After a pleasant conversation with Su Yuntao, Old Jerry escorted Su Wen back home.
"Xiaowen, your talent is truly surprising. Haha, you're destined to become a Spirit Master!" Old Jerry's joy for Su Wen was evident.
Beaming with satisfaction, Old Jerry continued, "Both you and Xiaopang possess Soul Power. I'll do my utmost to secure spots for you at the Primary Spirit Master Academy."
He had already discussed with Su Yuntao earlier. None of the other villages sharing working student slots with New Moon Village had children with awakened Soul Power. Additionally, even Saint Soul Village lacked youngsters with awakened Soul Power this year.
"Alright, you stay home alone. I'll go check on Xiaopang. Although that child only has half-level Soul Power, he still possesses some potential. There is still hope in case he breaks through to become a Spirit Master," Old Jerry expressed wistfully.
Even if it's just a Spirit Master of the tenth level, as long as there's a Spirit Ring, one can receive subsidies from the Spirit Hall every month!
The contrast between a Spirit Master and an ordinary person is as vast as the sky and the earth.
After Old Jerry departed, Su Wen remained at home alone, immersed in the study of his Martial Spirit.
"Book Martial Spirit."
As he gazed at the dusty tome in his hand, Su Wen harbored no grievances.
His modest upbringing wasn't something he can control.
His parents had done all they could for him before their untimely death.
Yet, what path should he pursue after mastering the Book Martial Spirit?
Su Wen fixed his gaze upon his Book Martial Spirit, the question that had haunted him before the awakening resurfacing once more.
Once tinged with hopeful speculation that he might awaken an overpowered martial spirit, now he could only confront the issue head-on.
"I need strength!"
Various thoughts raced through Su Wen's mind as he started racking his brain on ways to develop his Book Martial Spirit.
And the answer soon came to surface. Heavenly Book!
Bestowing a name upon his Martial Spirit, Su Wen hoped for its gradual evolution into a real Heavenly Book.
As the dusty tome unfurled its blank pages, Su Wen activated his Soul Power, commencing the manipulation of his Martial Spirit.
Split!
A page detached from the rest of the book.
"It works!" Su Wen's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Fixating his attention on the page, he delved into its manipulation.
Although his Martial Spirit had only just awakened, Su Wen's innate talent endowed him with a control surpassing that of most Spirit Masters.
Under Su Wen's infusion of Soul Power, the page underwent alterations in size, length, width, and even thickness.
However, it still retained its essence as a page.
Yet, as Su Wen began to fold the page...
"Xiaowen!"
Old Jerry's voice pierced through the air.
Su Wen halted, opening the door to find Old Jerry and Xiaopang standing outside.
Xiaopang whose full name is Sun Xiaopang, embodied his name—fair-skinned and plump, with a simple and honest smile (Xiaopang means Little Fatty).
"Brother Xiaowen," Xiaopang greeted.
"Hi" Su Wen replied, acknowledging the greeting before turning his attention to Old Jerry.
"Both of you possess Innate Soul Power, and it would be a waste to squander your talents," Old Jerry remarked, raising his right hand and unleashing a wave of Soul Power.
Su Wen was taken aback, his eyes widening in astonishment.
'Was Old Jerry also a Spirit Master?'
"Haha, this old man too possessed Innate Soul Power, but like Xiaopang, it's only half-level Soul Power," Old Jerry disclosed, condensing Soul Power into a sweet potato in his palm. "However, I've only cultivated up to level nine, and I've never managed to break through to level ten, so I can't claim the title of a true Spirit Master."
Handing the sweet potato to Su Wen, he chuckled, "Haha, you, little guy, were also nourished by sweet potatoes under my care."
Realization struck Su Wen like lightning.
'No wonder I never felt drained before even after that intense training.'
Constantly nourishing himself and subtly enhancing the quality of his Martial Spirit and even his Innate Soul Power—how could there be no expenditure?
It dawned on Su Wen that Old Jerry's sweet potato had been a source of sustenance for him all along.
"Xiaopang, possessing Soul Power is advantageous, but with only half-level Soul Power, without working hard, you might find yourself in a situation like mine, forever stuck at level nine," Old Jerry remarked with gravity.
It was the biggest regret of his life.
"I possess a Martial Spirit of the food system, naturally making cultivation difficult. Despite having half-level Soul Power like you, your prospects of ascending to Spirit Masterhood are brighter than mine, stuck as I am at level nine."
"We have three months remaining before entering the Primary Spirit Master Academy. Within this time frame, I will personally instruct you in meditation techniques. Every moment must be maximized!"
"First and foremost, you must attempt to perceive your soul power."
Observing Su Wen immediately entering meditation, Old Jerry lapsed into silence.
He discerned the active Soul Power coursing within Su Wen's body.
"Successful in your first attempt at the meditation technique?"
Su Wen turned his gaze toward Xiaopang, whose restless legs betrayed his struggle to settle down.
"Xiaopang, find a comfortable position for yourself."
...
'The pages of the book can indeed be folded now, but the potency remains insufficient' Su Wen remarked, examining the paper sword he held, infused with Soul Power, endeavoring to alter the strength of the pages themselves.
"My Book Martial Spirit remains too fragile."
He conceded that even though he could split the pages of the Heavenly Book and fashion them into paper swords, their offensive capability remained a concern.
"I can only rely on Spirit Rings to compensate for its shortcomings."
"Xiaowen, are you still considering using the Book Martial Spirit for combat?" Old Jerry observed Su Wen manipulating the pages in his hand, sharing a sense of helplessness. "In my view, your Martial Spirit being a book is ideal for scholarly pursuits. You're astute and grasp concepts swiftly; in the future, you could excel in theory."
"Alright, Grandpa, I'll take that into consideration."
'A scholar?'
Knowledge is power. Therefore, a scholar without power is incomplete, much like an auxiliary unable to fight is an inadequate warrior.
However, to pursue knowledge, one must first find resources to study.
Prior to enrolling in school, Su Wen focused on developing his Martial Spirit to establish a groundwork for the future.
Following the awakening of his Martial Spirit, Su Wen experienced a notable enhancement in his physical fitness, prompting a gradual intensification of his training regimen.
Aware that Old Jerry's Martial Spirit took the form of a sweet potato and that he possessed level nine Soul Power, Su Wen would consume a few sweet potatoes after each workout session before continuing his training.
Though lacking the effects of Spirit Skills, sweet potatoes served as a potent energy source, facilitating improved digestion and absorption of nutrients.
For Su Wen, the outcomes were already quite satisfactory.
...
In the blink of an eye, three months had elapsed.
"Xiaowen, Xiaopang, make sure you behave yourselves properly once you're at the Spirit Master Academy," Old Jerry reiterated several times on their journey.
"We're nearing the Nuoding City Primary Spirit Master Academy," Old Jerry announced as they approached the gate. "Hello, I'm here to enroll these two youngsters in the academy."
Su Wen noticed Old Jerry discreetly slipping three copper spirit coins into the guard's palm before handing over their certificates.
"Alright, the certificates are in order. You may proceed, but parents are not permitted beyond this point."
"Xiaowen, Xiaopang, remember to apply yourselves diligently in the academy." Old Jerry reminded them once more, his unease palpable.
"Grandpa, don't worry, I'll look after Xiaopang and ensure he practices diligently."
Old Jerry placed a lot of trust in Su Wen, nodding before reluctantly departing.
"Guard, where can I find the registration office?"
Accepting the copper spirit coins, the guard, noting Su Wen's certificate clearly stated level five Innate Soul Power on it, decided to answer him.
"Do you see that building over there? The administration office is located on the second floor. Take your Spirit Hall certificate and the working student information to the headmaster's office."
"Thank you."
Su Wen pondered whether he could accomplish his envisioned goals at this Primary Spirit Master Academy.
He harbored anticipation in his heart for the future and resolved not to rush things and would slowly make his decisions as he gains more experience.