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Su Wen looked at Xu Jiawei in surprise.
The Academy did not restrict the background or identity of the students who joined. For instance, even though Su Wen was dissatisfied with how the great nobles of Star Luo City had stuffed their scions into the institution, he hadn't expelled them. He simply assigned them to the three main halls to study theory.
However, becoming a formal student of the Academy meant joining its direct lineage—it was essentially equivalent to joining a sect. For soul masters tied to a family clan, this was usually a difficult step to take.
Especially now that the Academy was fully established, it no longer allowed for opportunistic loopholes. Clan-based soul masters typically only accessed knowledge through the "Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning" while remaining under their family's banner for actual cultivation.
"Master Xu, surely your family does not lack the resources for his cultivation?" Su Wen asked.
"Xingyuan truly wishes to join the Academy to study the knowledge of martial souls in depth. He wants to better master his own spirit; after all, our family's inheritance itself is a subject worth researching."
Hearing Xu Jiawei's words, Su Wen understood the man's intentions.
The Ice Staff itself wasn't particularly unique, but the stable inheritance of the Xu family and the occasional appearance of the "Star-Wheel Ice Staff" were actually quite special. In the definitions used by the soul master world, the appearance of the Star-Wheel Ice Staff wasn't categorized as a typical mutation. Periodically, a member of the Xu family would manifest it, demonstrating extraordinary control abilities. While it lacked the nearly illogical inheritance restriction of the Nine Heart Begonia—which can only exist in two people at once—it was still a distinct, specialized legacy.
Such legacies existed within many ancient clans. Xu Xingyuan's goal was to research the theories behind this to contribute to his family's future. His hope was that even if every descendant didn't inherit the "Star Staff," they might at least ensure the continuous legacy of the "Star-Wheel Ice Staff."
This kind of research would benefit the soul master world as a whole. Thus, Xu Jiawei wanted to place Xu Xingyuan within the Academy to ensure he received the most direct support possible.
"The Academy will not refuse anyone who wishes to join. He can head directly to Heaven Dou City or Star Luo City. Of course, before that, he can choose to attend classes within the Academic Realm."
Since the Xu family had the formation Su Wen installed to draw down starlight, they didn't actually lack a proper mimetic environment, so there was no immediate need for the boy to travel to the capital.
Su Wen met with Xu Xingyuan shortly after.
"Grandmaster Wen," Xu Xingyuan bowed respectfully.
"Mm. Your martial soul's evolution was a success. Its quality is now among the top tier on the continent; do not squander your talent."
"Theory guides cultivation. I hope you can find the spark for your own path through your studies."
"Xingyuan will keep your teachings in mind, Grandmaster."
Su Wen felt a slight internal sigh. After a brief exchange with the boy, he followed Xu Jiawei to see his ship. Nowadays, he felt a bit constrained around the older generation; they all called him "Grandmaster" with such reverence that it felt awkward. And in front of children under ten, he felt like he had been thrust into the role of a venerable teacher, which was even stranger. Respect for elders was one thing, but the specific reverence reserved for a master was a different weight entirely.
"Grandmaster Wen, this is the sailing vessel we built for you," Xu Jiawei said, leading Su Wen to a suburban area outside Skysea City and pointing toward a massive ship.
The vessel was twenty meters long and fifteen meters high, constructed from top-grade materials. Surrounding it stood a contingent of newly recruited sailors, standing guard in neat rows.
"This ship has not yet been christened. Perhaps you would like to give it a name?"
"Let's call it the Pioneer," Su Wen said after a moment's thought.
Xu Jiawei pondered the name for a bit, seemingly grasping Su Wen's intent. A look of admiration crossed his face. "Is Grandmaster's voyage intended to expand the reach of the Academy and bring fortune to the many Sea Soul Masters of the ocean?"
Su Wen glanced at him.
Truth be told, Xu Jiawei had guessed correctly. While Su Wen hadn't initially intended for the name to be so grand, any name needed a deeper meaning. He had decided on the spot that the journey to Sea God Island and the eventual trip to the Sun Moon Continent would serve to expand the coverage of the Academic Realm. That was the origin of the name Pioneer.
Close enough.
"This is the boatswain, Hai Da," Xu Jiawei introduced.
A man with weathered, slightly rough skin—especially his face, which bore the marks of the sea—looked at Su Wen and smiled. "This must be Grandmaster Wen. I am Hai Da, a Rank 53 Battle Soul King. My martial soul is the Megalodon."
Su Wen nodded, unsuprised by the man's rank as he could sense it clearly. Instead, he was curious about the fluctuations of Hai Da's soul power. It was unique, with a distinct difference from the soul masters of the interior.
"As expected of the Grandmaster, you felt it immediately," Hai Da said earnestly, letting out a gruff laugh. "This is a characteristic fluctuation unique to us Sea Soul Masters who sail the deep. It's a trait forged by tempering ourselves against the waves and the storms of the great ocean."
Simply put, their soul power carried the essence of the sea. While it came from fighting against the waves, it was also a form of integration and adaptation—a baptism by the ocean that made them more compatible with it. This trait gave those facing them the feeling of standing before the sea itself.
"This isn't a trait just anyone can forge simply by sailing," Xu Jiawei noted, shaking his head.
Su Wen looked at Xu Jiawei with curiosity. Though he possessed vast amounts of data, he actually knew very little about the specifics of Sea Soul Masters. A trait that carried its own innate "presence" was no simple thing; it was very likely the prototype of a Domain.
Facing the ocean was a form of deterrence in itself. If a soul master could make an enemy feel that pressure, it would also provide the master with a "home field" advantage.
Xu Jiawei's explanation confirmed Su Wen's hypothesis. This "Gift of the Sea" had two effects: it provided a tangible deterrence that could impact an opponent's combat effectiveness, and it granted the Sea Soul Master a massive boost. It made them feel as if they were fighting in the ocean even while on land, ensuring their combat power didn't drop due to unfavorable terrain.
Furthermore, within the ocean itself, soul masters with this trait could unleash soul skills with greater power while consuming less energy.
"The Gift of the Sea isn't just earned by wandering the waves. It can only be possessed by 'pure' Sea Soul Masters—those who yearn for the ocean and possess a heart that seeks to both conquer and merge with it," Xu Jiawei explained.
Hai Da chuckled and added after Xu Jiawei finished, "Among us Sea Soul Masters, this 'Gift of the Sea' is whispered to be a blessing from the Great Sea God himself."
(End of Chapter)