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Skipping this minor incident, Chu Chengzhou led Ma Jake toward his residence.
"Young Master Chu, doesn't this Tian Dou Empire seem a bit... inadequate? It's just a war, yet so many high-ranking military officers have died—even the army's commander. It feels like things are about to collapse completely. Perhaps you should find an exit strategy in advance?"
On the way, Ma Jake said with a worried expression.
As far as he knew, Chu Chengzhou held a significant position in the Tian Dou Empire. But this Tian Dou Empire seemed to be on the verge of collapse. For safety's sake, Ma Jake felt it necessary to remind his boss to find a new path.
'Tian Dou Empire is doomed?'
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but be stunned.
However, to some extent, the Tian Dou Empire was indeed about to fall. After all, when Qian Renxue stepped into the spotlight in the future, she definitely wouldn't continue using the Tian Dou Empire's national title.
"Old Ma, don't worry. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll live luxuriously in the future! And if you can complete the task I give you, I'll ensure you become a ninth-ring Titled Douluo!"
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou patted Ma Jake's shoulder.
Ever since Ma Jake officially joined his ranks, Chu Chengzhou had already inquired about his background. Although Ma Jake's soul power cultivation fell far short of true geniuses, he did have innate level 7 soul power. Even though he had neglected soul power cultivation in his youth due to focusing on soul guidance research, reaching Soul Saint level in the future was definitely achievable.
As for what came after? Fortunately, he still had plenty of whale gels in his pockets that he didn't need. Even if he had to pile up resources, he could still push Ma Jake to become a Titled Douluo.
'Titled Douluo?!'
Immediately, Ma Jake was overjoyed.
Every soul master—without exception—dreamed of becoming a Titled Douluo, and soul engineers were no different.
However, despite his joy, Ma Jake still had concerns. Researching soul guidance devices required a stable environment and abundant resource supply. This Tian Dou Empire showed signs of collapsing—it didn't seem like a good place! Although Young Master Chu was powerful and likely wouldn't face much danger, finding a stable place to research would definitely be infinitely better than the soon-to-be-chaotic Tian Dou Empire. For example... the Spirit Hall's stronghold with a demi-god expert—Spirit Hall City—would be excellent!
Though Ma Jake didn't say it outright, Chu Chengzhou saw the worry practically written on his face. He couldn't help but roll his eyes and said: "Old Ma, you're underestimating people! Let me tell you the truth—my strength and influence are far greater than you imagine!"
Then, seeing no one was eavesdropping nearby, Chu Chengzhou lowered his voice and continued: "In my view, the only powers on the continent that matter are the Spirit Hall, Tian Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, Hao Tian Sect, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Family—these six."
"The Spirit Hall's Pope is my mother-in-law, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master is my father-in-law, the Hao Tian Sect's Sect Master is my brother-in-law, and the Tian Dou Empire's Emperor is my good brother. We're closely connected."
"As for the remaining Star Luo Empire and Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Family—even if these two powers bound together, they still couldn't match me. What the hell are you worried about?"
Hearing this, Ma Jake was first shocked, then fell silent.
Good heavens—his boss wasn't just powerful, he was also playing quite the game!
Three of the continent's six major powers had leaders with marital connections to his boss?
Excellent, excellent—I, Old Ma, have chosen the right boss! My future is bound to be limitless!
After returning to his residence and settling Ma Jake in, Chu Chengzhou headed straight for the imperial palace.
It had been over half a month since he'd tasted meat—he needed to properly feast.
As for his older sister at Moon Pavilion? Hmm, he'd comfort her in the evening.
—
Early the next morning, after enjoying a wonderful afternoon and night—unlocking several new positions with the little angel and his older sister—Chu Chengzhou returned home.
In the morning, in the small courtyard beside the training ground, a large hammer in four colors—yellow, blue, red, green—flew through the air, striking numerous Blue Coppertite ingots suspended in mid-air one after another.
"CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG—"
In an instant, each Blue Coppertite ingot radiated spiritual light—all completing their thousand-refinement.
"Young Master Chu, why do I feel these Blue Coppers have become somewhat different after your forging?"
As a soul engineer, Ma Jake naturally recognized this rare metal with excellent soul power conductivity. But he could clearly sense that after the spiritual light appeared, these Blue Coppers had changed—but exactly how, he couldn't say. This touched on his blind spot.
"Hmm? You call this rare metal Blue Copper in your place?"
Chu Chengzhou raised his eyebrows.
"Is it not?" Ma Jake was somewhat confused, but quickly realized that different regions might have different names for the same thing.
"Old Ma, I don't care what you call it there, but from now on, it's called Blue Coppertite!"
Chu Chengzhou pointed at the numerous thousand-refined Blue Coppertite ingots and said.
"Yes, Young Master Chu! No problem, Young Master Chu!"
Ma Jake immediately responded.
You're the boss, you pay my salary—everything is up to you!
"Here, try it yourself and see what differences you can find between these Blue Coppertites and ordinary ones."
Chu Chengzhou handed Ma Jake a thousand-refined Blue Coppertite ingot.
"It seems... the soul power conductivity of the Blue Coppertite has become stronger?"
After receiving the ingot and testing it by injecting soul power, Ma Jake said with some surprise.
"Correct. After my forging, Blue Coppertite's performance improves."
"And this forging process I just demonstrated—I call it Metal Thousand-Refinement. Similar to how soul masters have cultivation realms, after Metal Thousand-Refinement, there are also Spirit-Refinement, Soul-Refinement, and Heaven-Refinement levels."
"Your task is to create a special soul guidance device using thousand-refined metal."
Nodding, Chu Chengzhou said.
"Special soul guidance device? Young Master Chu, what type of soul guidance device?"
Hearing about the task, Ma Jake immediately became serious.
Boss Chu had said that if he could complete the assigned task, he would guarantee his advancement to Titled Douluo. Naturally, Ma Jake wouldn't be the slightest bit negligent.
The next moment, golden light flashed around Chu Chengzhou's body. The Nine Heavens Mystic Spirit Armor—refined to the Heaven-Refined level with earth, water, fire, and wind four elements—materialized. He then smiled and said: "See this? This armor I'm wearing is made from Heaven-Refined metal. I'm a ninth-ring Titled Douluo, yet this Heaven-Refined armor can provide me with a 30% all-elemental enhancement effect solely through the metal's properties."
"And this is just from the metal's properties alone. If we engrave compatible soul guidance arrays on it, the elemental enhancement effect would definitely be even greater."
"And this special soul guidance device that can greatly enhance a soul master's abilities—I name it Battle Armor."
"It can be foreseen that when Battle Armor is born, it will inevitably have a tremendous impact on the soul master world."
"Old Ma, do you want to become the battle armor pioneer that future generations of soul masters will look up to? If you do, then let's take action!"
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