NOVEL WEB Chapter 53: Entering the Military
Of course, everyone was quite astonished when Ling Yi managed to successfully acquire a soul ring, especially a centennial one, in just a little over ten days.
Ling Yi had always been regarded as a model of inspiration and the ideal child in the eyes of both students and teachers at the Green Leaf Elementary Spirit Master Academy.
With only half a level of innate soul power and the "Blue Silver Grass," a martial soul considered useless, alongside a background with far lower living standards than those of typical soul master families, he still managed to become a prominent figure in Wood Plant City, the capital of the Shui Mu Principality, at an elementary spirit master academy—truly extraordinary!
Besides showcasing his talent in forging and becoming the thirteenth personal disciple of Master Jin, one of the three great craftsman masters of the principality and a senior blacksmith, he also became a soul master at merely ten years old, completely overturning everyone’s preconceived notions about his innate soul power and martial soul.
Yet, given the deeply ingrained views on the "Blue Silver Grass," such perceptions remained unmovable; otherwise... well, otherwise, nothing would change.~
On the vast Douluo Continent, soul masters awaken every day, and some lucky few experience mutations in their martial souls.
Compared to those true geniuses and prodigies blessed with innate soul powers of level eight, level nine, or even innate full soul power, or possessing martial souls imbued with dragon blood, phoenix blood, or powerful attributes, someone like Ling Yi seemed hardly worth mentioning!
Even if the "Blue Silver Grass" martial soul became a soul master, what of it?
Don't say that a martial soul like "Blue Silver Grass" has never reached the level of a Soul Elder... no, even a Soul Master. Even if someone had extreme luck and became a Soul King or Soul Emperor, could they defeat a Soul Sect with souls like "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon" or "Clear Sky Hammer"?
Admittedly, there are various paths for soul masters, perhaps seven or eight different types. The "Blue Silver Grass" martial soul isn't suited for assault, agility, defense, or other combat-oriented paths, but it might still have potential in control, healing, support, or sustenance types.
However, the point remains: the quality of this martial soul is too poor. When compared to higher-quality martial souls in similar categories, the "Blue Silver Grass" stands no chance.
In terms of control types, it can't even compare to top-tier souls like the "Thunderous Hell Vine," which can rival the "Clear Sky Hammer" and "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon." Not to mention medium-tier souls like "Ghost Vine"—even lower-quality souls like "Iron Vine" or "Golden Silk Ivy" have more potential than "Blue Silver Grass."
In other aspects, for healing types, there's the continent-leading "Nine Heart Begonia" standing proudly above others. Below it, "Purple Moon Orchid," "St. Light Rose," and "Purifying White Lotus" are well-renowned, and in civilian soul master teams, souls like "Life-thread Flower" and "Bleeding Grass" are common sights.
For support types, there's the "Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda" and "Star Crown," while the sustenance type includes various grains, fruits, sugars, meats, and more.
So, Ling Yi, it seems that pursuing a career as a blacksmith, something relatively more promising, might be a better path for you.
The path of a soul master isn’t suitable for those whose fortunes rest on the "Blue Silver Grass."
Everyone who knew Ling Yi in the town of 'Mu Zhi City' shared a unanimous opinion about him.
So, when Ling Yi bid farewell to his classmates with whom he had shared a dormitory for over three years at the academy, and took leave of the teachers from whom he had learned much about martial souls and soul beasts, he arrived at the "Jin Geng Blacksmith Shop" to make a request to his master, Old Master Jin. This scene left not only Old Master Jin but also Ninth Senior Brother, who was accompanying him, utterly dumbfounded.
“What did you say—?!”
Old Master Jin, with a teapot in hand and forgetting to sip from it, looked at Ling Yi in all surprise.
At this moment, Ling Yi, having removed his "Green Leaf Junior Spirit Master Academy" uniform, donned a simple, light blue garment. A small, round metal badge adorned his chest, enhancing his upright posture and his handsome, fair face, with a unique presence that was hard to ignore.
Standing before Old Master Jin, Ling Yi slightly bowed, his tone sincere and respectful as he spoke once more, "Master, I humbly ask if you could introduce me to Master Fu Shan."
"Not that part~," Old Master Jin waved his hand and asked again, "I mean, why do you want to find Xiao Fu?"
Fu Shan, known as Master Fu, is one of the three great artisans of the Water and Wood Principality, currently serving in the principality's military logistics department. At fifty-eight years old, he is nearly two decades younger than the seventy-odd-year-old Old Master Jin Gang, and seven years older than Master Li Qiang, who serves at the royal court.
Most notably, back when Master Fu broke through the ranks to become a master blacksmith, he received guidance from Old Master Jin Gang.
Similarly, within the court, Li Qiang also benefited from the occasional advice offered by Old Master Jin Gang.
To put it another way, throughout the entire Water and Wood Principality, aside from Li Qiang's own legacy, Fu Shan has synthesized teachings from various schools, each with their own disciples. In the past forty years since Old Master Jin Gang returned from Iron City, 'Gengxin City,' his teachings and advice have impacted countless individuals, even the other two of the principality's three great artisans.
This verbal guidance over the past two decades served only to maintain relatively friendly relations, fostering camaraderie amid competition.
Neither Old Master Jin Gang himself nor Ling Yi's twelve senior brothers ever considered engaging in deeper collaboration beyond comparing weapons and armor craftsmanship with the two masters and their disciples.
Even when previously invited to the court of Duke Mu Feng for a banquet, the exchanges between Old Master Jin Gang and Master Li Qiang were limited to cordial smiles and a few casual words.
Yet, in Ling Yi's eyes, this unutilized potential amounts to a colossal waste of human resources!
Interpersonal interactions aren't about fearing debts of gratitude but about ensuring continuous engagement!
How many cordial relationships have grown distant and bland amidst mere politeness and pleasantries?
As long as you maintain the right balance, with give and take, often the more debts of gratitude, the more the bonds between both parties become intimate and strong.
Now, while Ling Yi is plotting his next steps in life, he is also making the initial exploration toward a more harmonious relationship between the lineage of Old Master Jin and the disciples of the other two great masters.
For the outside world, for the Soul Master system, and for both new and old noble groups, the three great blacksmiths and their disciples are natural allies standing on a unified front!
Ling Yi is no longer content with just being the thirteenth personal disciple under Master Jin.
Having broken through the tenth level of spiritual power and possessing his first century-old soul ring, he now desires more!
In addition, Ling Yi seeks various advantages and conveniences within the military, which he plans to capitalize on in the next phase of his endeavors.
This concerned his strength, determining whether he could experience rapid progress once more. It was about the future path—could he go further, could the road ahead be smoother?
(Chapter End)
(End of Chapter)
