Huo Yuhao followed He Caitou and the other students as they slowly toured the spirit tool testing area, his sharp gaze sweeping across every section. The layout, the worktables, and the faintly glowing spirit tool crafting instruments were not fundamentally different from what he had seen in the Soul Tool Department of the Axis Cult's Research Department.
The overall atmosphere was similarly focused and rigorous. If there was a difference, it was perhaps that Shrek Academy's facilities appeared more organized and systematic; certain large-scale soul energy stabilization devices and precision measurement spirit tools revealed a deeper Foundation.
However, in terms of the number of Soul Engineers, this testing area was roughly the same as the Axis Cult's Soul Tool Department, showing no overwhelming numerical advantage.
Nevertheless, Huo Yuhao knew in his heart that similar numbers did not equate to equal skill levels. As the continent's number one institution, even if Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department had started late and faced a period of rejection, once it decided to invest, the resources it could mobilize, the talent it could attract, and the depth of research it could accumulate were beyond what ordinary forces could compare to.
The Axis Cult had only been developing for a year. Although it had many believers and a broad structure, true core research talent—especially those with top-tier spirit tool talent—was indeed as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn horn. Shrek's accumulation in this regard was clearly more solid.
Regrettably, the access for this tour was limited, only allowing contact with areas related to Class 1 and Class 2 spirit tools. The core areas used for researching and manufacturing higher-level spirit tools were tightly shut and heavily guarded, offering no way to peek inside. Consequently, Huo Yuhao could not accurately judge the current peak technical level of Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department.
But from this orderly Elementary testing area and the skilled, focused operations of the staff, he could still feel a formidable, solid Foundation and potential strength belonging to an established top academy. Overall, the Soul Tool Department of Shrek Academy had a strong Foundation, and its future potential was worth observing.
During the tour, some highly curious students, under He Caitou's guidance, tried operating some basic melee and long-range spirit tools. Once the novelty wore off, many revealed a sense of disappointment in their private conversations. They unconsciously compared them to the 'pistol' Furina had demonstrated yesterday, which required no Soul Power to trigger and possessed excellent power and precision.
That unique weapon had left a deep impression on them. By comparison, these traditional standard-issue spirit tools, which required a continuous consumption of Soul Power and were more complex to operate, seemed somewhat 'clunky' and 'not crisp enough.' Of course, they also understood that they had not yet mastered the skills to use that novel weapon.
Huo Yuhao himself did not gain much new knowledge or inspiration from this basic tour. During his year in the Axis Cult, he had already systematically studied the basic theories of spirit tools, the principles of core formations, and Elementary crafting techniques. What he saw now was merely review and confirmation for him.
The only thing that could truly benefit him would likely be the profound insights personally taught by Fan Yu, an Eighth-rank Soul Engineer. As for the other Soul Engineers in the testing area, their levels might not be low, but Huo Yuhao was confident that with the Legacy he received at the Axis Cult and the Advanced ideas provided by Furina, it was hard to say who would be instructing whom at the level of basic knowledge.
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Meanwhile, the deal between Furina and Fan Yu had been pleasantly reached. As the atmosphere relaxed slightly, Furina flipped her wrist, and an exquisite small jade bottle appeared in her palm.
She turned to Zhou Yi, who had been standing silently to the side with a complex expression, and spoke in a calm tone, "Teacher Zhou Yi, during class yesterday, my words may have been heated. Although there was a reason, as a student, I was indeed somewhat overstepping. This 'Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill' is a small token of my apology; I hope you won't take it to heart."
She handed over the jade bottle and explained, "The effect of this pill is to help a Spirit Emperor level cultivator steadily increase their strength. Its medicinal properties are mild and it's not easy to develop a resistance. Since you are currently at the Spirit Emperor level, Teacher Zhou Yi, you might want to give it a try."
Hearing this, Zhou Yi was first stunned, then a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and disbelief surged in her heart.
Giving her a pill? Compensation? This clearly felt like a slap followed by a sweet date! She almost wanted to immediately rebuke her and accuse Furina of being hypocritical.
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