Can a Golden Phoenix Rise from a Grass Nest?

Southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire

Nuoding City, Fasno Province

Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy was located west of Nuoding City. After asking several passersby for directions, Chu Fan finally arrived.

From afar, he saw a towering arched gate. It naturally could not compare to Spirit Hall Academy's gate, but it was still quite imposing—twenty meters wide and more than ten meters tall, built entirely from sturdy stone. Beneath it stood two iron-bar gates, black and gleaming, obviously forged from refined iron.

Through the iron bars, he could see a broad road leading straight inward, with several intersecting side paths on either side. Tall trees lined the roads, and four large characters were written at the center of the arch: "Nuoding Academy."

Looking through the iron gate, Chu Fan suddenly spotted an old man and a child standing before it, seemingly engaged in an argument.

"What are you here for? Is this a place country bumpkins like you can come?" The gatekeeper waved his hand and shouted with a look of utter disdain.

The old man's hair was gray. Facing the gatekeeper's abuse, he did not dare get angry at all. He bent forward and hurriedly smiled apologetically. "Little brother, we're from Holy Spirit Village. This child is the Work-Study Student our village is sending this year. Could you please take a look and tell us what procedures we need to complete?"

"A golden phoenix can rise from a grass nest? A tiny village like yours has someone with Soul Power? The academy hasn't had a Work-Study Student in ages. You aren't fakes, are you?" The gatekeeper frowned, his voice dripping with suspicion and mockery.

A flash of anger passed through Old Jack's eyes, but he still gritted his teeth and swallowed his indignation. He took out the martial soul certificate issued by Spirit Hall deacon Su Yuntao and handed it to the gatekeeper.

"Blue Silver Grass? And Innate Full Soul Power? What a joke. This certificate must be forged."

"Holy Spirit Village? More like Beggar Village!" The gatekeeper held the certificate high, acting high and mighty as he exercised his authority over entry to and exit from the academy.

Chu Fan watched the three people at the gate, lost in thought. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.

The corner of Chu Fan's mouth slowly curled upward. An old man and a child from Holy Spirit Village. So this must be Tang San.

Though he disliked Tang San, Chu Fan was not an unreasonable tyrant. The current Tang San was not yet worth his personal intervention. The best way to teach someone a lesson was to make him understand the gap between himself and Chu Fan, shattering his understanding again and again. Killing the heart before killing the man—that was the principle.

Chu Fan paid no attention to Tang San and the others and walked straight toward the iron gate.

Today, Chu Fan wore a magnificent red robe embroidered with golden threads at the waist. His noble aura overflowed, making Tang San and Old Jack envy him deeply.

"Little San, once you become a Soul Master, you'll be able to live like that too," Old Jack said.

Upon hearing this, Tang San's face filled with even more envy. His little mouth hung open, and his eyes stared blankly at Chu Fan, strengthening his determination to become a Soul Master. "Grandpa Jack, I'll definitely become a Soul Master!"

"A poor wretch like you wants to become a Soul Master? Get lost! Nuoding Academy isn't a charity hall." Seeing Chu Fan's luxurious clothing, the gatekeeper looked down on Tang San, whose clothes were covered in patches, even more.

Tang San's eyes reddened as he glared viciously at the gatekeeper. He clenched his teeth, furious beyond measure. Having been humiliated like this, how could he possibly swallow it?

He readied a grappling technique, Moon Viewing Through the Window, intending to send the gatekeeper sprawling face-first into the dirt.

"You brat, you're courting death." Being toyed with by a child was utterly humiliating. The gatekeeper could not endure it and swung his hand toward Tang San's face.

Just then, a voice came from behind Tang San.

"Wait!"

The gatekeeper looked over and saw a child walking up from behind. It was none other than Chu Fan.

Chu Fan walked directly forward. At the moment the gatekeeper struck, he thought that if Tang San were driven away, how would he crush his spirit later? That was why he stepped in to stop the gatekeeper.

Only after getting closer did Tang San clearly see Chu Fan's red robe, which so vividly displayed his noble status. Every stitch was exquisitely made, while the dragons embroidered in golden patterns were so lifelike that they seemed almost alive.

At that moment, Tang San's eyes went wide. He could not understand why a child his own age could wear such magnificent clothes. Why did he only have a father who drank all day? Even the meals had to be cooked by himself.

The enraged gatekeeper had already been blinded by fury. He did not care who Chu Fan was; he only felt deeply humiliated at being toyed with by children. "Brat, who are you to meddle in my business?"

Chu Fan handed him a certificate and said, "I also have Innate Full Soul Power. Are you saying mine is forged too?"

The gatekeeper looked at Chu Fan's martial soul certificate and saw the words written on it.

Martial Soul: Azure Lotus.

Innate Level Twenty Full Soul Power!

Suddenly, Chu Fan released a trace of Soul Power, and an oppressive aura descended upon the gatekeeper's head.

At once, the gatekeeper felt such terrifying pressure that he could barely breathe.

Who exactly is this kid?

How can he release such terrifying pressure?

Before leaving, Chu Fan had learned that enrollment required a certificate. He had not spent his time at Spirit Hall for nothing, and had prepared one before setting out. However, he had deliberately suppressed his Soul Power. Rather than Innate Level Ninety-Nine, it was listed as Innate Level Twenty.

After feeling the overwhelming pressure, the gatekeeper was utterly shocked and no longer dared act arrogant. In his eyes, Chu Fan had stepped forward for Tang San. Now it seemed that he could not even afford to offend the beggar-like Tang San before him. But that was not the case at all. Chu Fan simply did not want Tang San to leave, so that he could teach him a better lesson.

The gatekeeper hurriedly opened the gates. Knowing that he could not afford to offend Chu Fan, the anger on his face immediately turned into fawning flattery. He bowed and scraped as he said, "Young master, please come in!"

Chu Fan walked inside, while Tang San remained rooted where he stood, not daring to move.

As the village chief, Old Jack knew how to read people. From the gatekeeper's expression, he could tell that the child before them possessed both extraordinary strength and status. It was the perfect chance to benefit from his favor and enter the academy. He hurriedly waved. "Little San, go in with this young friend. Be sure to behave yourself."

Tang San looked at Chu Fan, nodded, and walked inside. He knew that the child before him was very strong.

After giving Tang San a few more instructions, Old Jack finally left.

After entering Nuoding Academy, Tang San caught up with Chu Fan.

"Wait!"

Tang San called out to stop him.

Chu Fan looked at Tang San and coldly asked, "What is it?"

"Um, thank you for what you did just now." Tang San shyly scratched his head.

"I think you misunderstood. I wasn't helping you." Chu Fan's face remained completely devoid of a smile as he answered coldly.

"Two with Innate Full Soul Power. Interesting, interesting!"

Hearing the voice, Chu Fan looked up.

A middle-aged man of average height and slightly thin build had already walked over to them.

He looked to be around forty or fifty years old. He wore a short crew cut, had an unremarkable appearance, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, holding a thick notebook. Yet he possessed a peculiar aura. Between the opening and closing of his eyes, there was a hint of laziness and dejection.

Chu Fan knew that this person was probably the most detestable man on Douluo Continent—the scumbag who had abandoned Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang!