Getting Something for Nothing!?

Sun Moon Empire, Sun Moon Royal Academy, dormitory.

Inside the dormitory, Jin Tianming severed the Mental Link. He no longer felt sleepy at all and glanced at the sky outside the window, which had yet to brighten.

He picked up the Soul Tool book on the table that he had not finished reading last night and continued reading. He had to quickly reach the level of a Rank 1 Soul Engineer within a week.

Things like communication devices would be extremely useful for the main body's upcoming efforts to build a power base.

Time passed quickly. At some point, the sky brightened. Jin Tianming sensed someone approaching, so he closed his book and calmly looked toward the door. "Hall Master Jing, you're already at the door. Why not come in?"

Outside the door, Jing Hongchen heard the voice from inside and understood that Jin Tianming had already discovered him. Was this guy's Spiritual Power really that terrifying?

No wonder the power behind him had sent him to Sun Moon Royal Academy to study Soul Tools. The Spirit System was the foundation of learning how to craft Soul Tools. Without Spiritual Power, no matter how well you understood the theory or how eloquently you spoke, it could not compare to actual practice.

Jing Hongchen pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing that Jin Tianming had already prepared tea for him, he immediately sat down and asked curiously, "Why is your Spiritual Power perception so strong?"

If it was some kind of Heavenly Treasure, he could look for some for Xiao and Meng as well.

"Talent."

Jing Hongchen:

Hearing Jin Tianming's answer, he fell silent. There was simply no way to continue this conversation.

Jin Tianming ignored Jing Hongchen's somewhat unpleasant expression and asked, "Hall Master Jing, are you planning to personally take me to my class?"

"Or do you have another purpose?"

Jing Hongchen stared at the boy before him. He truly suspected that this boy was not a boy at all. He clearly seemed so arrogant, yet he controlled it perfectly—enough to infuriate someone without actually driving them to death.

"Phew..." Jing Hongchen took a deep breath and calmed himself before stating his purpose. "An elder of mine wishes to meet you. Come with me."

He did not believe that yesterday's Titled Douluo had not told him about those matters. Jin Tianming nodded at that, finished the last sip of tea, and said, "Hall Master Jing, lead the way!"

Jing Hongchen lowered his head and glanced at the tea he had yet to drink. After thinking it over, he decided not to drink it.

He immediately stood and walked out of the room, with Jin Tianming following behind him.

Jin Tianming was truly curious about that person who could force back the future Rank 99 Xuan Zi. He was also curious why Xuan Zi had not raised his Second Martial Soul. If he had improved his Second Martial Soul, reaching the ranks of the Ultimate Douluo should have been assured.

Or had he taken so many drugs that his body could no longer bear the remaining nine soul rings?

Jin Tianming was extremely curious about all these matters.

They soon arrived at the Hall of Worship. Jing Hongchen had come early in the morning this time, and with a young man by his side, they would likely draw some attention.

Jing Hongchen gave those furtive gazes a casual sweep before leading Jin Tianming into the Hall of Worship.

After walking for quite some time, the two finally arrived at the area under Kong Deming's charge. Kong Deming had already prepared tea for his two guests. Seeing Jing Hongchen and Jin Tianming arrive, he smiled warmly. "Please, sit. This is all the finest tea from the Sun Moon Empire."

The moment Kong Deming finished speaking, his eyes seemed to stick to Jin Tianming, never moving away. If he had not observed him carefully, he truly would not have noticed it. Yet once he did, it was no small matter—he had nearly been scared out of his wits.

If one did not carefully sense the pressure emanating from this boy, one would never know how frightening it was. Even his own martial soul was trembling!

Jin Tianming was somewhat displeased by Kong Deming's gaze. That kind of unrestrained staring was truly irritating. He plopped down first, propped his chin on his hand, and said, "Old man, did it feel good using your Spiritual Power to spy on my martial soul?"

Kong Deming: ???

Jing Hongchen: ???

Kong Deming looked at Jing Hongchen in disbelief, his gaze seeming to ask, Is this the arrogant youth you told me about?

Why did he feel that this was the type of reckless calf that feared no tiger, the kind who would be beaten to death if he lacked strength and backing?

Faced with Kong Deming's questioning gaze, Jing Hongchen did not know what to say either.

Seeing that Jing Hongchen could not explain, Kong Deming could not be bothered to waste more time. He looked warmly at Jin Tianming and apologized, "Student Jin Tianming, I was simply too curious about your martial soul, so I used my Spiritual Power to sense it. If you are displeased, I apologize."

"Then hurry up and apologize! The way you spy on others so freely is truly disgusting." Jin Tianming gave the old man no face at all. In this world, who could make him give them face? Only that guy, the main body.

Kong Deming:

Jing Hongchen: 6

The two exchanged looks, truly not knowing what to say.

This boy really did not understand social etiquette.

Kong Deming apologized, "I'm sorry, Student Jin."

"Good, I forgive you." Jin Tianming nodded to show that he had forgiven Kong Deming. Since he had already seized the initiative, there was no need to keep pressing the matter. He picked up the tea prepared for him and took a sip before asking curiously, "May I ask why Mr. Kong Deming wanted to see me?"

Seeing that they had entered today's main topic, Kong Deming no longer pursued the earlier matter and explained why he had summoned Jin Tianming. "I heard that Student Jin made a deal with Jing Hongchen?"

The instant he heard that question, Jin Tianming understood what this old fox meant. He wanted to know the contents of the negotiations between him and Jing Hongchen—first, to verify the strength of the power behind Jin Tianming, and second, to confirm whether what Jing Hongchen had told him was true and whether anything had been concealed.

Sitting beside Jin Tianming, Jing Hongchen silently picked up his tea and drank. He appeared calm on the surface, but waves had long been stirring in his heart. This old fox Kong Deming was probing again.

Jin Tianming gave Jing Hongchen a deep look. Seeing his calm expression, he suddenly found it boring. As expected, they were both old foxes of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Sure." Jin Tianming recounted his conversation with Jing Hongchen, but what he said was exactly the same as what Jing Hongchen had told Kong Deming yesterday.

Kong Deming was not only observing whether Jin Tianming was lying, but also watching Jing Hongchen's expression and eyes from the corner of his vision for even the slightest change.

After digesting Jin Tianming's account, he poured each of them another cup of tea and said to Jin Tianming, "Student Jin, are you interested in making a deal with me?"

"What kind of deal?" Jin Tianming became somewhat interested and asked, but Kong Deming's next answer made him understand what true shamelessness was.

"I want a treasure that can help me break through Rank 95. In exchange, you and the power behind you may choose any Rank 9 Soul Tools from the Hall of Worship."

There did not seem to be anything wrong with Kong Deming's words. Any ordinary person who heard them would certainly think they were getting a great bargain.

But Jin Tianming was no ordinary person. He might be arrogant, but he had not eaten his own brain.

This was not an ordinary deal at all. This was plainly getting something for nothing. If Kong Deming broke through Rank 95, would he still have a chance to choose Soul Tools?

This guy's calculations were truly loud! Did he really think Jin Tianming did not understand the terror of a Rank 95 Soul Engineer?

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