in the future.
But it seemed Qin Xiao had no intention of keeping it hidden?
This was almost unbelievable.
"You're actually willing to share this core secret with me?" Kong Deming was astonished.
"What's the big deal? Besides, this Human-shaped Soul Tool is just a prototype. It doesn't matter to me," Qin Xiao stated confidently.
"Further, creating this Human-shaped Soul Tool is not my limit. As long as I keep striving, I'm certain I can craft even more potent soul tools in the future."
Of course.
Only he knew that these were empty promises.
That would be enough.
After reaching Soul Saint Level, he would hardly bother with such trifling matters.
Fusion God Position.
That was the true and most important path.
Moreover, inside his body rested a damaged super divine weapon.
Repairing that artifact would be far more meaningful and valuable than creating any soul tool.
"Very good, very good, truly a genius youth. Young people should be full of vigor, right?"
Seeing this, Kong Deming was overjoyed.
His eyes and words unabashedly conveyed his admiration for Qin Xiao.
This kid was too outstanding.
Setting everything else aside, just the breadth of his mind alone was already beyond what ordinary people could match.
Completely transcendent!
Truly transcendent, above the concerns of the mortal world.
"No wonder Brother Qin could achieve such great success on the path of soul tools. My vision and breadth of mind are far inferior to yours."
"Perhaps only with such a mindset can one make rapid advances on the path of soul tools."
"Brother Qin, I do not flatter you with empty words, I feel in my life I am unlikely to match you. Your future accomplishments will surely far surpass my own," Xuan Ziwen said, shaking his head with a sigh, feeling inferior.
This?
Qin Xiao felt somewhat embarrassed in his heart.
Only he knew that the truth was not quite like that.
I'm just boasting to create a persona for myself, yet you all take it seriously...
But that's unimportant.
As long as everyone agrees, it will be more favorable for my future development.
"Elder Kong, these are the blueprints I used to make the Human-shaped Soul Guidance Device. Take a look. Then distribute them to the right people, and I'll just wait to reap the benefits," Qin Xiao said.
At this moment, Qin Xiao took out a thick stack of papers and placed it on the experimental table beside him.
From the core components down to a single screw, everything was included.
"Rest assured, I will arrange for someone to make it for you as soon as possible," Kong Deming said, his expression somewhat excited.
He could hardly imagine how powerful the soul tool would be once it was made.
...
Elsewhere.
Outside the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
"Your Majesty, you must give me justice," a voice pleads.
"Your Majesty, please see me!" another voice begs.
"Your Majesty, my husband died a wrongful death," yet another voice laments.
The Duchess knelt outside the imperial palace, crying and pleading incessantly.
After careful consideration,
she realized she had no way to take revenge on Qin Xiao.
After all,
without Duke Bai Hu, the Duchy Residence lacked strength, manpower, and status.
With what could she seek revenge?
She felt extremely helpless.
After much deliberation, she thought she could only ask the emperor to act.
However, she had already sent someone to request an audience, but His Majesty the Emperor had not responded at all, which made her heart grow cold.
Out of desperation,
she resorted to the tactics of crying, causing a scene, and threatening to hang herself.
It had to be said that it was somewhat effective.
Outside the imperial palace, there were quite a few people who stopped to watch.
They were just commoners after all.
What did they have to fear?
Having nothing but their heads to lose, watching the drama of the nobles was a treat in itself.
"Mother, we should go back. I think His Majesty does not wish to see us right now; otherwise, he would have summoned us by now," Dai Yueheng said quietly, urging her while wearing a white cloth over his head.
"That won't do!" the Duchess firmly shook her head. "Today, I must see His Majesty the Emperor, and no one can stop me. Moreover, are we someone His Majesty can dismiss as he pleases?"
She knew that Xu Jiawei wanted to avoid the situation.
But she could not allow it.
Because she knew that once the current attention faded, they would never have another chance to plead with the emperor.
"But... this is not befitting of the dignity of the Duchy Residence," Dai Yueheng said with hesitation.
"Do you think I want to do this? I have no choice," the Duchess sighed. "Yue Heng, you are young and don't understand the situation. Our Duchy Residence is no longer what it used to be."
"Your brother is dead, your father is dead. And now you have become a cripple.
We don't have anyone capable of shouldering the burden anymore; it won't be long before we lose everything we have now."
Upon hearing this, Dai Yueheng's body shook violently.
He knew the Duchess was right.
Such was reality.
Among the nobles, was there ever any real affection?
It was all about interests.
Not to mention, for the sake of contending for the throne, siblings could turn on each other, and a son might even kill his own father.
What was so special about their Duchy?
Once they lost their value, they could be kicked aside at any time.
"Think about it, who will care about our life and death then? So we must do something before we completely lose our power!" the Duchess said through clenched teeth: "I have had enough of the glory and riches over the years.
Now, all I want is for that despicable Huo Yuhao to die!"
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