Ao Tian nodded slightly, giving a soft "Mm."
He sized up the young man in front of him—he looked to be in his twenties, about 1.8 meters tall, sturdy, and with somewhat handsome features.
"You're Su Yuntao?" Ao Tian asked, his tone like a superior questioning a subordinate.
Su Yuntao had already mentally prepared himself and answered respectfully, "Yes, Young Master Ao."
Last night, Hall Master Li had personally sought out Su Yuntao, instructing him to escort an important figure from the Hall of the Pope to Nuoding Academy today.
Moreover, Hall Master Li had speculated that this Young Master Ao might not actually be six years old and that his strength was unfathomable. He warned Su Yuntao not to offend him under any circumstances.
So, Su Yuntao did not dare to relax in the slightest and behaved with utmost respect.
"Young Master Ao, I'll first take you to breakfast, and then we'll head to Nuoding Academy. This way, please."
"Alright."
After breakfast, Su Yuntao summoned a carriage and personally took the reins, heading toward Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy.
"Su Yuntao, I heard you're pursuing Sisi?"
Ao Tian's voice drifted from within the carriage.
Su Yuntao hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yes."
He didn't know why Young Master Ao was asking this, but he still answered honestly.
It wasn't a secret—everyone at the Nuoding City Branch Hall knew about it.
"I asked Sisi last night. She doesn't like you. She just thinks you have some value, so she hasn't rejected you yet."
"Young Master Ao, you must be joking." Su Yuntao forced a smile, though his face darkened.
"Hall Master Li was there too last night. If you don't believe me, ask her."
The smile vanished from Su Yuntao's face. He fell silent, a heaviness pressing on his chest.
A fair, delicate hand reached out from inside the carriage, palm holding a thumb-sized white pearl.
"This is a Spirit Qi Pearl. Keep it with you. It will enhance your cultivation speed. With your aptitude, it'd be extremely difficult for you to break through to Soul Exalted in this lifetime. But with this pearl, you'll at least have a chance to become a Soul King around level fifty."
Su Yuntao was stunned and quickly said, "Young Master Ao, I can't accept this. It's too valuable."
As he spoke, he tried to push Ao Tian's hand back—but his eyes lingered longingly on the pearl brimming with spirit energy.
"Take it!" Ao Tian commanded.
Su Yuntao couldn't help but open his hand, and the pearl dropped into his palm.
"This is a reward—for escorting me to Nuoding Academy. With it, you won't be looked down upon in the Spirit Hall anymore. You'll have a real shot at becoming a Branch Hall Master, maybe even a higher-tier Sub-Hall Master someday."
Su Yuntao clenched the Spirit Qi Pearl tightly, took a deep breath, and suppressed the excitement surging in his chest.
"Thank you, Young Master Ao. If you ever need anything, I'll gladly risk life and limb for you."
Ao Tian let out a soft "Mm." He gave this small reward only because he thought Su Yuntao wasn't too bad.
Where he had once slumbered was the place with the richest spirit energy on this planet—Spirit Qi Pearls were utterly insignificant to him.
"Some women aren't very capable, but their ambitions are enormous. Be smart." Ao Tian reminded him again.
"I understand, Young Master Ao." Su Yuntao replied.
The two stopped speaking. Half an hour later, they arrived at the gates of Nuoding Academy.
"Young Master Ao, we've arrived." Su Yuntao said as he got out and lifted the curtain.
Ao Tian stepped down.
The main gate of Nuoding Academy was grand—twenty meters wide, with a ten-meter-high arched entrance made of solid stone.
Above the arch, four large characters read: Nuoding Academy.
Below the arch were two massive black iron gates. A young man sat in the corner beside the gate, dozing off.
"Let's head in." Su Yuntao said.
Ao Tian nodded and followed him forward.
After walking a few steps, Ao Tian suddenly felt something and said, "Su Yuntao, I'll go in alone. You can return to the Spirit Hall. If I need anything, I'll find you."
Su Yuntao stopped and turned, saying, "Young Master Ao, I graduated from here and was one of the top students. I know many of the teachers well—I can put in a good word for you…"
"No need." Ao Tian raised his hand to stop him. "I'll go in alone. You can go back."
"Alright. If you ever need help, please come find me. Let me repay your great kindness." Su Yuntao said earnestly.
Ao Tian waved his hand, "Go on, go on."
Su Yuntao didn't linger and drove the carriage away from Nuoding Academy.
Ao Tian didn't enter immediately. He stood at the edge of the square in front of the gate, eyes fixed on a point down the street.
There, two figures—one old, one young—were walking this way.
Ao Tian had heard their conversation earlier, which was why he asked Su Yuntao to leave.
The older man had a full head of white hair, a snowy beard, and leaned on a cane. Though dressed in new clothes, he still looked fairly energetic.
The boy, around six years old, was thin and a bit sallow, but his eyes were sharp and clear. His stance and movement showed a solid foundation.
In contrast to the old man, the boy's clothes were shabby—washed nearly white, with several large patches sewn on.
The boy had excellent eyesight; from hundreds of meters away, he could read the characters Nuoding Academy.
These two were none other than Old Jack and Tang San from Holy Spirit Village.
To witness the protagonist from the original story firsthand—Ao Tian wouldn't miss it for the world.
He stood quietly to the side, observing Tang San closely.
He knew... things were about to get interesting.
"Grandpa Jack, we're here. That's Nuoding Academy up ahead!" Tang San said, pointing.
"Oh, is it? We've finally arrived." Old Jack chuckled.
Before long, the two arrived at the academy gate, but the dozing young gatekeeper stopped them.
Seeing their country bumpkin appearance, the gatekeeper thought they'd be easy to exploit and decided to squeeze them for a bribe.
Old Jack, being a simple villager, didn't understand city tricks—especially when the young man began to mock Holy Spirit Village sarcastically. That made Old Jack furious.
The gatekeeper, annoyed by Old Jack's lack of cooperation, reached out to push him.
At that moment, Tang San stepped in.
In his past life, Tang San had been an outer disciple of the Tang Sect. Because of his passion, he had secretly learned many inner sect techniques—all top-tier martial arts. Dealing with this gatekeeper was effortless.
The tall young man was thrown aside in a few swift moves by the six-year-old Tang San.
"You little brat, you're dead!" the young man roared. Having been toppled by a child, he was humiliated and enraged.
He scrambled up and charged at Tang San, mind clouded with rage, intent on teaching him a painful lesson.
Tang San's eyes turned icy. His left hand lifted slightly—hidden in his sleeve, the safety catch of his silent sleeve dart clicked off.
Just a slight twitch of his arm, and the youth's throat would be pierced by a dart.
[Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, Rule No. 3: Once you confirm the enemy has murderous intent, show no mercy—hesitation only brings future trouble.]
In Tang San's eyes, this malicious youth—disrespectful to Old Jack—deserved death.
"What a ruthless little guy." Ao Tian thought to himself, smiling as he watched. He was already forming an impression of Tang San.
Another chapter will be posted after noon—please vote if you're enjoying this!
Also, the previous chapter was slightly revised. The protagonist will now enter the academy as a village boy, not under the identity of the Spirit Hall.
(End of Chapter)