"It seems that anyone who can be a City Lord is not simple."
No wonder in the original work, Xiao Chenyu still had some brains and didn't stubbornly oppose Tang San, nor did he'seek death.' With a smart father, he was subtly influenced to know who could be offended and who couldn't.
Xu Qian lay quietly on the bed in the bedroom.
Her 500-meter range of perception allowed her to clearly hear the conversation between Xiao Chenyu and Xiao Yuanshan.
Xiao Chenyu coming to find her was likely his own decision. Her nominal foster father discovered Xiao Chenyu's actions but didn't stop him, instead observing in secret.
"Is he trying to determine my value as a foster daughter?" Xu Qian shook her head lightly. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it."
What value could a Spirit Scholar without Soul Power have?
At most, it's for buying bones with gold, thanks to her fallen Soul King father.
Using her Domain in the duel with Xiao Chenyu was a way to boost her worth. Being useful to others, in a sense, is a manifestation of value.
"A Level 29 theoretical Grandmaster at Notting Academy, I wonder if it's that person."
Xu Qian currently held no ill will towards Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
They were unrelated people, after all. If she were to immediately seek them out upon Crossing, make her presence known, and step on them, driven by deep-seated hatred, cynicism, and disregard for consequences, that would be truly strange, wouldn't it?
Without any conflict of interest, it's not like Tang San would see everyone as'seeking death.'
As for what happens ten thousand years later, that's too far away... She didn't even dare to dream of becoming a Titled Douluo, let alone ten thousand years later; her bones might have turned to dust by then.
With innate zero Soul Power, plus a Martial Soul that might not be entirely useless, and the cultivation speed of a weakling, achieving Titled Douluo or becoming a god is nothing short of a pipe dream.
"You have to eat your food one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time."
Taking too big a step can sometimes strain things!
Several days later.
The Dean's office at Notting Academy.
"Innate Level 4 Soul Power and innate Level 0 Soul Power." Looking at the recommendation letter from the City Lord's Mansion, Xiao Li, Xiao Yuanshan's younger brother, fell into contemplation.
As the Dean of Notting Academy, Xiao Li knew that Xiao Yuanshan had adopted a foster daughter, but it wasn't a big deal.
However, the content of the recommendation letter showed that his elder brother's regard for this foster daughter was not just about adding an extra pair of chopsticks and a bowl; he truly valued her.
Innate Domain... perhaps that was the reason?
"Xu Qian, I've read your foster father's letter." Xiao Li put down the letter, interlacing his fingers on the desk.
"Theoretically, a Spirit Scholar without Soul Power cannot enter Notting Academy. However, your Martial Soul comes with a Domain. While an exception for entry might be a bit troublesome, it can be arranged."
"However, I don't think Notting Academy has the ability to make you a Soul Master." Xiao Li's words were very tactful, stating that Notting Academy lacked the ability rather than directly pointing out her limitations.
Xiao Li was quite curious about the importance his elder brother placed on his foster daughter, as conveyed in the letter. Still, he genuinely didn't believe that a Martial Soul without Soul Power, no matter how special, could break through to become a Soul Master.
"May I see your Domain?"
Feeling the atmosphere a bit heavy, Xiao Li changed the subject.
"Uncle, Sister's Domain should be spiritual." Xiao Chenyu, standing beside Xu Qian, spoke first. "It might even affect ordinary Soul Masters."
Xiao Li was surprised by the young master's altered demeanor.
Before, when his elder brother intended to adopt a foster daughter, wasn't this young master making a fuss?
Has he changed his ways now?
Xiao Li didn't think much of it and turned his gaze back to Xu Qian.
"Using my Domain puts a heavy burden on me, but my other ability might make my enrollment very smooth."
Xu Qian declined the suggestion to display her Domain. She didn't want to use it in front of outsiders, especially since Xiao Yuanshan's letter was ambiguous about it, so there was no need to reveal too much.
"Oh?" Xiao Li was surprised. "What ability is that?"
"I can appraise the Soul Beasts I encounter. The appraisal limit is currently unclear, but hundred-year Soul Beasts are not a problem. The appraisal includes cultivation age, skills, and weaknesses."
"What?!"
Xiao Li stood up in shock.
Could this be an ability similar to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul's ability to appraise treasures?
"Are you... are you sure?"
Both Xiao Li and Xiao Chenyu were stunned.
Neither of them knew that Xu Qian's Martial Soul could appraise Soul Beasts. Xiao Li even reread Xiao Yuanshan's letter several times but found no related content.
"Yes, this is an ability of my Martial Soul."
Upon receiving Xu Qian's confirmation again, Xiao Li's eyes immediately became fervent.
Appraisal, this was appraising Soul Beasts!
Why was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School the wealthiest in the world? Because its ability to appraise treasures was too strong; they could find a priceless treasure even in a remote corner of a mountain.
Appraising a Soul Beast's cultivation age could exponentially reduce the danger for students absorbing spirit rings.
This was nothing short of a godsend for a Soul Master Academy.
"Good, good, excellent!" Xiao Li exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "Xu Qian, I approve your enrollment application. Was your previous mention of wanting to be a librarian also related to this ability?"
"Yes, the more I understand about Soul Beasts, the less mental energy I consume during appraisal."
"I don't know if I can become a Soul Master in the future, but I hope to make up for it in this area." Xu Qian stated her ambition. Her purpose in coming here was to read books.
"I agree. You will be the librarian of Notting Academy's Grand Library and an honorary teacher of Notting Academy."
The ability to appraise Soul Beasts is extremely important for Soul Masters. Even if she can't become a Soul Master, even if she can only appraise those below a thousand years, it's enough for her to be a teacher at Notting Academy.
After all, everyone else can only roughly estimate a Soul Beast's age, and there might even be errors.
But if you can see through it at a glance, that's an outstanding advantage.
It's equivalent to providing a life-saving guarantee for Soul Masters absorbing spirit rings.
If he didn't agree to this, then his, Xiao Li's, brain must have been kicked by a donkey.
After Xu Qian and Xiao Chenyu left.
Xiao Li sat quietly, recalling how Xu Qian had flexibly answered his questions.
"Just as Big Brother said, she's not like a child."
"She might still be hiding something." Xiao Li picked up the letter of introduction about Xu Qian. It was all written in Big Brother Xiao Yuanshan's own hand: "No need to investigate, grant her as much freedom as possible."
"Is it out of guilt for the girl's father, or for some other reason?"
"It's truly intriguing!"
..."Sister, can you really appraise a Soul Beast's cultivation age?" On the way back, Xiao Chenyu couldn't help but ask. After several days of being startled awake in the middle of the night, plagued by 'nightmares' of being chased by hungry wolves, this young master had become much more obedient.
"Yes, it's an ability granted by my Martial Soul, but I need a better understanding of Soul Beast information, which is why I asked my foster father to write a recommendation letter."
Silence, after a long silence, Xiao Chenyu asked again:
"How confident are you that you can break through to become a Soul Master?"
Without Soul Power, one cannot become a Soul Master; this is an ironclad rule of the Douluo Continent.
If one can't even meditate, how can one become a Soul Master?
"Who knows!" Xu Qian smiled lightly and changed the subject. "Don't overthink things. The Dean asked us to visit Grandmaster Yu. Do you know where he lives?"