Spring passed and autumn came; a year had gone by in the blink of an eye.
After a year, Russell had grown a head taller than he was at six years old.
Though he still appeared lean, the muscles hidden beneath his school uniform held astonishing explosive power.
In the early morning, dew dripped from the blades of grass as Russell’s footsteps passed through the meadow, splattering droplets of dew onto his trouser legs.
As usual, after finishing his training, Russell went to the very back of the academy.
He removed his weighted iron vest, which landed with a thud, flattening a large patch of Blue Silver Grass.
Taking advantage of his depleted Soul Power, he seized the moment to cultivate.
This was the best time for tempering and expanding his meridians.
Over time, the resilience of his meridians and the total amount of his Soul Power had improved significantly.
Half an hour later, accompanied by a faint, bubble-like popping sound, Russell broke through to the tenth level of Soul Power.
A smile touched his lips.
He spent five minutes stabilizing his Soul Power before slowly rising to his feet.
“A year’s effort hasn’t been wasted.” No one knew how much energy Russell had expended over the past year.
To catch up with Tang San and Xiao Wu’s levels, aside from attending classes, he spent almost all his time cultivating and training.
He even ate synthesized “high-quality” food to reduce the time spent on meals and digestion.
His only form of entertainment was concocting “herbicide” and experimenting with synthesis formulas.
Exhaling a breath of stale air, he didn’t return to the dormitory.
Instead, he sat on the ground, massaging and relaxing his muscles.
Estimating the time, he put on his iron vest and headed straight for the administration office.
Knock!
Knock!
“Come in.” Director Su seemed to have just arrived and was tidying his desk.
“Director.” Russell entered the office, helped tidy the desk, and got straight to the point: “I’ve broken through to the tenth level.
I’m here to apply for a Soul Hunting Token.” “Huh?
Tenth level!” Director Su stopped and looked at Russell, carefully sensing his aura.
His expression turned to surprise—it was indeed the fluctuation of tenth-level Soul Power.
“Breaking through six levels in a year… even though the earlier levels require less Soul Power, your speed is still incredibly fast.” Director Su looked puzzled, unable to help but suspect that Russell had resorted to unorthodox methods, such as taking drugs that drain one’s potential.
However, at such close range, he could sense that Russell’s Soul Power was exceptionally stable, with no signs of being unsteady, unlike someone who had relied on external aids.
“Perhaps it’s because I’ve been working very hard.
Also, I learned the Meditation Method two months before the semester started, so my cultivation progressed a bit faster.” Russell’s expression remained unchanged as he offered his explanation.
Director Su had heard that Russell was extremely diligent but had never witnessed it firsthand.
He decided to inquire about it later.
Maintaining a calm demeanor, he said, “The token, right?
Have you found a Soul Hunting team?
If not, you can wait for the academy to organize one.” Without blinking, Russell lied effortlessly: “I’ve found one.” Director Su nodded, retrieving the token from a drawer.
“Be cautious around outsiders.
Also, this token is extremely precious.
The academy only has one, so you must not lose it.” “Thank you, Director.” Russell took the token, politely expressed his gratitude, and left the administration office.
After Russell left, Director Su stepped out of his office, intending to inquire about Russell’s situation at Dormitory Seven.
As he approached the dormitory building, he happened to run into Yu Xiaogang, who had come to find Tang San.
He put on a smile and said, “Master, here to see your disciple?
What a coincidence—I’m also here to ask about something.” Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, paused briefly as a greeting, then continued walking forward.
Director Su twitched the corner of his mouth, accustomed to Yu Xiaogang’s arrogance, and pretended nothing was wrong as he followed behind.
Tang San soon came out.
“Teacher, you were looking for me.” Yu Xiaogang glanced at Director Su, not wanting someone to overhear their conversation.
Director Su pretended not to notice Yu Xiaogang’s look and asked, “Tang San, Russell shares a dorm with you.
Does he usually train very diligently?” “Russell?” Tang San thought of that exceptionally busy figure, who shared the same Martial Soul as him, and answered truthfully: “I’d say he’s extremely diligent.
I get up at dawn every day to train, and Russell gets up around the same time.
I heard he spends all his free time during the day training.
Every time I see him, he’s either training or reading.” “So that’s how it is, no wonder…” Director Su suddenly understood.
Training so desperately was almost like taking drugs to squeeze out potential—it could easily leave hidden injuries at any time.
The difference was that it was more exhausting, and the Soul Power wouldn’t become unstable.
“Director, is there something you need from Russell?” Tang San asked curiously.
He was also very busy every day—besides training, he had to attend classes, study under Yu Xiaogang, and work at the blacksmith shop.
He believed his own level of effort was no less than Russell’s.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Director Su prepared to leave and casually mentioned before going, “Russell broke through to level ten Soul Power and came to apply for a Soul Hunting Token this morning.” “What!” Tang San’s mouth fell open in utter surprise.
Because they had the same Martial Soul, he knew Russell’s Innate Soul Power was only level four.
Yu Xiaogang stopped in his tracks, puzzled.
“What’s wrong?” After Tang San explained Russell’s situation, Yu Xiaogang fell into deep thought.
“A mutated Blue Silver Grass, level four Innate Soul Power…
interesting.” A gleam flashed in his eyes.
“Let’s go, let’s see your roommate.” Yu Xiaogang was very interested in Russell.
Someone who could endure the monotony of diligent training, and was also a Blue Silver Grass Soul Master—if guided early, he might serve as a useful comparison to assist in researching the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, paving the way for Tang San.
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San went together to look for Russell, unaware that after obtaining the token, Russell had left the academy immediately to avoid any complications and boarded a carriage heading to the Soul Hunting Forest.
The journey of four hundred li lasted until noon the next day.
Russell left the carriage station, carrying his backpack filled with bottles and jars.
His clothes had six pockets—front, back, left, and right—and emitted a pungent odor.
Arriving before the Soul Hunting Forest, many hunting teams were recruiting customers, seeking teammates, and inviting those with Soul Hunting Tokens to join.
Seeing Russell, a mere child, malicious gazes filled with curiosity, greed, and covetousness turned toward him.
Russell tensed up, gripping his small sack tightly.
The clinking of bottles and jars instantly gave him a sense of security.
Ignoring the surrounding malice, he walked up to the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest.
Presenting his token, the Spirit Hall guard confirmed it was valid and opened the iron gate over five meters high.
Russell safely entered the forest, the gate and the Spirit Hall guard cutting off the malice from behind.
Before his eyes stretched a lush forest, with a small path extending deep into the woods.
The silent atmosphere carried an unspoken sense of terror.
Russell walked forward fifty meters, opened his Synthesizer, and took out the trump card he had prepared.
A hunting bow and a quiver containing three types of arrows.
He then took out various bottles and jars from the sack, placing the lightweight ones in his pockets to conserve energy, while the rest remained in the sack tied around his waist.
Finally, Russell retrieved a crude map, marked with only a few sparse lines as landmarks.
“It’s time to move forward.
I hope the expensive information I bought isn’t wrong.” A pained expression flickered across Russell’s face.
In order to find a suitable plant-type Soul Beast, he had mortgaged and sold his only valuable possession—his house—just to purchase the relevant information from a reputable Soul Hunting team.