The Evolution Watch's earth-shattering debut was like a boulder crashing into what seemed to be a calm lake, sending ripples that instantly swept across the entire Star Luo City and spread further across the vast continent.
The most restless were undoubtedly the spies of evil soul masters lurking in the shadows of Star Luo City.
An Angel martial soul with Ultimate Fire was already a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads. Now this sword had shown the potential to evolve into Ultimate Light.
That supremely yang and sacred radiance, which purified all evils, was an innate nemesis deeply ingrained in their bones.
Several evil soul masters hidden in the corners of the audience turned as pale as paper. Trembling fingers crushed the soul-guided devices they held, and they immediately left to send alerts back to the Holy Spirit Sect's headquarters about the significantly increased threat posed by the Angel disciple.
The threat of Ultimate Light was more terrifying by tenfold compared to when Gu La merely possessed the Angel martial soul.
Meanwhile, the hotel where Shrek Academy stayed instantly became the center of the storm.
Representatives from various academies, soul master families, and even empires streamed in one after another. Ostensibly to congratulate Shrek on advancing, their real aim was to probe for details about the game-changing soul-guided device.
Wang Yan, as the team leader, was overwhelmed and used every excuse he could think of—"the students need rest," "it's a school secret and cannot be disclosed"—to turn away most visitors.
He understood well the saying "a precious possession invites trouble." Gu La's device was enough to stir up a bloodbath.
However, Wang Yan's excuses couldn't stop truly heavyweight figures.
For instance, those at the level of Title Douluo. But these people were secretly blocked by Xuan Zi, who didn't let them disturb Gu La.
Still, there were some whom Xuan Zi couldn't personally intercept.
Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire, accompanied by the empire's chief healer, came to "visit" the injured students. Everyone knew their intentions were not pure, but in social interactions, who wasn't a bit hypocritical?
She directly asked to see Gu La. Her status and the favor she did earlier by helping acquire Lunar Gold made Gu La choose to meet her.
Inside the reception room, the atmosphere was delicate.
But Gu La wasn't in a hurry. He calmly sat like a fisherman waiting patiently, personally brewed a pot of tea, and poured a cup for Xu Jiujiu.
"Gu La, let's not beat around the bush," Xu Jiujiu didn't even glance at the teacup, coming straight to the point, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the seemingly plain Evolution Watch on Gu La's wrist.
"That soul-guided device… can you tell me its creator? The empire is willing to pay a price for any related information."
Her stance was humble, but the assertiveness and determination of an imperial princess were unmistakable in her words.
Gu La remained calm and, out of respect for the Lunar Gold, didn't dismiss her completely: "The creator, naturally, is myself."
Xu Jiujiu's face lit up with joy. If Gu La was only a Soul Elder, didn't that mean the threshold for creating this soul-guided device was extremely low?
"Are you willing to trade the blueprints? The royal family is willing to pay a high price! Even ten-thousand-year soul bones can be discussed!"
Gu La gave Xu Jiujiu a strange look, making her feel uneasy, but she managed to hold back her disgust.
"What are you dreaming of?"
Gu La sneered, "Why do you think the Evolution Watch is so powerful? It uses specific soul bones as 'keys' and energy sources, combined with special soul-guided arrays to guide and amplify the latent power deep within the martial soul's essence. Essentially, it taps into the potential of the martial soul itself, not creating something out of nothing."
Xu Jiujiu's delicate brows furrowed slightly. This explanation was too general; the core "special soul-guided array" and "guiding method" were the key points.
Moreover, she already had an ominous premonition.
"The forty-thousand-year Bright Unicorn soul bone from before?"
"Precisely!"
Gu La revealed a sly smile, "The stronger the martial soul, the higher the requirements for the soul bone needed to unleash its potential."
"For my Angel martial soul, without enhancing fire attributes or the martial soul itself but only guiding the potential for light attributes, it requires a top-tier forty-thousand-year light attribute soul bone. Only strong individuals can use such things."
"However, the soul bone is just a trigger, so it doesn't need to be a complete soul bone. For example, the Bright Unicorn soul bone was split into six pieces, one of which created the Evolution Watch."
Xu Jiujiu felt first troubled then hopeful. After a moment of silence, she changed tactics: "If that's the case, can the Star Luo Empire commission you to custom-make a batch of 'Evolution Watchs' for the empire? You name your conditions."
"Commission?"
A barely noticeable curve appeared on Gu La's lips as he decisively shook his head, "You can't afford what I want."
This wasn't empty talk. Gu La looked down on even hundred-thousand-year soul bones; the Star Luo Empire couldn't possibly provide what he needed. Moreover, he didn't want to be beholden to anyone.
A deeper reason was that if he accepted such a commission as a Shrek student, the academy's upper management would inevitably intervene to get a piece of the pie, and he despised such constraints.
Xu Jiujiu's expression darkened slightly. As the imperial princess, she had never been so bluntly rejected. But facing Gu La, all she felt was a surge of frustration.
However, just as she was about to leave in anger, a thought flashed through Gu La's mind like lightning:
"Not much. I'm not here to show off. Spreading faith energy is the goal! Personal preferences count for nothing?"
"If I can become a 'Divine Craftsman' akin to Zhen Hua, spreading some soul-guided technology, pushing soul-guided science to new heights, actively disseminating certain ideas, all soul masters on the continent will look up to my name! At that time, won't faith energy flow continuously?"
His eyes gleamed slightly, seeing a broader path.
"Wait." Gu La called out to Xu Jiujiu, who had risen to leave.
Xu Jiujiu paused, turning back with confusion.
"Creating Evolution Watches for you isn't impossible." Gu La's voice was calm yet carried undeniable weight, "But the conditions must be on my terms."
"Tell me!" Hope reignited in Xu Jiujiu's eyes.
"First, the Star Luo Empire must spare no effort to gather all known and unknown, peculiar or endangered plant seeds on the continent. This is non-negotiable."
"Second, regarding the soul bone at the core of the Evolution Watch, after splitting, I must retain at least one piece."
"Third, all rare metals required for manufacturing must be provided by you, in quantities a hundred times what I require."
"Fourth, technology can be shared, but you must not interfere with my manufacturing process or demand technical details."
After hearing this, a hint of joy initially flickered on Xu Jiujiu's exquisite face, quickly replaced by deep astonishment and indignation:
"Gu La! Don't you think you're being too greedy? A hundred times the rare metals? And splitting the soul bone? This is outright extortion!"
Gu La shook his head, his gaze sharp as a blade, unwavering: "I don't think so. Because the core of this technology—the construction of the soul-guided array, the energy guidance path, the 'key' resonating with the martial soul's essence—is known only to me. And,"
He paused, his tone exuding confidence, "You can rest assured about anti-disassembly issues. I know more than a thing or two about the methods Sun Moon Empire uses, and perhaps... even surpass them. Trying to replicate through disassembly? Even a Level 10 Soul Mentor wouldn't succeed!"
Because the biggest hurdle was his stored Mega Energy, and once the Evolution Watch was disassembled, the energy would vanish. Douluo Continent currently lacked the precision instruments to capture it.
Xu Jiujiu stared at Gu La's calm yet absolutely confident eyes, her mind in turmoil.
The conditions were outrageously demanding, but the strategic value displayed by the Evolution Watch... was simply too great. Equipping the empire's top soul masters with this item would result in a qualitative leap in overall combat strength.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her pride and dissatisfaction as a princess: "...This matter is significant. I need to report to my elder brother."
"Please do." Gu La gestured invitingly.
Xu Jiujiu left the hotel with a whirlwind of complex emotions, heading straight for the palace.
In the study, she relayed Gu La's conditions verbatim to Emperor Xu Jiawei.
Upon hearing them, Xu Jiawei didn't react with the same anger as Xu Jiujiu. Instead, he fell into deep thought. His fingers lightly tapped the desk. After a while, he slowly said:
"The conditions... are indeed harsh. But Jiujiu, you must understand that a soul-guided device capable of significantly boosting soul masters, especially those potentially reaching ultimate attributes, has strategic significance far exceeding those resources."
"If we can secure it, even just the finished product, for our Star Luo Empire, it would be a major trump card against the Sun Moon Empire's soul-guided advantage. This deal is worth making."
Xu Jiujiu protested, "But his attitude is simply insufferable, arrogant, and he's not someone to be deeply trusted."
Xu Jiawei smiled faintly, revealing his imperial wisdom: "Geniuses, especially those wielding disruptive powers, often have temperaments. If he were obsequious, I'd question his intentions."
"As long as he can deliver on his promises, the empire can afford those resources." He shifted topics, asking, "Is there any possibility of recruiting this person into our Star Luo?"
Xu Jiujiu recalled Gu La's detached and indifferent gaze and shook her head without hesitation: "As difficult as ascending to heaven. He seems utterly uninterested in power, obsessed only with his own strength and... those strange seeds. What a peculiar hobby, collecting even ordinary seeds, and every kind at that."
A glimmer of regret flashed in Xu Jiawei's eyes, but he didn't give up: "No matter. After the tournament, I'll personally meet him. Such a person, even if he can't be utilized by the empire, must not be made an enemy, and certainly not fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire."
Almost simultaneously with Xu Jiujiu leaving the palace, two powerful forces targeting Gu La and the Evolution Watch also headed towards Star Luo City from different directions.
Holy Spirit Sect Headquarters, in a gloomy hall.
Deputy Sect Leader Zhongli Wu looked at the urgent intelligence report in his hand, especially the phrases "Ultimate Light," "six-winged angel apparition," and "Ultimate Fire." His scarlet eyes erupted with overwhelming killing intent and a trace of barely perceptible fear.
The Angel martial soul was already the natural enemy of evil soul masters, let alone the potential to evolve into Ultimate Light. If this boy wasn't eliminated, the Holy Spirit Sect would never have peace!
"Pass the order!" Zhongli Wu's voice was like a chilling wind from the netherworld, "Elders Wan Hun, Zengwu, and Jiemiao, set out immediately and infiltrate Star Luo City!
Target: Gu La of Shrek Academy. At all costs, destroy his martial soul and seize that soul-guided device. If it can't be done... eliminate him on the spot!"
He was well aware that Shrek must have powerful protectors, but three Title Douluo-level evil soul master elders working together were enough to handle Super Douluo, create chaos, and execute decapitation. This threat must be nipped in the bud.
Three shadows enveloped in deathly stillness and bloody aura silently blended into the night, like venomous snakes ready to strike, rushing towards Star Luo City.
Sun Moon Empire, Mingde Hall.
Jing Hongchen watched the crystal ball recording of Gu La activating the Evolution Watch, causing earth-shattering scenes. The look behind his glasses was filled with awe and unprecedented fervor.
As the head of Mingde Hall and a nine-level soul mentor, he understood better than anyone how disruptive the technology contained in that soul-guided device was!
Boosting to ultimate attributes, guiding martial souls into their true form state—it was practically a "miracle" in the field of soul-guided devices!
"Shrek... can't possibly have such technological depth. Behind that kid, or perhaps himself..." Jing Hongchen muttered, making an immediate decision. He couldn't wait until the end of the tournament; he had to contact Gu La immediately.
"Hall Master? So late, where are you going?" the headmaster asked, looking at the fully prepared Jing Hongchen, puzzled.
"Star Luo City." Jing Hongchen was succinct, "To see Xiao, Meng and the others. The academy is entrusted to you recently; make sure there are no mistakes."
"Yes!" the headmaster immediately agreed.
Soon, Mingde Hall's top-flight soul-guided device soared into the sky, carrying Jing Hongchen, transforming into a streak of light shooting directly towards Star Luo City.
Jing Hongchen had only one thought: No matter the cost, he must uncover the secrets of the Evolution Watch. If he could obtain its principles, perhaps his soul-guided technology would achieve a long-awaited breakthrough!
Inside the hotel room, Gu La toyed with the Evolution Watch, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Through a fleeting glimpse from the future perspective, he had already "seen" the three incoming forces: the Star Luo Royal Family's trade delegation, the malicious assassins from the Holy Spirit Sect, and the curious yet malevolent visitors from Mingde Hall.
"Seeds, soul bones, metals, the foundation of faith lies within them."
Gu La murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with calculating light, "The Star Luo Royal Family can serve as my temporary shield and resource provider."
He wasn't worried about the Holy Spirit Sect's assassination attempt. The Three-Word Battle Armor put him in an invincible position, not to mention the protector Xuan Zi. Since he wanted Shrek to benefit, he had to exert considerable effort.
As for Jing Hongchen? He was somewhat interested in this nine-level soul mentor's "technical exchange." Perhaps... he could throw out one or two more "baits"?
The next day, after the auction ended, Gu La stopped Ling Luochen from fusing the Ice Jade Scorpion Ice Explosion Technique soul bone, telling everyone that only Ultimate Ice could tame it.
Ling Luochen was incredibly disappointed and yearned even more for Ultimate attributes. Unfortunately, the gap in martial soul quality was almost impossible to change.
At night, Xuan Zi, who was meditating on the top floor of the hotel, suddenly opened his eyes.
With the Taotie Bull martial soul attached, three extremely subtle yet full of sinister and violent Title Douluo-level presences, like ink dropped into clear water, were rapidly approaching the hotel area.
Direction... precisely towards the floor where the Shrek students resided.
"Evil soul masters, how dare they!"
Xuan Zi's hair and beard bristled, a violent aura bursting forth. He instantly rushed out of the room, his fierce scream echoing throughout the hotel: "Enemy attack! All students, stay alert!"
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