Compared to the power wielded by spirits, the power of spirit control originates from within oneself.
Everyone was filled with anticipation.
Su Hao was no exception.
He had long known about the various spirit controls available.
For instance, "Spirit Control: Guardian" was a crucial ability for a spirit controller.
Without a guardian, once a spirit reached the transcendent or monarch level, even the mere aftermath of battle would be unbearable for humans. How could they fight alongside spirits then?
The existence of a guardian ability also prevented spirit controllers from being easily assassinated.
But,
soul power was still limited. When facing spirits, no matter how clever a spirit controller was, they couldn't engage in direct combat.
Spirit controllers still had to learn to hide and protect themselves.
Guardians were just a last resort.
...
Old Chen said, "However, soul power is elusive. I believe many of you have tried to use 'Spirit Control' but failed."
Su Hao rubbed his chin.
He felt like that was aimed at him.
On his panel, the soul power stat had increased nearly tenfold, but he... still felt nothing.
He was still just an ordinary high school student.
"Because your soul power is still too weak."
Old Chen continued, "Originally, the course on spirit control was supposed to start next semester, but with this year's college entrance exam reform and the final five-school joint exam, both Yunhua Affiliated High School and Yunhua No. 1 High School in the neighboring city started teaching spirit control last month.
"Therefore, the school has moved up the spirit control course.
"To help you learn spirit control smoothly, the school has specially brought in..."
The homeroom teacher, Old Chen, opened the box in front of him and took out a prism-shaped crystal.
The crystal was opaque white, about the size of a palm.
It didn't look remarkable on the podium.
"This is a Spirit Control Crystal. Touching this crystal with your hand will make it easier to sense soul power.
"Based on the strength of your soul power, the Spirit Control Crystal will emit varying degrees of light, though it's not as precise as hospital equipment.
"This Spirit Control Crystal can only be used for one week. If you can't learn spirit control within that week..."
Old Chen shook his head. "Of course, with the help of the Spirit Control Crystal, as long as you're serious and don't slack off, you'll all successfully learn spirit control.
"Now, in order of student number, come up one by one to touch the crystal. Each person has only three minutes. Everyone else, stay quiet.
"Now, number one, come up."
A boy with pimples on his face nervously stepped onto the platform.
"Close your eyes and feel with your heart," Old Chen said.
The boy grasped the prism-shaped crystal.
Instantly,
a faint purple glow bloomed.
Everyone below watched intently, not blinking, afraid to make a sound.
Soon,
"Three minutes are up," Old Chen asked. "What did you feel?"
The pimply boy opened his eyes in confusion. "I... I don't think I felt anything."
He looked like a student who had done something wrong, lowering his head in shame.
Old Chen patted his shoulder. "Don't be discouraged. That's normal. Just recall that feeling... Alright, next."
One by one, boys and girls came forward to touch the crystal.
The entire classroom was in a state of extreme silence, with only faint breathing audible.
Except for the bell ringing for breaks and the short rest in between, the entire morning would be spent in "guidance class," guiding students to sense soul power.
The same would go for the entire week.
Even Instructor Xiong's two major classes were temporarily canceled.
By the second class, Liu Ren stepped up.
As one of the top three in the class and the most famous whale spender, Liu Ren's turn drew attention.
He took a deep breath and grasped the prism-shaped crystal.
Instantly,
the prism-shaped crystal emitted a hazy purple glow, much brighter than the previous students.
The students below were somewhat stunned.
They only knew that Liu Ren's spirit was strong. During training, his Charcoal Tortoise, along with Li Songting's Kung Fu Dog, Gu Lingyao's Little Spring Spirit, and Boss Su's Silkworm Baby, were known as the Four Great Powers of Ancheng No. 1 High School.
But how strong were they?
Seeing the brightness of Liu Ren's Spirit Control Crystal, they understood.
Brightness equaled soul power.
Soul power equaled spirit feedback.
Spirit feedback equaled spirit strength.
So this was the whale spender... no, the weakest of the Four Great Powers?
The few students after Liu Ren looked dim in comparison to his glow.
Even Big Mouth Liu couldn't help but grin.
But his grin didn't last long before Li Songting stepped up.
As soon as he touched the crystal, a hazy purple glow bloomed, noticeably brighter than Liu Ren's.
Three minutes later,
Li Songting opened his eyes, the prism-shaped crystal in his hand flickering between dim and bright.
"I think... I've already felt it."
"Not bad," Old Chen nodded approvingly.
"Remember that feeling. Get familiar with it.
"The Spirit Control Crystal can sense and guide soul power. When you can touch the crystal without it lighting up, you can start learning how to use spirit control."
After Li Songting stepped down,
Old Chen continued, "Next, number twenty-three."
Su Hao stood up.
The whole class's gaze focused on him.
He was used to it.
He walked up to the unremarkable prism-shaped crystal, reached out, grasped it, and closed his eyes.
The next moment,
Buzz—
A roar echoed in his mind.
His entire soul felt as if it had been pulled away.
With reason and calm, he instinctively sensed this mysterious power.
And within it,
two close connections.
The Silkworm Baby and the Little Fire Crow.
Su Hao could sense their approximate locations.
If they were closer, he felt he could transmit some information through the contract from a distance.
It was probably...
a kind of telepathic understanding.
As Su Hao closed his eyes,
the prism-shaped crystal suddenly emitted a bright, clear glow.
It illuminated his face in purple.
Liu Ren's mouth slightly opened, then he quickly covered it.
Li Songting's eyes widened, revealing a fighting spirit.
Even Old Chen was quite surprised.
The prism-shaped crystal's purple glow grew brighter and brighter.
But suddenly,
Clang—
The bright purple light vanished.
The light went out.
The entire class fell silent.
...
Tuesday.
Su Hao, who really didn't cheat, took leave from the "guidance class" that Old Chen said was very important, even if you had a cold or fever.
Old Chen approved it without expression.
Su Hao scratched his head.
On his panel,
a new function had appeared: Spirit Control.
[Spirit Control]: Acceleration (First-Level Spirit Control); Summon (Second-Level Spirit Control); Self-Heal (Second-Level Spirit Control)
Su Hao looked at the Silkworm Baby. "Use Charge!"
The Silkworm Baby started running, and around it, pale green light particles quickly gathered, covering its body.
At the same time,
Su Hao extended his hand, formed two fingers, and slightly embarrassedly shouted:
"Spirit Control: Acceleration!"
Instantly,
above his fingers, a faint, pointer-like glow appeared.
Soul power was driven, transforming into an indescribable special force that, through the contract's connection, was applied to the Silkworm Baby.
The charging Silkworm Baby's speed noticeably increased.
It shot off in an instant.
Su Hao turned his gaze to the Little Fire Crow. "You use... just fly."
"Caw?"
The Little Fire Crow obediently spread its wings.
Su Hao used Spirit Control again.
The formless, shapeless power enveloped it.
The Little Fire Crow's flying speed suddenly surged.
It flapped frantically, its eyes filled with panic, and it couldn't stop itself from crashing headfirst into a tree trunk.
"Bam!"