"If this is just a spark..."
The old man fell into deep thought. Although there is only one word difference between fire seed and flame, their power is worlds apart. Flame is the top-tier existence among elemental martial souls, while fire seed is only the precursor to flame. Many people who awaken the fire seed martial soul may not be able to evolve into flame again in their lifetime.
However, if it's just a spark, as far as he knows, none of the few spark spirit owners have been able to break through to the Soul King level.
The boy did not resemble the Blue Silver Grass that the dean had mentioned earlier.
After a long pause, the old man finally spoke, saying, "I'm sorry, your soul power does meet our admission requirements, but your martial soul has an inherent disadvantage, limiting your potential. You should find an intermediate academy to learn more theoretical knowledge."
"There are actually martial souls with level restrictions in this world?"
"I heard that you can only cultivate up to level 49, and that your martial soul's quality is too low."
The other students were discussing it.
Tang San, standing to the side, felt a pang of regret for the last student to sign up. It wasn't that he couldn't join Shrek Academy, but simply because the fire seed in the boy's hand looked very much like a peerless hidden weapon of the Tang Clan in his memory.
"My martial soul quality is low?"
"I can't cultivate to the Soul King level?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan's expression turned strange. He asked two questions in quick succession, as if he couldn't accept it, just like he couldn't accept being criticized by a high-level Soul Master for his death sentence.
"So you won't accept me from Shrek Academy just because I can't cultivate to the Soul King level? I've already met the admission requirements for level 20, haven't I?"
"Well, kid, go back. Even if your soul power reaches the level 20 requirement for the first stage, there are still stages for testing the quality of your martial soul in actual combat. Your Fire Seed Martial Soul is obviously flawed and naturally cannot meet the requirements."
Heh, Jiang Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or curse at the Dragon Pattern Staff Soul Emperor's words. Dissatisfied, he asked another question.
"Are you really going to refuse to accept me because of my martial soul?"
"Isn't your academy known as the Monster Academy? How can someone with a congenitally flawed martial soul be considered a monster if they can cultivate to level 20 or higher at the age of twelve?"
"You brat, I've already told you that your martial soul isn't about the speed of your cultivation. If you can't reach the Soul King level, you'll just be a low-level Soul Master for life. You may leave now."
The Dragon Pattern Staff Soul Emperor, a stark contrast to his previous amicable demeanor before seeing the Martial Soul, directly rejected Jiang Xuan's application to enroll.
Although the Fire Seed Martial Soul is not very common for the old man, he has seen quite a few in the records of the Spirit Hall. There are quite a few people in the world who possess it. Since it is not a top-level Martial Soul and has such obvious flaws, they naturally cannot accept it.
If we take them in, should we let them graduate or not? If word gets out, it will damage the reputation of the brothers and Shrek Academy's prestige.
"Heh, Shrek Academy only accepts monsters?"
"We don't accept those who are too old, those whose soul power level doesn't meet the requirements, and even the quality of their martial soul must be that of a genius among geniuses."
So that's what it really meant. Jiang Xuan lowered his head, but this wasn't a sign of his sadness.
I just want to laugh. If all the above standards could be met, which high-level academy on the entire continent wouldn't treasure such a student? Wouldn't their cultivation resources be better than those of a lousy Shrek academy like yours, which needs to be paid with gold soul coins to enroll?
Moreover, is his martial soul truly a spark?
With just a few words in his mind, Jiang Xuan's personal attribute panel is displayed on the system panel.
Name: Jiang Xuan
Age: 12 years old, Soul Power: Level 29
"Martial Soul: Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame (Unawakened)!"
That's right, Jiang Xuan's martial soul is not a fire seed at all, but the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, which is famous on the Dou Qi Continent's Strange Flame Ranking. It's just that, whether it's due to the world's rules or other influences, his martial soul is currently manifesting as a fire seed in the shape of an azure lotus flower.
Regardless of whether the condescending Soul Emperor in front of him truly believed that he could only cultivate to the level of Soul King, even if he could only reach the level of Soul Grandmaster, he was confident that with the power of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, he could burn down this dilapidated Shrek Academy.
Third Brother
"It's alright, Xiao Wu. We can't influence the teacher's thoughts. Martial Soul defects are indeed difficult to solve."
Seeing that the boy in black remained silent for a long time, the other boys present assumed that he was deeply affected by the shock and couldn't help but feel some pity for him.
Zhu Zhuqing, who happened to be standing near Jiang Xuan, took a deep look at the boy. She was close enough to see his expression clearly.
That wasn't a sad expression of being hit hard; it seemed to have a hint of mockery and disdain.
The only thing that can be confirmed is that the resolute look in his eyes, so determined to follow the path of cultivation, is very similar to mine, really very similar; unlike that of a coward who only knows how to have fun with his twin sisters.
"Alright, alright, since it's a useless martial soul, let's not waste our time here. Those who have already passed, come with me to the next level to face the teachers' next test."
Upon seeing the familiar figure from his mind, Dai Mubai panicked. The repeated attention that the black-clad figure paid to the good-for-nothing in front of him only made the young man more irritable.
"A useless martial spirit?"
Say it again!
Jiang Xuan raised his head and stared directly at Dai Mubai, who had uttered such arrogant words.
"Tch, a useless martial soul is a useless martial soul. Do you know who you're talking to? I, Dai Mubai, have the White Tiger martial soul. I'm already a three-ring Soul Master and will be able to cultivate to at least the Soul Douluo level in the future. Is there a problem with calling your Fire Seed martial soul, which can't even cultivate to the Soul King level, a useless martial soul?"
Dai Mubai didn't know why, but he easily became irritable and angry when facing the beautiful figure that had been found from the Star Luo Empire. He could only use loud shouts to cover up his unease about disappearing for several years and shirking responsibility.
"Alright, I, Jiang Xuan, a level 29 Great Soul Master, challenge you, Dai Mubai!"
"Oh ho, still not convinced? I'll admit defeat if I use my third soul skill on someone who's not even a Soul Master."
"Soul Emperor, I wish to challenge him!"
Jiang Xuan took a step back and said to the Dragon Pattern Staff Soul Emperor on the other side, "In Douluo Continent, revealing one's soul rings and cultivation level basically means that one is challenging the person in front of them."
They will generally respond unless there are special circumstances.
"you..."
The old man was at a loss for what to do in this situation. Strictly speaking, both of them were students of Shrek Academy. It was unreasonable and unacceptable for a conflict to arise from inappropriate remarks made by one of their own students during the admissions process.
Li Yusong was about to stop the two, but as he stood up, he was pulled back by a pair of hands.
The owner of the hand agreed, saying, "Okay, if you can defeat Dai Mubai without using his third spirit ring when you are at level 29, I will grant you special permission to join Shrek Academy."
(End of chapter)