Six years passed in the blink of an eye.
When Jiang Yunzhou successfully graduated from the junior Spirit Master Academy, he was already a Spirit Elder!
However, a Spirit Elder in this World, teeming with powerful individuals, was still merely a weakling struggling at the bottom.
After graduation, his thoughts were clear and simple—continue to play it safe!
After all, he had no background to speak of.
For him, the academy was a relatively safe haven in troubled times.
Before he had enough power to protect himself, he needed to complete higher education to improve himself.
A twelve-year-old Spirit Elder caused quite a stir within the academy.
Jiang Yunzhou's heart couldn't help but feel a touch of youthful ambition.
He yearned to prove that even without a system, he could carve out his own path!
His spirit ring configuration was the most common: yellow, yellow, purple.
Without a powerful background, without the resources of a Sect or family, hunting higher-year Spirit Beasts to obtain spirit rings was almost a luxury.
But he still managed to achieve the theoretical limit.
He followed the rules of this World, absorbing the limit of spirit rings he could bear.
His graduation also marked the official beginning of the main storyline of the World he remembered.
It wasn't that he hadn't considered other ideas.
That thought that had flashed through his mind.
He had thought about intercepting the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit, who had already taken human form... but that thought was instantly extinguished as soon as it arose.
The reasons were very realistic: Firstly, in the vast continent, he had no way of knowing Xiao Wu's exact whereabouts.
The only definite clue was that she would appear at Nuoding Academy, but by now, she was probably already targeted by that old schemer lurking in the shadows.
Secondly, if he really forcibly took her away from Tang San?
That would be tantamount to seeking death, inevitably leading to a thunderous interception!
In the eyes of that old schemer, what did the life or death of a Spirit Beast that couldn't be associated with his son matter to him?
At that time, Jiang Yunzhou had no strength to contend with a Titled Douluo.
Since she chose to integrate into human society, staying by the protagonist Tang San's side was actually safer for Xiao Wu.
At least, there was no threat to her life.
As for himself? Of course, he would continue to lie low! Accumulate strength! Develop steadily! Wait for the opportunity!
Time flew by, the year 2643 of the Douluo Calendar.
This year, Jiang Yunzhou was eighteen years old.
The once scrawny work-study student had long since undergone a complete transformation.
Years had stripped away the awkwardness of childhood, meticulously carving out the handsome, chiseled features of a young man.
Even muscle lines and an eight-pack were all honed by him!
Twelve years were enough for a boy to grow and transform.
It must be said, men really do have great stamina!
This was fully demonstrated in him!
The only constant was that he still lived a simple life.
Given his situation, the later his cultivation, the faster it became, and he only stayed in the Spirit Ancestor realm for just over a year before reaching Spirit Ancestor!
These years, he had dedicated almost all his time and energy to cultivation.
After reaching Spirit Ancestor, the Spirit Hall's subsidies also stopped.
He kept some for himself and gave a portion back to the villagers who had helped him.
He had no Immortal Herb encounters, nor was he favored by any Divinity; it was all thanks to the cultivation speed bonus provided by the Nine Leaf Sword Grass.
At eighteen, he successfully cultivated to the Level 79 Soul Sage realm!
As a Spirit Saint, he possessed seven times the combat power of others at the same level, I ask you, are you afraid or not?
He only awaited an opportunity to make a spectacular entrance and reveal his prowess!
————
Outside Suotuo City, on the dusty official road.
Jiang Yunzhou walked slowly alone, muttering to himself as if he were arguing with someone:
"Damn system, you didn't keep your word! A full twelve years! Do you know how I spent these twelve years?"
These past two years, whenever he thought of the system, he would complain.
Whether he needed it or not was one thing; not keeping one's word was another.
Only this time, unlike before, he got a response.
A long-lost voice exploded directly in his mind:
[Ding! Hello, Host! Your sweet little darling has successfully reconnected! (✧ω✧)]
Jiang Yunzhou's steps faltered, and his whole body stiffened, thinking he had hallucinated.
The system, it had awakened?
No, he was almost a Soul Douluo, okay?
What was the point of coming now?
He had just been extremely bored, remembered the 'ten-year agreement' promise from back then, and casually vented a few words, not holding out any hope at all.
He never expected to actually 'wake up' this guy?
Suddenly, an urge to prove himself welled up.
'Look! Without your system, didn't I do perfectly fine? I'm almost level 80!'
He had grown accustomed to relying on his own Spirit and hard work, and he wasn't as eager for the system's return as he had been back then.
However, regarding the system's broken promise.
He still harbored an inexplicable resentment, like a jilted woman who had been stood up for many years.
He bent down and, as if in a fit of pique, pulled up a blade of grass from the roadside, clutching it tightly in his hand.
"Hey, system,"
"Look what I'm holding in my hand?"
[Grass]
The system fell silent, and an awkwardness permeated the air.
Jiang Yunzhou suddenly laughed: "You're only coming now, but... it seems I don't really need you anymore."
[Host, you do need me! You still have immense room for improvement, and this system can provide you with unimaginable assistance!]
[For example: enhancing the year limit of your existing spirit rings!]
[Obtaining peerless Martial Arts from high-Martial Worlds, World-shaking profound techniques from fantasy planes, and immortal cultivation methods from immortal cultivation civilizations!]
Jiang Yunzhou's pupils constricted as he listened, and his mouth unconsciously opened.
Martial Arts? Profound techniques? Immortal cultivation methods?
These terms stirred up a monstrous wave in his heart!
Although he didn't know if this was a blank check, the temptation was truly intoxicating!
Especially the enhancement of spirit ring year limits, which directly addressed his biggest current pain point!
His yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black spirit ring configuration, although standard, always felt like a pearl obscured by dust when paired with the Nine Leaf Sword Grass Spirit.
The system's appearance at this moment didn't seem entirely useless after all?
Adding flowers to the brocade?
No! If these flowers could truly be added, they would probably blossom into a sea of flowers!
Jiang Yunzhou's attitude subtly softened, and his tone took on a hint of inquiry:
"Oh? Tell me more in detail, what kind of system are you exactly? What are your uses?"
[Host, the purpose of this system is: to impart knowledge and achieve the status of an unrivaled Immortal Master! The core function is: taking disciples!]
[As for the broken promise, it was truly due to the lower energy level of this realm, which is why it took a bit more time...]
"Oh, I see. So, what's the deal with taking disciples?"
Jiang Yunzhou raised an eyebrow, now too lazy to care why it broke its promise; dwelling on that was meaningless.
[For each of your spirit ring slots, you can bind a personal disciple whom you approve of! The final year limit of that spirit ring will dynamically be equal to the sum of all the spirit ring year limits of the disciple you have bound!]
After listening, Jiang Yunzhou felt as if thunder had exploded in his mind, making his head buzz.
How could this function be anything less than heaven-defying? It was incredibly useful to him.
It was undoubtedly a cheat.