The Crack in the Crystal Ball

Enterprising...

Mo Yuqing recalled what Zhongli had been like before, then silently put a big X over the idea in her heart. She could not help sighing as she asked, "Then, if there's someone... uh, I have a friend. If he still doesn't meet the requirements, can he be allowed in to study too? I promised something very important, so I can't break my word."

A slow smile appeared on Zhongli's face.

Very good. Such a strong sense of contract.

Just for those words, I'll make sure my Jade Shield protects you properly. From now on, any extra dodging you do will be a sign of distrust toward the shield—toward the God of Geo!

"I don't know about that. After all, I'm only responsible for awakening martial souls, not admissions. You should ask a professional about that sort of thing." The middle-aged man spoke vaguely, but the expression on his face gave her a clear hint: probably not.

"Oh, then it's your turn to awaken."

Mo Yuqing stepped down and said to Zhongli.

"Mm."

Zhongli smiled calmly and walked with steady steps toward the center of the awakening ceremony.

"I'm starting. Get ready."

The middle-aged man's voice was noticeably colder.

"Mm."

Zhongli nodded lightly. The awakening ceremony began once more. He roughly estimated the timing, and when he felt it was about right, he directly summoned his Vortex Vanquisher martial soul. A magnificent white-bladed spear appeared out of thin air, looking exceptionally imposing.

As for the Geo Archon...

Although the laws of this world were constantly trying to convert the Geo Archon into a martial soul, the power of the panel remained stable, and Zhongli himself had always refused. Thus, the Geo Archon remained exactly as it was.

Because the Geo Archon was his true body. A martial soul's rank would only limit his power and restrict his room for growth. Therefore, if he wanted better prospects, he could not allow the Geo Archon to be integrated into this world's martial soul system.

Who would go out of their way to give themselves a level cap?

Troublesome!

"That looks like a pretty good martial soul."

The middle-aged man's expression shifted slightly, but a trace of confusion surfaced in his mind. Why do I feel like something is off about this awakening? It doesn't feel like before—it's as though nothing was awakened at all.

But the reality was that it had succeeded...

It must be my imagination, right?

"This spear is called: Vortex Vanquisher!"

Zhongli flicked his spear and spun it through a flourish. After swinging it several times, he drove it into the ground, punching a small hole in the Spirit Hall's floor. The next instant, he kicked Vortex Vanquisher. The spear spun through the air, and just as everyone watched it rotate, a hand precisely caught it and thrust fiercely forward. The thrust seemed to send ripples through space itself.

"Wow, so cool!"

"I want to use a spear too! That's so cool!"

The children below the stage instantly erupted. Even the middle-aged man beside him was dazzled, stunned by Zhongli's masterful spear technique. Only Mo Yuqing at the very back wore a pained expression as she bit her lip, staring at the damaged floor and silently thinking, How much will this cost to compensate for?

"Mm, it handles quite well."

Zhongli nodded slightly.

"Ahem, the crystal ball for testing soul power is over here." The middle-aged man was a little flustered, but he quickly composed himself. His expression gradually became even more benevolent than before.

"Mm, like this?"

Zhongli extended his hand and slowly placed it on the crystal ball used to test soul power. Almost instantly, the crystal ball shone at its brightest. He quickly withdrew his hand and stopped pouring more of his soul power into it.

Yet even so, faint, nearly imperceptible cracks appeared inside the crystal ball...

"Th-this is Innate Full Soul Power!"

The middle-aged man stared at the shining crystal ball in delight and said in a trembling voice, "I never expected this, truly never expected this. I actually awakened two children with Innate Full Soul Power in a row today."

He swallowed, then looked at Zhongli with a gentle smile and slightly opened his mouth. But before he could speak, Zhongli cut him off in advance. "I'll be attending the same academy as her, so there's no need to try recruiting me. Lastly, my name is Zhongli."

"Zhongli..."

The middle-aged man repeated the name. He had a powerful premonition that this name would one day resound throughout the entire Douluo Continent, and that the little boy before him would become a peerless powerhouse who stirred the winds and clouds.

"Mm, I'll be leaving now."

Zhongli turned around and returned to Mo Yuqing's side with steady, powerful strides. She swiftly grabbed his hand and said with a slightly unnatural smile, "It's getting late. Let's hurry home. If we stay out too long, our parents will worry."

"Mm..."

Zhongli nodded slightly. Before he could say anything else, she dragged him away. Mo Yuqing was gripping him tightly and running quickly, as though she were fleeing.

Mo Yuqing's little scheme was actually very simple. Zhongli had damaged the floor, and he had also left behind his name. His parents would definitely have to come to the Spirit Hall, and when that happened, his parents—not him—would be the ones paying compensation. That way, Zhongli's private little stash of money would not have to be spent!

She simply did not want to pay for Zhongli. She only wanted the wallet in her pocket to be a little fuller, even if the money in it was not hers. Her thoughts were just that simple and pure.

"Phew, we finally got out."

After leaving the Spirit Hall, Mo Yuqing let out a breath of relief. She turned to Zhongli and angrily demanded, "Why were you so careless just now? You even damaged the Spirit Hall's floor! We'll have to pay for that!"

"Mm... Do you think the Spirit Hall, which can give me a hundred Gold Soul Coins every month, would care about such a small amount of money?" Zhongli asked with a faint smile.

"Wrong!"

Mo Yuqing planted her hands on her hips and said seriously, "Whether Spirit Hall has money or not, if you damage public property, you should compensate for it. I'm only saving you money. After your parents are gone, they'll definitely have to pay it back for you."

"Uh..."

Although Zhongli was somewhat speechless, he had to admit that Mo Yuqing was right. It seemed he should keep a lower profile in the future.

Just be a quiet shield-support tool~

As for fighting, you all can go fight. I can't be bothered to play with you~

If he accidentally beat someone to death or crippled them, that would be serious trouble. After all, every bone in Zhongli's body was equivalent to a thousand-year Spirit Bone—perhaps even more than that. His own strength was naturally absurdly powerful. Knocking out a kid with one punch was incredibly easy.

The Geo Archon was no joke!