章 66: Chapter 66: Heart Separation Control, Apprenticing Under Xian Lin'er

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Word Count: 2,929 Words

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Shrek Academy, Spirit Guidance Department Teaching Area.

The buildings of the Spirit Guidance Department differed from the dazzling ones of the Martial Spirit Department. Their overall style was ancient and understated, constructed from a special kind of gray brick that had a cold, metallic sheen on the surface.

From time to time, intense rumbling sounds that caused the ground to tremble slightly emanated from inside the buildings, as if countless Spirit Guidance Shells were exploding in succession.

The Spirit Guidance Department was divided into numerous testing areas, each door bearing its own number. The lower the number, the more important the area. Du Weilun led Ling Bai and Ning Tian toward Testing Area No. 1. Without any courtesy, he kicked open the metal door and shouted:

"Is Dean Qian here? Open up and receive your guests!"

Several Spirit Guidance Department students and teachers who were tinkering with Spirit Guidance Devices in Testing Area No. 1 looked up at Du Weilun upon hearing this, curious to see who was being so arrogant.

Two figures approached Du Weilun. On the left was a middle-aged man standing at least two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a sturdy build. His bare arms revealed granite-like muscles, and his hair stood up like steel needles. The pressure he exuded as he walked was like that of a moving mountain.

Vice-Dean of the Spirit Guidance Department, Black Dragon Douluo Qian Duoduo!

On the right was a woman around 1.7 meters tall, appearing to be in her early thirties. She had fair skin and delicate features. Between her brows was an icy cold expression that exuded an aura of arrogance.

Dean of the Spirit Guidance Department, Martial God Douluo Xian Lin'er!

"Well, well, what wind blew Director Du here today? Our humble Spirit Guidance Department can hardly accommodate a big shot like you!" Qian Duoduo immediately spoke with a sardonic smile as soon as he saw Du Weilun.

The Spirit Guidance Department had been competing with the Martial Spirit Department for many years but had always been at a disadvantage. Du Weilun, as the top executive under Dean Yan Shaozhe, often made things difficult for them.

According to past behavior, Du Weilun would have retorted to Qian Duoduo immediately. But upon seeing Xian Lin'er, his lips quivered a few times before he took the initiative to greet her politely: "Dean Xian is here too. It's been quite a while since we last met."

Xian Lin'er snorted coldly, "I preferred your arrogant attitude from earlier. If you have something to say, spit it out!"

Not only did Du Weilun not get angry, but a wry smile appeared on his face upon hearing this.

Are you kidding? Even Yan Shaozhe gave Xian Lin'er a wide berth. While Du Weilun dared to provoke Qian Duoduo, he knew he couldn't afford to offend this Martial God Douluo.

Du Weilun got straight to the point: "Dean Xian, Dean Qian, I've come to bring the Spirit Guidance Department an enormous benefit!"

"Oh, I don't believe it."

Qian Duoduo shook his head, and Xian Lin'er deeply agreed. Du Weilun was the Martial Spirit Department's Director personally trained by Yan Shaozhe. He was full of dirty tricks!

Du Weilun nearly flushed with anger and embarrassment. What did these two mean? Couldn't they give him a bit of face in front of Ning Tian?

"Ahem!"

He coughed into his fist to hide his embarrassment and continued, "I know the Spirit Guidance Department is short on people, so I've specially brought you a super genius. Xiao Tian, come to greet Dean Xian Lin'er and Vice-Dean Qian Duoduo of the Spirit Guidance Department!"

Ning Tian stepped forward and gave a junior's greeting. With an impeccable smile, she said, "Greetings, Dean Xian and Dean Qian. I am Ning Tian, a new student at the academy."

Du Weilun introduced her, "Xiao Tian is the child of a close friend of mine. She has exceptional Martial Spirit talent and has been interested in Spirit Guidance Devices since she was young. Her mother and I have discussed this many times and strongly opposed Xiao Tian learning about Spirit Guidance Devices. But we couldn't resist this child's repeated requests. We had no choice but to bring her here as she wished."

Ling Bai listened from the side and secretly gave a thumbs-up. Director Du was indeed Director Du. His ability to make up nonsense was first-class. Mixing truth and lies, he praised Ning Tian while slipping in his own agenda!

"Good child, you have vision!"

Sure enough, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were instantly convinced by Du Weilun.

Shrek Academy had established the Spirit Guidance Department to follow the trend of the continent. However, due to their own pride and historical reasons, Shrek Academy, especially the Inner Courtyard, looked down on the Spirit Guidance Department to the point of treating them like dirt.

To be honest, even the dogs kept by the Martial Spirit Department would dare to kick Spirit Guidance Department students as they passed by!

While other Spirit Master academies on the Douluo Continent were experimenting with combining Martial Spirits and Spirit Guidance Devices in combat, most Shrek students still took pride in adhering to tradition. They refused to learn how to make Spirit Guidance Devices and even resolutely rejected using them!

Now, suddenly, an outstanding student had come forward to tell them, 'I've admired Spirit Guidance Devices for a long time.' How could the two deans not be moved?

"However..."

Xian Lin'er paused for a moment, then said, "The Spirit Guidance Department only starts recruiting students in the third year. Accepting a freshman doesn't comply with the rules."

"Lin'er is right. You've come too early," Qian Duoduo agreed.

"Shrek Academy's motto is to recruit only monsters, not ordinary people," Du Weilun said. "Monsters have their own unique teaching methods and need not be confined to fixed models."

As he said this, he couldn't help but recall the scene three months ago when he witnessed Ling Bai easily defeat Chu Qingtian and pass the Inner Courtyard examination. There were differences even among monsters!

"There's some truth to that..." The two deans nodded.

"I have a proposal for your consideration," Du Weilun continued. "Xiao Tian can temporarily stay in the Martial Spirit Department. After completing her daily studies there, I'll turn a blind eye and allow her to study Spirit Guidance Devices with you."

"Studying both Martial Spirit cultivation and Spirit Guidance Devices?"

Xian Lin'er's delicate eyebrows knitted together as she slowly said, "It's a possible solution. The only question is... Ning Tian, do you have that kind of talent?"

"I do!"

Ning Tian's answer was firm and decisive. The girl's spirited demeanor made Xian Lin'er take a second look. She applauded and praised:

"I like your confidence! As long as you demonstrate sufficient talent, I'll accept Director Du's proposal and teach you about Spirit Guidance Devices!"

"Me too!"

Qian Duoduo unconditionally supported his wife.

"Dean Xian, could I trouble you to provide me with three different types of metals, three Carving Knives, and a Class 1 Spirit Guidance Thruster?"

A hidden storm swirled in Ning Tian's azure eyes. Ling Bai and Du Weilun had opened up a new path for her. To truly embark on this path, she had to rely on her own abilities. She absolutely would not let them down!

Xian Lin'er didn't ask about the purpose. She turned and shouted into the depths of Testing Area No. 1, "Qian Fufu, bring one piece each of Green Iron, Yellow Iron, and Red Iron, three standard Carving Knives, and a Class 1 Spirit Guidance Thruster!"

"Right away, Teacher's wife!"

A response came from afar. Qian Fufu ran over to the group with a pile of materials in his arms. Suddenly, he exclaimed in shock, "Ling Bai, why have you come to the Spirit Guidance Department?"

He didn't know Ning Tian, so he only noticed Ling Bai.

Something's not right!

Could it be that he's here to cause trouble?!

Qian Fufu, activate defense mode!

Ling Bai saw through him at a glance and said exasperatedly, "Don't jump to conclusions. I'm just accompanying someone for an interview."

Unless his head had been kicked by a donkey, who would dare to cause trouble under the eyes of two Titled Douluo?!

"That's good then."

Qian Fufu patted his chest and smiled, "If you're interested in Spirit Guidance Devices, you're welcome to join us!"

"Haha, certainly." Ling Bai employed the art of fobbing off.

He was willing to learn to use Spirit Guidance Devices and very much supported the development of Spirit Guidance Devices on the Douluo Continent. But when it came to crafting them himself?

Sorry, not interested in the slightest!

During the 'Unrivaled Tang Sect' period, the pinnacle of Spirit Guidance Devices was the Class 10 Spirit Guidance Device Silver Moon Divine Light Barrier made by Kong Deming of the Sun Moon Empire. But even that posed almost no threat to Gods.

So why not focus on becoming a God instead?

After becoming a God, with endless lifespan, there would be plenty of time to study Spirit Guidance Devices.

Qian Fufu placed the materials on the circular metal table in front of Ning Tian. Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo stood silently on either side of her, watching.

Red Iron, Yellow Iron, and Green Iron were all relatively common rare metals, suitable for the core arrays of most Spirit Guidance Devices below Class 3. Now laid out before Ning Tian, they emitted the cold, hard aura unique to metals.

Ning Tian didn't choose to start working on the three rare metals. Instead, she first disassembled the Class 1 Spirit Guidance Thruster.

The structure of a Class 1 Spirit Guidance Device was very simple. After removing the metal casing, there was only a small, exquisite hexagonal metal block inside, engraved with some intricate patterns.

Class 1 Spirit Guidance Core Array: Acceleration.

A strange brilliance shone in Ning Tian's ocean-blue eyes. She stared at the Acceleration Array for a long time without taking further action. Time passed minute by minute, her body remaining as motionless as a statue.

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were getting a bit impatient. Their eyes glared at Du Weilun in unison, as if to say, 'Are you playing games with us?!'

Du Weilun was sweating profusely. In truth, he wasn't completely sure about Ning Tian's abilities either. He had deliberately exaggerated her abilities earlier in order to pursue his goddess from days gone by.

Finally, Ning Tian moved. She gripped two Carving Knives simultaneously while her spirit power surged forth, condensing into a hand that grasped the third knife!

When she finally acted, it was with astonishing skill. She was surprisingly working on all three at once!

The complex patterns of the Class 1 Acceleration Array were rapidly inscribed under Ning Tian's stroke by stroke carving. Carving three arrays simultaneously didn't affect her rhythm at all. Instead, her three ceaselessly moving hands seemed to be performing an orderly and beautiful dance!

'The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's secret technique—Heart Separation Control! She's a disciple of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!'

Xian Lin'er had seen much and recognized the technique Ning Tian was using at a glance.

'Three Aperture Governing Heart... a freshman...'

Qian Duoduo rubbed his chin and suddenly realized, 'An eleven-year-old Spirit Elder?!'

As if to answer Qian Duoduo's unspoken question, a magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared above Ning Tian's head. Two yellow and one purple spirit rings rose up. The powerful 40% amplification to strength and speed poured into her body. Ning Tian's three hands carving the arrays became even more dazzling.

Ning Tian forcefully carved the last stroke and picked out the scattered tiny metal shavings. Her movements came to a halt. Her pretty face showed a hint of fatigue, but when she turned her head to look at everyone, a brilliant smile suddenly bloomed.

She carefully cradled the three hexagonal metal pieces and gently infused them with spirit power. The three pieces of metal instantly emitted a dazzling light. The glow transformed into pillars of light that rose straight and steady without the slightest flicker.

"Three Class 1 Acceleration Core Arrays. Is this enough to prove my talent as a Spirit Guidance Master?"

"Enough! More than enough!"

Qian Duoduo almost felt the urge to shed tears of joy. The world's number one auxiliary-type Tool Martial Spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda + an 11-year-old Spirit Elder + Three Aperture Governing Heart. Heaven be his witness, their Spirit Guidance Department had always been picking up the leftovers behind the Martial Spirit Department's ass. When had they ever had such a super genius?!

"Director Du! Your visit today has truly brought glory to our Spirit Guidance Department! How long has it been since we drank together? Come, come, come, tonight this brother will drink with you until we can't stand!"

Qian Duoduo's attitude did a complete 180 as he immediately started calling Du Weilun "brother," putting an arm around his shoulder as they strode off toward Shrek City. His mouth never stopped:

"Oh my, Director Du, if you have any more good seedlings like this in the future, don't forget about the Spirit Guidance Department! With you overseeing Shrek Academy, the Martial Spirit Department and the Spirit Guidance Department can develop in tandem and march toward a bright future together!"

Qian Duoduo and Du Weilun left like a pair of good buddies, leaving the people in the testing area looking at each other in dismay.

Xian Lin'er dropped her aloof demeanor and said gently, "Xiao Tian, from recognizing the core array to crafting it, I've witnessed your talent in the path of Spirit Guidance Devices. I want to ask you, would you be willing to become my direct disciple?"

"Teacher!"

Ning Tian immediately bowed at a ninety-degree angle and changed her form of address.

Who was Xian Lin'er? The Dean of Shrek Academy's Spirit Guidance Department!

If not now, then when?

"Good child!"

Xian Lin'er helped Ning Tian up, her eyes brimming with tears. Although Qian Fufu was the adopted son of her and Qian Duoduo, he had always studied Spirit Guidance Devices under Qian Duoduo. Therefore, Ning Tian would be her only direct disciple.

"A Class 7 Rechargeable Spirit Barrier—consider it my gift to you upon becoming my disciple."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Auxiliary-type Spirit Masters had weak self-protection abilities. Compared to Spirit Cannons, Spirit Battle Knives, and other miscellaneous items, Ning Tian definitely needed a defensive Spirit Guidance Device more. Xian Lin'er's gift hit the mark in Ning Tian's heart, causing Qian Fufu to say to Ling Bai with a sour tone:

"Even the gift Teacher gave me when I became his disciple wasn't as precious as the Rechargeable Spirit Barrier given by Teacher's wife..."

"There's no time to waste. I'll teach you the basic knowledge of Spirit Guidance Devices now."

Xian Lin'er excitedly pulled Ning Tian, eager to rush into the Spirit Guidance Department's teaching building. She was so impatient that she wished she could open up Ning Tian's head and directly pour the knowledge in.

"Teacher, please allow me to say a few words to Bai-ge first," Ning Tian hurriedly said.

"Alright, alright, but be quick."

She jogged over, her luscious red lips close to Ling Bai's ear as she whispered:

"Bai-ge, Mother sends clan secret guards every three months to deliver medicinal pills and supplements to aid our cultivation. I've received a letter from the guards; they'll be at Shrek's East City Gate tonight to deliver. Teacher is about to start teaching me about Spirit Guidance Devices, and given her current excitement, I'm not sure when I'll return to the dormitory. I'll leave that matter to you."

Ling Bai naturally had no objections. He then turned to Qian Fufu and asked, "Have you had lunch?"

"Not yet."

"Let's go eat something together."

Qian Fufu had indeed gotten tired from working on Spirit Guidance Devices all morning, so he agreed and walked shoulder to shoulder with Ling Bai toward Shrek City.

On the way, Qian Fufu couldn't help but ask, "You two seem very close."

"Mm, we grew up together."

"Childhood sweethearts, huh!"

Qian Fufu was envious. Then he sighed and said, "Such a beautiful girl, and a direct disciple of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Just cultivating her Martial Spirit normally would ensure a stable life. There's really no need for her to suffer the hardship of studying Spirit Guidance Devices as well. Why didn't you try to dissuade her?"

Ling Bai smiled, "The safest ship is the one that stays docked at the port, but that's not the purpose of building ships. Great vessels are meant to withstand the trials of great winds and waves."

Meanwhile, Xian Lin'er asked Ning Tian a similar question:

"Xiao Tian, with your exceptional Martial Spirit talent, you're bound to become a core disciple of the Martial Spirit Department, perhaps even one of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Why do you want early exposure to Spirit Guidance Devices, which aren't highly regarded at Shrek Academy?"

"I want to become my own mountain," Ning Tian replied with a radiant smile.

Up to this day, her desire for strength was beginning to emerge. Of course, she hoped that her future beloved would be more outstanding than her, more ambitious, more confident, with unique insights and the ability to handle anything with ease.

But she wouldn't be a dodder vine clinging to others. She would transform into a kapok tree and stand tall together with her lover.

She dared to love because, first and foremost, she was her own mountain.