After hiding in the academy for two months, Wang Linchi successfully evolved his Soul Kind: Soul Courtyard. He also smoothly increased his spiritual power to 50 points, progressing into the mid-stage of the White Porcelain level Awakener ranks.
Furthermore, within a month of adaptation, he had successfully adjusted to his unique multi-vision system. Not only was he no longer dizzy, but he could also barely multitask.
Multitasking, a skill he had discovered himself, also relied on his spiritual power reaching the required standard. Additionally, his memory had significantly increased, allowing him to barely achieve a photographic memory.
These benefits all stemmed from his potent spiritual power, not from his Soul Kind.
Additionally, his Physique had also improved considerably; after all, to withstand 50 points of spiritual power, one needed a sufficiently robust physique.
Quantitatively, his Physique was now around 5 points. Since his main focus was not on his Physique, these points were accumulated solely by consuming Elixirs.
He did wish to cultivate his Physique, but the challenge was lacking a suitable Soul Forging Method. He had obtained ten book-type Soul Resemblance Soul Forging Methods from Yan Ming King, but switching methods was not easy and required considerable time.
The first step would be to shatter the Book Mountain he had condensed from his spiritual power, then remold the dispersed spiritual power into the form required by the new Soul Forging Method.
Even if he succeeded in switching, a significant amount of spiritual power would be lost, and permanent damage was even possible.
For instance, if the normal Mental Power Capacity Limit for someone at the White Porcelain level was 100 points, an injury sustained from carelessly switching methods could reduce this limit to 99 points, and this loss would be permanent.
Only those belonging to major powers, blessed with various Natural Treasures or special artifacts, could afford to switch methods freely.
Of course, this didn't mean switching methods was impossible. Upon reaching the Black Iron Level, one could cultivate an additional Soul Forging Method. This was because a White Porcelain level Soul Resemblance couldn't accommodate the manifestations of two different Soul Forging Methods.
However, true prodigies rarely needed such a workaround, as the Soul Forging Methods they initially cultivated were far from ordinary.
He himself struggled just to find a Soul Forging Method capable of reaching the Mountain Copper Level, let alone one of a higher tier.
After leaving the academy, he made some simple inquiries and quickly learned that Qinghe City's Silver Emblem arrest officer had unfortunately died a month prior while suppressing bandits. Consequently, Qinghe City was still without a Silver Emblem arrest officer, and a new one needed to be selected. However, this involved a power struggle over interests, and no decision had been reached yet.
Ostensibly, Qinghe City only had two Elite Gold Level experts, but there were many at the Mithril Level, so numerous individuals coveted this position.
Back home, he performed a check. Under the vision provided by his Soul Kind: Soul Courtyard, he saw no additional fields of view. This evidently meant the Silver Emblem arrest officer had not taken out his anger on him; otherwise, people would surely have been sent to observe him.
Of course, it was also possible they had abandoned any plans against him after seeing him move into the academy. This was a good thing for Wang Linchi.
After tidying up his home and returning his belongings to the basement, he began to plan his next steps.
"In two more months, I have to submit a substantial amount of research on the Soul Seed Boiling derivative technology to the Dean; otherwise, I won't be able to fulfill my commitment."
Wang Linchi still remembered his deal with the Dean.
"This shouldn't be too difficult to resolve. I can probably create the 'nesting doll' version within a month at most."
Anyway, the Dean was primarily a combatant skilled in battle and politics; he focused on results and wouldn't understand Wang Linchi's 'nesting doll' approach. As long as it was effective, the Dean wouldn't concern himself with the details.
"Next, I need to study the remaining ten Soul Forging Methods and see if I can integrate them into the 'Book Mountain and Sea Soul Forging Method' I'm currently cultivating, thereby creating an entirely new Soul Forging Method."
Wang Linchi didn't know the origin of Soul Forging Methods, but he felt that using methods created by others would never be as good as developing one perfectly suited to himself.
"This will take a considerable amount of time. I'll study while I cultivate. If I haven't finished by the time I reach the late-stage of the White Porcelain level..."
Then I'll first evolve the Shallow Meditation Soul Kind, Wang Linchi thought.
His mind was filled with plans. Besides these urgent tasks, there were others, such as learning Soul Skills and developing his Soul Resemblance. None of these could be completed quickly.
"Well, not a moment to spare." Wang Linchi decided to first complete the derivative technology for Soul Seed Boiling. He had made a promise and couldn't go back on his word, especially since he was still counting on obtaining the fourth-level subsidy.
Soon, he was engrossed in intense research.
「...」
"Excellent. With your achievements, as long as you complete the graduation trials and graduate early, you'll be eligible to participate in the once-in-a-century Hundred Prefectures Prodigy Convention."
"If you secure first place and acquire that Legendary Level Soul Kind, your future will be even brighter."
The Dean looked at Yan Ming King, his tone pleased.
In these past two months, Yan Ming King had acted as the vanguard. He first eliminated the Silver Emblem arrest officer, who had been backed by the local Great Families. Then, by expanding the Ming King battle team, he successfully suppressed all the Great Families in the city.
As a result, the entirety of Qinghe City fell into the hands of the Dean and the Prefect Magistrate, turning it into an impenetrable stronghold.
Now, they were planning to ease Yan Ming King out of the picture.
However, this wasn't a case of discarding him after he had served his purpose. Both the Dean and the Prefect Magistrate had recognized that Yan Ming King was no ordinary person and wouldn't remain in Qinghe City for long.
So, they figured, why not lend him a hand and let him participate in this year's Hundred Prefectures Prodigy Competition?
The Dean wasn't sure if Yan Ming King would succeed. However, he was certain that once Yan Ming King left, he wouldn't return. He would likely stay at the Prefecture capital for further studies, making the chances of him returning to their city minimal.
The Dajing Court's regional hierarchy, in ascending order, was village, county, city, prefecture, and domain. The higher the administrative level, the more prosperous the region.
Their Qinghe City, located in Yingzhou, was merely a mid-to-lower tier city. Otherwise, how could its strongest experts only be at the Elite Gold Level?
Upon hearing about the Legendary Level Soul Kind, a gleam flashed in Yan Ming King's eyes. "It seems the Dean has high hopes for me."
"Of course. After all, you're the pride of our Qinghe City. If we don't have high hopes for you, who else would we have them for?" the Dean replied with a laugh.
He said this, but in truth, he wasn't very optimistic. While Yan Ming King was indeed a prodigy in Yingzhou for reaching the Mountain Copper Level at such a young age, he would be merely average when compared to those from more powerful prefectures.
"I will surely bring first place back for the Dean."
"There is one matter I'd like to request of the Dean." Yan Ming King knew that Qinghe City no longer had resources to support his rapid advancement. Only by going to the Prefecture capital of Yingzhou could he continue to grow, so he had no intention of lingering.
"Young friend Yan, please speak freely. As long as it's within my capabilities, I will certainly do my utmost." As the Dean said this, he was being cautious, not daring to promise anything but rather that he would try his best.
"The Dean should be familiar with the Soul Skill, Soul Seed Boiling, correct?"
"Once the fourth generation version is developed, I would trouble the Dean to have a copy sent to me." Yan Ming King was still very interested in the Soul Seed Boiling Soul Skill.