Chapter 18

Even Qin Ming is now listening attentively to Gu Xuan's explanation; as for doubting Gu Xuan, that possibility basically does not exist.

After all, Gu Xuan is no fool; making up nonsense to deceive them is impossible, especially since Gu Xuan's example of far‑beyond‑level Soul Ring absorption stands right before them, leaving no need for doubt.

Now they only have anticipation and excitement; if they later cultivate following Gu Xuan's method, wouldn't their fourth Soul Ring be able to absorb beyond its level?

Even their lowest martial soul is of high quality; take Yu Tianheng's top‑tier Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul—if they could absorb Soul Rings beyond their level, the improvement would certainly be significant.

Putting other things aside, Gu Xuan himself is an excellent example.

Gu Xuan meticulously explained to them how he improved his physical quality, tempered his body, and how to choose the appropriate Soul Ring age and quality.

For this knowledge, most of them already knew a bit, but none as detailed as Gu Xuan; he combined his experience and theory and told them, and they quickly grasped the meaning.

Actually, this knowledge isn't profound or hard to understand; it's just that no one has truly explored it.

After Gu Xuan first absorbed a Soul Ring beyond its level, he discussed with Ning Fengzhi to set up a dedicated research group; five or six years have passed, and this research has now yielded major breakthroughs.

Of course, the most important part still comes from Gu Xuan's suggestions and methods; this breakthrough in knowledge has greatly benefited the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Now the sect trains disciples from childhood to build a solid foundation, and several batches have already begun absorbing Soul Rings beyond their level.

Although it doesn't match Gu Xuan's terrifying feat, this proves it is feasible.

It's worth mentioning that Ning Rongrong's first Soul Ring is 450 years old, and her second reaches a full 900 years.

When Ning Rongrong applies herself, she is very promising; in the original story, among the Shrek Seven Monsters, aside from Tang San who passed the Sea God's Nine Trials, only Ning Rongrong passed the Sea God's Eight Trials, qualifying her to become a high priest of Sea God Island.

The others are only at the level of five or six trials. Although they have the support of the Super Martial Soul Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, Ning Rongrong's talent and aptitude are also beyond question.

So even though Ning Rongrong disliked cultivation as a child, under Gu Xuan's pressure her achievements are still not bad.

Gu Xuan's little class lasted from ten o'clock in the morning to two in the afternoon; during that time everyone forgot the time, even their hunger.

Only after Gu Xuan basically finished explaining this knowledge did everyone reluctantly come back to their senses, and then their stomachs began to growl.

There's no way around it; they are Soul Masters, whose ordinary consumption far exceeds that of normal people, so three meals a day are indispensable.

Sometimes after their evening Soul Battle matches they also need a late‑night snack, because Soul Battle consumes not only soul power but also a considerable amount of stamina.

The more they consume, the more they naturally eat.

Qin Ming carefully put his notes into his storage Soul Tool, then smiled and waved his hand, saying: 'Let's go, no training today—I'll take you to eat.'

'Whoosh!' Oscar let out a strange cry: 'Professor Qin Ming is treating us!'

Qin Ming gave him a glance, and the others also laughed happily.

Although Qin Ming is usually strict, his private interaction with them is also quite good.

Soon the group arrived at the North Cafeteria; the academy has two cafeterias, namely the South and North Cafeterias.

The two cafeterias are the same size, only located differently—one is near the girls' dormitory, the other nearer the boys' dormitory.

Qin Ming quickly ordered a tableful of dishes; Gu Xuan glanced at the menu and it came to a full five hundred gold soul coins, each dish being a refined part of a soul beast with extremely high nutritional value.

Fortunately, Qin Ming is a Tiandou‑level teacher and enjoys a 30% discount, saving him quite a few gold soul coins.

At the table, Qin Ming smiled while holding his chopsticks and said, 'I know you're all hungry, don't be polite.'

As soon as he finished speaking, Oscar started gobbling down the food, completely unconcerned about his image.

At this moment Ye Lingling had also taken off her veil, and Gu Xuan could clearly see her delicate, somewhat cute face.

Ye Lingling and Du Gu Yan are both girls; each delicately nibbled at the delicious food with their small cherry mouths—if Oscar was just shoveling down rice, they were savoring the cuisine.

Gu Xuan and Yu Tianheng are the two most elegant among the male students, having come from great sects and received professional etiquette training from childhood.

Having started to eat, Gu Xuan also began to speak.

'Professor Qin, seniors, today I've explained these things for you to know, but I don't want others to know, because this is a secret matter currently under research by the sect, not yet ready for public disclosure.'

Upon hearing Gu Xuan's words, Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo's faces showed some disappointment, because they had originally intended to tell their respective families so they could focus on cultivating it.

However, since Gu Xuan has said so, it naturally cannot be leaked, and they are clear on that.

After all, Gu Xuan trusts them so much; they cannot betray his trust.

After a brief pause, Du Gu Yan was the first to reply: 'Little Xuan, rest assured, I, as your sister, will keep my lips sealed.'

Hearing that title, Gu Xuan gave an embarrassed chuckle: 'I want to sleep with you, yet you want to be my sister? Isn't that taking advantage of me?'

The others also expressed their stance; since Gu Xuan has made it clear, they naturally must keep their mouths shut.

Gu Xuan does this precisely because he doesn't want to attract the Spirit Hall's attention; if the method of beyond‑level Soul Ring absorption became widespread and the Spirit Hall noticed, not to mention it would indirectly boost their strength, drawing their attention is something Gu Xuan currently does not want.

Although Gu Xuan doesn't actually harbor great hostility toward the Spirit Hall, with Bi Bi Dong now in charge, the Spirit Hall will likely launch a Spirit Hunt in the future, so Gu Xuan naturally cannot aid the enemy.

Because Gu Xuan showed his trust in them, everyone at the table quickly became acquainted; he felt none of the initial stranger‑ness, and after the meal the group was as harmonious as when they first entered the academy together, blending in seamlessly.

This is naturally something Qin Ming is pleased to see.

After the meal, Du Gu Yan voluntarily offered to take Gu Xuan to handle the school registration card and other miscellaneous matters, and also to bring him back to their Royal Battle Team's detached villa.

This is the treatment of geniuses—their dormitories are all separate detached villas.

ps: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)