What puzzled Wu Feng even more was that whenever she got close to Jiang Yue, her heart seemed to calm down. The irritation was gradually swept from her mind, as if even her soul had been purified.
Wu Feng did not know how to describe it. In any case, being near Jiang Yue made her feel extremely comfortable, as though he were her closest friend. The moment she saw him, she unconsciously relaxed. That feeling greatly surprised Wu Feng.
This made Wu Feng involuntarily look at Jiang Yue a few more times, wanting to see whether this guy was truly as genuine as he appeared, whether he was the kind who acted indifferent on the surface but was actually just like those men secretly coveting her Young Master.
Yet no matter how Wu Feng looked, she found that Jiang Yue's gaze had never landed on Ning Tian. He merely looked at her with pity and even pushed the food a little closer to her. That action made Wu Feng, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, instantly flush red with anger.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm not a bottomless pit. I'm already full."
Wu Feng gritted her teeth and spoke word by word. If she could not sense that Jiang Yue was genuinely sincere, she might have already rushed over to fight him.
"I see. All right."
"Shouldn't you tell me why you came looking for me?"
Jiang Yue did not believe that the Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tian, had come just to see what the person who defeated Dai Huabin looked like. Recruitment—that was the real purpose.
Although school had only recently started, Ning Tian and Dai Huabin, disciples from major powers such as the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the White Tiger Duke's Manor, had already gained considerable fame in the Outer Court.
Anyone with common sense could guess Ning Tian's purpose.
It was not just the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. More accurately, the descendants of all the major powers within Shrek Academy had probably set their sights on Jiang Yue by now. An unknown Soul Elder capable of defeating someone with the White Tiger Martial Soul possessed talent worthy of their attention.
The White Tiger Duke's Manor had indeed lost the Star Luo Empire's throne, and its overall influence had declined greatly. But no one believed the White Tiger Duke's Manor had become weak. The White Tiger Martial Soul alone, a Martial Soul that could be stably inherited, was enough to let them retain the title of a second-rate power on the continent.
As the second young master of such a force, and the only one among Dai Hao's children to have mastered the Hell White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Dai Huabin had naturally received preferential access to the White Tiger Duke's Manor's resources since childhood.
Yet now, a wild genius who had suddenly appeared not only possessed the cultivation of a Soul Elder, like the specially recruited students from the major powers of this generation, but also had an extremely high chance of being the strongest freshman in combat.
If he had possessed cultivation resources comparable to theirs from childhood, his cultivation might have risen to an even higher level.
"Don't worry. We only wanted to get acquainted with you and give you a piece of information. Some freshmen have already started asking about you. There are four Soul Elders among this year's freshmen, and you are the only one who entered Shrek through the standard admissions process."
"You should understand what I mean. In some people's eyes, you're quite the prized catch. Naturally, I wanted to see what kind of person could beat Dai Huabin into that state. May I ask which department you belong to?"
"Control System."
It was only a department; there was nothing to hide. Besides, in the early stages, when one had only a few soul skills, Soul Masters could broadly be divided into battle Soul Masters and tool Soul Masters.
Upon hearing that Jiang Yue was from the Control System, Ning Tian was slightly stunned. She had originally guessed that someone capable of beating Dai Huabin that badly would most likely be from the assault department. Still, the Control System made sense and was within her expectations.
As long as Jiang Yue was not from the Support System or agility-attack department, Ning Tian would not find it particularly surprising.
"The Control System? What a pity. If we were in the same class, I really would have liked to team up with you. Two Soul Elders together—the Freshman Assessment championship would be ours for the taking."
"It is indeed a pity. If I truly teamed up with you, we might not even need a third person. There's no point talking about it now. We'll settle it on the field."
A Soul Elder-level Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could increase a teammate's chosen attribute by forty percent. Although Ning Tian's soul skills were not what Jiang Yue needed, under such amplification, Jiang Yue alone would have no problem sweeping through the Freshman Assessment.
Ning Tian was somewhat relieved that Jiang Yue and Dai Huabin currently had a poor relationship and were unlikely to form a team. Otherwise, a Control System Soul Elder, an assault-type Soul Elder, and possibly the Hell White Tiger, if Dai Huabin truly possessed it—if such a team were formed, there would be no point holding the Freshman Assessment at all. They could simply hand the championship to Jiang Yue.
For now, even though Jiang Yue and Dai Huabin were classmates, they would not be on the same team. That was at least good news for everyone else.
In other words, the four Soul Elders among the freshmen would each be in separate teams, leading their teammates into battle against one another for the Freshman Assessment championship.
Four Soul Elders—if all of them made it into the top four, that would be fine. But whoever failed to reach the top four would definitely become the most embarrassed one.
Hearing Jiang Yue's words, Wu Feng immediately became full of confidence and leaned a little closer to Ning Tian.
"You'd better be careful. When the time comes, I'll definitely be on the same team as the Young Master. With me protecting the Young Master, even if you're a Control System Soul Elder, defeating us won't be easy!"
"Mm, then I'll wait and see. Make sure you do your best in the competition. I'm very interested in seeing what makes the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect so formidable."
Jiang Yue did not take Wu Feng's confident words too seriously.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplification was indeed absurd. It basically did not overlap with a Soul Master's own enhancement-type soul skills. With Ning Tian's support, the other two members of her team could practically be considered Soul Elders who lacked only a third Soul Ring and soul skill.
It was just a pity that when they truly faced Jiang Yue during the Freshman Assessment, no one knew whose forty-percent boost from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda it would become.
Thinking of the wonderful expressions that would appear on the faces of the two people before him at that time, Jiang Yue nearly laughed.
"All right, I'm done eating. I have something to do this afternoon. See you again if there's a chance."
"Mm, we were the ones who disturbed you so presumptuously. Student Jiang Yue, go attend to your business. If you become interested in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplification effects or the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future, you can come find me."
"Mm, I will. Speaking of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I do have a question for you. Would I have a chance to learn your sect's Distraction Control Technique?"
"The Distraction Control Technique? That is a secret art passed down within our sect for generations. Usually, only disciples of our sect who possess the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul learn it. It is not particularly helpful to Soul Masters with other Martial Souls. Still, since Student Jiang Yue is a Control System Soul Master, it is natural for you to want to understand this secret art."
"Even I cannot casually spread this secret art outside the sect without reason. If Student Jiang Yue is truly interested in the Distraction Control Technique, I can report it to the sect and give it a try. But I cannot guarantee the result."
"Mm, thank you."
Hearing Ning Tian say this, Wu Feng stared at her in utter surprise. Her expression and the emotions spilling from her made Jiang Yue realize that Wu Feng was shocked by Ning Tian's words.
Whether that shock came from Ning Tian's willingness to help Jiang Yue try to obtain the Distraction Control Technique was impossible to say.
Wu Feng was merely shocked and did not question Ning Tian's decision. At least, in front of an outsider like Jiang Yue, she did not speak up to ask what Ning Tian intended.
Only after confirming that Jiang Yue had disappeared through the cafeteria entrance did Wu Feng turn to Ning Tian in confusion and voice the doubt in her heart.
"Young Mistress, isn't the Distraction Control Technique practically everywhere in the sect? With a little effort, people outside can find most of its earlier stages. Didn't you say before that we should build a good relationship with Jiang Yue? Why not just give him the Distraction Control Technique directly? It wouldn't cost us anything."
"Sister Feng, the Distraction Control Technique is indeed not as precious within the sect as outsiders imagine, but I was not lying either. It is indeed a secret art of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Since it is a secret art, it is best to report it before passing it on to outsiders."
"Besides, who would care about something obtained so easily? At most, Jiang Yue and we are merely acquainted right now. We have not even found out what his Martial Soul is or what abilities he possesses. His actual value has yet to be determined."
"Perhaps his value far exceeds our expectations. If that is the case, then even if he does not join the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, what would it matter if we gave him the Distraction Control Technique? It is always good to forge a favorable connection. Perhaps the sect will need his help someday."
"After the Freshman Assessment, we can find some excuse and make the process sound a little more difficult and complicated."
Within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Distraction Control Technique was originally a secret art known by every Soul Master with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. Even ordinary sect disciples could obtain it if they wished to learn it. After all, this secret art merely allowed a person to multitask and save some Soul Power while using soul skills; it provided almost no improvement to one's combat strength.
Apart from members of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, there were very few Soul Masters who needed this secret art. With all these factors combined, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not guard the Distraction Control Technique so strictly. At the very least, they did not value it as highly as the Clear Sky Sect valued the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes and Ring Detonation.
Moreover, during their brief conversation, Ning Tian had already sensed her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda continuously resonating with her. That was the treasure-seeking talent unique to Soul Masters with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, and it was also the fundamental reason the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become the wealthiest sect on the continent.
But Jiang Yue had not revealed his Martial Soul, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had never reacted to a Martial Soul before. That meant Jiang Yue must have something incredibly valuable on him that he had not put away.
Yet from his appearance, Jiang Yue seemed no different from the other students. If there was anything worth mentioning, it was the glossy white beast hide wrapped around his right hand. But what kind of soul beast hide could make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda react like this? Perhaps only the hide of a legendary fierce beast could do so?
Ning Tian felt that was unrealistic. It should be some other precious item that had caused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul to react.
"Come to think of it, Sister Feng, why were you not like your usual self when dealing with Jiang Yue today? Why was your temper so stable?"
"Hmph. It was only because that guy did not let his eyes wander or entertain any improper thoughts. Otherwise, I would definitely have made him pay the price."
Wu Feng naturally knew she could not defeat Jiang Yue. She had struggled greatly even against Dai Huabin, so there was no way she could defeat Jiang Yue, who had beaten Dai Huabin.
Strength was one reason. The other was that Jiang Yue had focused more on Wu Feng than Ning Tian just now, and Wu Feng could feel his goodwill.
She had clearly thrown a tantrum earlier, yet his gaze had remained so gentle. That feeling was like a child longing for attention finally receiving a response. That was why Wu Feng had not developed the same wariness toward Jiang Yue that she had toward other boys.
"Sister Feng, I believe I've told you many times. We did not come to Shrek Academy merely to learn things. We have a mission. You cannot be so reckless and leave others with a bad impression of us, or even of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"All right. Remember to observe carefully during the Freshman Assessment. Perhaps we'll find some promising talents worth bringing into the sect for cultivation."
"Yes, Young Mistress."
Wu Feng was still quite obedient toward Ning Tian's words. As for whether she truly took them to heart, or whether she would actually follow them next time, only Wu Feng herself knew.
In Wu Feng's heart, among the younger generation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she was the most talented battle Soul Master. She was also the only one who could stand beside Ning Tian and serve as her protector.
Seeing Wu Feng like this, Ning Tian slowly sighed, but she did not say anything further. She would let Wu Feng be. Once she grew up, everything would return to the proper track.
"When is the Freshman Assessment finally going to begin?! Why do three months pass so slowly?! Just thinking about having to stay under that freak Zhou Yi for so long, thinking about having to live in fear every day like this, is enough to make me collapse!"
"Who isn't saying that? Quite a few people in our class have already been expelled. There's nothing we can do—our luck was bad enough to get assigned to that freak. We'll be reassigned after the Freshman Assessment. I just hope we won't end up under Zhou Yi again!"
"I don't even know whether I can hold on until the Freshman Assessment. I feel like I'm about to collapse already. Is this really the kind of life children like us, only eleven or twelve years old, are supposed to live?"
On his way out of the cafeteria, Jiang Yue saw students also dressed in freshman uniforms, their faces pale and their bodies drenched in sweat, walking toward the dormitories. Taking advantage of the absence of other students nearby, they quietly complained about their homeroom teacher.
Seeing them like that, Jiang Yue briefly wondered whether he had arrived somewhere strange. He could sense the anger and worry of the two people ahead of him, and he could even influence those emotions.
But although Jiang Yue could sense other emotions, such as that thick, inescapable fear, he truly had no way to influence emotions related to fear at the moment.
With his Mental Power, Jiang Yue could clearly hear the conversation of the two people ahead despite keeping some distance. He could also detect the lingering traces of treatment on their bodies.
Zhou Yi had probably asked healing-type Soul Masters from Shrek Academy to treat them. That was why the two people walking in front of Jiang Yue were merely severely exhausted and slightly weak, without any injuries.
Hearing the word "collapse" from their mouths, Jiang Yue felt that he had found a business opportunity uniquely suited to him!
A Doctor!
In a high-pressure environment like Shrek Academy, some people would inevitably develop psychological problems. Yet this world had no such thing as psychologists. Healing-type Soul Masters treated only physical injuries; no one cared for the cracks within the heart.
Wasn't this a business opportunity? Jiang Yue's Martial Soul was the Passionate Sword.
As the saying went, saving one life was worth more than building a seven-story pagoda. The students' psychological problems also needed to be taken seriously. This could be considered an immeasurable good deed.
Jiang Yue felt that he could firmly establish the title of "Jiang the Divine Doctor." As for consultation fees, he could simply set them a little high. This was Shrek Academy, after all—there were as many wealthy people here as hairs on an ox.
Excellent. He would do it immediately. Jiang Yue felt the Spirit Devouring Carving Knife calling to him from the not-too-distant future.
Thank Zhou Yi. Jiang Yue was certain that, in the future, the students from Freshman Class One would definitely come to him frequently for psychological treatment.
Shrek Academy's pressure was indeed considerable, but overall, it remained within an acceptable range. Only Freshman Class One had an atmosphere different from the other freshman classes; one misstep could result in expulsion.
It just so happened that through this process, Jiang Yue could further develop the emotional abilities of the Passionate Sword. It counted as cultivation as well.
Cultivation and making money, neither would be neglected. Jiang Yue was extremely satisfied with this idea. He had to get started as soon as possible.
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