Chapter 45: He Struck First!

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Soul Masters with extreme attributes have particularly dense soul power as a result of their training.

This is also why cultivating an extreme martial soul tends to be a slow process.

The life attribute is no exception, but it functions slightly differently.

Life attributes naturally increase the quantity of soul power. At the same level, soul masters with this attribute possess much greater soul power.

In Su Yu's case, his extreme life attribute grants him double the amount of soul power compared to an average soul master!

However, this enhancement comes with a matching cultivation speed, so it doesn't significantly affect his rate of progress.

After a night of cultivation, Su Yu had a clearer understanding of his situation.

Indeed, his cultivation speed was slower.

"Even with resource support, I might only gain two levels a year."

Yet Su Yu wasn't concerned.

If cultivation is slow, he simply needs to find a solution.

As a thoughtful soul master, he wouldn't complain about the difficulties of cultivation. Instead, he preferred to find ways to overcome them.

Su Yu's consciousness entered his Sea of Spirits, gazing at the runes being outlined by the mix of spiritual energy and violet qi above.

A sword!

A sword!

"While the feeling is still fresh, I need to finish drawing the sword rune."

Su Yu hastened to solidify the sword rune while organizing his thoughts.

"Spiritual energy forming runes can produce unique effects. If it can be used for spiritual cultivation, it should also work for soul power cultivation."

If spiritual runes can refine spiritual energy, why not soul power?

If not, the rune is simply incomplete.

Then I'll keep adding to the design!

The potential of spiritual runes shouldn't be limited.

In addition to enhancing spiritual attacks, the sword rune should also help Su Yu temper both his spiritual and soul power.

Each rune should serve more than just one purpose.

"Old Yi, do you have any methods for cultivating spiritual energy?"

Although Su Yu had developed his own method using runes, Old Yi was a master, and his approach to cultivating spiritual energy was undoubtedly more advanced.

"Your rune method is excellent. I can sense its potential. If you keep refining it, it could have a very high ceiling. I suggest you continue perfecting it.

As for my method of spiritual cultivation, I can teach you, but it's a meditation technique."

Meditation?

Listening to Old Yi's explanation, Su Yu gained an understanding of this meditation method.

Unlike the meditation techniques used on Douluo Continent, Old Yi's version was true meditation—emptying the mind to sense the energy particles in the surrounding environment.

Through this process, one tries to merge with the world and adjust their spiritual energy structure, thus improving their spiritual strength.

"Meditation is secondary. Magic will actually benefit you the most, especially in perfecting your rune method."

Old Yi's words excited Su Yu.

Magic?

"The magic structures I know are not entirely compatible with the rules of this world, so I need to modify them a bit.

Once I've adjusted them, I'll teach you."

"Thank you, Old Yi!"

"No need for thanks."

Old Yi's voice faded, and when Su Yu called out to him a few more times, there was no response.

"Looks like he's busy modifying the magic."

Su Yu continued cultivating for another three hours.

In one go, he completed the sword rune.

"Boss, you're living the high life!"

Just as Su Yu finished his cultivation, Qian Buduo returned to the dormitory, bringing food for him.

As soon as he entered, Qian Buduo couldn't help but ask Su Yu what had happened recently.

It seemed like this meal cost at least a hundred gold soul coins!

"Oh, nothing much. I just gained an extreme attribute after absorbing my latest soul ring."

"Boss, what did you just say?"

"Extreme attribute…" Qian Buduo muttered to himself.

Even Shrek Academy doesn't currently have anyone with an extreme attribute.

Qian Buduo felt conflicted.

This was too impulsive.

It could lead to exposure.

But still, an extreme attribute!

In the end, Qian Buduo decided to speak up.

"Boss, I've heard that cultivating with an extreme attribute is extremely slow. Aside from Shrek, no one has ever managed to fully develop one."

"So?"

Su Yu glanced at the chubby man while eating the soul beast meat, rich in soul power, and casually asked back.

"So, for your future, have you considered Shrek Academy?"

Blatantly trying to recruit me now, huh?

Well, if that's how it's going to be, I won't hold back either.

You're digging for talent from me, so is it too much if I dig right back?

"Fatty, you're with Shrek, aren't you?" Su Yu asked calmly.

"Forget it, you don't need to deny it. I've had my suspicions for a while." Su Yu looked at Qian Buduo, his expression serene.

Qian Buduo's heart skipped a beat.

From the sound of it, he's suspected me for quite some time.

Su Yu stood up and walked over to Qian Buduo, slapping the chubby man back into his seat just as he was about to rise.

Qian Buduo looked hopeless.

There was no fighting back!

Too strong—way stronger than he imagined.

"Fatty, how much is Shrek paying you?"

"Boss, that's impossible. My uncle is the vice dean of Shrek's Soul Tool Department," Qian Buduo shook his head, rejecting Su Yu's unspoken recruitment attempt.

Su Yu had suspected some connection between them just from the name, but there are many people with the surname Qian, and no matter how much he reviewed the original story or gathered intelligence, all the information said that Qian Duoduo had been single for years.

Where did this son come from?

Su Yu placed both hands on Qian Buduo's shoulders and sighed in disappointment.

"Fatty, there's something I don't understand. Why do you think the Sun Moon Empire and Shrek Academy are on opposite sides?"

"???"

Qian Buduo, who had just calmed down, was suddenly bewildered by Su Yu's question.

His instinct was to say, "Isn't that common knowledge?" but upon further reflection, he realized something was off.

Right… why is Shrek considered an enemy of the Sun Moon Empire?

"Shrek claims to be neutral, so why are its students so resistant to the Sun Moon Empire?" Su Yu asked again.

Qian Buduo was silent for a long time, thinking about the relationship between the two sides.

"Because the Sun Moon Empire is an outsider? An invader?" Su Yu continued.

Once again, Qian Buduo was speechless.

That was exactly what he was about to say.

But since Su Yu beat him to it, what was there left for him to say?

"What does Shrek Academy actually stand for? Or rather, what's your philosophy?"

"Does being neutral mean intervening in wars between empires?"

At this point, Qian Buduo stayed silent, not offering any answers.

"Should an academy really be involving itself in conflicts between empires?"

"Fatty, Shrek has long since deviated from its original path, and this is only the tip of the iceberg."

"Think about it. The principles Shrek upholds, the lessons they teach you—which of them are reasonable? And of those reasonable principles, how many has Shrek actually followed through on?"

Qian Buduo didn't even have a chance to speak.

Su Yu's barrage of questions made him start doubting everything.

Could Shrek really be so flawed?

"Fatty, do you know why I'm telling you all this?"

(End of Chapter)