With a heavy heart, Wang Lin washed up simply.
Led by Zhang Peng, he left the small courtyard and headed straight for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Even though he was going to the continent's number one soul engineering academy, a top-tier institution, Wang Lin couldn't feel happy at this moment.
The confusion and pain of just getting ready to have fun during a vacation only to be suddenly notified that school was starting—Wang Lin last experienced this when he was a student in his previous life.
He thought he would never experience this nightmare again, but he hadn't expected Long Xiaoyao to be so capable and the Holy Spirit Cult's background to be so powerful.
Walking beside Wang Lin, Zhang Peng seemed to notice Wang Lin's grief and immediately said: "No need to be too happy, and no need to be too grateful, although this old man did run around all night for your sake."
"I thank you, Uncle Zhang!"
Wang Lin said through gritted teeth, his heart full of "gratitude" for Zhang Peng.
It was just after dawn.
There weren't many pedestrians on the streets of Mingdu, but the snack stall owners had pushed their carts out early, beginning their day's work.
The aroma of various snacks filled the street.
As the scent reached his nose, Wang Lin, who had cultivated all night, naturally felt hungry.
Wang Lin looked at what the few stalls were selling and finally decided to have a savory pancake for breakfast today.
"Uncle Zhang, wait for me."
Without waiting for Zhang Peng's reply, Wang Lin ran directly to the pancake stall.
Zhang Peng was helpless and could only stop and wait on the spot.
About seven minutes later.
Wang Lin paid eight Copper Soul Coins.
Holding two pancakes in his hands, he walked back to Zhang Peng.
"Here, Uncle Zhang, don't stand on ceremony with me; the money spent is what you gave me before anyway."
Wang Lin handed the pancake to Zhang Peng and spoke.
Zhang Peng looked at Wang Lin, obviously silenced for a moment, but eventually reached out and took the pancake.
A dignified Super Douluo was eating a fully loaded pancake costing a whopping four Copper Soul Coins right on the street.
The two ate their pancakes while heading toward the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Fifteen minutes later, after finishing the pancakes, Wang Lin saw the plaque of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy from afar.
Since the enrollment season had long passed and it was early morning, there weren't many people at the gate of the huge academy.
Apart from a few passing pedestrians, only two short and very fat men stood at the academy gate, waiting for someone.
As soon as they stepped onto the street of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Zhang Peng pointed at those two fat men from a distance and spoke.
"That young fat one is called Lin Jiayi, the Director of Teaching at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. The other fat one is called Jing Hongchen, the Dean and the Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Hearing this, Wang Lin did not respond to Zhang Peng.
At such a close distance, Zhang Peng didn't even lower his voice; those two fat men inevitably heard it clearly.
Wang Lin could be certain of this because as soon as Zhang Peng spoke, the round faces of those two fat men, which originally had no expression, turned black directly.
Zhang Peng didn't care at all.
He pulled Wang Lin to walk in front of those two fat men, patted Wang Lin's shoulder, and spoke.
"Hall Master Hongchen, this is my adopted son Wang Lin. I'll leave him to you."
Hearing this, Wang Lin had a face full of question marks.
How did I become Zhang Peng's adopted son?
Jing Hongchen glanced at Wang Lin and nodded: "Your dad should have introduced us just now. Jiayi, take him to handle the enrollment procedures first; I have something to discuss with Mr. Zhang."
Wang Lin: ...Your dad is the one named Zhang Peng!
Although he didn't know why Zhang Peng became his adoptive father, Wang Lin still knew the priorities.
He didn't expose Zhang Peng and just remained silent.
The other fat man, Lin Jiayi, also approached at this time, preparing to take Wang Lin into the academy to handle the enrollment ceremony.
But the damned Zhang Peng waved his hand to indicate no rush and spoke: "Hall Master Hongchen, see how this child is. If Hall Master Hongchen thinks he's good, needless to say, that carving knife will be this kid's betrothal gift."
As soon as these words came out, Jing Hongchen's face instantly turned cold.
Lin Jiayi, who had approached, widened his eyes, and the look he gave Zhang Peng held a trace of admiration.
As expected of the Holy Spirit Cult, the audacity is huge. On the first day of school, they are already targeting the Hall Master's granddaughter.
Noticing the change in atmosphere, Wang Lin fell silent.
Although he didn't know what had happened, Zhang Peng had definitely pitted him.
No grievances or enmity, and I even bought Zhang Peng a pancake just now.
"I..."
Wang Lin wanted to defend himself, but not knowing the specific situation, he didn't know where to start.
Finally, he could only helplessly make a mental note against Zhang Peng and remain silent.
"Jiayi, take Wang Lin to handle the enrollment procedures first."
Jing Hongchen's faint voice rang out.
"Follow me!"
Lin Jiayi stepped forward.
This time Zhang Peng didn't stop him, allowing Lin Jiayi to take Wang Lin into the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
"Sixth Enshriner, shall we change places to have a good talk? How can you part with that carving knife? Name a condition; I, Jing Hongchen, can afford it and won't be stingy. But regarding the betrothal gift, it's better not to mention it again."
Jing Hongchen spoke.
Zhang Peng watched Wang Lin disappear from his field of vision, then stepped forward and hooked his arm around Jing Hongchen's shoulder.
"The carving knife isn't mine; you can't negotiate with me. There is only that one condition. If you don't agree, I can't do anything about it; I can't make the decision on this matter. However, the owner of the carving knife asked me to pass you a message."
As Zhang Peng spoke, he patted Jing Hongchen's shoulder in passing, ignoring that Jing Hongchen's expression had already become unsightly.
"What is it?"
Jing Hongchen frowned and asked.
Zhang Peng immediately whispered in Jing Hongchen's ear.
After saying one sentence, Zhang Peng turned and left without any lingering attachment, leaving Jing Hongchen standing alone on the spot.
Jing Hongchen watched the end of the street where Zhang Peng disappeared, his blue eyes already turning gloomy.
"Damn Holy Spirit Cult, damn Xu Tianran, damn Long..."
Murmuring, Jing Hongchen ultimately did not say that name out loud.
Having been the Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall for many years, how could he not know the twists and turns involved?
This was someone forcing him to take a side!
"Sigh..."
Sighing lightly, Jing Hongchen gathered his thoughts and turned to walk into the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, his obese figure looking somewhat hunched.
...
Walking on the campus of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Lin Jiayi gave a brief introduction of the academy to Wang Lin and took out two booklets to hand to him.
"These are our academy's Student Handbook and the Academy Map respectively. There will be a test later; I hope you won't have to return these to me."
"Okay, Director Lin."
Wang Lin took the Student Handbook and the map, ignoring the implication in Lin Jiayi's words, and directly flipped open the map of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy in his hand.
The area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was very large, occupying a full one hundred and fifty hectares.
The content on the map naturally wasn't too detailed.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was mainly divided into three major areas: the Teaching Area, the Dormitory Area, and the Testing Area.
Among them, the Testing Area occupied more than two-thirds of the area.
That side was circled into various zones without specific labels on the map.
In the very center of the Testing Area, a spot was circled in red with the words "Illustrious Virtue Hall" written on it.
The map of the Teaching Area and Dormitory Area was relatively detailed.
There were a total of twelve teaching buildings in the Teaching Area, corresponding to six grades, with two teaching buildings for each grade.