"Eleven, isn't that good? This way you have one more target to study. So what are you so conflicted about?" Flender still couldn't understand why the Grandmaster had seemed a little disappointed just now.
But with Flender's question, the excitement that had just sparked in the Grandmaster's heart instantly deflated.
"But this only proves the importance of innate talent. Even if you painstakingly hunt a spirit beast and gain a ring of the same age as someone else, if your martial spirit cannot compare, then the other person will still be stronger than you. If the results of my research truly point to this… once made public, many whose martial spirits are mediocre at awakening may well abandon themselves for life. Ah… talent…"
The Grandmaster sighed deeply.
Seeing him like this, Flender knew he was once again tormenting himself over his martial spirit.
"Then what about your other disciple? That Tang San boy. Didn't you say that even Blue Silver Grass—a so-called trash martial spirit—can unleash power far beyond the ordinary in his hands? How do you explain that?"
"Xiao San…" The Grandmaster was caught off guard by the question, unable to immediately refute it.
"And besides, there have been many cases of the weak overcoming the strong. Over these years, how many with peerless talent were surpassed by those with only average gifts, and perished in the struggles of life? Xiaogang, you're just overthinking things, lost in your own horns."
The Grandmaster was stunned for a while by Flender's words, then after a long silence, he laughed freely:
"Hehe… you're right. I've been caught in a dead end. Enough, let's not speak of this. Xiao Jue, let's give your Wolf Spirit's second spirit skill a name."
Qian Jue, who had been quietly listening the whole time, immediately spoke:
"
"
"Forget it. I can't grasp your intention, but if you like the name, then Severed Soul it is. As long as you're satisfied. Very well, this hunt for spirit rings has been a complete success. Pack up—let's return to the Academy. Flender, take us directly by flight, that will be faster."
Hearing this, Flender rolled his eyes:
"You sure know how to order people around."
But grumbling aside, Flender still released his Owl Martial Spirit. "Alright, hurry up and get your gear out."
Just as Qian Jue was puzzled, he saw the Grandmaster take out a strange contraption from his wristband. It looked very much like the safety harnesses used for bungee jumping in his past life.
Noticing Qian Jue's curiosity, the Grandmaster explained:
"My level is too low, my soul power isn't enough to support long-distance flight while being carried by Flender. So I designed this contraption. Once strapped in, all I need is to use my soul power to resist the wind, instead of wasting it to endure the strain on my arms."
As he spoke, the Grandmaster busied himself strapping it on. By the time he finished, he looked almost like a giant zongzi (traditional Chinese food of sticky rice wrapped in leaves, a humorous expression to describe the shape of a person after being tied or wrapped), his entire body bundled in thick ropes.
Seeing him like this, Qian Jue couldn't help laughing:
"Teacher, I think you should have Xiao San design one for you when we get back. You know how skilled he is with such mechanisms—it'll surely be much better than this."
"…Fine. I'll consider it." The Grandmaster replied with a blank expression, handing the main rope over to Flender.
Flender looped it twice around his right hand, then reached with his left to scoop Qian Jue into his arms.
"Alright, let's go!"
With that shout, Flender took two running steps, spread the wings on his back, and carried the Grandmaster swiftly into the skies.
For the next two hours, Qian Jue spent the journey gazing at the world from high above. Thankfully, he had his Kindred Mask, shielding him from the fierce winds at such altitude. Otherwise, like the Grandmaster, he too would have needed to waste soul power to resist the gale.
Finally, after enduring two hours of buffeting winds, Flender descended with the Grandmaster and Qian Jue, landing at Nuoding Academy.
Upon arrival, the Grandmaster left with Flender, likely to discuss something privately. Qian Jue returned to his own dormitory, packed his belongings into his soul tool, then headed toward the Academy's rear mountain in search of Tang San and Xiao Wu. They usually trained there when they had no afternoon classes.
As expected, when Qian Jue reached the rear mountain, Tang San and Xiao Wu were in the middle of sparring. Upon seeing him, they immediately stopped, joy lighting up their faces.
"Brother Jue!"
"Brother Jue."
Though their tones were different, both carried excitement.
"How was it? Is your new spirit skill powerful?" Tang San stepped forward with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah! Hurry and show us. You're already a Spirit Grandmaster, while Xiao San and I still haven't broken through level 20 yet."
"Alright then. Why don't you two come and test it out yourselves? But I'll say this first—Xiao San, no hidden weapons."
"Fine, fine. Hmph, Xiao San's always stopped me from sparring with you. Now I'll see just how strong you've gotten. Xiao San, keep up!"
Before Tang San could even answer, Xiao Wu had already agreed, releasing her martial spirit as she charged straight at Qian Jue.
Qian Jue dared not be careless—he definitely didn't want to be caught in Xiao Wu's Soft Skill techniques. He immediately summoned his martial spirit, activating the Sheep Spirit's first spirit skill. In an instant, the Kindred's Bow condensed into his left hand.
But since Xiao Wu had struck first, by the time the Kindred's Bow formed, she had already rushed right up to him. With just a twist of her neck, her braid lashed toward his throat like a whip.
Had this been a real enemy, Qian Jue would certainly have met her attack head-on with his bow. With the sharp edge of the weapon, her braid wouldn't last long.
But there was no way he could ruin Xiao Wu's braid—otherwise she would hate him forever. So he quickly twisted aside to dodge.
Yet just as he evaded, a strand of Blue Silver Grass shot forth, twining rapidly toward him. Fortunately, Qian Jue was now empowered by four spirit rings. As the vines neared, he twisted and spun, narrowly slipping past—only to feel a sudden suction force pulling him back. In that instant, his legs were bound tight by the grass. Immediately after, several thick Blue Silver vines surged up from the ground, coiling him solid.
It was Tang San's
"Hehe!" Seeing Qian Jue restrained, Xiao Wu skipped forward in two steps, delighted at the chance to pummel him like a sandbag.
Just as she was about to strike, Qian Jue suddenly let go of his left hand. The Kindred's Bow slipped from his grasp. Yet before it could hit the ground, the bow seemed to come alive, rising into the air, slashing a gleaming arc that forced Xiao Wu back. With a few swift movements, it cut apart the Blue Silver Grass binding Qian Jue, the severed vines falling to the ground like broken ropes.
With a sweep, Qian Jue caught the bow back into his hand, leaping lightly into the air. Twisting mid-flight, he loosed two rapid arrows straight at Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Tang San hurriedly used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, pulling the stunned Xiao Wu aside to dodge the light arrows.
Snapped from her daze, Xiao Wu shouted in protest:
"What kind of freakish weapon is that?! Brother Jue, your bow moves on its own!"
Perched upon a tree, the masked Qian Jue gave no reply. Instead, he loosed two more arrows at Xiao Wu.
The Kindred's Bow was his main attack method now. Over the past two years, it was the skill he had trained the most. His archery had grown sharp and fast—after only a few shots, he was already pressing Xiao Wu into a dangerous position.
Seeing this, Tang San had no choice but to abandon a solo approach. He pulled Xiao Wu along, dodging while gradually circling closer.
Thankfully, his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step made it impossible for Qian Jue to predict their path. Otherwise, together, they might have already been shot down.
But they weren't entirely helpless. When they closed some distance, just as Qian Jue loosed another arrow, Tang San suddenly exerted force, flinging Xiao Wu forward like a concealed weapon. She whizzed past Qian Jue's arrow in midair, lunging straight toward him. Eyes locked on his every move, she concentrated with full focus, prepared to evade his first counterattack. As long as she avoided that and touched his body, she was confident she could win this spar.
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