A Timely Hint

"Strange, far too strange!"

Ning Fengzhi sat within the Sect Leader's Residence, holding a book in his hand.

Rarely, the book this time was no longer Keep Emotions Hidden, but the one Han Tao had first read, Martial Soul Level Combat Strength Prediction.

"Were the data wrong?"

He flipped to the section on the Swan Martial Soul and compared the figures over and over.

The Swan Martial Soul's data at Level 10, Level 20, Level 30... all the way to Level 70, all conformed to the developmental patterns of martial souls.

"Then why?"

"Either Xue Qinghe's Soul Power is above Soul King, or his martial soul isn't a swan."

Even Han Tao could judge Yu Xiaogang's approximate physical range from his pronounced muscles.

Much less someone as seasoned as Ning Fengzhi.

The Swan Martial Soul had a Growth Base as high as 0.7. Martial souls stronger than the swan did exist, but they were exceedingly rare.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda also had a Growth Base of 0.7, while the Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon had a Growth Base of 0.8. As for a martial soul that could pull clearly ahead of the Swan Martial Soul, the answer was already obvious.

With that thought, Ning Fengzhi noted down the combat strength range of a Level 50 Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul in Martial Soul Level Combat Strength Prediction.

As for why Xue Qinghe's martial soul was the Six-Winged Angel, Ning Fengzhi did not care.

He was already his disciple, so Ning Fengzhi would naturally extend him a measure of goodwill.

The changes in the book naturally could not escape Han Tao, who studied theory every day.

The addition of a Soul King-level combat strength range for the Six-Winged Angel meant Ning Fengzhi had seen through Qian Renxue's identity.

"This old bastard really never takes a loss."

He had placed bets on both Tang San and Qian Renxue. No matter who emerged as the final victor, he would laugh to the end.

Han Tao drew two pieces of information from the changes in the book.

First, Ning Fengzhi had discovered Qian Renxue's identity.

Second, Ning Fengzhi was the author of this book.

The former had nothing to do with Han Tao, but the latter concerned him—and was exceptionally important.

In Martial Soul Level Combat Strength Prediction, there was a crucial piece of data: the Level 20 combat strength data for a Blue Silver Grass Soul Master.

What did that mean? It meant the book's author knew someone who had raised Blue Silver Grass to Level 20.

This was an opening. Following this clue, Han Tao could learn how he should break through.

"Perhaps this is Master's hint to me."

Some might ask: what if Han Tao had not noticed? From Ning Fengzhi's perspective, if Han Tao failed to notice, then he should simply settle down and be an ordinary Soul Master, without entertaining unrealistic ambitions.

To develop the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, perseverance, wisdom, and Fortune were all indispensable.

"Master Ning, may I ask whether you wrote Martial Soul Level Combat Strength Prediction?"

Han Tao quickly sought out Ning Fengzhi and asked with a trace of confusion.

Han Tao's question undoubtedly pleased Ning Fengzhi. Smiling, he lifted a cup of tea.

"Sit. Mind Cleansing Tea can soothe your restless emotions."

As he spoke, the Sect Master filled the teacup before Han Tao.

After taking a light sip, Ning Fengzhi smiled.

"I know what you want, and I can tell you what to do. However..."

"You should know that knowledge is expensive, and it must be exchanged at equal value."

Han Tao's expression stiffened at those words.

Knowledge was expensive and required equal exchange. Every time Han Tao obtained knowledge from the Sect Master, he had to hand over an achievement of equal value.

"But you're my Teacher. Isn't it only natural for a teacher to instruct his disciple?"

Han Tao's words interrupted Ning Fengzhi's elegance.

For a moment, he was actually at a loss.

Xue Qinghe's apprenticeship had been a political investment, with interests involved. But Han Tao was different.

Ning Fengzhi would have preferred for his acceptance of Han Tao not to be tainted by interests.

"You brat, how dare you say that? Did you even give me an apprenticeship gift?"

Embarrassed into anger, he realized that he seemed to have no reason to freeload off his disciple's achievements.

"Master, you know that aside from being poor, your disciple currently has nothing."

"Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is so wealthy and powerful. You probably wouldn't care for my little apprenticeship gift, would you?"

Han Tao explained with a smile, trying to avoid the question.

"Enough, enough!" The Sect Master waved his hand and did not argue with Han Tao.

"Take this!" Ning Fengzhi tossed over a Porcelain Vial marked with the four words "Flora Essence."

"Flora Essence contains a trace of an Advanced Soul Master's Soul Power."

Opening the Porcelain Vial, Han Tao saw green energy within, rich in vitality, intimate and gentle.

Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly. "Consume this bottle of Flora Essence and find a place for Mimicry Cultivation. You will most likely be able to break through."

Although Flora Essence was expensive, it was not rare.

It was made from the Soul Power of Advanced Plant System Soul Masters mixed with high-grade herbs, and was usually the best choice for Plant System Soul Masters seeking a breakthrough.

This was common knowledge, knowledge that most Soul Masters knew.

"I've become Yu Xiaogang!" Han Tao was suddenly startled.

Having dealt with books and theory for so long, he had instead neglected the common phenomena of the Soul Master World.

Thinking himself above others while not even understanding the most basic common sense—there was nothing more like having lofty eyes but clumsy hands.

He had asked Qian Renxue, but she had awakened at Level 20, so she definitely would not know.

He had asked Yu Xiaogang, but Yu Xiaogang... "This time, it was another hint."

Thinking of this, Han Tao could not help feeling somewhat bitter.

His gaze toward Ning Fengzhi grew more complicated, though there was a faint trace of admiration within it.

Although that old bastard had freeloaded quite a lot from him, Han Tao even suspected that Xiao Yuan's growing irritation toward him had also come at Ning Fengzhi's instruction.

The purpose had been to obtain the theory of Soul Power Compatibility.

A Simulated Training Field was an extremely specialized training facility.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was rich—exceptionally rich. Naturally, the Sect had Mimicry Cultivation facilities for Weapon Martial Souls, Animal Martial Souls, and Plant Martial Souls.

But to find a specialized mimicry environment exclusively for Blue Silver Grass, he had to go to the Heaven Dou Empire Royal Academy.

"This is the place!"

Han Tao raised his head and saw the gatekeeper standing on alert.

He took out the Crown Prince Token and presented it to the gatekeeper for inspection. Afterward, he was allowed through according to the usual procedure.

"Worthy of being the Heaven Dou Empire's royal academy."

Its teaching resources, cultivation environment, and faculty were all top-notch. Moreover, its Simulated Training Fields were refined down to specific martial soul types, making it the best choice for Han Tao to break through his level.

Han Tao had once wanted to enter this place as well, but restricted by his status, he had never even had a chance to glimpse it.

"Is someone secretly watching me?"

Perhaps because it was his first visit and his performance was too conspicuous, he attracted the attention of a small number of students.

Or perhaps because of the Crown Prince Token—the guards had reported it to their superiors, and the academy committee members and teachers here had already noticed him.

Yet as he walked along, no one questioned Han Tao, and everything remained peaceful.

"Uh..." Han Tao held his forehead.

"Looks like I owe someone a favor?"

His fingers lightly rubbed the Crown Prince Token Big Brother had given him, and a faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "Qian Renxue, thanks."

Following the directions of the landmark buildings, Han Tao found the Plant Martial Soul Simulated Training Field, as well as the customized Blue Silver Grass mimicry room.

"Very good!"

After presenting the token again, Han Tao entered.

He sat cross-legged, took out the Flora Essence, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Glowing green energy spread from his lower abdomen. Han Tao's own Soul Power and the surrounding Soul Power formed an exquisite interlocking fit in mere moments.

"This is..."

A faint gleam flashed in his eyes.

Within the mimicry room, the Starlight of countless Blue Silver Grass plants gathered together, pushing Han Tao's Soul Power upward.

His long-stagnant Soul Power began to stir, and the shackles gradually loosened.

Crack! Crack! Crack! The rigid bottleneck shattered under the influence of external force. At this very moment, in this very scene, Han Tao finally reached Level 20!