Su Ming returned with Zhang Wei.
Mingde Hall's purge operation proceeded very smoothly. It was said that traces of Evil Spirit Masters were found in black markets large and small throughout the Sun Moon Imperial Capital. In that single day, Mingde Hall had killed a total of thirty-seven Evil Spirit Masters.
This achievement actually surpassed the Shrek Supervision Corps' annual performance.
Of course, Jing Hongchen wasn't pleasantly surprised; instead, he fell silent.
If not for Su Can, he wouldn't have known the Sun Moon Imperial Capital had been corroded so severely by Evil Spirit Masters.
Based on his stereotypical impression of Evil Spirit Masters, these guys were brainless, only capable of unleashing endless slaughter and sin. He never imagined these Evil Spirit Masters could actually be patient enough to start building operations.
This was what was truly alarming.
The Holy Spirit Cult actually had such restraining power over the Evil Spirit Masters under its command.
"Once the Blacksmith Association is established, Mingde Hall will purchase all works originating from the Blacksmith Association at full price."
In the office, Jing Hongchen slapped the table and stated his so-called cooperation demand to Su Can.
Su Can looked up and glanced at Jing Hongchen.
How overbearing.
"Within one year, all of the Association's works will be given to Mingde Hall."
"Five years."
"One and a half years."
"Four years."
"..."
After arguing for a long time, the two finally settled on an agreement of two and a half years.
"Su Can, I'm curious. How can you make the decision? It was Su Ming who joined the Body Sect. Even if he has a say there, they wouldn't hand over full negotiation rights to an outsider like you, would they?" Su Can smiled, a metal cube slowly materializing in his palm.
Seeing the way the metal cube appeared, Jing Hongchen's pupils contracted sharply.
"This is a product forged from the fusion of two rare metals, namely Fusion Forging – a Spirit Alloy. Compared to Spirit Metal, Spirit Alloy can be directly integrated into a Spirit Master's body. This metal cube in my hand is inscribed with a communication-type Core Formation, allowing for long-distance communication."
Jing Hongchen fell silent.
As the director of Mingde Hall, representing the highest achievement in Spirit Tool technology, he was actually seeing a more advanced Spirit Tool product in someone else's hands.
Even if the foundation of this was the material, it was hard for him to accept.
"Director, let's continue discussing the details of the cooperation." Su Can took the initiative and said, "The Blacksmith Association's works will all be given to Mingde Hall, including Spirit Metal, Hundred Refined, and ordinary Thousand Refined rare metals. We need Mingde Hall to help us complete one transformation."
Jing Hongchen could sense something from Su Can's words, but he just couldn't grasp it.
"What transformation?"
"In the future, when Spirit Engineers make Spirit Tools, they can start directly by inscribing the Core Formation."
As soon as Su Can spoke these words, Jing Hongchen's expression changed slightly.
Were they setting their sights on the path of Spirit Engineers?
However, Su Can's words also made sense to him.
If processes like forging and creating the Spirit Tool embryo could be skipped, then Spirit Engineers would have more time to apply to learning Core Formations and practicing their inscription.
"Agreed."
Having obtained Jing Hongchen's promise, Su Can breathed a sigh of relief.
Next, the two went back and forth, discussing various details.
Finally, Su Can made one last request.
"Since it's a cooperation, the Blacksmith Association hopes the Sun Moon Royal Team can accept two more people."
Jing Hongchen's gaze sharpened.
"Your reach is extending too far."
"Director, the Body Sect has expressed willingness to cooperate with Mingde Hall within the borders of the Sun Moon Empire to hunt Evil Spirit Masters."
"Tell me the information of these two people. If their talent is insufficient, even I, as the Dean, cannot force them in."
Su Can handed a report to Jing Hongchen.
"Nana? She's from our academy!"
"She is a disciple of the Body Sect," Su Can said. "Her Martial Soul, Specter, is part of the soul, and thus falls within the category of Body Martial Souls. She joined the Body Sect several months ago."
Jing Hongchen snorted coldly, very displeased with the Body Sect's poaching behavior.
"Fifteen years old, Level 45, Practical Control Department. Not bad talent."
Regarding Nana's data, Jing Hongchen acknowledged she had the qualifications to join the team.
"Once she breaks through to Spirit King, the Academy will definitely let her join the main team. Right now, she only has four Spirit Rings, and the main team members are all Level 5 or 6 Spirit Engineers. Their strength is not something she can match yet, so she can only join the reserve team."
"No problem," Su Can said.
After all, Nana would still have a chance to participate in the next tournament.
Jing Hongchen looked at the other person's information.
"Martial Soul is Courage, nineteen years old, only Level 44?"
Jing Hongchen frowned.
With this level of talent, under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for him to represent an academy of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's caliber.
Failing to reach Spirit King level even on the last eligible attempt was definitely unacceptable.
"The Body Sect can guarantee that his strength is not inferior to a Spirit King from Shrek Academy. How about that?"
"Agreed."
Jing Hongchen's mind raced.
Had this Zhang Wei's Martial Soul undergone a Second Awakening?
Su Can also contacted Su Ming via the communication Spirit Tool.
He himself lacked confidence.
Mainly because he knew Zhang Wei's situation. Could he truly possess strength at the Spirit King level within a few months?
And it had to be comparable to a Spirit King from Shrek, no less.
"Grandfather, don't worry."
Su Ming only replied with this.
Training Ground.
"Today, two new members are joining: Nana and Zhang Wei." Director Gao introduced Nana and Zhang Wei to the team members.
Meng Hongchen raised her hand.
"Director Gao, our reserve team only has one spot left."
"Li Qing will withdraw from the team. The Academy has other arrangements for him." Director Gao looked towards a male student, signaling for him to step out of the formation.
Li Qing had clearly been notified in advance and walked out with a calm expression.
"Li Qing, you—" Xiao Hongchen's face changed slightly.
Was he being replaced by privilege?
But that shouldn't be. Li Qing's family had two Level 8 Spirit Engineers. Even if a spot was taken by privilege, it shouldn't be him leaving.
"Captain, don't worry. I have a better place to go." Li Qing said this sincerely.
Jing Hongchen had already spoken with the two Level 8 Spirit Engineers in his family.
Li Qing would be directly promoted into Mingde Hall. However, he wouldn't be learning to make Spirit Tools within Mingde Hall. Instead, he would be assigned to a newly established association to learn the forging system.
The Li family's hereditary Martial Soul was the Divine Eyes Ape, and their achievements in the Spirit Engineering field also leaned towards material processing, while their Core Formations were just average.
Having them learn forging techniques would naturally be very easy for them.
Especially after witnessing Spirit Metal, the Li family actively requested to send more people into the Blacksmith Association.
Unfortunately, they couldn't get them in.
The Blacksmith Association allowed any Spirit Master or Spirit Engineer with forging talent to join, but there was only one high-level privilege like Li Qing's that allowed direct entry.
"Nana, Zhang Wei, please introduce yourselves to everyone."
"I'll go first."
Zhang Wei stepped forward.
His demeanor was confident, carrying an air of composure.
"Zhang Wei, nineteen years old, Level 44 Practical Control Department Spirit Engineer."
***
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(Chapter 171 - End)