Chapter 18: The Testing Incident
Instructor Huang felt that if the problem wasn’t on his end, then it had to be on Si Er’s. So perhaps Si Er was the chosen one?
He wasn’t entirely sure, but he figured a small investment wouldn’t hurt.
After all, Si Er only wanted some tea and pastries. That was easy enough to satisfy.
Very soon, Instructor Huang laid out his favorite refreshments—all specially prepared by purifiers. They were rich in spiritual energy, with only a trace amount of baleful energy. The benefits far outweighed the harm.
For more than ninety percent of people, this was already excellent food.
But for Si Er, even that tiny remnant of baleful energy was irritating.
When he picked up a pastry, light-element purification gathered at his fingertips. Without drawing attention, he thoroughly erased the most stubborn traces of baleful energy lingering inside.
He took a small bite. The taste was quite good, and he quickly finished it.
As expected, cooked food is more delicious.
Those melons are great, but I still prefer food carefully prepared by humans.
Wow, this tea is fragrant—slightly bitter at first, with an endless sweet aftertaste. It’s packed with spiritual energy and even boosts soul power a bit.
Instructor Huang is so generous. He’s really such a good person.
Instructor Huang listened with great satisfaction. His attitude toward Yu Beixuan grew even more enthusiastic.
This one was also a genius, wasn’t he? Perhaps he would bring another surprise.
The surprise came quickly—the testing device exploded again.
It was exactly like what had happened with Si Er. The red bar shot straight to the top and then—bang!
The difference was that when Si Er’s device exploded, it truly burst apart, though it hurt no one.
Yu Beixuan’s seemed like it was about to explode but was stopped in time. In the end, the device merely shattered in his hand.
“Are your hands alright, Yu Beixuan?”
Instructor Huang nervously inspected both the palm and back of Yu Beixuan’s hands. Only after confirming there were no injuries did he relax.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Yu Beixuan smiled. “No need to worry, Instructor. I’m completely fine. Should I test again?”
“Let’s wait,” Instructor Huang hurriedly said. “A higher-grade device will be delivered soon.”
“Yu Beixuan, have a seat.”
He skillfully produced another chair for Yu Beixuan and then beckoned to Si Xu.
“Si Xu, you go ahead and test first.”
Si Xu strode forward and grasped the last remaining device on the table.
Instructor Huang watched nervously, both hoping the device would remain intact and secretly hoping it would explode.
After all, if it did, it meant Black Tortoise Academy might have admitted three super geniuses this time.
Unfortunately, Si Xu did not blow up the device—but the results were still impressive.
His current strength level was nine-star Soul Master, yet his soul power had already reached the Soul Sect realm. For someone his age, that was remarkable.
On the Ten Thousand Beasts Continent, soul cultivation levels were divided into: Soul Soldier, Soul Master, Soul Lord, Soul Sect, Soul Venerable, Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Monarch, and Soul Saint.
However, reaching a rank wasn’t based on soul power alone. One’s physical strength had to keep up.
The continent’s spiritual energy was saturated with baleful energy, so humans couldn’t absorb it directly for cultivation. Their physical strength advanced alongside their contracted soul beasts.
Si Xu’s strongest soul beast was the Sky-Shrouding Eagle, currently at second rank, nine stars. Thus, he was a nine-star Soul Master and a second-rank, nine-star Soul Beast Master.
Lu Taiping’s strength was a level lower. His strongest soul beast, the Bixi Turtle, was only second rank, one star. So he was a one-star Soul Master and second-rank, one-star Soul Beast Master.
His soul power was two stars higher than that, but not by much.
Even so, Instructor Huang was delighted while recording their results.
By the time Lu Taiping finished, the higher-grade testing device had arrived.
What Instructor Huang hadn’t expected was that the delivery wasn’t made by his colleague—but by the Five Great Elders of Black Tortoise Academy.
Si Er and the others were surprised as well.
Aren’t the Five Great Elders supposed to be extremely busy? Why do these five seem so free?
There are so many junior elders and instructors at Black Tortoise Academy. Why must these five personally escort the device?
And every time, all five come together. You’d think they were escorting some priceless treasure. Ridiculous!
The Five Great Elders all heard his internal complaints, but none of them minded.
Elder Xuan Yi, leading the group, solemnly held the device with both hands and carefully placed it into Si Er’s palms, making Si Er nervous.
Why so serious? If my result is average, I’ll feel like I’ve let them down.
He held the device gently, even softening his breathing.
Fortunately, the result was astonishing.
Too astonishing.
Si Er doubted his own eyes.
The Five Great Elders doubted them too.
The device showed that Si Er’s soul power had already broken through to the Soul King level.
Soul King!
The Five Great Elders themselves were only at Soul King. This little kid’s soul power was already on par with theirs?
Wasn’t that just a bit outrageous?
Thankfully, Si Er’s actual strength level was normal: five-star Soul Lord and third-rank, five-star Soul Beast Master.
Still exaggerated compared to his peers—but at least within reason, unlike his soul power.
What the elders didn’t know was that Si Er had long consumed fruits from his spatial farm, allowing him to cultivate naturally.
Even without contracting any soul beasts, he would still be a five-star Soul Lord.
If they knew that, they might think they were still dreaming.
Seeing the elders’ expressions, Si Er slowly relaxed.
They don’t look surprised, but they don’t look disappointed either. My result should be okay, right?*
Okay? It was more than okay.
In fact, they didn’t dare record the true soul power level. If the file leaked, Si Er could be in danger.
After exchanging glances, Elder Xuan Yi recorded his soul power as seven-star Soul Lord.
It was normal for soul power to be slightly stronger than one’s cultivation rank. That was believable.
The real data would remain known only to high-level personnel.
Even Instructor Huang, who was responsible for the testing, was blocked from seeing Si Er’s actual result.
He didn’t object. How could he object to the Five Great Elders?
After Si Er came Yu Beixuan.
He too was astonishingly talented.
His soul power wasn’t as high as Si Er’s, currently at second-star Soul Venerable.
If not for Si Er’s jaw-dropping result earlier, they would have found Yu Beixuan terrifying. This was not normal soul power for someone his age.
But compared to Si Er, they were much calmer.
Yu Beixuan’s strength level was slightly higher than Si Er’s. At just seventeen, he was already a nine-star Soul Lord and third-rank, nine-star Soul Beast Master.
With a bit of opportunity, his soul beast could advance immediately, allowing him to break through to Soul Sect.
And reaching Soul Sect was enough to become a regular instructor at their academy!
At this age, most people with such strength were out adventuring, seeking resources to advance faster—not enrolling in school.
Seeing the elders’ solemn expressions, Si Er couldn’t help asking the rabbit in his arms:
Guagua, do you know Yu Beixuan’s test result?
Wow, he’s that amazing? With his current soul power, couldn’t he just contract a Soul Sect-level beast to advance quickly?
[He could—but that wouldn’t be good. Physical rank should rise gradually.]
[If someone is just one step away from breakthrough, taking such a shortcut is fine. The body can handle it.]
[But if the gap is too large…]
[For example, your initial soul power is Soul King level, but you can’t directly contract a Soul King beast. Otherwise, you might end up turning into an idiot.]
Wow, my starting soul power was already Soul King level? As expected of me!*
At this rate, I’d almost think I’m the chosen one. Too bad I’m just a small cannon fodder character.*
Everyone present was stunned.
With talent that outrageous—and he still thought he was just cannon fodder?
Then how were the rest of them supposed to survive?
