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Yon Village, Tianxing Spirit Master Academy
In the spacious classroom, dozens of pairs of eyes were fixed on the platform where Lin Jin stood, speaking with authority.
"The auxiliary Spirit master is the core of any team. A team with an auxiliary Spirit master and a team without one are entirely different."
"Generally speaking, if two evenly matched teams face off, the presence of an auxiliary Spirit master can tip the scales. Even though they may not directly enhance a team's combat strength, they boost the performance of their teammates. This significantly increases the team's chance of winning."
"The odds can shift from fifty-fifty to forty-sixty—and in some cases, even result in a complete victory."
"As for the most powerful auxiliary martial spirit recognized across the continent, that title belongs to the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
Lin Jin pointed to a detailed illustration of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda on the blackboard with a wooden pointer, capturing everyone's attention.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is the only auxiliary sect among the three great sects. The sect members inherits the pagoda as its martial spirit. Each Spirit ring grants a skill that directly enhances a Spirit master's combat attributes."
"Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, is widely acknowledged as the number one auxiliary Spirit master on the continent."
"His status is equal to that of the Emperors of the two great empires, and even the Pope of the Spirit Hall treats him with respect. So, never underestimate an auxiliary Spirit master!"
Taking a sip of tea, Lin Jin glanced over the students, who were captivated. A small smile crept onto his face.
To these young minds, the vast world beyond the academy walls was full of wonder and adventure.
Tired of their repetitive daily training, what they looked forward to most were morning lectures—tales of exotic martial spirits and strange Spirit beasts opened their eyes to a wider world.
After a brief pause, Lin Jin continued: "Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is hailed as the continent's top auxiliary martial spirit, it isn't necessarily the strongest. Countless rare martial spirits exist in the world—many of which can rival or even surpass the Glazed Pagoda."
"As for why the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is still considered the best, there are two main reasons. First, its auxiliary power is indeed among the strongest. Second, its martial spirit is passed down in an orderly and stable lineage, giving rise to an exceptionally powerful clan."
"Dean! Can you tell us about other top-tier auxiliary martial spirits?"
Shen Xin, seated in the front row, raised her hand. She had always been especially interested in the role of auxiliary Spirit masters.
Meeting Shen Xin's curious gaze, Lin Jin paused for a moment before replying,
"No one knows exactly how many martial spirits exist or what forms they might take. There are no absolute definitions."
"But as far as I know, there are at least two auxiliary martial spirits that rival the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. One is the Nine-Heart Begonia! Its ability is singular—healing. Complete healing. Even if someone is on the brink of death, clinging to their last breath, they can be pulled back from the hands of Death."
"The other is the Destiny Compass. This spirit doesn't have fixed Spirit skills. Each skill varies based on the mysterious influence of fate. Although unpredictable, its Spirit skills tend to be perfectly suited to the immediate needs of the one being assisted."
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The sound of a gong echoed from outside the classroom.
Lin Jin glanced at the system time—it was just past noon. Right on cue, the gatekeeper rang the bell to signal the end of class.
Closing his book, Lin Jin announced, "Alright, that's it for this morning. Go have lunch, then rest up in your dorms."
"Goodbye, Dean!"
The students stood up in unison, bowed respectfully, and filed out of the room.
Lin Jin watched them go, a proud smile lingering on his face. It indeed was a remarkable feeling.
Outside the classroom, the midday sun blazed overhead.
July had brought the peak of summer heat. The sky was a vast, cloudless canvas, and the air shimmered under the sun's relentless rays.
"What a scorcher," Lin Jin muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Even with his cultivation, he felt the oppressive heat.
Just then, a voice called out from the school gate.
"Dean! Is this what you ordered?"
Lin Jin looked around and saw a carriage loaded with goods parked just outside the school gate.
His eyes lit up. "That's mine. Let him in."
Office
In the dean's office, Peng Fan, who had just come over from the nearby training hall, circled Lin Jin curiously.
"What are you up to, Dean?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Without turning his head, Lin Jin replied, "Making that thing you drank last time."
"Last time?" Peng Fan blinked, and then his eyes widened with excitement. His whole demeanor shifted.
Lin Jin noticed the change and gave him a side glance.
"Don't get your hopes up. It's not the same. Just a drink this time—nothing special."
"Just a drink?" Peng Fan's expression faltered, but a hint of excitement still lingered.
Even if it wasn't the same as before, he was happy to try it again.
Shen Xin, who had quietly entered behind them, gave the two a suspicious look.
"What did you give him, Dean?" she asked, her voice slightly sour.
Ah, yes—girls are always sharp when it comes to this kind of thing, no matter the age.
But Lin Jin was fully focused on what he was doing and waved her off.
"Nothing important."
Turning his head, he called out, "Mubai, is the ice ready?"
"Yeah," Dai Mubai replied from the corner.
"I filled that big wooden basin—the one you use to bathe—with ice. Used a ton of saltpeter."
"Wait, what? Why did you use my bathtub?!"
"It was the closest thing I could find."
"..."
Lin Jin's eye twitched, but he sighed and turned back to his setup. On the table in front of him were two iron buckets and a shallow iron basin. One bucket was empty, the other filled with water.
He took some baking soda from a container, dumped it into the empty bucket, and added a generous amount of lemon syrup. He didn't know exactly how it would taste, but he poured in the full bucket of water without hesitation.
The group watched him closely, curiosity written all over their faces.
After mixing, Lin Jin looked around for something to stir with.
His eyes landed on a wooden ruler. He shrugged—he wasn't sick, and it looked clean enough—then used it to stir the contents vigorously.
The others stared in varying degrees of concern and confusion.
Only Peng Fan, who had tasted Lin Jin's mysterious concoction before, seemed calm—almost reverent.
Soon, bubbles began to rise from the surface.
Lin Jin quickly placed the iron basin over the bucket to trap the foam.
"Mubai! Bury this in the ice. Make sure it's completely sealed—don't let any cold escape!"
One Hour Later
Lin Jin pulled the chilled bucket from the ice. He scooped the fizzy mixture into small bowls and handed them out to everyone.
"Drink up!" he said grandly, raising his own bowl.
Without waiting, he took a deep swig. The cold soda flowed down his throat—tingling, refreshing, and full of nostalgia.
"Ahh, that hits the spot!" he exclaimed.
Even though it wasn't on par with the refined soda-making of his past life, it still gave him that familiar sense of satisfaction.
Dai Mubai eyed the bubbling liquid suspiciously.
He looked at Lin Jin, then at his bowl, and finally exchanged a glance with the others before cautiously taking a sip.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Their faces shifted almost in unison.
"PFFT!"
Soda sprayed everywhere—right onto Lin Jin's face. The room echoed with coughs and laughter.
Peng Fan was howling with joy.