Su Yu, back when he was at the Soul Sect level, fought beyond his rank, defeating even Soul Kings, an act that garnered great admiration from Xiao Fan, who was interested in cultivating Martial Souls.
Learning about Soul-guiding Devices?
That was merely a path Xiao Fan chose to receive better treatment and resources.
Now, there's a rumor circulating within the Academy that the Martial Soul System also holds a top-level Core Disciple position, and Xiao Fan speculated that it was closely related to Su Yu.
After all, within the entire Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy, the undisputed most powerful individual in terms of true strength was definitely Su Yu.
After all, the widely spread rumor that Xiao Hongchen couldn't defeat Su Yu was never publicly questioned.
Although few knew Su Yu's personality, everyone knew Xiao Hongchen to be very proud, and he never refuted it, which evidently suggested that the rumor might be true.
"Could it be because of him?"
Xiao Fan contemplated as he looked at Bai Feng.
Bai Feng, merely a six-year-old child, had likely just awakened his Martial Soul when he became Su Yu's disciple and joined the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy.
Xiao Fan easily deduced who was given the top-level Core Disciple slot.
"Senior, may I ask if there is only one top-level Core Disciple slot in the Martial Soul System?"
Su Yu smiled at Xiao Fan and said, "The treatment is for the gifted. As long as one is outstanding enough, the Academy won't overlook it."
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
"By the way, since you have a decent talent for soul guidance, don't waste it. You probably heard what I told your brother just now; a Battle Armor Master is the perfect fusion of a Soul Guide and a Soul Master."
Xiao Ping, standing aside, saw that his brother's doubts were resolved and continued with his questions.
Even though they were only a year apart and in different grades, when facing Su Yu, Xiao Ping felt like a student; his understanding and knowledge of Soul-guiding Devices fell far behind.
Bai Feng listened attentively to Su Yu's guidance to the brothers and quietly took notes in his heart.
...
After roughly two hours, Su Yu finally sent the brothers off.
Undeniably, Xiao Ping and Xiao Fan met Su Yu's expectations very well.
One was a direct selection for the upcoming Soul Fighting Competition, the other a reserve candidate.
Moreover, they possessed impressive talent and aligned with future Soul Guide development directions.
These were the reasons why he spent these two hours today.
"Teacher, must both paths of Soul Guide and Soul Master be pursued simultaneously?" Bai Feng asked after the brothers had left.
From Su Yu's guidance, he had distilled Su Yu's perspective.
Combining cultivation of Soul-guiding Devices and Soul Mastery was the true path to power.
"No."
Su Yu's reply confused Bai Feng.
Could he have held back and not offered true guidance?
"Every Soul Master has different circumstances and pursuits, and you can't divide them by absolute theory."
For those with extraordinary talent, aspiring to Divinity, they should focus on cultivating Martial Souls. Perhaps, with the right opportunity, they might succeed.
For those who have no ambition for Divinity or don't want to chase such a slim chance yet have adequate talent, dual cultivation is naturally best, maximizing their strength.
A Soul Master's cultivation shouldn't hold them back, and the capabilities of a Soul Guide can custom-tailor a Battle Armor for optimal strength enhancement.
Soul Masters lacking adequate talent can only choose based on their abilities.
Bai Feng pondered deeply.
What was his own situation?
...
Su Yu left the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy and entered the Royal Palace Back Mountain.
Since Xu Tianran ascended, the atmosphere within the Royal Family had completely changed.
The former old emperor was frail, and the Royal Family was strictly guarded, with a conservative style, whereas now, with Xu Tianran's rise, the guard remained strict but exuded a sharp edge.
The aura of wanting to bite anyone they see was unprecedented.
Of course, these changes had little impact on Su Yu.
Kong Deming remained the greatest pillar of support for the Royal Family.
Even while aligned with two Extreme Douluos from the Holy Spirit Sect, Xu Tianran still showed caution towards them, knowing that the true reliance was still the Tribute Hall, still Kong Deming.
"Teacher."
Kong Deming, immersed in researching a Tenth-level Soul-guiding Device, paused his musings upon Su Yu's arrival.
"Xiaoyu, is there something you need?"
"Teacher, Senior Brother Xuan's Soul Power has broken through to Level 90. I'd like to ask you to hunt a ten-thousand-year Evil Eye Tyrant for him."
"Oh?" Kong Deming laughed and nodded, "Given Xuan Ziweng's Martial Soul, the Evil Eye Tyrant's amplification is indeed the greatest."
"Are you also planning to provide Xuan Ziweng with an Immortal Grass?"
Last time, when gifting the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and Damask Tulip, Su Yu had shown great ambition.
He seemed quite confident in achieving Divinity, setting more plans in motion.
As his teacher, Kong Deming keenly perceived this.
Now, he related this thought, sensing Xuan Ziweng was another piece in Su Yu's strategy.
"Exactly, I plan to give the Holy Soul Grass to Senior Brother, to solidify his foundation, while the Evil Eye Tyrant's Soul Ring enhances his Martial Soul's Spirit Attribute. This should maximize Senior Brother's chance of reaching Extreme Douluo."
Kong Deming nodded; everything was within his expectation. Xuan Ziweng's research capabilities were strong, and giving these resources to him could yield returns far beyond their intrinsic value in the near future.
"If that's the case, then I'll personally go and help Xuan Ziweng hunt a ten-thousand-year Evil Eye Tyrant."
Within the Evil Eye Tyrant's species, ten-thousand-year individuals are few, and over-hunting could provoke the Evil Emperor's wrath.
Even with the confidence to face the Evil Emperor, Kong Deming preferred not to outright provoke him.