Three days later, at Zhejiang Studio in the Martial Hall.
When Chen Xiaojun arrived with Xiao Yi, Chen Yu was giving Chen Cong some instructions.
Before long, Chen Yu beckoned the two children over and gestured for them to sit. Smiling, he said, "Xiaojun, Xiao Yi, you're just in time. I called you here today for two things."
"One concerns you, and the other concerns Xiao Yi. First, there's the matter of your soul power reaching level thirteen after absorbing your first soul ring. Your second granduncle and I reviewed the absorption process, and we have a theory."
Chen Xiaojun had already harbored some doubts himself, so he wanted to hear what his second granduncle, a martial soul scholar, thought. "What theory?"
Chen Cong explained, "Your innate soul power was full soul power. According to you, most of the soul power you absorbed went into the Chengying Pearl, providing the energy for it to take the form of the Chengying Sword."
"In other words, you didn't absorb much soul power yourself. It shouldn't have exceeded five hundred years' worth, correct?"
Chen Xiaojun recalled the experience and made a rough estimate. "Yes. My vague impression is that I absorbed close to a third of it, roughly between four hundred and five hundred years' worth."
Chen Cong clapped his hands and nodded excitedly. "That fits. But there's a problem. Although the Pegasus was of very high quality, four or five hundred years' worth of soul power could only raise your soul power by two levels at most, taking you to Level 12. Yet you were level thirteen..."
"Second Granduncle, I'm already level fourteen," Chen Xiaojun interjected, his expression turning rather serious as he said it.
Chen Cong laughed, then grew solemn. "That only further proves my judgment. The half month you spent