"One man becomes a peak… but what about Xiao San? His talent is also very strong!" Qian Jue looked at the Grandmaster and asked.
The Grandmaster replied calmly, "Xiao San's talent is indeed excellent, but it is not as unique as yours. His martial spirit—Blue Silver Grass—though not ordinary, still cannot be compared to your Kindred. To be honest, your talent surpasses his. But setting talent aside, Xiao San is more outstanding than you in other aspects—his judgment of situations, his focus on tasks, his dedication to learning knowledge. In all these, he is ahead of you.
I used to think talent was not everything. I still believe so. But I must admit—talent truly is the most essential difference between people.
Perhaps those with talent may not necessarily become strong. But those without talent, if they wish to become strong, must pay tenfold, a hundredfold more effort and suffering before they succeed."
As the Grandmaster spoke, his voice carried a sigh.
Qian Jue did not refute him. He had always known Tang San was stronger than him. Even in their previous lives—Tang San had created the
The Grandmaster was right—he was just a child favored by fate. Destiny not only brought him to this world, but also gave him unparalleled talent.
But Qian Jue was not one to belittle himself. He had come to this world with no obligations. He did not need to rule the world, nor overthrow Spirit Hall. His cultivation was not for others, but simply to become strong enough to live freely, to act according to his own will, without anyone forcing him.
He had followed Tang San and the Grandmaster at first to cling to a powerful thigh, to gain strength for survival. But now, it had become about experiencing this world, walking the magnificent path of the Shrek Seven Devils as they grew stronger.
Oh wait—perhaps in the future, it would be the 'Shrek Eight Devils'.
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The Grandmaster continued, "Of course, when I say Xiao San is more outstanding, I mean in comparison between the two of you. Both of you are on the same level, far above other children."
He noticed Qian Jue's silence, and mistook it for discouragement. Worried he had struck him too hard, he quickly added comfort.
Qian Jue couldn't help but smile at the Grandmaster's attempt to console him.
"Teacher, don't worry. I won't be discouraged so easily. You're right—Xiao San is indeed stronger. And I still stand by my judgment: Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass is no ordinary grass. Ordinary Blue Silver Grass has no qualifications to form twin spirits with the Clear Sky Hammer. Xiao San's talent is far greater than what you've seen. In the future, my achievements may not necessarily surpass his."
The Grandmaster looked at Qian Jue, a little speechless. Where did this boy get such confidence in Tang San? He had deliberately emphasized the gap to temper Qian Jue's mindset, yet the boy still believed in Tang San so firmly.
The Grandmaster thought: 'Qian Jue's talent is the greatest in Douluo Continent's history.'
"Good! Since you know there is a gap, then you must work hard. Now, let me tell you what your second and third spirit rings should be."
He spoke seriously.
"As I said before, I want you to become an 'all-rounder spirit master'. So, for your Sheep Spirit's second ring, you should choose a ring that grants a 'sustaining ability', ensuring that in prolonged battles or when facing multiple enemies, you have a way to replenish yourself. Then for the third ring, you can aim for a 'control-type ability'. The fourth and fifth rings can be dedicated to explosive power and area attacks.
As for your Wolf Spirit—your analysis is very sound. Its greatest strength is stealth. Any ring we add must not compromise that.
Your idea of giving its fangs poison is excellent. In addition, I think we should also consider 'defensive spirit abilities' for it. First, because it can be harmed and the feedback is reflected onto you. So its defense cannot be neglected. Second, that feedback is a backlash of soul power—it doesn't transfer the injury directly, so you won't be fatally wounded. If it has defensive power, then in a situation with unavoidable attacks, you can let the Wolf Spirit block it for you.
As for the fourth and fifth rings—those will depend on whether our plans succeed. Then we'll adjust accordingly."
Qian Jue thought carefully about the advice, realizing it was indeed far more thorough than his own. His perspective was still not comprehensive enough.
---
From then on, not a single moment was wasted. Even though he had already reached a bottleneck and further cultivation wouldn't raise his level, according to Grandmaster's research, his soul power would still accumulate, even if it wasn't immediately visible.
Time passed, and the journey was bumpy. Qian Jue returned once more to the familiar Soul Hunting Forest.
As usual, they stayed at the inn first—one room, a meal, washing, and tidying up before resting. Cultivation could replace sleep, but it still led to spiritual fatigue. Even in the academy, once a week they would take a night to sleep normally. The forest was full of danger—even Qian Jue had been injured multiple times there, though never seriously. Still, he had learned his lesson: never let down his guard.
That night, the Grandmaster remained at the desk, writing and sketching, his silhouette stretched by the candlelight across the window, linking the small room to the deep darkness outside.
A sudden eagle's cry pierced the night.
Qian Jue opened his eyes. He felt tonight's atmosphere was unusual, as though something was about to happen.
Unable to rest, he quietly summoned his martial spirit and moved to a corner where he could monitor the whole room. Just as he reached halfway, the Grandmaster suddenly spoke:
"That's enough, Flender. You're here already, stop scaring the boy."
Qian Jue froze, quickly turning back. The Grandmaster didn't even lift his head.
He looked toward the window—the shutters were closed tight. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it: within the Grandmaster's shadow was another silhouette. The window, which had been firmly shut, was now slightly open.
All of this happened in a blink. Qian Jue almost cried out, but suddenly remembered—Flender.
The headmaster of Shrek Academy. The Grandmaster's closest friend. The winged member of the legendary Golden Iron Triangle.
Damn—it was a false alarm!
Realizing the intruder was no enemy, Qian Jue's tense body finally relaxed. He obediently walked over and sat beside Grandmaster.
The plot of Douluo Continent—how many times had he replayed it in his mind? He should have recognized the name Flender instantly. But the oppressive atmosphere just now had slowed his reactions.
So this was the aura of a rank-70 Spirit Saint.
Seeing Qian Jue relax, the shadow leapt silently from the window sill. Not a sound was made. Only when he stepped out of Grandmaster's shadow and revealed his face did the stifling tension in the room vanish completely.
A sharp face with shrewd eyes hidden behind stiff crystal glasses. A thin frame cloaked in a black robe. This was none other than the Four-Eyed Owl, Flender.
"Xiao Gang… after so many years, you finally reached out to me."
His voice was hoarse, slightly trembling.
"This is your proof then, stubborn man. But the boy's reaction was pretty good. Did you tell him about me?"
The Grandmaster finally stopped writing, putting his notes away. He raised his rigid face and sighed. Looking at his old friend, he said quietly, "Flender, how have you been these years?"
"Good, good! Seems time has worn down your temper too."
Seeing the Grandmaster reminiscing instead of going straight to the point, Flender also felt waves of emotion. The Grandmaster he remembered was never one for sentiment—only for action.
"Heh. Xiao Jue, go fetch us some tea."
The Grandmaster smiled faintly, gesturing at Qian Jue.
"…Alright, Teacher. Call me if you need me."
Qian Jue understood immediately—it was time for the two old friends to talk privately. He obediently went to get a pot of tea, then settled outside in the corridor, continuing his cultivation.
All his worries about the hunt vanished. With Flender here, tomorrow in the Soul Hunting Forest—they could walk sideways without fear.
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