Recommendation List

The exchange of thoughts happened in an instant, a myriad of ideas flashing by.

Duke now completely understood Xiao Yi's function; she was like a second brain, or rather, a brain akin to a supercomputer.

The more data Xiao Yi collected, the more tasks she could handle.

Her thinking ability would also grow stronger.

"Wonderful!"

Duke opened his eyes, and the world before him seemed entirely different. Compared to before opening his Spirit Sea, the world after was brighter and more colorful.

"Xiao Yi."

"I'm here."

"It's nothing." Duke just wanted to confirm that he could still have a mental conversation with Xiao Yi even without entering the Spirit Sea. "Right, can you collect everything I see with my eyes?"

"Yes."

"Can I access this content whenever I want?"

"Of course."

"Amazing!"

Duke was overwhelmed with joy by the power of his golden finger.

He could now be certain that he could survive well in this world of extraordinary powers, experience its most magnificent scenery, and explore the ultimate mysteries of the Spiritual Arcana system.

The future was bright and brilliant.

However, opening the Spirit Sea was not an overnight success.

It merely signified that Duke possessed the talent for cultivating Spiritual Arcana.

"I've just opened my Spirit Sea, and to be precise, I'm not even considered a Spiritual Apprentice yet. I need to go to the Spirit Tower in the city to register before I can be officially recognized as one."

Spiritual Apprentices were essentially the apprentices in the Spiritual Arcana system.

In reality, most people who opened their Spirit Sea through the catalysis of Spirit Awakening Potions, essentially "drug users," would ultimately stop at the Spiritual Apprentice stage and be unable to advance to become true Arcane Mages.

For example, the Card Master Best was a drug-using Spiritual Apprentice, and Old Sam was also a drug-using Spiritual Apprentice. They would likely never be able to draw a closed energy circuit—a Ring—in their lifetime.

Therefore.

The rank of Spiritual Apprentice was clearly defined as—0-Ring.

They were on the same level as 0-Ring Spirit Beasts like the Post Owl, at the very bottom of the Spiritual Arcana system's pyramid.

"I'm different. Although my Spirit Core hasn't condensed yet, and my energy circuit hasn't even begun to be drawn... I already have Nine-Ring Xiao Yi and One-Ring Desert Eagle in my Spirit Sea. My potential is limitless!"

After closing his eyes to rest for a while and recover from the fatigue of summoning the One-Ring Desert Eagle earlier, Duke then prepared a delicious meal. The remaining ten gold dragons, after deducting the cost of the Spirit Awakening Potion, were all deposited into his Dragon Spirit Card, so he wasn't short on money for now.

After eating and drinking his fill, the fatigue vanished completely.

Only then did he leave his home.

Snakehead Town was not small; it had four streets running horizontally and vertically, forming a "well" shape and dividing the town into a nine-grid pattern.

He was now heading to the center of the "well," where there were scattered buildings. This was the residential area for the Black Snake Family and the town's wealthy residents, with several distinctive tower-like structures.

One of the tallest tower-like buildings had a sign hanging above its entrance: "Spirit Society."

"This is it, the Spirit Society, the branch organization of the Spirit Tower in the market town." Duke tidied his collar and walked towards the main entrance.

He was stopped by the guard at the entrance: "Please show your identification."

"I'm here to register."

"Registering as a Spiritual Apprentice?"

"Yes."

"Follow me." A few smiles squeezed onto the guard's stern face. "What's your name, young man? Have you successfully opened your Spirit Sea? Your talent is truly remarkable!"

"My name is Duke."

"Duke, my boy, this way. The place to register as a Spiritual Apprentice is on the second floor."

The interior of the Spirit Society was sumptuously decorated, exuding luxury everywhere. The guard enthusiastically led Duke to a spacious reception hall on the second floor before turning to leave.

"Hello, excuse me, which desk is for registering Spiritual Apprentices?"

"Go to desk number four."

The reception hall had a circular layout, with partitioned rooms in the center. Duke quickly found desk number four, where four staff members were working.

Three young staff members quickly inquired about and registered Duke's personal information.

"Duke, male, born on May 16th, Storm Calendar Year 4396; orphan of the 'Black Snake Lair' war, residing at No. 443, Second Horizontal Street, Snakehead Town, Chen Jiao City..."

As the young staff member busily filled out the form, a middle-aged woman sitting behind the desk beckoned to Duke kindly, "Come, sit down."

Duke didn't stand on ceremony and sat directly on the chair.

The middle-aged woman smiled and said, "My name is Murawie, and I'm responsible for reviewing qualifications. I must inform you that only the Chen Jiao City Spirit Tower is authorized to register Spiritual Apprentices. I can only review your qualifications here and then recommend you to the Spirit Tower for registration."

"I understand."

"So, did you open your Spirit Sea through natural meditation?" the middle-aged woman asked, narrowing her eyes with a hint of anticipation.

Duke shook his head. "I used a Spirit Awakening Potion."

"Oh." The middle-aged woman's enthusiasm visibly waned, and her tone lost its previous warmth. "How fortunate. Not many awaken their Spirit Sea with a Spirit Awakening Potion."

"Yes, very fortunate."

"Tell me about your experience opening your Spirit Sea."

Duke spoke briefly, and after Murawie inquired about a few more details, she confirmed that Duke had indeed opened his Spirit Sea.

Just then, a staff member had finished organizing a form. Murawie gestured for Duke to sign his name on this recommendation form, then signed it herself and affixed the official seal of the Spirit Society.

She didn't immediately hand the recommendation form to Duke.

Her tone was calm as she said, "Duke, before I recommend you to register at the Chen Jiao City Spirit Tower, I have another option to offer you... Snakehead Town is a fief of the Black Snake Family, so you can choose to join the Black Snake Family and register as a Spiritual Apprentice at the Spirit Tower under the name of a Black Snake Family vassal."

Before Duke could reply, a staff member next to her chimed in, "A vassal of the Black Snake Family is a very precious spot, offering many benefits!"

The staff member then chattered on about these benefits.

Another staff member added in agreement, "Yes, yes, the Black Snake Family is a rising major family. To become a family vassal and enjoy such benefits is truly enviable!"

These benefits were indeed tempting.

An ordinary Spiritual Apprentice might have been swayed.

But Duke remained unmoved. Rights and obligations have always been reciprocal. He had grand ambitions and naturally didn't want to be tied to the Black Snake Family's chariot.

Moreover, as someone from Earth.

He wasn't accustomed to being a vassal or obeying another family's orders.

So, after pretending to think for a moment, he replied, "I'm sorry, Ms. Murawie, but I'd prefer to try developing on my own first."

Murawie's tone turned completely cold, but she didn't make things difficult for Duke. She placed the recommendation form lightly on the table. "Then, young man, I wish you good luck."

A Spiritual Apprentice who opened his Spirit Sea through artificial means was insignificant.

As Duke picked up the recommendation form and turned to leave, Murawie added faintly, "The day after tomorrow, the Spirit Society has a special car going to Chen Jiao City. You can take it for free with your recommendation form."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

After Duke left, a young staff member said with some indignation, "Auntie, Duke actually refused the family's recruitment."

Murawie's lips curved slightly. "Young people always have unrealistic ambitions. Let him try. He'll understand the benefits of a major family's protection later."

"Hmph, by then, the family might not even take him in."