Grandmaster, I'm Not Trying to Offend You

Notting Academy, Dean's Office Corridor

As Bai Mu approached, he heard voices from inside.

"Dean, Xiao San has successfully reached level 20 and now needs to absorb his second Spirit Ring to break through the bottleneck. According to my theory, the limit for the second Spirit Ring is seven hundred and sixty-four years. I need your help hunting a Spirit Beast this time!"

This was Yu Xiaogang's voice.

His tone carried seven parts confidence, two parts pride, and one part request.

"Level 20 already? As expected of Innate Full Soul Power, as expected of your disciple, Xiao Gang."

The Dean's voice was filled with laughter. "Since it's you, Xiao Gang, asking me, of course, there's no problem. I happen to be free these few days, so I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest."

"Thank you, Dean."

Tang San said gratefully.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Bai Mu gently knocked on the door. Seeing the three people inside look at him, he immediately smiled politely:

"Dean, can you take me with you on your Spirit Hunt? I also need a Spirit Ring."

"Oh? Bai Mu, you've reached level 10?"

The Dean's eyes flashed with surprise. He naturally recognized this child who possessed an External Martial Soul and had rejected Xiao Gang.

However...

"I remember your Innate Soul Power was only level 1, wasn't it?"

"Yes, if it wasn't only level 1, I would have reached level 10 long ago."

Bai Mu shrugged helplessly.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Yu Xiaogang's face was filled with disbelief. He stared intently at Bai Mu, as if trying to find traces of lies on his face.

"Innate Soul Power level 1, cultivating for only three years, how could you possibly reach level 10?

Normally, someone with Innate Soul Power level 1 should take at least until age 11 or even 12 to reach level 10!"

His own Innate Soul Power was level 0.5. With the supply of cultivation resources from his sect, his cultivation speed should theoretically not be weaker than someone with Innate Soul Power level 1.

But because Luo Sanpao was too useless, it took him a full eight years to reach level 10.

As another possessor of an External Martial Soul, why was Bai Mu cultivating so fast?

"So what?"

Bai Mu grinned and retorted, "You allow geniuses like Tang San and Xiao Wu with Innate Full Soul Power to exist, but not a late-blooming genius like me?"

"That's different! Three years to level up nine times, that's no problem for Innate Full Soul Power geniuses, but you're only Innate Level 1..."

Yu Xiaogang's expression flickered.

If he's a late-blooming genius, then isn't he, a master of spirit research, also one?

They're both late bloomers, yet he cultivates so fast. Is that reasonable?

"Different?"

Bai Mu smiled and looked at Tang San, who was silently lurking on the side, "Tang San, what do you think?"

"Bai Mu is indeed diligent, and his talent isn't bad."

Although Tang San was a little annoyed that Bai Mu had angered his teacher, he didn't speak carelessly.

Unlike Grandmaster, he possessed the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and had lived in the same dormitory as Bai Mu for three years, so he naturally knew more.

He not only saw that Bai Mu's spirit could perform photosynthesis but also that Bai Mu had created a special cultivation method using this ability.

Although that cultivation method was definitely not as good as his Mysterious Heaven Skill, combined with a bit of effort, leveling up nine times in three years was not impossible.

"Haha... Since you're conveniently Level 10, let's go hunt spirits together later."

The Dean chuckled, breaking the deadlock. "We have to help Tang San hunt for his second Spirit Ring anyway, so helping Bai Mu hunt for one is no problem. Don't you think so, Xiaogang?"

Yu Xiaogang's lips moved, wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn't. He just nodded, his expression still not very good.

"By the way, Bai Mu, have you decided what type of Spirit Beast you want to hunt?"

The Dean said with a gentle smile, "Show us your spirit, and everyone can help you consider what kind of Spirit Beast would be suitable."

Unlike Tang San, who had already become a genius in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, Bai Mu was pure and had only Innate Soul Power Level 1. He could completely be set up as a role model for all the students in the academy.

"Dean, I want a healing Spirit Skill, so I'm looking for a Spirit Beast with strong self-healing or healing abilities."

"Zygarde, come out!"

As he spoke, Bai Mu waved his hand, and a ball of green energy landed on the ground.

"Woo~"

As the light flashed, the appearing Zygarde let out a low growl and stood proudly beside Bai Mu.

It swept its sharp gaze over the few people, emitting a faint Pressure.

"Hmm?"

"This is..."

"How could this be!"

Amidst exclamations, everyone widened their eyes.

Zygarde and the others were clearly harmless slugs when they saw them before.

How did they turn into a divine and majestic hound now?

"Bai Mu, could your spirit be... evolving?"

Tang San couldn't understand why an insect would evolve into a dog? Evolving into a snake would be more reasonable than a dog, right?

"Uh-huh, how about that, didn't expect it, did you?"

Tang San: "Didn't expect it."

"That's right, you didn't expect it, and neither did I!"

Bai Mu, with a face full of pride, bluffed: "When I just reached level 10, it suddenly evolved. The situation was too sudden, I didn't even have a chance to stop it."

After speaking, he rubbed the dog's head and sighed:

"If I had another chance, I would definitely stop it from evolving without hesitation!"

"Let it maintain its most primitive, innocent, and soft side."

"What a pity..."

"..."

Tang San: 6!

"Not bad, not bad! This appearance clearly indicates extraordinary combat power!"

Dean of Notting laughed heartily, feeling immensely gratified.

Only Yu Xiaogang was struck by lightning, frozen in place, his pale lips trembling:

"Impossible... How is this possible..."

He had carefully observed Zygarde before, but he hadn't discovered any special traits in that little thing besides its luminescence.

Yet now, with just one evolution, he felt a familiar Dragon Might emanating from it!

This was no mere hound, it was clearly a Dragon Dog with Dragon Bloodline!

"Impossible! You must have had some incredible encounter!"

Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his head, staring intently at Bai Mu, "You ate some heavenly treasures, didn't you! That's how your Martial Soul evolved, and your cultivation speed skyrocketed, right!"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, everything you say is right."

Bai Mu rolled his eyes, speechless:

"Grandmaster, it's not me who's saying this, but if a person is incapable, don't blame the road for being uneven. There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters!"

He clasped his hands behind his back, raising his head proudly: "Our achievements today are all thanks to our own efforts!"

"Woof!"

Zygarde let out a cooperative bark.

"You--!"

Yu Xiaogang's face turned red. Being retorted with his own famous saying, he felt his face burning.

Taking a few deep breaths, he forcibly suppressed his anger. His eyes flickered a few times, and he suddenly spoke:

"Since you've worked so hard and your Martial Soul has evolved, why not spar with Xiao San to accumulate some combat experience? It will also help us determine how many years of Spirit Ring you are suitable to absorb."

"What do you think?"

His idea was simple: to have his genius disciple, who possessed Innate Full Soul Power + Twin Martial Souls, teach Bai Mu a lesson and help Bai Mu recognize reality.

Ideally, he could subdue Bai Mu and take him in as a disciple.

Before Bai Mu's Martial Soul evolved, Yu Xiaogang disdained taking him as a disciple. But after the Martial Soul evolved, Bai Mu barely qualified to be his disciple!

How could Bai Mu not understand Yu Xiaogang's thoughts?

However, he did not refuse. Instead, he smiled and agreed:

"Of course, I also want to see the difference in strength between Tang San and me."

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang. Seeing him nod slightly, he also spoke:

"Please guide me."

"Alright, it's good for young people to spar. Let's go to the training ground to fight."

The Dean happily stroked his beard.