Chapter 5: Each Going Their Own Way
While it was a free-range approach, Bibi Dong actually granted Twin Sun Qi certain privileges, allowing him direct contact with Gui Mei.
Not Yue Douluo, but Gui Mei.
This was primarily because, in Bibi Dong's opinion, Gui Mei's Spirit was closer to Twin Sun Qi's.
Gui Mei's Spirit, the Ghost, was actually his soul, a part of him, and could be considered a Spirit of his true self. Twin Sun Qi's head and arms were also part of his true self, perhaps sharing some similarities.
Bibi Dong didn't have the concept of three heads and six arms or bronze heads and iron arms, so she had no such preconceived notions about the development of Twin Sun Qi's Spirit. Otherwise, she might have considered letting Yue Guan guide Twin Sun Qi, after all, Yue Guan's Chrysanthemum was more suited to abilities like bronze heads and iron arms.
Gui Mei transformed into a black shadow and vanished from the room.
Twin Sun Qi vanished with it, enveloped by the shadow.
...
On the carriage heading to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Armor Sun Qi closed his eyes to rest.
He was adopted by the Seven Treasure Village and became part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Those who awaken their Spirits are Spirit Masters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not members of the Spirit Hall. After awakening his Spirit, he naturally joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. "Twin Sun Qi will become Bibi Dong's apprentice, occupying the Spirit Hall. I'll join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, playing both sides. This way, Sun Qi, Cloud Sun Qi, and the others will have an easier time moving forward."
...
Of the seven Sun Qis, only two with full innate Spirit Power will join the major factions. The remaining Sun Qis plan to follow the normal cultivation path, the Academy path, joining appropriate Academies and cultivating steadily.
The difference in innate Spirit Power is significant; this value accurately reflects a Spirit Master's cultivation talent and precisely defines it.
Sun Qi is determined to cultivate all his Spirits to their full potential.
Therefore, having his two main bodies join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall, respectively, facilitates information acquisition.
The rest of the original bodies would not be involved in any conflicts.
This was the best arrangement.
Holy Soul Village.
It had been over half a month since Sun Qi awakened his Spirit, and he had been practicing day after day.
The feeling of meditation was very wonderful.
Both he and the stone monkey were immersed in practice.
Hard work always paid off.
With the addition of various cultivation techniques they had explored, their cultivation speed was far beyond the reach of a first-level innate Spirit Scholar.
In just half a month, they had broken through.
Two levels!
This meant that Sun Qi's innate Spirit Power was actually close to two levels, at least one and a half levels, a full level more than Yu Xiaogang's half level.
The stone monkey's skills were also being further refined.
Everything was getting better.
"It's hard to judge the strength of my soul upon awakening. I need to wait and see how long it takes to reach level 10."
Sun Qi took a deep breath.
Twin Sun Qi and Armor Sun Qi each searched for theories and various materials for him in the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, each trying to find a solution to his aptitude problem.
The information they consulted was extensive, covering various Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters, particularly records of the transformations of many Spirit Masters before and after acquiring Spirit Rings.
"I need the Spirit Ring that will most enhance my true form. I hope Gui Mei can give me some inspiration."
Sun Qi remembered that Gui Mei had died once, then re-possessed his soul, transforming into a ghostly Spirit, though his body remained essentially dead.
With his cultivation up to this point, it's impossible for his body to remain unchanged. Perhaps he has the most say on this matter.
"Xiao Sun, I'll have to give you some slack for the first two Spirit Rings. I'll be your primary caregiver. While I believe I can still enhance your form, I won't be able to provide you with effective combat Spirit skills. So you'll need to find a way to develop some combat techniques on your own."
In half a month, the little stone monkey was no longer the palm-sized size it was when it was first born.
He had grown to the size of two palms, and as Sun Qi's Spirit Power broke through, he grew even bigger, now as tall as Sun Qi's entire arm.
Xiao Sun squatted in front of Sun Qi and nodded very obediently.
"What do you think of the stick method?" Sun Qi asked tentatively.
Xiao Sun's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously.
Sun Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that the little stone monkey liked the stick method, so he didn't have to persuade him again.
"I'll find you a few sticks that you can use. You can practice the basic skills with them first."
After that, Sun Qi went out and found a branch about one and a half meters long, the thickness of two thumbs, which was enough for the little stone monkey to practice the stick method.
Before he returned to his base, he was found and stopped by Old Jack.
"Sun Qi, I was just looking for you."
Old Jack approached Sun Qi, grinning. "I've been visiting several surrounding villages lately, and none of them have awakened any children with Spirit Power, so I'm offering you their work-study student quota."
Because Holy Soul Village had produced a Soul Sage, even its work-study student quota is only available once a year, while the other surrounding villages typically share a single quota among a dozen or so villages.
While these villages might not produce a child with Spirit Power for several years, it certainly wouldn't be the case that they don't produce one for over a decade.
Therefore, on unlucky days, a child might awaken Spirit Power, only to have to compete with children from other villages.
Holy Soul Village itself holds a permanent quota, which is extremely valuable.
Old Jack lamented Sun Qi's luck.
Level 1 innate Spirit Power didn't really need to be chosen.
The Holy Soul Village quota could only go to Tang San.
Fortunately, the quota from the surrounding villages can be borrowed. All Holy Soul Village needs to do is return one of the quotas.
Sun Qi listened to Old Jack's words and thanked him sincerely.
Although he wasn't thrilled, he felt it was the old man's thoughtful gesture, and he couldn't tell Old Jack he wasn't interested in attending Notting Academy.
Old Jack smiled.
"It's not tiring, it's not tiring. The village has finally produced two people with Spiritual Power in recent years. I'm risking my life to send you to a regular Academy."
He produced a certificate and pointed to the words on it.
"Here's your work-study form. I've filled it out for you. I also have your Spirit Hall certificate. Everything is ready. Just remember to come with me to Notting City in two and a half months."
Sun Qi thought about it and didn't refuse.
Old Jack had taken the trouble to prepare everything for him, and he couldn't refuse the old man's courtesy.
Seeing Sun Qi's attitude, Old Jack smiled happily.
Xiao Qi was still easy to talk to.
Although he and Tang San had different personalities, and wasn't as well-behaved and obedient as Tang San, he was still easy to talk to. Meanwhile, Tang San was only obedient, while his father was much more difficult to get along with.
"What are you doing with that stick?" Old Jack asked, noticing that Sun Qi was holding a wooden stick.
[end of the chapter]