Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Dude, are you insane?"

Inside the library, Xiao Hongchen's face was filled with shock. Noticing the curious glances from those around them, he lowered his voice and said to Xu Cheng,

"Are you seriously planning to repair this soul tool?"

"If I don't try, how will I know if it's possible?"

Xu Cheng's face was slightly haggard, but his crimson eyes burned with a passionate thirst for knowledge.

Xiao Hongchen picked up the books stacked nearby:

Three Possibilities for Sealing Soul Tools Introduction to Level Five Soul Tools Theories on Soul Tool Core Linkages

Having grown up around Jing Hongchen, he had naturally been exposed to this field since childhood. He hadn't studied it deeply, but he knew these books were of a level that only Mingde Hall's senior students—Level Five Soul Engineers or higher—would borrow to study.

But…

Xiao Hongchen glanced at Xu Cheng, who was once again buried in the sea of books. His throat moved as if to speak, but no words came out.

If it had been anyone else, he'd definitely mock them.

Really? A Level Three Soul Engineer researching Level Seven soul tools? Are you kidding me?

But when it came to Xu Cheng…

He knew this guy wasn't someone who did things for show. Judging by his current state, he was truly obsessed, his passion for soul tools far surpassing Xiao Hongchen's imagination.

For the past week, Xu Cheng had barely returned to the dormitory. Instead, he spent almost all his time in the lab or library.

A total madman!

Xiao Hongchen sighed deeply and left the library.

He didn't think Xu Cheng would succeed, but seeing him like this, he didn't have the heart to discourage him either.

"I won't tell my sister for now."

Thinking about his sister, he felt another wave of helplessness.

Time flew by.

Inside a second-floor lab, Xu Cheng slowly raised his head.

The final piece of the core array had been carved. He carefully set down his carving knife and exhaled a long breath.

A month of effort has finally paid off.

"I did it!"

Xu Cheng exhaled deeply.

Of course, "did it" was only theoretical—the results still needed to be tested.

He carefully began assembling the parts, connecting the links to the metal casing, until the process was complete.

With trembling hands, he gripped the dagger. Every movement was slow and deliberate, like the pace of a tortoise, yet it reflected the culmination of a month's hard work.

"Buzz!"

At last, as his soul power coursed into the handle, a massive repelling force surged back at him.

Xu Cheng gritted his teeth and held on tightly.

Fortunately, after a few seconds, the repelling force weakened and eventually settled into stillness. It felt as if the soul tool had found a balance point with his soul power—a point corresponding to his abilities.

"..."

This was success.

Walking to the target range, Xu Cheng held the short dagger in a reverse grip. His figure flickered as he lunged toward the iron target ahead.

Infusing his soul power, a faint blue light flashed across the dagger's edge.

Sparks flew as the blade struck the metal target, leaving a deep gash.

Xu Cheng nodded in satisfaction.

As expected of a close-combat soul tool crafted by Jing Hongchen. Even at Level Three, it could leave a mark on a metal target—"ferocious" was an understatement.

After a month of painstaking effort, the short dagger was finally repaired.

Calling it a repair felt like an understatement; it was essentially reforged.

During this time, he'd not only learned an incredible amount of advanced soul tool knowledge, but he'd also conducted countless experiments, failing and retrying over and over again.

"..."

Xu Cheng yawned.

As the adrenaline wore off, fatigue took over. He nearly stumbled from exhaustion.

"Time to head back to the dorm and catch up on sleep."

Leaving the lab area, he instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.

It took a moment before he adjusted and lifted his gaze.

The morning light had broken through, and the hazy dawn gave way to a rising sun that slowly climbed above the horizon.

Golden rays pierced the thin mist, reflecting faint shadows on the metal-clad buildings of the Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy.

Returning to the dormitory, Xu Cheng practically collapsed into bed and fell asleep immediately.

"Huh… he actually came back?"

When Xiao Hongchen returned to the dorm and heard faint breathing, he glanced at Xu Cheng, who was sound asleep, and was momentarily stunned.

He'd practically been the dorm's guardian for the past month. Xu Cheng had become so obsessed with studying his sister's soul tool that it seemed he'd lost himself.

"Looks like he gave up, huh?" Xiao Hongchen sighed.

Even though he knew Xu Cheng's eventual failure was inevitable, seeing him like this still stirred some emotions.

No matter how determined you are, you can't defy the laws of nature! Do you really think soul tools can be fixed through sheer effort…

As Xiao Hongchen mulled over this, his gaze fell on the short dagger lying on the dorm desk.

Curious, he picked it up and weighed it in his hand.

"This is the cause of all your obsession, huh? I shouldn't have let Meng bring it out in the first place…"

"Oh well, what's done is done. I just hope this doesn't leave Xu Cheng with any lasting scars."

With that, he carefully stored the soul tool and quietly left the dorm to return it to his sister.

Before leaving, he glanced back at Xu Cheng, who was still sound asleep, and chuckled.

"Sweet dreams, buddy."

Xu Cheng slowly stood and stretched.

His body felt refreshed, as though he'd just rebooted.

Glancing out the window, he noticed the sunlight filling every corner of the room. It seemed to be noon.

The scent of fresh trees wafted in through the window, adding to the rejuvenating atmosphere.

Feeling great after fixing the short dagger, Xu Cheng's mood was uplifted.

If this really was a test, then he'd not only passed but done so with flying colors. Jing Hongchen would surely have a clearer understanding of his potential now.

And if it wasn't a test, the forced learning of advanced soul tool knowledge and his first hands-on experience dismantling and studying a high-level soul tool array had still been immensely beneficial.

Though he remained a Level Three Soul Engineer, his understanding of soul tools had deepened considerably.

"Huh, you're awake?"

Xiao Hongchen walked into the dorm and flopped into a chair casually.

"By the way, I took that short dagger to Meng. Don't stress over it. If you couldn't fix it, that's fine. We're just Level Three Soul Engineers. Fixing it would've been a miracle."

"..."

Xu Cheng froze for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Hongchen, who was still trying to console him.

This guy hasn't even realized the soul tool's been repaired?

"You… never mind."

Xu Cheng shook his head.

Once Meng Hongchen used it, she'd understand.

"The finals are coming up. Don't get too worked up over this."

Xiao Hongchen's comment successfully shifted Xu Cheng's focus.

"Finals? When?"

"Haha, I know you too well, Emperor of the Grind." Xiao Hongchen chuckled, upgrading Xu Cheng's title from "King of the Grind" to "Emperor of the Grind."

"It's this afternoon."

"If you hadn't come back early this morning, I was planning to drag you out of the lab myself."

"Hurry up and get ready. Meng and the others are probably already at the testing grounds…"

(End of Chapter)