Wang Li realized that things were not quite as he had imagined. The experience he gained through combat did not directly increase his soul power. Instead, it caused his soul power to surge wildly through his body along a mysterious and profound path.
As the soul power continued to advance and rush forward, it grew stronger little by little at an astonishing speed. This growth was so clear that even Wang Li himself could distinctly sense it.
A sudden realization flashed through Wang Li's mind. Although this was a game panel, he was not truly inside a game world. Therefore, experience could not be directly converted into soul power. Instead, it increased his soul power in a way similar to idle cultivation.
At this moment, the circulation of soul power within Wang Li's body was not guided by his own consciousness. It was as if it had been taken over by someone else. Although it was his soul power that was increasing, he was not deliberately guiding the process at all. This was exactly like idle cultivation.
Wait…
A bold thought arose in Wang Li's mind. Could the circulation path of soul power in his body right now actually be a top-tier meditation technique? Compared to this, could the basic meditation technique taught at the academy really be more advanced or better suited to him?
Thinking of this, Wang Li felt a surge of excitement. As long as he memorized this set of soul power circulation paths, he would not lose out no matter what. At the very least, he would gain an excellent meditation technique for free.
Wang Li acted immediately. He steadied his mind, and his consciousness followed his soul power as it moved continuously through his body. At the same time, he memorized the circulation paths and sensed what changes occurred in his body and meridians as the soul power passed through.
In cultivation, time slipped by unnoticed. Wang Li had no idea how long had passed when the circulation of soul power within his body suddenly became sluggish. Every step forward now required a great deal of mental and physical effort.
However, the feeling of increasing soul power was far too wonderful. Wang Li was unwilling to wake up just like that, so he actively used his consciousness to envelop and guide his soul power, forcing it to continue circulating.
This set of soul power circulation paths was extremely complex and profound. Previously, when it was like idle cultivation, everything had been easy and pleasant. Now, relying on his memory and bodily instinct to circulate his soul power on his own, the hardship and difficulty were constantly presenting themselves before him.
He was exhausted, utterly exhausted. It felt as though he were carrying a heavy load forward. Both his mind and body were overwhelmed by fatigue and weariness.
If not for the faint, spring-like nourishment brought by the increase in soul power, which continued to moisten his consciousness and give him the motivation to persist, he probably would not have been able to hold on.
One cycle, two cycles… Each complete circulation of soul power within his body brought an enormous increase. Three cycles, four cycles, and Wang Li was already completely drained.
On the fifth cycle, Wang Li suddenly stopped. It felt as if steel needles were stabbing into his head, while waves of emptiness surged from within his body. The sensation was extremely unpleasant.
Wang Li opened his eyes. Increasing soul power was indeed wonderful, but the process of doing so also required mental and physical effort. No wonder cultivation required a balance between work and rest. This was not something one could simply persist in by willpower alone.
Enduring the headache, Wang Li opened the panel:
[Host: Wang Li]
[Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass Lv2 (Evolving)]
[Soul Power: Level 5 (9%) +]
[Trait: Vitality Lv2 (Blue Silver Grass spreads across every corner of the continent. Though pitifully weak, it possesses strong vitality and can slowly recover from injuries.)]
[Passive: Tenacity Lv2 (What does not kill me makes me stronger. After recovering from any abnormal state short of death, the body becomes even stronger.)]
[Soul Ring: None]
[Soul Bone: None]
[Experience: 0]
The experience resetting to zero was within Wang Li's expectations, but his soul power level far exceeded them. With just one cultivation session, he had broken through two levels in a row. The gains were simply enormous.
Wang Li's eyes were filled with both shock and delight. Just sparring once with Wang Sheng had caused his soul power level to increase so dramatically. In the future, as long as he continued to experience battles and gain experience, he would be able to level up rapidly.
This made him extremely happy, and that was not all. The soul power circulation path provided by idle cultivation itself was a top-tier meditation technique.
He refused to believe that an ordinary meditation technique could completely drain his mental and physical strength after just five circulation cycles.
This had to be a top-tier meditation technique for such a situation to occur.
Wang Li smiled. It seemed that it would not take long before he could cultivate to level ten and become a one-ring soul master. That goal was clearly within reach.
He glanced toward the dormitory door and realized that, without noticing, night had already fallen. Perhaps because he had awakened, Wang Li saw Tang San walking toward him at a quick pace.
Wang Li sat up on the bed, and Tang San came to a stop in front of him. Without hesitation, Tang San said directly,
"Wang Li, I need to ask you for a favor. My teacher is taking me to obtain a soul ring tomorrow, so I won't be at the academy for a while. The academy's assignment to clean the garden will have to be handled by you and Xiao Wu."
"When I come back, I'll take care of all the remaining cleaning duties for the rest of the year. You'll still get paid as usual. Xiao Wu has already agreed. Are you willing?"
Although he said he was asking for a favor, it felt more like a notification. Wang Li did not refuse and replied with a smile,
"That's fine. You just enrolled today, and tomorrow you can already go obtain a soul ring. That's really an enviable level of talent."
Tang San visibly relaxed a little, then added a sentence that sounded either comforting or perfunctory,
"Your talent isn't bad either. You'll definitely be able to cultivate to level ten soon."
Hearing this, the corner of Wang Li's mouth lifted slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.
"I hope so."
After Tang San left, Wang Li closed his eyes to rest for a while. His head still felt like it was being stabbed by needles, urging him to go to sleep, while the emptiness in his body urged him to fill his stomach.
It was already dark outside, and Wang Li was not sure whether there was still food in the cafeteria. He could only take out some dry rations and fruit, eat a little to fill his stomach, and then could not resist going straight to bed.
The next day.
Wang Li was woken up by Wang Sheng. Even after sleeping through the night, he was still very sleepy.
He shook his head hard and could not help but sigh. The aftereffects of that meditation technique were really strong. It felt as though his body had been completely drained.
But there was no way he could go back to sleep now. He got up, put on his school uniform, and touched the fabric. It felt better than any clothes he had worn before.
After using the restroom and washing up, he followed everyone else to the cafeteria and filled his stomach first.
All the working students then went to their respective classrooms according to their grade. The upcoming opening ceremony would be arranged by the class instructors.
Every year was more or less the same. The principal would give a speech about the history of soul masters. The director would speak about the academy's development, summarize the past year, outline plans for the new year, encourage everyone to cultivate diligently, and mention which famous intermediate soul master academies outstanding graduates might be recommended to.
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