After Ma Hongjun's emotional outpouring of reluctance to part, Ma Ming and Ma Ping finally decided that Ma Hongjun would study at Mu Su Academy for three years.
After all, Ma Hongjun is still young, and in the early stages, he will focus on learning basic theoretical knowledge, which will be the same at Mu Su Academy.
In addition, because Ma Hongjun has innate full soul power, Ma Ping wanted to personally help Ma Hongjun obtain his first soul ring to improve his strength. Moreover,
seeing Ma Hongjun's performance today made Ma Ping feel that Ma Hongjun's character was not strong enough, and to become a powerful soul master, he needed to have a strong heart.
Therefore, while improving Ma Hongjun's strength, he also wanted to use these three years to train Ma Hongjun and make him stronger.
After all, the competition in the Spirit Hall is extremely fierce.
This result put Ma Hongjun at ease, since three years later would be the day he went to Shrek Academy. However, doing this at that time would hurt the feelings of his great-uncle Ma Ping.
"There are still three months until the start of the Musu Soul Master Academy. During this time, I will personally lead the team to help Hongjun hunt for his first soul ring."
Although Ma Ping is a deacon of the Spirit Hall, he is also a native of Ma Family Village and cares deeply about the village. He would spare no effort to support a promising young talent from Ma Family Village.
Ma Ping appeared spirited, as if he had suddenly found a goal, full of energy. He continued speaking to Ma Hongjun and his father,
"For the next period of time, Ma Ming, you shouldn't go to the soul hunting team. Instead, teach Hongjun about soul beasts and soul rings, showing him how to absorb soul rings.
Hongjun, you should learn about soul beasts from your father, and also strengthen your body. The lifespan a soul master can absorb a soul ring is related to their physical strength; the stronger the physique, the longer the lifespan of the soul ring they can withstand.
The limit for a soul master's first soul ring is over four hundred years. You must strive to reach that limit."
The first soul ring will definitely be a hundred-year soul ring, and having Ma Ping's help is of course ideal.
Four-hundred-year soul beasts are not easy to deal with.
When Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, at level 29, helped Tang San hunt for his first spirit ring—a 400-year-old Mandragora Serpent—he was no match for it. Although Grandmaster Yu's spirit was a bit weak, it was enough to demonstrate the power of a 100-year-old spirit beast.
Moreover, Ma Hongjun's limit wasn't just 400 years; his innate spirit power was level 20, meaning his limit was likely his second spirit ring.
The limit for the second spirit ring was 764 years, which was Ma Hongjun's real goal.
He could acquire a 400-year spirit beast with the help of Ma Ming,
at level 27, but a 700-year spirit beast required the help of Ma Ping, a Spirit Master. Now, he needed Ma Ping's help to hunt for his first spirit ring, and Ma Ping was going to great lengths, genuinely caring for Ma Hongjun. Ma Hongjun felt he should tell them about his innate level 20.
The secret of hunting a 700-year spirit beast's spirit ring couldn't be kept. Fortunately, these two—his father and his great-uncle—were trustworthy.
Ma Hongjun understood the principle that "the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind." It wasn't that he necessarily wanted to hide his talent, but rather that without the power to protect himself, revealing too much and being too dazzling would easily arouse jealousy, making him a target and prone to premature death.
"Third Grandfather, there's something else I'm hiding from you. My martial soul power isn't at its innate full level,"
Ma Hongjun said mysteriously, abandoning his earlier weeping demeanor.
Ma Ping scolded, "You child, everyone saw it! How can it not be innate full level? Do
you think the Soul Testing Bead can fake it?" "Third Grandfather, please find a higher-level Soul Testing Bead so I can test my soul power again. My martial soul power is more than innate level ten," Ma Hongjun said anxiously.
Ma Ping and Ma Ming were astonished upon hearing this, and seeing Ma Hongjun's serious expression, they began to take it seriously.
Ma Ping took out a yellow crystal ball from his storage soul tool and handed it to Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun reached out and placed his hand on the yellow crystal ball. His internal energy was frantically absorbed by the crystal ball, the suction force greater than with the blue crystal ball.
When all of Ma Hongjun's internal energy was drained, the yellow crystal ball lit up completely, emitting a dazzling light.
"Level 20 Innate Martial Soul! My God!"
"Unbelievable!"
Seeing the astonished expressions of Ma Ping and the other man, as if they had discovered a treasure, Ma Hongjun's lips curled into a slight smile.
Ma Ping quickly put away the yellow crystal ball and glanced around to make sure no one had seen anything.
"Hongjun, incredible! Your talent is simply beyond my imagination."
Indeed, in this small place, Ma Ping and the others hadn't witnessed much; they had only ever seen Innate Full Soul Power in books.
Their understanding of martial souls and soul power was far inferior to that of a master, so they couldn't guess Ma Hongjun's second martial soul, attributing it all to a mutated martial soul, since mutated martial souls were inherently mysterious.
"Hongjun, don't tell anyone else about your Innate Level 20 besides the two of us. Even after you enter the Spirit Hall, don't reveal it. When you get your first spirit ring and undergo spirit master certification, I'll certify you separately. Once you pass the first spirit ring, no one will suspect anything."
Ma Ping spoke solemnly, his tone becoming even more forceful.
"The talent you've displayed is truly monstrous. In the history of Douluo Continent, I've never heard of anyone reaching Innate Level 20.
Many forces are constantly researching spirits, and the Spirit Hall is no exception. So you absolutely mustn't reveal it, otherwise you might be captured and used as a research subject.
When you don't have the power to protect yourself, you must know how to conceal your abilities, understand?"
"Remember what I said today, your Third Grandfather won't harm you!
It seems it's actually better if you enter the Spirit Hall a little later. Once you obtain your second spirit ring, your strength will be sufficient to protect yourself, and you won't have to worry about exposing your superhuman talent. Entering the Spirit Hall then will be the same as those with the highest talent."
Ma Ming was also very excited, looking at his son with pride in his eyes.
Ma Ming raised an eyebrow and said, "Then now, Hong Jun's limit for absorbing spirit rings should be more than four hundred years." Ma
Ping's eyes flashed upon hearing this, and he replied, "Although there's no precedent, it's definitely more than four hundred years now."
At this moment, a noisy sound arose outside, indicating that the Spirit Awakening had ended.
Ma Ping glanced at the hall door and said to the two, "Ma Ming, you take Hong Jun back first today. Follow my instructions to learn about spirit beasts and spirit rings, and strengthen your physical training. I'll also go and research to see what kind of spirit beast is suitable as Hong Jun's first spirit ring." "
After you get back, be prepared and wait for my message. I'll let you know then. The two of us are enough to handle Hongjun's first spirit ring; there's no need to invite anyone else." "I understand, Third Uncle. Then I'll take Hongjun back
first." Ma Ming nodded firmly.
At that moment, Ma Hongjun experienced the feeling of family affection—the feeling of being valued, cared for, and protected.
"Thank you, Third Grandfather!" ( End of Chapter)