Semi-Automatic Pistol

"Lan Si, say that again." Director Su stared at Lan Si, his face full of disbelief.

Lan Si had awakened his martial soul three months ago with an Innate Soul Power of level five, and by the day of his enrollment, his soul power had reached level nine.

Improving by four levels in three months as a soul scholar, an average of one level every three weeks, was a feat that practically placed him in the ranks of top-tier geniuses.

Because those with such talent usually possess an Innate Soul Power of eight, nine, or even ten, they never need to grind through so many levels at the soul scholar stage.

Lan Si was different; he had actually broken through the first bottleneck of a soul master on top of his level nine foundation to reach level ten. What did this signify?

As long as Lan Si obtained a soul ring now, he could become a true soul master.

Looking at his age, he was six years and three months old.

A soul master at six years and three months old was no worse than those geniuses with level nine or even full Innate Soul Power.

"I have broken through to level ten," Lan Si said calmly.

"Good, good, good." Director Su repeated the word three times. He had not expected Nuoding Academy to welcome three geniuses today: first two with Innate Full Soul Power, and now Lan Si, a possessor of a mutated martial soul who was no less talented than those with Innate Full Soul Power.

"Director Su, could you see when you might be able to take me to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain my first soul ring?" Lan Si asked.

"This..." A look of hesitation flashed across Director Su's eyes. "Lan Si, see if you can wait a little while. The academy teachers are all busy handling new student enrollment these days. Three days."

As he spoke, Director Su held up three fingers. "In three days at most, I will organize someone to take you to hunt for a soul ring."

"Alright, that's fine." Three days it is. If it really doesn't work out, I'll just have to try and borrow a permit from Su Yuntao.

Just then, Yu Xiaogang, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, walked over. "Director Su, it just so happens that I am taking my disciple to obtain a soul ring tomorrow. Why don't I take him along as well?"

Hearing this, both Lan Si and Director Su turned to look at Yu Xiaogang simultaneously.

"Grandmaster, wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? After all, the Soul Hunting Forest is full of dangers, and you are taking two children..." Director Su tried to use as tactful a tone as possible. Tang San, who had Innate Full Soul Power, had already been hoodwinked by Yu Xiaogang, and he did not want to see another good seedling ruined by Yu Xiaogang's impractical theories.

"Rest assured, I will not take the children deep inside. We will only look for suitable soul beasts on the periphery of the Soul Hunting Forest." Yu Xiaogang looked confident, completely missing the deeper meaning behind Director Su's words.

From their conversation, Yu Xiaogang learned that Lan Si's soul power had reached level ten. This cultivation speed, which surpassed ordinary people, once again caught Yu Xiaogang's attention. Therefore, he assumed that Lan Si had hidden his true Innate Soul Power or that the crystal ball at Martial Soul Hall had malfunctioned; otherwise, it would be impossible to go from level five to level ten in just a few short months.

In his view, Lan Si's Innate Soul Power was at least level eight, or perhaps even level nine.

This was enough to warrant the attention of a "theoretical master" like himself.

Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Director Su found it difficult to make the relationship too awkward, as he was a friend of the dean. He immediately winked his right eye at Lan Si, signaling him not to agree, then asked, "Lan Si, are you willing to follow Grandmaster to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow to obtain your soul ring? If you are unwilling, I will take you myself in three days."

"I'm fine with either." Lan Si shrugged slightly. For him, the sooner he obtained a soul ring, the better. He already had a plan for the type of soul ring he wanted.

"This..." Director Su was speechless.

"Since that is the case, Lan Si, you will come with me tomorrow to obtain your soul ring. After we finish eating later, come with me to identify the location so it will be convenient to gather tomorrow." Hearing Lan Si's words, the corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth curled up toward his ears, looking every bit like a smug victor.

"Then I will trouble you, Grandmaster." Lan Si wore the innocent smile appropriate for his age. Regardless, all he needed was Yu Xiaogang's permit; once they reached the Soul Hunting Forest, he would have his own plans.

Hearing their conversation, Director Su could only sigh helplessly, silently praying that Lan Si would not be led astray by Yu Xiaogang.

Having received Lan Si's consent, Yu Xiaogang was in high spirits, sitting down beside Lan Si and chatting happily while they ate.

Director Su finished his meal first and left. Afterward, Lan Si and Yu Xiaogang finished their dinner and went downstairs.

"Teacher, what is this?" Tang San walked up to them as soon as they stepped out of the cafeteria.

"Oh, Lan Si's soul power has also reached level ten. It just so happens that I am taking you to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow to obtain your soul ring, and he will be coming with us," Yu Xiaogang explained with a smile.

"Level ten?" Tang San was somewhat surprised. Lan Si had awakened his martial soul at the same time as him a few months ago; even if there was a time difference, it couldn't be much.

Now, three months later, because he hadn't obtained a soul ring in time, his soul power was still at level ten.

Yet Lan Si's Innate Soul Power was only level five, and he had managed to raise his soul power to level ten in such a short time. Even with Tang San's temperament, he couldn't help but be shocked by this bizarre cultivation speed.

"Alright, both of you follow me." Yu Xiaogang glanced at the two of them and walked toward the dormitory building, feeling satisfied and ambitious. In a single day, he had encountered two commoner geniuses; he, Yu Xiaogang, was about to rise.

Soon, the three arrived at Yu Xiaogang's residence, a room in the corner of the top floor of the dormitory building.

The room the academy had arranged for Lan Si was just below Yu Xiaogang's. After confirming where Yu Xiaogang lived, Lan Si returned directly to his room, washed the clothes he had changed out of, and hung them to dry.

Originally, Yu Xiaogang wanted to keep Lan Si behind to show off his "invincible theories," but Lan Si declined. After washing and hanging his clothes, he took advantage of the early hour to hurry out of the academy and arrive at Otto's blacksmith shop.

At this moment, the blacksmiths had already finished their work, and only Otto was still working.

"Uncle Otto, have you eaten yet?"

"Haha, I've already eaten. How is it, Ah Si? How are things at the academy?" Otto stopped his hammering and put the unfinished iron tool back into the furnace.

"Everything is going smoothly." Lan Si smiled from the heart and said, "Uncle Otto, the parts I asked you to forge in your spare time a while ago—are they ready? I might need them tomorrow."

"I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. I just finished them today; it really took quite a bit of effort." As he spoke, Otto walked to the counter and took out a package from underneath.

Lan Si opened it to take a look: bullets, casings, rifling, magazines, springs—all the various parts for a semi-automatic pistol were complete.

"How is it? It's not bad, right? All the parts were made from refined iron according to your requirements. Oh, right, I also made this tool for you that can press the bullet head and casing together." Otto took a bullet press from the counter as well.