"Moonlit Lotus..."
Su Yuntao muttered the name twice. Unconsciously reminded of his own Lone Wolf spirit, he was silent for a moment before continuing his praise without hesitation: "A wonderful name!"
Zhao Liuyun chuckled lightly, "I thought so too."
Though the name was neither ostentatious nor attention-grabbing, it possessed an inherent, elegant charm.
Bright as the moon, subtly fragrant, and calming to the spirit, it perfectly captured the essence of this Martial Spirit.
As the influence of the floral scent subsided, Su Yuntao's fingers unconsciously rubbed the blue crystal ball on the table. The initial excitement over the stunning flower gradually calmed down.
He pondered for a long time before slowly speaking:
"The tool spirit Lotus, with a scent that soothes the mind. Does it belong to the Support System?"
The Moonlit Lotus was actually an extremely rare Spirit System Martial Spirit in this era. Categorized by its developmental direction, it should be classified as Control System or Power Attack System.
But Zhao Liuyun naturally didn't volunteer the information.
He just stood silently, watching Su Yuntao sink into contemplation.
Though Nuoding City was prosperous, it was, in the end, a small city, and Support System Spirit Masters were not common here.
Fortunately, Su Yuntao was a Spirit Hall Deacon, constantly in charge of Martial Spirit Awakening, and naturally had a general standard for judging various Martial Spirits.
First, one looked at the scene during the awakening; those with a grand display were usually not ordinary.
Second, one observed the external form of the Martial Spirit; powerful Martial Spirits had their own extraordinary charm, distinctly different from plain, useless spirits.
Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was just ordinary grass and wood before the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline awakened.
The same was true for "Grandmaster" Yu Xiaogang's Farting Fat Pig spirit, without the catalyzing effect of a Spirit Fusion Skill.
Of course, besides these visually observable phenomena, there was one more crucial standard—
Whether it could be used in combat.
The world of Spirit Masters ultimately respected strength.
While the Support System had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit of the Upper Three Sects as an excellent precedent, lacking self-preservation ability meant entrusting one's life to others.
Trust was hard to come by, and mutual trust was even harder. There was only one Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in the world!
Though Zhao Liuyun's "Moonlit Lotus" had a stunning form, the scent, which could only soothe emotions, would likely be insufficient to protect him for long in this complex world.
Furthermore, after absorbing a Spirit Ring, what kind of Spirit Skill could this calm-inducing Lotus yield?
Was it meant to force opponents to calm down during a fight?
This...
Su Yuntao lost himself in thought for a moment, then gently shook his head.
Seeing the change in his expression, Zhao Liuyun immediately asked nervously in a low voice: "Master Su Yuntao?"
"Is my Martial Spirit... also a waste spirit, like that little boy's Blue Silver Grass earlier?"
Was he about to pronounce the classic judgment?
"No, yours is not a waste spirit like the Blue Silver Grass," Su Yuntao immediately denied. "This fragrant aura that can soothe the mind certainly has its unique qualities..."
He paused. Beyond its pleasant appearance, he couldn't think of a concrete way to describe its effect.
"Let's test the spirit power first."
If the spirit power was outstanding enough, based on the Martial Spirit's appearance alone, even as a Support System Spirit Master, it would be worth the Spirit Hall's careful cultivation.
Of course, the prerequisite was to first join the Spirit Hall.
Su Yuntao gently instructed:
"Concentrate your mind and retract your Martial Spirit. In the future, you will summon it in the same way..."
Seeing Zhao Liuyun retract the Martial Spirit on his first try, his eyelid twitched slightly, and he silently sighed with regret.
To be able to control his Martial Spirit so skillfully immediately after awakening showed extraordinary talent.
What a pity... it was a Support System.
After a brief pause, Su Yuntao, harboring a somewhat unrealistic expectation, gestured toward the crystal ball on the desk: "Place your hand on it."
[Spirit Power: Level Five (1328/1500)]
The panel clearly displayed Zhao Liuyun's spirit power.
However, to enter the academy as a work-study student, a certification document from the Spirit Hall was still required, making this process unavoidable.
The spirit power test was quick, and the result was not unexpected by Zhao Liuyun.
"Level Five spirit power. Not Innate Full Spirit Power..." Su Yuntao's tone could not hide his disappointment. As expected, his expectations had been too high.
Such a stunning Martial Spirit, yet its spirit power couldn't replicate the Level Ten spirit power of that unforgettable waste spirit, the Blue Silver Grass...
Even if not Innate Full Spirit Power, Level Seven or Eight would have been good!
Only Level Five felt a bit like "golden appearance, rotten core."
Nevertheless, Level Five spirit power was much better than his own back in the day.
Su Yuntao suppressed a hint of regret and looked seriously at Zhao Liuyun:
"It's difficult for Support System Spirit Masters to grow alone. Are you willing to join the Spirit Hall?"
Level Five spirit power and an outstanding Martial Spirit appearance—recruiting him into the Spirit Hall would be a small merit.
"I, I... I don't know much about the Spirit Hall yet. I want... I want to enter a Spirit Master Academy to study first."
Zhao Liuyun spoke with a slight hesitation, his voice sounding a little reserved.
He clearly heard the words "Innate Full Spirit Power" from Su Yuntao.
It was Tang San, it could only be Tang San!
"No problem, the Spirit Hall welcomes the joining of every Spirit Master," Su Yuntao responded with a smile, his expression calm and showing no displeasure at the refusal.
It was true; he wasn't an Innate Full Spirit Power prodigy, nor a genius with a powerful Martial Spirit or Level Eight or Nine spirit power.
It was just Level Five spirit power, and for a Support System at that. The Spirit Hall wouldn't be demanding.
Seeing that Su Yuntao's expression remained peaceful, Zhao Liuyun secretly clutched the corner of his clothing, deliberately putting on a nervous and uneasy demeanor, his gaze timidly looking up at him.
"Master Su Yuntao, I'm just a small apprentice at a medical clinic, I don't have much money. I heard, I heard..."
"Don't be nervous," Su Yuntao's tone was generous and soothing.
"I heard that work-study students... don't have to pay for schooling..."
Zhao Liuyun lowered his head, his voice light and soft, shyly stating his purpose.
After awakening the Moonlit Lotus, a Spirit System Martial Spirit, and combining it with his hypnotist profession, and then linking "Innate Full Spirit Power" to Tang San, his thoughts raced, and a vague notion quietly formed in his mind.
Work-study students uniformly lived in large dormitories. He had to find a way to become roommates with Tang San!
The work-study system was not just a courtesy for small villages but a form of support from the Spirit Hall, as the sacred land of Spirit Masters, to low-level Spirit Masters.
There were also work-study quotas in the city, though they usually weren't greatly utilized. But Zhao Liuyun knew that the authority to issue them rested with the city's Spirit Hall Sub-Branch—
Right in Su Yuntao's hands!
Of course, what he would do after becoming a work-study student was another matter.
Tang San was indeed a treasure, but Tang Hao was protecting his beloved son, a dangerous factor that had to be considered.
If the situation became unfeasible, Zhao Liuyun wouldn't force it.
"Work-study student..."
Su Yuntao was suddenly enlightened. His gaze swept over Zhao Liuyun's faded, washed-out old clothes, then landed on his thin but clean face.
Recalling the Innate Level Five spirit power, he couldn't help but entertain the thought of making a small investment.
In any case, it didn't affect his own interests, and the empty quotas in the Spirit Hall Sub-Branch would be wasted if unused.
The courage for this child to actively ask a Spirit Grand Master for a favor was not something ordinary youths possessed.
If he truly made a name for himself in the future and still remembered this small kindness today, it would truly be a profitable investment.
"Alright, hand over your identity proof. I'll process it for you now." Su Yuntao ruffled his hair.
This time, Zhao Liuyun did not flinch but respectfully handed over the identity proof he had already prepared.
Once Su Yuntao withdrew his hand, he immediately bowed, sincerely saying:
"Master Su, you are a kind Spirit Master. I will definitely work hard to cultivate and become a powerful Spirit Master as soon as possible to repay your kindness."
"It's nothing worth calling kindness," Su Yuntao just smiled and shook his head at the remark.
"Cultivation is your own business. If you genuinely become a powerful Spirit Master in the future, it will be enough if you just remember this small Spirit Master."
Neatly filling out the work-study certificate, Su Yuntao, with a touch of expectant investment, lightly but seriously instructed:
"The world is treacherous, and hearts are unpredictable. Support System Spirit Masters naturally lack the ability to protect themselves, so remember to be careful in everything and protect yourself well."
"After you leave the academy, if you plan to join a faction, don't forget the Spirit Hall."
"Understood!" Zhao Liuyun looked up to meet his gaze, then nodded heavily. "Master Su Yuntao, I won't forget!"
Carrying the precious work-study certificate, he turned and walked out.
Before leaving the door, he heard Su Yuntao call out:
"If you encounter difficulties in the future, remember—the doors of the Spirit Hall are always open to Spirit Masters!"
"I remember! Goodbye, Master Su Yuntao!"
Zhao Liuyun vigorously waved his hand at him, a brilliant smile blossoming on his face.
He smiled for the Martial Spirit Awakening, and he smiled even more for the changes on his panel.
This trip was full of rewards.