Early Graduation

After knocking on the Dean's Office door and receiving a response, Lin Manshan pushed it open and entered.

There were only two people inside: the Dean and Yu Xiaogang, who was sitting on the sofa with him, drinking tea.

"Dean, did you need something from me?" Lin Manshan walked to the Tea Table and bowed slightly.

"Yes." The Dean nodded, then said, "Student A'man, I'll get straight to the point. I just discussed your Martial Soul issue with Master. I'm sorry, but we haven't come up with any solution. Besides, over the past two years, the Academy has taught you nearly everything it can. Given the current state of your Martial Soul, we don't know how to guide you going forward."

"Therefore, after discussion, I've decided to let you graduate early. You've already obtained your First Soul Ring and meet the graduation requirements, so this is in accordance with the rules."

"Besides, I believe keeping you at the Academy would only waste your time. It would be better to let you go out into the world. Student A'man, perhaps you could try a more advanced Intermediate Soul Master Academy. Even if it cannot solve your Martial Soul problem, you may still learn new knowledge."

Glancing at Yu Xiaogang from the corner of his eye, Lin Manshan nodded. "I understand." With that, he bowed slightly to the Dean. "Thank you to the Academy for teaching me these past two years."

"Sigh, it's simply that the Academy's capabilities are limited." The Dean shook his head and picked up a sheet of paper from the desk, handing it to him. "Student A'man, this is your Graduation Certificate. I hope you can find an Intermediate Soul Master Academy that suits you and go further on the path of a Spirit Master."

Lin Manshan nodded, accepted the Graduation Certificate, and bowed slightly. "Then I'll take my leave."

With that, he turned and left, gently closing the door behind him.

Watching Lin Manshan's polite conduct, a trace of reluctance flashed through the Dean's heart, but it soon faded. He glanced at Yu Xiaogang beside him, picked up the tea on the table, and drained it in one gulp.

Having served as Dean for many years, he had naturally heard the personal grudge mixed into Yu Xiaogang's earlier suggestion.

But the Academy truly could no longer teach Lin Manshan anything. Letting him graduate early might really be the best choice.

Besides, Innate Spirit Power Level 3, coupled with a Martial Soul that could not produce Soul Skills, meant his achievements would indeed be limited. Furthermore, he had heard that Lin Manshan did not get along with Tang San and Xiao Wu, his two dormmates. Weighing the pros and cons, there was no harm in going with the flow and doing Yu Xiaogang a favor.

After all, Yu Xiaogang's disciple Tang San, along with Xiao Wu, both possessed Innate Full Soul Power.

After walking out of the Academic Affairs Building, Lin Manshan headed straight back to the Dormitory.

Although he had been at the Academy for two years, he did not have much to pack: only a quilt and a few changes of clothes. As for the Hidden Weapon components, since he had no Soul Tool, he had hidden them in the Blacksmith Shop.

"A'man, what are you doing?"

It was lunchtime, and most of the students were present, including Tang San and Xiao Wu. Seeing Lin Manshan packing his belongings and bedding, a little boy seated on another bed not far from him could not help asking.

"I graduated early."

Lin Manshan tied the bedding onto his back, picked up his bundle, and smiled as he looked around at his dormmates. He bowed slightly. "Thank you all for your company during this time. I also wish you all happiness at the Academy and success in your studies."

"Until we meet again." With that, under everyone's slightly surprised gazes, he walked straight out of the Dormitory.

"Hmph, it's good that that annoying guy is gone." Once the sound of footsteps had faded outside, Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose, waved her fist, and sneered gleefully. "Heh, that guy must have been expelled by the Academy. His Martial Soul can't even produce Soul Skills, so what kind of Spirit Master can he be?"

Tang San had already told her about Lin Manshan's situation during lunch.

"His Martial Soul can't produce Soul Skills!?" The surrounding Work-Study Students who had not yet heard the news froze, and their gazes toward the doorway immediately filled with sympathy.

If his Martial Soul could not produce Soul Skills, then even if he graduated normally, he probably would not be able to enter another Academy afterward.

Just as Teacher said, talent has long since determined everything. Tang San sighed inwardly, shook his head, sprang off the bed, and turned to Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, I'm going to work at the Blacksmith Shop."

"Sigh, there's nothing to do this afternoon again." Xiao Wu's face immediately fell. Then her eyes rolled, and she turned to the dormmates around her.

"Come on! This afternoon, Sister Xiao Wu will take you all out to uphold justice again!"

What upholding justice? She clearly meant picking fights. Who in the Academy still dared to cause trouble? They had all long been scared stiff by you. The few remaining Work-Study Students in the Dormitory twitched their mouths, but under the pressure of her tyranny, they obediently climbed down from their beds and followed Xiao Wu.

Tang San watched Xiao Wu skip away with an indulgent look in his eyes, shook his head, and followed her out of the Dormitory.

Xiao Wu was his little sister now. At such a young age, being lively and restless was not necessarily a bad thing.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Academy, Lin Manshan did not hesitate and headed directly toward the Blacksmith Shop.

Before long, he arrived at the entrance of the Blacksmith Shop.

"A'man, what's this?"

Seeing Lin Manshan walk in through the entrance, the Tie Shan Brothers, who had been working, quickly put down what they were doing and ran over. As they helped Lin Manshan remove his bedding, they asked, "What happened? Why did you bring your bedding with you?"

"Uncle Tie Shan, I graduated from the Academy." Lin Manshan smiled and explained his situation.

"His Martial Soul can't produce Soul Skills!?" The gathered men opened their mouths, momentarily unsure how to comfort him.

"It's fine. It's not as though I can't continue cultivating." Lin Manshan smiled and broke the awkward atmosphere. Then he turned to Tie Shan. "Uncle Tie Shan, you're more familiar with this area. Could you help me find a small, quiet courtyard nearby? Preferably one with a Backyard. I want to buy a place like that as a residence and stay in Nuoding City for the time being. I can also build a small private Forging Room in the Backyard. After cultivating, I can practice my forging skills at home and help you refine Pig iron along the way."

Of course, it would also make it easier to keep a close eye on Tang San and fleece him. The Commoner district was not far from the Academy.

"Also, Uncle Tie Shan, you know my cultivation talent was average to begin with. Now that I've broken through to become a Spirit Master, my Soul Power cultivation speed will probably become even slower. I need to devote more time to cultivation. Since I've already graduated from the Academy, I'll have more time from now on. But because of that, I probably won't be able to come work at your shop very often anymore."

"It's fine. You've already become a Spirit Master, so cultivation naturally comes first. Besides, us brothers have nothing more to teach you. Practicing forging at home is a good idea too. As for refined Pig iron, if you have any left over, Uncle Tie will buy it from you at market price. Hahaha, the Pig iron you've refined over the past two years has helped us blacksmiths build quite a reputation." Tie Shan smiled. "And if you forge any finished ironware, just put it in Uncle Tie's shop to sell."

"Thank you, Uncle Tie Shan," Lin Manshan said seriously.

"It's nothing. I'll have your aunt ask a Broker about the courtyard later. Your aunt is much better at haggling over property prices. Until then, you can stay at the shop." As he spoke, Tie Shan patted Lin Manshan's shoulder. "A'man, don't be discouraged over your Martial Soul. Even without Soul Skills, you may not be unable to become a powerful Spirit Master. I've heard that some powerful Spirit Masters can create their own Soul Skills. At worst, we'll create our own. The Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer rumored in the blacksmithing world is said to be a Self-Created Soul Skill too. A'man, I don't think your forging skills are lacking either. Even an iron pestle can be ground into a needle. Take it slowly. Who knows? You might succeed."

What a coincidence. I happen to know the very thing you're talking about. Lin Manshan nodded repeatedly. "Mm, I'll work hard."

"There's one more thing, A'man. Since you've graduated from the Academy and no longer need to attend classes, Uncle Tie hopes that, if possible, you can find time to go to the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City of the Star Luo Empire and become certified as a real blacksmith. This is a selfish request of mine. Uncle Tie's greatest wish was once to advance and become a Blacksmith Grandmaster, bringing honor to my ancestors. Unfortunately, Uncle Tie's talent and comprehension are simply too poor. I'm still only an Intermediate Blacksmith, and I'm afraid I'll have no hope in this life."

At this point, he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

"To be honest, when you came to apply as an apprentice, the reason Uncle Tie agreed so readily and had these uncles diligently teach you everything they knew was because we saw your talent. I hoped that, one day, you could help me fulfill this wish." After saying that, he looked at Lin Manshan with hope in his eyes. "A'man, are you willing to inherit this wish of Uncle Tie's?"

If Lin Manshan agreed, it would essentially mean acknowledging him as half a master. As an Ordinary Commoner blacksmith without Soul Power, asking a Spirit Master—and a young man with exceptional blacksmithing talent—to acknowledge that was, honestly, making him rather nervous.

"Mm, I'm willing."

Lin Manshan agreed without hesitation. "Uncle Tie, all of you uncles have taught me wholeheartedly these past two years and passed on all your skills to me. In my heart, I have long regarded you as my teachers. They say beginnings are always the hardest. Your guidance over these two years has undoubtedly helped me immensely. You gave me enlightenment—how could I possibly not repay you?"

"Uncle Tie, don't worry. I'll definitely help you fulfill your wish. And my goal is not merely to become a Blacksmith Grandmaster, but a legendary Divine Craftsman." Lin Manshan spoke with lofty determination.

If Soul Power was cultivated to the extreme, one could perform Destiny Artifact Infusion on any weapon as effortlessly as Eternal Night of the Ancient Nether Race. He too wanted, one day, to perform Destiny Artifact Infusion on weapons he forged himself, then wield a massive blade in each hand and slaughter enemies in every direction.

Besides, the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City seemed to have an Auction House as well. They even sold Large Storage Soul Tools.

Lou Gao was a decent man. As a fellow blacksmith, he probably would not screw him over.

It was also the perfect place to sell the Soul Bone. Still, he needed to watch out for that lecherous Spirit Hall Bishop. Lin Manshan thought to himself.

"Good, good, good!" Tie Shan was immediately overjoyed, his face flushing slightly with excitement.

After hearing Lin Manshan's words, the surrounding blacksmiths' faces also reddened, their expressions brimming with delight.

Lin Manshan's words were practically a direct acknowledgment that he was their shared disciple. If Lin Manshan could one day make a name for himself in the blacksmithing world and become a true Divine Craftsman, then they would have played a part too. Their lives would truly have been worthwhile.

Damn it, I need to take good care of my health from now on and try to live long enough to brag about this to my great-grandchildren.

The blacksmiths all thought the same thing.

Thus, Lin Manshan temporarily moved into the Blacksmith Shop.

PS: Tie Shan knew that Self-Created Soul Skills existed because of the Blacksmith Association. It was basically a professional chat group.

The Dean of Nuoding Academy was neither an especially good person nor a bad one, but he was absolutely shrewd. That was why he gave the protagonist so many reasons. He wanted to avoid offending the protagonist in case he ever rose to prominence, while also following Yu Xiaogang's wishes and driving him away. The reason he had allowed Yu Xiaogang to freeload at the Academy for so many years was actually because he valued Yu Xiaogang's status and connections. It was an investment.

Pies do not fall from the sky. No one is good to someone for no reason, especially in a high-martial world.

That's all I'll say. I won't spend a large amount of filler text focusing on this minor character.