"Entering Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?" Salas frowned, staring at Su Wen with a flicker in his eyes. Knowing many truths, he could analyze the benefits of Su Wen going to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy from a global perspective.
'However, Su Wen shouldn't be aware of them. Why did he want to go Heaven Dou Imperial Academy then?'
"Why go to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? The training in my Spirit Hall won't be inferior to theirs."
Other advanced Spirit Master Academies might be acceptable, but Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was a nest of nobles. To put it bluntly, it was a spoiled place, and their performance in the Spirit Master Tournament has always been lackluster.
Of course, the academies where noble children were enrolled did have the best facilities, but the rewards in terms of resources wouldn't be much because many nobles brought their own resources.
In summary, given Su Wen's current situation, it doesn't make sense for him to enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy without any clear reasons.
"Hall Master, the highest-ranked book-type Martial Spirit practitioner on the continent, Xiao Zhan, is teaching at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy," Su Wen had long prepared the answer.
"Fire Demon Xiao Zhan?" Salas' brow loosened and then tightened again. "Are you still intent on pursuing the path of a combat Spirit Master?"
"Yes," Su Wen did not hesitate, stating firmly, "In this world, strength is ultimately revered, and power is fundamental."
Strength is the essence of everything.
Without strength, no matter how much theory one grasps, it's just empty talk.
No one will take you seriously.
"Well said!" Salas showed a hint of admiration, but it quickly disappeared. He then stared at Su Wen once again and asked, "Are you really sure? Do you know how great is your innate talent in theoretical research?"
The eleven-year-old boy proposed the meridian theory, suggested the idea of absorbing Spirit Rings beyond one's level, and personally conducted verification.
In terms of both confidence and ideas, he is well-suited for the theoretical path.
"Do you know the Grandmaster?" Salas asked.
Su Wen nodded.
At that time, he had even attempted to become Grandmaster's disciple while at the Primary Spirit Master Academy, only to be rejected.
"Well, don't let him influence you," Salas chose his words carefully. "Grandmaster has a decent reputation among ordinary Spirit Masters, but Spirit Masters of Spirit Ancestor level and above generally look down on him."
Salas thought that Su Wen might be influenced by Grandmaster's current situation, thinking that those who focus on theory would be looked down upon.
"The status of theoretical scholars is not low in the eyes of high-level Spirit Masters. The Grandmaster's success is more of a fluke."
The top ten core competencies of Martial Spirits publicly announced are mostly borrowed from others, lacking genuine knowledge synthesized independently. The theories put forth also fail to address the challenges in the development of Spirit Masters.
"High-level Spirit Masters don't need those things of his because those who can cultivate to Spirit King and above, even if they explore cultivation on their own and add three to five friends views, can basically summarize this set of principles. Grandmaster's theories are of no use to them; naturally, no one will admire him.
On the other hand, those who are truly engaged in theoretical work and can benefit high-level Spirit Masters in some aspects are always respected, just like your theory of absorbing Spirit Rings beyond your level. Even if high-level Spirit Masters themselves can't use it, your theory can prepare future generations."
Su Wen blinked, feeling a bit amused. He could sense that Salas seemed to have a low opinion of Grandmaster. It was quite evident that he was being critical.
Listening to Salas complain about Grandmaster, Su Wen felt strangely satisfied.
"Hall Master, rest assured. Everything I have now comes from my understanding of knowledge. Knowledge is power, and in my pursuit of strength, I will undoubtedly focus on researching theories and then transforming those theories into power."
Su Wen quickly clarified that he wouldn't waste his innate talent for theoretical research in his pursuit of strength.
"I aim for strength, but my path to achieving strength involves on my research talent."
Upon hearing this, Salas's expression indeed softened considerably.
To be honest, Su Wen's theory of absorbing Spirit Rings beyond one's level would be beneficial for the majority of powerhouses within Spirit Hall, especially those who are Spirit Saint level and above.
After all, who doesn't have descendants?
And who wouldn't want their descendants to possess extraordinary talents?
Providing the best Spirit Ring combinations for their children is already the most they can do, but as the time limit approaches, it becomes increasingly challenging to widen the gap in the optimal Spirit Ring combinations.
Some parents who dote on their children may even feel that the environment they provide for their second generation is not good enough. Now, with the emergence of the direction of absorbing Spirit Rings beyond one's level, there will undoubtedly be a group of powerful individuals with abundant resources willing to invest them in their own children. Even if it doesn't reach the level of a thousand-year-old second ring, at least a nine-hundred-year-old second ring can certainly be secured.
Salas is pleased with Su Wen's proposal to enter Heaven Dou Imperial Academy after knowing his reasons. This means that Su Wen will transition under his leadership, becoming his direct line. Now, with Su Wen's commitment to not abandoning theoretical research, Salas is genuinely satisfied.
As for whether Su Wen can truly stay in Heaven Dou City, obtain the Supreme Pontiff's approval, and join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Salas, who knows many backstage dealings, confidently says—no problem! Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is under the influence of the Crown Prince, so having Su Wen join and then having the Crown Prince influence him will undoubtedly be a significant boost for the Crown Prince.
This is almost a foregone conclusion.
'The fortunate lad, I wonder if he'll be astonished when he learns these truths' Salas thought.
"I will truthfully report your application to the Supreme Pontiff. The specific arrangements will depend on the decision of the Sacred Temple," Salas stated.
"Thank you, Hall Master," Su Wen expressed his gratitude.
"Fire Demon Xiao Zhan has indeed achieved the highest level in the cultivation of Book Martial Spirits in the combat category. In fact, he is also a member of my Saint Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City and has close ties with Bai Yuan, a scholar of Saint Spirit Hall specializing in Book Martial Spirits. Bai Yuan is also a theoretical scholar, using his Book Martial Spirit for utility purposes to assist in his theoretical research. I will introduce you to him later," Salas explained.
"Thank you, Hall Master," Su Wen replied.
...
As he promised, Salas introduced Su Wen to Bai Yuan and the senior deacon in the library, leaving them to exchange ideas. He then began arranging the Saint Spirit Hall's tasks and preparing to personally go to Spirit City to report Su Wen's situation.
"This kid is not just about absorbing Spirit Rings beyond his level." Recalling his observation of Su Wen's Martial Spirit, Salas was very certain, "I suspect that the Spirit Rings his Martial Spirit absorbed are also exceptionally compatible with it."
This point is beyond doubt. Those who specialize in theoretical research are adept at pairing Martial Spirits with Spirit Rings.
If there's anything peculiar, it would be Su Wen's cultivation speed and the coincidence of him getting stuck at a certain level for a significant period twice, as indicated in his records when he needed to acquire Spirit Rings.
"Let's see what the Sacred Temple decides."
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