Oscar's strength and talent had passed the test.
As for temperament Gai Yue could already perceive traces of it through Oscar's words. After all, this nine year old child behaved with an unnatural maturity.
But Gai Yue had his own thoughts.
Oscar withdrew his Sky Azure Spirit Jade Sword, then took out and consumed a previously stored Super Recovery Big Sausage. His soul power continued to recover steadily.
Oh right, there's one thing to note: when Oscar uses his own soul skills, the effects aren't halved like in the original work.
Perhaps this is one of the benefits of being a transmigrator.
Oscar found the original setting ridiculous initially, the story said the sausage's effect is halved if self consumed, yet in the later stages, this was ignored entirely. He could use the sausages on himself with full effect.
For example, when Oscar used his sixth soul Mimicry Sausage in the original story, the effect wasn't halved either. That skill directly allowed him to gain the combat power of an assault type soul master.
In fact, he didn't just become an assault type, he became a true all rounder. His only limitation was his physical constitution, which couldn't fully support high end martial spirits' powers.
But Oscar now? That restriction no longer applied.
If he gained that skill now, he could not only utilize it to full potential he might even exceed the original soul master's capabilities due to his stronger foundation.
Of course, that's all in the future right now Oscar was still only level 23, and those things were still far away.
As his soul power recovered, Gai Yue couldn't help but ask, "That's your soul skill?"
Oscar nodded. "My martial spirit is food type. My first soul skill is for recovery.
When a soul master eats my Super Recovery Big Sausage, it restores their soul power, physical stamina, and mental energy over time."
Gai Yue was stunned once again.
Though he spent most of his life in secluded training, he had some knowledge of food type soul masters. But this was the first time he'd heard of a soul skill with such comprehensive effects.
Judging by Oscar's recovery rate, this was no low tier soul skill.
Gai Yue composed himself and said seriously, "Your soul skill is indeed impressive.
But now comes the real test. Whether you can pass depends entirely on yourself."
Gai Yue slowly raised his right hand, spreading his five fingers.
A vast pressure of soul power radiated from his body and gathered in his palm.
An invisible giant soul force hand descended toward Oscar.
The moment he was enveloped by it, Oscar immediately felt a pressure roughly equivalent to level 20. But thanks to Oscar's current near Soul Ancestor physique, the pressure didn't faze him.
Yet accompanying this pressure was an intense cold not just winter chill, but an icy aura that pierced bone and marrow, like being thrown into a freezing void with no anchor.
At that moment, Gai Yue's cold voice echoed:
"Relax your mind. If you can hold out for fifteen minutes, you pass."
Oscar gently closed his eyes.
He knew this was the real test and it wouldn't be as simple as it appeared.
Gai Yue's Surprise
Gai Yue was visibly surprised again.
He had already been impressed during the preliminary exchange, but now even while releasing soul pressure equivalent to a level 20 assault type Oscar remained unfazed.
That should have been impossible.
Most soul masters can only withstand up to ⅔ of their own level in soul pressure.
Being able to bear equal level pressure was already considered top tier genius level and usually only those with top tier martial spirits could achieve that.
But here was a food type soul master shrugging it off.
"This Oscar is a monster," Gai Yue thought.
Even if Oscar failed the trial, he still wanted to take him as a swordsmanship student. It would be his honor to mentor such a genius.
And someone with such an absurdly powerful talent could not possibly have poor temperament.
Inside the Trial
Oscar felt like he was sinking into an ice cave.
The cold seeped into his bones, an all encompassing chill that left no escape.
Meanwhile, Gai Yue began steadily increasing the pressure, wanting to see Oscar's limit.
Oscar's expression started to change.
He felt like his body temperature was plummeting, and the ambient pressure grew so heavy it mimicked high altitude hypoxia.
Time blurred.
His skin turned red, frost formed on his surface, and every breath expelled visible plumes of cold mist.
Yet Gai Yue's satisfaction grew with each moment.
Oscar had already held out for the full fifteen minutes which was more than excellent.
In fact, Gai Yue himself had only ever lasted fifteen minutes under this exact test.
He had raised the bar for Oscar only because Oscar's talent was clearly beyond normal.
Yet Oscar hadn't even reached his limit.
From a hidden distance, Ma Hongjun whispered anxiously to Flender,
"Teacher, look! Oscar's covered in ice. Will he be okay?"
Flender was watching closely, though he was nervous too.
Seeing Oscar like that, he could imagine how intense the pain was even worse than cold, a form of soul piercing agony.
But he trusted Gai Yue.
This was his sworn brother for over a decade he wouldn't lose control.
He patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder and reassured him:
"Relax. Old Gai knows his limits."
Breaking Through
Time passed.
Five more minutes slipped by.
Oscar was now under level 39 soul pressure.
His silver hair had become crystalline with frost. His hands were completely frozen.
Just as Gai Yue was about to push the pressure to level 40, Oscar's eyes snapped open.
With a surge, his soul power burst outward shattering the frost from his body.
A sky blue light flared in his left hand.
A 1.2meterlong jade sword appeared in his grasp. His body shone with radiant soul light.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he exhaled long and slow,
as if blowing out all the cold from his soul.
"Senior… how did I do?"
Oscar looked at Gai Yue and asked softly.
Gai Yue nodded with satisfaction:
"You pass."
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