#19LeakerAI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
Chapter 19: The Leaker
Wang Zongchang looked at Lin Mo, the admiration in his eyes undiminished. He chuckled and said, "No need to be so polite; this is what you deserve."
However, Yu Xiaogang, who was standing to the side, had his brows furrowed, his face clouded with persistent doubt.
He took a step forward, looked at Lin Mo, and asked in a hurried voice, "Lin Mo, I have another question. Your Charmander clearly hasn't obtained its first spirit ring... so why was it able to use flames and that black smoke consecutively during the spar with Little San just now? Aren't those Spirit Abilities?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's question, a look of profound bewilderment appeared on Lin Mo's face. He looked at this Grandmaster, who always prided himself on being invincible in theory, with an expression one might reserve for an idiot.
"Grandmaster, your question is a bit strange," Lin Mo said in a calm tone, though it carried a hint of imperceptible helplessness.
"If Charmander hasn't obtained its first spirit ring, how could it possibly have Spirit Abilities?"
He paused and continued to explain, "The flames and SmokescreenCharmander used just now weren't Spirit Abilities at all. They are simply the instincts it possesses as a fire-attribute Beast Spirit."
"Instincts?" Yu Xiaogang's brow furrowed even deeper.
"That's right, instincts," Lin Mo nodded with certainty, his tone becoming increasingly matter-of-fact. "Just like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit they pass down through their Legacy."
"Even without any spirit rings attached, they are born with the Innatetalent to control lightning."
He used a simple and direct example, continuing, "It's like birds being born to fly or fish being born to swim; it's something etched into their very bones. Does that really require a spirit ring to be granted?"
To Principal Wang Zongchang, Lin Mo's explanation sounded quite reasonable.
A Spirit Master's Spirit only gains its own distinct Spirit Abilities after obtaining a spirit ring; this was common knowledge accepted by almost all Spirit Masters on the Douluo Continent.
Wang Zongchang stepped in at the right moment to smooth things over. He looked at Yu Xiaogang and said in a gentle tone:
"Xiaogang, what this child Lin Mo says is indeed logical."
"Take my own Blazing Blade Spirit, for example. Back when it first awakened and I hadn't even obtained my first spirit ring, I could still release flames."
He recalled for a moment and added, "It's just that the flames released back then, whether in temperature or scale, were far from being as strong as what Lin Mo's Charmander is showing now."
"Different Spirit qualities result in Innate gaps; this is quite normal."
Lin Mo stood to the side with an unchanged expression, but the Principal's words allowed him to breathe a secret sigh of relief.
He certainly wouldn't reveal in front of Yu Xiaogang and the Principal that Charmander had already mastered a total of eight skills, including Spark and Smokescreen, without even having a first spirit ring.
If this news got out, it would absolutely attract massive trouble. It wasn't impossible that someone would drag him off for dissection and research.
Before his own strength was great enough, it was better to play it safe.
Anyway, as long as he didn't take the initiative to explain it, others wouldn't be able to tell that what Charmander used were specific skills; they would only see them as the powerful instincts of the Spirit.
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to ask more.
But seeing Principal Wang Zongchang's understanding expression and Lin Mo's 'this is just the way of the world' demeanor, he eventually swallowed the words at the tip of his tongue.
His expression was somewhat unsightly. He felt that his proud theoretical knowledge was simply left with nowhere to strike in the face of Lin Mo's seemingly simple and straightforward explanation.
He couldn't find a logical explanation to refute Lin Mo's claims, and Lin Mo's earlier 'looking at an idiot' gaze made him feel even more stifled and uncomfortable.
"Alright, since things have been cleared up, let's leave it at that for now," Principal Wang Zongchang said with a smile as he clapped his hands.
"Lin Mo, go back and rest. Remember our agreement; in a week, I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest."
"Yes, Principal, I will remember," Lin Mo bowed to Wang Zongchangonce more before turning to leave the faculty training grounds.
Watching Lin Mo's departing figure, Yu Xiaogang stood in place, his expression shifting unsteadily.
Tang San walked to Yu Xiaogang's side and called out softly, "Teacher..."
Yu Xiaogang snapped back to his senses. Looking at his Disciple, he let out a heavy sigh. In the end, he said nothing and simply shook his head.
This Disciple of his indeed had good talent, but today's spar was a complete and utter defeat.
Attribute suppression was one factor, but underestimating the enemy was the true reason for his loss... Evening, Dormitory Seven.
After a day of classes and Cultivation, Lin Mo returned to Dormitory Seven with a somewhat tired body.
As soon as he pushed open the dormitory door and walked in, Wang Sheng, who had been waiting inside, rushed over. His face was undisguisedly filled with curiosity and a hunger for gossip.
"Lin Mo! You're back?" Wang Sheng lowered his voice, but the excitement in his tone couldn't be hidden.
"Quick, tell us, what did the Principal and Grandmaster want with you at noon? It was so mysterious, and you were gone for so long!"
As soon as Wang Sheng asked this, the eyes of the other Work-Study Students in the dormitory all focused on Lin Mo. Clearly, everyone was extremely curious about the matter.
However, the moment Wang Sheng finished speaking, in the corner of the dormitory, Tang San—who had been sitting cross-legged on his bed Cultivating—suddenly stiffened, and even his breathing skipped a beat.
Although he didn't open his eyes immediately, his hands resting on his knees tightened unconsciously, and he felt increasingly guilty in his heart.
For no other reason than that he was the first to violate the agreement everyone had reached this morning, turning around to tell his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, the news of Lin Mo's Spirit hatching.
Now that Wang Sheng was asking about it, he naturally couldn't face it calmly.
Lin Mo placed his backpack on his bed, his movements unhurried.
He looked at the curious Wang Sheng and then glanced out of the corner of his eye at Tang San, who was feigning composure, before slowly speaking:
"It wasn't anything special," Lin Mo's voice was very calm.
"The Principal somehow heard the news that my Spirit had undergone a change. Out of curiosity, he called me over to ask about the situation and... to see the hatched Charmander."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu, who was sitting to the side fiddling with her scorpion braid, immediately showed a surprised expression.
She blinked her large eyes and looked at Lin Mo, her tone filled with confusion. "Huh? The Principal found out so quickly?"
"Lin Mo, didn't you just complete your Breakthrough and have your Spirit change this morning? Didn't we all agree to help you keep it a secret?"
Xiao Wu's words voiced the doubts in the hearts of most people in the dormitory.
Everyone's eyes scanned back and forth between Lin Mo and the dormitory door, seemingly trying to find the 'informant'.
Upon hearing Xiao Wu's words, Lin Mo's face still didn't show much of an expression change, but he slowly turned his head and cast his gaze directly at the blue-clothed youth in the corner who hadn't made a sound since he entered.
He didn't speak; he just quietly looked at Tang San.
Problematic ad?Report it hereCh. 19 / 7425.7%