The Master's Invitation, Firm Refusal

Nuoding Academy, dormitory area.

Lin Mo had just finished cultivating and immediately felt refreshed.

Ever since his Martial Soul underwent its second awakening, earth-shaking changes had taken place within him.

His cultivation speed had directly multiplied; calling it rapid progress would not be an exaggeration.

So this is the aptitude of Innate Full Soul Power? Cultivation really is smooth and unhindered.

At this point, his physical endurance, speed, strength, and reaction ability had all undergone qualitative improvements.

Thunder Body Tempering

The greater the risk, the greater the reward.

His life-risking attempt had not been in vain.

Grrr~

Lin Mo raised a hand and rubbed his empty stomach.

Looking at the deserted dormitory, he saw that none of his roommates were around.

It seemed he should go find something to eat as well.

Nuoding Academy, cafeteria area.

Lin Mo felt around for his few Copper Soul Coins, counted out two coins, and ordered two flatbreads from the cafeteria counter to fill his stomach.

After eating something simple here, he would return to the dormitory to cultivate.

After receiving the flatbreads, he was about to leave when a figure ahead blocked his path.

"Lin Mo, wait a moment."

Lin Mo looked up and discovered that it was an upperclassman.

As far as he remembered, they seemed to have had no dealings with one another.

What, was he looking for trouble?!

A hint of inquiry appeared in Lin Mo's gaze as he secretly pondered the situation.

"The Master wants to see you. He's on the second floor of the cafeteria," the upperclassman said.

Following his gaze, Lin Mo saw the middle-aged figure in a gray robe in the teachers' cafeteria on the second floor.

The "Master" he referred to was naturally Yu Xiaogang.

Lin Mo's eyes met the man upstairs.

"I understand."

With that, he turned and headed up the stairs toward the second-floor cafeteria.

The students on the first floor all noticed the scene. They watched Lin Mo head upstairs and sit with the Master, seemingly discussing something.

The students in the distance stopped what they were doing at the sight, their faces filled with surprise.

"The Master?!"

"Looks like the Master was the one who sought out Lin Mo?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's about something important."

Those students curiously watched in that direction, only seeing the two exchange a few words from afar.

They whispered among themselves, staring curiously at the pair.

Lin Mo looked at Yu Xiaogang before him.

His Martial Soul had just undergone its second awakening, and his Soul Power had just broken through to level ten, yet this "Master" had already come.

His nose was as sharp as a hyena's. This was probably not so simple.

The person who had hidden on the Back Mountain and watched yesterday was most likely him.

"Teacher." Lin Mo bowed slightly, his manners impeccable and his tone calm.

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

With so many eyes and ears in the cafeteria, he did not say much.

"Come to my office later. I have something to discuss with you." After saying that, Yu Xiaogang turned and headed toward the main teaching building.

Lin Mo nodded at his words.

It seemed the "treacherous minister" had come forward on his own.

His Soul Power had recently broken through, and today the "Master" had personally summoned him.

Those students had already guessed part of the truth.

"Looks like Brother Lin is about to soar."

"No shit. His Soul Power has already broken through level ten. Becoming a Soul Master is just a matter of getting a ring. It's normal for a teacher to value him."

"Didn't he seem to be only level eight half a month ago? When did he shoot up so fast?"

"Idiot, can you really tell what level someone's cultivation is at?"

"Oh, right. I guess so."

Leaving at different times, Lin Mo and Yu Xiaogang did not travel together, but they ultimately arrived at the same destination.

Teachers' office.

Lin Mo knocked on the door.

"Come in. The door isn't locked," a deep voice came from within.

Lin Mo pushed open the door. The teachers' office was somewhat old-fashioned. Sunlight streamed through the windows, falling before the desk and filling the room with warmth.

"Sit."

Yu Xiaogang rose and walked over, closing the door behind him to shut out the outside gazes and gossip.

He paced toward the seat of honor at the tea table by the window.

Seeing this, Lin Mo followed and sat in the guest's seat.

Yu Xiaogang sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of hot tea, then poured one for Lin Mo and pushed it toward him.

Lin Mo did not speak first, quietly waiting for Yu Xiaogang to begin.

Yu Xiaogang lifted his teacup and took a sip. After setting it down, he looked seriously at Lin Mo and got straight to the point.

"Actually, I have always been paying attention to you—or rather, to every diligent student."

"Among them, you stand out somewhat, but you have been limited by your Innate Soul Power. After all, your cultivation efficiency has its limits."

Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands beneath his chin, his gaze fixed on the boy before him.

"I just noticed that your Soul Power seems to have already broken through to level ten."

"If I remember correctly, you are only eight years old this year." Yu Xiaogang stared into his eyes.

It was not a question, but a statement of certainty.

While waiting, he had reviewed the student records and looked over Lin Mo's information again, confirming that he had not misspoken.

Lin Mo did not deny it and nodded lightly. "Yes, I just broke through."

"You have only just reached level ten, so the Soul Power in your body is still unstable. Your aura is inflated and leaking outward."

"Although you cultivate seriously, you lack guidance. You have been feeling your way forward and studying on your own, so your grasp is inevitably lacking. At present, you still have plenty of room to improve." There was a trace of approval in Yu Xiaogang's tone.

"Your Martial Soul... seems somewhat special. It is a plant-type Martial Soul with a lightning attribute."

"However, even with that faint lightning attribute, the effects it can produce are very weak. If your Soul Rings are properly configured, they may perhaps grant some paralysis effects." Yu Xiaogang spoke in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on the boy.

He deliberately pointed out the unusual nature of Lin Mo's Martial Soul, then pretended to disparage it by claiming its effects were weak.

With a child's temperament, if he possessed some special talent, he would most likely refuse to let himself be looked down upon like this and voluntarily reveal what made him extraordinary.

Lin Mo raised his head slightly and met his gaze.

Silence.

An eerie silence.

This left Yu Xiaogang somewhat surprised, but he could only continue.

"It is not that you have no hope. Even an ordinary Soul Master can still possess great potential for future growth if they can reasonably pair complementary Soul Rings."

"I can sense that you are different from children your age. You are steadier, and you possess great potential."

"Without professional guidance, that potential could easily be buried." Yu Xiaogang spoke calmly, as though stating a simple fact.

He had studied Martial Soul theory for decades, and his perception of Martial Souls far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Especially what he had seen and sensed on the Back Mountain yesterday had convinced him that Lin Mo's Martial Soul possessed something unusual.

If Lin Mo could overcome the limitation of low Innate Soul Power, perhaps he could truly be cultivated into a genius unlike any in ten thousand.

When it came to theory, Yu Xiaogang believed he could provide the finest cultivation guidance.

"With only level-three Innate Soul Power, you still broke through to level ten after two years of hard cultivation. Your Martial Soul should not be as simple as it appears on the surface." Yu Xiaogang leaned forward slightly, his tone solemn.

"What level of talent corresponds to how much time and what level of Soul Power can be reached—there are clear boundaries. It is difficult to make such a 'leap' through mere effort."

"I believe your Thunder-Clap Grass Martial Soul must possess some special quality." Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice.

That was practically laying his cards on the table.

I know your Martial Soul has a secret.

Lin Mo was somewhat surprised by his words.

Hearing that come from Yu Xiaogang's mouth gave him a strange sense of incongruity.

So you do know.

You know that Innate Soul Power limits a Soul Master's cultivation speed.

Then what was all that talk about there being no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters?

You saw Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power and rapid cultivation speed, so you decided to take credit for it, huh?

"Does my Martial Soul have anything special about it?" Lin Mo chose to play dumb.

What a joke. There was no reason for him to be honest.

Even if there was a high chance Yu Xiaogang had secretly witnessed it, he absolutely could not admit it.

There were no benefits, only drawbacks.

Seeing that he would not take the bait, Yu Xiaogang could not help but smile.

"I have taught at Nuoding Academy for many years and have seen quite a few gifted children. Some failed to receive proper guidance or lacked a plan for cultivation, and in the end, they simply faded into obscurity."

"There really is something special about you, something that makes your early stages easier."

"I have said so much to you today because I intend to take you as my disciple. If you agree, I will impart all my lifelong Martial Soul theories to you, help you plan your path as a Soul Master, select the Soul Rings most suitable for you, and uncover the full potential of your Martial Soul." Yu Xiaogang's eyes were utterly sincere.

In his view, Lin Mo's unusual Martial Soul held immense appeal for him.

With the guidance of his theories, Lin Mo would certainly become a powerful figure in the future.

He wanted to prove something to his family.

"You do not need to answer me immediately. Go back and think it over carefully. Give me your answer within three days."

"Once we become master and disciple, I will certainly give everything I have to help you avoid countless detours on the path of a Soul Master."

He gazed at Lin Mo, softening his tone and giving him ample room to think.

Becoming his disciple.

This was an opportunity every student in Nuoding Academy dreamed of.

If it had been any other student, they would likely have already knelt down in excitement to acknowledge him as their master.

Yet Lin Mo sat in his chair, his fingertips lightly rubbing the teacup, his expression calm from beginning to end without the slightest trace of joy or excitement.

He understood Yu Xiaogang's intentions very clearly, and he also understood the man's sincerity.

But he understood even more clearly that his path did not require the guidance of this "pseudo-Master."

A man who had never even walked the path of a true powerhouse wanted to instruct others on cultivation?

Based on what? His theories of "weighted running" and "useless Soul Masters"?

His Martial Soul was the Thunder Hell Vine, a top-tier lightning-attributed Martial Soul. His path of cultivation required him to continuously Devour the power of lightning.

Now that his talent had changed and he possessed the cultivation speed of Innate Full Soul Power, his rise would be even swifter if matched with the right environment.

Yu Xiaogang's theories could not guide him at all. Instead, they would restrict his growth.

He had the support of the system, as well as the heaven-defying potential of the Thunder Hell Vine.

Why ignore the road before him and instead acknowledge a teacher who could only teach him theories while his own cultivation remained stagnant?

Lin Mo raised his head and met Yu Xiaogang's gaze.

"There is no need to consider it."

"I—I refuse."

His eyes were resolute, without the slightest hesitation. His tone was calm, yet every word landed with weight.