Recruiting Wang Sheng

The father and son left Yu He Clinic and stood on the street.

Jiede was seething. "He only knows a bit of medicine, yet he acts like he owns the world."

"He is the best physician in Notting City. What should we do now?" Jie Yuan was out of ideas as well.

"Dad, you may have misunderstood me. I only want to learn medicinal theory and how to identify herbs. Medical skills themselves are not important."

Jiede said, "I can't waste too much energy on medicine. Being a soul master is my main profession."

Jie Yuan understood. "Fine, son. Let's try another place."

As they spoke, Jiede's gaze fell upon the sign across the street: Lu Cheng Clinic.

From afar, he could see that the clinic opposite was nearly empty, forming a stark contrast with the bustling Yu He Clinic behind them.

Jiede pulled Jie Yuan into Lu Cheng Clinic.

"Heh heh, old man Yu He, from now on, you won't be the best physician in Notting City anymore..."

In the back courtyard of Yu He Clinic, an attendant came in. "Sir, that father and son went to Lu Cheng Clinic."

"Humph!"

A trace of disdain showed in Yu He's eyes. "Old Lu's medical skills were passable when he was alive. Unfortunately, after his death, his son inherited his mantle, but his medical skills are mediocre and useless..."

The moment the father and son entered the clinic, Lu Cheng came forward to greet them with a smile.

He was clearly a young man, yet he looked somewhat aged and extremely haggard.

"Are you here for treatment or medicine?"

"Neither."

"Then why are you here?"

"I'm here to take a master and study medicine." Jiede got straight to the point.

Lu Cheng froze slightly, then gave a bitter smile. "Sorry, but my father passed away last year. I have no way to take in disciples."

Jiede pressed on. "Did he leave behind medical books or any other inheritance?"

Lu Cheng hesitated for a moment. "He did... but with my level of skill, I'm not qualified to take disciples or teach medicine."

"That's fine. As long as there are medical books and materials, that will be enough."

"Do you really want to learn?"

"That's right."

"Fine. I won't take you as a disciple, but I can pass down my father's medical knowledge to you in his stead."

"But let me make this clear first. I'm a soul master. Most of my time is spent studying and cultivating at Notting Academy. I'll only study medicine as a hobby."

Jiede gave him fair warning.

Lu Cheng was stunned for a moment but still nodded. "No problem."

His plan had been to cast a wide net and catch more fish. Perhaps someone might inherit his father's medical skills.

He knew that his own medical skills were limited. Now that someone wanted to study under him, he could not have wished for more.

Lu Cheng led Jiede and his father into the inner hall.

Jiede respectfully lit three sticks of incense before the memorial tablet of Lu Cheng's father, then bowed three times.

With that, the matter of taking a master was settled.

Lu Cheng did not hold anything back. He took out the many medical texts left behind by his father and handed them to Jiede.

"Jiede, read these medical books first. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me."

"After you finish these books, you can read the medical notes my father left behind."

"There are only a few notebooks, and no copied versions. You can only read them in the clinic and cannot take them away, so they won't get lost."

"Alright, thank you, Senior Brother."

Jiede accepted the medical books, filled with delight.

After several rounds of polite refusal, Jie Yuan still successfully left the gifts for the apprenticeship with him.

From then on, Jiede's schedule became packed.

The family's sugar business gradually got on track. They had successfully opened up sales channels and opened a sugar shop.

With sufficient funds, Jiede could also buy some Century Whale Glue to take alongside Foundation-Building Pills, assisting his cultivation and body tempering.

He attended classes in the morning, continued burying himself in the academy library to read in the afternoon, and studied herbal knowledge at night.

As for Wang Sheng's father, he worked earnestly and diligently. Most importantly, he did not steal soul beast meat, earning Jie Yuan's deep trust.

Jie Yuan shut down the soul beast meat business. After changing its operation, he had Wang Sheng's father manage the sugar shop.

At the academy training grounds, Wang Sheng found Jiede with a grateful expression.

"Jiede, thank you. My dad wrote to me and said his salary was doubled."

Jiede smiled faintly. "And that's enough to satisfy you?"

Wang Sheng did not understand and scratched his head.

"What's there to be dissatisfied about? At my dad's old job, not only did his pay never increase, but the slightest mistake would get a large amount deducted from his wages."

"Unlike now, even my meals have improved a lot. I get meat with every meal."

"Have you heard of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?" Jiede asked.

Wang Sheng shook his head.

"It sounds like an amazing competition. Only advanced academies can participate in that, right?"

Jiede explained, "The tournament is jointly organized by the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, as well as Spirit Hall."

"It is held once every five years."

"The participants must all be elite soul masters from advanced academies, and none can be older than twenty-five."

Wang Sheng felt a surge of longing. "Wow, that sounds incredible."

Jiede stared into his eyes and asked a question that struck at his soul. "Do you want to participate?"

Wang Sheng nodded. "Of course I do. Only an idiot wouldn't."

"I plan to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament someday. Do you want to come with me?" Jiede invited him.

Wang Sheng's mind could not quite process it. "What did you say?"

"Whether you participate is up to you. You decide everything for yourself."

Jiede's tone was calm, as if he were discussing some trivial matter.

Wang Sheng gave an awkward laugh.

"We're both ordinary commoners. We have no background and no resources. How could we possibly get a spot in the competition?"

"Besides, with our strength, we'd only be walking into a beating if we went."

"Don't worry about that. I have my own ways." Jiede said. "Wang Sheng, just give me a straight answer."

Wang Sheng stared at Jiede. After struggling for a long while, he finally made up his mind and clenched his teeth.

"Since you're going to participate, I can't let you fight alone."

"Fine, I'll join you. Good brothers advance and retreat together!"

"Congratulations. You made the right choice. You won't regret it." Jiede smiled.

Wang Sheng dropped onto the ground, his heart racing uncontrollably.

This decision was too crazy, too thrilling.

"First Soul Skill, Foundation-Building Pill."

At that moment, Jiede activated his soul skill and tossed a Foundation-Building Pill to Wang Sheng.

"Eat it."

Wang Sheng held the pitch-black pill in his palm, wrinkled his nose at the foul smell, and could not help shuddering.

"No, I don't want to eat it..."

Jiede cracked open the black shell, revealing the golden pill within. A rich medicinal fragrance spread through the air.

"Eat it."

Wang Sheng said in surprise, "Is this your real soul skill?"

Wang Sheng hesitated no longer and swallowed it in one gulp. A surging force filled his entire body, even loosening his Level 11 bottleneck. He showed signs of breaking through to Level 12.

"What kind of soul skill is this? It's so amazing." Wang Sheng was deeply shocked. He had never heard of such a soul skill.

Jiede explained, "Root Consolidation, Origin Nourishment. It can raise a soul master's potential. Long-term use can slightly increase Innate Soul Power and improve the body."

Wang Sheng's eyes widened. "This..."

"Remember, you must never tell anyone." Jiede said seriously.

"Don't worry. My lips are sealed." Wang Sheng patted his chest in promise.

Then Jiede tossed him another six Foundation-Building Pills. "Take one a day from now on. Don't take more than that. When you run out, come find me."

Wang Sheng nodded repeatedly. With Foundation-Building Pills, the matter of the soul master tournament was secure.

At the same time, a trace of ambition gradually took root in his heart.

"A soul master around Level 30 is no longer my endpoint. I have to become stronger."

Over the next few days.

Wang Sheng received a letter from his father saying that his salary had increased again.

The boss did not say why. He had simply raised his salary again.

Wang Sheng finally understood completely, and a lingering fear rose in his heart.

He feared that if he had chickened out when absorbing his Soul Ring, afraid to spend money and unwilling to follow Jiede's advice to obtain a Century Soul Ring, he would not have everything he had today.

He had completely understood Jiede's intentions.

Jiede wanted to bind him tightly to himself.

But Wang Sheng did not resent it. Setting everything else aside, everything Jiede had done brought him nothing but benefits.

What Jiede was doing was clearly raising a loyal retainer willing to die for him.

Wang Sheng clenched his fists. "Jiede, whether there are mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead, or dragon pools and tiger dens, I'll charge in first. I'll protect you and go through it all with you!"