Bai Baoshan lightly tested Fang Ling's soul power and sensed that although it wasn't as abundant as his own, it carried an inexplicable sharpness.
Unyielding and full of ambition.
The surging fighting spirit made the soul power pulse intensely at all times.
Bai Baoshan was even more amazed, such soul power carried determination. It was a powerful will.
If only Fang Ling had better talent, and wasn't just born with an innate rank of one…
With this kind of strong will, the possibilities were unimaginable.
What a pity…
He sighed inwardly.
As his soul pressure gradually increased, it soon reached the level of rank twenty-three.
Fang Ling was still gritting his teeth and holding on.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Bai Baoshan's narrowed eyes.
To his amazement, Fang Ling's physical endurance far exceeded what a typical rank twenty-three Soul Master should be capable of.
Facing soul pressure from someone at the same level, Fang Ling didn't show any signs of pain.
Normally, a low-level Soul Master could only withstand soul pressure from someone two-thirds their level above before reaching their limit.
If one could endure pressure equal to their own level, their willpower was considered exceptionally strong.
But all of that assumed the person had already released their Martial Soul.
"Impressive," Bai Baoshan's eyes showed more appreciation, but also a deeper sense of pity.
Having felt Fang Ling's soul power firsthand, he had no doubt about the boy's strong will.
But Fang Ling's physical strength was unexpectedly powerful as well.
It wasn't really that strange.
Fang Ling's body wasn't only tempered by his soul rings, he trained relentlessly, eating five meals a day and undergoing intense training.
He also had an external soul bone, unlike most Soul Masters.
The one-eyed giant-horned antelope was stubborn and violent.
Yet it had survived to reach 1,700 years of cultivation in the dangerous Star Dou Forest.
Its soul bone was naturally exceptional.
It significantly enhanced Fang Ling's physical strength, flexibility, agility, and other attributes.
As the fluctuations of soul power in the air grew more intense, Master Lin Yuehua gradually grew nervous, his gaze becoming sharper.
He feared something might go wrong.
He knew Fang Ling's soul power was different.
Just like that silver, icy scythe, it gave off a sense of sharpness.
A determined fighting spirit that seemed capable of cutting through any obstacle.
Bai Baoshan's soul pressure had already risen from rank twenty-three to twenty-eight.
Fang Ling's brow furrowed, and he bit his gums until they bled.
He could take more, withstand more pressure, but there was no need.
He had no intention of revealing his external soul bone.
It would draw too much attention. Until he had someone like Dugu Bo backing him, it was best to keep it hidden.
His expression twitched slightly, and he slowly raised his right hand.
Silver light flickered, and a massive scythe appeared.
Its sharp aura sliced through the heavy soul pressure.
Bai Baoshan noticed that with the appearance of the scythe, the pressure he had been exerting weakened significantly.
He increased the pressure again.
The soul power pressure gradually climbed to rank thirty-two.
Fang Ling intentionally reduced his resistance, trying to make it look like he was reaching his limit.
When the pressure reached rank thirty-three, it suddenly surged.
As if his body had finally hit its limit, Fang Ling's grip on the scythe tightened, his knuckles turning white.
It was like he had descended into hell, every inch of him immersed in endless pain. Even moving a finger felt excruciatingly difficult.
His skin gradually turned a strange, blood-red hue.
His soul power surged inside his body, flowing faster and faster like a blazing flame in a storm, wild and intense.
Each pulse of soul power through his meridians brought searing pain.
It felt like his body might explode.
Of course, the soul bone was still well hidden.
But the pressure couldn't increase any further, or the soul bone would be forced out.
At the perfect moment, Bai Baoshan lowered the pressure and slowly withdrew it.
He could tell with one glance, Fang Ling was at his absolute limit.
Any more, and it would have ended in a violent explosion.
As the soul pressure faded, Fang Ling was helped to sit down by his grandmaster.
Bai Baoshan praised him.
"Rank thirty-two, nine levels above your own. For a Soul Master from a humble background with an average Martial Soul, that talent is outstanding."
"You qualify for enrollment in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
"Thank you, senior!" Fang Ling bowed immediately.
"Thank you, senior," the academy headmaster also tried to bow again.
But Bai Baoshan stopped him and laughed.
"Principal Lin Yuehua, you've raised a fine student. The recommendation from the Hurricane Earl has truly brought a genius. Go back now. I'll handle Fang Ling's enrollment arrangements."
"I shall obey," Fang Ling replied.
Lin Yuehua cupped his fists toward Bai Baoshan, then pulled Fang Ling aside to say a few last words in the hallway.
"Heaven Dou City is nothing like little Vic Icepeak City. There are geniuses everywhere, stay alert."
"If you get into any trouble that isn't too serious, go find my brother. For my sake, he'll help you…"
These heartfelt words brought tears to Fang Ling's eyes. He nodded heavily. "Okay!"
The headmaster nodded in relief, his old eyes moistening as well.
He gave Fang Ling a hug, gently patting his back.
"Keep training hard. Remember what I told you, little Fang Ling."
"The road ahead is difficult, you must walk it alone."
"If one day, you grow weary of cultivation, come back to Zhan Wang Academy. Being a teacher can also be a free and easy life."
"I, your teacher, and your teacher's wife will always welcome you."
Fang Ling was deeply moved, his voice choking.
"Don't worry, Grandmaster. I will become a powerful Soul Master!"
"Haha, then don't let your guard down. I believe you can do it!"
As if conveying a firm belief, he stood up and gave Fang Ling two hard pats on the shoulder.
After walking a few steps, he turned and gave Fang Ling one final lesson:
"Fang Ling, remember the school motto, Talent isn't everything. A determined will can change anything!"
"Yes !"
Fang Ling responded solemnly, committing the words to heart as tears silently slid down his cheeks.
He watched as the headmaster's figure faded into the distance.
Wiping the tears from his face, he returned to Bai Baoshan's side and respectfully lowered his head.
"Senior."
His voice was slightly hoarse, a man of deep emotion.
Bai Baoshan made a quick judgment and corrected his form of address.
"You're now a student of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. What should you call me?"
Fang Ling paused and hesitantly asked, "Chief instructor?"
Bai Baoshan laughed heartily, his bulk shaking with laughter.
Even the special chair under him creaked loudly.
"Where do you want to be assigned?"
Fang Ling didn't hesitate. "I don't know much about Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Do you have any recommendations?"
Bai Baoshan was well aware of Fang Ling's situation, so it was better to let the senior decide.
Bai Baoshan chuckled.
"Since you're already so strong, reaching rank twenty-three at age ten, I assume you're here for the Soul Master Tournament five years from now."
"Would you like to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Battle Team's preparatory squad?"
That sounded like a direct path to the main team, of course he was willing.
Respectfully, he replied, "Fang Ling is willing."
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