"Good, good!" Qian Xunji was overjoyed. He slapped both hands on the stone table, wild delight shining in his eyes.
"Xiao Fan, how effective is this Whale Rubber? Have you noticed anything?"
Lin Fan smiled faintly, secretly relieved. It seemed they had managed to cover up the discovery of Whale Rubber.
"Teacher, my junior sister and I haven't taken much Whale Rubber yet, but we can feel that its benefits are gradually diminishing."
"After two or three more doses, it should lose its effects completely!"
"But we've only taken Thousand-Year Whale Rubber. Perhaps Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue would be even more effective!"
"Still, with our current abilities, we probably couldn't use Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue."
Bibi Dong hurriedly nodded too. "Teacher, just as senior brother said, the effects of Whale Rubber on me really are diminishing."
Qian Xunji was even more pleased. His gaze lingered on Lin Fan with a little more appreciation.
"You not only discovered the wonders of Whale Rubber, but also knew when to exercise restraint. That's truly rare."
He paused, his tone turning more solemn.
"For now, don't tell anyone else about this. Whale Rubber is scarce, and if word gets out widely, it'll surely spark a scramble for it."
"I'll personally have someone deliver the Whale Rubber you need from now on—enough of it, and with a higher age. Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue is hard to find, but it's not impossible."
As he spoke, he glanced at Bibi Dong, his tone softening a little.
"As for you, Dong'er, I'll let your habit of dozing off during theory lessons slide."
"But cultivation requires developing both inner and outer strength. Physical prowess and practical combat alone are far from enough. From now on, pay attention in theory class and don't slack off again."
Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed. She lowered her head and answered softly,
"This disciple understands. I'll pay attention in class from now on."
Qian Xunji gave a slight nod. His gaze swept over them both, full of expectation.
"Cultivate well. I've been watching your progress."
"Sooner or later, the burden of Spirit Hall will fall on your shoulders. Don't let me down."
"We understand, Teacher," Lin Fan and Bibi Dong replied.
Seeing this, Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction. "Come, I'll test your physical strength first. After that, I'll take you to obtain your First Soul Rings."
"Obtain Soul Rings!" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up, her face alight with excitement.
Over the past few days, Bibi Dong had naturally envied the senior students, watching them fight with their Soul Rings and display their abilities.
But then she remembered something, and her excitement promptly wilted.
Seeing her expression, Qian Xunji couldn't help shaking his head.
He knew why Bibi Dong was like this. Anyone who awakened the Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eater Spider Emperor as their Martial Souls would be affected.
Forget their strength—their appearance alone was frightening enough. And when a Beast Martial Soul Soul Master transformed, their lower body became eight spider legs covered in hair and barbed spines.
Even some boys couldn't accept it, let alone a girl like Bibi Dong!
Lin Fan glanced at Bibi Dong and rubbed her head without saying a word.
Bibi Dong lifted her head. Looking at the concern in Lin Fan's eyes, she gave him a bleak smile. "Senior brother."
"It's all right." Lin Fan smiled faintly. Though Bibi Dong hadn't told him about her Martial Souls, he already knew.
"All right, let's test your physical strength first," Qian Xunji said.
"Mm."
"Not bad. Xiao Fan's physical strength surpasses that of some second-ring Tool Soul Masters. He should be able to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."
"As for Dong'er, she should have no problem absorbing a Soul Ring around seven or eight hundred years old."
After conducting a series of tests, Qian Xunji announced his conclusions.
Hearing this, Lin Fan said, "Teacher, I think that in a few more days, junior sister should be able to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring too."
"After all, Whale Rubber still works on us. There's no harm in waiting a few more days."
"True." Qian Xunji nodded in agreement. "But let me test you. What kind of Soul Beasts do you think your Martial Souls need to absorb?"
At that, Bibi Dong promptly stepped back and hid behind Lin Fan, her face practically saying, "I don't know, so don't ask me."
Seeing this, Lin Fan smiled. "Teacher, I'm planning to cultivate my Lightning Element Martial Soul first, so the Soul Beast I hunt for its Soul Ring should have the lightning attribute."
Qian Xunji nodded. "Good. Choosing a Soul Beast whose attributes better match your Martial Soul is the right decision."
"But which path do you want your Lightning Element Martial Soul to take? Have you thought it through?"
"Teacher, you know my Martial Soul is special." Mo Fan paused, then seven lightning Star Seeds appeared in his hand.
The seven lightning Star Seeds danced up and down, but soon, under Lin Fan's control, three of them formed a neat, orderly pattern.
"I can feel that if I fully master these seven Star Seeds, they should form a pretty good Soul Skill, and an offensive one at that."
"So I don't think I need an offensive Soul Skill from my Soul Ring. Instead, I want the Soul Ring's ability to improve my attributes, like a support-type Soul Master's."
"That way, neither my physical strength nor my attacking power will suffer!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Qian Xunji repeated, his voice trembling slightly.
He no longer looked at Lin Fan as an ordinary disciple, but as a prodigy who could shoulder the future of Spirit Hall.
"I never would have imagined that at your young age, you'd already have such a clear plan. Your vision and judgment are unmatched among your peers throughout the entire Soul Master World!"
He strode over to Lin Fan and patted him firmly on the shoulder, his tone decisive. "Since you've made up your mind, I'll support your decision!"
"Once you've absorbed more Whale Rubber and strengthened your body to its limit, I'll take you to Spirit Hall's private Martial Soul Forest. We'll find you a powerful Thousand-Year Soul Beast with the lightning attribute and forge the First Soul Ring that suits you best!"
As he spoke, Qian Xunji abruptly changed tack. "However, Soul Ring skills are random. Whether you get the Soul Skill you want depends on your luck."
"I understand, Teacher." Lin Fan smiled calmly.
Even if he really did get an offensive Soul Skill, it wouldn't be a loss—at most, he'd be a little dissatisfied.
"Dong'er, what are your plans?" Qian Xunji asked, looking at Bibi Dong behind Lin Fan.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong confidently stepped forward. "Teacher, I plan to take the path of improving my attributes too!"
She paused, then continued. "I plan to obtain a Soul Ring for my Death Spider Emperor first. Ideally, we'll hunt a spider-type Soul Beast, preferably one with some dark or poison attributes!"
This was what Bibi Dong had concluded from Lin Fan's words just now.
First, she had to explain the general kind of Soul Ring she needed, then give one or two more specific preferences.
That would be enough.
After all, she was still young. How could everyone be like Lin Fan?
"Not bad," Qian Xunji said, sounding somewhat indifferent.
After Lin Fan's well-prepared and ambitious plan, Bibi Dong's seemed rather unimpressive to him.
But Bibi Dong didn't see it that way. As long as Teacher didn't criticize her, that was already the best outcome!
I'm so clever! Bibi Dong smiled from the bottom of her heart as she looked at Lin Fan, secretly delighted to have such an outstanding senior brother.
Lin Fan caught her gaze and nodded slightly.
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