Master Matthew felt uneasy discussing that topic with a six-year-old. If people misunderstood him… It'd be embarrassing. So, he switched directions with a smile: "Let's go. I'll take you for your Spirit Power appraisal."
Gently, he took Suifeng's small hand and led him inside, talking about the glorious history of the Spirit Hall. Once inside, he said, "Alright, since your spirit beast can't be easily revealed, just manifest a soul ring."
Suifeng played along. He summoned his spirit power and a halo of yellow light tinged with purple swirled up around his feet. Matthew's eyes widened in shock: "A century-class soul ring… and it's over five hundred years old?"
Century soul rings were rare enough—but a first ring over five hundred years? That was unprecedented.
Normally, the human body can only withstand around 300-year rings. But Suifeng's first ring surpassed 500… perhaps 600, or even 700 years. As for 800 years—Matthew dared not imagine.
Suifeng turned dramatic, revealing a faint terrified look. In a fluid voice: "I didn't know its exact age at first. Later I discovered it was a six-hundred-year beast—by then it was too late. My soul power was near to bursting… I thought I'd die. I truly got lucky." Suifeng patted his chest, relieved.
Matthew patted his shoulder: "Don't take reckless risks next time—not everyone's that lucky."
Suifeng nodded seriously.
Matthew pulled out a crystal orb and held it to Suifeng's hand: "Now, let me read your soul power."
Suifeng placed his hand on it and infused it. The orb glowed bright yellow. Matthew, already jaded, responded in awe: "Level 15 soul power? As expected from a 600-year soul ring—the output is immense."
His mind whirling with doubt: Suifeng was gifted—but that spirit beast was hard to name openly. He deliberated but ultimately decided not to formally invite Suifeng to join the Spirit Hall. Instead, he handed him a circular badge: the back etched with his name, the front adorned with crossed thorns—indicating the soul-smiting rank. With it, every month-end Suifeng could collect one gold soul coin from Spirit Hall. Reach Great Soul Master and it becomes ten coins. Reach Soul Lord and it's a staggering one hundred per month—for life.
As Suifeng pondered whether to eventually cultivate into a Great Soul Master and live on stipends forever, he returned to the dorm. There, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Wang Sheng awaited, preparing to go eat.
"Hey, Suifeng's get's back—just in time. We're heading to the cafeteria," Wang Sheng greeted.
Suifeng smiled: "Perfect timing."
Tang San said, "Let's go together."
Xiao Wu hopped excitedly: "Stop talking—let's eat!"
In the bustling cafeteria, lines of students waited. The ground floor offered cheaper meals, while the second floor catered to the affluent. As they waited, derisive voices drifted down from above:
"There goes Wang Sheng and his poor friends."
"They'll never eat upstairs!"
"Everything we eat, they couldn't afford in a lifetime!"
Suifeng frowned—but remained silent, for three reasons:
He'd never act on impulse.
He didn't want to make a bad call.
He would be just and fair.
Also, these were local jokes—better left for Tang San, who represented their sect's rules: never provoke trouble, but if attacked, respond decisively. He wouldn't act—yet. If it got worse, Tang San would let them taste Tang Sect's hidden weapons.
Xiao Wu, however, was rattled. She glared and retorted, "Who do you think you are? Eating upstairs is no big deal!"
A student on the upper level whistled: "Oh, such a pretty loli. But she's a working student—we'll go eat now."
Xiao Wu started to reply, but Wang Sheng tugged her sleeve: "Xiao Wu, second-floor meals really are expensive—we can't afford them."
The slight insult made Xiao Wu angry. "Just because I ate a carrot that had at least an 800-year spirit ring buried inside!" she fumed. "Then killed countless spirit robbers from Great Ming and Second Ming—and had spirit rotors all over—but did they say I was broke? No!"
The insult ruined their mood—everyone but Suifeng and Tang San ate in good spirits.
As they finished, a refined middle-aged man approached them politely, greeting them, "Hello, little friends." His eyes lingered on Suifeng and Tang San.
Wang Sheng, who had been around campus for years, recognized him. "Grandmaster—hello!"
Suifeng had seen the script and knew his name. Tang San met him for the first time, puzzled. "Grandmaster?"
He nodded. "Yes. Have you finished eating?"
They nodded.
"Good. Tang San, Suifeng—do you have time? I have something to tell you."
The two exchanged glances and agreed. Following the grandmaster, they left the cafeteria.
Wang Sheng, curious, whispered: "Why would the grandmaster want to Suifeng and Tang San?"
Xiao Wu, intrigued, asked: "Who is this grandmaster?"
Wang Sheng began explaining—half an hour passed before everyone understood. Xiao Wu scoffed. "So, he's all talk."