From the Zhongli residence emerged Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen. Upon seeing the visitors, they were momentarily stunned before regaining their composure.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" they both said in unison.
They first bowed to Xu Tianran, then turned to Jing Hongchen and said, "Grandfather, we are planning to go to the Liyue Academy to study soul master knowledge."
"You might not know, but the teachers at Liyue Academy are titled Douluo, and they are from the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect. They are extremely knowledgeable and willing to share everything."
"Whenever we encounter difficulties in cultivation, the teachers will provide answers. If there are questions that even the teachers are puzzled by, they will give the answers during the next lecture."
Meng Hongchen's face was filled with anticipation as she explained the reason for their departure.
Hearing this, Xu Tianran was momentarily stunned, then his eyes lit up.
The teaching methods of Liyue were no secret across the Douluo Continent.
What astonished everyone was the faculty of Liyue!
It was understandable that the "initiation teachers" for soul masters were titled Douluo.
But the other teachers were also extraordinary, gathering the most elite talents from across the Douluo Continent.
There were two teachers for cooking: one was a food-type Soul Douluo, and the other was a food-type Soul Sage.
Such a lineup was simply terrifying.
Originally, Liyue was formed by great merchants, and its largest income came from commerce.
The Liyue Seven Stars were also composed of seven great merchants, who were also teachers at the Liyue Academy...
Jing Hongchen stroked his beard and nodded, indicating he understood, but this was not the answer he was looking for. Now was not the time to ask further questions.
"In that case, you two go ahead and study soul master knowledge. The Crown Prince and I have some matters to attend to and need to visit the Martial God."
Jing Hongchen said nonchalantly, and Xu Tianran beside him remained silent, clearly intending to send the siblings away.
However, after exchanging a glance, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen did not leave. Instead, they looked at Jing Hongchen with eager eyes.
"???"
Jing Hongchen and Xu Tianran exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat bewildered and surprised.
But since Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen were Jing Hongchen's grandchildren, Xu Tianran couldn't say much.
He just felt that Jing Hongchen was being a bit indulgent with these two!
"What are you two doing?"
"Grandfather, we've been waiting for you to return for so long!"
Xiao Hongchen's lips curled into a sly smile.
Meng Hongchen narrowed her eyes, looking at Jing Hongchen as if he were a plump fish.
"Huh?"
Seeing this, Jing Hongchen instinctively took a step back, feeling confused and bewildered.
These grandchildren were acting rather strange!
"Hehehe..."
The two exchanged another glance, their eyes flashing with a hint of mischief.
When they were shocked by that thing, Jing Hongchen had just returned to the Sun Moon Empire and wasn't present.
Now that Jing Hongchen was back, they couldn't resist giving the old man a little "surprise."
"Grandfather, hand over your personal notes. We need to take them to the Liyue Academy!"
Meng Hongchen extended her hand toward Jing Hongchen.
Seeing this, Xiao Hongchen also extended his hand, his meaning clear.
Hearing this, Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen were both stunned, their minds filled with questions.
As the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran knew just how valuable Jing Hongchen's personal notes were!
These were the life's work of a level-nine soul engineer!
As for Jing Hongchen himself, his face darkened.
They would rather part with several level-nine soul tools than easily hand over their personal notes!
Take them to the Liyue Academy?
At this moment, Jing Hongchen was in a dilemma, truly at a loss...
Where was this?
At the entrance of the Zhongli residence, right under the Martial God's nose!
If he refused, what would the Martial God think?
Crown Prince Xu Tianran was standing right beside him. This... this was putting Jing Hongchen in a tight spot!
Seeing this, Xu Tianran was about to say something to break the deadlock, but before he could speak, Meng Hongchen took the lead.
"Grandfather, don't think you're at a disadvantage."
"If you lose your personal notes, you can always rewrite them."
"But if you miss out on the divine metal, you'll regret it!"
With that, Meng Hongchen took out ten Mora from her storage soul tool, the amber-colored luster shimmering in her hand.
"This is Mora, metal infused with the Martial God's divine power!"
Xu Tianran's pupils contracted, feeling a tingling sensation on his scalp.
Jing Hongchen was thunderstruck, completely stunned.
"Divine metal, infused with the Martial God's divine power?"
No one understood the importance of such metal better than high-level soul engineers. With this metal, they might truly break through the barriers and reach level-ten soul engineers, or even higher!
Jing Hongchen swallowed hard and said with difficulty, "This... this Mora, was it exchanged for my notes?"
If... just if!
If notes could be exchanged for divine metal, the Sun Moon Empire had baskets upon baskets of notes!
Notes could be rewritten, but divine metal, once gone, was truly gone!
"Grandfather, it's not like that."
Meng Hongchen shook her head and said, "This is a gift from the Martial God, no exchange required."
"But if you just accept it like this, would you feel comfortable?"
Jing Hongchen: "..."
Xu Tianran: "..."
The logic was sound. Accepting such a precious gift outright, he really wouldn't feel comfortable.
Jing Hongchen took out a storage soul tool from his pocket and tossed it to Xiao Hongchen, then carefully collected the Mora from Meng Hongchen's hand, storing it with great care.
"This is my personal notebook, containing all my experimental records."
"Liyue's soul tools need development and reform. I am willing to contribute to Liyue's progress!"
Jing Hongchen declared with righteous fervor, completely free from his earlier hesitation!
Even with the Crown Prince standing beside him, so what?
Wouldn't that level-ten soul engineer, if he knew, also willingly contribute his personal notes without hesitation?
The Sun Moon Empire had one level-ten soul engineer, but his path was almost impossible to replicate. To create more level-ten soul engineers, they needed divine metal, materials infused with divine power.
If they could create level-eleven or level-twelve soul tools, it might even be possible for mortals to rival gods!
Seeing this, a complex emotion flashed in Xu Tianran's eyes, but he said nothing.
Even without the "Mora," if Jing Hongchen had handed over his personal notes, Xu Tianran wouldn't have said anything, nor would he have cared.
To the Martial God, level-nine soul tools... even the complete experience of a level-nine soul engineer, were of no use.
After obtaining Jing Hongchen's notes, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen quickly bid farewell and ran off toward the Liyue Academy.
Seeing this, Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen couldn't help but chuckle. These two were clearly favoring Liyue!
But if it was for Liyue, it was fine.