Grandmaster, I Have to Say

Notting Academy, Dean's Office corridor

Bai Mu had barely approached when he heard voices conversing inside.

"Dean, Xiao San has successfully reached Level 20. He now needs to absorb a Second Spirit Ring to break through the bottleneck. According to my theory, the maximum age limit for a second spirit ring is 764 years. I'll need your help hunting a spirit beast this time!"

It was Yu Xiaogang's voice.

His tone carried seventy percent confidence, twenty percent pride, and ten percent request.

"He reached Level 20 so quickly? As expected of Innate Full Soul Power, and as expected of your disciple, Xiao Gang."

The dean's voice was smiling. "Since you're the one asking me, Xiao Gang, of course there's no problem. I happen to be free these next few days, so I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest."

"Thank you, Dean."

Tang San thanked him.

Knock, knock, knock!

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

"Dean, can you take me along on your Soul Hunting trip? I need a Spirit Ring too."

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

Surprise flickered in the dean's eyes. Naturally, he knew this child who possessed an External Martial Soul and had once rejected Xiao Gang.

It was just...

"If I remember correctly, wasn't your Innate Soul Power only Level 1?"

"That's right. If it weren't only Level 1, I would've reached Level 10 ages ago."

Bai Mu shrugged helplessly.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Yu Xiaogang's face was filled with disbelief as he stared fixedly at Bai Mu, as though trying to find traces of a lie on his face.

"Innate Level 1 Soul Power, and you've cultivated for barely three years. How could you possibly reach Level 10?

Normally, someone with Innate Level 1 Soul Power would need to be at least eleven, perhaps even twelve, before reaching Level 10!"

His own Innate Soul Power had been 0.5, and he had received cultivation resources from his clan. In theory, his cultivation speed should not have been inferior to someone with Innate Level 1 Soul Power.

But because Luo Sanpao was so useless, it had taken him a full eight years to reach Level 10.

They both had External Martial Souls, so why could Bai Mu cultivate so quickly?

"So what?"

Bai Mu grinned and retorted, "You allow geniuses like Xiao San and Xiao Wu, who possess Innate Full Soul Power, to exist, but you won't allow a late-blooming genius like me to exist?"

"That's different! Rising nine levels in three years isn't a problem for a genius with Innate Full Soul Power, but you only have Innate Level 1 Soul Power..."

Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted unpredictably.

If Bai Mu was a late-blooming genius, then what did that make him, a grandmaster of Martial Soul research?

They were both late-blooming geniuses, so was it reasonable that Bai Mu cultivated so much faster?

"Different?"

Bai Mu smiled as he looked at Tang San, who had quietly stayed out of it. "Tang San, what do you think?"

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

Although Tang San was somewhat unhappy that Bai Mu had angered his teacher, he did not speak recklessly.

Unlike Grandmaster, he possessed the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and had shared a dormitory with Bai Mu for three years, so he naturally knew more.

Not only had he noticed that Bai Mu's Martial Soul could photosynthesize, he had also realized that Bai Mu had used that ability to create some sort of special cultivation method exclusive to himself.

Although that method was definitely not even one ten-thousandth as good as his Mysterious Heaven Skill, with a hundred million points of effort, gaining nine levels in three years was not impossible.

"Haha... Since you've happened to reach Level 10, then come Soul Hunting with us later."

The dean chuckled, breaking the deadlock. "We're already helping Tang San hunt for his Second Spirit Ring, so helping Bai Mu find one as well won't be a problem. Isn't that right, Xiao Gang?"

Yu Xiaogang's lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but he ultimately remained silent. His expression was still rather unpleasant as he nodded.

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

The dean smiled gently. "Summon your Martial Soul and let us take a look. Everyone can help advise you on what kind of spirit beast would be suitable."

Unlike Tang San, that genius who had already taken on Yu Xiaogang's shape, Bai Mu had an upright background and only Innate Level 1 Soul Power. He could completely be made into a role model for all the academy's students.

"Dean, I want a healing-type Spirit Skill, so I'd like to find a spirit beast with powerful self-healing abilities or healing abilities."

"Zygarde, come out!"

As soon as he spoke, Bai Mu waved his hand, and a cluster of green energy flew down to the ground.

"Woo~"

Amid flashing light, Zygarde appeared with a low growl and stood proudly beside Bai Mu.

It swept its sharp gaze over the group, faint pressure emanating from its body.

"Hm?"

"This is..."

"How could this be!"

Amid their cries of surprise, all of them widened their eyes.

The last time they had seen Zygarde, it had clearly been a harmless little slug.

How had it now become such a majestic hunting hound?

"Bai Mu, could it be that your Martial Soul... evolved?"

Tang San could not understand it. Why would a bug evolve into a dog? Evolving into a snake would have made more sense than a dog.

"Mhm. Well, what do you think? Didn't see that coming, did you?"

Tang San said, "Didn't see that coming."

"Exactly. You didn't see it coming, and neither did I!"

With a proud expression, Bai Mu spun a tale. "When I just reached Level 10, it suddenly evolved. It happened so suddenly that I didn't even have a chance to stop it."

After saying that, he rubbed the dog's head and sighed.

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

"I'd let it preserve its most original, innocent, soft, and squishy side."

"What a pity..."

"..."

Tang San: 6!

"Not bad, not bad! You can tell at a glance that this form has extraordinary combat power!"

The Dean of Notting laughed heartily, feeling immensely gratified.

Only Yu Xiaogang looked as though he had been struck by lightning. He stood frozen in place, his pale lips trembling.

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

He had once carefully observed Zygarde, yet he had found nothing special about the little thing aside from its ability to glow.

But now, after just one evolution, he could sense familiar Dragon Might from it!

What hunting hound was this? It was clearly a Dragon Dog carrying Dragon Bloodline!

"Impossible! You must have encountered some extraordinary opportunity!"

Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his head and stared fixedly at Bai Mu. "You ate some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, didn't you? That's why your Martial Soul could evolve and your cultivation speed surged so much, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everything you say is right."

Bai Mu rolled his eyes and said speechlessly,

"Grandmaster, I have to say, if you're no good, 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 and raised his head arrogantly. "Everything we have today came entirely from our own hard work!"

Woof!

Zygarde barked in cooperation.

"You—!"

Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red. Having his own famous saying thrown back at him, he only felt his face burning.

After taking several deep breaths, he forcibly suppressed his anger. His eyes flickered a few times before he suddenly spoke.

"Since you're so hardworking and your Martial Soul has evolved, why not spar with Xiao San and gain some combat experience? It'll also make it easier for us to judge what age of Spirit Ring would suit you."

"What do you think?"

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

Ideally, he could make Bai Mu submit and then take him under his wing.

Before his Martial Soul evolved, Yu Xiaogang had disdained taking Bai Mu as a disciple. But after its evolution, Bai Mu barely qualified to become his disciple!

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

Yet he did not refuse. Instead, he agreed with a smile.

"Of course. I also want to see just how large the gap in strength between Tang San and me is."

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

"Please enlighten me."

"Sure. It's a good thing for young people to spar more often. Go fight on the sports field."

The dean cheerfully stroked his beard.