Grandmaster's Suspicion

Seeing that the intimidation had worked, Shi Quan withdrew the Blue Silver Vine Whip, released Xiao Wu from beneath his foot, then turned and ran toward the Back Mountain.

Tang San could not determine Shi Quan's true strength, so he did not rush to take revenge. Instead, he quickly stepped forward to help Xiao Wu up and said apologetically, "Sorry, Xiao Wu. I failed to protect you."

Xiao Wu shook her head and gently rubbed the back of her neck. "It's not your fault. I was careless too. I didn't expect that bastard to be so strong."

Tang San stared coldly in the direction Shi Quan had left. "Shi Quan's strength isn't simple. But don't worry. I'll find a chance to avenge you."

"No need." Xiao Wu shook her head, her gaze falling on the whip marks on the tree trunk. Though still shaken, her eyes turned fierce. "Isn't that bastard only relying on his powerful Spirit Ability right now? He only has Innate Level One Spirit Power. Once I get stronger, I can take revenge myself. He dared to step on me and pin me to the ground. When the time comes, I'll slam him into the ground a few more times."

"Alright!" Tang San smiled and rubbed Xiao Wu's head, agreeing with her. Yet his gaze toward the direction Shi Quan had gone remained cold.

Tang San knew of Shi Quan's talent. As time passed, the gap between Shi Quan and them should logically grow wider and wider. Xiao Wu taking revenge in the future was inevitable.

Yet Tang San felt that Shi Quan's strength was not so simple. Whether Xiao Wu could avenge herself or not, he would not let Shi Quan off easily. Before that, however, he needed to confirm a few things.

Nighttime.

Yu Xiaogang's dormitory on the top floor.

Every night, Yu Xiaogang gave Tang San private lessons.

"Xiao San, is something on your mind?" Yu Xiaogang asked Tang San with concern. He had noticed that Tang San had been somewhat distracted during class today, something that had never happened before.

After a pause, Tang San asked, "Teacher, I have a question."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Go ahead."

"Teacher, does Innate Spirit Power necessarily determine one's future achievements?"

Yu Xiaogang frowned. His own Innate Spirit Power had only been half a level, which was why his Soul Power Level had remained at level twenty-nine despite all his years of cultivation. Still, he patiently replied, "Generally speaking, yes. Innate Spirit Power determines a person's talent. The greater one's talent, the faster one naturally cultivates, and the higher the realm one can attain in the future. Of course, becoming a strong person depends on many factors besides talent, but talent is undoubtedly the most important among them. You should already know these basics. What is it? Have you encountered some problem in your cultivation?"

"There's no problem with my cultivation." Tang San shook his head and continued, "Teacher, if someone has Innate Level One Spirit Power, can they only reach Soul Elder at most in the future?"

Though somewhat puzzled, Yu Xiaogang nodded. "If one only has Innate Level One Spirit Power, becoming a Spirit Master through normal cultivation is not difficult. For ordinary people, breaking through to Soul Grandmaster is already extremely difficult. Those with Innate Level One Spirit Power who can become Soul Elders are exceedingly rare, and even if they do, they are among the weakest."

Tang San continued, "Teacher, is it possible for the Innate Spirit Power assessment to be wrong?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Normally, that would not happen. If there is a problem with the testing crystal, it would only fail to detect Soul Power. Errors in determining one's Innate Spirit Power level are rare."

Tang San fell silent. After a moment, Yu Xiaogang asked, "Xiao San, what are you trying to say?"

Tang San let out a long breath. "Teacher, do you remember Shi Quan?"

Yu Xiaogang said, "That child with the Mutated Blue Silver Grass Spirit Soul?"

"Yes." Tang San nodded and continued, "His Innate Spirit Power is only level one, but I feel that his Soul Power isn't low."

"Not low?" Curiosity appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. "Can you sense his Soul Power Level?"

"No..." Tang San then told Yu Xiaogang about the fight between Xiao Wu and Shi Quan.

After hearing it, Yu Xiaogang's eyes filled with surprise and astonishment. "According to what you said, Shi Quan's Soul Power Level is at least above level five. The possibility of an error in the assessment is negligible. Innate Level One Spirit Power cannot cultivate this quickly! Unless..."

For some reason, Yu Xiaogang's expression turned solemn.

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang curiously. "Unless what?"

Yu Xiaogang said gravely, "Unless Shi Quan is an Evil Spirit Master."

"An Evil Spirit Master? Teacher, what is an Evil Spirit Master?" This was Tang San's first time hearing the term.

Yu Xiaogang explained in a low voice, "Evil Spirit Masters are Spirit Masters who possess Evil Martial Souls. Ordinary Spirit Masters can only raise their Soul Power Level through cultivation, but Evil Spirit Masters can cultivate not only through cultivation, but also by devouring Soul Power, Spirit Rings, Spirit Power, flesh and blood, souls, and Spirit Souls. The cultivation speed of Evil Spirit Masters cannot be judged by common sense."

"Devouring?" Cold light flashed repeatedly in Tang San's eyes. Wasn't that just like those who cultivated evil arts in his previous life? In the martial world, they would be hunted down by everyone.

"But..." Yu Xiaogang paused, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes. "Blue Silver Grass mutation is already rare. I have never heard of Blue Silver Grass mutating into an evil martial soul. Xiao San, haven't you seen him use his Spirit Soul? Could you tell whether his Blue Silver Grass differed from ordinary Blue Silver Grass?"

After hearing this, Tang San shook his head firmly. "Whenever Shi Quan uses his Spirit Soul, he immediately turns the Blue Silver Grass into a vine whip. From appearances alone, it does not seem different from ordinary Blue Silver Grass."

"That is the strangest part. I said before that his mutation should not be obvious, which is why it looks like ordinary Blue Silver Grass. If it really were an evil martial soul, his Blue Silver Grass could not possibly show no changes at all..." At this point, even Yu Xiaogang, who prided himself on possessing the strongest Spirit Soul Theory, could not help sinking into thought.

He could not determine Shi Quan's exact situation.

Yu Xiaogang said in a low voice, "Xiao San, I will investigate Shi Quan's matter. You only need to focus on studying and cultivating. If he truly is an Evil Spirit Master, I will report it immediately. Then someone specially assigned to deal with such matters will come handle it."

"Alright, Teacher." Tang San nodded, sneering inwardly. If Shi Quan really was an Evil Spirit Master, it would save him much trouble. It was just a pity he would not be able to take revenge personally.

Yu Xiaogang had also heard a little about Shi Quan.

Shi Quan came from Stone Family Village. During his many years at the academy, Yu Xiaogang had heard of that village. It was known for its stone carvings and clay sculptures, and most of the academy's stone carvings and clay sculptures came from Stone Family Village.

"He truly is diligent." From the window of his dormitory, Yu Xiaogang watched Shi Quan heading toward the Back Mountain.

Previously, all his attention had been on Tang San, and he had rarely concerned himself with other people or matters.

After Tang San mentioned him, Yu Xiaogang conducted a simple investigation and quickly learned most of Shi Quan's circumstances at the academy.

"And he is very eager to learn." Yu Xiaogang muttered to himself. "There is plenty of Blue Silver Grass on the Back Mountain, but even with a simulated environment, his cultivation speed cannot possibly be this fast. There must be another reason."

After watching the distant figure gradually blur and disappear from view, Yu Xiaogang stood there for a while longer before turning and leaving his dormitory, heading downstairs.

Library.

"Marde." Before Yu Xiaogang even approached, his voice carried in from outside the Library.

"Xiaogang, why have you come to the Library?" Marde rose and looked toward the Library's entrance.

Yu Xiaogang said helplessly, "Other than your office, this is the only place I can find you."

Marde laughed. "You never visit without a reason. Go on, what is it?"

Yu Xiaogang did not beat around the bush. "You know Shi Quan, right?"

Marde nodded. "He is a rare good child, diligent and eager to improve."

"It seems you like him very much." Yu Xiaogang looked at Marde with some surprise. As friends, he knew Marde's temperament well. Marde was serious in his work and somewhat old-fashioned; earning his approval was difficult. Yet Shi Quan had clearly earned it.

Marde chuckled. "Didn't I see that you had already taken on an apprentice? I was thinking that perhaps I should find one as well."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Marde in surprise. "His Innate Spirit Power is only level one, and you still want to take him as your apprentice?"

Marde looked seriously at Yu Xiaogang. "So what if it is level one? Xiaogang, I see your shadow in him. If this child can maintain such diligence and eagerness to learn, I believe his future achievements will not be beneath yours."

"Just him?" A trace of disdain appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. In his view, Shi Quan could not compare to him at all. He was from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects. Aside from his own research, much of his knowledge had been accumulated from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall. What did Shi Quan have to compare with him?

Marde merely shook his head. He knew Yu Xiaogang had his own pride and said nothing more. Instead, he rose and walked toward the Library's front desk, bent down, and carried out a stack of books. One trip was not enough, so he made a second.

More than twenty books were placed on the table.

Yu Xiaogang casually flipped through the books on the table. They covered everything from the basics to somewhat advanced Spirit Soul Theory, but he did not understand Marde's intention. "What do you mean?"

Marde said calmly, "These are all books Shi Quan borrowed from me to study last semester."

"What!" At Marde's words, Yu Xiaogang could no longer sit still. He picked up one of the books in surprise and began flipping through it. Once he confirmed its contents, Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt his mouth go dry. "Marde, are you sure he has already learned everything in these books?"

Marde nodded. "Every time the child came to borrow books, I would randomly test him on their contents. Every time, he answered fluently, and he even added some thoughts of his own. Not only is he intelligent, he can draw inferences from one example to another. His brilliance is far beyond what ordinary people can compare with."

Marde patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder. "Xiaogang, do you know why I have delayed taking him as my apprentice? It is because I discovered that his Learning Ability is too strong. I fear that after taking him as an apprentice, in less than two years, I will no longer know what to teach him. You should know that he taught himself all these books. If he were given a platform, enough study materials, and someone to guide him, he would soar like a fish leaping through the dragon gate. In only a few years, he would become a new Grandmaster in the field of Spirit Souls!"

Shi Quan's formidable Learning Ability was inseparable from the influence of his Spirit Soul. Moreover, he had begun studying since childhood, giving him at least five years' lead over his peers. Naturally, he was not someone his peers could compare to.

The books Marde had carefully selected were certainly not simple books. Yu Xiaogang had always been a proud person, but after hearing Marde's evaluation, he had to admit that Marde was speaking the truth.

"It is only a pity that this child's Spirit Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and his Innate Spirit Power is only level one. Otherwise, his future achievements would certainly not be low."

At this, Marde could not help sighing. Such an intelligent child—why was his talent so low?

Yu Xiaogang, standing beside him, also came back to his senses and said in a low voice, "That is precisely what I came to discuss today: his talent."

"His talent?" Marde frowned. "What is wrong with his talent?"

Yu Xiaogang said, "You should know about the matter between Xiao Wu and Shi Quan, right?"

"I have heard about it as well. It was merely children competing over pride. Is there some problem?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I'm afraid it is not that simple. Xiao San recently told me that Xiao Wu lost in her spar with Shi Quan. Although neither side used their Spirit Souls, based on Xiao San's description, I estimate Shi Quan's Soul Power Level to be at least level five, perhaps even higher."

Marde quickly shook his head. "That is impossible. His Innate Spirit Power is only level one. There is no way he could have improved so quickly in a single year."

Yu Xiaogang stated firmly, "The fact that Xiao Wu lost is undeniable. I previously speculated that his Spirit Soul was a mutated Spirit Soul. Judging from the current situation, the fact that his Spirit Soul is mutated is practically certain. I simply cannot determine the exact direction of the mutation yet. And I cannot rule out the possibility that his Spirit Soul is a mutated evil martial soul."

"An evil martial soul?" Marde hurriedly shook his head in denial. "Impossible. How could Blue Silver Grass mutate into an evil martial soul? How could such a good child possibly be an Evil Spirit Master?"

Yu Xiaogang's expression did not change as he continued, "We will only know after investigating. For now, it is merely suspicion. We do not yet know his Soul Power Level either. Since you are familiar with that child, you can find an opportunity to confirm his Soul Power Level."

Marde's expression shifted repeatedly. As Yu Xiaogang's friend, he naturally understood him. Yu Xiaogang should not make such baseless claims. Since he had said it, he must have some basis for it.

"I understand. I will investigate Shi Quan's Spirit Soul and Soul Power Level, then tell you the results."

"Good." Seeing Marde agree, Yu Xiaogang's eyes gained a measure of anticipation and curiosity. This was the first time he had encountered a case like Shi Quan's. He also wanted to know what secret Shi Quan possessed—and that secret would soon be uncovered.