"Lu Xiaoshuang, concede!"
"A first-year actually defeated a third-year!"
"Incredible, truly incredible."
"Wasn't Wang Zhong a first-year? Why does he have two spirit rings! With two spirit rings, he should be a second-year student!"
"Idiot, do I even need to explain this? He broke through level twenty, so naturally, he has two spirit rings! The reason he hasn't advanced to the second year is that he only just came to the academy this year...?!"
"What the heck, one person can improve nearly twenty levels in a year! Are you kidding me? Is he a monster!"
"Brother, calm down, calm down! Wang Zhong had innate full spirit power when he entered the academy. There's no such thing as improving twenty levels in a year; it's only about ten levels."
"Ten levels in a year! Hahaha..."
"And his second spirit ring is a thousand-year one too!..."
Everyone who thought of this fell silent at that moment.
No one in the entire arena could achieve such a feat. Even with extraordinary talent, advancing six levels in a year was considered monstrous.
Ten levels in a year was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
A series of crisp applause came from the high platform. Bibi Dong smiled gently, applauding Wang Zhong.
With Bibi Dong leading the way, warm applause erupted from the square.
Defeating a Spirit Sect of level forty as a Great Spirit Master of level twenty, completely unharmed except for the exhaustion of spirit power and physical strength – such a feat had only been achieved by Wang Zhong since the founding of the Spirit Hall.
"Splendid, truly a splendid battle."
"Before this challenge began, even as the Pope, I considered several possible outcomes for the match, but none of them concluded with you defeating Lu Xiaoshuang without injury."
"The best outcome I envisioned was a mutual defeat, a devastating draw for both of you. But the reality has made me understand that some favored children of heaven cannot be judged by ordinary standards."
Bibi Dong descended from the high platform, stepping over the碎石 (shattered stones), and walked slowly towards Wang Zhong. Her wine-red eyes were filled with astonishment. At this moment, only one thought occupied her mind.
Indeed, he was a spokesperson chosen by the gods, with terrifying talent and potential.
Advancing over ten spirit levels in one year, and in half a year, creating a spirit skill – both of these feats, even separately, would be astonishing for a long time. Yet, they both happened to one person, how could she not be surprised.
Even as the owner of twin spirits, Bibi Dong felt a sense of defeat at this moment.
The word "talent" had "stronger" but never "strongest." The past Bibi Dong had scoffed at this statement. Possessing twin spirits and innate full spirit power, her talent was unprecedented. She was confident that no one on the entire continent possessed greater talent than her.
But now, Wang Zhong's appearance had completely shattered her arrogant self-importance.
"Wang Zhong, can you tell me what your current level is!" Bibi Dong asked Wang Zhong calmly.
"Reporting to His Holiness the Pope, I am currently level twenty-four."
Wang Zhong leaped down from the spikes beneath his feet and approached Bibi Dong, placing one hand on his chest and replying respectfully.
As these words were spoken, the square, which had calmed down, naturally erupted once more.
"Level twenty-four! That means, within this year, your spirit power increased by six levels in the first half and by eight levels in the second half?"
Bibi Dong unconsciously tightened her grip on her scepter. In just one year, an increase of fourteen spirit levels. Even evil spirits, practicing with dark arts, could not match Wang Zhong's progress.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"The reason I can cultivate so quickly is thanks to Your Holiness's grace in opening the Mimic Cultivation Environment to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made such progress."
Wang Zhong grinned and said humbly.
Bibi Dong chuckled and shook her head at Wang Zhong's modesty.
"Although the Mimic Cultivation Environment can speed up a spirit master's cultivation, it is ultimately only an auxiliary ability."
"Its effect is negligible."
"What truly causes your cultivation speed to be so fast is your innate talent! You don't need to be humble about this. While at the Spirit Hall Academy, you can fully display your talent and be proud and confident!"
A smug smile appeared on Wang Zhong's face. As a student, being praised as outstanding by the principal in front of all the teachers and students, who wouldn't be proud? Of course, those who acted overly profound were an exception.
After saying these words, Bibi Dong looked at Wang Zhong's smiling face and fell into thought. Her gaze flickered, and countless thoughts raced through her mind.
At this moment, with Wang Zhong having defeated Lu Xiaoshuang and proven his talent, if she were to propose taking him as a disciple, no one would find anything amiss. Even the stubborn old men in the Elder Hall wouldn't dare to question it, as Wang Zhong had already proven his talent and was worthy of being a disciple of the Pope.
Moreover, once she took Wang Zhong as a disciple, even Qian Daoliu would not have any overt means to win Wang Zhong over to their side.
Because the title of master and disciple would completely render any of Qian Daoliu's methods as despicable tricks lacking morality and substance.
However, some matters kept flashing in Bibi Dong's mind, and it was precisely because of these that she hesitated.
And in these matters, the sole protagonist was Qian Xunji!
The relationship between master and disciple, which should have been unbreakable, was still as fragile as a spider's silk before certain interests, easily broken.
To bind a true prodigy to one's side solely with superficial, tangible interests as a bargaining chip was far from enough.
Interests would be replaced by greater interests! Only emotions, beliefs, and responsibilities were truly unbreakable.
Wang Zhong was an orphan, and what he lacked was evident at a glance.
Wealth, dignity, status, family affection, friendship, care... These were things almost every orphan lacked, and Wang Zhong was no exception.
Wealth, dignity, and status – with Wang Zhong's talent, he could easily obtain these three given enough time.
For Wang Zhong, what he lacked most were the latter things.
He lacked friendship and care, which was why he cared so much about his companions like Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. Even Qian Renxue, who had only been here for a few days, had earned this friendship through sincere treatment, showing how much Wang Zhong valued these things.
Her gaze swept over Hu Liena, whose small face was flushed with excitement. Bibi Dong inexplicably had an idea.
"When I take Wang Zhong as a disciple, perhaps Hu Liena can be taken in together."
With a soft sigh, Bibi Dong gazed at Wang Zhong before her, having found a way to firmly bind Wang Zhong to her side.
Friendship and care could be provided to Wang Zhong by Hu Liena, Qian Renxue, Xie Yue, and Yan, so he would not be too desperate for them. Bibi Dong's status and age also made it impossible for her to provide such things to Wang Zhong.
But there was one emotion that Wang Zhong currently lacked the most and craved the most, and it was an emotion that Bibi Dong could provide to Wang Zhong.
Family affection!
Master is mother!
With the name of master and disciple, bound by the chain of maternal affection, such a tie and relationship would be unbreakable.
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong made a move that stunned everyone present.