Scheming

As Zhongli headed toward the support testing area, a faint smile gradually appeared on his face. Everything was now completely within his control. Although the God's Eye encased in Red-Gold Amber could resonate, it was utterly unable to exert its proper effect. Zhongli had deliberately shattered the amber at precisely the right moment, causing Hua Banhao to awaken it on his own.

Without that layer of amber, Hua Banhao would have been able to respond directly to the God's Eye from the very beginning.

Actually,

Zhongli had not originally planned to let him gain the ability to use Elemental Power so soon. He had wanted to observe him a while longer before deciding, but Golden Crocodile Douluo's presence gave him a sense of urgency. So, he directly shattered Hua Banhao's amber and pushed him out as a shield.

In Zhongli's view, Golden Crocodile Douluo—the powerful old man—would surely have an order of priority when handling matters. In Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes, Zhongli was probably the sort of person who was troublesome but not a major problem. It would be best if neither side provoked the other, though any unusual developments would still need to be reported to Spirit Hall for the record.

After all, Zhongli had put pressure on him before. He would not think Zhongli lacked strength, and his attitude would be more polite as well. Taking the initiative to provoke someone of unknown strength, who might even be extremely powerful, was highly unwise.

But Hua Banhao was different. A guy with abnormal growth, special powers, and the ability to command the Geo Elemental Power between heaven and earth—a supreme iron-headed fool who posed no real threat. That was bound to make people curious. Why did he possess such an ability?

He could also help divert some of the pressure from Zhongli.

Perhaps someone might ask, what if he said that Zhongli had given him that thing?

That was simple too. Had they heard of the Thousand-Hand Hundred-Eye Divine Statue? As long as a God's Eye was embedded in it, its user would lose the related memories and convictions. Zhongli did not need to be that ruthless. He only needed to use the God's Eye to make Hua Banhao forget where it had come from.

Everything was perfect~

If not for Hua Banhao, Golden Crocodile Douluo would definitely keep a close eye on Zhongli from now on. Everything he did would become troublesome, and he would have to consider whether he might be discovered. With Hua Banhao standing in front to bear the pressure, Zhongli could not be completely free of worries, but at least he would no longer be the only focus.

At least, that was how he saw it.

Moreover, to make Hua Banhao seem important enough, he had deliberately added a little extra punch...

Sigh, how unfortunate. He had finally found an "Original God," only to sell it off like this. If possible, he still needed to find more candidates. It would make things easier when he set up his plans and built his own force. Right now, human resources were still far too scarce.

After all, the more one possessed, the more choices one had.

"What's wrong? Why did you suddenly sigh? Did something upset you?" Mo Yuqing turned her head and asked curiously.

"Well..."

Zhongli smiled and said, "I just think Qiao Lezi is really delicious, but there was only one. It's such a pity you didn't get any. I'll treat you to some next time."

At the speed testing field, the old man who had been resting with his eyes closed suddenly opened them. His hawk-like gaze turned toward the attack power testing area. At that moment, he clearly sensed that something was wrong. The power Hua Banhao was using was nothing like what a Food System Soul Master could possess. Instead, it resembled the power of an entirely different system.

Combined with his inhuman rate of growth...

Could he be hiding some secret?

Golden Crocodile Douluo: I'm very curious!

Although Hua Banhao's performance was unusual, it was not excessively beyond the norm overall. In other words, he was not particularly dangerous. That was why Golden Crocodile Douluo dared to investigate him. He could do it, but perhaps it would be better to try other methods first.

The people of Spirit Hall were all decent. Unless something extraordinary happened, they would not harm their own people.

For example, after Tang Hao smashed up Spirit Hall and left with Tang San, Spirit Hall could have captured everyone from Shrek Academy and forced Tang San to return. But everyone in Spirit Hall was just too honest...

"Look into Hua Banhao's identity a little. This guy doesn't seem simple," Golden Crocodile Douluo muttered to himself, stroking his chin with one hand.

Spirit Hall placed exceptional importance on Innate Full Soul Power geniuses like Zhongli and Mo Yuqing. Their personal information had already been thoroughly investigated before they even enrolled. Otherwise, why would Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo come to accept disciples whose identities were unknown?

As for Hua Banhao, he was merely a genius with level-nine Innate Soul Power. Geniuses of that caliber were rare, but not nearly as scarce as those with Innate Full Soul Power, so his background had not been investigated in advance.

Now, it had to be investigated!

Support Testing Area

"You're here to test your support abilities?"

The tall female teacher holding a red form in one hand looked at his S+ ratings in both the Power Attack System and Agility Attack System, her face full of suspicion.

Your Power Attack System and Agility Attack System are already this strong, so what are you doing here for support? These clearly weren't even part of the same system!

"Yes. By universal rationality, that is indeed the case." Zhongli nodded and replied seriously.

"His support abilities are very strong. It would be too much of a loss not to test them," Mo Yuqing added from the side.

The tall female teacher narrowed her eyes. She was now beginning to suspect that the ratings Zhongli held had not been given by any teacher, but written down by Zhongli himself. After all, imitating handwriting was troublesome, but imitating letters was much easier. With enough talent, copying two similar letters was not difficult.

Besides...

Normally, S was the highest grade. Since when had there been an S+ grade? This guy had probably added it himself, and that possibility was not small. She would compare notes with the other teachers later. For now, she would not pick at his flaws.

How embarrassing would it be if she got it wrong?

"Fine, then. What support abilities do you have? The stronger your support ability is, the higher your rating will be. Activation speed and conditions of use must also be considered, since those are all part of a Martial Soul's abilities," the female teacher explained carefully.

Although she did not think that a wielder of a Spear-type Martial Soul—someone whose talents were heavily invested in the Power Attack System and Agility Attack System—would have any talent in the Support System, this was her job. She still had to maintain the most basic professional ethics.

"My support ability is applying shields. The shields are instant, and their strength is very high," Zhongli said simply.

"What about the cost? The consumption? And how long do they last?" the female teacher pressed.

"There is no cost, consumption is practically nonexistent, and they last about forty minutes—less than an hour. That should be enough for a fight," Zhongli replied.

"Hm?"

The female teacher's mouth twitched. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Since your shield has so few restrictions, its strength must be very low, right? That would only be fair. Otherwise, being able to cast an extremely durable shield without conditions, one that lasts forty minutes, would be utterly ridiculous."