Jing Hongchen hadn't expected to be refused so directly.
"Ahem, it's fine if you don't want to become a disciple."
He had actually prepared himself for rejection.
Within the Sun Moon Empire, descendants of Class 9 Spirit Engineers rarely ever took Jing Hongchen as their master. It wasn't due to any flaw in his character, but rather his position.
To be more precise, the root cause was his philosophy. He focused solely on developing Mingde Hall, indifferent to who became emperor, yet he supported no one.
The key issue was that Mingde Hall had now reached its peak development, even capable of influencing the succession of imperial power. The Crown Prince, Xu Tianran, had tried multiple times during the power struggles to win him over, but Jing Hongchen had refused each time.
Being capable of influence, yet offering no support, simply remaining on the sidelines as a potential threat.
For a junior to become a disciple of him, the Master of Mingde Hall, also meant they would be drawn into the turmoil he himself navigated.
Families with a Class 9 Spirit Engineer already present did not need sudden, meteoric rises in status, and thus naturally felt no need to curry favor with Jing Hongchen. At a time like this, stability was paramount, especially given the frequent wars where the front lines were always short of... unlucky individuals.
The Su Family didn't currently have a Class 9 Spirit Engineer, but Jing Hongchen understood Su Can's situation – the possibility of a successful breakthrough was extremely high.
In terms of understanding Spirit Tools, Su Can had reached the required level; what he lacked was Spirit Power cultivation. Currently, he hadn't found a method to break through his Spirit Power, but had instead, by some unknown means, temporarily brought his Spirit Power up to standard.
With that condition met, Su Can was already a quasi-Class 9 Spirit Engineer in Jing Hongchen's eyes.
"You are already a Class 4 Spirit Engineer. Theoretical learning within the academy can be done selectively. If and when you are ready to study within Mingde Hall, you can apply directly. That is the place where Spirit Engineers truly belong."
"Thank you, Principal." Su Ming expressed his gratitude sincerely.
Based on his understanding, the conditions for joining Mingde Hall were very stringent. Core students of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy had to reach the Class 5 Spirit Engineer standard before the age of twenty-five to even apply for the assessment. Only upon passing the assessment could they formally join Mingde Hall.
For external Spirit Engineers wanting to study in Mingde Hall, it was even more difficult. They needed to be at least Level 6 Spirit Engineers and also undergo an assessment. Even after passing, they would only receive a temporary position in Mingde Hall, needing to prove their worth through performance to gain a permanent spot.
Su Ming was only Level 4 now, yet Jing Hongchen said he could apply directly, clearly exercising a certain privilege.
"No need. This is the treatment your talent deserves." Jing Hongchen waved his hand. "In fact, I hope you progress as quickly as possible."
"Competition creates pressure. Director Gao will take you to complete the relevant procedures for the Sun Moon Imperial Team shortly. Once that's done, and the集训 (group training) period begins in a few days, I have a small task I'd like your help with."
A task?
Su Ming was puzzled.
"My grandson, Xiao Hongchen, has been dominating the field for years. I was thinking that when the time comes, you should perform well and give him some pressure."
Su Ming understood.
Pressure.
He was good at that.
"Principal, I'll try my best to perform well."
After seeing Su Ming out, Jing Hongchen sat behind his desk, still deep in thought.
"I wonder how much pressure he can bring to Xiao. Pressure is motivation, and what Xiao lacks now is precisely motivation."
Although Jing Hongchen had reduced his direct guidance to Xiao Hongchen starting from Level 3, he had fully supplied everything Xiao Hongchen needed, and the 'PUA' never stopped. Xiao Hongchen had always advanced along the purest path of a Spirit Engineer, a true research-oriented Spirit Engineer.
He wasn't worried that Xiao Hongchen would be crushed and unable to recover if faced with a setback.
Thoroughly researching the core formations of one level before advancing to the next—this was the purest Spirit Engineer system, and also the most difficult path of advancement, requiring genuine comprehension.
If one were to mindlessly replicate without understanding, given Xiao Hongchen's talent, he could actually progress faster; those records could be pushed even further.
"Let the competition begin. Only through competition can the field of Spirit Tools be pushed forward."
Jing Hongchen leaned back slowly in his chair, rocking gently.
Since assuming leadership of Mingde Hall, his goal had always been to promote competition. The more intense it was, the more potential it could stimulate.
Three days later...
"The training location for the Sun Moon Imperial Team is directly within a designated area of Mingde Hall."
Su Ming found Director Gao and, under his guidance, arrived at the team's training ground.
"The three-month holiday is over. This group training session is mainly to assess the changes in the team members. You've just joined the team, so try to showcase yourself. The better you perform, the better the treatment you'll receive. Although our team members haven't officially joined Mingde Hall yet, looking around, you should understand that being on the team isn't much different from being in Mingde Hall."
"The criteria for determining treatment are linked to performance, and everything follows Mingde Hall's standards. Furthermore, after the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament concludes, you can all enter Mingde Hall directly."
"For you all, what you lack now is merely the official title."
Su Ming showed a puzzled expression.
"Director Gao, the Principal told me before that I could apply for an assessment to join Mingde Hall after passing. But isn't my current situation almost the same as being in Mingde Hall?"
"You are currently in the training phase, so research involvement generally isn't considered for you yet. Joining Mingde Hall is also for study; the allocated quotas for rare metals and access to research materials are all according to Mingde Hall standards. However, if you want to participate in Mingde Hall's research projects or establish your own project and apply for funding, you must officially join Mingde Hall first."
"Oh~"
Su Ming understood.
In simple terms, the team was a way to manage the younger members.
Saying they only lacked the title was one thing, but the additional benefits that title could bring were key.
How much funding could a project get?
Surely much more than what an individual could receive.
The training ground was very large, about the size of a football field. Director Gao was habitually punctual, so Su Ming didn't have to wait long before seeing all the current members of the Sun Moon Imperial Team.
The team was divided into main members and substitute members. The main members were the seven individuals who would be between sixteen and twenty years old when the current Soul Dueling Tournament was held, while the substitute members were under fifteen years old.
"Ma Rulong!"
"Here."
As Director Gao's voice fell, a male student from the team stood up.
"This is the new member, Su Ming. Please brief him on our team's situation."
"Yes."
Ma Rulong came to Su Ming's side. He was tall and burly, with short hair, bright eyes that seemed to shimmer with a special light, and muscles that conveyed a sense of power.
"Ma Rulong. Martial Soul: Great Headed Spirit Ape. Spirit Power: Level 57. Class 6 Spirit Engineer."
He introduced himself first, then pointed to each team member one by one, providing introductions.
Su Ming paid particular attention to the introductions of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
"..."
"Xiao Hongchen. Martial Soul: Three-Legged Golden Toad. Spirit Power: Level 46. Class 4 Spirit Engineer."
"Meng Hongchen. Martial Soul: Vermillion Eye Ice Toad. Spirit Power: Level 48. Class 4 Spirit Engineer."
"..."
There were currently only five substitute members, making six, including Su Ming.
After Ma Rulong finished the introductions, he looked at Su Ming.
Su Ming understood—it was his turn now.
Don't worry, there's another chapter in the works.
(Chapter End)