Spirit Hall, backed by its immense wealth and power, had established Simulated Training Grounds in both Junior Soul Master Academies and Advanced Soul Master Academies.
The training facilities of the five Soul Master Academies were enough to meet the daily needs of Spirit City's students.
Tuoba Xi said, "At your cultivation speed, you'll soon reach level forty. Once you become a Soul Ancestor, apply to graduate from the academy early."
The Simulated Training Grounds only had a significant enhancing effect during the early stages of a Soul Master's cultivation.
After reaching the Soul Ancestor realm, their benefits were greatly reduced. For Soul Kings, they were negligible—almost not worth mentioning.
This was also one of the reasons why the major Advanced Soul Master Academies allowed students who had reached the thirtieth level or above to graduate unconditionally.
Remaining at the academy after becoming a Soul Ancestor would undoubtedly be a waste of precious cultivation time.
Tuoba Yan pondered for a moment before saying, "I want to take part in the Graduation Trial five months from now!"
The Graduation Trial served as a fellowship and exchange event for the Four Junior Soul Master Academies in the east, south, west, and north of Spirit City.
Spirit Hall's Seed Candidates for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament were all selected in advance there.
Once chosen, they would receive Spirit Hall's focused cultivation.
Tuoba Xi stroked his beard and asked, "Is it for the prizes awarded to the top three?"
Tuoba Yan nodded.
Tuoba Xi continued, "All right, I agree. Since I agreed to your request, can you agree to one of mine as well?"
"Say it first."
"My old comrade, Bishop Zhang, came to see me. Not only did he bring generous gifts, but he also hinted that he hoped our families could become related by marriage."
"You agreed?"
"Not yet. Isn't that why I'm discussing it with you?"
"No."
"Yan'er, think it over again. Bishop Zhang's family martial soul is the Golden Waist Flying Swallow, and his granddaughter has level-eight Innate Soul Power. I had someone look into her beforehand. The girl has regular features and a face said to bring prosperity to her husband. Round hips, slim waist—she'll have no trouble bearing children. Yan'er... Yan'er..."
Tuoba Xi was still rambling on when Tuoba Yan turned away with a cold expression and strode straight into Zero Dormitory, completely ignoring him. Tuoba Xi could only keep calling after him.
"Yan'er, at least meet her. Grandpa guarantees you'll like her. She's gentle and sensible, a good girl... Yan'er..."
Five months later, the area outside Soul Hunting Valley was bustling with activity.
Several hundred boys and girls, eleven or twelve years old, had gathered there.
Some whispered among themselves with excited expressions, while others looked resolute and rubbed their fists together. The air was filled with tension and anticipation.
A temporary raised platform stood ahead. The pillars draped in red silk were carved with Spirit Hall's iconic totems, glittering brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
In front of the platform, fully armed Guardian Knights of Spirit Hall stood guard on either side. Clad in silver armor and holding long spears, they stood as straight as pines, imposing and majestic.
Students from the Four Junior Soul Master Academies stood in neat ranks, the emblems on their uniforms swaying gently in the breeze.
Among the crowd, a seven-year-old child sat alone atop a stone, his figure notably smaller than everyone else's.
His expression was calm, his eyes still as water. Amid the noisy crowd, he seemed detached from the world, quietly waiting for the fellowship event to begin.
"You're Tuoba Yan, right?"
A crisp, pleasant voice like silver bells came from beside him.
Tuoba Yan turned his head and saw a girl with short, golden hair walking gracefully toward him.
Her skin was fair as snow, and her features were beautiful and captivating.
Tall and graceful, she wore a fitted silver Spirit Hall uniform and a pleated skirt.
Leather gloves covered her hands, while a silver chain accessory hanging before her chest swayed lightly with each step.
Her knee-high boots tightly wrapped her calves, revealing smooth, slender thighs. Every movement displayed an elegant and enchanting air; she was a rare beauty indeed.
A faint blush colored the girl's cheeks as she softly introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Zhang Ping. My grandfather is your grandfather's comrade, the Cardinal of Sylvest City!"
Her manner was gentle and her tone soft. It was obvious at a glance that she had received an excellent upbringing, making her exceedingly likable.
But the moment Tuoba Yan thought of the arranged marriage Tuoba Xi had mentioned, a powerful sense of resistance rose within him. He asked coldly, "What do you want?"
Zhang Ping stared fixedly at Tuoba Yan. Only after a long while did she come back to her senses, lowering her head shyly as she spoke in a gentle voice. "You may not know the competition rules very well. Students can form teams privately—either two or three people per group. I want to team up with you!"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm not interested in forming a team."
"Teaming up makes it easier to pass through the valley. My Soul Power is currently level thirty-four. I've already obtained my third soul ring and possess a third soul skill. There are not only soul beasts in the valley, but also Soul Masters with ill intentions. Don't worry, I won't hold you back. I can even help you get into the top three."
"My grandfather sent you here, didn't he?"
At those words, Zhang Ping lowered her head even further. Her face instantly flushed red like a ripe apple, and her bashful appearance was enough to make one feel tenderhearted.
Even Tuoba Yan had to admit that Zhang Ping before him was dazzlingly beautiful, stirring the faintest ripple in his heart. But when he remembered that this was an arranged marriage, his resistance once again gained the upper hand.
"From the way you speak and act, you don't seem like someone without an opinion of your own. Don't you oppose arranged marriage?" Knowing he could do nothing about his grandfather, Tuoba Yan tried to find a breakthrough through Zhang Ping.
Zhang Ping slightly raised her head, glanced at Tuoba Yan's handsome face, then quickly lowered it again. "At first, I opposed it. Until..."
"Until what?"
Zhang Ping raised her head again and met Tuoba Yan's bright gaze, then shyly lowered her head. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "I think that, as children, we should listen to our elders!"
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