Sometimes, it seems like whatever you need most falls right into your lap.
Qian Ran's current knowledge of soul tools only reached the level of a seventh-tier Soul Engineer. With the newly acquired ninth-level soul tool theories, once he fully grasped them, he could craft ninth-tier soul tools even without studying at Mingde Hall.
He might even break through and create tenth-tier soul tools.
After all, tenth-tier soul tools were essentially a step beyond the capabilities of ninth-tier Soul Engineers. Most traditional ninth-tier Soul Engineers of the Sun Moon Empire couldn't achieve this due to limitations in their cultivation.
With a complete understanding of ninth-tier soul tool theories, the transition to tenth-tier soul tools became feasible, especially for someone with Qian Ran's gifts.
The system's ninth-tier soul tool knowledge was comprehensive, likely surpassing what Mingde Hall could offer. Even the ninth-tier Soul Engineers at Mingde Hall focused on specific areas of expertise, complementing one another to achieve broader mastery.
As Qian Ran skimmed through the knowledge, he found topics covering close-combat soul tools, long-range soul tools, and fixed-installation soul tools. Additionally, there were insights on other types, such as storage soul tools and humanoid soul tools.
He quickly categorized and organized the knowledge in his mind, ready to dive deeper into it when needed. With his enhanced mental capacity, his mind functioned like an expansive, flawless library where nothing was forgotten.
"Qian Ran has a point," Elder Ma sighed, shaking his head. "Soul tools can be developed and studied, but martial souls are innate."
As long as other nations made a concerted effort to catch up, the Sun Moon Empire's advantage in soul tools wasn't guaranteed to last.
However, the innate superiority of martial souls in the original Douluo nations was a permanent fixture.
Martial souls arose from two sources: inheritance or mutation. Mutations were rare and often resulted in weaker outcomes, while inheritance was immutable.
Qian Ran's words had cut deep, exposing a fundamental truth.
"Still, the Sun Moon Empire has its methods for acquiring strong martial souls…" Meng Hongchen muttered, her face reddening as she watched Qian Ran's figure retreating.
"Huh?" Xiao Hongchen looked at his sister, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
Meng Hongchen, flustered, explained shyly, "By marrying strong Soul Masters, of course! If I… were with someone like Qian Ran, wouldn't our children have a high chance of inheriting his martial soul?"
"You—!"
Xiao Hongchen's jaw dropped, stunned by his sister's audacious statement. Was she already thinking about bearing Qian Ran's children?!
The idea hit Xiao Hongchen hard. His discomfort with Qian Ran skyrocketed, as if the Shrek prodigy had suddenly stolen away his most precious treasure.
Meng Hongchen had always admired him as her elder brother, but now it seemed like Qian Ran had claimed that spot.
Elder Ma, on the other hand, found himself seriously contemplating Meng Hongchen's suggestion. The Sun Moon Empire's martial souls were indeed weak in comparison, but intermarriage with the powerful martial soul lineages of the Douluo nations could change that.
If they could secure children with Ultimate Ice or the Seraphim martial soul, and then train them to mastery, the empire might even produce a tenth-tier Soul Engineer someday.
His eyes sharpened as he regarded Meng Hongchen. Based on their investigations, Qian Ran was a notorious playboy. In that case, why not send a few more candidates his way?
If they could inherit his martial soul, the empire would gain immensely.
Later, Qian Ran strolled casually over to join the Shrek girls, sitting down with a relaxed smile.
"Why didn't you call me when you all left?"
"You were sleeping so soundly," one of the girls replied with a teasing smile. "We didn't want to disturb you. You're so busy every day—you deserve a good rest."
The others giggled, their expressions warm and indulgent. Even Cai Meier, sitting nearby, couldn't help but chuckle playfully.
Qian Ran was indeed a busy man, constantly surrounded by admirers. Cai Meier herself had tried to speak with him privately on several occasions, only to find his schedule packed with… "companions."
Still, his charm was undeniable. Despite his flirtatious tendencies, he remained the center of attention for all the remarkable women around him.
"Princess Xu Jiujiu came by last night with a gift for you," Cai Meier said, tossing a small box into Qian Ran's lap. "She said it was a token of appreciation from the royal family. You were asleep, so I didn't wake you."
The others looked on curiously. They were aware of Qian Ran's collaboration with the Star Luo Empire, but for the emperor to send a personal gift spoke volumes about their regard for him.
Opening the box, Qian Ran found a soul bone inside.
The soul bone was a shimmering green, with radiant light rippling across its surface like liquid emeralds. It was a left arm bone, emitting faint white mist and adorned with small crystalline formations that glistened like gemstones.
Cai Meier inspected the bone and commented, "This soul bone is impressive. Its age is between fifty and seventy thousand years, and its ice explosion ability makes it a rare treasure. The Star Luo royal family certainly put effort into this gift."
The other girls, while intrigued, weren't overly surprised. Having absorbed soul bones before, they were somewhat accustomed to these powerful artifacts.
"It's decent, I suppose," Qian Ran said casually, glancing at the soul bone. He quickly deduced that the royal family had deliberately withheld it from the auction, intending to use it as a personal gesture toward him.
"Decent?!" Cai Meier scoffed. "That's the Ice Jade Scorpion's left arm bone, complete with the ice explosion ability. If you don't want it, why not sell it to Ling Luochen? She'd make good use of it."
Ling Luochen's eyes gleamed with desire as she gazed at the soul bone. It was a perfect fit for her, capable of significantly enhancing her power.
Ice explosion wasn't a trivial ability—it rivaled the corpse explosion used by the Death God emissary they had previously faced. For an ice-type Soul Master like Ling Luochen, the ability to manipulate ice and detonate it at will could be a game-changer.
However, Qian Ran shook his head. "This soul bone isn't compatible with Ling Luochen. It was produced by an Ice Jade Scorpion, which naturally possesses Ultimate Ice. Without that level of affinity, absorbing it could result in death."
Ling Luochen's face fell, disappointment clear in her lowered gaze.
"That means only you can use it, and you don't want it? What a waste!" Cai Meier exclaimed.
"Well, not necessarily. Creating Ultimate Ice Soul Masters isn't impossible." Qian Ran's lips curled into a sly smile. "I happen to have a treasure that can directly evolve an ice-type Soul Master into an Ultimate Ice user. Interested in trying it out?"
At his words, both Cai Meier and Ling Luochen immediately shot to their feet, their eyes blazing with excitement.
(End of Chapter)