Youshen certainly knew that targeting Yu Xiaogang would incur the hostility of this future Pope, but he still did so without the slightest hesitation.
After all, for someone like Youshen who possessed neither background nor talent, this was undoubtedly an exceptional opportunity during a period when he had yet to rise.
Immortal herbs, Whale Glue, spirit bones... These fortuitous encounters could indeed help him defy the heavens and change his fate, but none of them were things a First-Ring Spirit Master should covet.
Take Whale Glue, for instance. By the time he cultivated to the point where he could independently afford to purchase such an item, its utility would have already diminished significantly.
Targeting Yu Xiaogang, however, was a different story.
That fellow's so-called "Top Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls" sounded imposing, but in reality, its theoretical level was on par with children's literature.
What was precious and difficult was the process by which predecessors verified knowledge, not his summary.
If it were papers by veteran researchers, Youshen—lacking sufficient knowledge accumulation and research experience—might not have been able to refute them perfectly.
Yet pointing out the flaws in Yu Xiaogang's theories was not difficult, even for a half-baked scholar like Youshen.
The theoretical level demonstrated in Youshen's own paper was actually not very high either.
However, his age, experiences, and family background were right there! That alone was enough to establish a persona as a "theoretical genius" and capture the attention of Qian Xunji.
Especially since he had ruthlessly struck down Yu Xiaogang—the toad in Qian Xunji's eyes who dared harbor designs on his beloved disciple, Bibi Dong.
Youshen easily achieved his two major objectives: gaining Qian Xunji's favor and establishing the persona of a theoretical genius.
Consequently, he obtained an audience with Qian Xunji.
And when Qian Xunji asked what reward he wanted, Youshen naturally requested access to the Spirit Hall Grand Library.
The richness and completeness of the collection in the Spirit Hall Grand Library could be said to be the greatest on the continent. Previously, relying on his fine performance in the academy, Youshen had already gained borrowing privileges, but restricted solely to the first floor.
This time, Qian Xunji directly opened all privileges for the first three floors to Youshen, excluding only the highest level.
Not only did this provide a knowledge and theoretical foundation for future Youshen to publish conjectures and conduct research, but... Youshen was indeed deeply covetous of the books stored in the Grand Library.
Without a family heritage, rich knowledge was indispensable if one wanted to make a martial soul evolve. Only by knowing the records of other spirit masters acquiring spirit rings, knowing the differences in spirit ring abilities acquired from different spirit beasts, and observing the changes when different martial souls absorbed different spirit beasts' spirit rings could he choose a spirit ring better suited to himself and better cultivate his own martial soul.
Thus, at the age of fifteen, Youshen applied for Whale Glue as experimental material under the research topic of "Enhancing Spirit Masters' Physiques," and shortly thereafter published *Why Whale Glue Should Not Be Used*, a document kept secret by Spirit Hall.
In the process from age twelve to fifteen, Youshen certainly produced more than just this one research achievement.
Therefore, this research achievement regarding Whale Glue only further attested to Youshen's wisdom.
Naturally, Youshen's applications concerning research became increasingly effortless.
At the very least, getting Spirit Hall's high-level spirit masters to help him hunt high-age spirit beasts became a simple matter, saving him a multitude of troubles.
At age fifteen, he successfully acquired his second, two-thousand-year spirit ring. At twenty-eight, he acquired his fourth, ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
As for what followed, everyone already knew. Following Bibi Dong's ascension to power, the former Holy Maiden did not forget the events of the past, and Youshen naturally found himself given the cold shoulder.
Even though Bibi Dong had thrown out an olive branch to Youshen after taking power, how could Youshen know whether that crazy woman harbored any venomous intentions? How dared he accept it? Over the preceding twenty years, even with Qian Xunji backing him, Youshen had still been repeatedly targeted and suppressed by Bibi Dong.
Not to mention that Qian Xunji was now dead? Although Youshen had once tutored Qian Renxue for a period of time and held the status of her former mentor—giving Bibi Dong reason to wary of Qian Daoliu and likely preventing her from making a fatal move against him—he dared not guarantee anything beyond that.
Looking at Ye Han's puzzled expression, Youshen feigned profundity and smiled, "Enough. Some things are understood without being said, and it's hard for me to explain if you don't get it. If you go around guessing blindly and bring trouble upon yourself later, don't blame me for not reminding you. Seeing as you're acting cheeky for once... are your skin itching for a beating again? Heh, it's been quite a few years since the two of us sparred in a spirit fight. Shouldn't we come and play a round?"
Ye Han's expression changed instantly. He put down the documents in his hand, pulled a wry face, and smiled bitterly, "Big Brother Chen, stop joking around. With my measly three pounds and nine ounces, how could I possibly be your match?"
Youshen suddenly raised his head, wearing a nostalgic look, "Hanzi, when a person reaches middle age, they inexplicably start missing their youth. I suddenly remember that summer twenty-six years ago, when you gathered a few brats to corner and block me... Mm, very nostalgic."
Ye Han's eyes widened instantly. Could this bastard be looking for an excuse to pass the time and bully him out of sheer boredom? "Big Brother Chen, go easy on me..."
"Heh, I'll only use Soul Power of your tier. Hanzi, let big brother see your progress over these past few years!"
"Big Brother Chen, please don't!"
When an older brother beats up a younger brother, what reason was needed?
Even when suppressing one's Soul Power to the same realm and refraining from using the fourth spirit ability, physical strength and mastery over Soul Power would not be diminished.
Youshen easily beat Ye Han to a pulp, completing the novice quest.
*Ding.*
[Congratulations to the host for completing the novice quest. Please claim the novice gift package!]
Ignoring Ye Han, who had collapsed onto the martial arts arena looking like a bruised pig's head, Youshen's mind stirred, and he chose to receive it.
A virtual window resembling the inventory of an RPG online game immediately appeared before his eyes. The novice gift package had barely lingered in the first slot for a split second before opening under the control of Youshen's mind, transforming into a pile of items.
Thirty pills of Primary Nutritional Pills. Each pill could guarantee a First-Ring Spirit Master the nutrients needed for a day of saturated cultivation. This was comparable to the effects of top-tier, premium spirit beast meat supplied daily by major powers for their disciples' cultivation.
Twenty pills of Primary Soul Power Pills. Each pill could instantly restore fifty percent of a First-Ring Spirit Master's Soul Power.
Ten pills of Primary Healing Pills. Each pill could instantly restore injuries up to severe conditions for spirit masters at or below level twenty.
There were also ten pills each of Primary Strength Pills, Speed Pills, and Soul Power Amplification Pills... As the names suggested, to a First-Ring Spirit Master, these were all treasures capable of easily turning the tide of a spirit fight.
The very last pill was named the Primary Experience Pill. It was estimated to be able to directly raise a Level 10 spirit master's Soul Power by two to three levels without any side effects—unquestionably a treasure capable of triggering a frenzied scramble among major powers.
Yet...
*I am a fucking Level 48 Spirit Ancestor!*
Youshen bitterly cursed in his heart.
His bad premonition had finally come true.
Not only was this system more than twenty years late with its quests, but even the rewards were tailored to correspond to his self from over twenty years ago!
If obtained more than twenty years ago, these items would have definitely been precious treasures sent in the nick of time.
The experience pill and nutritional pills alone could probably have shortened the time it took him to reach level 20 by at least a third.
But to him now, they were utterly tasteless like chicken ribs.
Fortunately, there were still three items remaining in the gift package.
Unwilling to give up, Youshen continued to look down.
One hundred gold soul coins. Not even worth a month's salary.
*Qi-Suppressing Formula*. A special spirit ability used to conceal one's aura. According to the description, cultivating it to the extreme could completely conceal one's Soul Power fluctuations, life fluctuations, and mental fluctuations. Just this single effect was enough to make Youshen's eyes light up, rejoicing that this gift package wasn't entirely a bust.
Moreover, after skimming through the preface within it, he faintly sensed that the utility of this *Qi-Suppressing Formula* went far beyond that.
However, he would have to practice and try it out to know for sure.
Youshen's gaze shifted.
Next was the very last item.
It was an "Adaptive Optimal-Age First Spirit Ring."
Upon seeing "Adaptive Optimal-Age," a brilliant light burst forth in Youshen's eyes; upon seeing "First Spirit Ring," Youshen's vision instantly went black.
His first spirit ring had already been absorbed more than twenty years ago!