Schemes, All Schemes

"Crippled?! No wonder Spirit Hall had been able to contend with the two great empires for so long. Not only did they have high standards for their students, but their control over internal personnel was also strict. Even the highly centralized Star Luo Empire probably wouldn't cripple a Soul King outright just because he accepted bribes and altered student records."

"Kid, what are you thinking about?"

Mo Lin suddenly looked up. The kindly old man stood before him. While he had been lost in thought, it had become his turn to test his soul power.

"Sorry, Teacher. I got carried away thinking about something."

The old man smiled, showing no intention of blaming him.

Mo Lin's reaction was very different from that of an ordinary child. Instead of blushing, quickly testing his soul power, and running off, he had chosen to apologize first. The old man therefore felt that this child was somewhat unusual and had indeed been pondering something important.

"Then test it! There are still people waiting behind you."

Just as Mo Lin was about to place his hand on the crystal ball, he suddenly remembered something and stopped.

"Teacher, this crystal ball is meant to test soul power below level ten, isn't it?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?" The old man did not understand the point of the question.

At that moment, a yellow soul ring rose directly from beneath Mo Lin's feet.

"Teacher, I've already obtained my first soul ring."

His voice was clear and piercing. Everyone nearby turned to look at Mo Lin. Since he had summoned his soul ring before speaking, no one wore a mocking or contemptuous expression. They were all astonished and shocked.

The old man was startled as well. He had not expected this child to be extraordinary to such an extent. He already possessed a soul ring before even enrolling, which meant he was a genius Soul Master with innate full soul power. After all, even someone with level nine soul power could not possibly reach level ten within a week and still have time to obtain a soul ring.

"Kid, you can register somewhere else."

Three question marks seemed to appear above Mo Lin's head.

"What do you mean?"

The old man continued.

"At Spirit Hall, grades are not divided by age, but by soul power level. Below level ten is considered the preparatory class. Only after reaching level ten in soul power and successfully obtaining a hundred-year soul ring are you qualified to begin formal studies at Spirit Hall. You should ask someone else for the details. Hey, you over there—yes, you. Take this child inside."

Mo Lin looked at the person who had once again come to his side.

"Why is it always you?"

That was right—the newcomer was Su Yuntao again!

As Mo Lin walked toward the side hall, he looked at Su Yuntao with a helpless expression.

"Tell me, you weren't just standing there watching me test my soul power the whole time, were you?"

Su Yuntao smiled awkwardly.

"Of course not. You know I just arrived, and my soul power isn't that high yet. It's normal for people to order me around. I'd just finished being sent on an errand by a senior and was about to head back to the main gate when I got called over again. But I really didn't expect you to obtain a soul ring so quickly. It seems Bishop Salas gave you quite a bit of help."

"Let's not talk about that nonsense," Mo Lin interrupted Su Yuntao. "Explain Spirit Hall's internal education system first!"

Su Yuntao cleared his throat.

"The educational system at the Papal Palace in Spirit City is fairly simple. There are only five levels. Below level ten is the preparatory level; levels eleven to twenty are first grade; twenty-one to thirty are second grade; thirty-one to forty are third grade; and level forty-one and above are fourth grade. As long as you reach the corresponding soul power level, you advance directly to the next grade without any restrictions. Those qualified to represent Spirit Hall in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament graduate at the age of twenty. Those who aren't qualified to participate graduate as well, and the Elders' Hall handles their assignments. Those who are qualified also graduate after participating."

Mo Lin raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you leave something out?"

Su Yuntao had not expected Mo Lin to know so much.

"Oh? Did Bishop Salas tell you? Indeed, every few years, several exceptionally gifted students stand out and are personally taught by His Holiness the Pope, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo. Thinking about it now, perhaps you're qualified to join this group as well."

At that moment, someone very inexplicably "bumped" into Mo Lin. When Mo Lin turned around, he saw a boy a few years older than himself. His hair was mainly black with streaks of silver, one lock of bangs ending in red, and his eyes were black.

Mo Lin had already guessed what was going on. The person who had bumped into him was Xie Yue of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Bibi Dong had definitely received news about him and, following her usual scheme, sent Xie Yue to test his abilities.

A strange smile appeared on Mo Lin's face.

Xie Yue turned around.

"Who was—"

"Ah! I'm terribly sorry, Senior! I actually didn't see you! I accidentally bumped into you! I'm truly sorry!"

Mo Lin seized the initiative. Before Xie Yue could even speak, he shouted those words at the top of his lungs. Not only did he catch Xie Yue off guard, but he also drew everyone's attention.

And Mo Lin did not stop. Instead, he "pressed onward."

"Senior, how could I possibly fail to see your tall and mighty figure? My eyes are practically useless! You're not hurt, are you? Should I take you to a teacher to have you checked?"

After Mo Lin's barrage of words, Xie Yue's brain completely crashed.

"What is going on? Shouldn't he be too slow to react, then I look down on him and provoke him, making him attack so I can test his actual combat ability? What the hell is this?! Did he just chicken out?"

Mo Lin maintained a ninety-degree bow. To the onlookers, he looked like he was sincerely apologizing.

Xie Yue was considered a celebrity within Spirit Hall. After all, he was directly instructed by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. With so many people watching, if he still dared to say anything provocative, he would never be able to show his face again.

"Cough. Hmph. Er... Junior, there's no need to be like this. It was just a bump, nothing serious. Besides, I wasn't watching where I was going either..."

Mo Lin suddenly straightened up and turned around.

"Since Senior is so reasonable, this humble Daoist shall not disturb you any longer. Farewell! Uncle Su, let's go!"

A chill wind swept through, leaving Xie Yue standing there alone.

One minute later, in the main hall of the Papal Palace, someone was reporting to Bibi Dong about what had happened when Xie Yue and Mo Lin met.

Bibi Dong arched a delicate brow and smiled.

"That child is truly exceptional."

The person making the report echoed her sentiment.

"Your Holiness, indeed. The child's response was far too unexpected. Even as I watched from the side, I never imagined that a child could resolve a conflict so easily under those circumstances."

Bibi Dong rose to her feet, her smile deepening.

"More than that. That child probably saw through Xie Yue's intentions from the start. He first deliberately placed himself in an extremely low position, drawing the attention of those around him so that Xie Yue had no reason to voice a provocation. Then he went with the flow, making Xie Yue state for himself that he would not hold it against him, before swiftly leaving the scene with an exceedingly arrogant attitude.

The entire process was flawless, perfectly interlocked. Psychologically, he had Xie Yue led around by the nose the whole time. This kind of intellect and ability to grasp people's minds is exactly what Spirit Hall lacks. On that basis alone, he is qualified to become part of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Go tell him now that I, Pope Bibi Dong, wish to see him."

"Yes!"