Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy (3)

"Lin Xiao, I'll treat you to a meal later. Thanks for helping me carry such a heavy cloth sack all the way," Xia Liang suggested.

"You have a lot of money?" Lin Xiao asked in surprise.

"Yes." Xia Liang took five Copper Spirit Coins from his waist.

Lin Xiao smiled awkwardly. "Forget it. None of us are well-off, so you should keep them. You don't need to treat me to a meal. I helped you carry your things, but didn't you help me apply medicine? Classmates should help each other."

"Alright." As he spoke, Xia Liang tucked the five Copper Spirit Coins into his belt. In truth, he still had a Gold Soul Coin hidden behind it.

Uncle Meng had earned that money by trading his method of pickling mustard greens to Boss Cui of the Fish Roast Restaurant. He did not take it out because one should not flaunt one's wealth.

After all, one Gold Soul Coin was enough to cover an ordinary family's expenses for a month. If it were stolen or snatched away, earning it back would certainly not be easy.

A teacher in his thirties suddenly walked in through the dormitory entrance and said in a steady voice, "The new Work-Study Students, step forward."

Xia Liang and Lin Xiao turned toward the voice almost at the same time and discovered that the visitor was Mo Hen, Teacher Mo, who had previously handled the new students' registration.

"Teacher Mo, do you need something?" Xia Liang jumped down from his bed and asked curiously.

Lin Xiao rose to his feet as well.

They were the only two new Work-Study Students.

Teacher Mo walked over to Xia Liang and Lin Xiao. "I came to tell you something. As Work-Study Students, you can earn living expenses by doing odd jobs around the academy."

"Lin Xiao, from now on, you'll be responsible for cleaning the garden north of the training ground. Ten Copper Spirit Coins a day. Remember, it must be cleaned every day. In particular, all debris must be cleared away. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Lin Xiao answered.

Teacher Mo looked at Xia Liang. "You'll be responsible for cleaning the academic district. You'll also earn ten Copper Spirit Coins a day."

"Teacher Mo, can I choose not to clean? Before coming to the academy, my uncle already arranged a part-time job for me at a restaurant."

After hearing Xia Liang's explanation, Teacher Mo smiled and nodded. "Of course. The academy does not make it mandatory. As long as you can save enough for your living expenses, that's fine."

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Classes officially begin the day after tomorrow. First-year students will attend Class One on the first floor of the teaching building. I am the lead teacher of your class, as well as the teacher responsible for Dorm 7. If there's anything you don't understand in the future, you can ask me."

After saying that, Teacher Mo left.

Xia Liang and Lin Xiao picked their beds, changed into their school uniforms, and prepared to head to the academy cafeteria for dinner.

That night.

Principal's Office.

Dean Ding sat behind his desk, reviewing the information submitted by the new students.

A middle-aged man pushed open the door and entered the Principal's Office.

"Did you need something from me?" the middle-aged man asked.

Dean Ding set the pipe clenched between his teeth onto the desk, then rose. "Xiaogang, I have something to show you. I believe you'll be very interested."

"Oh?" the middle-aged man said calmly. "What is it?"

Dean Ding handed the middle-aged man an information card.

Taking the card, the middle-aged man glanced at it. The laziness and despondency in his eyes instantly turned into surprise.

"Xia Liang, Skeleton Martial Soul? I never expected ordinary villagers to possess an inheritance of the Skeleton Martial Soul. Innate Level Five Soul Power—this should be the student with the highest Innate Soul Power in Nuoding Academy's history."

Dean Ding sighed. "Yes. Back then, I only had Innate Level Four Soul Power myself."

"Xiaogang, look carefully. The Martial Soul certificate also says it is an incomplete Skeleton Martial Soul. It says it only has the Rib Portion, not a complete skeleton. That is why this child named Xia Liang was marked as having a Waste Martial Soul."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's eyes filled with disdain. "Clearly, the Spirit Hall deacon who wrote this child's Martial Soul certificate was an utter fool."

"According to one of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul that I researched, Innate Soul Power is directly proportional to Martial Soul quality. A Waste Martial Soul clearly could not meet the requirements for Innate Level Five Soul Power. Therefore, I can be certain that this Skeleton Martial Soul with only a Rib Portion may possess potential in some respect that is no less than that of a high-quality Martial Soul."

"Potential no less than a high-quality Martial Soul?" Dean Ding said thoughtfully. "Xiaogang, aren't you exaggerating? How could village folk possibly possess such a high-level Martial Soul inheritance?"

"Ding Yuan, it seems you're an utter fool too. After following me for so long, have you made no progress at all in theoretical knowledge?"

At this point, the middle-aged man recalled the past. Aside from Dean Ding of Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy, he had met two even more powerful companions while traveling across the continent.

One of those companions had also gone off to establish an academy and become its principal, while the other had vanished without a trace.

As for himself, for various reasons, he had no choice but to come to Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy and rely on Dean Ding Yuan, living off free food and lodging.

Thinking back on the past, bitterness rose in the middle-aged man's heart. He was nearly forgetting that his name was Yu Xiaogang. All he remembered was the nickname the world had given him: the invincible Theory Master.

Having been insulted for no reason, Dean Ding was somewhat displeased. "Xiaogang, how can you call me an utter fool? I'm the one taking you in, after all. Look at that profiteer Flender. He calls you brother, yet after opening an academy, he didn't even invite you over as an advisor."

"I simply couldn't be bothered with him. Enough. Let's not bring up the past. Back to the point, Ding Yuan. Can't you really see it? This child named Xia Liang has undergone a Martial Soul Variation."

Yu Xiaogang shook the information card in his hand. "How could a child from the countryside possess a high-quality Martial Soul inheritance? Since he awakened Innate Level Five Soul Power, it means his Martial Soul quality is not poor. The condition that caused this result must be Martial Soul Variation."

"Martial Soul Variation?" Dean Ding suddenly understood. "You mean that child's Skeleton Martial Soul is a mutated Martial Soul like your Luosanpao? How is that possible?"

"Why wouldn't it be possible?" Yu Xiaogang said seriously. "Among the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul that I proposed, Martial Soul Variation does not exist only in certain types of Martial Souls. Any Martial Soul can mutate under specific circumstances. Depending on the direction of the mutation, it can be divided into Benign Mutation and Malignant Mutation."

"This child named Xia Liang must have undergone a Benign Mutation in his Martial Soul to possess Innate Level Five Soul Power. If his parents' Martial Souls were merely bones, then Ribs would be the result of a Benign Mutation in bone. In the future, it might have a chance to grow into a complete skeleton. At that point, his complete Skeleton Martial Soul would be no less than a high-quality Martial Soul."

"Yes, that makes sense." Admiration appeared in Dean Ding's eyes. "Xiaogang, you can see so much from such a simple Martial Soul certificate. You really are impressive."

"If I didn't have that ability, I wouldn't deserve the title of Master."

Yu Xiaogang habitually clasped his hands behind his back, a thoughtful gleam appearing in his eyes.

"Perhaps I should meet that child. A Skeleton Martial Soul with a Benign Mutation has tremendous potential. If he receives proper theoretical guidance, he will certainly achieve something in the future."

Hearing this, Dean Ding smiled knowingly. "Xiaogang, do you want to take him as your disciple and guide his cultivation?"

Yu Xiaogang did not answer the question. "It's getting late. Aren't you hungry?"

With that, he left the office and headed toward the academy cafeteria.