Notting Academy, Square.
Master Ma Xinuo, dressed formally, once again stood in a familiar spot.
The crowd eagerly awaited his speech. Whenever Master Ma Xinuo stood here, it meant that Lin Feng's latest theoretical breakthrough was about to be announced.
With the foundation laid by the first three paths, almost everyone was eagerly anticipating Ma Xinuo's next words.
"Today, we gather here for one reason: the announcement of Lin Feng's fourth path.
I believe everyone is already well aware of the effects of Lin Feng's cultivation method. So, without further ado, please come forward and collect your copies. Form an orderly line, and do not cause any disturbances."
Yu Xiaogang hid his face under the brim of his hat, leaning on his cane as he shuffled forward with the bustling crowd.
"Well, if it isn't 'Grandmaster'? Here to collect the cultivation method again?
Look at you, barely alive after nearly killing yourself a few days ago.
Such recklessness."
Yu Xiaogang stammered, struggling to get his words out:
"W-what... Theoretical research is not recklessness. It's... it's exploration..."
"Hahaha..."
The square erupted in laughter.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned red with embarrassment. Under Ma Xinuo's mocking gaze, he grabbed a copy of the theoretical book from the table and fled as fast as he could.
His limping figure seemed to miraculously recover for a moment.
"Ah—"
The crowd turned to see Yu Xiaogang, who had tripped and fallen due to his haste. His injured leg twitched uncontrollably, resembling a toad that had been knocked out.
"Pfft... Hahaha!"
The square burst into laughter once more. The two gatekeepers shook their heads in disbelief.
"Grandmaster? Him? What a joke. I don't know why the dean even brought him here. He doesn't teach, and his so-called research hasn't produced anything worthwhile."
One of the gatekeepers, with a greedy and sly expression, sneered.
Yu Xiaogang, who had just gotten back up, lowered his head, his eyes filled with resentment. This gatekeeper, who had once been so afraid of him, was now joining the ignorant masses in mocking him!
The dean of the primary soul master academy watched all this unfold but remained silent.
He had initially invited Yu Xiaogang out of admiration for his supposed knowledge. Back then, he had flattered and praised him. Now, if he were to suddenly turn against him, it would make him seem unrefined and lacking in character.
Sighing inwardly, the dean decided to let Yu Xiaogang fend for himself. He wouldn't interfere.
The dean rubbed his temples, regretting his decision to bring Yu Xiaogang to the academy.
It's easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't mind playing the villain and driving them out. But with Yu Xiaogang, it felt like he would be lowering himself.
Moral people often find themselves constrained by their principles.
Of course, there's also the type of person who has their hands tied because the other party holds some leverage over them, making them hesitant and indecisive.
"Hiss—"
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, the pain from his injuries constantly gnawing at his nerves.
"Phew—"
Yu Xiaogang opened the book, hoping to find something in the fourth path.
"Why is it still focused on the upper body? The first three paths already form a simple cycle.
How can there still be room to open a path in the chest? There's already one there!
Why not go lower? Why!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice sounded almost deranged. Without the integration of soul veins into the internal organs, they only had one route.
With his "brilliant" intellect, how could Yu Xiaogang possibly understand the connection between the paths and the internal organs?
Yu Xiaogang summoned Luo Sanpao. At this moment, Luo Sanpao's hind legs were twitching uncontrollably, and from time to time, it couldn't hold back the gas building up in its body, releasing a foul stench.
Yu Xiaogang's face remained expressionless, as if he had grown accustomed to it.
Ever since he recklessly tried to explore a path by forcing his soul power through his body, things had gone downhill.
After two months of blindly channeling soul power, a crisp snap echoed through his body, and a cavity opened in his right leg.
But this cavity was abnormal. To describe it, it was as if a knot had formed in his meridians. Whenever soul power flowed through it, his leg would twitch.
It could be described as a cramp or a spasm.
And Luo Sanpao had also changed. The most obvious difference was...
Its flatulence had increased, both in volume and frequency.
In a way, Yu Xiaogang's strength had increased... though it was somewhat laughable...
"No, no, no! I'm just ahead of Lin Feng. He's still focused on researching the upper body.
Meanwhile, I've already started exploring the lower body.
I just need to wait for his theories to be published, combine them with my own research, and once I complete it, I'll far surpass him.
By then, I'll have mapped out the entire human body's paths, and I'll be the greatest theoretical master in the soul master world!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed with madness:
"I still need a disciple, someone who can prove my theories. Lin Feng and I...
No, my theories will shine brightest through him, proving to the world that my theories are unparalleled!"
If Lin Feng were here, he would likely classify Yu Xiaogang's condition as a case of "cultivation deviation." Yu Xiaogang's soul power pathways were a complete mess, yet somehow, they still functioned.
It was like a programmer writing a bug-ridden code that somehow still ran. But in the end, it was still flawed. The program might run, but when it crashes, it will be a spectacle.
Poor Tang San. After surviving the life-and-death trials under Tang Hao, it seems he's about to embark on another dark and arduous cultivation journey.
---
Aside from Yu Xiaogang, who had left early, most people remained, waiting for Master Ma Xinuo's next announcement.
As everyone knew, even movies have trailers. For something as significant as the release of the next path of the Innate Soul Evolution Art, which could win over hearts, how could the Spirit Hall not take the opportunity to say something?
"Everyone, today, in addition to the announcement of Lin Feng's latest cultivation method, the Spirit Hall has another announcement to make.
That is,
Lin Feng has officially been selected as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, commanding the Knight Order!"
"Wow—"
The crowd erupted in chatter.
"Master Ma Xinuo, what is Lin Feng's current cultivation level?!
How can the Spirit Hall's Holy Son be decided so quickly?"
"No, no, no! Lin Feng's ability to overcome the limitations of his martial soul proves his unparalleled comprehension. Even if you told me he became a Soul King at 12, I wouldn't be surprised!"
Slap—
"Are you crazy? A 12-year-old Soul Ancestor is unheard of, let alone a 12-year-old Soul King! Even Lin Feng couldn't do that. Don't forget, his innate soul power was only level one!"
"Quiet!"
Ma Xinuo clapped his hands:
"Lin Feng is now a Soul Ancestor! And he's not even 15 yet!"
"What? That's impossible!"
"No way, absolutely no way!"
Ma Xinuo chuckled:
"Everyone! As the most talented of the new generation, the Spirit Hall's Grand Worship personally sought out rare treasures for Lin Feng.
He even used his own power to nurture Lin Feng for many days.
This allowed Lin Feng to solidify his foundation. With his talent, is his current level really that surprising?!"
"Oh~~"
A bald man suddenly spoke up from the crowd:
"So, does that mean Lin Feng's cultivation is unstable?"
The implied meaning was that Lin Feng's cultivation had been artificially boosted.
The people around him looked at him as if he were an idiot:
"Idiot, the Grand Worship's efforts were to compensate for Lin Feng's innate deficiencies. After fixing those, do you think he'd let Lin Feng's cultivation become unstable?
Wasting the future of a genius soul master? What a ridiculous thought!"
The man's face flushed with shame, and he quickly disappeared into the crowd.
"Can't you handle a little criticism?
Why can't you even refute a single sentence!"
As Lin Feng's reputation grew, it was inevitable that there would be detractors. Unfortunately for them, they had chosen the wrong place to voice their opinions.
In a gathering of supporters, they were lucky not to be beaten up.
Ma Xinuo's face shone with pride:
"Now that you all know more about Holy Son Lin Feng,
let me tell you this: the title of Holy Son isn't just due to his unprecedented theoretical talent.
His cultivation talent is also the strongest of this generation!"
"Long live Holy Son Lin Feng! Long live Holy Son Lin Feng!"
When a group gathers, emotions are easily stirred. With someone leading the chant,
it didn't take long for Lin Feng's title as Holy Son to be accepted, spreading like wildfire.
---
*Spirit City, Pope's Hall.*
Qian Daoliu, Lin Feng, and Qian Renxue stood before Bibi Dong.
Qian Daoliu frowned and directly asked:
"Why was Lin Feng's title as Holy Son announced without any prior discussion?"
Indeed, the announcement of Lin Feng's title as Holy Son had been made without consulting Qian Daoliu.
Bibi Dong was clever. She had used trusted personnel to seal off the information before it was officially released.
She didn't need to announce it across the entire continent. All she needed was to spread the news in a few key locations.
Once the news was out, Lin Feng's title as Holy Son would naturally become known to the world. The effect would be the same, but it would bypass the surveillance of the Hall of Spirits.
It was similar to the saying, "Sweep away the willow catkins, and the emperor's head will fall."
This nursery rhyme spread from the Jiangnan region until it was known throughout the land.
Bibi Dong only needed to release a few rumors, and that was enough.
Bibi Dong smiled:
"The selection of the Holy Son is, after all, the responsibility of the Pope's Hall. I haven't overstepped my bounds."
Qian Daoliu's frown deepened:
"Do you understand what the title of Holy Son and Holy Maiden represents?
You were once a Holy Maiden yourself. You should know what this position signifies for the future."
Bibi Dong casually sat on her throne, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with amusement:
"Of course. Lin Feng is my chosen successor as Pope. Is there a problem with that?"
Qian Daoliu was even more puzzled. Had she truly relinquished her power? Was she willingly handing over the title of Holy Son?
Qian Renxue's expression was complex:
"But you didn't consult Xiao Feng. I don't think this was the right way to handle things."
Lin Feng shook his head:
"Your Holiness, I have no great desire for the title of Holy Son.
To be honest, I have no interest in wielding power. It's not something I enjoy."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, her tone playful:
"Oh? That's a problem. I've already released the news, and it can't be taken back.
What should we do now?"