Douluo: I am the True Master

Then, Ye Wen pointed to the little girl Lan with the Blue Silver Grass and said:

"Let me start by introducing your spirit, Lan Lan. Your spirit, the Blue Silver Grass, has an innate soul power of level one, which is quite normal. 

I once read about the Blue Silver Grass spirit in a book. Scholars have found that the probability of Blue Silver Grass awakening with innate soul power does not exceed three percent. You should be grateful to have this level of soul power because you are already considered a rare genius among those with Blue Silver Grass, as it is generally regarded as the weakest spirit."

Listening to Ye Wen's explanation, Lan Lan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her spirit was so weak; she felt sorry for herself.

However, Ye Wen continued, "Don't be so disheartened. Though weak, the Blue Silver Grass is not without its merits. Precisely because of its weakness, after obtaining a spirit ring, it can undergo an evolution that no other spirit can achieve. 

Moreover, the Blue Silver Grass has another advantage. Let me tell you, in the cultivation of soul masters, there is something called mimicry training environments, usually exclusive to noble soul masters. 

This method involves simulating environments where the essence represented by the spirit returns to its original habitat, significantly boosting the soul master's cultivation speed. You understand what I mean, right?"

Looking into Ye Wen's clever eyes, Lan Lan seemed to understand and then suddenly realized. She made an 'oh' sound. 

"I get it!"

As for Village Chief Mike, he was utterly confused. He poured himself another glass of water—it tasted great, truly worthy of a soul master's water. 

"So, in the future, try to cultivate in places abundant with Blue Silver Grass. This will accelerate your cultivation speed. Although the help isn't substantial, it should allow your cultivation speed to match that of soul masters with innate soul power levels two or three. While this might not be much in big cities, it's considered fast around here. If you persist daily, by the age of 30, you should reach the level of a 30th rank Soul Elder, earning you 100 gold coins per month, allowing for a comfortable life."

Though many terms were still unclear to Lan Lan, hearing that she could earn 100 gold coins by the age of 30 invigorated her spirit. Who cares if her spirit is weak? As long as she reaches Soul Elder, the subsidies will keep coming.

On the side, Huo Rui hadn't expected that even a waste spirit like the Blue Silver Grass had so many intricacies in its cultivation. However, being intelligent, she tried applying Ye Wen's cultivation plan for Lan Lan to herself but found no similar path for advancement, leaving her somewhat dejected.

Ye Wen noticed Huo Rui's situation but didn't rush to explain. Instead, he took a sip of water to moisten his dry throat.

But Huo Rui couldn't wait. She rushed over to Ye Wen, tugging at his arm with her small hands, shaking it urgently and pleading, "Big Brother, what about me! What about me!"

At this moment, Village Chief Mike frowned and scolded Huo Rui, "Xiao Rui, mind your manners." 

By now, Village Chief Mike was thoroughly impressed with Ye Wen. The village had produced soul masters before, but none like Ye Wen, who could eloquently plan the cultivation of even a waste spirit like the Blue Silver Grass. This was a first for him. 

Especially when he heard that cultivation could reach the level of a Soul Elder, earning 100 gold coins per month, he was completely astounded. After all, whether the annual harvest of Gold Wheat Village could fetch 100 gold coins was questionable. Thus, he became increasingly respectful towards Ye Wen, showing respect for an intellectual. 

Therefore, he found Huo Rui's unruly behavior disrespectful to Ye Wen and wanted her to restrain herself.

But Ye Wen waved his hand, signaling Village Chief Mike not to be so stern. With a gentle smile, he said, 

"Don't worry, Xiao Rui. Your talent far surpasses that of the Blue Silver Grass. With proper planning for your spirit cultivation, even at your worst, you'll become a Soul Sage-level powerhouse. That's the fifth title of a soul master, someone who can dominate in this region of Noding City."

Hearing Ye Wen say this, stars sparkled in Huo Rui's eyes as she began to imagine how majestic her future would be. 

But then she thought of her spirit being her heart—she couldn't possibly rip out her own heart and throw it at people; she'd die too. 

Children's thoughts are simple and straightforward. Huo Rui quickly became deflated again.

Seeing this, Ye Wen scratched his head. Though he grew up as a child, he harbored the soul of an adult and couldn't fully grasp the mindset of children in this world. So he continued, 

"However, Xiao Rui, listen carefully. I'm talking about reasonable planning for your spirit cultivation. You should know the nature of your spirit. If developed improperly, it will become a true waste spirit, unable to break through even to the Soul Elder level."

"How should I cultivate, Big Brother?"

Huo Rui looked at Ye Wen with hope. In her eyes, if Ye Wen could devise a cultivation plan for a waste spirit like the Blue Silver Grass to reach Soul Elder, surely he could develop a decent plan for her innate level five Heart spirit. 

"Regarding this question, though I want to tell you directly, soul masters have their rules. For waste spirits like Lan Lan, a bit of guidance suffices since her potential achievements are low. But you're different. I can't give away superior cultivation methods for free; you must offer me equal compensation. 

In the soul master world, it's forbidden to covet others' cultivation methods. Each method represents the crystallization of wisdom from a soul master faction. Either join a sect or sign a servitude contract; otherwise, ordinary soul masters won't teach you their methods. What you learn in academies are just basic cultivation techniques. They might suffice for general spirit cultivation but will only render special spirits like yours useless."

For the first time, the young girl faced the harshness of this world. Clenching her patched-up old dress with both fists, she timidly asked,

"But I have nothing."

"No, you do," Ye Wen declared firmly. 

"Become my disciple. From now on, we share life and death. I will teach you the secrets of your spirit. At the very least, you'll become a Soul Sage. 

And let me tell you frankly, no one in this world understands your spirit better than I do."

Young Huo Rui didn't fully comprehend what becoming a disciple in the soul master world meant, but with nothing to lose, she resolutely said, 

"Alright, I'll become your disciple."

Looking into Huo Rui's determined eyes, Ye Wen was moved. 

Standing up, though only three years older, Ye Wen, at 170 cm tall, resembled a big brother of sixteen or seventeen as he patted Huo Rui's head. 

"Alright, I, Ye Wen, accept you as my eldest disciple. From now on, call me Master."

"Yes, Master."

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