Disregarding the tea on his face, Lin Jiayi anxiously reported to the Headmaster:
"Headmaster, right after the freshman physical evaluation ended, we discovered that the soul tool body scanner and strength tester used for the tests were missing. In their place, there were some gold soul coins."
Upon hearing this, the anger rising in Jing Hongchen's eyes shifted to surprise. He opened his eyes wide in disbelief and asked again:
"You're saying, the only things stolen were the testing devices? And the thief left money behind?"
Lin Jiayi nodded earnestly. "That's what the staff said. I went to the scene myself, and those gold soul coins are just enough to buy two sixth-level soul tools on the market."
Jing Hongchen: "...???"
Thieves nowadays have this much moral integrity? No, seriously—if he has money, why not buy them? Did he steal just for the thrill?
Though the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy wasn't a military base, its defenses were still formidable. Even an eight-ring Soul Douluo or an eighth-level soul engineer might not escape unscathed if they tried to steal something.
What's more, he, the head of the Hongchen Hall, wasn't someone to mess with lightly. Anyone capable of breaking in should be aware of the consequences.
And after all that, the thief only took two sixth-level soul tools? Wouldn't higher-tier seventh or eighth-level soul tools be more tempting?
Even someone as experienced as Jing Hongchen was dumbfounded by this bizarre event.
Seeing the Headmaster lost in confusion, Lin Jiayi quickly pulled out a jet-black envelope from his robe and handed it over:
"Also, Headmaster, I found this in the pile of gold soul coins. It carries a soul power seal at the Title Douluo level."
"Now that makes sense. This guy wasn't stealing—he's trying to send me a message."
Jing Hongchen let out a breath of relief, took the envelope, and injected it with soul power. Instantly, six ink-like characters appeared on the front: 'To Headmaster Hongchen, personally.'
"Heh, interesting. Looks like not only is he not a thief, but he's not even from our Sun Moon Empire. He must be from one of the original Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent."
Jing Hongchen's eyes gleamed with wisdom, his tone certain.
"Headmaster, how can you tell?" Lin Jiayi dutifully played the role of supporting actor.
"This soul power seal is exceptionally advanced—I couldn't even break it at once. There's no one in the Sun Moon Empire with that level of power, not even among our Super Douluo."
Jing Hongchen spoke with an air of complete confidence and a hint of pride.
He knew exactly what the soul power of the Empire's ninth-level soul engineers was like. Aside from Elder Kong, none could match him—and Elder Kong would never pull a prank like this.
Moreover, the seal lacked any trace of the disgusting aura of evil soul masters. Clearly, this was the work of a powerful soul master from the former Three Kingdoms.
No illusion could escape the sharp eyes of Headmaster Hongchen!
"Uh..." Lin Jiayi was speechless, unable to find an appropriate compliment.
Should he praise the Headmaster's "self-awareness and insight"? But wouldn't that offend the Empire's ninth-level soul tool masters?
Fortunately, the Headmaster didn't seem to be paying him much attention anymore. With a wave of his hand, he produced a ninth-level soul tool for breaking seals. After some fiddling, he finally managed to remove the seal.
Lin Jiayi marveled at the Headmaster's skill, while Jing Hongchen's forehead glistened with sweat. His gaze gradually grew deeper—and then ignited with burning curiosity.
He had been uncertain before, but now he was sure: the sender was absolutely a Super Douluo, likely someone at level 96 or higher.
Such powerhouses were big names even in the original Three Kingdoms. This kind of provocation only made Jing Hongchen more excited.
"I, the Headmaster, would very much like to see what kind of trick you're playing."
He tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter. The unruly, bold handwriting leaped off the page, and the light in his eyes sharpened at once.
"Your grandson has extraordinary talent, with potential to reach the Super Douluo realm. Nurture him well. My own 'Qilin child' may challenge him in the future. Enclosed are three pills as a token for the juniors."
"It's actually about Xiao and Meng?"
Jing Hongchen folded the letter and peeked into the envelope. Inside, three small boxes emitted a faint scent of medicinal herbs and cool mist.
"Well now, generous fellow." He opened the boxes one by one. Inside the mist, nestled three crystalline, blue pills, each coiled with pill markings.
"These are Xuan Shui Pills?" Lin Jiayi immediately recognized them, his eyes lighting up.
Xuan Shui Pills were known to cleanse the body and refine the innate soul power. Soul masters under level 20 could increase their soul power by at least one level after consuming them—an immensely popular and valuable item.
In auctions in Mingdu, these pills would be highly sought-after treasures, especially among soul engineers with weak foundations, who prized any resource that could strengthen their physical constitution.
Poor-quality pills harmed cultivation, but high-quality pills like these could enhance one's potential!
"Indeed. These are Xuan Shui Pills of excellent quality—pure and potent." Jing Hongchen confirmed after scanning with an eighth-level testing device. No harmful substances were found.
"Then... Headmaster, what shall we do with these pills?"
"What else? Of course, we use them." Jing Hongchen tossed one into his mouth, chewing as he waved his hand:
"Hurry and bring Xiao and Meng here. Tell them I have something good for them. They just broke through to level 20—perfect timing."
"O-Okay!" Lin Jiayi nodded and quickly left the office, inwardly marveling at the Headmaster's luck. His grandkids had barely entered the school and already gifts were arriving.
After Lin Jiayi left, Jing Hongchen quietly felt the pill's medicinal effect as he stared thoughtfully at the remaining two glowing pills.
It was said that the Xuan Shui Pill was the exclusive secret medicine of a hidden sect in the former Three Kingdoms. To hand out three at once—could this person be from that mysterious sect? Or perhaps one of its top experts?
Regardless, it didn't matter. He had absolute confidence in his grandchildren—especially Xiao, who had awakened a divine beast martial soul and was among the top talents even in Shrek.
"'Qilin child,' is it? The talents of my Hongchen Family are not like the useless ones of old. I, the Headmaster, would like to see just how capable your so-called genius really is. Judging by your tone, he must be in Shrek..."
"Hmph. Shrek may have held the number-one spot for millennia, but the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy will not remain second forever. Under my leadership, Mingde Hall will usher in a new era of brilliance..."
Jing Hongchen clenched his fists lightly, a surge of passionate ambition gleaming in his eyes.
"Buzz——"
Before long, the office door opened again, and a silver-haired boy and girl came jogging in briskly.
"Grandpa, you were looking for us? I still have to go study in the library and prepare for my next-level soul engineer certification,"
With sharp features already forming, Xiao Hongchen strode over to Jing Hongchen and grinned seriously.
Seeing his grandson so motivated, Jing Hongchen was filled with heartfelt pride. He affectionately patted Xiao Hongchen's head and said with a gentle smile:
"Of course I called you for something good. You're still young—no need to rush into the soul engineer exams. You've just joined the academy; take time to connect with your classmates. This is the best academy in our Sun Moon Empire—making friends here will do you no harm."
Xiao Hongchen shook his head solemnly. "No, everyone's watching us now. I can't let the Hongchen family lose face."
He wore the expression of someone bearing a family legacy with great responsibility, full of youthful ambition.
"Xiao, Grandpa definitely has his reasons for wanting us to make friends,"
chimed in Meng Hongchen, her voice like the tinkling of wind chimes. She blinked her lively eyes and put on a mock-scolding look, trying hard to seem mature.
Though her silvery hair and rosy cheeks lacked any real authority.
Xiao Hongchen tilted his head arrogantly, crossing his arms and speaking in a low, serious tone:
"Meng, we are once-in-a-millennium geniuses of the Sun Moon Empire. There are no opponents here worth my attention—perhaps only at Shrek Academy might such people exist.
In the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament a few years from now, I will make my mark. I just hope those people don't disappoint me…"
It was only his first day at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, but already he saw the so-called geniuses of the world as nothing special. Xiao Hongchen was determined to rewrite history and become the greatest prodigy of the Sun Moon Empire!
"(ˉ▽￣～) Tch~~"
Meng Hongchen pursed her lips and turned away, completely unimpressed with her conceited brother.
Xiao Hongchen twitched at the corner of his eye but forced himself to keep a straight face. She's my sister, don't get mad, don't get mad… Not worth it this time either…
Jing Hongchen watched with a smile, savoring this moment of family bliss. Once the two kids quieted down, he handed over the Xuan Shui Dan.
"Here—this is a top-tier pill from the Douluo Three Nations, a gift from a titled Douluo. Take it now, I'll protect you while you absorb it."
Xiao Hongchen took the pill, a bunch of question marks floating above his head. "Grandpa, what's going on? Did that Titled Douluo defect to our Sun Moon Empire?"
"Heh, no. He sent it on behalf of a talented junior from his family as a challenge to you two. He says this junior will compete with you in the future."
Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up excitedly. "Awesome! I hope that junior's strong enough and won't go down too easily!"
Meng Hongchen smiled as she examined the pill in her hand, her eyes twinkling: "I hope you're the one who gets flattened. That would be more fun."
Xiao Hongchen stiffened and nearly dropped the Xuan Shui Dan. "Meng… would it kill you not to provoke me for once?"
"Heehee, nope. But it's so fun! You're the Sun Moon Empire's once-in-a-millennium genius—you need to be strong on the inside, right?"
"You keep teasing me—whose side are you even on?!"
Meng Hongchen gave it a thoughtful look, then answered seriously:
"Hmm… hard to say. If that Three Nations genius turns out to be handsome, maybe I'll team up with him to beat you up? You never know!"
Xiao Hongchen covered his face in frustration and turned to Jing Hongchen to complain, "Grandpa, look at her…"
Jing Hongchen didn't mind at all. He chuckled and said, "Xiao, Meng has a point too. She's your younger sister—just be a bit more tolerant, alright?"
"You… you two…"
Xiao Hongchen looked at the pair with a face full of grief. He felt like there was no place left for him in this cold Hongchen family. Turning his sorrow into appetite, he swallowed the Xuan Shui Dan in one gulp, then sat cross-legged to meditate—out of sight, out of mind.
"Damn Three Nations genius… better not run into you too early, or I'll crush you in front of Meng and reclaim my dignity as an older brother…"
——
At noon, Xu Xiaoyun returned on clouds. The silhouette of the Xuanming Sect Estate came into view.
"This time I've seen Old Long, and I've sent the letter to Jing Hongchen. When Tianxi goes to train in the Sun Moon Empire, things should be much smoother…"
He floated along the stone path, mentally reviewing the plan, analyzing any remaining tasks.
Suddenly, a wail of grief echoed from ahead—Xu Sanshi's anguished scream:
"Ahhh! Tianxi, what have you been eating?! Stop chasing me already! I can't take it anymore!!"
Xu Xiaoyun: "…"
Where the heck did this kid learn such nonsense? He needs a beating.