Semi-Automatic Pistol

"Lan Si, say that again," Director Su stared at Lan Si, full of disbelief.

Lan Si had awakened his martial spirit three months ago with an innate soul power of level five. By the time he enrolled in school, his soul power had reached level nine.

Gaining four levels in the soul master stage in just three months, averaging less than one level per month, almost placed him among the ranks of the most talented geniuses.

Typically, those with this kind of talent would have innate soul power at level eight, nine, or even ten, meaning they wouldn't need to increase their soul power so much at the soul master stage.

But Lan Si was different. He had broken through the first bottleneck of soul masters and reached level ten, starting from level nine. What did this signify? As long as Lan Si now obtained a soul ring, he could become a full-fledged soul master.

And his age? Six years and three months.

A six-year-old soul master—that was comparable to geniuses with innate soul power at level nine or even full soul power.

"I've broken through to level ten," Lan Si said calmly.

"Good, good, good." Director Su repeated "good" three times. He hadn't expected that today Nuoding Academy would welcome three geniuses: first, two with full innate soul power, and now Lan Si, whose mutated martial spirit made him no less than those with full innate power.

"Director Su, could you arrange a time for me to go to the Soul Hunting Forest to get my first soul ring?" Lan Si asked.

"Well…" A trace of difficulty flashed across Director Su's face. "Lan Si, could you wait a little? The teachers are busy with the new students these days. Three days," he said, holding up three fingers. "In three days at most, I'll organize a group to take you to hunt for a soul ring."

"That's fine." Three days it was. If that didn't work, Lan Si thought he might have to ask Su Yuntao for a token.

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, stepped forward. "Director Su, I happen to be taking my disciple to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow. Why don't I take him along?"

Hearing this, both Lan Si and Director Su turned to look at Yu Xiaogang.

"Master, wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate? The Soul Hunting Forest is dangerous, and you're taking two children…" Director Su tried to be tactful. He already felt uneasy that Yu Xiaogang had convinced one genius with full innate soul power. He didn't want to see a second good seedling fall victim to Yu Xiaogang's unrealistic theories.

"Don't worry. I won't take them deep into the forest. We'll just search the outskirts for suitable soul beasts," Yu Xiaogang said confidently, missing the underlying concern in Director Su's words.

From their conversation, Yu Xiaogang had learned that Lan Si had reached level ten. This astonishing training speed grabbed Yu Xiaogang's attention again, making him think Lan Si might have hidden his true innate soul power or that there had been a mistake with the Soul Hall's testing crystal. Otherwise, how could someone go from level five to level ten in just a few months?

To Yu Xiaogang, Lan Si's innate soul power was at least level eight, possibly even nine.

This was enough to capture the interest of a theoretical master like him.

Hearing Yu Xiaogang's offer, Director Su didn't want to cause a conflict. After all, Yu Xiaogang was a friend of the headmaster. He glanced at Lan Si, signaling with a blink not to agree, and then asked, "Lan Si, would you like to go with Master to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow, or wait three days for me to take you?"

"I'm fine either way," Lan Si shrugged. To him, getting the soul ring as soon as possible was best, and he already had a plan for the type of soul ring he wanted.

"This…" Director Su was at a loss for words.

"In that case, Lan Si, you'll come with me tomorrow to get your soul ring. After dinner, come to my place to get acquainted so we can meet easily tomorrow," Yu Xiaogang grinned, looking like a smug battle god.

"Thank you, Master," Lan Si smiled innocently, though all he needed from Yu Xiaogang was his token. Once they got to the forest, he had his own ideas.

Seeing the conversation, Director Su could only sigh in resignation, silently hoping Lan Si wouldn't suffer under Yu Xiaogang's care.

With Lan Si agreeing, Yu Xiaogang was in a great mood. He sat next to Lan Si and ate with Director Su, chatting happily.

After Director Su finished his meal and left, Lan Si and Yu Xiaogang finished their dinner and headed downstairs.

"Teacher, what's going on?" Tang San, who had been waiting outside, approached them.

"Oh, Lan Si's soul power has also reached level ten. I'll be taking him with us to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow to get his soul ring," Yu Xiaogang explained with a smile.

"Level ten?" Tang San was surprised. Like him, Lan Si had awakened his martial spirit a few months ago. Even if there was a time difference, it couldn't be by much.

Now, after three months, Tang San's soul power was still at level ten because he hadn't yet obtained a soul ring.

But Lan Si had only had level five innate soul power, and now he had reached level ten in such a short time. This mysterious cultivation speed shocked even Tang San.

"Alright, you two follow me," Yu Xiaogang said as he led them toward the dormitory building, feeling quite pleased. Two talented commoners in one day—Master Yu was on the rise.

Soon, the three arrived at Yu Xiaogang's residence, a room on the top floor of the dormitory.

The academy had assigned Lan Si a room just below Yu Xiaogang's. After confirming the location, Lan Si went back to his room, washed his clothes, and hung them to dry.

Yu Xiaogang had intended to show off his "invincible theory" to Lan Si, but Lan Si declined. After finishing his chores, he left the academy and headed to Otto's blacksmith shop.

By now, the other blacksmiths had finished their work, and only Otto was still working.

"Uncle Otto, have you had dinner?"

"Heh, already ate. How's it going, Lan Si? How are things at the academy?" Otto paused from his hammering and put the unfinished iron back into the forge.

"Everything's going well," Lan Si smiled. "Uncle Otto, did you finish the parts I asked you to make? I might need them tomorrow."

"I nearly forgot! Just finished them today—gave me quite a bit of work." Otto went to the counter and pulled out a package.

Lan Si opened it to find the parts for a semi-automatic pistol—bullet heads, casings, magazines, springs and other things he needed.

"How's that? All the parts are made of refined iron, just as you requested. Oh, and here's the tool for pressing the bullet heads and casings together," Otto said, handing Lan Si a bullet press.