As he stepped out of the classroom, Tang San's sharp eyes quickly noticed a line of people waiting outside, all smiling warmly at him.
Among them stood an elderly man with a pale complexion, scrutinizing Tang San from head to toe.
The voice of the Zerg Progenitor echoed in Tang San's mind:
"That's the one. I can sense it. His spiritual power is immense."
Despite the Progenitor's warning, Tang San felt a hint of confusion.
He racked his brain, trying to recall if he had ever seen this man before—but no matter how hard he tried, the memory eluded him.
Chrysanthemum Douluo studied the black-haired, black-eyed youth before him, frowning slightly.
Something's off.
From what he could perceive, Tang San still couldn't fully control his spirit power. The power he was leaking clearly indicated he was just a rookie who had only recently awakened his spirit.
This was completely at odds with what Chrysanthemum Douluo had anticipated.
It almost overturned everything he'd deduced about Tang San and the direction of the plot as he understood it.
Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly masked his reaction and asked kindly,
"What's your name? Would you mind releasing your spirit so I can take a look?"
Tang San hesitated slightly before answering,
"My name is Tang San. My martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass."
He slowly raised his hand and opened his palm.
A stalk of blue-and-red intertwined Blue Silver Grass slowly emerged, its leaves swaying gently as it shimmered with a faint light in his hand.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes widened instantly.
Others might have assumed that Tang San's spirit had mutated. After all, most didn't know the intricacies of the Blue Silver Grass.
But Chrysanthemum Douluo knew.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had only undergone a few mutations in the original path—and those had occurred after absorbing spirit rings.
But right now, Tang San hadn't even absorbed his first spirit ring.
How could his spirit have mutated already?
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave Tang San a deep, meaningful look.
I've found the right person.
This Tang San was definitely not simple.
Suppressing the odd feelings stirring in his heart, Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled kindly and said,
"Good child. Innate full spirit power, I see. Would you be willing to join our Spirit Hall to train?"
"We at Spirit Hall are prepared to provide you with the best possible cultivation resources to help you grow into one of the top Spirit Masters on the continent."
Hearing this, the Hall Master standing nearby widened his beady eyes in surprise before quickly lowering his head to hide his reaction.
He muttered quietly to himself,
"What should be known, is known. What shouldn't be known, must stay unknown…"
Tang San hesitated.
Wasn't this man here to cause trouble for him?
But… the conditions Chrysanthemum Douluo offered made his heart stir.
Spirit Hall—the sacred land of Spirit Masters across the continent—had long been dedicated to discovering talents from among commoners.
It provided assistance and stipends to civilian Spirit Masters and even held free Spirit Awakening ceremonies every year.
To say Tang San didn't feel even the slightest temptation toward Spirit Hall would be a lie.
But still, he hesitated.
Should he really join Spirit Hall?
Should he talk this over with his father first?
"Absolutely not!"
A voice suddenly cut through the air.
A middle-aged man with graying hair walked over slowly from the side, glaring at the Spirit Hall delegation with eyes full of disdain and contempt.
Chrysanthemum Douluo narrowed his eyes.
If he wasn't mistaken, this man was Yu Xiaogang.
"Heh… how interesting."
Yu Xiaogang stepped beside Tang San and said sternly,
"He's my student. Are you trying to poach him without my consent?"
The academy head, standing nearby, quickly scolded,
"Yu Xiaogang! What are you doing?"
"You've given up on your own future, and now you want to ruin your disciple's too? These are nobles from Spirit Hall! With their resources, geniuses can receive the training they deserve!"
Yu Xiaogang scoffed.
"Spirit Hall? All flash and no substance. Do their so-called teachings compare to my theoretical knowledge?"
"Yu Xiaogang! Don't be rude! These are Spirit Hall elders!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo raised his hand slightly and coughed. With amusement in his voice, he asked,
"Oh? You're saying your theories are more advanced? So you claim to know everything about the path of Spirit Master cultivation?"
Yu Xiaogang combed his hair back and replied hoarsely,
"I wouldn't go that far, but I dare say I understand at least 90% of all spirit theory."
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled and asked,
"Then tell me—what is the proper sequence for absorbing spirit rings when dealing with twin spirits?"
Yu Xiaogang's face went stiff.
Tang San's expression also changed as he looked at Chrysanthemum Douluo, emotions surging in his heart.
The surrounding Spirit Masters started whispering amongst themselves.
"Wait, did he say twin spirits?"
"Hmm… I've heard of that in legends, but it was never confirmed."
"Could it be that Spirit Hall has someone like that?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo feigned surprise.
"Oh! You didn't know? Then let me ask another—how does a Spirit Master absorb a spirit ring that exceeds their physical limit?"
"That's impossible!" Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but shout.
"A Spirit Master can never absorb a spirit ring that surpasses their body's capacity. The ratios are fixed!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered.
"Such ignorance. And you dare call yourself a master of theory? You sound more like a con man."
"No, no! You're blind fools! My theories can't be wrong!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly grew agitated.
The nearby Spirit Masters exchanged looks, then restrained him and dragged him away.
Yu Xiaogang struggled with all his might, but his weak cultivation left him powerless against them. He was soon pulled away and disappeared from sight.
Tang San watched Yu Xiaogang's figure fade, and a deep disappointment filled his eyes.
So this was the true face of his so-called master.
He had thought the man was much stronger than this. But today, the truth had been laid bare.
After weighing his options, Tang San looked at Chrysanthemum Douluo and said,
"I'm willing to join Spirit Hall, sir."
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Elder! You've recruited a genius!"
"Your foresight is truly unmatched, Elder!"
The surrounding Spirit Masters congratulated Chrysanthemum Douluo one after another.
Chrysanthemum Douluo responded to them all with a kind smile, though deep inside, he felt only scorn and a flash of smugness.
Tang San, oh Tang San... who would've thought you'd end up joining Spirit Hall ahead of time?
What would your dear father think if he found out?
Suppressing his thoughts, Chrysanthemum Douluo led Tang San in bidding farewell to everyone and left the academy grounds.
Inside the carriage.
Tang San sat silently, watching Chrysanthemum Douluo resting with his eyes closed, but his heart was uneasy.
He didn't know why, but a sense of foreboding gripped him tightly—as if something big was about to happen.
BOOM!!!
The carriage suddenly lurched violently, and Chrysanthemum Douluo snapped his eyes open.
"Who's there?!"
****
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