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"Who are you?"
Peng Fan instantly stood up, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes. He looked warily at Lin Jin, his small face cool and guarded.
Interesting, this little guy has quite the temper.
Lin Jin narrowed his eyes and smiled at the boy. More precisely, he was looking at the system panel displayed beside him.
[Trainee: Peng Fan]
[Age: 6 years]
[Qualification Evaluation: N (Congenital Spirit Level 2 and below)]
[Spirit Power: Level 1]
[Martial Spirit: Iron Rod]
[Special Skills: The Heart of Self-Improvement]
[Note - Ordinary martial spirit and ordinary talent but an unyielding heart. The owner has the potential to break through limits.]
A flash of surprise crossed Lin Jin's eyes. It was the first time he had seen a student with a special skill.
Maybe Dai Mubai had something similar, but unfortunately, he hadn't acquired the Eye of Exploration back then.
"Young man, do you want to become stronger?" Lin Jin's eyes glimmered, and after concealing his surprise, he asked again with a smile.
"If you have something to say, say it clearly!"
Peng Fan responded coldly, still wary. The stranger's intentions were unclear, and Peng Fan knew he couldn't escape if things turned hostile.
With that thought, he began subtly observing the terrain, preparing to flee if Lin Jin made any wrong move.
On the other hand, Lin Jin almost let out a chuckle of exasperation. Why is this boy so guarded?
"Just answer yes or no!"
Lin Jin's expression grew flat, the enthusiasm from earlier fading.
"Yes, of course!"
Peng Fan's eyes showed a firm determination as he responded without hesitation.
Although he didn't know Lin Jin's intentions, he knew he wanted to become stronger.
"Follow me, and I can make you stronger."
"Are you a Spirit Master?" Peng Fan's eyes flashed with interest as he raised his head to ask.
"That's right."
"Can you prove it?"
Lin Jin was momentarily surprised but found himself admiring the boy. Peng Fan was not only calm in the face of uncertainty but also sharp in his thinking.
Though his temperament could be challenging, it was part of his charm.
Shaking his head in resignation, Lin Jin extended his right hand. A ruler appeared in his grasp in a flash, and his first spirit skill activated naturally.
In Peng Fan's eyes, Lin Jin's figure suddenly became tall and imposing, exuding a magnificent aura.
But the next moment, Peng Fan's expression turned strange as he focused on the four spirit rings beneath Lin Jin.
Four white spirit rings emerged around Lin Jin's feet.
"A ten-year spirit ring?" Peng Fan asked incredulously.
Although he had never attended a Spirit Master Academy, Peng Fan, as a noble, knew the basics of the Spirit Master world.
The ten-year spirit ring was the lowest level possible. Among the ideal combinations of spirit rings, even the first ring should be better than a mere ten-year one.
"Isn't that… kind of weak?"
Lin Jin smiled at Peng Fan, and this reaction was well within his expectations.
Suddenly, his second spirit ring lit up, causing Peng Fan to step back instinctively.
With a wave of his arm, pure white spirit energy surged forth, colliding with the alleyway and filling it with a roar and thick smoke.
Startled by the noise, Peng Fan still kept his eyes fixed ahead. Under the force of the attack, the entire alley seemed to shake.
When the smoke finally cleared, Peng Fan's eyes shone with amazement.
How powerful!
He exclaimed in his mind. The two-meter-wide alley had been utterly transformed.
The once neatly laid stone path was shattered, with rocks scattered everywhere. Even the brick walls on either side were on the verge of collapse. It was more impressive than his father's fourth spirit skill.
Is this the power of a ten-year spirit ring?
Peng Fan, who didn't deeply understand the Spirit Master world, was confused.
Footsteps echoed from outside the alley; the commotion had attracted attention.
Lin Jin knew he had to act quickly. He spoke to Peng Fan with a serious tone, "If you want to grow stronger, come to Yon Village in six days!"
"And don't forget to bring enough gold coins."
Lin Jin felt a twinge of sadness.
'I must be the most desperate transmigrator—resorting to fooling kids to get by?'
With that, Lin Jin climbed over the wall and disappeared. Not long after he left, two men burst into the alley, their faces turning pale at the scene of destruction, with Peng Fan standing in the middle.
"Young master, are you all right?"
The two men were guards sent by Peng Fan's father, and they looked at him with great concern.
Peng Fan shook his head silently, still mulling over Lin Jin's words: Six days later, Yon Village.
'Should I go?'
Peng Fan was torn. He knew it could be dangerous, but with his talent, he might never become a Spirit Master.
And that man just now...
A spark of excitement flared in Peng Fan's eyes. That man wasn't exactly ordinary. His spirit power wasn't weak either.
After inspecting the alley, the two guards returned to Peng Fan with stern expressions. One of them asked, "Young master, what happened here just now?"
"I don't know. I was just nearby and got here a little before you."
The guards exchanged glances, suspicion in their eyes, but Peng Fan's expression gave nothing away.
In the end, they had no choice but to escort him back and report the incident to Peng Fan's father.
After leaving the alley, Lin Jin made his way onto the street. Straightening his clothes, he blended into the crowd, though his face betrayed a thoughtful look.
I wonder if that boy will come. As a noble young master, he should have more money than I do.
But... there was a nagging feeling of guilt.
It's hard to do this kind of thing with a clear conscience.
Lin Jin sighed inwardly, almost tearful at his circumstances. He swore to resort to such schemes if he could earn a living.
'And here I am—destined to be the future Dean of a prestigious Spirit Master Academy— starting with tricks and deceptions.'
'Why isn't there a spirit-fighting arena or something? This life is tough. It's tough.'