That Mu Ye would ask such a question didn't surprise Zhen Hua or Han Tianyi; clearly, they each had their own suspicions.
"Not exactly."
Su Ming's answer disappointed Mu Ye somewhat.
Mu Ye questioned doubtfully, "Just now, during your forging, I felt your aura become similar to that of a Body Martial Soul. Can that state be stabilized?"
Even a tangential connection to a Body Martial Soul was still a Body Martial Soul.
As far back as ten thousand years ago, the Body Sect's definition of a Body Martial Soul had begun to expand. This was also the fundamental reason the Body Sect remained prosperous today.even, because of that expansion, the range for recruiting disciples into the Body Sect gradually widened, extending from the three Douluo nations to include the Sun Moon region.
In subsequent continental wars, they remained even more detached than Shrek Academy, truly indifferent to the shifting winds of the continent.
"That's the effect of my spirit skill," Su Ming explained. "It allows me to borrow strength from the past."
"Borrow strength from the past!"
Han Tianyi, Mu Ye, and Zhen Hua all exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing Su Ming explain the effect of his spirit skill, despite each being a pinnacle figure in their respective fields on the continent, they couldn't help but be shocked.
It was actually a time-attributed spirit skill.
"No wonder your forging hammers could develop such a trait. The material must have been blood sacrificed by you, right?" Zhen Hua murmured.
"Yes, Master. That was my first Thousand Refined work," Su Ming replied.
Zhang Tianyang, Su Ming's current teacher, couldn't get a word in edgewise and honestly stayed in the background.
"Can the state be stabilized?" Mu Ye was more concerned with this point, and he pressed further, "The scope of the strength you borrow—is it purely spirit power, or can you also borrow their martial souls and spirit skills?"
Su Ming thought for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.
"I can borrow martial souls and spirit power. Spirit skills aren't possible for now. The martial souls can be borrowed relatively intact. As for spirit power, I feel there's some loss in what I borrow. As my spirit soul advanced to the thousand-year level, the average amount of spirit power I can borrow daily has increased significantly, though it still varies depending on my condition. Whether I can borrow spirit skills with further improvement, I don't know yet."
This time, his success in Thousand Refinement was partly due to the Star Soul Iron in advance nurturing its trait, allowing it to feed back spirit power and grant him that extra moment of endurance.on the other hand, it was also because his Soul Land I self had broken through to two rings, increasing his spirit power and allowing him to borrow more strength.
Mu Ye marveled.
"So, you borrowed the martial soul of a Body Martial Soul spirit master, and the fusion was quite perfect."
Su Ming nodded in agreement.
"Does borrowing strength succeed every time? I mean, borrowing the power of the martial soul to enter that state."
"It can. There's a guaranteed minimum."
The more Mu Ye asked, the broader his smile became.
"Young man, would you like to join our Body Sect?"
Although Su Ming had sensed Mu Ye's intention from the moment he started asking questions, he still hadn't expected to receive an invitation to join the Body Sect.
Wait, how does an Elemental Control martial soul connect to the Body Sect?
Bound to the Body Sect for three lifetimes?
What kind of fate is this?
"If I join the Body Sect, would I need to take on a new master?" Su Ming asked hesitantly.
He looked toward Zhang Tianyang.
Mu Ye seemed to understand Su Ming's concern and said with a laugh, "It's just a few more teachers. As long as there's no conflict between the organizations and their areas of expertise don't overlap, it's fine."
Han Tianyi spoke up from the side, "Correct."
Su Ming looked at Elder Han.
Mu Ye also looked over, showing surprise.
Han Tianyi's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "In different fields, having a few more teachers is nothing. Among today's powerful figures, aside from their teacher for spirit power cultivation, which one doesn't have teachers for secondary professions?"
Su Ming nodded in sudden understanding.
Well said!
"Therefore, your talents span many fields. After joining the Body Sect, you will certainly need to cultivate the Body Sect's Qi and Blood Secret Art. Mu Ye can teach you that. Your martial soul also relies on spiritual attributes; for spiritual power cultivation, you can seek guidance from this old man. As for Tianyang, he can teach you in elemental control."
Zhang Tianyang, listening nearby, felt something was amiss.
Weren't we just seriously discussing Mu Ye recruiting Su Ming into the Body Sect? How did you, Elder, suddenly start talking about you teaching Su Ming spiritual power cultivation?
"What, Little Tianyang, do you think you are, stronger than this old man in spiritual power?" Han Tianyi asked, smiling as he looked at Zhang Tianyang.
Zhang Tianyang felt a tingling scalp and laughed awkwardly, "No, Elder Han. You are the continent's premier Illusion Master."
He felt like crying, but had no tears.
Did I bring Su Ming out for a trip only to end up a teacher in name?
Originally, I was his teacher responsible for all areas. Now, one field after another is being stripped away.
Spiritual power, body forging, blacksmithing... Will elemental control and spirit power cultivation be next?
Truth be told, Zhang Tianyang felt it was very possible. His elemental control only involved the fire element, and his spirit power was only ninety-seventh rank—the joy of his breakthrough two years ago had long since faded.
So, in the end, I might only barely retain my qualifications to teach in Mecha Design, Mecha Manufacturing, and Mecha Repair?
Before, I vaguely thought Su Ming spreading his focus across four professions was taxing. Now, I fully support Su Ming pursuing all four professions simultaneously.
Su Ming smiled wryly.
He looked at Zhang Tianyang for his opinion.
Zhang Tianyang nodded helplessly.
Go ahead with the Apprenticeship.
"Su Ming pays his respects to all my teachers."
A smile also appeared on Han Tianyi's face.
When they first met, he had already sensed Su Ming's excellence. Breaking through to the Spirit Ocean Realm before turning nine—such spiritual talent was truly tantalizing.
"Since you've completed your Apprenticeship, there's no need to return to Tianhai City for now. This master will personally lay the foundation for your Qi and Blood."
"I will systematically assess your forging level."
"Regarding spiritual power cultivation, I will also help you organize and structure it."
The three teachers spoke in turn.
Su Ming had no way to refuse.
Besides, why would he refuse?
With Mu Ye here alone, Su Ming would gladly stick around every day. After all, Mu Ye's cooking skills were unquestionable, and most importantly, the ingredients were truly abundant.
What?
No ingredients?
Would the esteemed Divine Blacksmith's storage lack some decent heavenly and earthly treasures?
Moreover, during this Soul Land III period, the Body Sect's secret arts had undoubtedly developed to their limit, even more perfected than in Soul Land II. The earlier he learned them, the sooner his Soul Land I and Soul Land II selves could enjoy these future techniques.
"Master, when was our Body Sect established?"
"You're interested in history too?" Mu Ye expressed surprise before transmitting a great deal of information to Su Ming.
Su Ming studied it for a while and understood the whole story.
"Just as I thought. It has nothing to do with my Soul Land I self."
"The Butterfly Effect exists. The Body Sect still stands at the continent's pinnacle in the Soul Land III era only because my Soul Land II self joined the Body Sect, altering its nature. It changed from the Body Sect of the three Douluo nations to the Body Sect for Body Martial Soul spirit masters. Historically,even the critical battle where Du Busi self-destructed to assassinate Xu Tianran never happened. Throughout the Sun Moon Empire's process of unifying the continent, the Body Sect remained more neutral than Shrek Academy."
...
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(End of Chapter)