Su Yuntao pointed at Lin Chuan and Tang San:
"These two children are named Lin Chuan and Tang San. They are here for their advancement appraisal!"
Matthew sized up the two children and gave a gentle smile:
"Oh?"
"Coming for advancement at such a young age? Their talent must be quite good, right?"
Su Yuntao said: "Precisely!"
He blinked his eyes, thinking to himself: *Is "good" the word? It's heaven-defying!*
Matthew's eyes sharpened, and he immediately sat up straight.
Matthew pointed at Tang San:
"Come, child, we'll test you first."
Tang San gave a polite bow, stepped forward, manifested his Blue Silver Grass martial soul, and then pressed his palm against the crystal ball.
The crystal ball instantly erupted with a dazzling light.
"Level thirteen?!"
Matthew was so shocked he stood up abruptly, his beard trembling:
"This child only recently awakened, didn't he? Reaching Level 13 after absorbing just one soul ring? How is this possible?"
Immediately following that, a yellow soul ring rose from beneath Tang San's feet.
Feeling the aura of the Datura Snake emanating from that soul ring.
Matthew's eyes widened even further:
"This is an animal-type soul ring?"
"A plant-type martial soul like Blue Silver Grass actually absorbed an animal-type soul ring?"
"And there was no rejection?"
"Heavens! This simply defies common sense!"
Matthew circled around Tang San several times:
"Child, who told you to do this? This was far too risky!"
Tang San replied respectfully:
"It was my teacher, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang."
"He proposed the theory of Martial Soul Mimicry, believing that plant-type martial souls can also absorb animal-type soul rings to enhance their attributes."
Matthew paused for a moment:
"Yu Xiaogang? That 'Grandmaster'?"
He had heard of Yu Xiaogang's reputation; although his standing within the Spirit Hall was poor.
But he had to admit, this Tang San was truly extraordinary!
"A genius, a true genius!"
Matthew looked at Tang San excitedly, his gaze becoming fervent:
"Child, are you willing to join the Spirit Hall?"
"With your talent, if you go to the Spirit Hall Academy for advanced studies, your future would be limitless!"
Without any hesitation, Tang San shook his head:
"Thank you for your kindness, but I have already promised my teacher that I will study at the Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy."
"Furthermore, I do not wish to join any other organizations for now."
In his heart, there was only one power he belonged to: the Tang Sect!
A trace of disappointment appeared on Matthew's face.
But being a generous elder after all, he did not force the matter:
"Sigh, what a pity. But everyone has their own ambitions."
Though it was a regret.
In Matthew's eyes.
Failing to recruit a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master—even one with Innate Full Soul Power—was still acceptable.
After all, the upper limit of Blue Silver Grass was restricted.
Beside them, Su Yuntao had been holding back a laugh the whole time.
Seeing Matthew's shocked expression.
Su Yuntao was practically blooming with joy inside.
*Can't take even this much?*
*Grandmaster Matthew, your mental fortitude is still too weak!*
*The real surprise is yet to come!*
Su Yuntao pointed at Lin Chuan, who had been standing aside watching the show, with a mischievous grin:
"Grandmaster Matthew, don't be so quick to feel regret."
"There's another one here. Lin Chuan, show the Grandmaster what you've got."
Lin Chuan walked forward somewhat helplessly.
"Alright, let's test then."
He reached out, placing his hand casually on the crystal ball, and the soul power within his body surged slightly.
Boom!
This time, the crystal ball didn't just glow.
It erupted with a blinding, piercing light!
Matthew hadn't even recovered from his shock over Tang San when his gaze turned vacant as he looked at the scale.
"Level fifteen?!"
*Clang!*
The teacup in Matthew's hand fell directly to the floor, shattering into pieces.
His body swayed violently, nearly failing to catch his breath.
"Level fifteen?!"
"Level 15 right after awakening?! How is this possible?!"
"Even with Innate Full Soul Power, absorbing one soul ring should at most reach Level 12 or 13!"
Before he could finish his roar.
Soul power surged from Lin Chuan's body, and a purple halo slowly rose.
That deep, profound purple instantly filled the entire office.
Matthew's eyeballs nearly popped out.
He even accidentally yanked out a few strands of his carefully groomed white beard.
"Purple?! A Thousand-Year Soul Ring?!"
"A thousand-year first soul ring?! This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"This old man has lived for over sixty years and has never seen such an absurd thing!"
Matthew's face turned bright red instantly, and his breathing became rapid.
He stared fixedly at that purple soul ring.
Then he looked at Lin Chuan's calm face, feeling his entire worldview collapsing.
If Tang San caused him shock.
Then Lin Chuan caused him sheer terror!
A thousand-year first soul ring, Level 15 soul power—how was this a genius?
This was a complete freak!
A monster!
To be honest, even Su Yuntao was shocked.
He also hadn't expected Lin Chuan to actually have a thousand-year soul ring!
You should know, as a Spirit Hall Deacon, Su Yuntao only had a single yellow soul ring!
However, he at least had some mental preparation, making it a bit easier to swallow.
Looking at Matthew, who looked like he was about to have a stroke.
He finally couldn't help himself and delivered the most satisfying blow of his life:
"Grandmaster Matthew, you're scared already? I haven't even finished."
Su Yuntao leaned into Matthew's ear.
He said, word by word:
"This little student Lin Chuan, besides this martial soul, he is also a Twin Martial Soul user!"
Matthew froze completely on the spot.
A full five seconds passed.
Only then did he react:
"Twin Martial Souls?!!!!"
His eyes turned red instantly, caused by extreme excitement and blood rushing to his head.
He grabbed Su Yuntao by the collar and roared:
"Are you telling the truth?! Twin Martial Souls?!"
"And Innate Full Soul Power?! And a thousand-year first soul ring?!"
Su Yuntao was being choked until his eyes rolled back:
"It's absolutely true..."
Matthew abruptly let go of Su Yuntao, turned around, and looked at Lin Chuan with the gaze one would use to look at an ancestor.
To hell with Spirit Hall rules!
To hell with not forcing people!
To hell with an elder's composure!
At this moment, let it all go to the devil!
*Grab him! We must grab him!*
Matthew's heart was roaring.
A genius of this caliber—if he were let go to the two Great Empires, Matthew would be a criminal in the eyes of the Spirit Hall!
If he let this one slip through his fingers, he, Matthew, would not be able to die in peace!
Recruiting a genius like this.
Never mind performance targets.
He could practically be transferred directly to the Pope's Palace for retirement!
Matthew rushed in front of Lin Chuan, grabbed his hand, and spoke with incoherent excitement:
"Child!"
"Join the Spirit Hall! You can name any conditions you want!"
"What resources do you need? Or do you want a Title Douluo to be your teacher?"
"As long as you nod, I will report this immediately! I believe the entire Spirit Hall will tilt its favor toward you!"
Lin Chuan felt a bit creeped out looking at this frantic old man.
As for going to the Spirit Hall, forget it; staying under Bibi Dong's thumb, who knows if he'd get offed by her!
Thus, he unobtrusively pulled his hand back, putting on an innocent look:
"Um, Grandmaster Matthew, I'm quite lazy and don't want to go anywhere too far."
"Besides, I already promised to accompany Little San to study at Nuoding Academy."
"We can talk about future matters in the future."
Hearing this, Matthew grew anxious.