Russell Sterling stared at the physical testing soulcraft instrument in shock. This was one of the three most advanced testing instruments in all of Mingde Hall, yet it had produced a data disorder. That meant Wu Ling had power inside his body that exceeded the level of a level 95 Titled Sage.
"The data was acceptable, yes, Hall Master Sterling?" Wu Ling asked despite knowing exactly what had happened.
"...Young sir, your talent has truly opened my eyes. Compared with my grandson, who calls himself number one under heaven, you are stronger by an unknown margin."
Russell continued, "There were originally three physical tests, but I will not embarrass myself in front of you. If it is you, the remaining two are unnecessary."
The words stung as he said them. A testing instrument of this level would take him quite some time to repair. From now on, he absolutely could not let Wu Ling touch the other two testing devices.
Wu Ling nodded in understanding. He took the clothes Clara handed over and said while dressing, "Clara, that looked rather fun. You should try it too."
At Wu Ling's words, Russell also looked toward Clara.
At first, he had assumed Clara was something like a servant or attendant. The main reason was simple. The Spirit Power fluctuation on her body was far too weak. She looked almost like a brand-new student.
But after thinking carefully, Russell realized that with Wu Ling's talent, identity, and strength, he would not be surprised even if a Titled Sage served as Wu Ling's attendant, let alone a one-ring or two-ring Spirit Master. Wu Ling's tone and attitude toward Clara made it even clearer that their relationship was not ordinary.
"Young sir, may I ask who this young lady is?" Russell asked carefully.
Wu Ling did not hide Clara's identity. After all, his main goal right now was to build momentum for Clara so that after he left, she could live here more easily.
"Her name is Clara Vale. She was the first person I met after arriving on this continent. After testing her, I discovered her tremendous talent, so I accepted her as my disciple."
Wu Ling continued, "That is also why I came here. I will leave this continent in less than a year. Before then, I need to find her a place to stay. After careful selection, I chose this academy as a possible foothold."
"Of course, whether she truly stays here still requires further evaluation."
As Wu Ling spoke, he gently rubbed Clara's head. Clara's face showed a comfortable expression.
The warmth of the scene did not reach Russell at all. He was too busy organizing the massive amount of information in Wu Ling's words.
First, Clara was the first person Wu Ling had met on this continent. Add in her status as his disciple, and she was definitely important to him.
Second, Wu Ling would leave the continent within a year, but Clara would remain.
Third, since she was his disciple, Clara would certainly learn Wu Ling's skills, perhaps even including the manufacturing technology Russell did not understand.
Fourth, Clara's talent was very high. Even a monster like Wu Ling praised it.
After thinking through all this, the idea of poaching Clara, or approaching Wu Ling through Clara, gradually surfaced in Russell's mind.
As for Wu Ling's "further evaluation," Russell did not believe those words at all. It was like haggling while buying vegetables. People only haggled over things they truly wanted. The moment Wu Ling brought Clara here, he had already decided. The so-called evaluation was only an excuse to ask for more benefits.
Of course, even if Wu Ling had not said that, Russell would still have offered treatment beyond the usual standard. The only difference was that the treatment now had to cover two people instead of one.
During that brief silence, Russell finished adjusting another instrument.
"Miss Vale, the device is ready. Please come here for the test."
"All right, Hall Master Sterling. But you do not need to call me Miss Vale. Clara is fine."
With that, Clara walked over.
"Physical strength: level 15. Physical resilience: level 16. Spirit Power fluctuation: level 19. Height: one meter sixty-nine. Weight: fifty-seven kilograms. Left arm length... bone age: eleven. Overall assessment: Spirit Master."
Clara's data was normal. In fact, it was extremely normal. Precisely because it was so normal, Russell did not dare draw a conclusion. In Wu Ling's mouth, Clara possessed tremendous talent.
That suspicion changed after Russell personally tested Clara's first Spirit Skill. Later, Russell evaluated her this way: "Above-average talent, top-tier Spirit Skill, and an absolute research personnel seed. As expected of someone Young Sir Wu Ling chose."
After that, with Russell's help, Wu Ling and Clara settled into the academy. Wu Ling's formal teaching of Clara also gradually entered its proper rhythm.
Five months later.
"Teal Ice Empress's Claws!"
In the training field, Clara's hands suddenly took on a diamond-like texture, and she drove them hard toward Wu Ling.
Wu Ling did not use even a trace of Spirit Power. With a light tap, he deflected Clara's Teal Ice Empress's Claws off course.
"No, no. Faster. Adjust the angle again. And you need to see clearly how that punch just walked itself into my palm."
Wu Ling deflected an incoming Spirit Power ray while continuing to explain combat technique to Clara.
Five months had passed since Wu Ling and Clara moved into the Sun Moon Royal Soulcraft Academy. During those five months, both of their schedules had been packed full.
Wu Ling traded a low-grade cultivation method and several Magecraft arrays modified to be driven by Spirit Power in exchange for all Mingde Hall soulcraft device data below the Spirit Daoist tier.
During private academic discussions between only the two of them, both Wu Ling and Russell said they had gained a great deal. Two top forging masters from different eras and different technical systems exchanging ideas had indeed given both of them many new directions.
During this period, Wu Ling's Spirit Power had reached level 70. However, because he was worried that Tang San might have left a hidden hand in the Spirit Ring, he had not absorbed it yet.
Clara did not have that concern. Due to Wu Ling's intervention, her Spirit Power had already reached level 20 three months earlier. At Wu Ling's instruction, she went alone to the Far North just like in the original timeline. She spent one month there and successfully obtained the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion as her second Martial Soul.
Now, this was Clara's practical combat class, personally taught by Wu Ling.