The master was stunned once again, not understanding what Jiang Chen was trying to say, but he still nodded and said:
"They all call my theory invincible. Although I wouldn't dare boast to that extent, I am still confident that no teacher in this academy can compare to me."
There was strong confidence in the master's words, and even Tang San, standing beside him, was somewhat influenced by it.
"What if your theory doesn't apply to me?" Jiang Chen asked in return.
The master shook his head repeatedly. "Impossible. The scope of my research is very broad, and I have studied nearly a hundred years' worth of cases. The data is extremely authoritative. My Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls cannot be wrong."
"Very well. Let me ask you then, what is the limit in years for the first soul ring a soul master can absorb?"
The master was somewhat surprised that Jiang Chen would ask such a professional question, and his impression of Jiang Chen immediately improved a little.
Without thinking, he answered: "According to the nearly one hundred years of cases I have studied, each level a soul master reaches has a limit for the soul ring they can absorb, and the limit for the first soul ring is four hundred and twenty-three years."
"Then let's make a bet. If I prove your theory is wrong, I won't become your disciple. How about it?"
"Fine!" The master agreed readily, his interest piqued. He wanted to see exactly how Jiang Chen planned to prove his theory wrong.
This disciple, he was determined to take him!
Jiang Chen took two steps back. "Watch carefully."
As soon as the words fell, a purple soul ring rose from beneath his feet and gently circled him.
"This… this is impossible!" The master cried out involuntarily, his face filled with shock.
Tang San looked at the purple soul ring around Jiang Chen and found it extremely novel. So this is what a soul ring looks like.
He still didn't quite understand the meaning of a purple soul ring; otherwise, his reaction would certainly have been no better than the master's.
Jiang Chen withdrew the soul ring. Looking at the still-shocked master, he said calmly, "So I don't need to become your disciple. And not just this soul ring, I am confident that every soul ring I acquire in the future will surpass your so-called limit."
Hearing Jiang Chen's words, even Tang San looked at the master with a slightly strange expression.
Suddenly, the master rushed forward like a madman, grabbed Jiang Chen by the shoulders, and shook him violently. "Quick, tell me how you did it!"
Jiang Chen frowned, looking at the master's agitated expression. It seemed things had gotten even worse.
"Ahem… I lost my composure." The master finally reacted, hurriedly letting go of Jiang Chen's shoulders.
"I'll take you both to the academic affairs office to register first."
Remembering the bet Jiang Chen had just made with him, the master knew it would be very difficult to take this child as his disciple now. However, he absolutely had to find out how Jiang Chen managed to obtain a thousand-year soul ring as his first one.
It was two or three times higher than the four hundred and twenty-three years he had painstakingly researched. He genuinely suspected whether Jiang Chen was even human.
Watching the departing master, Tang San showed a trace of hesitation on his face. Jiang Chen pulled him along.
"Let's go. What are you standing there for? You're not regretting becoming his disciple, are you?"
The master walking in front clearly paused for a moment before continuing forward.
Tang San hesitated, but suddenly became resolute again. "A teacher for a day, a father for life."
The master walking ahead revealed a gratified smile on his face.
Jiang Chen was truly speechless. This guy Tang San was really quite old-fashioned. Still, Grandmaster was one of the most important figures in Tang San's growth, so Jiang Chen still hoped Tang San would become Grandmaster's disciple.
"Actually, I think Grandmaster's theory isn't wrong. It's just that I'm too abnormal. In this world, probably only I can achieve something like this." Jiang Chen said shamelessly.
Tang San looked at Jiang Chen beside him and thought to himself that it really seemed to be the case. This guy, Jiang Chen, had never been normal since he was a child. He really was an abnormality.
Thinking of this, Tang San felt slightly more at ease.
"By the way, what's going on with your soul ring? Didn't you say soul rings are obtained by killing soul beasts? When did you go kill a soul beast?" Tang San fired off a series of questions.
Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head. "Cannot say, cannot say."
…
After the master brought Jiang Chen and Tang San to the academic affairs office, he left.
When the teachers at the academic affairs office unintentionally learned that Tang San's teacher was a Grandmaster, they inevitably threw a few sarcastic and mocking remarks.
Jiang Chen stayed out of it, minding his own business. After completing the registration procedures with Tang San, they headed toward the dormitory building.
Halfway there, Jiang Chen suddenly stopped.
"Little San, you go to the dormitory first. I have something to do."
"What is it?" Tang San asked in confusion. Both of them were here for the first time. What could Jiang Chen possibly have to do?
"Just don't worry about it. I'll come later."
Tang San nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He continued walking toward the dormitory.
Jiang Chen smiled, following the sensation in his heart as he walked into a small grove.
He had sensed that Jing Wuming was here.
As soon as he entered, he heard sharp, piercing sounds, as if the air was being sliced apart.
Not far ahead, Jing Wuming was frantically repeating thrusting sword movements, like a tireless machine.
Sweat had already soaked his clothes. Every thrust of his sword was extremely steady; the height and angle of each strike were almost identical.
Jiang Chen deliberately made his footsteps audible.
Jing Wuming suddenly turned around. His cold, sharp eyes shot toward Jiang Chen like two swords.
When he realized it was Jiang Chen, he immediately relaxed and said with pleasant surprise: "Young Master, why are you at Notting Academy?"
"I came here to study," Jiang Chen replied. "By the way, why are you here?"
In front of Jiang Chen, Jing Wuming became like a normal teenager again. "Young Master, you told me last time to interact more with people my age, so I came to Notting Academy."
Jiang Chen suddenly understood. It turned out to be because of something he had casually said before.
With Jing Wuming's strength, he was undoubtedly the number one student in the entire Notting Academy. After all, in a junior academy, obtaining just one soul ring was enough to graduate.
Jiang Chen found a place to sit down, patted the spot beside him, and motioned for Jing Wuming to sit. "Tell me about the recent situation with Spirit Hall."
For the past two months, he had been busy cultivating and hadn't paid any attention to Spirit Hall matters. He had no idea what the current situation was like at the Notting City Spirit Hall branch.
Out of respect for Jiang Chen, Jing Wuming didn't dare sit.
"Sit!" Jiang Chen ordered directly.
Only then did Jing Wuming sit down.
"Young Master, the position of Hall Master of the Notting City Spirit Hall branch has been vacant for several months. Recently, it has finally been decided."
"Oh? Is it Ma Xiunuo?"
Jing Wuming nodded. "Yes. Actually, this matter should have been settled long ago, but there were issues at the sub-temple level above, so it kept getting delayed. Only recently did they have time to handle it."
"In three days, an envoy from the Spirit Hall sub-temple will arrive in Notting City to hold the election ceremony for the branch hall master."
"Ma Xiunuo has the most seniority in the Notting City branch. Almost all the other deacons once studied under him, so this election is basically guaranteed to be his. Poor that girl Sisi still naively thinks she has seduced Ma Xiunuo, not knowing she's just his plaything."
Jiang Chen sighed. "Sigh… actually, the most pitiful one is still Brother Tao. By the way, you've been going to Ma Xiunuo's office every day recently, right?"
Jing Wuming nodded. "To monitor Ma Xiunuo's every move for Young Master, I go there every day."
Jiang Chen suddenly showed a meaningful smile. "How was Ma Xiunuo and Sisi's performance? Was it good?"
Jing Wuming was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. His face immediately turned bright red, but he still answered respectfully: "Very good."
Jiang Chen stood up, patted Jing Wuming on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "Young man, you must know moderation!"