A month later, Wang Linchi once again stepped into Qinghe Academy. He wasn't there for classes or other activities but to collect his scholarship. Students with outstanding academic performance received a monthly subsidy of one hundred yuan. Since he was the only student in his major, the scholarship naturally fell to him.
Over the past month, everyone else in his major had, through various means, transferred to combat-focused majors. Their Soul Resemblances, much like Wang Linchi's Book of Records, might not have been suited for combat, but their Soul Kinds could be combined to transform them into a Battle Class. For instance, if Wang Linchi equipped himself with the Rainbow series of Soul Kinds, he too could transition to a Battle Class. However, this was unnecessary because they were completely incompatible; entering a Secret Realm under such conditions would only mean death.
The scholarship collection process was smooth: sign, take the money, and leave. The only downside was that only fifty yuan remained. However, this was enough for Wang Linchi's living expenses, so he didn't make a fuss about it. It was just like the situation with his Soul Kind being swapped; protesting was useless. If the perpetrator found out, he might even lose his life. If he offended the person responsible for distributing the scholarship, they might reluctantly return the missing fifty yuan, but starting next month, the scholarship would no longer come his way.
Yes, this scholarship should be mine. But what can I do about it? Confront them head-on? I need to consider my status and strength. Do I even have the means? At this juncture, Wang Linchi knew he needed to develop his abilities and accumulate strength quietly, not recklessly provoke conflict with the other party. He simply didn't have the power for that.
He hadn't left the academy yet when he heard a commotion. A crowd had gathered, apparently arguing about something. From afar, he spotted a familiar person.
Yan Ming King? Wang Linchi recognized a familiar face. This person was his former deskmate from the county town. If Wang Linchi was considered a top student, then Yan Ming King was a true prodigy. He excelled academically, was unbelievably handsome, had a beautiful unrelated 'sister,' an attractive childhood friend, and, most curiously, seemed to be involved with the 'school beauties' of his former academy.
Honestly, he had no idea why the concept of 'school beauty' even existed, or who had the time to rank such things. One look at Yan Ming King, and you could tell he had the makings of a protagonist. Otherwise, who would bear such an arrogant name? More importantly, no sensible parent would give their son a name like 'Ming King.' It sounded like something out of an eighth-grader's fantasy, and the character 'Ming' itself, meaning 'underworld' or 'darkness,' was inherently inauspicious—hardly a name one would choose for a child.
Later, Wang Linchi decided to limit his contact with him. The reason was simple: on Awakening Day, the Soul Resemblance Yan Ming King awakened was named The Almighty King, possessing the same Potential 4 as Wang Linchi's. This, in itself, shouldn't have been an issue. Yet, for some reason, everyone regarded Yan Ming King as a fallen genius and ridiculed him. The reason was straightforward: although The Almighty King Talent allowed Yan Ming King to quickly master anything and rapidly grow stronger, potentially becoming a king proficient in all things, the energy it consumed was enormous. It was believed he simply couldn't sustain such Growth.
At that time, Wang Linchi had thought, 'What the hell?' Couldn't he just focus on mastering one ability then?
Later, someone openly provoked Yan Ming King, intending to use him as a stepping stone. Wang Linchi recognized that person; he was a student from the neighboring class—a bit rash and hot-tempered, but not brainless. The result was an impromptu duel with stakes. That person ended up losing his cultivation resources to Yan Ming King. During the battle, everyone witnessed Yan Ming King decisively defeat his opponent. Yet, they all attributed it to Luck, not strength, believing they could have done the same. However, this farce ended quickly with the principal's intervention, and things subsided.
This situation made Wang Linchi genuinely fearful. It wasn't just about awakening a Soul Resemblance; it was as if Yan Ming King had simultaneously activated a Protagonist's Aura, a Mocking Aura, and an Intelligence Reduction Aura!
Perhaps because I'm a transmigrator, my Soul is different, so I wasn't affected.
Consequently, he decided against getting too involved with Yan Ming King. After all, they were merely deskmates. Back then, most of their time was spent on physical training, with few academic classes, so their interactions had been ordinary. More importantly, Yan Ming King was always surrounded by beautiful women. If I, a guy, tried to get close, I might end up being sacrificed. After all, only Yan Ming King seemed to benefit from the effects of the Intelligence Reduction Aura on others. I couldn't afford for people around me to be like that. If his enemies suddenly regained their senses and decided to target me, I'd be in deep trouble. Besides, back then, all I wanted was to earn ten million, secure a very stable job, then marry and have children. My Soul Resemblance didn't support grand ambitions.
"Hmph! Yan Ming King, you just got lucky! Don't think you can look down on me just because you became chief through some trickery!" a student roared.
Wang Linchi stood at a distance. Here we go again, he thought, another duel with stakes. And judging by that student's demeanor, he's likely a disciple from one of the city's Great Families, undoubtedly strong.
Sure enough, the terms of a duel were quickly agreed upon. Both sides put up their stakes and headed to the arena to compete. A crowd of onlookers, eager for excitement, followed them. Wang Linchi simply shook his head; he had no intention of watching. For him, there was no suspense whatsoever.
Yan Ming King is bound to win. It's a foregone conclusion.
However, he didn't leave. Instead, he turned and walked towards the library. Over the past month, he had read many books from home related to Soul Kinds and Soul Resemblances. This time, he planned to borrow some books on the fundamentals to take back. The advanced books he had at home weren't suitable for his current stage. If I want to learn properly, I have to start from the basics, not aim too high from the get-go.
Of course, his activities over the past month hadn't been limited to just reading. He had also been trying to find a Soul Forging Method. But he had found nothing. Even if such methods existed, they weren't accessible to someone like him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't enter any Secret Realms. The Court's regulations stipulated that only Battle Class Soul Awakeners were permitted entry; others were barred. Every Secret Realm was guarded by personnel from the Court. How could he possibly get in? This was how the Court monopolized all resources and controlled the pathways for advancement.
After borrowing his books and just as he stepped out of the library, he heard the outcome of the duel: Yan Ming King had won. Initially, the crowd was astonished, as no one had believed Yan Ming King could win. This disbelief then turned into doubt, which finally morphed into accusations of opportunism, relying on Luck, sneak attacks, and the like. Even those who had witnessed the fight firsthand seemed to have had their perceptions inexplicably altered.
Perhaps the key to obtaining a Soul Forging Method lies with this suspected protagonist, Yan Ming King. If he truly is a Gary Stu type, and if he happens to let some information or resources slip, it would be more than enough for me at my current stage. I never considered trying to snatch Yan Ming King's opportunities. The chances of success would be slim; I simply can't accomplish what he can. It would be far more pragmatic to somehow make a trade, to get him to find a Soul Forging Method for me.