Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Eve of the Decoy Plan, The Promotion of the Former Head_1
The items sent by the Six Doors were not particularly satisfying to Wang Linchi, especially the three Natural Treasures, which were of the lowest quality. Including the Natural Treasure he had previously traded his Derivative Soul Skill·Soul Kind Cooling for at Qinghe Academy, he now possessed a total of four. Theoretically, these could raise his Mental Limit from 100 to 104 points. However, this was merely theoretical; he estimated he could realistically only increase it to around 102 points. Due to their poor quality, the first item could increase his Mental Limit to 101 points, while the other three combined could only add one more point, bringing the total to 102.
However, each additional point to his Mental Limit allowed him to have a greater Mental Power Capacity Limit during the next breakthrough. Wang Linchi had only discovered this after purchasing many books from the black market upon his arrival at Yi Ning Prefecture.
A normal Black Iron Level Awakener who broke through with one hundred points of spiritual power would only have a Mental Power Capacity Limit of 1,000 points. But for every extra point in one’s Mental Limit before breakthrough, their Mental Power Capacity Limit at the Black Iron Level would increase by another one hundred points. In other words, if an Awakener reached the Black Iron Level with a Mental Limit of 101 points, their Mental Power Capacity Limit during the Black Iron Level stage would be 1,100 points.
At present, the maximum Mental Limit for the White Porcelain level was typically 110 points; any more was unbearable. Even though it was only an increase of 10 points, the quantity of Natural Treasures consumed should not be underestimated. More importantly, after reaching a certain threshold, quantity wouldn’t help; adequate quality was needed instead. Otherwise, it wouldn’t just be a decrease in effectiveness, but complete ineffectiveness.
The only regret was that the spiritual power in Wang Linchi’s Nine Revolutions Golden Core didn’t count towards his Mental Limit, as the 110-point Mental Limit could no longer be advanced. If his 1,000 points of spiritual power from the Golden Core were actually included, he would be invincible. The spiritual power of the Nine Revolutions Golden Core was more like that of the Soul Shadow·Book of Records. Since the two were one entity, it also belonged to Wang Linchi. However, for the actual breakthrough assessment, his own inherent spiritual power was the primary factor.
If Wang Linchi could break through to the Black Iron Level with a Mental Limit of 110 points, the Black Iron Level effect of his Nine Revolutions Golden Core would grant 2,000 points of spiritual power capacity each time he re-cultivated, not just 1,000 points. After all, the ten re-cultivations of the Nine Revolutions Golden Core would grant him 20,000 points of spiritual power. Combined with his own 2,000 points (his personal Mental Power Capacity Limit), that would total 22,000 points—a figure more outrageous than any genius could achieve. Perhaps even a Secret Silver Level Awakener couldn’t defeat him, a Black Iron Level with a Nine Revolutions Golden Core. More importantly, if one broke through to the Black Iron Level with a 110-point Mental Limit, the resulting Mental Power Capacity Limit at Black Iron Level, normally 1,100 points, would instead become 2,200 points. As this accumulated step by step, the disparity would grow ever larger with each advancement.
This was the difference between geniuses with backing and resources and ordinary people without such support. The disparity in foundational spiritual power alone was already immense, not to mention the better education and environment afforded to the privileged. Such relatively common techniques were probably only known by the Great Families and some high-ranking officials in Qinghe City. Information like this was kept tightly under wraps from the lower classes and even within the black market. Wang Linchi was certain that Yan Ming King and the past geniuses all must have possessed Soul Secret Techniques and broken through with a 110-point Mental Limit; otherwise, how could they have created such a gap? He wasn’t jealous, though. Their family backgrounds were a given, and his jealousy would be useless.
Within two years, there shouldn’t be too many problems, Wang Linchi mentally calculated. He currently had an 8-point deficit in his Mental Limit, but it wasn’t as if there were no ways to make it up. There was still Yan Ming King. After Yan Ming King completed the Four Generations Soul Kind Boiling, Wang Linchi could trade some Matryoshka-style Derivative Soul Skills for what he needed. Given the Ming King Palace’s influence, it was highly probable he could obtain all the necessary items. The only prerequisite was that Yan Ming King didn’t relocate during this period. If he did, Wang Linchi wouldn’t know where to find him.
One really can’t compare oneself to others, Wang Linchi sighed. He had delayed for five years for all this, just to secure a better future. Others could obtain such things with a mere stretch of their hand, without any mental or physical exertion, and without resorting to scheming or selling knowledge.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
Just as he finished his lament, he heard a knock on the door. It’s unlikely to be Ruan Tian; it must be someone else. If it were Ruan Tian, he would have come straight in.
"Come in," Wang Linchi responded.
The door was pushed open, and in walked the former dean, Xu Shou.
"Long time no see, Dean. What seemed like misfortune back then was truly a blessing in disguise. Not only did no harm come to you, but you were even promoted," Wang Linchi said, rising to greet him.
With Yan Ming King as his son-in-law, even being taken to Yi Ning Prefecture for questioning wouldn’t have caused Xu Shou any real trouble. At most, he would have received a lateral transfer and then had to slowly build up his career again. But now it was different; he had been directly promoted a rank. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to hold a position of real power. The incident involving Xu Shou back then was likely the work of the Peacock Sword Sect. After all, it was a necessary measure for them to obtain the Soul Kind more securely.
"I must thank you for your help, Wang. Otherwise, how could I have had this chance for promotion?" Xu Shou no longer treated Wang Linchi as a student and sat down, engaging in polite conversation.
Then, he lowered his voice and said, "We start the operation tomorrow afternoon. Li Jinzhang has found some traces. I will be protecting you then."
Evidently, the Six Doors had uncovered Xu Shou’s relationship with him. Therefore, the Governor had specifically assigned Xu Shou to make contact. Although it was an interdepartmental assignment, it didn’t matter as it would still count towards Xu Shou’s merits. Xu Shou hadn’t considered refusing. He was an Elite Gold Level Awakener; even in Yi Ning Prefecture, he was considered a formidable expert. Aside from the Governor, who was a Morning Star level Awakener, very few people could compete with him.
"What’s the pretext?" Wang Linchi also replied in a low voice.
"Wang, you don’t have a girlfriend or family here. How about coming to my house tomorrow night? I’ll prepare a dinner to thank you. Without your support, I wouldn’t have been promoted to this position," Xu Shou said, his voice no longer a whisper only Wang Linchi could hear, but at a normal volume.
Wang Linchi’s heart tightened. He cursed inwardly. This action indicates they have people in the Soul Kind Bureau! Otherwise, there’d be no need to say it like that. The Prefecture administration is truly incompetent! To think they’ve been infiltrated by the other side.
"Alright, for such a great contribution, eating up a month of your salary as Dean shouldn’t be too much, right?" Wang Linchi responded, feigning a jest.
"Never mind a month! Even if it were a year’s salary, if I so much as blinked, it would mean I wasn’t doing justice to your research achievements," Xu Shou retorted immediately.
The two chatted for about another half hour before Xu Shou finally rose to leave. "I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Don’t go running off on a date with some young lady."
With that, he laughed heartily and walked out of Wang Linchi’s office.
Wang Linchi felt somewhat helpless. The plan is very successful, but it seems I’m in even more danger. Just what kind of secret does this Rainbow Light Series Soul Kind involve, to entangle so many factions?