Wang Zongchang was not exaggerating.
Lin Mo was only seven, yet his Soul Power Level had already reached fifteen. His talent for cultivation could certainly be called extraordinary.
But compared to Lin Mo's talent for cultivation, the combat prowess Charmander displayed shocked Wang Zongchang even more.
Over the past six months, to hone Lin Mo's practical combat experience, he had frequently arranged for Lin Mo to spar with other students who had already become Soul Masters.
Without exception, Lin Mo won every time.
Even Xiao Wu, who, like Tang San, possessed innate full Soul Power and a hundred-year Soul Ring, was no match for Lin Mo in their sparring matches.
Xiao Wu's original tactic of relying on her flexibility techniques and speed to bypass Charmander and subdue Lin Mo directly had never succeeded.
Lin Mo's reaction speed and ability to respond far exceeded her expectations.
Charmander and Lin Mo coordinated extremely well, working in perfect sync. It was very difficult for her to get past Charmander and reach Lin Mo himself.
Even on the few occasions when she really did have a chance to touch Lin Mo himself, Charmander quickly rushed over to save the day in time.
Later, Lin Mo was no longer content to spar with students and even challenged the teachers responsible for teaching practical combat.
Against teachers at the Soul Grandmaster rank, Lin Mo and Charmander lost most of the time, but there were also instances when they managed a lucky victory.
What Wang Zongchang did not know, however, was that these sparring matches took place with Lin Mo having Charmander deliberately hold back its combat strength.
It used only a weakened version of Flare Blitz disguised as its first Soul Skill, supported by Ember and Smokescreen, which it had previously used in front of the dean. It used none of its other Soul Skills.
If it truly unleashed its full firepower and used all its Soul Skills, then even among all Soul Masters at the Soul Grandmaster rank, there probably would not be many who could match Charmander.
Charmander's advantage in the number of Soul Skills it possessed was simply too great, and its repertoire was far too comprehensive!
In response to the dean's question, Lin Mo smiled slightly. "I've decided. Next, I plan to head to Heaven Dou City and enroll in the Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy."
He had originally thought that, given the nature of Lin Mo's Charmander Martial Soul, Lin Mo would be more inclined to choose an academy specializing in fire attributes or beast Martial Souls.
"Oh? That's a little unexpected. I thought you'd choose one of the other two intermediate academies."
Wang Zongchang counted them off on his fingers. "For example, the Blazing Fire Intermediate Soul Master Academy, which excels at training fire-attribute Soul Masters. They have close ties to the Blazing Fire Academy, one of the Five Elements Academies, which would make it easier to enter the Blazing Fire Academy in the future.
"Then there's the Exotic Beast Intermediate Soul Master Academy. Their research into all kinds of beast Martial Souls runs deep, and they're also a good fit for your external beast Martial Soul."
He looked at Lin Mo, a hint of puzzlement in his voice. "In my view, both the Blazing Fire Academy and the Exotic Beast Academy seem better suited than the Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy to developing your Charmander Martial Soul.
"What made you think of choosing the Heaven Dou Intermediate Academy?"
At these words, Lin Mo's expression remained calm, with only a faint smile appearing on his face.
Then a flash of inspiration struck Wang Zongchang, and he suddenly understood. He slapped his thigh, his voice carrying a measure of realization:
"I understand! You brat... your goal isn't an intermediate academy at all. You're aiming straight for an advanced Soul Master academy, aren't you?"
He stared at Lin Mo and said with certainty, "You chose the Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy because it's right in Heaven Dou City!
"And your real goal must be to prepare for an advanced academy afterward-the Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy, known as the foremost academy in the Heaven Dou Empire!"
As the advanced Soul Master academy with the strongest official backing in the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy ranked at the very top within the empire in teaching staff, cultivation resources, and campus environment alike.
Those who could study there were all either geniuses among geniuses or children of nobles with powerful backgrounds.
Lin Mo had clearly chosen the Heaven Dou Intermediate Academy to prepare for entering the advanced Heaven Dou Royal Academy later.
After all, being in Heaven Dou City as well, the Heaven Dou Intermediate Academy enjoyed every advantage of timing and location, whether in obtaining information or participating in the selection process.
Hearing the dean lay bare his thoughts in a single remark, Lin Mo did not deny it. He simply chuckled, tacitly acknowledging Wang Zongchang's guess.
He looked at the dean and said sincerely, "Don't worry, Dean. During my studies at the intermediate academy, I absolutely won't disgrace our Nuoding Academy's name!"
Looking at the child before him with such determination in his eyes, Wang Zongchang felt both gratified and deeply moved. A heartfelt smile appeared on his face.
"Good! You've got ambition! I believe you can do it!"
As he spoke, he turned around and took two documents he had prepared long ago from another drawer in his desk.
He held the documents out to Lin Mo. "This is your graduation certificate, along with a letter of recommendation for admission to an intermediate academy that I wrote for you personally."
He paused, then added, "Of course, this recommendation letter is only a brick to knock on the door with.
"Whether you gain admission in the end will still depend on the talent and strength you demonstrate during the entrance test."
Wang Zongchang's words were very practical.
The recommendation letter could help Lin Mo obtain a chance to take the test, but the final decision still rested with the other academy.
However, given what Lin Mo had demonstrated so far-seven years old, level-fifteen Soul Power, and combat prowess comparable to some Soul Grandmasters who had only just obtained their second ring-
With talent of this caliber, Wang Zongchang truly could not think of any reason those intermediate Soul Master academies would refuse him.
It was no longer a matter of an academy choosing him, but of Lin Mo choosing an academy.
"Thank you, Dean!" Lin Mo reached out with both hands and solemnly accepted the two documents. He carefully put them away in his pocket.
After leaving the dean's office, Lin Mo wasted no time and went straight back to Dorm Seven.
It was morning class time, and most of the students were studying in their classrooms. The dormitory building seemed empty and very quiet.
When he pushed open the door to Dorm Seven, just as Lin Mo had expected, Wang Sheng was the only person inside.
Although his cultivation had already reached level ten, Wang Sheng had not relaxed his efforts and was still cultivating diligently.
At the sound of the door opening, Wang Sheng instinctively looked up. Seeing that it was Lin Mo, he instinctively closed his eyes and resumed cultivating.
However, the noise Lin Mo made still disrupted Wang Sheng's thoughts, forcing him to look in Lin Mo's direction.
Lin Mo unfolded his neatly stacked bedding, then carefully rolled it up and tied it into a bundle.
Next, he dragged out the wooden chest beneath his bed, took out the changes of clothing and assorted odds and ends inside one by one, and put them into a travel bag he had prepared in advance.
Wang Sheng sat beside him, silently watching Lin Mo bustle about, but the puzzlement on his face only grew.