Most soul engineers at Shrek Academy cked the ability to design custom soul tools. They could craft existing designs, but creating personalized soul tools for individual soul masters was beyond their expertise. Even Fan Yu, an eighth-ranked soul engineer, could only produce standard-grade eighth-ranked soul tools and was limited to customizing a few seventh-ranked ones.

  This was the gap between Qian Ran and the others.

  Qian Ran, a mere fifth-ranked soul engineer, could design soul tools tailored even for Soul Kings.

  Each of the girls—Ning Tian, Zhu Lu, Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, and Jiang Nannan—had unique fighting styles requiring different soul tools. Without customized soul tools designed for their specific needs, using standard ones would actually hinder their combat performance, lowering their effectiveness rather than enhancing it.

  This was why Shrek Academy’s talented students generally avoided soul tools, except for flight and energy-replenishing devices. Shrek’s standard soul tools simply didn’t suit their needs; using them might actually weaken their battle capabilities.

  Over time, the teachers at the academy became indifferent toward soul tools.

  But now, seeing Jiang Nannan and the others wielding these customized soul tools, enhancing their strength so significantly, the teachers couldn’t hide their astonishment.

  This was the path Shrek Academy’s prodigies ought to be taking!And Qian Ran had already paved the way for them!

  “What a genius,” Fan Yu muttered, at a loss for words. Generally, designing a soul tool was even more complicated than crafting one, demanding significant time and effort. Yet, Qian Ran seemed so carefree, as if he hadn’t even exerted himself. Could he truly be one of those rare individuals born with innate knowledge?

  “If only all our Martial Soul students could have powerful soul tools,” Yan Shaozhe sighed. Equipping the core disciples with personalized soul tools would make Shrek Academy even stronger.

  “You’ve got to work hard on this,” Yan Shaozhe said, patting Qian Duoduo on the shoulder.

  Qian Ran, however, would only make soul tools for the women close to him; he wouldn’t make them for anyone else, nor would he sell them. After all, he wasn’t short on money.

  In the end, nine people remained in the combat arena.

  Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, Zhu Lu, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Cui Yajie.

  Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, the twin sisters, exchanged a gnce, knowing they were the weakest among the remaining contestants. If only seven were to remain, they’d have to give up their spots.

  “Teacher, we forfeit,” Lan Susu said, pulling Lan Luoluo down from the arena.

  “Sister, we still had a chance to fight!” Lan Luoluo was puzzled by her sister’s decision. They couldn’t compete with Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong’er, Xiao Xiao, or Zhu Lu, but they might have stood a chance against some of the others, especially with their spirit fusion ability.

  Lan Susu gently patted her sister’s head with a sigh.

  “If you want to get closer to Qian Ran, you can’t make enemies with them.” Lan Susu gnced at her sister. Almost everyone remaining had close ties to Qian Ran. Even if they managed to secure a spot, making enemies of these girls would be pointless.

  “Oh.” Lan Luoluo blushed, casting a shy gnce at Qian Ran.

  Standing among Shrek Academy’s teachers and even the dean, Qian Ran ughed and chatted with ease.

  His presence was magnetic, leaving a deep impression on Lan Luoluo.

  Among their peers, no one else exuded that kind of charisma.

  He wasn’t always around, but when he appeared, he was a natural leader. Even if he didn’t lift a finger, all eyes gravitated toward him.

  Could she and her sister hope to hold a pce beside him?

  As the final candidates were confirmed, Mu Jin’s face darkened. She didn’t dare question Elder Xuan’s decision, so she directed her frustration at Qian Ran instead.

  Her beautiful eyes shot a fierce gre at him, and she felt an urge to kick him hard.

  “Teacher Mu Jin, why are you looking at me like that? What does this have to do with me?”

  “Don’t pretend. You know exactly what these girls mean to you.” Mu Jin grew angrier the more she thought about it. If it weren’t for Qian Ran, her css might have had a few students make it through.

  “Well, it’s not my fault that my girlfriends aren’t in your css. But if Teacher Mu Jin would like to introduce me to some beauties from Css Two, I might be able to help with their training!” Qian Ran ughed. Css Two might not have as many stunning girls as Css One, but there were still a few he found interesting.

  Of course, his primary interest was in Mu Jin, the alluring mature beauty.

  If he managed to win Mu Jin over, he could even bring some of the girls from her css along for activities. And by activities, he meant the kind that were good for both body and mind—not anything inappropriate.

  “Get lost!”

  Mu Jin was furious, feeling an inexplicable pang of jealousy.

  This scoundrel dared to set his sights on her students.

  Did he think she was Zhou Yi? Practically every outstanding girl in Zhou Yi’s css had ended up by Qian Ran’s side, with Zhou Yi undoubtedly pying a role in making it happen. To please her beloved, Zhou Yi had shamelessly abused her position to indulge Qian Ran.

  Zhou Yi’s css had practically become Qian Ran’s personal garden, with the remaining girls there either not attractive enough to catch his eye or too preoccupied with other matters.

  So Qian Ran’s flirtatious remark might not have been aimed at her but rather at the girls in her css.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Mu Jin scoffed, turning away from Qian Ran, too angry to continue the conversation. Her whole css had been eliminated, and he still dared to entertain such thoughts?

  Zhou Yi shot Qian Ran a pyful wink, her gaze filled with a hint of chiding. Her css had already offered him nearly all its pretty girls, and still, he wasn’t satisfied.

  Yan Shaozhe and the others watching this exchange were at a loss for words. Qian Ran had so many women in his life already; did he really need more? Could he even manage it all?

  Was it possible that young men’s stamina was that impressive? Could it be that Qian Ran had exceptional talent in that area too?

  For most men, two women would be more than enough, yet Qian Ran seemed to handle it effortlessly.

  Fan Yu and the others could barely contain their envy, especially Fan Yu. Lately, he’d felt his own strength waning and, afraid Zhou Yi would notice, spent his days hidden away in the b, never daring to go home.

  Fan Yu couldn’t understand why this was happening. Though he had been avoiding Zhou Yi, he was beginning to feel guilty and ashamed. That was partly why, when Mu Jin and Zhou Yi had argued earlier, he’d instinctively defended Zhou Yi.

  While Qian Ran was a notorious flirt, he wasn’t breaking any academy rules. As long as he didn’t force anyone, the academy had no reason to interfere if Qian Ran wanted to pursue a hundred or even two hundred girlfriends.

  As long as everything was consensual, Qian Ran was free to do as he pleased.

  After all, lineage was vital for spirit masters; the more wives and children one had, the stronger the bloodline. Failing to pass down one’s martial soul would be the real tragedy.

  However, they did need to remind Qian Ran of one thing: he needed to be cautious and avoid any, ahem, premature surprises in the outer courtyard. Any disruptions in these girls' training would be problematic, as they were all core disciples, talented students ying their foundational skills.

  The st thing they wanted was a group of prodigiously talented young women showing up for csses with swollen bellies.

  (End of chapter)