"Really? Then I can get a hundred-year spirit ring?" He hadn't memorized much else, but he did remember the optimal spirit ring ratio—the first ring had to be yellow, a hundred-year ring, to be the best.
He couldn't recall the exact upper limit, but anything under three hundred years should be fine.
The Dean of Students rubbed Jin Bao's head and laughed. "You little rascal! Of course it'll be a hundred-year ring, and I guarantee two—no, three hundred years! I'll make sure your First Spirit Skill packs a punch!"
With a kid this outstanding, when the report went up it wouldn't just be the homeroom teacher's credit—he'd get a share too. More importantly, Jin Bao qualified for the top tier of recommended students, which meant an even bigger slice of glory for him.
Jin Bao nodded. "Then, Dean, it's settled. When do we go get the ring?" That was all he cared about; though he could still Cultivate, his spirit power had clearly plateaued.
He believed only by obtaining his First Spirit Ring could he advance further. As for its age, three hundred years would do. Any higher and he might not endure it—absorbing a ring meant pain proportional to its age.
The older the ring, the worse the agony.
"Deal! The weekend's still two days away; tell your parents this Friday. We'll leave right after lunch."
Jin Bao stood and bowed. "Thank you, Dean. I'll be off."
Back home, Jin Bao told his parents everything.
"You've hit level ten! So fast!" Jin Ge stared at his son—he himself had needed, what, five months?
"My boy's a Genius! Under two months! That speed ranks top-tier across the whole continent. I'll secure you a spot at the Royal Academy, son—you've got this!" Jin Ge strode to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a choice bottle.
"Come, darling, let's celebrate!"
Jin Bao looked at his father. "Dad, I don't think one teacher can protect me. The books say Spirit Beast forests are dangerous."
"I know your Dean of Students—he's an attack system Spirit Elder, plenty strong. Still, since you're worried, I'll have Du Lude guard you. You'll get that ring, guaranteed!" Jin Ge poured a full glass and downed it.
After a quick dinner, Jin Bao returned to his room and opened the book again.
"Gold-Devouring Rat—its highest-probability skill is Golden Shield, next is Body Strengthening, and the rarest is Cutting Beam. Hope I get the one I want—highest chance, after all," he muttered.
Then he remembered the class lecture on how variant Spirits could alter skills. Only a brief overview with a few examples, yet it unsettled him.
His own Spirit was incomplete; it had already affected his appetite. If his First Spirit Skill mutated as well, he'd have no idea what to do.
"Who should I pray to for the skill I want? Angel God, Sea God, Asura God—or the God of Wealth?" He laughed at the last.
Though his memories were patchy, he clearly recalled the final villain's and protagonist's God Positions—no God of Wealth existed. He'd secretly checked continental legends; no such deity.
There had once been tales of a Church of Wealth—long ago, a fake church set up by rich merchants and nobles during the age of churches.
He channeled spirit power and released his Spirit.
Floating above his palm, it made him sigh. "Please stop tripping me up! You brought me to this World and gave me the chance to Cultivate, so I shouldn't complain—but please, let me get the skill I want. I'm begging you..."
Time flew—yet sometimes crawled.
Until Thursday evening, just before dismissal, Jin Bao was summoned to the Dean of Students' office.
Inside, he saw someone else.
Mei Lele.
"Um, Jin Bao, Mei Lele has also reached level ten, so she'll come with us tomorrow. But we only have a week. Pick one of these two Spirit Beasts!" The Dean opened a book to a page showing two creatures.
Burrow Worm—produces a defensive Spirit Ability.
Iron-Spine Boar—produces an offensive Spirit Ability.
"Jin Bao, I guarantee whichever you choose, I'll secure a ring between three hundred and three hundred-fifty years. Think it over; give me your answer before we leave tomorrow."
Jin Bao closed the book and nodded. "Good-bye, teacher." He glanced at Mei Lele and hurried out.
"You really didn't have to do that," Mei Lele said.
"Compared with your background, his is nothing. His father's only the city's richest merchant; for a mere First Spirit Ring I could get him what he wants without you. Your matter is more important..." The Dean didn't even dare sit, gazing at Mei Lele with deference.
"Whatever. But figure out how to explain it to him—my identity must stay hidden." Mei Lele stood and left.
She returned to her residence—a detached villa on campus, originally housing reserved for someone of the Dean's rank, now given to her.
Seeing his son's gloom, Jin Ge scooped Jin Bao up. "Whoa, heavier again! What's wrong? Getting your first ring should be exciting!"
"Dad, my ring's gone. Someone else needs one, so the Dean won't specially hunt a Gold-Devouring Rat just for me."
"What? How dare he! He—" Jin Ge set Jin Bao down and paced.
"Without him, my son still gets the perfect ring! Xiao Du, we're leaving—now!" He grabbed Jin Bao's hand and strode out.
By the time Jin Bao reacted, he and his father were already in the carriage driven by steward Du Lude, rolling out of the city gate.