Your Logic Is Not Flawed

The ... third ... sacrifice ... important ...

"Good. Now that we've taken the spirit seeds, we should head back."

King Ying spoke.

By the time they returned to the academy, the sky had darkened.

As Mu Rong and his companions arrived at the dormitory, two figures appeared in front of them.

"Boss!"

"Boss Mu Rong!"

It was Lin and Suo Ling.

"Let's go back inside. Too many people here."

Mu Rong gave them a meaningful look.

The two immediately understood. They fell silent and followed them into the dormitory.

As soon as the door closed, Lin couldn't hold back and asked, "Boss, what spirit seed did you get? Hurry up and tell us!"

A faint, playful smile tugged at the corner of Mu Rong's mouth.

"You want to know?"

He watched the two eagerly waiting for his answer, then spoke slowly.

"Even without knowing what my second spirit seed was, you still followed me into the Demon Venerable's territory. You were brave enough to face a Demon Venerable. That took some guts."

"No way!"

Lin cried out in disbelief.

"You fought a Demon Venerable with just one spirit seed? Boss, you're exaggerating!"

Suo Ling was just as skeptical.

"Pfft. You guys don't believe me?"

As Mu Rong spoke, his second spirit seed suddenly blazed to life beneath him. He raised his right hand and thrust it toward the wall.

A wave of energy shaped like a giant bell swept out.

The expressions on Lin and Suo Ling's faces froze. The next second, both of them had turned into human-shaped ice sculptures, crouched down like frightened quails.

Mu Rong snapped his fingers, dispelling the spirit skill.

The two shivered, their bodies stiff with cold. They stumbled around, bumping into each other, their speech too slurred to make out.

"B-Boss... B-Boss Mu Rong... your spirit seed... that's too terrifying!"

Suo Ling stammered.

"Do you believe me now?"

"We believe you! We believe you!"

Lin put an arm around Suo Ling and shouted excitedly, "Boss, with a skill like that, I bet the three of us could take on seven Demon Venerables!"

Mu Rong chuckled and poured them both a bowl of cold water.

"Even if we could, we'd have to wait until all seven of your spirit seeds had grown into great demon axes."

His smile faded, and his expression turned solemn.

"On the way back, I thought it through. I'm going to stop studying at the academy in a year."

"Huh? Boss, why stop?"

They were both confused.

"Because only real life-or-death battles can make a person grow stronger."

"Besides, the demons and the stars are both gathering their forces and heading to the front lines. If we want to make a name for ourselves, this is a great opportunity. We can't let it slip by."

Lin listened, his eyes lighting with determination. He clenched his fist.

"Since you're leaving the academy in a year, I'll come with you.

"Anyway, I've pretty much learned all the knowledge and spirit skills the academy has to offer. I don't have much hope of getting into a high-level academy, so I might as well go out and fight alongside you, Boss!"

Suo Ling nodded firmly, his gaze resolute.

"Agreed! Once I've gone through a year of life-or-death battles, I'll grow stronger. I won't hold you back, Boss!"

"Good!"

Mu Rong looked at his two friends' determined expressions and smiled.

"Now that you've both made up your minds, let's head to the front lines in a year and make a name for ourselves!"

With their future direction settled, Mu Rong no longer hesitated. Once he became the academy's strongest spirit master, he could leave whenever he wanted, but he didn't intend to set off immediately.

His spirit power had just broken through, and he'd acquired a new spirit skill. He still needed time to adapt. The Great Demon City was the perfect place to hone his skills.

The three of them changed into casual clothes, put on their masks, and headed toward the Great Demon City's spirit arena.

The streets of Suo Tuo City were as bustling as ever, with people coming and going, and carriages rolling by in an endless stream.

But just as they were passing a crowded area, a sad, impassioned speech caught their attention. Mu Rong's steps suddenly faltered.

On a raised platform in the middle of the crowd stood a rigid, ordinary-looking young man. His voice rang out as he addressed the surrounding people.

"Everyone, please listen. According to my own research into the principles of martial spirits:

"Plant-type martial spirits can absorb soul rings. The weaker and smaller the plant-type martial spirit, the more likely it is that, after absorbing a powerful soul ring, it will undergo a transformation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd fell into an uproar.

"Is that true? Martial spirits can transform too?"

"My martial spirit is a root. If it absorbs a hundred-year soul ring, could it turn into a ginseng?"

"Don't talk nonsense! Plant-type martial spirits are weak to begin with. Wouldn't absorbing a powerful soul ring make them burst?"

"Exactly. I've heard that martial spirits can only improve by absorbing soul rings from the same kind of creature. That's common knowledge."

"I can't believe this fool made up such nonsense just to get famous!"

As the people around him whispered, the young man lowered his head, lost in thought.

"Could martial spirits really work that way? It sounds... like it makes sense, but also like it's not entirely reliable."

"Bullshit!"

Lin curled his lip in disdain.

"Plant-type martial spirits and beast-type martial spirits are completely different sources of energy. Forcing them together would only make the martial spirit collapse!

"The weaker the plant-type martial spirit, the worse its mental strength and physical endurance. How could it possibly absorb a powerful soul ring?

"To absorb one, it would have to be a powerful plant-type soul ring. That could replenish its source and might even lead to a beneficial transformation. This idiot doesn't even understand the most basic principles!"

A faintly knowing smile appeared on Mu Rong's face.

Over the past few years at the academy, Lin and Suo Ling had learned quite a bit and developed their own opinions.

Their eyes grew cold, like two icy blades fixed on the figure atop the platform.

Jade Little Blade!

Even as ashes, he'd recognize him!

Back in the city of his hometown, that scoundrel had humiliated him in front of everyone. The shame of having been stripped of his clothes and forced to wear women's clothing remained vivid even now.

A chill, murderous intent rose uncontrollably from the depths of Mu Rong's heart.

Today, he'd settle this score once and for all!

Even if Jade Little Blade didn't die, he'd still make the man pay. Beating him up and taking his things would be perfectly reasonable.

"Boss..."

Lin noticed the cold aura radiating from Mu Rong and looked at him in confusion.

"Boss, your expression... why do you look like you hate that man so much? Do you know him?"

Suo Ling looked equally puzzled.

"Heh. He's just an enemy from years ago."

Mu Rong's voice was devoid of warmth.

"And the people behind him are my personal enemies, too."

"Boss, you..."

"Boss Mu Rong!"

The two wanted to ask what he meant, but Mu Rong raised a hand to stop them.

"That man comes from a powerful family. You can't afford to provoke him. I'm the one who should settle this score."

"Pfft, Boss Mu Rong, you're looking down on us!"

Lin puffed out his chest, his face full of indignation.

"So what if his family is powerful? If he's messed with you, then he's messed with me too! I'll deal with him!"

"Agreed!"

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