The day after receiving Ghost and Yue Guan, Wu Ling began his first lesson.
"Little Lingling, for the next while, I will be responsible for your theoretical knowledge every morning," Yue Guan said with a bright smile. That coquettish expression sent a chill through Wu Ling, who knew the truth. He now understood the meaning of the phrase knowledge is a curse.
"All right, Grandpa Yue. Let us begin."
Wu Ling had practiced martial arts, so his focus was extremely sharp. It took him only a few minutes to adjust his mindset. Compared to Earth's cram-style education, the knowledge Yue Guan taught was almost child's play.
Recognizing a Soul Beast, understanding its traits and weaknesses, learning how to judge its age and habits, all of it interested Wu Ling. The lessons did not tire him. Instead, the more he learned, the more serious he became. In many cases, he could even infer other examples from one lesson. Yue Guan later praised him in front of Bibi Dong.
"Your Holiness, teaching Little Lingling is pure enjoyment. No matter what I teach, he understands it immediately. Sometimes, the questions he asks even make me think deeply. I am nearly addicted to teaching him."
Bibi Dong was surprised. It was one thing for Wu Ling's Martial Soul to be powerful, but he was this talented in learning as well?
"Good. Then continue as his theory teacher."
After giving the instruction, Bibi Dong returned to her work. She had only recently become Pope, and not through the normal order of succession. Because of that, there were many things she needed to understand and change.
In the afternoon, Ghost came to Wu Ling's courtyard.
"Wu Ling, for the next while, I will teach you how to fight every afternoon."
Ghost originally intended to teach Wu Ling by the usual method: he attacked, Wu Ling defended, and Wu Ling had no chance to escape.
But Wu Ling proposed another idea. "Grandpa Ghost, do you remember my first Spirit Skill?"
"I remember. You summon a shadow, absorb it, and gain combat ability."
"Right. My Spirit Skill is special. It does not simply grant me a technique. It gives me that shadow's combat skills. But since they are skills, that means I should be able to learn them for myself."
Geniuses always had privileges, especially a genius like Wu Ling, who stood at the very top of the pyramid. Ghost agreed to Wu Ling's plan and began helping him implement it.
Ghost sparred with Wu Ling while Wu Ling used his first Spirit Skill. Ghost constantly fed him moves, and Wu Ling, who already had a foundation in martial arts, learned every stance and motion quickly.
Then came using Mind's Eye to locate Ghost's true body, using Vitrification to resist the spiritual attacks of Ghost's Martial Soul, and finally, mastering Knowledge of the Sowa through combat against Ghost.
The speed at which Wu Ling's martial skill improved shocked even Ghost. Later, when Bibi Dong asked about him, Ghost praised him with genuine satisfaction.
"Wu Ling's excellence lies not only in his talent. His will and his willingness to work for that talent are what make him even more outstanding.
"Given time, Wu Ling's combat technique may become so terrifying that no one will dare fight him at close range."
Hearing Ghost's praise, Bibi Dong was somewhat surprised. Ghost was usually cold and taciturn, but whenever Wu Ling was involved, he spoke more. The abnormal change even made Bibi Dong wonder.
"That boy's Spirit Skill does not actually increase other people's favor toward him, does it? Why do Ghost and Yue Guan, who were perfectly normal before, both become so excited after meeting Wu Ling?"
Wu Ling knew nothing of Bibi Dong's inner monologue. At that moment, all he wanted was to soak in hot water, rest properly, and then begin refining spirit power.
At the end of each afternoon, Wu Ling would perform Swallow Reversal once. More precisely, he would attempt the version that included the third slash.
The third slash could not keep up with the speed of the first two, but the strain of forcing it out still burst several of Wu Ling's blood vessels. Nearly none of his skin remained intact. He looked almost like a man made of blood.
At the time, Ghost was so frightened that his Martial Soul nearly dropped. He hurriedly placed Wu Ling into the medicinal bath prepared in advance.
As Bibi Dong's disciple, Wu Ling used some of the finest medicinal materials on the continent. The medicinal bath was astonishingly effective. In only a few hours, all of his injuries would recover, and his physical condition would rise another step.
After his body recovered, the entire night belonged to spirit power cultivation.
As time passed, Bibi Dong took control of the many affairs and forces within Spirit Hall. Because Wu Ling was so outstanding, her meetings with him changed from once a month, to once every half month, then once a week, and finally once every two days.
"So this is what it feels like to cultivate a genius. It really is relaxing. I understand Ghost and Yue Guan now. Every lesson feels like a pleasure."
If ordinary people were like animated series from a decade earlier on Earth, then their lives were full of hardship and suffering, and in the end, they might not even be the protagonist. They might only be side characters.
Wu Ling, by contrast, was like a power fantasy from a later era on Earth.
After watching ordinary dramas for decades, suddenly seeing a pure wish-fulfillment story hit with real force.
And so, time slipped by quietly. Wu Ling immersed himself in study and cultivation, unable to pull himself free.
Two and a half years later.
Wu Ling was in the courtyard, fighting Ghost evenly while Ghost used no Spirit Skills. Notably, Wu Ling was also not using any Spirit Skills.
Ghost relied on the physical quality of a Soul Land powerhouse and fully displayed the advantages of an agility-attack type. He harassed Wu Ling with constant attacks. Strangely, half of Ghost's attacks were avoided easily by Wu Ling, while the other half were blocked and countered by the long sword in Wu Ling's hand.
After two and a half years, the eight-year-old Wu Ling had grown from 1.3 meters to 1.5 meters. Now, when he held a 1.5-meter sword, the sword was no longer taller than he was.
As Wu Ling grew, his features gradually opened up. At only eight years old, he already possessed a face that could drive many women mad. Every time Yue Guan saw him, he had to tease him first.
"Swallow Reversal!"
At Wu Ling's low shout, Ghost, who had been preparing to attack from the rear right, stopped immediately. He intended to wait for the gap after Wu Ling used the skill before attacking. But in the next instant, Wu Ling did not use Swallow Reversal. Instead, he stepped in front of Ghost and cut down with his sword.
This was far from the first time Ghost had been tricked by Wu Ling saying the skill name without using the skill. Yet every time, he still failed to guess Wu Ling's intention and could only adapt on the spot.
After forcing Ghost down toward the ground, Wu Ling followed close behind. This time, he said nothing. He directly used Swallow Reversal.
Two slashes cut toward Ghost, forcing him to use his first Spirit Skill to escape.
Clap, clap, clap.
As applause rang out, Wu Ling and Ghost stopped fighting in perfect tacit understanding. They looked toward the sound and saw Wu Ling's teacher, Bibi Dong.