Gu Ziyi's achievement of breaking through to level 10 and becoming a one-ring Soul Master quickly spread throughout the academy.
For a time, Gu Ziyi once again became the center of everyone's discussion.
There was admiration, awe, and, naturally, jealousy.
However, none of this affected Gu Ziyi. In just a few months, he would graduate from Liusha Academy.
After class, Gu Ziyi continued his routine of training in the back mountain.
But unlike usual, when he could easily focus on his cultivation, today he found himself out of sorts.
Even though he had accepted the fact that his martial spirit was support-type, Gu Ziyi still felt somewhat unsettled.
Support wasn't what he wanted.
In his past life, he had already grown tired of playing support while gaming.
This restlessness severely impacted his cultivation efficiency.
"First Soul Skill: Purification Charm!"
Realizing his state wasn't right, Gu Ziyi decisively slapped a Purification Charm talisman on himself.
Immediately, his mind cleared.
Under the effects of the Purification Charm, Gu Ziyi found his cultivation smoother than ever, his speed nearly 50% faster than usual.
Realizing the charm's benefits, Gu Ziyi couldn't help but feel thrilled even while still under its effects.
This discovery meant his cultivation speed could accelerate further.
But Gu Ziyi quickly realized he had celebrated too soon.
While his energy absorption speed during meditation increased, it also meant he reached his saturation point faster.
After calculating it out, he found that while he used less time for each cultivation session, his overall gains didn't change much.
However, the Purification Charm had another benefit: it allowed him to endure longer periods in his saturated state.
This made the charm a tool that effectively sped up his level progression.
"My original cultivation speed was about two levels per year. With this, I might be able to achieve five levels in two years. This speed is enough to rival real geniuses!"
Gu Ziyi thought to himself.
Unfortunately, Gu Ziyi was already 12 years old, and with only a few months left before applying to an intermediate Soul Master academy, there wasn't much time for significant improvement.
At best, he could reach level 12, making him a top student in the relatively underdeveloped Liusha Academy. But in a larger, more competitive environment, he wouldn't stand out as much.
...
Two months later, Gu Ziyi graduated from Liusha Academy.
After graduation, he had a two-month break.
If he didn't plan to apply to the intermediate academy recommended by Liusha Academy, he would need to decide on his own choice and go for testing during this period.
Liusha Academy was a Soul Master academy located in a duchy within the Heaven Dou Empire.
As such, its recommendations were limited to institutions within the duchy.
The Heaven Dou Empire comprised its central directly governed regions, along with four kingdoms and one duchy. Although all belonged to the empire, they each had autonomy, similar to the feudal system in ancient China.
The duchy where Gu Ziyi lived was the weakest and most underdeveloped.
Thus, Gu Ziyi didn't plan to stay there. He intended to study in the Heaven Dou Empire's directly governed regions, where it was more prosperous and where he could access more resources and information.
Unlike here, where information was hard to come by.
The journey from the duchy to the empire's central region took more than half a month by carriage.
Thus, after graduation, Gu Ziyi set off immediately, armed with his primary academy diploma.
The journey went smoothly, without any incidents like bandit attacks.
On his way to the empire, Gu Ziyi overheard some intriguing news.
The Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, had taken in a talented disciple two years ago.
At the time, a girl with twin martial spirits had awakened during her martial spirit ceremony. Seeing her potential, Qian Xunji took her in as his disciple.
"Two years ago… that means Bibi Dong is now 8 years old!"
"She's four years younger than me!"
"If I remember correctly, Bibi Dong reached Title Douluo at 36 after consuming the heavily injured Qian Xunji. That same year, Tang Hao achieved Title Douluo through the Blue Silver Emperor's sacrifice, at age 44."
"So, Tang Hao is 8 years older than Bibi Dong and 4 years older than me!"
"This means there's still a long time before Tang Hao meets the Blue Silver Emperor A Yin—about 20 more years!"
Piecing together these ages, Gu Ziyi deduced plenty of information.
Assuming nothing changed, it would be 28 years before Tang San reincarnated into this world.
With this in mind, Gu Ziyi felt less pressured. He had plenty of time to strengthen himself and intercept key resources, such as the immortal herbs.
He even considered the possibility of intercepting A Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor herself.
Of course, Bibi Dong was also a tempting target.
It would be at least 10 years before Bibi Dong met Yu Xiaogang.
"So, who's better—A Yin or Bibi Dong?"
"Both are rare beauties, and both are hopeless romantics!"
Gu Ziyi couldn't help but fantasize. Whether it was A Yin or Bibi Dong, he had loved them both at first sight while watching the series.
However, Gu Ziyi also knew these were just idle thoughts. Realistically, he lacked the status to even approach them.
Meeting A Yin would depend on luck.
As for meeting Bibi Dong, joining the Spirit Hall would be necessary.
Practically speaking, Bibi Dong would offer more direct benefits to Gu Ziyi. If he could win her over, resources like the immortal herbs would be within reach.
However, pursuing Bibi Dong came with a significant risk—dealing with Qian Xunji.
Nobody knew when Qian Xunji developed feelings for his disciple. It was possible he had his eye on her from the start, planning to use her to extend his own bloodline.
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, Gu Ziyi had no background to shield him. If Qian Xunji saw him as a threat, it would be all too easy to eliminate him.
Thus, Gu Ziyi decided to bide his time.
After all, Bibi Dong was only 8 years old now. Acting too soon would draw unwanted attention, and Qian Xunji might eliminate him at the slightest hint of interest.