"The principal is away on business? What's the situation?" Wang Linchi seemed somewhat puzzled. Normally, the principal wouldn't likely be out on business, especially at year's end. He would not usually be out of Qinghe City; under normal circumstances, he certainly would be in the academy, as there are many things he needs to handle at this time of year.
"Confidential," the principal's secretary said impatiently. In her eyes, Wang Linchi was nothing special, so she thought it audacious of him to ask these questions.
Wang Linchi didn't mind the secretary's attitude. Every time he came to see the principal, the secretary was a different woman. Clearly, these secretaries were not important figures and were frequently replaced according to the principal's fancies. This particular secretary, however, didn't seem to have the same status as her predecessors. She seemed rather arrogant, perhaps believing her role to be more important than it was. Her predecessors had possessed a better sense of propriety and were careful not to offend anyone. Even when using charm to manipulate others, one must have the brains to do it effectively.
"So, approximately when will he return?" Wang Linchi continued to inquire.
"That's none of your business. Stop asking unnecessary questions," the secretary responded harshly, clearly bothered by Wang Linchi's questioning.
"Fine, just remember to tell the principal that I, Wang Linchi, was looking for him," Wang Linchi stated. He didn't care whether the secretary was willing to pass on the message or how she went about it. It was the principal's official career on the line, after all; if the secretary messed things up, Wang Linchi wouldn't be the one dealing with the consequences.
Regarding the level four subsidy, Wang Linchi wasn't in a rush to receive it at the moment. The Excellent Level Soul Kind wasn't particularly helpful to him currently. At most, it would be a nice addition but couldn't greatly assist him. Only an Epic Level Soul Kind could provide serious assistance. However, this was not something he could access; even Qinghe Academy probably had only a handful of Epic Level Soul Kinds.
After Wang Linchi left, the secretary contemptuously spat, "What a piece of work. An Awakener of the Waste Spirit Phase and only at the White Porcelain level, acting so boldly in front of me."
Wang Linchi was unaware of her words, but even if he had been, he wouldn't have paid them any mind. He found it amusing to be taunted by a mere plaything. At least he was capable of obtaining resources from the principal. The secretary, just a plaything, was likely being strung along with empty promises and would be tossed aside once the principal grew bored of her.
When he returned home intending to begin his cultivation, Linchi suddenly sensed something amiss.
Someone was here! he realized at once, a chill running down his spine.
They attempted to clean up, but traces remain.
His Soul Kind·Soul Courtyard provided him with multiple perspectives, which helped him identify the irregularities in the room. He further investigated using his Thought Field. Although the range and intensity of the Thought Field were limited, he could still move around; it wasn't as if he were immobile.
They entered through the window; there are signs of rummaging. What were they looking for?
By following the traces, Wang Linchi built a mental image. He pictured a phantom figure, wielding some mysterious Soul Skill or Soul Kind power, that had snuck into his room after he had left. This figure would have carefully searched the place before finally entering the basement.
Wang Linchi was not surprised at this. The entrance to his basement was rather conspicuous; there was even a handle on the ground that could trip anyone not careful enough. Had the Blood Dragon Envoy not passed out in the living room last time, he would certainly have hidden in the basement. The basement had initially been a cellar used for storing odds and ends; it wasn't meant to hold anything particularly secret.
Still, Wang Linchi wasn't worried about anyone discovering his secrets. Inside, apart from a large number of Excellent Level Soul Kinds, there was only another Excellent Level Soul Kind embedded in the wall, protected and isolated by a special box. If the intruder could have detected it, they wouldn't have bothered sneaking in so quietly. As for research data, he had already destroyed it physically. All the data was recorded in his Thought Mirror.
Wang Linchi had deeply developed each of his four Soul Kinds, especially the Soul Kind·Thought Hall, which inherently possessed immense potential. By transforming the mirror, he partitioned an area to form a structure similar to a memory palace and stored all his memories there. This made the function of his Book of Records seem less significant in comparison. Besides being able to share it with others, it was inferior to his Thought Mirror. At least the Thought Mirror didn't consume his Mental Power Capacity Limit.
After a thorough check, none of his things were missing. It seemed the intruder had come only to search for something but had found nothing.
Sitting in the basement, Wang Linchi's mind raced.
Based on what I know, there should be three suspects. The most suspicious is the Baylong Religion. After all, the last Blood Dragon Envoy was dealt with by me. It's likely they followed the trail here. Next would be the principal. It was quite coincidental that he was out on business today, raising suspicion to a moderate level. The least suspicious would be Yan Ming King, but he is far away, stationed in the Prefecture; it's unlikely he would return. Additionally, there could be others I'm not aware of, but there are no clues about them.
Linchi was also troubled since he didn't have many known enemies.
It would be troublesome if it were the Baylong Religion, he thought.
Currently, he was powerless. He had, of course, considered becoming stronger to fend off threats, but he lacked the means to do so. Had he initially embedded a combat type Soul Kind, he would probably already be dead in the Secret Realm, rather than agonizing now about how to gain combat strength.
I do want to access Soul Skills, but the problem is I'm not qualified, he thought with resignation. Approaching the principal might work, but I'd definitely have to trade my subsidy level for it. Am I really supposed to believe the principal would simply hand over Soul Skills just because I want them? He might give me the Soul Forging Method, but Soul Skills are definitely a no.
What? Transform my Soul Kinds towards a combat type? It's not like I'm crazy. My current abilities aren't because I'm a great fighter, but because I can remodel my Soul Kinds and Soul Resemblance. Choosing to transform them into combat types would mean discarding my strengths to develop my weaknesses, in which I have no advantage. Why bother with such unrewarding work? Besides, I am also researching combat abilities. If I didn't even have research capabilities, how could I research them? Being a bit weak in the early stages is normal. I'm not some Gary Stu like Yan Ming King, after all.
I need to investigate this thoroughly, then find a safer place to run to.
If safety were the main concern, Qinghe Academy would definitely be his top choice.
Well, it seems Qinghe Academy isn't too safe right now either, with the principal out on business, Wang Linchi mulled. And even if I decide to run, I have to be subtle. What if they're still watching me?