Chapter 17: Set a Small Goal First

That was a lively mouse.

Compared to ordinary mice, the size of the lively mouse was relatively large, and this one, with two complete patterns on its body signifying its age of two hundred years, was almost as big as Su Wen!

The characteristics of the lively mouse were also quite ordinary; it could store Soul Power, and the total amount of its Soul Power was considered superior among Spirit Beasts of the same cultivation level.

Such characteristics were very compatible with Old Jerry's Sweet Potato Martial Soul.

Of course, the most important thing was that Su Wen was confident in killing this lively mouse.

If it were any other hundred-year Spirit Beast, Su Wen wouldn't have the confidence, but the lively mouse was different.

Especially on the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest, he could unleash his combat abilities as much as possible.

Su Wen summoned his Martial Spirit, and pages of a book had already separated, folding into small swords rotating around his body, ready to shoot out to prevent the lively mouse from escaping.

Of course, when the lively mouse saw Su Wen and Old Jerry, one child and one old man, it didn't have any thoughts of escaping. Clearly not considering them a threat.

Gripping his paper staff tightly, Su Wen charged forward.

"This kid, transforming his Martial Spirit into a tool... but there's no additional enhancement like Tool Martial Spirits..." Old Jerry observed with some concern.

However, he didn't need to worry for long.

When Su Wen struck with his staff, although he didn't repel the lively mouse, he fought it on equal footing.

"So powerful?" Old Jerry widened his eyes.

After becoming a Spirit Master, could one become this powerful just by wielding a weapon?

As for the paper swords floating and rotating around Su Wen's body, Old Jerry didn't pay attention to them.

After all, in the recent collision, these paper swords didn't play a role yet.

Soul Power circulated within Su Wen's body.

There were many meridians in the human body, but relying on his own talent, Su Wen didn't need to rely on Soul Power to explore the positions and pathways of the meridians bit by bit.

He could efficiently explore the flow of Soul Power through each meridian, the speed, and effectiveness of the flow through specific circuits.

Apart from summarizing a complete cycle for Internal Strength, Su Wen also discovered some pathways for Soul Power circulation. Coupled with specific attacks, this could allow him to unleash more powerful forces.

The strengthening of the body's intensity by Soul Power, erupting with greater force, this is the augmentation the Soul Power could grant.

As Soul Power flows within the meridians and interacts with the body's movements, it enhances the force behind the Spirit Master's attacks, resulting in an additional layer of force.

Coupled with Su Wen's own practiced staff techniques, almost every move he makes maximizes the coordination of his entire body's strength, unleashing the strongest force.

With various factors combined, the force Su Wen erupts with is unmatched by ordinary Spirit Masters.

Of course, the fundamental physical qualities of a Spirit Master are still crucial, and Su Wen has never overlooked this aspect, making it a focal point of his training.

With an iron rod in hand, Su Wen's battle with the lively mouse grew increasingly intense.

"This kind of fight is exhilarating!"

Su Wen found himself quite enjoying this close-quarters combat.

Unfortunately, his Martial Spirit was a Book Martial Spirit, so he was destined not to continue down this path indefinitely.

That would be irrational.

The paper swords swirling around him continued to stab at the lively mouse during Su Wen's battle, leaving behind a series of wounds.

In close combat, coupled with the damage from these paper swords, Su Wen clearly had the upper hand.

"This..."

Watching Su Wen battle the lively mouse while simultaneously controlling over a dozen small paper swords to attack, Old Jerry was already dumbfounded.

'Wasn't Xiaowen's Martial Spirit a Book Martial Spirit?'

'Moreover, how is he able to control so many paper swords simultaneously?'

'And, you're engaging in close combat with a hundred-year Spirit Beast, aren't you afraid of leaving yourself vulnerable to exploitation by the opponent in a moment of carelessness?'

The more Su Wen fought, the more excited he became.

Such battles were truly exhilarating, making one's blood boil.

"My Spiritual Power is much higher than that of an ordinary Spirit Master."

After ascending to the rank of Spirit Master, Su Wen's Martial Spirit developed new characteristics, and he confirmed that his Martial Spirit had innate talent in the Spiritual aspect.

As a transmigrator with powerful Spiritual Power and Martial Spirit bonuses, his Spiritual Power grew rapidly as his body developed.

With the development of his body and the cultivation of Soul Power, a Spirit Master's Spiritual Power would also be enhanced to a certain extent.

Su Wen's transmigrated self came with powerful Spiritual Power, and with the feedback from the development of his body and the cultivation of Soul Power, this already formidable Spiritual Power increased even more rapidly.

Coupled with his deliberate training, constantly refining his control over a large number of paper swords for practice, the advancement of his Spiritual Power was very rapid.

The lively mouse felt that the kid in front of him was too eerie.

It wanted to run.

Unfortunately, Su Wen's paper swords, shot from a distance, always managed to hinder its escape.

"Grandpa, you have to personally end its life to absorb the Spirit Ring."

The lively mouse had been tormented by Su Wen until it was gasping for breath.

It wanted to commit suicide, but Su Wen happened to be well aware of the lively mouse's suicidal tendencies and cut off that possibility with the paper swords.

Old Jerry took the dagger from Su Wen's hand and thrust it into the lively mouse's exposed chest.

A yellow Spirit Ring slowly rose.

"Grandpa, quickly absorb it," Su Wen reminded.

Old Jerry took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and began to draw in the Spirit Ring as Su Wen instructed.

"My strength is already comparable to many Spirit Grand Masters, but it's still not enough."

While remaining vigilant, Su Wen also reflected on himself.

"The tactic of paper swords becomes ineffective after reaching the Spirit King stage, only useful for my early battles. Even at the Spirit Elder stage, I should try to develop new tactics."

Spiritual Power, this is another path Su Wen can think of to temporarily stay ahead of others.

With enhancement in this aspect, he wouldn't have to worry about his own strength at the Spirit Grand Master stage.

As for the Spirit Elder stage, he could consider shifting towards the direction of demonic books. With his foundation, he wouldn't have to worry about lacking strength.

"No matter what, I must rapidly improve my strength. Soul Power cultivation cannot be neglected, nor can my combat power."

Already two years younger than Tang San, due to the gap in innate Martial Spirit, Su Wen wasted more than two years' time, lagging behind Tang San by a considerable margin in becoming a Spirit Master.

However, relying on his intellect, relying on research into theory, and converting knowledge into power, Su Wen quickly closed this gap and reached level twenty simultaneously with Tang San.

"Tang Hao must be killed, and I must do it myself. My strength cannot be weaker than Tang San's!"

Even if Tang Hao is covertly eliminated, after seeking revenge, Su Wen must have the ability to withstand Tang San's retaliation.

Therefore, he must not fall behind Tang San.

"Not only can I not fall behind, but I'm also already two years older than him."

For now, Su Wen hasn't relied on actions or plans with Spirit Hall to hunt down Tang San.

Firstly, disregarding his source of intelligence and feasibility, simply whether his goal can be achieved remains a question.

Does Bibi Dong want to kill Tang Hao?

Is Tang Hao truly at the end of his rope?

In the original work, they managed to hold on until seventy, eighty, or even ninety years later. At this stage, Tang Hao definitely still possesses the potential to unleash formidable strength.

Revealing this information to Spirit Hall would only lead to a stalemate. In other words, Tang Hao would be evading everywhere while Spirit Hall would be chasing after him.

The tense situation on the continent could easily escalate with just a small spark.

How can Su Wen continue to develop steadily if that happens?

Stability is the key.

The original storyline is Su Wen's greatest confidence.

"What if the original plot is altered, and Tang San goes to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well earlier than in the original?"

Without the Immortal Grass, if Su Wen wants to change his destiny, he can only constantly consider his talents and strive for it at every moment.

This approach is too time-consuming.

Before obtaining the Immortal Grass, everything should follow the original storyline.

"Let's set a small goal first, in Soul Power cultivation, to close the two-year gap!"

Reaching level twenty while simultaneously being two years older than you?

That won't do.

"Spirit King, let's temporarily set the goal at the Spirit King stage."

I want to become a Spirit King two years earlier than Tang San!

And this actually means that Su Wen must become a Spirit King before the Spirit Master Tournament.

In six years, from level twenty to level fifty in cultivation, Su Wen might seem crazy if others heard his goal.

"Knowledge is power, so I need to quickly find knowledge that can be swiftly transformed into Soul Power cultivation speed!"

---

If you want to read 20 chapters ahead, check out patreon.com/JohanLt