"What about the manufacturing cost?" Xu Cheng asked thoughtfully.
"Hehe, since I said it could be mass-produced, the cost has naturally already been brought down... As long as a certain amount of soul power is input to serve as the source of this soul ring, it can be 'customized' to become the type of soul ring you want. Of course, soul skills are still a difficult part that hasn't been overcome yet, so for now, they can only be generated randomly," Old Cheng said with a chuckle.
"As for the required soul power, most people receiving artificial soul rings can provide enough themselves... self-sufficient," he added.
"Then the overall level of soul masters in the Sun Moon Empire is bound to see a qualitative leap," Xu Cheng said, smacking his lips.
Once it's rolled out—
Multiplying their power several times over is no problem at all.
Stepping out from the Mingde Hall,
Xu Cheng was still lost in thought.
The improvement of national strength was the foundation for everything to come—and the cornerstone of all his future plans. Elder Cheng had helped him immensely—just finishing his work on artificial soul rings and already moving into the field of mechas...
To meet such a capable and reliable scientific expert—Xu Cheng could only consider himself lucky.
Shaking his head, he realized he had already arrived at the gates of the Sun Moon Imperial Royal Academy.
Having just broken through a bottleneck, he had gone straight to find his teacher. As for Juzi and the others, they probably didn't even know he was out yet.
He would soon have to travel to the Far North.
But before that, he needed to pay a visit to the Clear Sky Sect—whether he would go alone or bring a few soul engineer regiments with him was still undecided.
Xu Cheng's expression turned cold.
Did they really think the Clear Sky Sect could come out unscathed?
What a joke!
Shrek had lost a leading figure, an Ultimate Douluo. So the Clear Sky Sect... at the very least, had to pay a price.
After all, based on what he had discovered from Mu En's storage ring, the final fragment of the Rakshasa Scythe, a top-tier divine artifact, was currently in the Clear Sky Sect's possession.
At present, the Rakshasa God's consciousness had only just reached the level of a Titled Douluo.
But once the Rakshasa Scythe was fully assembled and powered by the divine artifact, its soul fragment could exert at least Ultimate Douluo-level strength!
If he could then purify this soul fragment...
It would become an incredibly powerful and reliable personal bodyguard—a critical asset for his trip to the Far North.
The Crown Prince's residence.
It wasn't large in area.
The decoration leaned toward a simple and classical style, not luxury or opulence.
But this seemingly modest estate—no different from or even lesser than other royal residences—was actually the most sought-after place among all of Mingdu's elites.
Although it appeared deserted and rarely visited, that was only because Xu Cheng preferred peace and quiet. Even the true elites of Mingdu found it difficult to gain entry...
Just like Qing Zhi and Wang Yiheng—commanders of their respective armies—who were currently peering anxiously into the alleyway, surrounded by a group of guards.
Military trials were always major events that shook the entire military sector.
Countless soul engineer regiments had either risen to greatness through these opportunities—or collapsed into obscurity.
Several high-ranking officials of the military, once dominant leaders within their own soul engineer corps, now seemed worth far less. After all, people of that level were everywhere in this place...
Finally, a woman clad in crimson armor emerged from the Crown Prince's residence. She walked past the guards directly and approached the crowd.
Her expression was calm as she faced their eager, almost desperate gazes.
"Everyone, please come in."
"Before a prime minister's door, even seventh-ranked officials must bow."
Even though her face remained indifferent, none dared show the slightest disrespect.
They all quietly followed her through several courtyards until they arrived at a smaller courtyard gate.
Once inside—
They saw the captain of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineering Regiment, Huo Qing, and Xu Jiangnian, captain of the Royal Soul Engineering Regiment, already seated calmly on either side of Xu Cheng.
Many in the crowd looked on with envy—but there was nothing they could do.
One had overwhelming power and led the top soul engineering corps. The other had rendered critical service to the imperial family—even Juzi, now the empire's top strategist, had undergone his trials, showing how highly Xu Cheng valued him.
"Have a seat," Xu Cheng said with a chuckle.
Inside the spacious hall, the usually authoritative military officials sat somewhat stiffly.
All eyes turned to Xu Cheng.
Ever since the news of artificial soul rings had broken, this prince had vanished— leaving them anxious and uneasy. Now that he'd finally reappeared, no one knew what to expect. But one thing was certain: after today, the entire Sun Moon Empire military would undergo a seismic shift.
"I know what you're all wondering about."
Sitting at the head, Xu Cheng smiled lightly.
"Let me answer you today. Artificial soul rings are now highly mature. They can eliminate the soul vibration backlash on the human body. In other words, from the third soul ring onward, one can equip a soul ring of ten-thousand-year quality, depending on their own talent..."
"What?!!" Qing Zhi's face changed dramatically.
He and Wang Yiheng exchanged glances, seeing the same deep shock in each other's eyes.
This was no act.
A soul master with a third soul ring of ten-thousand-year quality had always been an extremely rare, genius-level existence—the cream of the crop.
But now... this could become commonplace. Even soul masters with average talent might receive such power. This was a revolutionary change for the entire soul master world.
Artificial soul rings not only offered higher lifespan limits, they were also easier to obtain and had no side effects—a heaven-sent opportunity. If one soul engineering regiment piloted this, within a few years, their strength would improve exponentially.
And looking farther ahead—
This had immense strategic implications for the future of the entire Sun Moon Empire.
Maybe it wouldn't be obvious right away—
But in ten years? Twenty years?
When everyone's soul ring lineup became purple-purple-black-black-black...
What kind of reaction would the three nations of the original continent have then?
A chorus of heated gazes turned toward Xu Cheng.
"Your Highness! Our Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Regiment is surely the best candidate for the first pilot! We lost the most brothers during the recent defense of Mingdu. I promised them—you wouldn't forget them... sob sob sob..."
The regiment's burly commander began wiping tears without warning.
"The hell you say! Your casualties were bad, but were ours in the Royal Dragon any less?" Qing Zhi cursed.
"Your Highness, look at our Evil Army Regiment—we also..."
With the Terrorclaw commander speaking first, everyone joined in.
These military commanders—once lofty, high-status figures—were now spitting, shouting, even shoving each other. If Xu Cheng hadn't been present, they might've broken into a brawl.
Truly, this world was one massive circus.
Xu Cheng shook his head.
"Clap clap~"
He clapped twice, sweeping his eyes around the room.
Only when everyone had refocused on him did he speak slowly:
"This pilot program will cover the entire military—every soul engineering regiment. During this period, any member stuck at a bottleneck can come to Mingde Hall to register and receive a customized, compatible soul ring..."
"Everyone."
(End of chapter)