50 Chapter 50: Sincerity and Emotion
"Master, did you say he only has 0.5 levels of innate spirit power?" Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang beside him in surprise.
It was now the second day of his enrollment, and the two of them were on their way from the academy to the Spirit Hunting Forest, preparing for Tang San to obtain his first spirit ring and advance as a spirit master.
"Yes, I checked the information on that Su Cheng from Director Su. It's indeed 0.5 levels of innate spirit power," Yu Xiaogang replied with a stiff expression, maintaining his usual composed demeanor.
"He probably used some special means. Don't worry, after you advance, you'll be able to easily suppress him. But there's no need for that. As you continue to cultivate in the future, the gap between you and him will only widen," he reassured Tang San, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "You two are from different worlds, don't be discouraged by such trivial matters."
Tang San breathed a sigh of relief, having utmost trust in his teacher.
Tang San was inherently extremely stubborn. Once he recognized someone or something, he would steadfastly adhere to it. Since he had initially acknowledged Yu Xiaogang's uniqueness, he naturally wouldn't harbor any doubts.
Moreover, the words Yu Xiaogang just said had indeed lifted his spirits considerably.
In the past, Tang San believed he possessed a soul from another world, and within the Tang Sect, he was a rare genius in hidden weapons, having independently researched the crafting methods of top-tier hidden weapons. Naturally, he had his own pride.
Not to mention now knowing about his unique talent, his attitude towards peers was naturally condescending.
Including his battle with Xiao Wu, he didn't even use his trump card. Moreover, that girl was different to him; from the moment he first saw her, he felt a special connection.
But afterwards, being intimidated by just one look from Su Cheng was something he found hard to accept.
A forced smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's stiff face as he spoke to Tang San, "Ignore others. Your path is destined to be different from theirs."
...
Su Cheng was unaware of the conversation that took place at the entrance of the academy.
He was currently seated in meditation on the barren land behind the academy, focusing on sensing the sword intent within his sea of consciousness.
Originally, his plan was to spend these two days earning some money, then obtain a Spirit Hunting Token to advance, and finally, find a better accommodation.
However, the scene that unfolded in Dormitory Seven yesterday deepened his understanding of swordsmanship, prompting him to temporarily postpone the hunt for spirit beasts.
The Martial Soul Eternal Sword floated in his palm.
"The sword is created by humans, a tool to assist in attack, an extension of one's own strength."
The Eternal Sword spun and slashed through the air under his control, remarkably agile.
"The way of the sword is, in fact, the way of humans. Sincerity in heart, extreme in emotion, nurturing the sword with intent, moving with the heart."
The sharpness emanating from Su Cheng gradually subsided, no longer as pronounced as before.
"What is the deepest, most primal, and most enduring emotion of sentient beings? Is it love?"
Blazing flames ignited on the Eternal Sword.
"Fierce yet fleeting illusions," Su Cheng shook his head.
The flames quickly burned out, leaving only a few lingering sparks.
"Is it friendship?"
A watery blue ripple emerged on the Eternal Sword, its momentum grand as an endless river.
"No, severed bonds and parted ways, becoming strangers."
The water flow was cut off, and droplets scattered and dispersed.
"Is it hatred?"
A cold gleam appeared on the edge of the sword, like a white rainbow piercing through the sun.
"Illusions of emptiness, ultimately worn away by the passage of time."
Specks of rust began to appear on the edge of the silver-white blade, gradually corroding and extinguishing it.
"...It is fear!"
Su Cheng affirmed.
"Fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of death, fear of the unknown..."
As his words fell, there were slight changes in the sword shadows within his sea of consciousness.
The previously elusive sword intent materialized, and a thin black line appeared on the spine of the sword, piercing through the entire blade.
In that moment, the sharp aura dissipating within his sea of consciousness seemed to find a core, coalescing together instead of merely existing based on his understanding of swordsmanship.
Instantly, the pressure in Su Cheng's sea of consciousness halved.
He let out a long exhale, feeling a sense of relief.
"I must thank Xiao Wu for this."
In the simulated world, he had plateaued in the realm of swordsmanship after achieving a certain level. The entity of sword intent he had finally honed was created through spiritual infusion and painstaking refinement, day and night.
In truth, at this stage, further progress in his swordsmanship could only come through enlightenment. While regular practice and accumulation were indispensable, the key lay in that final moment of insight.
"It's time to hunt for spirit beasts and obtain additional soul rings."
...
Nuoding City Market.
A modestly dressed young man confidently entered a shop and lightly tapped on the counter, rousing the attendant who had been dozing off behind it.
"Go call for Sol."
The attendant jolted awake at the sound, looking at the young man in surprise and suspicion.
Of course, he knew who Sol was.
In fact, he was one of Sol's employees, and this shop was just a front.
Sol was one of the key figures in charge of the black market in Northeim City.
The attendant sized up Su Cheng.
Although the child before him was young and dressed plainly, his demeanor of authority and direct mention of Sol's name made him not dare to underestimate him.
After all, Sol was a powerhouse at the level of a Grand Soul Master, one of the top experts in the black market of Northeim City.
"I wonder what business you have with Boss Sol?"
"I want to discuss a business deal worth over a hundred gold soul coins with him."
Seeing the young man before him, dressed in attire that couldn't muster up even two copper coins, the attendant's eyes twitched slightly, feeling hesitant.
Su Cheng, noticing the hesitation, didn't press him further. Instead, he took out a bottle of potion from his pocket and handed it over.
"Show him this, and he'll come out to see me."
Indeed, Su Cheng's means of making money was through selling potions.
The bottle he handed over contained a potion that could significantly boost soul power burst for a short period, but with considerable side effects, and it was only effective at lower levels.
This type of potion was practical and inexpensive, yet it didn't hold much high value, making it unlikely to attract too much attention.
It was perfect for the black market.
Moreover, with his current level, even if he were to face a Great Soul Master in battle, he could still retreat unscathed.
Among low-level soul masters, the difference in combat power between different ranks wasn't too significant, making it feasible for him to hold his own without alerting others.
As for how much money he could make from selling these potions, Su Cheng didn't really care. He didn't have the time to rely on such means to earn hard-earned money. What he wanted to sell was the method of concoction.
The mention of hundreds of gold soul coins was merely a casual remark; selling a few dozen would suffice. The most crucial thing was to use this as an opportunity to acquire a hunting permit.
