Chapter 19: The Leaker
Wang Zongchang looked at Lin Mo, the admiration in his eyes undiminished. He chuckled.
"No need to be so polite. This is what you deserve."
However, Yu Xiaogang, standing to the side, had his brows tightly furrowed. His face was clouded with stubborn doubt.
He stepped forward, looked straight at Lin Mo, and asked hurriedly, "Lin Mo, I have another question. Your Charmander clearly hasn't obtained its first Spirit Ring, so why was it able to use flames and that black smoke repeatedly during the spar with Little San just now? Aren't those Spirit Abilities?"
Hearing that, a deep look of confusion appeared on Lin Mo's face.
He looked at the so called Grandmaster, who always claimed to be invincible in theory, with an expression that was almost like looking at an idiot.
"Grandmaster, your question is a bit strange," Lin Mo said calmly, though a trace of helplessness slipped into his tone.
"If Charmander hasn't obtained its first Spirit Ring, how could it possibly have Spirit Abilities?"
He paused, then continued explaining.
"The flames and Smokescreen Charmander used just now weren't Spirit Abilities at all. They're simply instincts it possesses as a fire attribute Beast Spirit."
"Instincts?" Yu Xiaogang's brows knit even deeper.
"That's right, instincts." Lin Mo nodded as if it were obvious. "Just like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Clans, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul passed down through their legacy."
"Even without any Spirit Rings attached, they are born with an innate talent to control lightning."
He used a simple, direct example. "It's like birds being born able to fly, or fish being born able to swim. It's carved into their bones. Does that really require a Spirit Ring to grant it?"
To Wang Zongchang, Lin Mo's explanation sounded reasonable.
A Martial Soul only gained distinct Spirit Abilities after obtaining Spirit Rings. That was common knowledge accepted by most Spirit Masters on the Douluo Continent.
Wang Zongchang stepped in at the right time to smooth things over.
"Xiaogang, what this child Lin Mo says is logical."
"Take my own Blazing Blade Spirit, for example. Back when I had just awakened it and hadn't obtained my first Spirit Ring yet, I could still release flames."
He recalled for a moment, then added, "It's just that back then, the flames, whether in temperature or scale, were nowhere near as strong as what Lin Mo's Charmander is showing now."
"Different Spirit qualities create innate gaps. That's normal."
Lin Mo kept his expression steady, but the dean's words made him quietly exhale in relief.
Of course he would not reveal in front of Yu Xiaogang and the dean that Charmander had already mastered 8 skills, including Spark and Smokescreen, without even having a Spirit Ring.
If that news spread, it would invite massive trouble. It was not impossible that someone would even drag him off for dissection and research.
Before his strength was great enough, it was safer to stay cautious.
As long as he did not explain it himself, outsiders could not tell that what Charmander used were specific skills. They would only treat them as powerful instincts of a high quality fire attribute Spirit.
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, clearly wanting to ask more.
But seeing Wang Zongchang's approving expression and Lin Mo's calm, matter of fact attitude, he finally swallowed the words.
His face looked unpleasant. He felt as if his proud theoretical knowledge had nowhere to land in front of Lin Mo's simple explanation.
He could not find a logical argument to refute it, and Lin Mo's earlier gaze, that look like he was staring at an idiot, made him feel even more stifled.
"Alright." Wang Zongchang clapped his hands lightly and smiled. "Since everything's clear, let's stop here."
"Lin Mo, go back and rest. Remember our agreement. In 1 week, I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest."
"Yes, Dean. I'll remember." Lin Mo bowed once more, then turned and left the faculty sparring grounds.
Watching Lin Mo's departing figure, Yu Xiaogang stood in place, his expression shifting restlessly.
Tang San walked over and called softly, "Teacher…"
Yu Xiaogang snapped back to himself. He looked at his disciple, let out a heavy sigh, and in the end said nothing, only shaking his head.
This disciple truly had talent, but today's spar had been a complete defeat.
Attribute suppression was one factor, but underestimating the enemy was the real reason.
Evening, Dormitory Seven.
After a full day of classes and cultivation, Lin Mo returned to Dormitory Seven, his body somewhat tired.
The moment he pushed the door open and stepped inside, Wang Sheng, who had clearly been waiting, rushed over. His face was openly filled with curiosity and hunger for gossip.
"Lin Mo, you're back?" Wang Sheng lowered his voice, but he could not hide his excitement. "Quick, tell us. What did the dean and Grandmaster want with you at noon? It was so mysterious, and you were gone so long!"
As soon as Wang Sheng asked, all the other work study students in the dorm turned their eyes to Lin Mo.
Everyone was clearly curious.
But the moment the question landed, Tang San, sitting cross legged in the corner while cultivating, suddenly stiffened.
Even his breathing paused for a beat.
He did not open his eyes, but his hands resting on his knees tightened unconsciously. Guilt surged in his chest.
For no other reason than that he was the first one to break the agreement they made that morning.
He had turned around and told his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, about Lin Mo's Martial Soul hatching.
Now that Wang Sheng brought it up, he could not stay calm.
Lin Mo placed his bag on his bed, unhurried and steady.
He looked at Wang Sheng's eager face, then glanced sideways at Tang San, who was pretending to be composed, before answering slowly.
"It wasn't anything special."
"The dean somehow heard that my Martial Soul changed. Out of curiosity, he called me over to ask about it, and to see the hatched Charmander."
Hearing that, Xiao Wu, who was sitting nearby and playing with her scorpion braid, immediately showed a surprised expression.
She blinked her big eyes at Lin Mo, her tone full of confusion.
"Huh? The dean found out that fast?"
"Lin Mo, didn't you just break through and have your Martial Soul change this morning? Didn't we all agree to help you keep it secret?"
Xiao Wu voiced exactly what everyone else was thinking.
The dorm's eyes moved back and forth between Lin Mo and the doorway, as if trying to locate the informant.
Lin Mo's expression did not change.
He slowly turned his head and fixed his gaze directly on the blue clothed youth in the corner who had not spoken since Lin Mo entered.
He did not say a word.
He simply looked at Tang San.
.....
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