Douluo 2: Way of Fake God With Soul Tools

"From today onward, you are my direct disciple, and you will also enjoy the benefits of being a key student in our academy. Your monthly allowance will be doubled, and as for other cultivation resources, as long as you have the strength, I will fight to get them for you!"

"Thank you, Teacher."

Su Luoheng's face lit up with joy, and this time, he bowed sincerely.

For soul masters, cultivation depends on two things: talent and resources.

Talent determines the ultimate limit a soul master can reach.

Resources, however, are equally crucial during the journey of growth. For example: pills, money, rare materials, core formations—these can all greatly enhance a soul master's progress.

One year of hard cultivation might be easily surpassed by taking a single pill.

The same principle applies to the development of soul engineers. Without access to rare metals and core formations, progress becomes extremely difficult.

This is the importance of resources.

Many independent cultivators are constrained by their lack of resources, wasting precious cultivation time.

On the other hand, soul masters nurtured by academies, sects, and other major powers don't need to worry about these setbacks. They can focus solely on cultivation, knowing that they'll receive the necessary resources—provided they demonstrate enough talent to prove they're worthy of the investment.

Thus, Ran Yuming's words were a promise to Su Luoheng.

As long as he could display sufficient talent, there would be no need to worry about future cultivation resources.

Ran Yuming, an honorary teacher at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, taking him on as his final disciple, meant that Su Luoheng would surely be a focus of the academy. This was a tremendous advantage for Su Luoheng.

Given the talent he had shown so far, there was no doubt he would receive preferential access to the academy's resources.

And this was precisely what Su Luoheng had been hoping for.

"Hahaha!"

Ran Yuming was in an excellent mood after taking in this disciple.

For him, at this stage, fame and status were no longer important. What mattered most was finding someone to pass down his vast knowledge. Su Luoheng's unique soul skill and talent intrigued him deeply.

Now, the more he looked at his new disciple, the more satisfied he became.

"Luoheng, come sit over here," Ran Yuming said, pulling Su Luoheng to sit down beside him. "Today, I will give you a real soul engineering lesson!"

The tone of his words carried great confidence, a clear reflection of his deep belief in his soul engineering expertise.

"Yes, Teacher."

Hearing this, Su Luoheng quickly sat down respectfully, his expression full of eager anticipation.

He had already realized during the morning's soul engineering class that there was a lot to learn from Teacher Ran. Now, with the opportunity for a one-on-one lesson, he certainly wasn't going to miss it.

If there was one thing Su Luoheng could guarantee, it was that Ran Yuming's soul engineering teaching methods were truly unique.

Even just one class had already left a profound impact on him.

"…"

However, instead of immediately diving into the topic of soul tools, Ran Yuming began by discussing soul masters and soul engineers with Su Luoheng.

"Luoheng, do you know the difference between a soul master and a soul engineer?"

Su Luoheng thought for a moment before responding, "Soul masters focus on their soul skills and martial soul, using soul power to unleash powerful combat abilities. Soul engineers, on the other hand, rely on soul tools as a medium to channel their soul power. In terms of individual strength, a high-level soul master may be stronger than a high-level soul tool. But when it comes to destructive power, a soul engineer far surpasses a soul master."

Ran Yuming nodded slightly, satisfied with his new disciple's explanation.

"Not bad. And then?"

"Well... this is all the understanding I have for now," Su Luoheng responded, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"Share everything you've got," Ran Yuming said with a smile, noticing Su Luoheng's hesitation. He waved his hand to encourage Su Luoheng to speak his mind.

"Yes, Teacher."

Hearing this, Su Luoheng no longer held back and began to speak openly.

"Most people, including soul masters and soul engineers themselves, believe that they walk two separate paths. Soul masters fight using their martial soul, while soul engineers rely on soul tools. Everyone—including us—instinctively separates them into two distinct categories: soul masters are soul masters, and soul engineers are soul engineers. One is one, and two is two. The two cannot be mixed. But I believe this view is too absolute and one-sided."

"Why do you say that?" Ran Yuming asked suddenly, a flash of surprise and admiration appearing in his eyes.

Su Luoheng continued, "Soul masters and soul engineers both use soul power to gain strength. That's the commonality between them. Martial souls and soul tools are merely vessels for channeling soul power. So why should we be constrained by the limitations of these identities? I believe that regardless of whether one is a soul master or a soul engineer, one should master both."

"This is just my humble opinion. Please, Teacher, feel free to critique it," Su Luoheng said as he sat quietly.

"Very good, very good!" Ran Yuming's smile deepened as he stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. "Well said! You're indeed the disciple I had my eyes on!"

At Su Luoheng's age, to not be blinded by the power of soul tools and to have such a clear understanding was truly rare. Though Ran Yuming had taught many talented students before, none had shown such insightful understanding of the relationship between soul masters and soul engineers.

Ran Yuming felt more and more that his decision to take Su Luoheng as his final disciple was the right one.

Soon, Ran Yuming's smile faded, replaced by a more serious expression.

"Luoheng, you're absolutely right. Over the years, I've researched many ancient texts and discovered that in ancient times, even without the amplification of soul tools, soul engineers were still powerful soul masters. We have strayed from the true meaning of the path of soul engineers. The path of soul engineering itself is correct, but our direction is wrong."

"But at some point, we began to pursue only the raw power that soul tools can provide, neglecting the development of our abilities as soul masters. As a result, our capabilities as soul masters have continuously regressed to what they are today. Even though the empire has started to realize this and is making changes, it is a slow and difficult process to reverse."

"I believe the deterioration of soul master abilities is the reason no one has been able to break through to the level of a rank-nine soul engineer."

"A true soul engineer must excel in both aspects."

At this point, Ran Yuming couldn't help but sigh, a flash of helplessness crossing his gaze. It wasn't just him—many high-level soul engineers within the Sun and Moon Empire had realized this issue. But as he had said, awareness alone wasn't enough.

The degradation of martial soul talent was a fundamental problem, one that would be incredibly difficult to reverse in the short term.

Moreover, many soul engineers were already set in their ways, making change as difficult as climbing the heavens.

After a moment of reflection, Ran Yuming looked at Su Luoheng with a renewed gleam in his eyes.

He may not be able to achieve this change himself, but he could guide his disciple to accomplish it!

"Luoheng."

"Yes, Teacher?"

"You've managed to reach a soul power level of seventeen at such a young age, which is proof that your martial soul is of high quality. So, as my disciple, your foundation as a soul master must not be neglected. I don't expect you to reach the level of the top students at Shrek Academy, but you should at least be on par with regular soul masters. And you absolutely must avoid taking the pills provided by the academy."

"They are not suitable for you, and their side effects will severely limit your future potential!"

Ran Yuming's voice became uncharacteristically stern as he gave his warning. "I will take care of your cultivation resources, understand?"