Among the other students, some recognized Lin Xiao, and upon hearing the commotion here, they turned their heads to look in this direction.
"Don't look, continue training!" the old man from earlier barked, drawing the attention of the participating students back.
Lin Xiao watched the students in the arena resume their sparring without saying much.
It had to be said that compared to Shrek Academy, the training methods of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy were somewhat too gentle.
The inner court disciples of Shrek Academy had carried out inspection missions and faced off against evil soul masters with all sorts of cunning techniques.
The inner court disciples who could remain at Shrek Academy had combat experience far surpassing these students. Relying on such training to defeat them in the Soul Dueling Tournament would likely be no easy feat.
If some events still unfolded as they originally did, perhaps this edition of the Soul Dueling Tournament would truly be the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's most promising one. It was just uncertain whether the self-propelled soul cannon could change anything.
Lin Xiao's gaze fell on Lin Jiayi nearby, and with a soft sigh, he ultimately turned to leave.
Outside Illustrious Virtue Hall, a crowd had already gathered. Apart from those like Lin Xiao who were preparing for the assessment, some students came to join the excitement.
After all, this was Illustrious Virtue Hall. The students who could enter here were almost guaranteed to achieve significant accomplishments in the future. It was common for some well-born individuals to come early, hoping to recruit one or two soul engineers to serve them.
Soon after Lin Xiao arrived, the boisterous crowd suddenly fell silent. The students consciously stepped aside to make way, and the sound of a wheelchair rolling down the stone path slowly resounded.
Lin Xiao's heart stirred, and he looked up ahead. Sure enough, he saw Xu Tianran, seated in a wheelchair, slowly passing by the crowd.
It had been some time since they last met, and the former sinister look on Xu Tianran's face was no longer visible. Instead, he carried a bit of the aura befitting a prince of a nation.
He also raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the students' faces. When he saw Lin Xiao, he paused for a moment, seemingly recognizing him, and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince," Jing Hongchen stepped out from Illustrious Virtue Hall, accompanied by a teacher. "With Your Highness's mobility impaired, how could we let you come in person?"
Lin Xiao looked up upon hearing the voice and paused slightly when he saw the teacher. That person was not entirely unfamiliar to him. A few years ago, it was this very person who had asked Lin Jiayi for leave, setting aside teaching duties at the academy to seek a breakthrough.
If Lin Xiao's guess was correct, it was also this teacher who had bought the locust wood core, obtained other metals from Shangguan Qing, and, by chance, smelted the Star Soul Ingot.
Now, being able to accompany Jing Hongchen to receive Xu Tianran, it was likely that he had successfully broken through to become a ninth-rank soul engineer.
"No need for formalities, Hall Master," Xu Tianran chuckled, as if he didn't care about his injuries at all. "Illustrious Virtue Hall is where all elite soul engineers gather, crucial to the entire Sun Moon Empire. Even my father, the Emperor, places great importance on it. It is only fitting that I come in person."
Jing Hongchen gestured toward the interior of Illustrious Virtue Hall. "Since that's the case, I invite Your Highness to join me in evaluating these unworthy students."
"You're too modest, Hall Master. I see these students as dragons among men; how could they be called unworthy?" Xu Tianran also raised his hand. "After you, Hall Master."
Only after the two figures disappeared did the teacher who had been following Jing Hongchen step forward. "Next, all students will enter Illustrious Virtue Hall in an orderly manner to participate in the assessment."
The teacher's gaze swept over all the students. "Cherish this assessment well. For some of you, this may be your only chance in your lifetime to enter Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Though his words were somewhat blunt, they were the truth for the students here. Especially for some older-looking students, their expressions visibly changed.
Unlike most students, Lin Xiao was not unfamiliar with the interior of Illustrious Virtue Hall. He didn't look around curiously like the others, but instead focused his gaze on the teacher nearby.
His mental strength surpassed that of ordinary people, and he could sense that the teacher seemed to have an unhealed injury. Though his expression showed little change, there was a strange aura lingering in his breathing, as if a faint chill was entwined around him.
As the teacher glanced over, Lin Xiao withdrew his gaze, but his mind was racing with thoughts. A ninth-rank soul engineer, a breakthrough sought outside, the chill on his body, combined with the effects of the locust wood core, Lin Xiao already had many guesses in his heart.
The lift beneath their feet suddenly stopped, a slight tremor passing through. After passing through a long corridor, they saw familiar experimental tables. However, today, there were no other soul engineers present, only various materials neatly arranged on the tables.
"This is your examination hall," the teacher's low voice sounded. "Before sunset, you must use the materials here to complete a soul tool, which must be at least a fifth-rank soul tool."
"Running out of time or producing a soul tool below the required rank will be considered a failure. Additionally, meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee passing the assessment. Illustrious Virtue Hall is a place for researching and developing soul tools. I hope you can demonstrate your own understanding and insight into soul tools."
Though the words were somewhat convoluted, Lin Xiao roughly understood the meaning. The soul tool not only had to meet the standard but also needed to showcase the unique understanding of the soul engineer.
No wonder Lin Jiayi was so confident in him. With his soul power, crafting a fifth-rank soul tool was not difficult. As long as he could create a self-propelled soul cannon, passing the assessment would naturally be no issue.
"Lastly, regardless of whether you pass the assessment, the soul tools you create cannot be taken out of Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Lin Xiao glanced up at the teacher upon hearing this, immediately understanding.
No wonder Jing Hongchen was willing to clear out Illustrious Virtue Hall for a day to hold this assessment. It wasn't just an assessment; it was also an opportunity to collect the ideas of all the participating students.
Since Illustrious Virtue Hall was established, countless years had passed. If assessments were held every year with so many students participating, who knew how many brilliant soul engineers' inspirations had been gathered here?
These boundless ideas would surely allow Illustrious Virtue Hall's soul tool technology to keep advancing. It was no exaggeration that this place was called the most advanced hub for soul tool technology in the entire Douluo Continent.
"Understood?"
The teacher's words interrupted Lin Xiao's thoughts. Seeing that the students were mostly ready, the teacher nodded slightly.
"Now, the assessment begins."
As his voice fell, the sound of metal clashing immediately rang out. The participating students took out their carving knives and began inscribing soul tool arrays.
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