"Your new Soul Skill - Soul Seed Burning seems a bit underwhelming," the dean said, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.
I came here with high expectations, and this is all I get?
He had tried it just now. The combined effect of Soul Seed Boiling and Soul Seed Burning was merely an increase from thirty percent to forty percent. Although the side effects and cooldown time remained unchanged, and he gained an extra ten percent effect, there was still a significant gap compared to more substantive skills. This considerable difference naturally left him quite unsatisfied.
"Dean, you only used the third-generation Soul Seed Boiling combined with my Soul Seed Burning, right?" Wang Linchi asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" The dean was intrigued, a guess already forming in his mind.
"Exactly. Dean, you overlooked the first and second generations of Soul Seed Boiling. For the Soul Seed Burning skill to show its true power, it must incorporate not only the third-generation Soul Seed Boiling but also the previous two generations," Wang Linchi explained with a grin.
Hearing this, the dean's dissatisfaction vanished, and he quickly tried it again.
"This... it can actually achieve a seventy percent effect! But wait, why is ten percent missing?"
The dean was puzzled. Previously, using only the third-generation Soul Seed Boiling with Soul Seed Burning increased the effect from thirty percent to forty percent. However, after adding the first and second generations, that extra ten percent effect had vanished.
"If only a single generation of Soul Seed Boiling is used, you indeed get an extra ten percent effect. If two generations are stacked, Soul Seed Burning only provides an additional five percent amplification. Once all three generations are stacked, that extra amplification disappears," Wang Linchi explained. "The missing increase is used to harmonize the three Soul Seed Boiling variants and protect the Soul Seed. I assume, Dean, you've noticed that although the effect reaches sixty percent, the consumption and cooldown are based solely on the third-generation Soul Seed Boiling, not an accumulation of the first and second generations. With this Soul Skill, you only need to expend one portion of spiritual power to achieve a greater amplification."
The dean was very satisfied with Wang Linchi's explanation. "Good, this indeed carries weight. Especially in combination, it's perfect. The only downside is that it can only be used on Soul Seeds of ordinary, excellent, and good quality." As for side effects and consumption, such abilities are inherently designed as trump cards, not for regular use as Soul Skills.
"So, what about my Level 4 subsidy?" Wang Linchi asked hastily.
The dean stated directly, "I can only help you submit the application. The Prefect Magistrate can confirm the Level 3 subsidy, and I can still have a say in that. However, the Level 4 subsidy needs to be reviewed by the Governor and must be submitted to the Prefecture. Given your situation, the chances are quite slim. I hope you are prepared for possible failure." This time, the dean truly had no influence unless he were promoted to the Prefecture, rather than just remaining within the city administration.
"If you fail, the city administration can compensate you with a recommendation letter. Upon graduation, you can use this letter to join the Soul Seed Bureau in the Prefecture as support staff." The dean dangled this promise skillfully. It wasn't to say that failure meant no recourse, as there would be compensation. Of course, this was also a bit of a trap; having a recommendation letter was one thing, but actually getting in was another matter entirely. After all, job allocation wasn't up to the dean. When it involved Soul Seeds, the Prefecture held the final say.
The Soul Seed Bureau was responsible for managing all types of Soul Seeds. Qinghe City had no department specializing in the study of Soul Seeds and Soul Resemblances, as it wasn't deemed necessary; such departments only existed at the prefecture level or even higher, at the domain level. Thus, joining the Soul Seed Bureau was the only option.
"Thank you for your guidance, Dean. However, if Soul Seed Burning isn't sufficient, could the success rate for the subsidy be higher if I develop a new Soul Skill to reduce the side effects of Soul Seed Boiling?" Wang Linchi asked. He wasn't planning to introduce a fourth-generation Soul Seed Boiling because he lacked an Epic Level Soul Seed. Unveiling such an advanced skill out of thin air would undoubtedly raise suspicions.
Hearing this, the dean's face lit up. "You've developed it? Quick, show it to me! With this Soul Skill combination, the Level 4 subsidy is practically guaranteed!"
This implies Soul Seed Boiling could be used multiple times. If the side effects are significantly reduced, it might even transform from a trump card into a regular Soul Skill!
"Not yet. I poured all my energy into Soul Seed Burning; how could I have developed another one so soon? However, I should have it ready by the end of the year," Wang Linchi stated calmly. He indeed hadn't researched it yet, but he had a plan, the necessary concepts, and data. Developing it wouldn't be an issue. The Mind Ladder and Soul Courtyard Soul Seeds had endowed him with powerful learning and research abilities. Coupled with his enhanced spiritual power, his efficiency had naturally improved.
Hearing this, the excitement on the dean's face faltered and then cooled. "That's true; you wouldn't have the capability to develop it so quickly. In that case, we can only wait until the end of the year for the Level 4 subsidy." The dean had been so excited because he believed this achievement would guarantee his promotion next year. Now that it would only be completed by year's end, he might miss the evaluation period, potentially delaying his promotion by another year. Consequently, he felt somewhat disheartened.
However, he didn't press Wang Linchi to hand over the Soul Skill immediately. Instead, he asked, "And you? What do you want in return?"
"I would like a Soul Forging Method for a book-type Soul Resemblance. Ideally, it should be capable of reaching the Mithril Level. Of course, if there's one at the Elite Gold Level, I'd take that too," Wang Linchi said cheekily.
The dean knew Wang Linchi had obtained Soul Forging Methods through other channels; otherwise, Wang Linchi wouldn't have asked him for cultivation resources. Yet, the dean neither questioned its origin nor reprimanded him for illegal acquisition, choosing instead to tacitly ignore it. It wasn't a major issue, after all. Wang Linchi's development of Soul Skills also contributed to the dean's own list of achievements, and there was no reason for him to sabotage his own career path over it.
"You have quite an appetite, wanting an Elite Gold Level version." The dean's tone effectively rejected Wang Linchi's ambitious request. He then added, "The academy does have a Mithril Level Soul Forging Method for a book-type Soul Resemblance. I'll write you a note, and you can collect it yourself." Elite Gold Level methods existed, but he couldn't give those out. A Mithril Level one, however, posed no problem. This could be considered a way for the dean to provide Wang Linchi with a legitimate channel for the Soul Forging Method he'd acquired illicitly. Of course, a Soul Forging Method capable of reaching the Mithril Level was extremely valuable in itself.
Wang Linchi hadn't expected the dean to actually agree. He had initially thought the most he would get was a Mountain Copper Level Soul Forging Method. The offer of a Mithril Level version was a pleasant surprise.
But then again, it wasn't the dean's personal property but the academy's. Naturally, he wouldn't be too concerned about giving it away.
After writing the note, the dean stamped it with both the academy's seal and his own personal seal before handing it to Wang Linchi, officially validating it. If a stamp were missing, or if the handwriting wasn't the dean's, the academy wouldn't recognize the note, even if Wang Linchi presented it to claim the Soul Forging Method.