Seemingly noticing Chu Chen's wary gaze, the middle-aged man smiled slightly.
"Don't worry, I am the Dean of Notting Academy."
"According to the rules, anyone with Innate Full Spirit Power should receive special attention. And since your Spirit is Blue Silver Grass, I was naturally curious."
Hearing this, Chu Chen nodded thoughtfully. In this era, Innate Full Spirit Power could be considered the mark of a top-tier genius, possessed by very few.
It was no surprise he had drawn the Dean's attention.
"It is already extremely rare for Blue Silver Grass to possess spirit power. But a Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Spirit Power is enough to prove its extraordinary nature. Therefore, it requires a unique method of cultivation."
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang walked over with his hands behind his back and a serious expression.
He appeared to be passing by casually, but in reality, he cast a deliberate glance at Chu Chen.
This time, I should have caught his attention… right?
Chu Chen was speechless and rolled his eyes.
He also noticed that the Dean's smile toward Yu Xiaogang was merely polite. The relationship between the two clearly wasn't close. If not for Yu Xiaogang's so-called "theories," he might have been driven out long ago.
After hearing that Chu Chen's Spirit was also Blue Silver Grass, Tang San finally cast a curious glance at him.
Is Blue Silver Grass really this common…?
The thought lasted only a moment before a hidden sense of superiority rose within him.
After all, he possessed twin Spirits.
"It seems Grandmaster's research on Blue Silver Grass is quite profound," the Dean said with a polite smile.
"I've only done a bit of research. Coincidentally, I've encountered two children with Blue Silver Grass Spirits today. I intend to take both of them as my disciples."
Yu Xiaogang stated his intentions outright.
Chu Chen rolled his eyes again, turned around, and walked straight toward the exit.
Where did this man even get his sense of superiority?
It was nothing but a clownish performance.
"You…"
Seeing Chu Chen ignore him once more, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. However, for the sake of appearances, he forced a calm smile.
"Hehe, Dean, this child might be a bit antisocial."
"Teacher, how should Blue Silver Grass be cultivated?" Tang San asked curiously.
"Control and poison, of course."
Hearing this from a distance, Chu Chen couldn't help but laugh.
Taking a level twenty-nine failure as a teacher—what exactly was he thinking?
Just as Chu Chen was about to leave the academy, the Dean caught up to him.
"Chu Chen, are you heading out?"
"Yes, Dean. My family plans to take me to obtain my first spirit ring," Chu Chen replied calmly.
"I see…"
The Dean hesitated. After all, the opening ceremony was tomorrow, and classes would officially begin the day after. Work-study students also had assigned duties.
But considering Chu Chen's rare Innate Full Spirit Power, he eventually nodded.
"Go ahead, child."
After thanking him, Chu Chen left Notting Academy.
---
Once outside, Chu Chen purchased a map.
Although crude, it was sufficient for identifying general directions.
He remembered that the Blue Silver King he needed for his first spirit ring was located in a special forest almost entirely covered in Blue Silver Grass, near the Star Dou Great Forest.
But the Douluo Continent was vast. Searching blindly would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
At this point, his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and Spirit Bone became his only reliable means of locating the Blue Silver King.
That was also why he bought the map.
In a small place like Notting City, maps were naturally simple—only major roads and landmarks were marked.
"As long as the forest's location is indicated, that's enough."
Chu Chen stored the map and headed outside the city, where a group of carriage drivers were calling out for passengers.
"..."
He took out the small pouch of coins given by Village Chief Tig.
Although he didn't really want to use it, he had no other source of income at the moment.
He hired a carriage toward a location he had identified as a possible destination.
This journey would likely take some time. Originally, he had been concerned about matters at the academy—
But now, with the Dean's approval, there was nothing to worry about.
"All my research into Blue Silver Grass, as well as the tempering of my body, has been for the sake of my first spirit ring…"
Chu Chen felt a hint of anticipation.
Everything he had done was to raise the age limit of his first spirit ring.
Otherwise, with his previous physical condition, even if he absorbed the Innate Spirit Ring formed by the Blue Silver King's sacrifice, it would likely only be a few hundred years.
Now, however—enduring a thousand years would not be an issue.
Through cultivation, the vitality of Blue Silver Grass had been converted into surging blood qi within his body. His physical strength now far surpassed that of his peers.
"The Blue Silver King is a ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast, yet the Innate Spirit Ring it produces can evolve into a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring…"
"How could such an opportunity be left to that brat?"
Watching the scenery pass by from the carriage, Chu Chen silently circulated his spirit power, adjusting his state.
---
One day later.
Chu Chen arrived at a border town near the Star Dou Great Forest.
Many Spirit Masters gathered here, making a living by forming groups to hunt Spirit Beasts in the forest.
"This town is so close to the Star Dou Great Forest… if a beast tide occurs, wouldn't it be extremely dangerous?"
Chu Chen muttered.
After purchasing some necessary supplies, he left the town alone and entered the nearby forest.
"I can only try this method."
Stepping into the ancient forest, towering trees blocked out the sky, making it easy to lose one's sense of direction.
Chu Chen placed his hand on the ground.
Streaks of azure light spread outward, and strands of Blue Silver Grass began to grow.
Through his unique connection with Blue Silver Grass, he could gather information from the surroundings.
"Searching like this will probably take some time."
Releasing his Spirit, golden patterns flickered as he moved through the vast sea of Blue Silver Grass.
However, only ordinary Blue Silver Grass was present—there was no sign of a powerful aura.
Clearly, the Blue Silver King was not here.
Blue-gold light gathered at his calves as Chu Chen rose into the air, flying forward.
The spirit power required for flight was not too great; even now, he could sustain it for a while.
Soon, he arrived at a strange ancient forest.
It bordered the Star Dou Great Forest—
Yet existed completely independently.