"It's a basic spirit power meditation book that I summarized from many years of theory," the Grandmaster said. "While it can't compare to some advanced meditation techniques, for a Spirit Master like you who has just started, it's more than enough."
Tang San took the book, held it against his chest, and nodded solemnly. "I will cultivate diligently, Teacher. Thank you."
The Grandmaster nodded slightly, then paused. "Oh, right. After you've rested for a bit, when you have time, go to the Spirit Hall in Nuoding City."
Tang San was startled and asked in confusion, "Teacher, haven't I already awakened my Spirit? What would I go to Spirit Hall for now?"
The Grandmaster looked at him, a serious expression in his eyes. "You've awakened your Spirit and obtained your first spirit ring, which already meets the basic requirements of a Spirit Master. Going to Spirit Hall is for the formal Spirit Master identification, to register your spirit power rank, and become a officially registered Spirit Master.
"He paused again, then continued, "More importantly, you can receive a monthly Gold Soul Coin subsidy from Spirit Hall. Although it's not much, it's enough for your daily expenses. The most crucial thing is, with this money, you won't need to be a work-study student anymore. You can spend more of your time and energy on spirit power cultivation."
Tang San was startled upon hearing this, and a sense of gratitude instantly arose in his heart. His eyes showed a hint of emotion. "So Spirit Hall also gives Gold Soul Coin subsidies to Spirit Masters? In Saint Spirit Village these past few years, sometimes I couldn't even get enough to eat. From the looks of it, Spirit Hall... seems pretty good to commoners." These words were the most genuine feelings of a young man from the lower class.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the Grandmaster's originally closed eyes instantly furrowed. Yu Xiaogang opened his eyes, a hint of coldness and disdain in his gaze, and his tone immediately became sharp. "Good? Little San, you're too naive. On the continent, how can there be any powerful figures who are good to commoners? The small amount of Gold Soul Coins issued by Spirit Hall, seemingly a support for commoner Spirit Masters, is actually just a pretense of helping commoners to win over people's hearts."
Tang San was slightly startled and asked in confusion, "Didn't they say that money came from Spirit Hall? As the saying goes, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Even if it's to win over people's hearts, as long as the money is distributed, it's a good thing."
The Grandmaster snorted coldly, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "You think that money came from them? Naive. Those so-called subsidies, the real funders are the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Spirit Hall is just overstepping its bounds, preemptively distributing the money for the two great Empires, and then branding it as a favor from Spirit Hall. Over the years, many low-level Spirit Masters have been grateful to Spirit Hall, but they never knew that what they received was actually the nation's money."
As he said this, his tone suddenly became heavy. "The continent's Spirit Master system should originally be maintained jointly by the royal families of the two nations and various academies, but Spirit Hall forcibly took control of it, binding all grassroots Spirit Masters under its banner. What Spirit Hall is doing, how is it any different from rebellion?"
After listening to the Grandmaster's calm yet incisive explanation, Tang San's favorable impression of Spirit Hall plummeted. After a long while, he still couldn't help but ask, "Teacher... Since this money originally came from the two great Empires... then why don't they distribute it themselves? Instead, they let Spirit Hall do this for them? Isn't that equivalent to giving away people's hearts?"
The Grandmaster opened his eyes upon hearing this, his gaze slightly lowered. He said in a deep voice, "Do you think the two great Empires are unaware of what Spirit Hall is doing? On the contrary, they know it better than anyone.
"He slowly sat up straight, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "The reason why the two great Empires don't stop it and even silently allow Spirit Hall to distribute the subsidies isn't because they're incompetent, but because... they also need Spirit Hall."
Tang San was startled. "Need?"
The Grandmaster nodded, his tone low but firm. "The grassroots structure of the continent's Spirit Masters is mostly concentrated in villages and towns. These places have complex local customs and weak control, making it often difficult for the decrees of the two royal families to penetrate deeply.
And Spirit Hall, from the village-level Spirit awakening points, has established the most complete and direct organizational network. They have a vast religious system, deacon system, patrol system, and even a communication efficiency faster than royal decrees.
Think about it: if the two great Empires were to send people to distribute subsidies themselves, how many local officials, armed guards, and auditors would need to be mobilized? It would be costly and labor-intensive.
By letting Spirit Hall handle it, they only need to sign an appropriation order, and everything else will be handled by others, saving costs and gaining Spirit Hall's superficial loyalty to the Empire."
Tang San listened, somewhat stunned. "So... the two great Empires are actually also using Spirit Hall?"
The Grandmaster snorted coldly. "Exactly."
Tang San was silent for a moment, then looked up, his eyes filled with some confusion and doubt. "But... even so, the two great Empires are still at a disadvantage, aren't they? The money comes from them, but the reputation is taken by Spirit Hall. If this continues, the continent's Spirit Masters will sooner or later only listen to Spirit Hall."
Upon hearing this, the Grandmaster let out a soft sneer, a profound look in his eyes. He slowly said, "Do you think the two great Empires truly have no solution at all?" Sitting up straight, the Grandmaster's tone held a hidden coldness and clarity. "As the saying goes, 'a grain of rice is kindness, a bushel of rice is enmity.'"
Tang San was startled, not understanding what he meant. The Grandmaster continued, "This saying means that when someone is in difficulty, if you give them a little help, they'll be grateful to you.
If you continue to give and make them dependent, once you stop one day, it will not be a break of kindness and righteousness, but deep-seated hatred. This is human nature." He paused, his gaze fixed on Tang San's eyes, and said word by word, "The two great Empires are naturally aware of Spirit Hall's ambition.
So these past few years, on the surface, they still allocate funds, but in reality, they have secretly reduced the subsidy amount. The purpose is to make grassroots Spirit Masters gradually realize the problem, thereby creating a rift between Spirit Hall and ordinary Spirit Masters."
"Those who should receive ten Gold Soul Coins now get eight or seven. Some people will become dissatisfied, and once the questions multiply, trust will naturally waver."
Tang San's eyes moved slightly, and he said, "So that's how it is. That means when the two great Empires first allocated this money, they were digging a pit for Spirit Hall. What has Spirit Hall's reaction been recently?"
The Grandmaster's expression darkened slightly, and he slowly shook his head. "Unfortunately, Spirit Hall saw through this long ago. Their foundation is far deeper than you can imagine. Even if the two great Empires cut the subsidies, they grit their teeth and pay out of their own pockets to make up the difference.
Why would Spirit Hall do this? It's nothing more than to win over people's hearts. Little San, I'm telling you all this to make you remember that there's no such thing as a free lunch, and no one will be good to you for no reason. You have a Twin Spirit and innate full spirit power.
You're destined to become famous throughout the continent. At that time, when faced with various factions trying to get on your good side, you don't need to feel grateful to them at all. They do it for nothing more than to win you over and use you. What you need to do is to make good use of them."