After another day of exhausting travel, Grandmaster and the others returned to Nuoding Academy. Since Tang San and Qian Jue had arrived early, there were still two days before the academy officially opened.
"Two more days until the academy begins. Use this time to rest well. Xiao San, find time to go to the Spirit Hall in Nuoding City to test your soul power. You've already become a Spirit Master, and you can claim a monthly subsidy of one gold soul coin. Xiao Jue, you don't need to go. You've absorbed two spirit rings already, so I estimate your spirit power has reached about level thirteen. Your progress is far too fast. It's only been a little over three months since your Martial Spirit awakened. If you go to the Spirit Hall again, with your talent, they won't let you leave. They may even try to force you to join them. So from today onward, your soul power level must be kept a secret, understand?"
"I understand, Teacher," Qian Jue replied obediently.
"Good. Don't worry, you'll always be able to sense your own soul power increase. When you reach level twenty, that feeling will become even clearer. Besides, your soul power rose mainly through absorbing rings. There won't be side effects, but it may feel somewhat hollow. You must train diligently, consolidating it until it truly becomes your own."
"Also, I've already arranged things with the academy. Xiao San, you'll still enter as a work-study student. You won't have to pay tuition, but you'll take on paid cleaning work. Together with the subsidy, you should manage your living expenses."
"As for Xiao Jue, since his Martial Spirit is top-grade and innate full spirit power, he'll be admitted as a special student. The academy will cover all tuition, housing, and meals. From now on, you'll both have normal classes in the morning, free study in the afternoon, lessons with me at night, and finally, cultivate with my training method instead of sleeping. Understood?"
Grandmaster laid out Qian Jue and Tang San's future schedule clearly.
The following two days passed quickly. Grandmaster immersed himself in research, Tang San went to the Spirit Hall for testing, officially became a Spirit Master, received his stipend, and impressed the local blacksmith with his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique, becoming a part-time worker. His forging career had begun.
As for Qian Jue?
He spent his days practicing archery in the back mountains, and at night roamed the campus with his wolf spirit. The wolf could move within a fifty-meter radius, and in just one night, he had wandered through the entire faculty housing area.
Qian Jue even stumbled upon several academy teachers in their nightly activities, which gave him quite the eye-opening experience—though he was still just a boy, with more curiosity than ability.
Two days flew by. The day of registration finally arrived.
Because Grandmaster had already informed the academy, when he arrived with Qian Jue and Tang San, many teachers came out to watch.
Naturally, their attention was on Qian Jue. Innate full soul power with a top-grade Martial Spirit—this kind of talent might not appear even once in decades. And even if it did, it would usually belong to Spirit Hall or one of the great clans. Never before had Nuoding Academy admitted such a prodigy. Even if he only stayed here for his foundation, they could still boast of having taught him. One day, when he rose to the top, they could claim he had studied at Nuoding Academy. Perhaps then they could apply to become a higher-ranked academy.
"Xiao Jue, here, take this badge. With it, you can eat for free at the first-floor canteen. Also, during your studies, all tuition, lodging, and meal expenses are waived."
The head of the Academic Office, a bald man in his sixties surnamed Su, warmly held onto Qian Jue while introducing the academy's benefits.
"Next, I'll show you your dormitory. We've arranged a private room just for you, so you won't be disturbed in cultivation."
Just as Director Su was about to lead Qian Jue away, his eyes fell on Tang San.
"Oh, you must be Tang San, the work-study student from Holy Spirit Village." He remembered Grandmaster had brought two students, though at the time, all his attention was drawn to Qian Jue's talent. When he heard Tang San's Martial Spirit was Blue Silver Grass, he hadn't paid much attention.
He extended his hand, and Tang San politely presented his Spirit Hall certificate. Director Su glanced at it, confirmed it said *Blue Silver Grass*, then casually tossed it aside. Picking up a package from a pile nearby, he handed it to Tang San.
"Come with us. Your dorm is over there." He tugged Qian Jue along as he walked.
Qian Jue fell a step behind, leaned toward Tang San, and mouthed: 'This is the difference.'
Tang San sighed helplessly and rolled his eyes.
The group arrived at the dormitory building, the only one in the academy, where both students and teachers lived. It was a little distance away from the faculty housing where Grandmaster usually stayed. Qian Jue had been here once before; Grandmaster also had a small room at the top floor, mostly for storing books.
The first floor had six rooms—three large, three small. The large rooms, about 300 square meters each, were student dorms filled with beds. The smaller rooms were for teachers, each supervising a dorm.
Director Su led Tang San to the far right dorm and said, "This is yours. Remember to follow the rules. If you have questions, the supervising teacher next door will guide you, and assign you work-study tasks. Go on."
"Thank you, Teacher." Tang San bowed before stepping inside. Qian Jue peeked in, but didn't see Xiao Wu. He mouthed 'see you later' to Tang San before following Director Su upstairs.
"The academy has seven student dorms in total. The three on the first floor—one is for work-study students, the other two for first and second years. On the second and third floors, there are two large and two small dorms each, for the higher grades. But you won't stay with them. We've arranged a teacher's room for you on the fourth floor. You won't be disturbed, and if you have cultivation questions, you can ask the nearby teachers."
Director Su led him to the fourth floor. Though over sixty, he climbed easily without losing breath—he was clearly a Spirit Master himself.
He opened a door to a neat fifty-square-meter room, complete with daily necessities—not shabby like Tang San's.
"How is it? Not bad, right?" Su smiled.
"Mm, thank you, Director Su, and thank you, Academy." Qian Jue bowed sincerely. Though he knew the academy's generosity had motives, it was still genuine help without ill intent.
"No need for that. As long as, when you become a great Spirit Master, you still remember this academy, it will all be worth it. Now, get settled in. If you need anything, come to the Academic Office."
Director Su patted Qian Jue's head, handed him the key, and left smiling.
Qian Jue unpacked some clothes from his bracelet, tidied the room, then lay on the bed, lost in thought. After a while, he went downstairs to find Tang San for lunch.
As he reached the work-study dorm, a clear girl's voice rang out excitedly:
"Lunch? Great! What delicious food are we having?"
"Of course—carrots and cabbage," Qian Jue teased as he entered.
"Carrots and cabbage, yay!" Xiao Wu clapped happily. But then her smile froze.
"Wait… Tang San, does lunch cost money? Soul coins, or something?"
Wang Sheng and the others exchanged looks.
Oh no… their boss might be strong, but she seemed a little silly.
"Don't worry, Xiao San has money. He'll cover you."
"That's great!" Xiao Wu patted Tang San's shoulder cheerfully.
"I'll count on you, Tang San. Don't worry, I'll repay you someday. Oh right, who's this? Why did you call him Xiao San?"
"Oh, this is my senior brother, Qian Jue. Brother Jue, this is Xiao Wu. Uh, just call her Xiao Wu."
"I'm the boss of Dorm Seven. Kid, I like you. From now on, follow Tang San and call me Sister Xiao Wu—I'll protect you."
She patted Qian Jue's shoulder approvingly, finding him amusing and pleasant.
Qian Jue smiled: "Why don't 'you' call me Brother and let me protect 'you' instead?"
"Because I'm the strongest here! Look, even your junior brother lost to me."
"Your Martial Spirit is a rabbit, right? Sure, you beat Xiao San because his spirit is grass—you could eat it. But mine is a wolf. Wolves eat rabbits. You won't beat me."
"You—! I don't believe it. Hmph, I challenge you!" Xiao Wu flared up, ready to fight.
"Wait, wait. Let's eat first, or the canteen food will be gone," Tang San quickly stopped her. He knew how dangerous Qian Jue's wolf spirit was.
Xiao Wu looked between them, then finally gave in to her stomach.
"Hmph, I'll let you off for now. But sooner or later, I'll show you! Come on, Tang San, let's go eat."
"Alright." Tang San agreed, relieved.
Xiao Wu dragged Tang San and the others to the canteen, Qian Jue following behind.
"Tang San, Tang San, I want this! Salt-baked carrots! And that! Steamed cabbage!" Xiao Wu bounced with excitement as she pointed at the dishes.
"Auntie, two portions sweet-and-sour pork, two scrambled eggs with tomato, two shredded pork with peppers." Qian Jue handed the cook his badge.
The cook hesitated. "Young man, this badge is only for one person."
"I am one person. I just eat a lot."
"…Alright." She reluctantly gave him the food.
"Thank you, Auntie." Qian Jue thanked her politely and passed one tray to Tang San before finding a seat.
Tang San stood stunned, holding the food.
"Wait—why does he eat for free, but I have to pay?!" Xiao Wu cried out in shock.