A Powerful Spirit Master

Two hours later, everyone had finished memorizing everything one after another. As He Yanjun led them away, Zhou Le suddenly could not help asking him a question.

"Senior He, what was that technique Instructor Lu used earlier? He merely looked at us, and we lost all ability to resist. How could it be so powerful?"

He Yanjun smiled faintly upon hearing this and explained, "Besides being a powerful late-stage Martial King, Instructor Lu is also an exceedingly rare Spirit Master."

"A Spirit Master?" Chen Lin's heart stirred.

When his predecessor had first entered the martial academy, the academy had distributed a technique called the Soul Strengthening Technique to test whether new students possessed the potential to become Spirit Masters.

His predecessor had also diligently cultivated this technique for a time. Unfortunately, although his predecessor's soul was somewhat stronger than that of ordinary people, it still did not meet the standard required to awaken spirit power and become a Spirit Master.

Thus, after cultivating the technique to the beginner level, he had been unable to advance another inch. He had no choice but to abandon the idea of becoming a Spirit Master and devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivating martial arts.

This was also why, after assimilating his predecessor's memories, Chen Lin had instinctively not spent Slaughter Points to improve this technique.

Now that he had personally witnessed the might of a Spirit Master, envy rose in his heart, and a bold thought suddenly surfaced.

If I forcibly spend points to upgrade the basic Soul Strengthening Technique, could I also forcibly awaken spirit power and become a powerful Spirit Master? Chen Lin silently considered the possibility.

Seeing their various expressions of confusion and contemplation, He Yanjun smiled and explained, "Spirit Masters are a relatively rare cultivation talent among martial artists. Only those born with exceptionally powerful souls can awaken as one. Not only are they invincible among those of the same rank, but the truly formidable ones can even fight above their rank. If you encounter a Spirit Master in the future, you must show proper respect."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior He!" Their expressions turned solemn, and they hurriedly bowed in thanks.

"Alright, the temple-entry test is over. Go home now and prepare for the Demon Slayer Envoy assessment in a few days!"

"Yes!"

After clasping their hands in farewell to He Yanjun, they turned and left the War God Temple.

Walking along the streets of the Inner City, the four introduced themselves with smiles on their faces.

"My name is Pan Ran, a captain of Nanqing City's Black Armor Guard. If you have time, come drink with me! There'll be plenty of wine and meat!" Pan Ran said with a smile, clasping his hands toward the other three.

"Chen Yu, a student of the martial academy's middle division, from the Chen Clan of the Outer City," Chen Yu introduced himself.

"Zhou Le! The Zhou Family Armory in the Outer City belongs to my family. If you brothers ever need weapons, just come find me!" Zhou Le said with a beaming smile.

"Chen Lin. Chen Yu and I are from the same clan." Chen Lin pointed at Chen Yu.

Pan Ran and Zhou Le immediately revealed surprised expressions.

After all, although many people in Nanqing City practiced martial arts, not many truly achieved anything through cultivation. Those able to join the War God Temple were even rarer still.

Yet two had emerged from the same clan this time. It would have been impossible for them not to be astonished.

"Brother Chen's clan truly produces talent in abundance! Unlike our Zhou Family—after all these decades, I'm the only one who's even passable at martial arts. It really makes one envious!" Zhou Le sighed helplessly, shaking his head.

"Brother Chen Lin passed the preliminary selection for the War God Temple's Demon Purifiers at such a young age. Your future will surely be boundless!" Though Pan Ran was a military man, his words were not crude in the slightest. On the contrary, he knew very well how to speak.

"Haha! Brother Pan flatters me." Chen Lin shook his head modestly.

"Today is truly a good day for us. I suggest we head to Yizilou Restaurant for a proper meal and chat while we eat. What do you say?" Zhou Le's thoughts turned, and he extended an invitation.

"Alright!" Pan Ran immediately agreed in delight.

Chen Yu and Chen Lin exchanged glances and did not voice any refusal.

The group found a restaurant in the Inner City, chatting as they ate, and only went their separate ways to return home at noon.

Though Chen Lin and Chen Yu both lived in the southern part of the Outer City, one family was toward the east and the other toward the west. Not long after leaving the Inner City, the two parted ways as well.

When he returned home, only his mother, Song Qiaoyun, was there.

"A Lin, you're back! Are you hungry? Lunch was just made and is still hot. Hurry and eat!"

Song Qiaoyun did not take the initiative to ask about the results of Chen Lin's selection for the War God Temple's Demon Purifiers. Instead, what she cared about most was whether Chen Lin had eaten enough.

"Mother, I've already eaten. Let me tell you some good news: I passed the War God Temple's test. I'm now a member of the War God Temple." Chen Lin spoke with a smile.

"Really?" Song Qiaoyun was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly asked again in excitement.

"Of course it's true! Once I pass the Demon Slayer Envoy assessment in a few days, we can move into the Inner City." Chen Lin said with a smile.

Song Qiaoyun froze for a moment, then gently touched Chen Lin's face with some heartache. "A Lin, thank you for all your hard work!"

She knew better than anyone how much effort her son had put in for this day, and it pained her more than anyone.

"By the way, Mother, why haven't I seen A Lan? My little sister loves excitement so much, yet she hasn't come out to celebrate with me." Chen Lin asked curiously when he had not seen his sister for so long.

"We made dumplings at home today, so I asked your sister to take some to your father." Song Qiaoyun wiped the corners of her eyes and explained with a smile.

"I see. Since I have nothing to do now, I'll go tell them this good news!" Chen Lin said with a smile, his heart stirring.

Song Qiaoyun happily said, "Go on, go on! Your father and sister will definitely be delighted to hear this good news!"

"Alright! Then I'm off!" Chen Lin said with a smile before turning and leaving the house.

Chen Lin was in an excellent mood after stepping outside, and his strides unconsciously became much lighter.

Along the way, the sights and customs of Nanqing City continually passed before his eyes, yet they could no longer stir the slightest interest in him.

After all, no matter how novel something was, anyone would grow tired of it after seeing it for nearly half a month straight.

"Get away from me!"

Suddenly, an extremely familiar voice drifted faintly into his ears, making Chen Lin stop in his tracks.

Following the sound, Chen Lin's anger immediately flared.

More than a hundred meters away, Chen Lan stood carrying a food basket, surrounded by five or six attendants dressed in gray short jackets.

Though they had not laid hands on her, their words were especially vile.

The lovely twelve-year-old girl was like a little white rabbit trapped in a corner. Her eyes were red as she continuously dodged, trying to break through their encirclement.

Yet whenever she was about to succeed, those attendants forced her back again.

How could such a young girl have experienced a scene like this before? Her face was filled with terror, and tears streamed down her cheeks like rain on pear blossoms.

Seeing this, the attendants laughed even more recklessly.

At the side, Duan Xingze sat astride a tall horse as though watching a show, observing the scene before him with great interest, his eyes full of malicious delight.

Chen Hongbo, who had finished delivering goods and was driving his donkey cart toward the slaughterhouse, also spotted his daughter being bullied.

His face immediately darkened as he rushed into the attendants' encirclement, shielding his daughter behind him. He glared furiously at the group before him. "You bunch of bullies! In broad daylight, you dare behave like this? Is there no law in your eyes?"

"The law? Hmph! So noisy. You lot, immediately teach this old thing a proper lesson. Tonight, this young master will have a taste of this little beauty!" Malice flashed through Duan Xingze's eyes as he waved his riding whip and ordered the attendants.

The attendants immediately revealed fierce expressions. The leader among them even pulled a short cudgel from behind his back and swung it straight at Chen Hongbo's head.

"Father, watch out!" Tears poured down Chen Lan's face as she cried out in terror.