Chapter 1254: Chapter 1254: Deprivation
"What’s lacking?" the Vice Dean asked gravely.
"Martial Soul." Senior Luoo paused for a second before blurting out.
"Martial Soul?" The Vice Dean frowned, "I thought a powerful figure like the Dean wouldn’t say such things."
"Why?" Senior Luoo asked casually.
The Vice Dean retorted, "Because such a shallow understanding should not come from the mouth of a strong person like the Dean."
"Martial Soul is indeed one of the standards for measuring a martial artist’s talent, but it’s only one of them."
"Xiao Yi managed to pass the Cloud Ascending Path in just four months, proving that such a Martial Soul is absolutely not a hindrance to his Martial Arts Dao."
Senior Luoo’s expression remained calm, "Since such a Martial Soul cannot hinder his Martial Arts Dao."
"Then does it matter if he awakens his second Martial Soul?"
The Vice Dean spoke solemnly, "But this is always the most important aspect of a martial artist’s Martial Arts Dao."
Senior Luoo replied, "That’s why I left the Martial Arts Saint Pill for Mo Youu."
"The more powerful the Martial Soul, the higher the level of the Martial Arts Saint Pill required."
"Xiao Yi is not as good as Mo Youu, this is a fact."
"Xiao Yi’s Fire Control Beast Martial Soul, even if mutated, is only blue."
"If he wishes, he could become an apprentice to one of the senior figures in the Academy, and there would be Martial Arts teachers willing to guide him, willing to help him condense the Martial Arts Saint Pill for a second Martial Soul awakening."
"But there is a probability." The Vice Dean’s face became unpleasant at some point.
"The higher the level of the Martial Arts Saint Pill, the easier it is for a martial artist to successfully awaken their second Martial Soul."
"A martial artist only has one chance for a second Martial Soul awakening."
"If it fails, the consequences..."
Senior Luoo interrupted, "That’s why I left my Martial Arts Saint Pill for Mo Youu."
"Mo Youu’s Martial Soul is far stronger than Xiao Yi’s, and the chance of failure during awakening is also greater."
"My Martial Arts Saint Pill is enough to eliminate these chances of failure."
"This has nothing to do with Mo Youu’s Martial Soul strength." The Vice Dean shook his head heavily.
"That was Xiao Yi’s reward for passing the Cloud Ascending Path, how could it be stripped away for another reason."
"The difficulty of the Cloud Ascending Path, Dean, you are well aware; that lad went through hardships, repeatedly suffering serious injuries before finally passing it..."
Senior Luoo interrupted again, "In the past, you have always favored Mo Youu."
"And clearly recognized Mo Youu as the number one among the younger generation of the Academy."
"In the past, even when he only passed 108 steps, you repeatedly mentioned to me to leave the Martial Arts Saint Pill for him."
"Why the change of heart now?"
Throughout, Senior Luoo’s tone was calm as water.
"It’s not about changing my mind but dealing fairly; it’s two separate matters." The Vice Dean said earnestly.
"Since it’s Xiao Yi’s reward, it cannot be removed for another reason."
Senior Luoo said nothing upon hearing that.
The Vice Dean frowned, staring directly at Senior Luoo, "During the months the lad was passing the Cloud Ascending Path, I investigated his affairs in the Four-direction Domain."
"First, he killed an Evil Cultivator, then defeated numerous Heavenly Talents in the Four-direction Domain; finally, even the Qin Family Master and Beiyin Sect Elder were slain by his sword."
"Now, he’s the recognized Four-direction City Lord by major powers within the Four-direction Domain."
"If it were Mo Youu instead, I absolutely wouldn’t believe he could achieve such terrifying feats at Xiao Yi’s age."
"Mo Youu is not as good as Xiao Yi."
As he spoke, the Vice Dean stared intensely at Senior Luoo, "I can investigate these matters; I don’t believe the Dean doesn’t know."
"Dean, you actually already know that Xiao Yi is more outstanding than Mo Youu."
For the first time, a slight ripple passed across Senior Luoo’s otherwise calm face, but he still remained silent.
The Vice Dean squinted his eyes, "If I guess correctly."
"The so-called ’Xiao Yi is not as good as Mo Youu, Mo Youu’s second Martial Soul awakening is more difficult’ is just a phrase."
Senior Luoo finally nodded, "Yes."
"Then why..." The Vice Dean asked quickly.
Senior Luoo shook his head, "Because he happened to join the Wind Shattering Hall and Asura Hall."
"If he..." Senior Luoo paused, speaking gravely, "Even if he joined your Medicine Venerate Hall, I wouldn’t make this decision."
The Vice Dean’s face darkened, "You always say that Black Cloud Academy is a Martial Arts Academy, a place for teaching."
"Therefore, within the Academy, whether it’s an elder or a disciple, any grudges they have outside, you never allow them to be brought in."
"Thus, even though many elders have great enemies outside, no power dares to act wantonly in Black Cloud Academy."
"Because you don’t allow it."
The Vice Dean’s tone gradually intensified.
"Rules set by you, now you..."
Senior Luoo shook his head, "No need to mention this matter anymore, I won’t give him the Martial Arts Saint Pill."
"As for his reward for passing the Cloud Ascending Path, I have given other compensation."
The Vice Dean paused, falling into silence.
...
On the other side, Xiao Yi had already left.
While walking within the Academy, he soon met Qing Lin.
"How was it?" Qing Lin asked with a light smile, "With Senior Luoo’s guidance for a day, surely you gained a lot."
"Mm." Xiao Yi nodded, his face filled with joy.
"The future path of Martial Arts cultivation feels suddenly clear, and I pretty much have a direction."
"What about the other stuff?" Qing Lin asked curiously, "I heard the Vice Dean say the reward for passing the Cloud Ascending Path is extremely rich."
"Let me see, what treasures are there?"
Xiao Yi smiled, seeing Qing Lin’s gossipy expression, he took out the Universe Ring given to him by Senior Luoo earlier.
Qing Lin received it, sensed it, and first showed joy, then frowned.
"Just these things?"
"A large heap of cultivation items, and two Martial Technique books."
Xiao Yi smiled.
In fact, he was quite satisfied with this reward.
The large heap of cultivation items surprised even him.
If all absorbed, it would be enough for him to advance one cultivation level.
Considering his massive Qi Spring, the cultivation items needed to advance one level are astronomical.
As for the two Martial Technique books, he hadn’t had time to look at them yet.
"Since there’s no Martial Arts puzzle, how about some training?" Qing Lin smiled.
"Sure." Xiao Yi nodded, "Same as always, let’s set off tomorrow."
"Alright." Qing Lin nodded.
...
After separating from Qing Lin, Xiao Yi planned to spend a night cultivating in the seclusion room.
On the way, however, he encountered the Vice Dean.
No, it seemed the Vice Dean had been waiting early on.
"Come with me for a while." The Vice Dean said with a light smile.
Xiao Yi nodded, "Do you have something you need me for, Vice Dean?"
Inside the Vice Dean’s study...
"Sit." The Vice Dean said.
Xiao Yi nodded and sat down casually.
The Vice Dean showed a faint smile, "I do have something to discuss with you, but there’s no rush."
"First, let me ask you, do you know about the second awakening of the Martial Soul?"
"Yes." Xiao Yi nodded.
"That is the second awakening of a martial artist’s Martial Soul, but it’s extremely difficult, and there are many other requirements as well."
"What requirements?" The Vice Dean asked.
"Three requirements." Xiao Yi thought for a moment and answered, "One, a treasure containing surging power that harmonizes with one’s Martial Soul attribute."
"Two, guidance from a Martial Arts expert."
"Three, a Martial Arts Saint Pill."
...
Chapter One.
