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The fact that Su Wen could network his way into the favor of three Titled Douluos left Salas speechless. In fact, he was already starting to mentally give up on stopping Su Wen from building his own power base.
However, as Su Wen revealed the true goal of the Academy, Salas was instantly struck with alarm.
The goal of "benefiting the entire Spirit Master world" sounded noble, but it was a direct challenge to the Spirit Hall's rice bowl!
How dare you!
Salas glared at Su Wen with fury in his eyes.
"Su Wen, do you even realize what you are doing?"
"I do," Su Wen replied calmly. "I simply hope that the theories of this continent can be seen by all Spirit Masters. They shouldn't need to join a specific faction just to access the knowledge required for their cultivation."
"It's impossible! Do you hear me? It's impossible!" Salas snorted coldly, looking at Su Wen with a posture of "disappointment in a talented junior who chose the wrong path."
"Su Wen, I always thought you were smart, but you've made an incredibly foolish choice!"
"Don't you know? What you're talking about can never be achieved!"
"Everyone knows cultivation requires theoretical guidance, but how many are actually willing to learn? Even if cultivation makes them strong, how many are truly willing to put in the effort to study?"
"Not to mention having to learn a massive mountain of theory just for the sake of martial soul cultivation."
"Let me tell you: don't assume they'll try to seek it out just because they know it's effective. Most Spirit Masters on this continent don't even realize the importance of theory to their cultivation!"
"No matter how you build your Academy, the vast majority of Spirit Masters won't even know it exists, let alone what they can gain from joining!"
Su Wen fell silent at Salas's words.
Was it true? Yes, it was a cold reality.
Reality is not imagination; things rarely go exactly as planned. There will always be wealth gaps, cognitive gaps, and information asymmetries that can never truly be eliminated.
However, Su Wen's goal was to break the monopoly on knowledge, not to force every Spirit Master to transform theory into power. He would provide the path for all Spirit Masters to obtain knowledge.
Whether they chose to learn or accept it was not something Su Wen intended to interfere with. There would always be ambitious Spirit Masters—talented individuals who struggled because of personal flaws or a lack of resources. Those were the true targets for the Academy's salvation.
Like Lin Dong.
"I only need to ensure that ambitious Spirit Masters have a way to access cultivation knowledge. The rest is none of my concern," Su Wen said indifferently.
To be honest, since the thought of establishing the Academy first appeared, Su Wen had been aiming to harvest "Faith" (Belief). Naturally, he maintained a detached stance, which saved him from unnecessary worries.
"Additionally, besides the Poison Douluo and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I have also received the recognition of the Crown Prince," Su Wen added, looking at Salas.
He didn't make a meaningful expression; he remained perfectly calm.
Yet, it was precisely this indifference that made Salas even more suspicious and unsettled.
Recognition from the Crown Prince?
What did Su Wen mean by that? Was he simply expressing that he had the support of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family? Or did he say it because he knew the Crown Prince's true identity?
Under normal circumstances, Salas wouldn't have thought that far. But from the moment Su Wen entered the room today, every word he spoke and every trump card he revealed followed a calculated, progressive sequence.
By not grouping the Crown Prince with the three Titled Douluos and Ning Fengzhi... was there a hidden meaning?
Salas was naturally suspicious. The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was highly likely that Su Wen already knew who the Crown Prince really was.
"Bishop, feel free to report this," Su Wen said. "After all, establishing the Academy isn't about making enemies with any faction. I believe an entity like the Academy is something the Spirit Hall would be very interested in investing in."
Salas narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Su Wen, trying to divine his thoughts. Unfortunately, he saw nothing.
"Your Academy... it's interesting," he finally remarked.
Allowing members of all factions to join, allowing them to access the Academy's data, and even letting them participate in research—this was an even higher level of openness than the Spirit Hall itself.
"You may establish the Academy. I will report this to the Pope. As for the support from Spirit Hall you mentioned, I will report it truthfully as well. The final decision rests with Her Holiness."
Su Wen nodded. "I understand. However, I believe Her Holiness will agree to support us, and the degree of support won't be small."
Salas didn't know where Su Wen got such confidence.
"By the way, Bishop, there is something I want to ask you about."
"What is it?" Salas glanced at Su Wen impatiently. You've read so many records and have the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as a source; what else do you need to ask me?
"The Academy has temporarily established three research branches: the Martial Soul Hall, the Spirit Skill Hall, and the Cultivation Hall. They are responsible for researching the principles of martial souls, spirit skills, and spirit power cultivation, and promoting these theories across the Spirit Master world."
Salas frowned, his expression growing more impatient. Stop giving me these useless introductions.
Su Wen smiled. "Actually, I want to establish a fourth hall: the Soul Tool Hall."
"The Soul Tool Hall?" Salas immediately realized the implication. "The technology for soul tools has been lost for ages. Establishing a Soul Tool Hall is useless. Compared to the research directions of your other three halls, soul tools aren't worth the effort."
Su Wen did not agree.
Soul tools aren't worth it?
"Bishop, soul tools are external objects, and their current effects are limited, but their value is undeniable. As far as I know, the effects of soul tools are varied—there are auxiliary types, and even offensive, defensive, and control types. These tools could give auxiliary Spirit Masters a means to fight, give power-attack types more defense, give defense types offensive capabilities, and allow control types to unleash powerful attacks..."
Su Wen's words left Salas silent.
"I cannot deny that you are right. However, soul tool technology is lost to this continent. What you're talking about is an ideal that cannot be realized."
The quantity of soul tools was indeed small. Or rather, the market was warped. Most soul tools on the continent were storage types. Any soul tools with offensive or defensive capabilities were hoarded by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Su Wen suspected someone was doing this intentionally. After all, combat soul tools were of immense significance to a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda master. If such tools became common, the clan's wealth would allow them to equip every direct member with a full set, significantly boosting their strength.
That was why the variety of soul tools was so heavily restricted.
(End of Chapter)