Becoming Friends

As Gu Ziyi's words fell, the classroom instantly fell silent.

Everyone stared at Gu Ziyi in surprise. This time, no one thought he was an idiot anymore.

Although Gu Ziyi's words were bold, and it was everyone's first time hearing such an idea, they found it quite novel. How could someone capable of such thoughts possibly be an idiot?

"Student Gu Ziyi, your idea is very interesting!"

"However, it is only an interesting idea. Don't bring it up again in the future, lest others hear it and do something reckless."

Form Teacher Yang Hui praised Gu Ziyi once more, but then sternly warned him.

"Alright, Teacher!"

"I was only making a random guess!"

Gu Ziyi showed no displeasure at the warning and agreed with a smile.

"Gu Ziyi, why did you think that way?"

After Gu Ziyi sat down, Tang Yuehua beside him could no longer restrain her curiosity and quietly asked him.

"I just like to think about things more than usual!"

Seeing that he had indeed caught Tang Yuehua's attention, Gu Ziyi smiled inwardly and answered modestly.

"I think you're just thinking nonsense. The choice of soul rings must be treated with the utmost caution. How can you mess around with it?"

Before Tang Yuehua could say anything, Bai Lu beside them let out a soft snort upon hearing Gu Ziyi's words.

Though she was also surprised by Gu Ziyi's bold idea, she did not agree with it in the slightest.

Among the Speed Clan, their selection of soul rings was the most specialized and rigorous in all of Douluo Continent. They never acted recklessly.

For every soul ring, the Speed Clan chose Needletail Swifts—the same as their martial souls—as hunting targets, maximizing their speed advantage to the utmost. They never absorbed soul rings from any other soul beasts.

"Student Bai Lu is right. I was just speculating wildly, and even if it could be done, I wouldn't recommend it!"

"Because the purpose of absorbing soul rings isn't just to gain soul skills. More importantly, it is to evolve one's own martial soul. Absorbing soul rings from different categories truly isn't beneficial to the evolution of one's martial soul!"

"If one doesn't consider the evolution of one's martial soul, then it can be done. It would make one's soul skills more diverse. It all depends on personal choice!"

Faced with Bai Lu's opposing view, Gu Ziyi smiled. Not only did he not refute her, he even agreed with her.

This made Bai Lu feel a little embarrassed, while also greatly improving her impression of Gu Ziyi.

This classmate was actually quite good.

At the very least, he had a good head on his shoulders.

"What kind of support martial soul is your talisman?"

Thus, Bai Lu stopped arguing with Gu Ziyi and used her question about his martial soul to change the subject.

Tang Yuehua immediately looked up at Gu Ziyi as well.

"You'll find out soon enough!"

"But I can guarantee that you've definitely never seen my soul skill before!"

Gu Ziyi maintained an air of mystery, yet answered with great confidence.

Hearing Gu Ziyi say this, Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu became genuinely curious.

However, since Gu Ziyi was unwilling to say anything for now, they could not force him to explain.

But just as Gu Ziyi had said, they soon learned about his First Soul Ring and soul skill.

After all, the Soul Master Academy could not possibly teach only academic subjects. On the contrary, academic classes were the fewest; all kinds of training made up the bulk of the curriculum.

Many training sessions required students to display their martial souls and soul skills, so Gu Ziyi's soul skill naturally became known.

"So your soul skill has this kind of support effect. We... we truly have never seen anything like it."

"However, your First Soul Ring was poorly chosen. It's only a Ten-Year Quality White Soul Ring, not an optimal soul ring configuration!"

After training class ended, Bai Lu acknowledged that Gu Ziyi's soul skill was unusual. Then, unwilling to let Gu Ziyi become too proud, she brought up the quality of his soul ring.

Though aside from her, there were not many people in the class with optimal soul ring configurations either.

"Elder Sister!"

Tang Yuehua quickly tugged at Bai Lu's sleeve beside her.

"No matter how good its quality is, it still has to be suitable!"

"Have you ever seen a support soul skill like mine?"

"This one-of-a-kind soul skill is the best one for me!"

Gu Ziyi was not angered and merely replied calmly.

"But your configuration isn't optimal. Your chances of becoming a Titled Douluo in the future are practically nonexistent!"

Bai Lu had not expected Gu Ziyi to be so stubborn and immediately retorted.

"A soul master with only level 1 Innate Soul Power like me—do you think I have any hope of becoming a Titled Douluo?"

Gu Ziyi smiled and revealed his aptitude before asking in return.

"What? Your Innate Soul Power is only level 1?"

"How is that possible?"

Upon hearing Gu Ziyi's words, Bai Lu and Tang Yuehua were both filled with shock.

They knew just how extraordinary it was for someone with level 1 Innate Soul Power to cultivate to level 12 by the age of twelve.

The two of them could not help but feel a trace of admiration for Gu Ziyi.

"It's level 1. That's why I don't need to think about things that far ahead!"

Gu Ziyi answered calmly, without the slightest inferiority complex over his poor aptitude.

"Hmph, I suppose that makes sense!"

Hearing Gu Ziyi's firm reply, Bai Lu could not bring herself to apologize despite feeling somewhat impressed by him. She merely acknowledged his reasoning verbally.

However, she was too embarrassed to stay any longer, so she pulled Tang Yuehua away.

"Elder Sister, did you notice? This Gu Ziyi seems very different from everyone else!"

As Tang Yuehua left with Bai Lu, she recalled Gu Ziyi's behavior and found it quite surprising.

She had realized that Gu Ziyi truly was different from other people.

"Now that you mention it, he really does seem different from everyone else..."

Hearing Tang Yuehua's words, Bai Lu paused slightly, a surprised expression appearing on her face as well.

At first, Gu Ziyi had struck her as dull and foolish. It was only during their first lesson that she discovered he was not stupid at all—on the contrary, he was quite intelligent.

And Gu Ziyi's personality gave her an exceptionally steady feeling, as though he could remain calm and composed no matter what he faced.

"How do you think he managed to level up so quickly?"

However, Bai Lu soon shifted the topic back to Gu Ziyi's rapid leveling.

Gu Ziyi watched Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu's retreating figures and smiled faintly.

It seemed his initial contact with them had gone fairly well.

Thus began Gu Ziyi's life at Heaven Treasure Academy.

Thanks to their initial interactions, along with Gu Ziyi's deliberate efforts, he gradually became more familiar with Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu.

With his mature temperament and insight far surpassing that of ordinary people, Gu Ziyi quickly became friends with Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu.

The longer they knew him, the more Tang Yuehua and Bai Lu felt that Gu Ziyi's mind was anything but ordinary. He could speak coherently and convincingly about anything.

"Elder Sister, do you think Gu Ziyi might have a way to solve my inability to cultivate?"

One time, in private, Tang Yuehua could not help asking Bai Lu this question.