Wang Linchi smoothly passed the subsidy application, and both parties finalized their agreement.
First, Liu Shen was prohibited from deducting or intentionally intercepting Wang Linchi’s subsidy. If he did, Wang Linchi would directly offer Soul Skill·Soul Seed Boiling to the Court and the academy, making it available for all Awakeners to learn through exchange. In this way, the Liu Family’s monopoly would be nullified. This made Liu Shen grit his teeth in frustration, but he agreed nonetheless.
The monopoly on a Soul Skill held the greatest value. If everyone could learn it, the value of what Liu Shen contributed to his family would plummet. This sum was considerable for Liu Shen, but trivial for the Liu Family, even though they weren’t the largest Great Family in the county town. There was also no need to worry that Liu Shen would kill Wang Linchi to silence him merely for this half a million yuan; what if the truth came out? After all, the subsidies Wang Linchi received weren’t limited to just the one for the Soul Kind and Soul Resemblance specialization; there were several others. For Liu Shen, this total amount was hardly enough to be financially crippling. Liu Shen was greedy, but he also knew his limits. Wang Linchi would receive the subsidy for five years at most; it wasn’t worth Liu Shen risking his own hide over that. Moreover, the subsidy came from the academy, so Liu Shen didn’t have to pay out of his own pocket, eliminating that concern.
This was very worthwhile for Wang Linchi. With the allocation of one hundred units of Soul Kind and one thousand yuan, he could continuously move forward according to his plan.
First, I must continue to refine Soul Seed Boiling, enhancing its effects even as I increase its side effects, Wang Linchi thought once he returned home, quickly beginning to lay out his strategy. I am capable of reducing the side effects, but I absolutely must not do so, as that would be too conspicuous.
As for what he would do after refining it? Naturally, he would sell it again.
The version of Soul Seed Boiling he had sold to the Liu Family consumed one hundred points of spiritual power, amplified Soul Kind by ten percent for ten minutes, and required a forty-eight-hour recovery period.
Next, he could develop a version that consumed two hundred points of spiritual power, amplified Soul Kind by fifteen percent for fifteen minutes, and required a sixty-hour recovery period.
He could continue this pattern of iterative upgrades, even developing overlapping secret techniques for Soul Seed Boiling later on.
However, this time, he didn’t plan to sell to the Liu Family. Instead, he intended to sell to the Court to elevate his own status. The reason he hadn’t sold to the Court initially was simply that he hadn’t been able to. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on ɴovel(ꜰ)ɪre.nᴇt
The subsidy he received was not merely a reward but also a form of rating. As long as he produced sufficient research results, he could obtain larger subsidies and enter the sights of high-level figures, thus forming a protective Amulet. Otherwise, if he gave it directly to the Court and the Big Aristocratic Families found out, they could block him during the review process, and his efforts would come to nothing.
Although this subsidy was small, his name was at least on the list. Even the major powers would have to weigh whether causing trouble for him was worth it. The reasoning was simple: once given to the Court, it meant others could also exchange for it, ending any monopoly. After all, while the Great Families wielded great power, they were still part of the Court, and most members of Great Families held positions within it. Thus, intentionally blocking or seizing his work carried risks disproportionate to the potential gains. Trying to snatch resources from the Court, if discovered, could lead to severe punishment—one might very well be skinned alive.
For Wang Linchi, however, this Amulet was crucial. The Dajing Dynasty might not care much about research, but Soul Skill·Soul Seed Boiling could enhance combat power, making Awakeners more formidable in battle, which was vital. Combat capability was the key measure. More importantly, Wang Linchi would demonstrate his ability to continuously enhance this Soul Skill, thereby making this Amulet even more robust.
Soul Skill·Soul Seed Boiling is just my stepping stone, Wang Linchi mused. My real focus remains Soul Resemblance and Soul Kind.
He hadn’t forgotten his original goal. Only with sufficient strength could one live a better life, rather than constantly needing to curry favor, make deals for protection, or seek patronage, only to find that all one’s efforts might eventually benefit others. In the Dajing Dynasty, where power was concentrated in the hands of ruling families, the Royal Family, Great Families, and other such factions could easily crush him. The terrifying monopolies they held were not something an ordinary person could break.
Next, I need to find a time to trade with Yan Ming King and have him help me find a suitable Soul Forging Method,
In terms of trustworthiness, Yan Ming King should be more reliable than Liu Shen. Wang Linchi had recently gathered some information about Yan Ming King. Apparently, Yan Ming King spent his days being questioned and provoked, then engaging in duels where he would crush his opponents, and subsequently reaping the rewards of their astonishment—a repeating cycle. Moreover, he frequently entered Secret Realms, clearing them with overwhelming power, often accompanied by female companions who also grew stronger alongside him. His life was supposedly dull, punctuated by occasional displays of his prowess by giving pointers to certain geniuses, thereby gaining a lackey. His days were filled with conflict and battle.
So, although Yan Ming King was a bit eccentric, his integrity seemed solid.
However, Yan Ming King’s strength was increasing incredibly fast. Wang Linchi was still at the White Porcelain level, while Yan Ming King had already reached the mid-stage of the Black Iron Level and seemed on the verge of breaking into the late stage. This was merely what Wang Linchi had heard; he had no direct knowledge of the situation. He didn’t know how to practice a Soul Forging Method, only that one could break through to the Black Iron Level upon reaching a Mental Power Capacity Limit of 10 points at the White Porcelain level. The question was how to achieve this breakthrough. It couldn’t be automatic once his spiritual power reached the threshold; there had to be a specific method.
As for why he didn’t also request a Soul Forging Method during the trade with Liu Shen, Wang Linchi had considered it. However, he had gauged Liu Shen’s temperament; Liu Shen was already extremely reluctant about the subsidy. Asking for a Soul Forging Method on top of that might have bred deep resentment. If that caused unnecessary trouble, Wang Linchi would have a major headache.
Besides, Yan Ming King was suspected to be a protagonist. A Soul Forging Method obtained from him would surely be of much higher quality than anything Liu Shen could offer.
The only issue was his concern that Yan Ming King might refuse to trade. After all, protagonists tended to only acquire, rarely give away. Unless it’s someone from his harem or a target of his ambiguous affections. If it’s a male, he’d likely be unwilling to give it away and would instead try to obtain what he wants through other means.
For instance... by acting decisively and eliminating the source?
Yan Ming King might have integrity, but if he decided against a purchase and chose to kill and plunder instead, integrity wouldn’t come into play, as no agreement would have been made.
I need to be thoroughly prepared, Wang Linchi resolved. It’s best to play the emotional card.
He quickly set his strategy: he definitely wouldn’t mention a trade. He’d frame it as a gift and then subtly guide Yan Ming King into gifting him a Soul Forging Method in return, rather than rigidly proposing an exchange.
As for whether he was breaching his agreement with Liu Shen by planning to sell it again, Wang Linchi couldn’t care less. His moral compass had shattered after his ten million yuan Soul Kind was deceitfully swapped.
It couldn’t be that officials were allowed to play with fire while the common people weren’t even allowed to light a lamp.