Zhang Tianyang instructed Su Ming to try several more times to figure out exactly how much strength his first Spirit Skill could borrow.
If there were truly situations where he couldn't borrow strength, then this Spirit Skill would be practically useless.
Su Ming understood his concern, so he borrowed strength multiple times, exploring the range of the borrowing.
"When I borrow strength, the minimum boost is one hundred percent. I even feel like my Spirit Skill has anchored onto a Body Soul Spirit Master; my physical qualities have improved across the board."
Even if the past and present Su Ming only contributed ten percent of their power, the future Su Ming could still achieve a one-hundred percent boost!
Of course, this required the Spirit Power disparity between the three not to be too large. Otherwise, if the past and present Su Ming were only level 29, even lending all their power to the level 70 future Su Ming would, at best, barely reach Spirit Douluo. Being able to exchange a few rounds with a Titled Douluo would count as the future Su Ming developing the Trinity Spirit Fusion Skill well.
Spirit Fusion Skills were mutual. If one party were too weak, it would affect the others.
"Not now. In the future, you need to frequently experiment with this Spirit Skill during idle times. Master your borrowing range as soon as possible; otherwise you'll be at a severe disadvantage in combat."
Su Ming nodded, indicating understanding.
Zhang Tianyang was still worried that the targets from whom he borrowed strength were fixed, and the total amount of strength borrowed was constant. Once his Spirit Power level increased, borrowing strength might become less effective.
Su Ming naturally knew the answer to this, but he couldn't tell Zhang Tianyang. He could only repeatedly agree with Zhang Tianyang's words, promising to always pay attention to his borrowing range in the future.
With the spirit soul issue resolved, it was time for Su Ming to enter the cultivation stage.
Zhang Tianyang thought for a moment and decided it was best to formalize the master-disciple relationship first. Su Ming's talent was excellent; there was no guarantee he wouldn't be poached by others once Zhang Tianyang went into seclusion.
"Su Ming, are you willing to become my disciple?"
"I am willing," Su Ming said.
He performed a respectful bow, kneeling before Zhang Tianyang.
Zhang Tianyang's smile was brilliant.
"I, Zhang Tianyang, have taken three disciples in total. You are the third, and most likely the last."
Su Ming listened quietly.
"I've gained some insights and need to go into seclusion for a period. Short term, half a year; longer term, possibly up to two years. I might not be able to teach you during that time," Zhang Tianyang said.
"Teacher's cultivation is important. I am also just starting to explore cultivation myself and don't require too much guidance yet," Su Ming replied.
This was indeed true.
Zhang Tianyang had previously planned not to take disciples and wait a few years before doing so, thinking along these same lines.
"I have arranged for you to attend Tianhai Academy. Tianhai Academy is considered the strongest academy within the Tianhai Alliance," Zhang Tianyang said. "Studying there, you can also receive the best training. When I emerge from seclusion, I will check your cultivation progress."
He told Su Ming a few more things.
The most important was regarding Su Ming's permissions within the Spirit Pagoda. He had upgraded Su Ming to the executive level, which should meet all his needs within the Spirit Pagoda at his current stage.
For example, control techniques for various elemental attributes. These could all be exchanged for Contribution Points within the Spirit Pagoda. Courses for secondary professions could also be exchanged. Su Ming's executive permissions could unlock all searchable items. As for Contribution Points, Zhang Tianyang privately transferred one hundred thousand points to him.
The Spirit Pagoda's Contribution Points were similar to those of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy in value and function.
Within the Tang Sect, a total of fifteen thousand Contribution Points could achieve the rank of fifth-level executive. A treasure like Thousand-Year Sea Dragon Marrow, which could consolidate foundations, nurture vitality, enhance physical strength, and had no side effects, cost only forty-five hundred Contribution Points. This gave an idea of the purchasing power Su Ming now held with these points.
After his exhortations, Zhang Tianyang didn't delay further. Seizing the moment while his insights were fresh, he immediately went into seclusion.
He was currently level 96. This time, there was great hope of breaking through to level 97. Once that happened, his position within the Tianhai Spirit Pagoda would be even more secure.
Su Ming checked the Spirit Pagoda's internal system.
"Executives are divided into nine levels. I'm only at the lowest, first level, but I can already view all public content within the system."
"Thousand-Year Whale Glue is five thousand Contribution Points."
"Water Attribute Element Control Beginner Tutorial is one hundred Contribution Points, Advanced Tutorial five hundred points, Ultimate Tutorial three thousand points..."
"Blacksmithing Basics Compendium is one thousand Contribution Points? Only an idiot would exchange for that."
Su Ming was speechless. Just reading the details made it clear this compendium could be purchased outside. Using Federal Coins, the total cost probably wouldn't even reach the equivalent of five hundred Spirit Pagoda Contribution Points.
"Mecha Designer Basics Compendium..."
"Mecha Builder Basics Compendium..."
"Blacksmithing Beginner One-on-One Custom Forging Plan, one hundred Contribution Points per month."
"Mecha..."
"I'd be better off buying the most cost-effective set outside. These are just basics, reliant on time accumulation, not something mastered through so-called teaching."
Su Ming knew this.
He wasn't a child; he had an adult's mindset, so he didn't need so-called guided instruction.
However, his future self was an orphan and didn't have enough Federal Coins.
Su Ming: "..."
"So I have to use Contribution Points to exchange for them?"
"Better ask someone about the situation first."
He found the executive who had handled his Martial Spirit awakening and inquired about the materials in the exchange system and the value of Contribution Points.
"If you want to learn a secondary profession, exchanging for those Basics Compendiums in our Spirit Pagoda system is actually quite cost-effective. The so-called basic materials circulating outside are of mixed quality. The most crucial point is that even the better ones among them can't be considered comprehensive."
Under the executive's explanation, Su Ming retracted his initial statement.
These Basic Compendia were indeed worth their value.
So he could exchange them.
"Three compendiums will cost three thousand Contribution Points."
He returned to the exchange system and acquired all three sets of basic materials.
Obtaining the foundational knowledge quickly was key to his Trinity simultaneous learning ability to manifest.
"The only problem is that I have to be the reader. All the knowledge has to go through me first, then my other two selves can each pick one to practically learn."
Ten thousand years in the past.
"This future meditation technique is indeed more advanced. It seems unchanged on the surface, but internally it must have been optimized through countless versions."
The past Su Ming cultivated using the future Su Ming's meditation technique, progressing extremely fast.
In just two months, he went from level 5 to level 6. After another month, his cultivation speed hadn't slowed down.
At this rate, he had hope of reaching level 9 within half a year, and level 10 within a year was not a problem.
"Three months have passed. Nuoding Academy is starting. I have to report today."
Through Old Jack's arrangements, Su Ming had obtained the work-study student quota shared by several neighboring villages.
"I hope these few years of study go smoothly."
He only wanted to study peacefully at Nuoding Academy for a few years, delving into secondary professions during his free time, without any intentions of causing trouble.
A knock sounded on the door, followed by Old Jack's voice.
"Su Ming, get up quickly. We're going to Nuoding City today. We need to leave early."
(End of Chapter)