Growth Plan

Shi Yi had just returned to Yu Xiaogang's room when Yu Xiaogang's voice reached his ears.

"How did it go?" Yu Xiaogang asked softly.

Shi Yi was briefly puzzled. "How did what go?"

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. "As the Senior Disciple Brother, shouldn't you offer an assessment of your Junior Disciple Brother—my newly accepted disciple?"

Shi Yi paused slightly, then smiled. "I naturally trust your judgment, Master. I've only met Junior Disciple Brother once, but I can tell he's a polite child who understands propriety. However, he isn't suited to be your disciple."

Yu Xiaogang had been smiling at the first half of his words, but his expression instantly changed at the end. His face darkened even more than before.

"Tell me, then. Why isn't Xiao San suited to be my disciple?" Yu Xiaogang asked with a dark expression.

"His understanding of propriety shows that he's a well-behaved child. But being well-behaved isn't necessarily a good thing in theoretical research—you should understand that better than I do. From another perspective, rules mean restraints. Even if he becomes your disciple, he may inherit all your knowledge, but it will be difficult for him to surpass you in theoretical achievements." Shi Yi chuckled.

Yu Xiaogang's expression eased. Shi Yi's words had indeed struck home. After spending two years with Shi Yi, he understood that although Shi Yi had taken him as his master and learned much from him, their discussions of theory had been more like exchanges. Whenever they discussed theoretical issues, Shi Yi always came up with many novel ideas and could strike at the heart of a matter at critical moments. Even after researching theories for so many years, Yu Xiaogang had learned quite a lot from Shi Yi. Tang San's personality, on the other hand, resembled those children from the sects. He placed enormous importance on status and position and would never do anything beyond his station.

"Correct. You're right, but Xiao San has his own strengths as well. For example, Innate Full Soul Power."

As Yu Xiaogang spoke, he watched Shi Yi's expression, seemingly hoping to see a different reaction on his face.

Shi Yi merely nodded as usual. "Indeed. He's talented."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi's somewhat stiff face, full of surprise. Shi Yi smiled and spread his hands. "Little Ant already sensed what you mentioned. Still, I'm rather curious—how did a child with Innate Full Soul Power end up studying at Nuoding Academy?"

"You'll find out soon enough. It's about time. Let's eat. While we're at it, I want to hear your thoughts on your Junior Disciple Brother's Soul Ring. Consider it a test of what you've learned over the past two years." Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi meaningfully.

Shi Yi rolled his eyes at Yu Xiaogang. "Just say you want me to design a Growth Plan for Junior Disciple Brother."

"If your Growth Plan earns his approval, it will bring you immense benefits in the future," Yu Xiaogang said seriously.

Shi Yi naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Yu Xiaogang's words. If the Growth Plan he designed earned Tang San's approval, it would deepen the bond between the two disciple brothers on one hand. On the other, it was an investment. If Shi Yi's Growth Plan achieved its intended results, it would effectively be a successful investment, and when Tang San accomplished great things in the future, he would naturally repay it.

Shi Yi looked at Yu Xiaogang, warmth rising in his heart. He had not expected Yu Xiaogang to let him participate in Tang San's training plan. While it was partly due to his own abilities, if Yu Xiaogang had still chosen to train Tang San according to the original plan, Shi Yi would have had nothing to say about it.

Shi Yi was naturally happy with this arrangement. Since he and Yu Xiaogang already had the substance of a master-disciple relationship, it was only a matter of moving his lips. There was no harm in helping this bargain Junior Disciple Brother, especially since he still needed to rely on him to obtain certain opportunities.

"Then let's go. We can talk while we eat," Shi Yi said with a smile.

Yu Xiaogang nodded. The two then slowly made their way to the Cafeteria. Just as they were about to look for Tang San, they saw him approach them from nearby and bow slightly.

"Master, Senior Disciple Brother, you've come to eat too."

Shi Yi and Yu Xiaogang nodded. Yu Xiaogang slowly asked, "Have you finished putting your things away?"

Tang San nodded respectfully. "Thank you for the bedding, Master. Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother."

"No need to be polite." Shi Yi smiled.

Yu Xiaogang patted him on the shoulder. "Come eat with us on the second floor. Then I'll take you to my place so you know the way."

Tang San shook his head and glanced unobtrusively at Shi Yi before him. "No, Master. I'd rather eat with my roommates."

Yu Xiaogang did not insist. He glanced at Shi Yi, then nodded. "Good. That's the right choice. Go on. Wait for me at the entrance of the Cafeteria after you're done eating."

Shi Yi also smiled and nodded politely at Tang San without saying anything more.

With that, Yu Xiaogang led Shi Yi straight up to the second floor.

Yu Xiaogang and Shi Yi slowly took their seats. Shi Yi smiled at Yu Xiaogang. "Master, it seems Junior Disciple Brother doesn't understand social etiquette. On his very first day as your disciple, not only did he not treat you to a meal, he wouldn't even come when you invited him."

Yu Xiaogang's somewhat stiff face darkened slightly. "Do you think everyone is as shameless as you?"

"Is eating with my master considered shameless? Isn't keeping you company during meals something a disciple should do? Seeing you live alone in such loneliness, I even moved into your room." Shi Yi smiled.

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened further. Seeing this, Shi Yi hurriedly said, "Let's talk about Junior Disciple Brother's Martial Soul. I'll help you come up with some ideas."

Only then did Yu Xiaogang's expression return to normal. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said softly, "Blue Silver Grass."

"Blue Silver Grass? Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power?" Shi Yi repeated with feigned surprise, displaying an incredulous expression to play along with Yu Xiaogang.

Shi Yi then pretended to ponder before asking Yu Xiaogang, "What are you thinking, Master? You'll be taking Junior Disciple Brother to hunt his First Soul Ring soon, won't you?"

"Blue Silver Grass has no special attributes. I want Xiao San to follow the Control System path, which is also the route most plant Martial Souls take. What do you think?" Yu Xiaogang asked softly.

"I also agree that Xiao San should follow the Control System path, but there are many different methods of control. What kind of Soul Skill are you planning for Junior Disciple Brother to obtain?" Shi Yi asked.

"Grass can be woven into rope. If it is to bind someone tightly, toughness is indispensable. Of course, control alone cannot secure victory, so Blue Silver Grass needs a special attribute like poison."

Shi Yi shook his head. "No matter how tough Xiao San's Martial Soul becomes, it is still grass. Even if it becomes extraordinarily tough, its restraining force will remain limited."

Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brows slightly. Shi Yi was right, but there seemed to be no good solution. A Martial Soul's inherent nature could not be changed. Grass was grass; even with nine Soul Rings added, it would still be grass.

"Do you know where Blue Silver Grass's advantages lie?" Shi Yi asked with a light smile.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi in confusion as Shi Yi continued, "Blue Silver Grass can be found almost everywhere on the continent, and it grows very quickly. Therefore, its greatest advantage is its powerful vitality. If a rope could absorb another's Soul Power and continuously multiply while binding them tightly, don't you think its control effect would be much better?"

"So, I suggest selecting plant-type Soul Beasts for Xiao San whenever possible. Although plant-type Soul Beasts do not strengthen the body as much as Animal Soul Beasts, most of them provide purer and more abundant Soul Power. Choose suitable traits among plant-type Soul Beasts, such as powerful vitality, poison, parasitism, devouring, reproduction, or even certain supportive abilities."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up as he considered the matter slowly. Shi Yi's plan truly was an excellent one. If Tang San possessed only one Martial Soul, he would certainly choose it, because this plan developed Blue Silver Grass's potential to the fullest. But Tang San was different. His second Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer, the greatest tool Martial Soul under heaven.

As the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, Yu Xiaogang naturally knew the Clear Sky Hammer quite well. A powerful body was essential to fully unleashing the Clear Sky Hammer's might. One could even say strength was its most important attribute. Considering this, Yu Xiaogang was more inclined to let Tang San's first Martial Soul absorb Animal Soul Beasts and lay a solid foundation for his second Martial Soul. Between Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer, even a fool knew which one deserved greater priority.

As Shi Yi watched Yu Xiaogang's contemplative expression, he did not interrupt. He knew very well what Yu Xiaogang was thinking. Toughness and poison could both be found in Animal Soul Beasts, with snakes and spiders being the most representative examples. But Shi Yi also understood better than anyone that Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was no ordinary Blue Silver Grass.

In Shi Yi's eyes, the awakened Blue Silver Emperor was in no way inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer. Combined with the overpowered ability of the Blue Silver Domain, once cultivated to a profound level, Tang San could cover the heavens and blot out the sun with Blue Silver Grass with every gesture. Add all those traits Shi Yi had mentioned, and why bother with hidden weapons or hammers? Just throw a full binding package at anyone he encountered. If they escaped quickly, then good for them. If they failed to escape? Sorry, then they could simply be worn to death here. With Blue Silver Grass growing everywhere to replenish him, no one could outlast him.

Bo Saixi was invincible at sea, Qian Daoliu was invincible in the sky, and Tang Chen was invincible on land. If the Blue Silver Emperor were cultivated according to Shi Yi's method, perhaps it could not strip Tang Chen of his invincibility on land, but it would at least make Tang San invincible in forests.

Shi Yi had said what he needed to say. As for how Tang San chose, that depended on Tang San's own fortune. This could be considered a small compensation from Shi Yi to Tang San. After all, there were still plenty of opportunities waiting for Shi Yi to snatch away later.

While Yu Xiaogang was thinking, the dishes were served. Shi Yi immediately began eating with gusto.

"Xiao Yi, wouldn't this make the growth cycle too long? For Xiao San to link the traits he acquires into actual combat power, he would need to reach at least the Soul Emperor level, perhaps even Soul Saint," Yu Xiaogang said softly.

After taking a couple of bites, Shi Yi slowly replied, "Master, these things must be planned gradually. Haste makes waste. You should understand what kind of Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass is. For something weak to grow powerful, it naturally needs a process. Take Little Ant, for example. Even though my Soul Power has reached its current level, Little Ant still has no real combat strength. It is merely a somewhat larger ant. If you focus only on improving toughness and poison, Blue Silver Grass may indeed undergo some changes in a short period, but that would also sacrifice its future."

"What if I told you Xiao San has two Martial Souls?" Yu Xiaogang asked softly.

Shi Yi stopped his chopsticks, putting on an expression of sudden realization. "I was wondering how Blue Silver Grass could possibly have Innate Full Soul Power. So your plan also takes Junior Disciple Brother's second Martial Soul into account? What is it?"

Yu Xiaogang looked around before saying to Shi Yi, "The Clear Sky Hammer."

"..."

Shi Yi looked at Yu Xiaogang with a strange expression. "What benefits did you offer the Clear Sky Sect for someone like this to become your disciple?"

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. "Cut the nonsense. Keep thinking of plans for your Junior Disciple Brother."

Shi Yi slowly said, "If he has Twin Martial Souls, then there is nothing wrong with your training plan. Since you've already chosen the Clear Sky Hammer as the main focus, what else is there to think about? As for a training plan for the Clear Sky Hammer, shouldn't Junior Disciple Brother's father understand it better than we do?"

Yu Xiaogang asked, "Is there no way to optimize it further?"

"There is. Completely abandon Blue Silver Grass and select strength-type Soul Beasts for Junior Disciple Brother to absorb," Shi Yi said.

Yu Xiaogang looked as though he had seen a ghost. "Are you serious?"

"As far as I know, Soul Masters with Twin Martial Souls cannot use both Martial Souls at the same time, can they? Besides, ability lies not in quantity but refinement. No matter how talented Xiao San is, he only has one brain, and there are limits to what he can do at any one time. Having many abilities may allow him to make different choices in different situations, but not everyone will necessarily have a correct choice before them. Choices are often not entirely correct. The more choices one has, the greater the chance of making a mistake. A Martial Soul like the Clear Sky Hammer, however, often gives a Soul Master only one choice. When Xiao San cultivates the Clear Sky Hammer to an incomparably powerful level, he can choose whatever he wants. He can even create his own options."

As the two spoke, a middle-aged man in black robes sat in an inconspicuous corner of the Cafeteria's second floor.

Hearing Shi Yi's words, Tang Hao could not help but show a look of sentiment. Unlike most members of his clan, he had not chosen a balanced path in cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer. Instead, he had followed an extreme strength-focused route. Back when Spirit Hall had pursued and surrounded him, it was not as though he had no other choices. Yet he had still chosen to carve out a path with the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand.

"Actually, you can still train Xiao San according to your original plan. After all, a Soul Master can only plan for their first five Soul Rings. Once they reach the Soul Emperor level, the kind of Soul Beast they want is no longer what matters—it is what actually exists," Shi Yi said softly to Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. "Indeed. As Soul Masters continue to develop, even high-level Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest are becoming fewer and fewer. It is already difficult to find suitable Soul Beasts now."

As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang naturally understood this principle. For Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Masters, the most suitable Soul Rings were naturally thunder-attribute dragons. Now, not to mention high-year thunder-attribute dragons, even ordinary high-year dragons had become exceedingly rare. Once Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Masters passed the Soul King level, the Soul Rings they could obtain afterward depended entirely on fate.

"You can also tell Xiao San about all these plans. Only he himself truly knows what suits him best," Shi Yi said to Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang nodded at this and picked up the chopsticks before him, slowly beginning to eat.