Su Can was a traditional Spirit Engineer from the Sun Moon Empire; his cultivation progress to this point had largely been achieved by relying on medicine.
And precisely because he had taken too much medicine, he was firmly stuck at the eighty-ninth rank, unable to break through to the ninth ring, and thus unable to produce ninth-level spirit tools.
However, this was not irreparable.
At least, from Su Ming's perspective, it could be remedied.
He had forged a type of Spirit Alloy for Su Can, created by Fusion Forging two types of rare metals with fire and ice attributes.
This was a Spirit Alloy formula that didn't even exist in Douluo 3, developed by Su Ming based on the sensations experienced by the Douluo 1-era Su Ming within the Ice Fire Two Eyes.
Douluo 1 sensations, Douluo 2 development.
The fire and ice attributes of this Icefire Spirit Gold possessed a tempering effect. When Spirit Power was channeled into it, it could spontaneously temper the Spirit Power to a certain degree.
Furthermore, by stimulating the spirit within it to outline a suitable Core Formation, this tempering effect would increase dramatically.
Pure Icefire Spirit Gold, forget the Thousand Refinement level, even at the Spirit Refinement level, its tempering effect was not very noticeable for a Spirit Sage.
During the Douluo 1 period, Su Ming once forged a piece of Spirit Refined Heavy Silver. Dugu Bo mentioned it had considerable effects even for a Spirit Sage because Heavy Silver's advantage is its malleability and strong conductivity for Spirit Power. Coupled with Spirit Refined metal's ability to fuse with a soul master's body, equivalent to it being able to stretch within the soul master, the effect remained useful for Spirit Sages.
But now... The Icefire Spirit Gold developed by Su Ming had the effect of tempering Spirit Power. However, during a soul master's cultivation process, Spirit Power compresses naturally. Even without active compression, there is a minimum baseline.
Clearly, even a Spirit Sage who reached the seventieth rank through medicine would already possess extremely high-quality Spirit Power, exceeding the tempering range of Icefire Spirit Gold.
Let alone a Spirit Douluo.
But—
This was only the effect of the Icefire Spirit Gold's own characteristics, operating naturally.
If the spirit within could be integrated, and efficiently directed by a Core Formation, then even doubling the effect would be considered low efficiency.
Using the spirit tool technology of the Douluo 2 era and the mindset of a ninth-rank Spirit Engineer to design the Core Formation could increase this tempering effect by at least threefold.
If paired with additional pure fire-attribute Spirit Refined metal and pure ice-attribute Spirit Refined metal to provide power, the effect could be enhanced further.
Thus, in this primitive era of Douluo 2, Su Ming created a Spirit Power Refiner capable of resolving Su Can's Spirit Power foundation issues.
Of course, the theory was sound.
But please note, the premise for a Spirit Power Refiner to help a soul master remedy certain side effects of drug reliance is that the soul master's own innate talent is sufficiently high.
For Su Can to reach the eighty-ninth rank solely through medicine was already very impressive. It indicated that with his martial soul, pursuing a pure martial soul path with occasional medicinal assistance, reaching the ninetieth rank would have been effortless, and there was even a slim chance of becoming a Super Douluo.
That was the truth.
The principle of the Spirit Power Refiner was simple. The two most critical conditions were: first, the soul master's own innate talent must be guaranteed, and second, the availability of Spirit Alloy or Spirit Refined metal.
The latter was the core technology. Otherwise, a spirit tool created outside the soul master's body, even if capable of tempering Spirit Power, would operate externally, preventing the tempered Spirit Power from being reclaimed and reintegrated into the body's Spirit Power system.
Spirit Alloy and Spirit Refined metal that resonate directly with the martial soul and fuse with the soul master can add a genuine organ within the soul master's body, assisting in the additional processing of Spirit Power.
This is also the fundamental principle behind how Battle Armor amplifies a soul master.
Why is a Spirit King wearing One-Word Battle Armor considered equivalent to a Spirit Sage in all aspects?
Because One-Word Battle Armor can elevate a soul master's Spirit Power quality, physical constitution, and even the amount of Spirit Power to the level of a Spirit Sage. On this enhanced foundation, the amplified Spirit Power and physical attributes can then be used to execute spirit skills.
Su Can recalled the set of Spirit Metal Su Ming had custom-made for him not long ago, a smile appearing on his face.
The Spirit Power Refiner hadn't been fully developed yet, but the foundation was laid. Su Ming had already forged the core materials; all that was left was for Su Can to design the Core Formation.
Therefore, regarding Jing Hongchen's mention of Spirit Metal becoming public, and other eighth-rank Spirit Engineers later learning to create ninth-level spirit tools beyond their rank like he did, all of that had nothing to do with him, Su Can.
I, Su Can, am also about to become a legitimate ninth-rank Spirit Engineer!
"Let's discuss the specific cooperation in a few days. For now, Mingde Hall has acted against the Evil Spirit Masters, and the royal family's stance remains unclear." Jing Hongchen intended to see his guest out.
Leave. Quickly.
Although the news Jing Hongchen received today was good, he felt frustrated because he had been led step by step throughout the process, without any real power of choice.
Losing his neutral status for no reason and being forced to confront the Holy Spirit Cult made him very uncomfortable.
He wasn't a lone operator; he had a lovely grandson and granddaughter. If possible, he truly didn't want to antagonize the Holy Spirit Cult.
Su Can didn't insist on staying. He cupped his hands in a slight salute and exited the room.
Staring at the closed door, Jing Hongchen stood silently.
"Ah, what an ordeal."
After leaving Jing Hongchen's office, Su Can walked back to his research institute, mentally reviewing the overall situation.
"The objectives are mostly achieved, the coordination was seamless. The only element not fully under control is the royal family's attitude."
These were preparations he had made long ago for his grandson to establish the Blacksmith Association and a Body Sect branch within the Sun Moon Empire. Now, because of Nana's situation, they were brought out ahead of schedule.
"The current Emperor himself gained the throne improperly and has frequently engaged in post-facto purges. Xu Tianran, having grown up in that environment, likely has a similar disposition. He brought in the Evil Spirit Masters to secure his position as Crown Prince; he probably never intended to let the Holy Spirit Cult develop unchecked."
"Even if he doesn't want to lose the Holy Spirit Cult's support at this time, he has no choice."
Su Can's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Showing any opposition to Mingde Hall now would plunge him into an abyss. Even with his position as Crown Prince secured, he could be overthrown."
Simply put, Xu Tianran and his father were not legitimate successors in the first place. They killed all other potential heirs, securing the prince's position, but if they mishandle things and prove morally unworthy, there are plenty who would want to overthrow them.
Usurpation, after all.
Most of the Empire's senior officials experienced that era.
Crown Prince's Residence.
Xu Tianran gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, his face grim.
"Jing Hongchen has finally made his move."
Entering the fray at this time struck directly at his most vulnerable point.
"Damn it, it shouldn't be now."
Compared to Su Can and Jing Hongchen, Xu Tianran undoubtedly possessed more intelligence.
Because he knew more, he was more wary of the Holy Spirit Cult. He didn't dare to turn against them immediately after solidifying his position as Crown Prince, preferring to wait until after his ascension to the throne, when he firmly controlled everything in the Empire, before finding a solution.
Now, Jing Hongchen's entry into the conflict undoubtedly disrupted his entire chessboard.
His reaction was also more intense than Jing Hongchen or Su Can had anticipated.
***
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(Chapter End)