Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Bad Luck for You
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Wang Ping was overjoyed. While repeatedly thanking the two gatekeepers, he urgently said to Wang Li, "Quick, catch up to that teacher and go to the academic office to register together!"
Of course, Wang Li did not want to get too involved with Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. The karma surrounding them was too heavy for him to bear. After all, ordinary people around the main characters often ended up as mere cannon fodder.
What was he supposed to do? He didn't even have a soul ring yet, but he couldn't voice these thoughts. After bidding farewell to Wang Ping with a heavy load of belongings, Wang Li strode into the academy, keeping his head down and deliberately avoiding eye contact with Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
Although Wang Li wished to distance himself from them, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San waited for him. When Wang Li approached, Yu Xiaogang suddenly called out, "Come here, child. I need to check your Spirit Hall certificate!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Li felt a wave of annoyance. However, he couldn't resist the authority of the elder and had to stop in front of Yu Xiaogang, presenting his Spirit Hall certificate. He immediately mentioned Su Yuntao, saying, "This is my Spirit Hall certificate, issued by Master Su Yuntao of the Spirit Hall."
At that moment, Wang Li thought, Could it be that Yu Xiaogang's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit has mutated to only half a soul power level? Is he looking to use my Blue Silver Grass spirit, which has evolved to three soul power levels, as a test subject?
Wang Li was confident that Yu Xiaogang wouldn't see through his hidden potential, but if Yu Xiaogang decided to use his influence against him, Wang Li would find it difficult to cope.
Meanwhile, across from him, Yu Xiaogang scrutinized Wang Li's Spirit Hall certificate: Wang Village, Wang Li, mutated Blue Silver Grass spirit, three soul power levels. His gaze gradually turned sharper.
He had studied 647 holders of the Blue Silver Grass spirit, finding only sixteen with soul power, and none exceeding level one. Therefore, he concluded that a spirit like Blue Silver Grass had no potential for mutation.
Just a moment ago, he had drawn the conclusion that Tang San's Blue Silver Grass could not provide him with level ten soul power. The only spirit that could do so must be another powerful spirit.
Thus, Tang San must have dual spirits.
The sudden appearance of Wang Li and this unexpected mutated Blue Silver Grass felt like a slap in the face to Yu Xiaogang, who prided himself on being the foremost theorist in the spirit master community. He could not help but feel a burning embarrassment.
Narrowing his eyes, he thought, Su Yuntao… These days, anyone can call themselves a master. To judge a spirit as mutated simply based on three soul power levels—what a decline in the quality of personnel at the Spirit Hall!
Blue Silver Grass has no potential for mutation. As for this child, Yu Xiaogang looked at Wang Li and figured he must have simply been lucky to possess three soul power levels. However, with a spirit like Blue Silver Grass, his future achievements would ultimately be limited; whether he could even break through to thirty soul power levels remained uncertain.
Under normal circumstances, Yu Xiaogang might have considered keeping Wang Li around for guidance—not as a disciple, but as an apprentice, as his disciples were not someone anyone could simply become.
But now that he had found a better candidate in Tang San, he had no interest in Wang Li. After all, he was merely a Blue Silver Grass spirit with only three soul power levels. Such talent was insufficient to support his theory of the ten core competitive strengths of spirits.
A hint of pity flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. It was truly unfortunate for Wang Li; he would not have the opportunity to receive guidance from someone he considered the foremost master in the spirit master community. With that thought, Yu Xiaogang returned Wang Li's Spirit Hall certificate and said nonchalantly, "No problem. You can go register now; the academic office is just ahead. It's a bit far, but easy to find."
Wang Li was somewhat surprised but didn't hesitate. He took back his Spirit Hall certificate and quickly left with his heavy bags.
After Wang Li had walked away, Tang San looked at his retreating figure and turned to Yu Xiaogang, asking curiously, "Teacher, does he really have a mutated Blue Silver Grass spirit? Is there such a thing as a spirit mutation?"
Yu Xiaogang glanced at Tang San, recalling his dual spirit talent. A rush of excitement filled him, and a smile broke out on his face. With a firm voice, he explained, "A spirit originates from bloodline inheritance, passed down from both the father and mother. Typically, a powerful spirit will overshadow a weaker one. However, if both spirits are of similar quality, they can influence each other. This process is known as spirit mutation. Such mutations can be either beneficial or detrimental, but…"
At this point, Yu Xiaogang thought of Wang Li from earlier. Even though he possessed three soul power levels, Yu Xiaogang firmly believed in his theory. He continued, "The weakness of Blue Silver Grass means it has no potential for mutation; it won't affect other spirits, and vice versa. That boy was lucky to have three soul power levels, allowing him to cultivate. However, his talent is less than one-thousandth of yours. With your abilities and my guidance, your future achievements will be beyond his reach!"
After hearing this, Tang San completely dismissed Wang Li from his mind. In this life and the last, someone had finally recognized his talent. He felt immensely pleased.
In Tang San's heart, with Yu Xiaogang's profound understanding of spirits and the secret techniques he had stolen from the Tang Sect in his past life, he believed he could combine them to reach heights he had never attained before. Unfortunately, the Tang Sect elders who once looked down on him would never see his success.
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Meanwhile, on the other side…
"Phew—"
Wang Li let out a long breath. After careful consideration, he realized that perhaps his spirit and talent hadn't caught Yu Xiaogang's attention, and he was content with that.
He had his own advantages and didn't need to force himself to get close to them. With this thought, he decided to focus on registering and hoped to learn the basics of meditation at the academy soon.
With that in mind, his pace quickened.
Nuoding Academy appeared large but was not complicated inside, and Wang Li soon found the academic office. Before entering, the teacher at the office wore a warm smile, but after he walked in, the teacher's demeanor turned cold, possibly due to Wang Li's tattered clothes.
Wang Li took out his Spirit Hall certificate and the proof of enrollment signed by the village chief and several nearby chiefs. He then spoke formally, "Hello, teacher. I'm a new work-study student here to register."
The middle-aged teacher at the academic office accepted the two documents. He was somewhat surprised to see the mutated Blue Silver Grass and three soul power levels but offered no further comment. As he registered Wang Li, he said, "From now on, you'll be a first-year student at Nuoding Academy. Your work-study dormitory is in Room Seven. You'll need to go there yourself. The work-study students will be responsible for cleaning certain areas of the academy. A teacher will come by soon to make arrangements. Today, you should get familiar with your dormitory and the campus. Don't be late for the opening ceremony tomorrow."
Wang Li replied politely, "Understood. Thank you, teacher."
(End of Chapter)