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Wang Li discovered things were different from what he initially thought. The experience gained through battle didn't directly increase his soul power. Instead, it caused his soul power to surge wildly within his body, following a mysterious path.
As his soul power continued to surge and flow, it grew rapidly, bit by bit. Wang Li could clearly feel this growth.
A sudden realization flashed through his mind. Although this is a game panel, he thought, I'm not truly in a game world. So, experience can't be directly converted into soul power. Instead, it's more like an 'idle' cultivation that improves soul power.
The movement of soul power in Wang Li's body was no longer controlled by his consciousness. It was as if someone else had taken over. His soul power was improving, but he wasn't deliberately guiding the process. Wasn't this a form of passive, or 'idle,' cultivation?
Wait a moment…
A bold idea struck Wang Li. Was the current path of the soul power movement in his body a top-level meditation method? Could the basic meditation method taught at the academy possibly be more advanced—or more suitable for him—than this?
Thinking this, Wang Li felt a surge of excitement. As long as he memorized this set of soul power operation paths, he wouldn't lose out. At the very least, he could obtain an excellent meditation method for free.
Wang Li acted immediately. He focused his mind. His consciousness followed his soul power as it advanced within his body. While memorizing the path, he felt the changes occurring in his body and meridians as the soul power reached each point.
Time seemed to vanish during cultivation. Wang Li didn't know how long had passed before the operation of soul power in his body suddenly became difficult. Every step now required great energy and physical strength.
However, the feeling of improving soul power was so wonderful that Wang Li was unwilling to stop. He actively used his consciousness to guide his soul power, urging it to continue operating along the path.
This set of soul power operation paths was quite complicated and mysterious. Previously, when the system handled it, it had felt easy and pleasant—like being on autopilot. Now, Wang Li relied on his own memory and his body's feeling of the path to mobilize the soul power himself. The effort was immense, and difficulties constantly arose.
He felt incredibly tired—physically and mentally—as if he were carrying a heavy burden.
If it weren't for the refreshing clarity brought by the improving soul power—which nourished his consciousness and gave him the motivation to persevere—he might not have been able to continue.
One circle, two circles… Each circulation of soul power brought huge improvements. Three circles, four circles—Wang Li was already exhausted.
After five complete circles, Wang Li stopped immediately. It felt as if steel needles were piercing his head. Waves of emptiness radiated from his body. The sensation was deeply uncomfortable.
Wang Li opened his eyes. The improvement of soul power was wonderful, but the process clearly required tremendous effort and physical strength. No wonder cultivation demanded a balance of work and rest. It wasn't something anyone could persist in just through willpower alone.
Enduring the splitting headache, Wang Li opened his panel:
[Host: Wang Li]
[Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass Lv2 (Evolving)]
[Soul Power: Level 5 (9%) +]
[Characteristic: Vitality Lv2 (Blue Silver Grass, found all over the Continent, is weak but resilient and can slowly recover from injuries.)]
[Passive: Tenacity Lv2 (What doesn't kill me makes me stronger. As long as I don't die from any abnormal state, my physique will become stronger after recovery.)]
[Soul Ring: None]
[Spirit Bone: None]
[Experience: 0]
The experience had reset to zero, just as Wang Li expected. But his soul power level far exceeded his expectations. Just one cultivation session had allowed him to break through 2 levels in a row. This gain was incredible!
Wang Li's eyes shone with surprise and joy. Just sparring once with Wang Sheng had greatly improved his soul power level. In the future, as long as he continued to battle and gain experience, he could level up quickly.
This made him very happy. Moreover, the soul power operation path provided by the system's "idle cultivation" was itself a top-tier meditation method.
He didn't believe an ordinary meditation method would drain his energy and physical strength so completely after only 5 cycles.
This had to be a top-level meditation method for such an intense reaction to occur.
Wang Li smiled. It seemed it wouldn't take long for him to reach level 10. Becoming a 1-ring Soul Master was just around the corner.
Glancing toward the dormitory entrance, he realized it was already dark outside. Perhaps because he had awakened, Wang Li saw Tang San walking quickly toward him.
Wang Li sat up from his bed. Tang San approached and said directly, without hesitation:
"Wang Li, I have a favor to ask. My teacher will take me to obtain a Soul Ring tomorrow, so I won't be at the Academy for a while. You and Xiao Wu will have to take care of the garden cleaning assigned by the academy."
"When I return," Tang San continued, "I will complete all remaining cleaning tasks for this year. You will still receive your salary. Xiao Wu has already agreed. Are you willing?"
Though it was called a favor, it sounded more like a notice. Wang Li didn't refuse. He smiled and said,
"Yes. You just enrolled today and can obtain a Soul Ring tomorrow—that's truly enviable talent."
Tang San's face relaxed slightly. Then he said—perhaps to comfort Wang Li, or maybe just being polite:
"Your talent isn't bad either. You will definitely reach level 10 quickly."
Hearing this, the corner of Wang Li's mouth twitched slightly but quickly returned to normal.
"Hopefully."
After Tang San left, Wang Li closed his eyes and rested. His head felt like it was being pierced by needles, urging him to sleep. But the emptiness in his body was urging him to eat.
It was already dark. Wang Li wasn't sure if there was any food left in the cafeteria. He could only take out some dry food and fruit, eat a little to fill his stomach, and then go straight to bed.
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The next day!
Wang Li was woken by Wang Sheng. Even after a full night's sleep, he was still very sleepy.
He shook his head vigorously and sighed. The aftereffects of this meditation method were strong. It felt as if his body had been completely drained.
But now he couldn't sleep anymore. He got up and put on his school uniform. Wang Li touched the material—it was better than any clothes he had ever worn.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he followed everyone to the cafeteria to eat.
All work-study students then had to go to their respective classrooms according to their grade. The upcoming opening ceremony would be arranged by the class teacher.
Every year was similar. The principal would give a speech about the history of Soul Masters. The director would give a speech about the academy's development, summarizing the past year and planning for the new one. They would encourage everyone to cultivate diligently and mention which famous Intermediate Soul Master Academies might accept their outstanding graduates.
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