Chapter 62: Xue Sheng's Shock
"Rank 20? Obtained a second Spirit Ring?"
The moment those words left Lin Mo's mouth, Xue Sheng froze.
Then his eyes widened abruptly, disbelief flooding his face.
The teacup in his hand trembled. With a sharp crack, a visible fissure spread across it as his fingers tightened unconsciously.
Tea leaked through the crack and ran over his hand, yet he seemed not to notice at all.
"When you first enrolled, your Spirit Power was only Rank 16, wasn't it? It has only been half a year. In half a year, you broke through from Rank 16 to Rank 20?"
Xue Sheng's voice rose without him realizing it.
"Your cultivation speed is far too fast. Even those geniuses with Innate Full Spirit Power, supported by abundant resources, rarely advance at this pace."
Not only Xue Sheng, but even Ye Lingling and Ye Linyuan, who already knew Lin Mo had broken through, could not help looking at him again when they heard the exact figure of four Ranks in half a year spoken aloud.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Mo remained calm. He had long prepared an explanation.
With a shift of thought, Spirit Power stirred, and Charmander appeared at his side. Two bright yellow Spirit Rings rose slowly beneath its feet as it affectionately rubbed against his trouser leg.
"Director Xue, Elder Ye, Sister Lingling, all of you know that Charmander's situation is rather special."
Lin Mo spoke steadily.
"In its initial state, it was only an egg. It only hatched after my Spirit Power reached Rank 10."
"Perhaps because this mutated Martial Soul is so unusual, whenever I cultivate, besides relying on my own Calm Mind to accumulate Spirit Power, Charmander's presence seems to provide me with an additional boost to my cultivation speed."
He paused, then looked at the thoughtful expressions on the others' faces before continuing.
"That is also why I often keep Charmander outside."
"Doing so does not interfere with my cultivation. On the contrary, it makes my cultivation efficiency a little higher than when I practice Calm Mind alone."
"And I am not entirely sure whether this is the reason, but my cultivation speed does seem to be noticeably faster than that of the Innate Full Spirit Power classmates I know."
"Innate Full Spirit Power classmates?"
Xue Sheng no longer cared about the cracked teacup. He immediately caught the key point in Lin Mo's words, and his eyes widened even further.
"There are other Innate Full Spirit Power geniuses around you? And more than one?"
As the Director of Admissions, his sensitivity toward talented students was extremely sharp. Professional instinct took over at once.
Before Lin Mo could answer, Ye Linyuan chuckled from the side and teased him, "Kid Xue, that old habit of yours is flaring up again. The moment you hear the word 'genius,' you can't sit still."
Called out so directly, Xue Sheng was not embarrassed in the least. He only fixed Lin Mo with an increasingly intent gaze.
Lin Mo smiled faintly.
"Yes, Director Xue. Those two were my classmates back at Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy. Both of them indeed possess Innate Full Spirit Power."
Then he shifted the topic, his tone carrying certainty.
"However, based on what I know of them, they most likely will not come to Heaven Dou City to enroll in an Intermediate academy."
"Oh? Why is that?" Xue Sheng asked at once, clearly unwilling to let any chance of recruiting talent slip by.
After organizing his thoughts, Lin Mo replied, "One of those classmates with Innate Full Spirit Power has already taken Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang as his teacher."
"That is the Grandmaster whose Spirit is Luo San Pao, who also possesses an External Beast Martial Soul and has done extensive research into Martial Soul theory."
"Although both of them are now First Ring Spirit Masters, when I left Nuoding City, neither seemed to have any intention of leaving Nuoding Academy for further study at an Intermediate academy any time soon."
"And the two of them are very close. They are practically inseparable. If they do enroll somewhere in the future, they will definitely choose the same academy."
At that moment, Ye Lingling, who had been listening quietly, showed a trace of doubt in her purple eyes and asked softly,
"Since that Grandmaster's Martial Soul is also an External Beast Martial Soul like yours, and he took that Innate Full Spirit Power student as his disciple, why didn't he take you in as well?"
Lin Mo smiled openly.
"He did extend an olive branch back then, but I refused."
Ye Lingling glanced at him, then did not ask further, though a flash of understanding passed through her eyes.
After piecing the situation together, regret flickered briefly across Xue Sheng's face, but he quickly adjusted and turned his attention back to Lin Mo.
His expression grew serious.
"Lin Mo, since you have successfully obtained your second Spirit Ring and become a two ring Spirit Grandmaster, then according to academy rules, you have already met the graduation requirements for Heaven Dou Intermediate Spirit Master Academy."
He paused, then offered an even more attractive proposal.
"Furthermore, with your current cultivation and talent, I can personally act as guarantor and recommend you directly into Heaven Dou Royal Spirit Master Academy."
"I can guarantee that with your qualifications, entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy will not be a problem at all."
Lin Mo did not answer right away. Instead, he turned respectfully toward Ye Linyuan.
"I am very grateful for Director Xue's kindness. However, as for what comes next, I would like to hear Elder Ye's opinion first."
Ye Linyuan was clearly pleased by Lin Mo's respectful attitude. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said to Xue Sheng,
"Xue Sheng, I accept your goodwill on Xiao Mo's behalf. But there is no need to rush."
He glanced at Lin Mo, then at Ye Lingling beside him. Though his tone was calm, it carried unquestionable authority.
"Wait another year or two. By then, both Lin Mo and Lingling will enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"But before that, the two of them still need to remain by my side for a while."
Then he deliberately let his gaze settle on Lin Mo, clear expectation within it.
"Lin Mo is no longer merely an apprentice at the Medical Hall. He is now my formal disciple and is destined to inherit my medical skills in the future."
"Some things require time and careful polishing."
Not long after they had returned from the Soul Hunting Forest, Ye Linyuan had already spoken privately with Lin Mo and formally expressed his wish to take him as a disciple, rather than keep him as an ordinary apprentice.
Considering that his Body Martial Soul had already developed to the stage of the five viscera and six bowels, and that further research in the future would require far more medical knowledge, coupled with how well Elder Ye had treated him during this period, Lin Mo had agreed without hesitation.
Hearing Ye Linyuan's words, Xue Sheng was startled for a moment, then joy burst across his face.
Because of his past connection with Ye Linyuan, he had visited the Medical Hall many times over the years, trying to persuade Elder Ye to let Ye Lingling first enter Heaven Dou Intermediate Spirit Master Academy and later advance naturally into Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
After all, any Spirit Master academy needed outstanding young talents to support its reputation.
Unfortunately, Ye Lingling herself had never seemed interested in enrolling, and with a towering figure like Ye Linyuan behind her, Xue Sheng could not press too hard. He could only bring it up from time to time.
Now, not only had Ye Linyuan personally promised that both of them would enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the future, Lin Mo had even become Elder Ye's formal disciple.
This was an unexpected delight.
"That is wonderful!"
Xue Sheng laughed aloud.
"With Elder Ye's word, I can finally rest at ease."
After a moment's thought, he made what was obviously the most suitable arrangement.
"In that case, Lin Mo and Lingling, the two of you can simply keep your names registered here at the academy for now."
"I will preserve your student status, but you will not need to attend classes every day like ordinary students. You may remain at the Medical Hall and continue studying under Elder Ye."
"When you feel the time is right and want to formally enroll in Heaven Dou Royal Academy, come directly to me, and I will handle all the procedures for you."
This arrangement undoubtedly gave Lin Mo and Ye Lingling the greatest freedom. It allowed them to continue learning under Ye Linyuan while ensuring their future path into Heaven Dou Royal Academy remained smooth.
Lin Mo and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance, and both saw approval in the other's eyes.
Lin Mo nodded and bowed toward Xue Sheng.
"Yes. Thank you for the arrangement, Director Xue."
"Haha, good. Then it's settled."
Xue Sheng was in an excellent mood.
And just like that, the two of them had their path for the coming period decided.
.....
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