High Martial: I Grind Professions

"You’ve certainly given me quite a surprise." The Headmaster looked at Li Wen, his eyes filled with genuine admiration and a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of wonder.

"It’s rare to find even one Technique Awakened in each class, and they are already considered treasures of the Human Race. As for a Primordial Spirit Awakened... that’s a prodigy you might see only once in a century."

The Headmaster’s gaze was as profound as a starry sky, as if it could pierce straight through to Li Wen’s Sea of Consciousness.

"Initially, the rumors, and even your assessment data, all indicated you were a Technique Awakened. I never imagined... you had actually awakened a Primordial Spirit!

Furthermore, judging by how stable your Primordial Spirit is and how your Spiritual Sense far surpasses that of a novice, this realm of yours... You’ve already stabilized at the second level of the Primordial Spirit, haven’t you?"

"You have a keen eye, Headmaster." Li Wen was completely convinced.

He had already done his utmost to retract his Primordial Spirit’s fluctuations, even intentionally suppressing the glow of the miniature Primordial Spirit in his Sea of Consciousness. But in the Headmaster’s presence, all his attempts at concealment seemed utterly futile.

He finally understood what Fang Chengwu had meant back then: ’You just need to get into Xinhuo University.’

Only here would his secret be protected by a top-tier expert and be guided down the correct path.

"You don’t seem too surprised. I imagine Fang Chengwu has already told you the truth about the Primordial Spirit?" the Headmaster asked, taking a light sip from his teacup as a knowing look flashed in his eyes.

"Yes, Headmaster," Li Wen admitted candidly.

"Teacher Fang informed me of the truth shortly after my breakthrough. It was also he who instructed me to keep it an absolute secret before joining Xinhuo University, lest I attract unnecessary danger."

"He was right to do so." The Headmaster set down his teacup, his expression turning grave.

"The dangers facing our world don’t just come from the alien races on the surface and from beyond the stars. Dangerous undercurrents are moving just beneath the surface. We must not only guard against the Demon Race infiltrators who might be hiding in any corner of the planet, but we must also be wary of those within our own ranks...

The human heart is a complex thing. There will always be those tempted by power, strength, or the false promise of immortality, who then side with the outsiders and willingly become puppets that betray the Human Race.

These people have formed a clandestine organization called ’Shadow.’ They specialize in passing information to the Demon Race, stealing secrets, and even assassinating the Human Race’s greatest prodigies."

A chill went down Li Wen’s spine. ’Shadow...’ The name carried a sinister coldness.

He recalled Fang Chengwu mentioning how the Demon Race tempted humans. Now, the Headmaster had confirmed it, and even gave the organization a name, which meant the threat they posed was far from insignificant.

"I understand! I will be extremely cautious!" Li Wen nodded, his expression grave.

He knew that if his status as a "Primordial Spirit Awakened" were to be exposed, he would undoubtedly become a prime assassination target for the Shadow organization.

"But you needn’t worry too much. That danger only existed before you came to the university," the Headmaster said, sensing Li Wen’s anxiety and offering some reassurance.

"The Primordial Spirit concealment techniques Fang Chengwu taught you are sufficient for basic situations. Let me add two more points:

First, as long as you don’t actively project the power of your Primordial Spirit to perform deep probes or influence the outside world, it is nearly impossible for anyone to tell from your appearance that you’ve formed a Primordial Spirit—unless they are an existence at the Venerable Realm, which is beyond the King Realm."

"Second," the Headmaster paused for emphasis, "even if you use the power of your Primordial Spirit for small-scale perception or to aid your cultivation from a safe distance, the chances of your Spiritual Power fluctuations being detected are extremely low, as long as you don’t unleash its full force.

The Primordial Spirit itself has an exceptionally high innate ability to conceal its own presence. Of course, the closer you are to someone, and the stronger their Primordial Spirit Realm is compared to yours, the greater the risk of detection. However, for anyone below the Venerable Realm, accurately detecting your intentionally suppressed Primordial Spirit fluctuations from a distance is next to impossible."

After hearing these two points, the massive weight on Li Wen’s heart finally lifted.

A profound sense of security washed over him.

’The Venerable Realm?’

Those were the supreme beings of the entire Human Alliance, so few in number you could count them on one hand.

At that level, one’s will was already fused with the destiny of the Human Race. Betrayal was an absolute impossibility.

’After all, one could say the Human Race is currently governed by those few Venerables. It’s not like they can betray themselves.’

The information the Headmaster had revealed greatly increased the confidence and margin of safety Li Wen felt about using his Primordial Spirit’s power in the future.

Afterward, the Headmaster, like an erudite mentor, engaged in an in-depth discussion about the relationship between the Primordial Spirit Realm and the even more critical Fifth Realm of technique, the "Realm of Dao." This conversation answered many of the questions that had accumulated in Li Wen’s mind, giving him a much clearer understanding of his future cultivation path.

Finally, the Headmaster waved his hand through the air beside the tea table. As if by magic, a smooth, translucent mutton-fat jade box materialized in his palm, which he then presented to Li Wen.

The moment the jade box appeared, an indescribable, refreshing fragrance—a mix of herbal essence and vital life force—silently wafted out.

Just by inhaling a wisp of it, Li Wen felt the qi and blood throughout his body begin to simmer, and every cell seemed to cry out with joyous craving.

This was his body’s most primal reaction—whatever was in the jade box could fundamentally nourish and elevate his physical form.

"Open it and take a look," the Headmaster said, his eyes crinkling with an expectant smile.

Li Wen did as instructed and opened the lid.

Inside, three fist-sized fruits, glistening like green jade, rested quietly on a soft velvet cushion.

Mysterious, dark-gold patterns grew naturally on their surfaces, and a faint golden light seemed to flow within them. The life energy they emitted was so dense it was almost tangible.

"This is the Holy Body Golden Pattern Fruit," the Headmaster explained, a rare note of gravity in his voice.

"It’s a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth capable of rapidly elevating one’s physical body. When a Martial Artist consumes it, it greatly promotes the fundamental transformation of their physique, tempering their muscles, bones, and flesh, leading to rapid advancement. With your foundation at the peak of a junior Martial Artist, these three fruits... are enough to steadily elevate your physical body to the peak of the High-level Martial Artist realm."