Chapter 3: Innate Spirit Power Level Nineteen
"Holy crap!" Su Yuntao was so shocked he swore. "You... you actually broke through the shackles of innate level ten spirit power... No, this matter is too important, I must report it to the Pope's Palace immediately!"
Ignoring everything else, Su Yuntao immediately gathered his things, ready to leave. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead, took out a piece of "paper" from his robes, scribbled something down quickly, and handed it to Xia Tianling. "Child, are you willing to study at the Spirit Academy? It's free, and you get automatic admission!"
"Spirit Academy... what's that?" Xia Tianling asked, feigning ignorance.
"Spirit Academy, as the name suggests, is an academy directly under the Spirit Hall, specializing in training Spirit Masters. This is an invitation certificate, authenticated by my personal signature," Su Yuntao said excitedly. Who would have thought that after visiting six villages in vain, he would encounter such a peerless genius here? If he could attract this child into the Spirit Hall, his own future would surely be bright; breaking through to Spirit Ancestor wouldn't be hopeless!
"Uh..." Xia Tianling was a bit stunned. Originally, he planned to follow Tang San's path from the original story and snag a spot for godhood. Now, it seemed he needed to make different plans.
"How about this, child? Where is your guardian?" Seeing his hesitation, Su Yuntao had an idea and asked.
"That's me, that's me! I'm Tianling's grandfather," Old Jack quickly answered from the side.
"Whether you agree or not, could I trouble you to bring Tianling with me to the Spirit Hall branch first? Transportation is provided, and meals are included!" In his effort to recruit Xia Tianling, Su Yuntao was at a loss for words, even using honorifics with Old Jack.
"Okay, Milord." Old Jack pulled the still dazed Xia Tianling along, following the hasty Su Yuntao onto the Spirit Hall's carriage, leaving the eight children, including Tang San, staring blankly at each other in the wooden house, unsure what to do.
While Su Yuntao rushed the grandfather and grandson towards the Spirit Hall branch, unbeknownst to them, other parts of the continent were already in an uproar due to the awakening of the True Dragon spirit.
In the blacksmith shop of Holy Soul Village, the drunkard Tang Hao groggily rubbed his eyes, turned over, and went back to sleep.
Star Dou Great Forest, mixed zone, Lake of Life. By the lakeside, a giant ape was squatting with its hands over its head, while in the lake, a monster with a python's tail appeared, its huge ox-like eyes filled with disbelief. Not just the Titan Great Ape, but spirit beasts in various forests trembled in fear under this dragon might.
Star Dou Great Forest, center of the core area. The massive Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, opened his eyes, staring incredulously towards Holy Soul Village, muttering to himself. And deep beneath the core area, a colossal silver dragon also slowly opened its eyes, scanned its surroundings blearily, and then slowly drifted back into slumber.
Spirit City, Pope's Palace. An extremely beautiful woman holding a scepter, originally sitting on her throne with eyes closed in thought, suddenly snapped her eyes open. "This aura... Elder Ghost, head towards Fasinuo Province and investigate what has happened."
"As you command." A ghostly figure suddenly appeared, then slowly faded away, nine spirit rings flashing continuously beneath his feet.
Spirit City, Elder Hall. An old man meditating beneath a giant angel statue suddenly shot sharp glints from his eyes, looking towards Holy Soul Village, his piercing gaze seeming to penetrate space itself. After putting his palms together and sensing briefly, he shook his head, closed his eyes, and resumed his cultivation.
At this very moment, completely unaware that he was the focus of attention from top powerhouses across the continent, Xia Tianling was in the Nuoding City branch preparing to test his spirit power level. To maintain secrecy, Su Yuntao had only notified the branch master, Ma Xiunuo.
"Child, place your hand on the crystal ball and release your spirit power." Ma Xiunuo was an eighty-two-year-old man, also a Grand Spirit Master.
"Okay, Grandpa Ma Xiunuo." Following the instruction, Xia Tianling released his spirit power into the crystal ball. The originally transparent sphere began to emit a dazzling brilliance.
"Th-this is innate spirit power level nineteen!?" Turbulent waves surged in Ma Xiunuo's heart, even his beard trembled. Innate level nineteen spirit power! He had served the Spirit Hall for sixty years and awakened countless children, but he had never heard of anyone reaching innate level nineteen spirit power!
["Ding! You have altered the fate trajectories of two characters. Received some Fate Power."]
Xia Tianling received the system prompt and couldn't help complaining, "Brother System, can you just stop prompting me with this stuff in the future? I don't know the exact amount anyway, just let me know when I need to make a wish."
["Ding! Setting successful. Future prompts will be suppressed, but queryable text information will be retained."]
Xia Tianling paused, surprised that his casual remark actually worked.
"Su Yuntao, take good care of this child and his grandfather! I'm leaving for headquarters immediately!" Just as Xia Tianling was about to pester the system further, Ma Xiunuo had already packed his things and rushed out of the room. His speed showed no sign of an old man nearing the end of his life, a stark contrast to his earlier unhurried demeanor.
Time quickly passed to the afternoon. Having enjoyed a meal of Soul Land delicacies, Xia Tianling had made up his mind to study at the Spirit Hall Academy. He was currently asking Su Yuntao about basic knowledge regarding spirits and the Spirit Hall.
Old Jack, after discussing the plan with Xia Tianling, saw no need to stay longer and was arranged a carriage by the Spirit Hall, personally escorted back to Holy Soul Village by two guards.
Just then, a black shadow suddenly appeared before Xia Tianling and Su Yuntao. A token was thrown out. Su Yuntao subconsciously caught it, glanced at it, and immediately dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Ghost Douluo!"
So, Ghost Douluo has arrived, Xia Tianling understood inwardly but still pretended to be flustered, standing up from his chair, nervously fidgeting with his sleeves. "Gr-Greetings, Your Excellency."
"Mm, rise. This child is?" Ghost Douluo pulled over a chair, sat down, and looked at Su Yuntao.
Su Yuntao quickly stood up and recounted the events of the earlier awakening ceremony to Ghost Douluo.
Ghost Douluo listened calmly at first, but upon hearing about the just-tested innate level nineteen spirit power, he got so agitated that he crushed the armrest of his chair. He sharply turned his gaze towards Xia Tianling, who had been standing aside.
Xia Tianling instantly felt a suffocating pressure, as if being stared down by a peerless beast, his face turning pale as paper in an instant. Is this the pressure of a Titled Douluo? Just from a single glance? he thought inwardly.
Seeing this, Ghost Douluo quickly restrained his aura. A rare smile appeared on his somewhat aged, cold face. "Child, can you let me see your spirit?"
"Yes, Your Excellency." Obediently, Xia Tianling released his "Woodworking Two-Piece Set." The hammer and axe floated up and down in the air.
Such a sacred aura... even my own spirit feels slightly suppressed, Ghost Douluo thought to himself. "Alright, put it away."
Seeing Ghost Douluo had finished his observation, Su Yuntao timely presented him with a parchment scroll containing all the information, including details about Xia Tianling and Old Jack. In just half a day, the Spirit Hall had thoroughly investigated Old Jack's family history back three generations.
Orphan, adopted by Old Jack, just awakened today... Excellent, excellent! This is truly a gifted seedling bestowed upon our Spirit Hall by the heavens! The more Ghost Douluo read, the more satisfied he became. He asked, "Child, are you willing to come study at the Spirit Academy?"
"Your Excellency, I am willing!" Xia Tianling answered decisively, having already made up his mind.
"Hahahaha! Good child! Don't call me Your Excellency. My age is about the same as your grandfather's. If you don't mind, just call me Grandpa Ghost," Ghost Douluo laughed heartily upon hearing his reply. If this child before me doesn't meet an untimely end, with the support of the Spirit Hall, he's practically guaranteed to become a Super Douluo above level 95 in the future. Building a good relationship early can only be beneficial.
"Well... it would be disrespectful to refuse. Grandpa Ghost," Xia Tianling hadn't expected things to develop this way, so he braced himself and called out. But this is good too. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo are basically inseparable. With two Titled Douluo backing me, my safety is well assured.
"Aye! Good, good, good."
Su Yuntao, standing aside, was dumbfounded. The child he awakened was actually calling a Titled Douluo 'Grandpa'!
"Su Yuntao!"
"Subordinate is here!" Startled by being suddenly called, Su Yuntao jolted.
"In recognition of your merit in discovering this genius, you are awarded one hundred thousand gold spirit coins. Take my token, report to Spirit City. Someone there will help you break through to the Spirit Ancestor realm and assist you in obtaining a suitable millennium spirit ring."
"Yes! Thank you for the reward, Your Excellency!" Su Yuntao was almost mad with excitement. He had toiled for years, diligently awakening spirits for children in various villages – wasn't this exactly what he aimed for?!
"Alright, you may leave first. I have other matters to discuss with Tianling."
"Yes." Su Yuntao respectfully withdrew.
(End of Chapter)