"This is not a 'price,' but a trade."
The noble lady corrected Huo Yuhao's phrasing before continuing:
"We have only three conditions.
"First, I hope the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will have the right of first refusal to purchase Soul Tools from you, and that you can accept commissions for Class 9 Soul Tools to a certain extent. Of course, for all Soul Tools you sell to us, we will purchase them at a price 50% above the market rate.
"Second, I hope you can serve as an Honored Guest Elder of our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Naturally, this is a nominal position; you won't need to bear any responsibilities, yet you will still enjoy all the privileges of a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Honored Guest Elder.
"Third..."
The lady paused again, then reached out to take the hand of the young girl beside her.
"This is Ning Tian, the daughter of my brother—the Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She is the current Young Sect Master. I hope... you can take her as your disciple."
The unexpected had occurred.
Huo Yuhao fell into a brief silence. He had guessed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would ask him to help train Soul Tool Engineers, but he hadn't expected them to send Ning Tian directly. Had the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect of this lifetime decided to begin their transformation early?
In the memories of his past life, Ning Tian also began studying Soul Tool fabrication later on, even attempting to reform the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
As a sect with the auxiliary Martial Soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, as its inheritance, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was naturally perceived as weak in the eyes of the world. However, the emergence of Soul Tools allowed auxiliary system Soul Masters to possess actual combat power!
The current leaders of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had clearly discovered this, but they had been struggling with a lack of technology and talent to facilitate the transition. Now... Huo Yuhao had suddenly appeared.
Perhaps in the eyes of that Sect Master, Huo Yuhao's appearance was an opportunity—an opportunity to make the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stronger!
Therefore, after a brief moment of consideration, the other party had decided to win him over at any cost.
Huo Yuhao formed several conjectures in his mind. He looked at the quiet, exquisite girl beside him and gained a clear understanding of the boldness of that never-before-met Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master.
Decided to bet everything on me? Then I shall accept.
"I agree."
Huo Yuhao's voice remained indifferent, but upon hearing this, the corners of the lady's mouth curled up into an involuntary smile.
"Then I thank you, Honored Guest Skydream." The lady poured a cup of tea, then looked at Ning Tian.
Ning Tian understood immediately. She stood up, took the teacup, walked slowly to Huo Yuhao's side, and spoke respectfully:
"Master, please have some tea."
How strange... an original classmate has become my disciple. This feeling is so bizarre... Huo Yuhao suppressed the strangeness in his heart and took a sip of the tea.
He then asked:
"What do you know regarding Soul Tool knowledge?"
"I know the basic knowledge of a Class 1 Soul Tool Engineer, but I haven't officially attempted fabrication yet," Ning Tian replied.
"Soul Power rank?"
Ning Tian raised her hand and summoned her Martial Soul.
A brilliantly radiant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was held in her palm, while a century-old Soul Ring hovered around her body.
"My current Soul Power rank is Level 17."
Huo Yuhao nodded. In his past life, when he entered Shrek, Ning Tian was one of only three Soul Elders in that year's class. Based on her talent, she was likely a genius with either Innate Full Soul Power or Innate Rank 9 Soul Power.
And now, at 8 years old and Rank 17, she would break through Rank 20 in a while. After absorbing a Soul Ring, she might jump directly to Rank 22 or 23. Her talent was indeed outstanding.
After a moment's thought, Huo Yuhao took a book from his storage ring, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Ning Tian. "These are some of my insights from when I was a Class 1 and Class 2 Soul Tool Engineer. You can look through them."
Huo Yuhao paused for a second or two before adding: "You may disseminate it."
"Thank you, Master!" Ning Tian said respectfully.
Huo Yuhao nodded and said:
"You don't need to engage in Soul Tool fabrication for now. Concentrate on your cultivation first to raise your Soul Power rank. Once you have your second ring, I will formally begin teaching you. Until then, just read through the insights I gave you."
In Soul Tool fabrication, aside from one's own knowledge, the most important factor is the purity of one's Soul Power.
One must understand that the current classification of Soul Tool ranks is determined by the amount of Soul Power expended during the manufacturing process.
For instance, a Class 5 Soul Tool must be made by a Soul Master at the Soul King level. If a Soul Ancestor attempts to craft a Class 5 Soul Tool, even if their knowledge is entirely sufficient, they will eventually fail due to insufficient Soul Power.
However, if a Soul Emperor crafts a Class 5 Soul Tool, the ample Soul Power reserves allow for a higher margin of error, making it much easier to complete.
This was exactly why Huo Yuhao wanted Ning Tian to reach Rank 20 before starting her studies. Starting from a high vantage point—it was as simple as that.
Having settled matters with Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao returned his gaze to the noble lady and placed a list of materials on the table.
"I will return in one month. By then, please have these materials ready for me."
The lady took the list, but the moment her eyes fell upon it, her gaze involuntarily froze.
Heavenly Source Gold, Nether Soul Gold... if she remembered correctly, most of these were used to craft Class 9 Soul Tools, right? Could it be...!
The lady suppressed the shock in her heart. Although she had expected much, she hadn't anticipated it would be this soon. It seemed her brother's decision was correct; they really had to win over this Master Skydream at any cost.
The lady nodded and said softly:
"Very well, no problem at all. The materials will be ready before you arrive next month."
Sensing the wave of shock and other emotions emanating from the lady, Huo Yuhao smiled inwardly.
"In addition, I hope the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will help me promote this across the entire continent."
Huo Yuhao placed a square Soul Tool emitting a faint light on the table.
"What is... this?"
"A Soul Power Storage Core. After storing Soul Power inside, it automatically becomes 'ownerless' Soul Power, available for anyone—even ordinary people without Soul Power—to absorb and use. It can store up to a Soul Emperor level of Soul Power."
"What did you say? It can store Soul Power at the Soul Emperor level?!"
The lady immediately understood the significance of this Soul Tool. However, in the next moment, Huo Yuhao spoke again:
"The output and absorption speed of the Soul Power is limited; it is useless in battle. However, it can be applied by Soul Tool Engineers during the fabrication process."
There are limits... True, such a thing should have limits, but this was still terrifying!
One must realize that countless Soul Tool Engineers were limited in their rank by their own Soul Power level. If this Soul Power Storage Core worked, in a sense... even an ordinary person might now have the possibility of becoming a Soul Tool Engineers!
The lady's breath hitched. She felt as though she were witnessing the arrival of a revolution belonging to Soul Tools, and the person before her... Would surely leave a massive mark on the pages of future history!