Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 464: Dragon and Phoenix, a Title Above Jinshi_1
"A breakthrough for the Spirit Master?" Zhang Lin asked curiously. "We’re all Spirit Masters and Jinshis too. How have you grown increasingly imposing these days?"
Rather flatly, Wang Linchi answered, "It’s different. I achieved the ’Triple Crown’ in the imperial examinations."
He had used all the rewards from placing first in the county examination, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and as the Number One Scholar in the palace examination. Through guidance, he obtained a Passive Skill, a Spiritual Talent. Logically, this should have allowed him to evolve his other Spiritual Talents. However, Wang Linchi already possessed the most superior kinds, which had already reached their limits.
There was simply no way for them to evolve.
Unless he could obtain another "bone marrow cultivation method" for it to rely on. However, having an extra one would be of little significance; it would be more useful to transform it into a new Spiritual Talent. It was merely shifting resources; the total amount wouldn’t change, so Wang Linchi wouldn’t suffer any losses.
[Dragon Phoenix Grace: Charm +100%, all Charm-related effects +100%]
Truth be told, Wang Linchi had never expected this ability to be related to Charm.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a waste. The predecessor of Mana, Wenqi, was Charm-related. Even though it had now evolved into Mana, it could still benefit from the Charm boost. Mana, being the Qi among the trio of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, naturally forms a complementary whole with the Physique as Essence, and the Soul and Spirit as Spirit.
This meant that if he could add points to his attributes, increasing Charm by 1 point would simultaneously increase all other attributes by 1 point as well.
Otherwise, Wang Linchi would have remodeled this Passive Skill long ago.
His enhanced Charm resulted in a substantial increase in his temperament; when serious, he exuded an imposing aura, and when angry, he emitted a frightening killing intent or palpable rage.
Wang Linchi was still developing this further. It was a good ability, especially when applied to the shaping of the Fanciful and Fickle technique, enabling it to create numerous effects.
He only had two combat techniques, including Fanciful and Fickle, so he naturally focused on their development. Having many combat techniques isn’t necessarily a good thing.
"I see. It’s a Spirit Law accomplishment. I thought you had advanced to a higher level," Zhang Lin said.
"What do you mean? Do you know something?" Wang Linchi responded with a question.
"I do know a bit. I once found some clues in my clan’s archives. The Dajing Founding Emperor was also a Spirit Master, but his rank was not Jinshi; it was higher," Zhang Lin answered. This was not a big secret.
Even if this news spread, everyone would just scoff at it. After all, there was no rank higher than Jinshi, and people weren’t blind.
"How reliable is this information?" Wang Linchi could not help being interested.
When he attained the Jinshi rank, Wang Linchi had felt unfulfilled. Now that there might be higher levels of imperial examinations, he was naturally interested.
"Not very. You’re the Regent King. If there were such a thing, wouldn’t you know it already?" Zhang Lin gave him a look.
With Wang Linchi’s status, he had long ago read all the books in the Dajing royal palace.
"Indeed, there isn’t," Wang Linchi said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But what if it was hidden, or if certain conditions must be met before one can participate?"
Wang Linchi didn’t really think Zhang Lin was lying; it felt more like Zhang Lin had been orchestrated to deliver an opportunity to him.
An ordinary person might not be able to achieve this, but his Luck was good.
Charm could also boost his Luck. After all, Mana could affect the fortune of all beings to some extent, and Dragon Phoenix Grace was connected to Mana, so it naturally corresponded with Luck.
Otherwise, how could Charm be considered something akin to a primary attribute?
For subsequent upgrades, Wang Linchi’s main focus would also be on Mana.
As Mana increased, Charm would also increase, and consequently, all other attributes would be comprehensively enhanced as well.
"What are your thoughts?" Zhang Lin asked, not doubting Wang Linchi in the slightest. He would have to be a complete fool to question him.
"I have some ideas. It’s highly probable that certain items are needed, perhaps like the missing Jade Seal?" Wang Linchi suddenly pondered. Why did the Founding Emperor insist on suppressing the Devil within the Jade Seal? Such a dangerous artifact could have simply been thrown into an ocean trench. Now it seemed it might be related to something crucial for maintaining Dajing’s rule. However, due to some dynastic interruption, the Jade Seal had transformed from a critical item into a merely symbolic one.
"Do you need help?" Zhang Lin asked, his spirits visibly lifting. It had been over a decade since he last experienced an increase in strength. The Jinshi rank was his current pinnacle, so upon hearing this, he naturally desired to advance further.
"I can’t help you with that, and I doubt I can achieve it myself."
"Aside from the missing Jade Seal, it’s likely that the blood of the Dajing Royal Family is also required. Do you have it?" Wang Linchi asked.
At these words, Zhang Lin couldn’t help but pause; indeed, he did not.
"It must be the handiwork of our dynasty’s Taizu," Zhang Lin said, having calmed down.
"Highly possible," Wang Linchi said.
Even if Wang Linchi wanted to pursue it, he no longer had the means, as the Jade Seal had been assimilated by him and effectively no longer existed.
It was as if he had reforged the key to the treasury into a pistol. He didn’t regret it. One should become stronger when the opportunity arises, not keep assets hidden away.
As for that final step, for Wang Linchi, it was optional.
"Well, I’m stuck here anyway," Zhang Lin sighed.
There was something Wang Linchi hadn’t said: the final scholarly honor was very likely related to titles such as Emperor or King, and thus would never be open to the public.
The Jing Dynasty Court was a family dominion; even if it shared governance of the world with the Great Families, the Royal Family remained the paramount head.
The main part is likely during the declaration to Heaven and Earth. The timing is easy to find, but the ceremony is not, as I don’t have the ritual.
Through the various Qiju Notes and other records in the palace library, he could estimate the appropriate timing. However, even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice; he lacked the necessary ritual. Even if he knew the timing, without the ritual to announce it to Heaven and Earth, signifying that he was to hold the corresponding examination, everything would be futile.
"Not necessarily. I’ve been researching Demon Gods recently," Wang Linchi said. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
"Demon Gods? Are you planning to live again after death?" Zhang Lin was shocked.
"Will the one who comes back to life still be me? Besides, you should know what Demon Gods are like. They’re nothing more than puppets of their believers; they change as their believers pray," Wang Linchi commented.
Don’t be fooled by the Demon Gods who rule over Transcendent Shamans. The Demon Gods themselves are merely playthings of their believers, shaped by their prayers. In turn, these Demon Gods are manipulated by the Hu Lu, who possess no Extraordinary Power themselves—though the Hu Lu are, of course, unaware of this.
"So, what are you planning to do?" Zhang Lin asked again.
"Naturally, I intend to learn from their strengths to compensate for my weaknesses. However, progress is mediocre, and it truly doesn’t compare to the path of a Spirit Master," Wang Linchi said.
Hearing this, Zhang Lin also breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that Wang Linchi wouldn’t be able to see reason.
They naturally understood the principle of becoming a god after death: it wasn’t that you were resurrected, but rather that a new ’you’ was born to take your place, requiring only sufficient faith for its sustenance.
"If they could really surpass our Spirit Masters, the Hu Lu would have swept the world long ago, instead of being blocked at the frontier every year," Zhang Lin said, agreeing with Wang Linchi.
"By the way, His Majesty seems to be making some minor moves again. What are your thoughts on this?" Zhang Lin suddenly asked.
He was, of course, aware that Emperor Jing was arranging for people to train death-sacrifice soldiers.
"Of course, I’ll just sit back and watch. What else is there to do?" Wang Linchi thought. He certainly wouldn’t intervene. The death-sacrifice soldiers Emperor Jing was having trained, and those undergoing the training, were all his memory constructs; it was all part of the plan.
"Alright, it seems you have countermeasures prepared." Zhang Lin didn’t press further. He had always found Wang Linchi’s plans inscrutable, but he believed Wang Linchi would never gamble with his own life.
To leave a name in Green History, one needed significant accomplishments, not a premature demise.
"Well, if there’s nothing else, you may attend to your duties." Wang Linchi directly indicated it was time for Zhang Lin to leave. Zhang Lin visited Wang Linchi daily, seemingly sensing that there was something amiss with the prosperity Wang Linchi had brought to Dajing.
However, as he couldn’t pinpoint any specific issues and was wary of offending Wang Linchi, he would visit from time to time to subtly probe for information.
Indeed, Zhang Lin had actually managed to grasp some clues, but Wang Linchi never provided a direct answer, leaving Zhang Lin rather perplexed.
"Yes." Zhang Lin saluted and left.
Wang Linchi couldn’t help but mutter to himself, You can’t talk too much with smart people. If one day they discover my plans, it would be awkward.
Although Zhang Lin would certainly never suspect that he, Wang Linchi, ultimately planned to ’die,’ what if Zhang Lin discerned his plan to propagate faith? But even if it were discovered, it wouldn’t truly matter. Perhaps I could even leverage his involvement. Wang Linchi, of course, had numerous contingency plans for failure, more than enough to handle most setbacks and allow for a restart.
First, let’s find that final examination, Wang Linchi thought, not having given up. It might be optional, but even a seemingly worthless stone, once in his hands, had to be squeezed for every last drop of oil.
