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--- Chapter 128 ---
After breakfast, Han Yuan brought Ah Yin and Zhu Zhuqing all over the Dao Academy, introducing the environment to them.
As the Dark Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin appreciates the academy's strong vitality environment because of the countless blue silver grasses planted in the region.
It makes Ah Yin feel like being in the Blue Silver Clan's Ancient Forest again.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes are bright because of the training grounds Han Yuan made, whether Ninety-Nine Steps of Perseverance, Blue Silver Maze, Path of Doubt, or many other mimetic grounds, everything was attractive to her, who wished to hone herself to break her fate.
After all, some training facilities at the Dao Academy are better than those at the Star Luo Imperial Academy. She had never heard of a cultivation ground that could train one's will and spiritual power, which made her heart beat in anticipation.
So, Zhu Zhuqing readily agreed to be the Special Admission Student when Han Yuan asked her opinion on joining the Dao Academy again.
"Very well, Zhuqing, from now on, you're a student of Dao Academy!" Han Yuan smiled at Zhu Zhuqing. "Remember that in your heart."
"I will!" Zhu Zhuqing nodded solemnly and ended up appearing cute instead.
Truthfully, Zhu Zhuqing owed Han Yuan a lot, from saving her to allowing her to stay in the academy. So, she will pay him back.
Even if it took years to do that.
Because that's her cultivation way!
As for Ah Yin, she decided to become a teacher. Her decision surprised Han Yuan because Ah Yin didn't strike him as a teaching figure, though she was great at it. Then, she explained her reasons.
"We are too weak, Xiao Yuan..." Ah Yin sighed helplessly.
"Although I, too, wanted to seek revenge against Asura God, I know my strength is nothing but an ant compared to him."
"This world lacks Plant Masters because of how little plant-type spirit beasts and spirit masters can break their limits... Even to this day, there are very few plant-type spirit beasts who can reach the 100,000-year-old realm and spirit masters with plant-type martial souls who can reach the Title Douluo Realm."
"And I want to change that!"
"I want to learn more about the plant's potential and teach a new generation to help you."
"I want to make an army of nature to help you!" Ah Yin's voice was full of love.
Han Yuan's heart was 'naturally' touched. After all, Ah Yin's reasons for developing this "army of plant masters" were him.
However, he was also troubled.
Looking at Ah Yin's expectant look, Han Yuan knew he couldn't reject her proposal. Ultimately, he made another department in the academy called Nature's Study.
Even though Ah Yin still hasn't accepted any students, she is happy that Han Yuan agreed with her idea.
"Well, that matters aside, let's check on Zhuqing." Han Yuan changed the topic of the conversation. "She has been on the Path of Doubt for a while now."
After joining the academy, Han Yuan brought Zhu Zhuqing the three tests for newcomers. She said she wanted to prove herself, and she did. The Ninety-Nine Steps of Perseverance and Blue Silver Maze couldn't stop her.
However, the Path of Doubt is different.
It was a single path, but no ordinary one.
It was a path of will-provoking spiritual attacks, causing one's resolve to weaken at every step. Anyone who finishes this path possesses a quality beyond 'common' people.
Of course, one could cultivate such quality.
However, those who had it from a young age are remarkable.
Zhu Zhuqing endured the spiritual attacks for an hour, but her will was still strong. She has witnessed past experiences and questioned whether they are important to her now.
Zhu Zhuqing answered yes, but her heart said otherwise. She shouldn't have focused on her complicated relationship with her older sister and engagement with that cowardly prince who left her in the ditch.
Her goal has always been getting stronger.
There is no grandness nor nobleness. All Zhu Zhuqing cared about was to shatter her chain of fates!
Thus, Zhu Zhuqing finished the Path of Doubt successfully. She fainted on the spot, and Han Yuan caught her.
"Well done, it seemed I didn't choose wrongly." Han Yuan praised her with a faint smile.
Zhu Zhuqing hummed foolishly, "Hmm..."
Han Yuan fed Zhu Zhuqing with spiritual recovery medicine, allowing her to stand again. Although she still had headaches, the pleasant scent of Han Yuan's body made her feel comfortable for some reason.
It was attractive to her, the smell of the strong!
Of course, Zhu Zhuqing didn't dare to indulge herself in this petty desire of hers. Her status is nothing to Han Yuan at the moment.
'He probably doesn't see me more than a student.' She thought to herself.
"Okay, you have proved yourself, Zhuqing," Han Yuan continued. "But your qualification is still the lowest compared to my other students, and I will give you two options."
"The first option is to cultivate an orthodox path of spirit master."
"And the second option is to walk on the path of the unorthodox spirit master, which means you will dual cultivate..."
"As a spirit master and spirit engineer."
"Spirit Engineer?" Zhu Zhuqing tilted her head in confusion because it was a completely new field for her.
Han Yuan nodded, "Spirit Engineer is a new field that allows one to create and wield spirit guide tools and enhance their power. Since you're an agility-system spirit master, this will help you."
"At least in the early stage, that is."
"For example..." Han Yuan suddenly pulled a knife from the Sky Poison Pearl, which appeared like a slender snake's fang. He injected his spirit energy and caused the dagger to whistle with wind, producing a thin yet sharp wind blade.
Han Yuan swung the blade to a nearby rock. It was 'instantly' sliced smoothly in half.
Zhu Zhuqing was amazed, "I see... Spirit Engineers created and wielded the spirit tools of ancient times. I thought the inheritance of such technology has disappeared."
Han Yuan smiled amusingly, "That's true. The inheritance of spirit guide tools was 'naturally' lost in history, but Dao Academy was able to revive it from the ashes."
"Spirit Engineering a new path for humans, Zhuqing."
"Even if you don't master it, learning it is good for your growth."
"As your martial soul's origin grows and even evolves, you can choose another path for yourself."
"I understand. I chose the second option!" Zhu Zhuqing replied with bright eyes full of determination.
Han Yuan chuckled, "Good choice!"
"Then, I will grant you a gift, no, two gifts!"
After saying that, Han Yuan conjured an immortal pill from the Sky Poison Pearl and a spirit catcher with a 2,000-year-old Ghost Tiger's Spirit Soul inside.
He introduced the gift casually, "This is Immortal Pill made by Devilmoon Grass and countless other herbs, which will enhance your Hell Spirit Cat's origins and possibly evolve it."
"Upon eating it, your overall attributes will increase by several levels."
"Allowing you to use the second gift."
"The second gift is a Spirit Soul of a 2,000-year-old Ghost Tiger, which can be contracted and give you a partner in battle."
"Like this." Han Yuan summoned Neru from his spiritual sea, shocking the catgirl because the Heavenly Horned Ant gave off a wild spirit beast's aura despite not being one.
"T-This..." Zhu Zhuqing doesn't know what to say.
"I can't accept these gifts."
However, Han Yuan sighed, "If you don't accept these gifts, then you won't get stronger, Zhuqing."
"Don't you want to get stronger?"
"Don't you want to break your horrible fate?"
"Taking these gifts is just the beginning of your path."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated upon hearing this and eventually accepted the gifts. "I will take these gifts as debt!"
"Han Yuan, I will definitely repay you back in the future!"
"E-Even if I have to repay you with myself..." She quietly added with a blush.