Douluo Dalu 2: I got Kidnapped into Holy Spirit Cult

"Yes, Teacher Xuan," Jiang Jue responded while still savoring the moment from earlier.

"No wonder," Xuan Ziwen remarked knowingly. "The lines you engraved are a bit rough, but other than that, they're quite decent."

Soul masters who specialize in the spiritual domain have an advantage over other types of soul masters when it comes to crafting soul tools. Their strong spiritual power allows them to control engraving knives with greater precision, making their lines more refined and reducing errors.

"Keep practicing. Once you can draw the most basic lines properly, you'll be able to minimize mistakes when crafting the core formations of soul tools in the future."

After saying this, Xuan Ziwen took out several more pieces of titanium and handed them to Jiang Jue for practice.

Titanium is a low-density metal that is easier to engrave than most other metals. It is also widely available on the market and not considered rare, making it the preferred material for beginner soul engineers to practice with.

Jiang Jue didn't waste any words. He picked up the engraving knife and immediately began practicing on the titanium.

For a while, the sound of metal being scraped and cut echoed through the room.

The others—Juzi and the others—were completely unfazed. After all, this was a common sound in their soul tool crafting process.

In the following days, Jiang Jue spent his mornings in the laboratory studying soul tool technology and his evenings in his dormitory cultivating his soul power.

His schedule was tight, but every day felt fulfilling.

His soul tool crafting skills also visibly improved. By the third day, he had progressed to practicing curved lines. By the tenth day, he had already begun attempting to engrave the core formations of soul tools.

Time passed quickly, and soon, twenty-five days had gone by.

"Jiang Jue, do your best! I believe in you!"

"Go, Jiang Jue!"

Inside the Third Laboratory, Keke stood with her hands on her hips, cheering for Jiang Jue. Juzi and Zimu also encouraged him.

Today was an important day—it was Jiang Jue's assessment to become a Level 1 Soul Engineer.

Jiang Jue flexed his fingers and gave them a small smile.

"Don't worry, I got this."

Over the past few weeks, their relationship had become increasingly harmonious. None of them showed any hostility toward newcomers, making it easy to get along with them.

"Alright, come over here," Xuan Ziwen called out, a slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth. Seeing his students getting along well was something he was pleased to witness.

As an eighth-level soul engineer and advisor at the Mingde Hall, Xuan Ziwen had the authority to conduct Jiang Jue's Level 1 Soul Engineer assessment.

The requirement for this assessment was simple: he had to engrave a Level 1 core formation.

Jiang Jue sat at a massive laboratory table. A green glow flickered in his hand, and a crystalline jade-like engraving knife appeared—it was the Devourer Spirit Engraving Knife.

On the table in front of him lay a palm-sized piece of silver-white metal, already prepared.

Jiang Jue picked up the engraving knife, and his gaze instantly sharpened. A gray hue flickered in his eyes as he quickly entered a focused state.

With his first stroke, the Devourer Spirit Engraving Knife sank into the metal effortlessly, as if slicing through tofu.

His movements were neither slow nor rushed, but compared to his initial eagerness when he first started, he now carried an air of steadiness. The engraving knife glided across the metal like a dancing dragon, smooth and uninterrupted, as if he were crafting a delicate piece of art.

As more and more lines were engraved, the core formation gradually took shape. Throughout the process, Jiang Jue's expression remained calm and composed.

"Not arrogant, not impatient," Xuan Ziwen observed.

Standing beside Jiang Jue, he carefully watched his progress. Seeing that Jiang Jue was about to complete the core formation while maintaining his composure, Xuan Ziwen couldn't help but praise him inwardly.

"Juzi, Jiang Jue is about to finish," Keke whispered, shaking Juzi's arm lightly.

"I see, I see," Juzi replied.

A flicker of intrigue flashed in Juzi's eyes. She had already discovered Jiang Jue's identity.

At first, Jiang Jue had known nothing about soul tool technology, yet he was allowed into their laboratory. This detail caught her sharp intuition, prompting her to investigate.

Initially, she found nothing. However, Xu Tianran eventually took notice of her inquiries and personally informed Juzi that Jiang Jue was the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult.

Xu Tianran even instructed Juzi to proactively build a good relationship with Jiang Jue, as it would benefit him.

As Jiang Jue made his final engraving stroke, the entire core formation was complete. The surface was covered in intricate lines, yet each one was crisp and clearly defined.

"Teacher, I'm finished."

Jiang Jue put away the Devourer Spirit Engraving Knife and shifted his gaze from the core formation to Xuan Ziwen.

Xuan Ziwen picked up the core formation steadily and slowly injected soul power into it. Immediately, the entire piece of metal emitted a soft, milky-white glow, and a straight beam of light shot up from the center of the formation.

"It's done!"

Jiang Jue smiled faintly. He had expected this outcome.

After all, he had successfully crafted a Level 1 soul tool two days ago.

"Congratulations, Jiang Jue. From now on, you are officially a soul engineer."

"This is the reward for your hard work—take it."

Xuan Ziwen handed him a heavy bronze badge, which bore a single silver stripe, signifying a Level 1 Soul Engineer.

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Teacher," Jiang Jue replied.

Hearing this, Xuan Ziwen couldn't hide the pride on his face.

Look at that! A student he had personally taught had become a Level 1 Soul Engineer in less than a month!

"Congratulations, Jiang Jue!"

Juzi and the others stepped forward one after another to offer their congratulations.

"Thank you all for helping me over the past month."

During this time, there were occasions when Xuan Ziwen had to attend research projects at Mingde Hall, and whenever Jiang Jue had questions, Keke and the others gladly assisted him.

"I've decided to give you all an early break this weekend. Go relax and enjoy yourselves—you're free to leave now."

"Teacher Xuan, you're the best!"

Upon hearing this, Keke jumped up in excitement.

At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, students typically had classes for six days and only one day off.

Tomorrow happened to be their scheduled day of rest.

"Let's go, Juzi! Let's get some beef offal from that stall near the school gates. I've been craving it!"

Keke quickly packed her things and pulled Juzi along as they left. Zimu soon followed suit and exited the laboratory.

"You're not leaving?"

Xuan Ziwen noticed that Jiang Jue hadn't moved and asked curiously.

"Teacher, I have a gift for you," Jiang Jue said mysteriously, pulling out a wooden box and handing it to Xuan Ziwen.

"I don't accept gifts from students," Xuan Ziwen waved his hand dismissively, signaling Jiang Jue to take it back.

"It's nothing valuable—just a little something I made."

Jiang Jue insisted, holding out the box again.

"Is that so?"

Xuan Ziwen glanced at Jiang Jue suspiciously before taking the wooden box and opening it.

Inside lay a pitch-black, unassuming metal object—it was a modified version of a handgun from Jiang Jue's past life.

He had made some adjustments, embedding two core formations into it.

"A Level 1 soul tool? You made this yourself?"

Jiang Jue nodded slightly.

"Alright then, I'll accept it."

Seeing that it wasn't anything particularly valuable, Xuan Ziwen took it.

"Teacher, you must take good care of it," Jiang Jue said with a hint of amusement before turning and leaving the laboratory.