Douluo Jueshi, world modulation mode

"Oh?"

Anzhen raised her head.

Grandpa made a breakthrough?

An Zhen felt a surge of curiosity.

Grandpa returned to reality and went into seclusion a little over a month after Kong Deming was promoted to a level ten Soul Master. With the privilege of family ties, Jing Hongchen was naturally different from other level nine Soul Masters. An Zhen helped him replicate many of Jing Hongchen's achievements in the virtual world using the Reflection technique, such as some core magic arrays with extremely high precision. Some of these arrays were so difficult that even level nine Soul Masters, even if they developed them themselves, might not be able to replicate them successfully even once in ten attempts.

That was already an attempt to reach a higher realm, with many errors that could only be observed by the mental power of a Title Douluo. But in the virtual world, as long as there is an achievement, it can be replicated.

No matter how complex, a processing plant can be directly replicated or even mass-produced.

Is this breakthrough an attempt to reach the level 10 Soul Master?
This was a small part of Anzhen's inner curiosity.

And the larger portion.

It refers to the soul guide device that Grandpa himself researched.

Mecha!

The humanoid mechanical creation, which is over ten meters tall and was stolen by Huo Yuhao with the Starlight Sapphire in the original novel, and is located in the research institute below Mingde Field, is the direction that Jing Hongchen is researching.

Jing Hongchen's planned soul tool is the super mecha he envisions.

Soul Master, "Soul".

It is a powerful profession that evolved from the Soul Master.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the martial spirit itself.

Low- and mid-tier soul tools generally possess strong versatility, but the more powerful the soul tool, the more unique it becomes. Every level-nine soul master's level-nine soul tool bears, to varying degrees, the shadow of their own martial soul. Soul tools, to a certain extent, function like soul skills, using machinery to unleash extraordinary power. And for a soul master, the extraordinary thing they understand best is undoubtedly their own martial soul.

As a Title Douluo-level powerhouse, Jing Hongchen's martial soul naturally surpasses even advanced martial souls, making it a top-tier martial soul. However, compared to his grandchildren's three-legged golden toad with divine beast bloodline and the benignly mutated Zhu Qingbing toad, Jing Hongchen's toad martial soul lacks any special abilities. It can be described as a well-rounded fighter, dabbling in various aspects but lacking any outstanding strengths. Since the purpose of a soul master equipping a soul tool is to compensate for their weaknesses or enhance their strengths, Jing Hongchen wanted to design a more comprehensive soul tool.

However, looking at soul guides throughout history...

Jing Hongchen discovered that none of his ideas suited him.

But Soul Masters are very versatile. They are equipped with all sorts of Soul Tools for defense, attack, flight, and propulsion.

That being the case.

Why can't he equip the soul tool he envisioned with a soul tool?
then.

The soul tool that An Zhen called "mecha" thus appeared on Jing Hongchen's draft.

"Then let's go take a look," An Zhen said with some anticipation.

Mecha Gundam, from toddlers to the elderly, what boy wouldn't like it? Even those who have never been exposed to it can fall in love with it in a very short time.

At noon.

An Zhen brought An Qiu'er and Zi Ji, who were free, to the Mingde Hall's research lab early in the morning. Next to this research lab, in a highly protected room, were nutrient pods where the bodies and souls of most of the eighth and ninth level soul masters of the Sun Moon Empire slumbered, while their consciousness entered the virtual world.

Anzhen, holding a cold drink, swiped her card to enter.

A spacious area comes into view, with silver-white walls that gleam with a metallic sheen, giving it a futuristic, high-tech feel.

Upon entering, one is immediately struck by a colossal object over ten meters tall, with an unidentified silver-white metal shell. Its massive size exudes an immense sense of oppression, resembling a terrifying being in deep slumber.

"You're here." A silver-haired middle-aged man standing in front of a large computer screen gestured to An Zhen and the others. Beside him were a pair of twins who looked somewhat alike.

“Grandpa.” An Zhen stepped forward, and Meng Hongchen took a few steps and laughed as she rushed into An Zhen’s arms, hugging one of An Zhen’s arms with both hands.

An Zhen reflected a few glasses of cold drinks and handed them to Xiao Meng and her siblings, as well as Jing Hongchen, asking, "What is this breakthrough that Grandpa was talking about?"

"A groundbreaking achievement!" Jing Hongchen's eyes reflected the data and lines on the metal screen, his handsome face radiating undisguised excitement and exhilaration.

"Mecha series!"

This would be an achievement akin to pioneering a new era!
"A series?" Anzhen looked at the screen.

The screen displays various styles of mechs.

It wasn't like the humanoid mecha in the room, but rather had very distinctive features, such as a very large drill bit and a cannon barrel with a caliber that took up almost one-fifth of its body.

"This inspiration came from a soul beast," Jing Hongchen said.

Jing Hongchen pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses. "Although we often say that level 1 to 10 Soul Masters are comparable to level 1 to 10 Soul Beasts, and Title Douluo are comparable to 100,000-year Soul Beasts, from an objective point of view, under normal circumstances, except for geniuses like Xiao Zhen and others, human Soul Masters are often in a relatively weak position."

"why is that?"

"Naturally, it's because of our powerful physiques and the vast energy stored within us." Zi Ji crossed her arms, a hint of arrogance on her cool face.

Especially their true dragons, they are the epitome of power.

Jing Hongchen nodded, "Of course, just as Ms. Ziji said."

"But we humans possess the wisdom to explore."

"If the attack isn't powerful enough, then manufacture weapons."

"If your defense isn't strong enough, put on armor."

"If we don't have a strong physique and a large amount of stored energy, then we'll create one!"

As he spoke, Jing Hongchen pressed a button on the control panel.

Inside the vast testing ground, a ten-meter-tall humanoid mech with a golden shell landed.

“Xiao, come here,” Jing Hongchen said.

"Hmm." Putting down his cold drink, Xiao Hongchen quickly walked to the mecha, pressed a control device on its foot, and the mecha's internal space opened. Xiao Hongchen entered, put on a special helmet and various sensory connection devices, the entrance closed, and the control device lit up with a golden light.

moment.

Golden light shone along the patterns on the entire mecha.

The terrifying mechanical constructs were activated.

Its towering stature and extraordinary energy fluctuations create a powerful sense of intimidation.

With a satisfied smile on his face, Jing Hongchen said, "I designed this mecha myself. Its most outstanding feature is its energy conversion. It utilizes the design concept of a high-energy compression array soul tool, which stores the total soul power equivalent to that of a Title Douluo."

"and."

"The most crucial point is that the energy core inside can be replaced by the operator at any time, and other parts of the fuselage also have a certain energy storage effect, which is equivalent to having an extra backup energy source, making it possible to engage in long-term, sustained combat."

"Kakaka-"

A heavy metallic scraping sound rang out.

The metal mech, as tall as a three-story building, began to move.

"I'll give it a try." An Zhen took a step forward, and in the blink of an eye, his figure appeared fifty meters away from the mecha. A look of eager anticipation appeared in his dark eyes. He stretched his body, and the blood and qi he had been silently circulating were awakened. Strands of invisible blood-red aura swirled around the young man, carrying an extremely peculiar heaviness, as if compressing space. Jing Hongchen showed a hint of surprise in his eyes and sighed softly, "Truly terrifying."

It's not about marveling at the mecha, but about marveling at An Zhen's physical body.

In Jing Hongchen's perception, that seemingly tiny figure was actually like a colossal dragon of unknown size, and its terrifying aura filled him with awe.

'No wonder.' Jing Hongchen glanced at Zi Ji.

He was initially a little worried about Xiao Zhen.

Think about it now.

It seems that Xiaomeng is the one who should be worried.

at the same time.

Lying inside the mecha, Xiao Hongchen was presented with a completely new perspective, displaying many more numerical values ​​and images than a normal person's view.

"Warning! Warning!"

A cold, mechanical voice rang in Xiao Hongchen's ears.

"The blood and qi activity of a soul beast over 100,000 years old has been detected, exceeding the limit of mechanical detection. It is recommended to activate speed mode and evacuate."

"Pervert," Xiao Hongchen thought to himself.

However, in that case, we can do our best.

"boom!"

A ball of flowing golden flame rose from behind the mecha.

"Bang" sound.

The powerful propulsion system reached its maximum speed in the shortest time, and the massive mech shot out like a dazzling golden meteor. A sword blade with a pale golden flame replaced the mech's hand, and a flash of cold light shot out like a thunderclap.

The moment the mecha made contact with Anjin.

An Zhen moved at a speed far exceeding that of the mecha, easily passing over the sharp blades, stepping on the void, and pushing her hands out towards the mecha's chest.

The colossal machine was forcibly brought to a stop in front of An Zhen.

"Click~"

A crack appeared on the mech's chest.

The next moment, scorching energy gathered in the mech's chest and then exploded instantly.

"Ang~"

A clear, crisp dragon roar rang out.

Anzhen's arm transformed into a giant fiery dragon claw, forcefully pressing it against the mecha's chest. The energy impact, with its terrifying destructive power of extremely high temperature, could not cause any damage to it. Instead, it was absorbed by the fiery dragon claw and transformed into its own power.

First Soul Skill: Reflection, Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King.

A huge black figure appeared on An Zhen, enveloping him and resembling a phantom golden-eyed black dragon, forming a posture similar to a martial spirit true body.

The illusory black dragon clashed with the massive mech. Destructive breath assaulted the mech, its sharp claws and every part of its enormous body becoming a weapon. The golden mech was equally formidable, wielding blades burning with light, an energy cannon on its chest, another massive mechanical arm, and even projectiles fired from behind. However, the energy phantom enveloping An Zhen possessed defensive capabilities equivalent to a ten-thousand-year-old golden-eyed black dragon, and could replenish itself with soul power at any time.

Two enormous creatures were locked in a fierce battle.

Within the vast space, the sounds of clashing metal and the roar of dragons echoed continuously.

quite a while.

The golden-eyed black dragon abandoned its battered golden mech.

“Very good,” An Zhen commented. “In terms of mobility, it is considered above average among Soul Saints who have activated their Martial Soul True Body, and its attack power is top-notch.”

"As for defense."

An Zhen watched as Xiao Hongchen emerged from the "battered and bruised" mecha without a single injury, "He's practically on par with a defensive Soul Douluo who's piloting a Martial Soul True Body."

Although the mecha looks battered and bruised, this is only the surface.

This situation is hard to imagine in this era, as the person piloting it is only a Soul Emperor.

"The key is the energy conversion device." Jing Hongchen smiled, this was the result of his hard work over the past few days. "Theoretically speaking, a Soul King is enough to control this mecha, and even a Soul Master with a Spiritual Martial Soul can meet the standard."

"Oh?" An Zhen's eyes showed a strange light.

Even a Soul King is enough to control it?
Even if it were placed ten thousand years later in the original story, during the era of the Dragon King Legend, it probably wouldn't be able to achieve that.

Changing the subject, Jing Hongchen continued, "Of course, this also has some shortcomings."

"what?"

Jing Hongchen took out a mechanical metal block, about the size of a human brain, from his storage ring. It was engraved with many complex core magic arrays.

“Other components can be produced by level six or seven soul masters, but the most crucial one is the core energy device, especially the core array inscription. Its complexity is such that even level eight soul masters may make mistakes, and it will take a considerable amount of time to succeed. The top-notch configuration in all aspects also requires valuable rare metals. Without excluding the core device, the cost is already 1.5 times that of a level eight soul tool.”

As for the specific time, there would still be some left after creating and assembling an eighth-level soul tool from scratch. High-intensity, precision work is extremely energy-consuming.

“That’s normal,” An Zhen said. For a Soul King to unleash the powerful abilities of a Soul Saint who has activated their Martial Soul True Body, a considerable price must be paid.

"The cost is acceptable. No matter how complex the core magic array pattern is, as long as there is a sample, it is just a matter of spending some time for me, but it is not worth it."

There was no particular need for this type of combat capability during this period.

Jing Hongchen nodded gently.

"Therefore, based on this, after designing and making my level 10 soul tool, I plan to improve it. There are two directions: one is to improve it downwards, reducing the configuration in all aspects, but still allowing level 6 or 7 soul tool masters to complete it independently; the other is to continue to improve it upwards, ideally making it comparable to a titled Douluo who has opened a Martial Soul True Body."

'Is this the first version of a mecha?' Anzhen thought to herself.

“There’s something else,” Jing Hongchen continued.

"what?"

"Regarding Kong Deming," Jing Hongchen said with a more serious expression, "he recently had an idea that I think is quite good. A level 10 soul tool is fused with a martial soul, which is equivalent to a natal soul tool. Not to mention its power, there are many other aspects that are incomparable to a level 9 soul tool. It is superior to ordinary soul tools."

"So, Kong Deming wondered if he could develop a series of mid-level natal soul tools that could be used by other soul masters, even soul kings and soul emperors."

"In this regard, he would like to request the support of the Empire and you."

An Zhen:?
A natal soul tool that can be used by ordinary soul masters?
Why does that sound so familiar?

Soul Armament?

Or perhaps, battle armor?!
(End of this chapter)