Fusion

Lin Ximeng confidently stepped forward, presenting the spirit master with a certificate marking her student's remarkable journey. "Greetings, I'm Lin Ximeng from Red Mountain College. This is my student. Starting at level 6 innate spirit power, he reached level ten in just a year. We're here to apply for a soul."

The spirit master, taken aback, scrutinized the certificate. Level 6 to 10 in a year, wielding a weapon-type martial spirit – an astonishing pace.

Impressed, the spirit master handed over a form. "Remarkable talent! You're the most gifted I've seen in Glorybound City. Fill this form, and we'll proceed with a mental test."

"Follow me." The group entered a room filled with instruments, and the spirit master directed Anping to a metal chair. "Ever wonder why we test your spiritual power, kid?"

Anping pondered for a moment before expressing, "I think it's linked to the soul fusion level. Higher mental power allows for fusing with older souls."

Impressed, the spiritual master nodded, "Smart observation, indeed. The strength of your soul determines your ability to connect with powerful spirits. With robust spiritual power, you could even attain a century-old soul. Now, let's assess how far your mental power has grown."

Taking control of the instruments, he lowered a helmet-like device connected to metal tubes onto Anping's head. "Prepare yourself; you might feel a bit dizzy. Just stay relaxed," the spiritual master reassured.

"Okay."

With Anping's acknowledgment, the spiritual master activated the instrument, creating a subtle buzzing sound. As the device hummed along, the master monitored the spirit toll screen, watching as the numbers began to dance and leap.

The readings surged rapidly, climbing from zero to almost a hundred in a brief span. The spiritual master, wide-eyed and astonished, watched as the numbers leaped, settling firmly at a perfect one hundred.

With a satisfied nod, the master powered down the instrument and lifted the helmet. "Impressive, a solid hundred points. Remarkable for someone so young to reach the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm. The next frontier is the Spirit Sea Realm. Your mental power surpasses even mine; such swift cultivation is extraordinary. Come, I'll guide you in selecting your soul."

Lin Ximeng, too, wore a look of surprise at the reported data.

"Thank you," Anping responded.

"Given your exceptional mental power, you have the privilege of choosing a century-old soul that resonates with you," the master explained.

"In Glorybound City, there are currently twelve varieties of century-old souls. If you find it challenging to decide, feel free to seek advice from me or your teacher."

As they strolled, the spiritual master detailed the characteristics of the twelve century-old souls. Eventually, the trio entered another room, noticeably smaller, adorned with compact instruments – each designed to house souls.

In the midst of these options, Anping found himself torn, his gaze flickering between the souls. Attempting to discern, he instinctively extended his mental power, only to be thwarted by the instruments' protective barriers.

Undeterred by the lack of information, Anping felt a subtle tug when his mental power brushed over one particular instrument.

Approaching it, he turned to the spiritual master and pointed at the soul encased within. "Can I choose this one?"

The spiritual master, nodding, directed his attention to the instrument. "Certainly. Given your weapon-type martial spirit, there won't be any rejection. This soul belongs to a crow, devoid of special attributes."

"As you've applied for a complimentary soul, and it's a century-old one, you can't take it with you. Absorption must occur here."

As Anping nodded in agreement, the spiritual master opened the instrument, carefully extracting the soul ball within.

"Follow me; let's proceed with the soul absorption," he said, handing the soul ball to Anping. The trio halted at the entrance of a designated room for spirit masters to absorb souls.

Aware that lessons on soul absorption were yet to be taught, Lin Ximeng briefly instructed Anping, with occasional additions from the spiritual master.

"Got it. Thank you, Teacher Lin. Thank you, Master Spirit Master," Anping expressed his gratitude.

The spiritual master gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You're a sensible one. Let's step inside."

Entering the room, a hushed ambiance prevailed, the space designed to shield the soul absorption process from external disturbances. Seated in a cross-legged position, Anping invoked his martial spirit, then opened the soul ball, releasing a faintly ethereal white bird.

Driven by instinct, the small bird sensed Anping's martial spirit and performed a few graceful loops around him before diving into the confines of the soul ball.

As the soul integrated, the book's cover emitted a gentle glow, and delicate white patterns gradually unfolded along its edges, as though an invisible artist sketched them with a pen.

Anping, absorbing a soul for the first time, wondered if others experienced it similarly but decided not to dwell on it.

Upon completing the intricate pattern, a golden spirit ring slowly materialized.

"That was too easy. It feels almost unreal," he murmured, shaking off his thoughts, rising, and stepping out of the room.

Noticing Anping's swift return, Lin Ximeng inquired, "Anything noteworthy, Little Anping?"

Caught off guard by their attentive gazes, Anping confessed with a hint of embarrassment, "Um... I finished absorbing it."

"So quickly!" Lin Ximeng and the spiritual master exclaimed in unison.

Anping substantiated his success by summoning his martial spirit, causing a yellow spirit ring to materialize. Seeing this, the two observers acknowledged that everything proceeded smoothly, attributing it to Anping's formidable mental power.

Following the spiritual master to the hall for documentation, Lin Ximeng accompanied Anping out of the Spirit Pagoda.

A low growl emanated from Anping's stomach, accompanied by a discordant sound. Observing him rubbing his belly, Lin Ximeng chuckled, "Hungry, huh? It's quite late now. Let me treat you to something to eat."

Taking Anping for lunch, Lin Ximeng shared parting advice. Despite acquiring the soul, Anping, devoid of any particular emotions, hurried home without delay.