Leaving the Village and Arriving at Nuoding City

A few days after their Martial Souls awakened, Holy Soul Village seemed to have returned to its usual tranquility, but for Lin Kun and Tang San, life had quietly changed.

Village Chief Old Jack's smiles became more frequent. He would tell everyone he met that Holy Soul Village had produced two Spirit Masters, and even though one only had Innate Level 1 Spirit Power, it was still an extraordinary event. He became even busier, rushing around to secure the places and travel expenses for the two children's work-study programs.

Tang San still went to Tang Hao's blacksmith shop every day, but he noticeably increased the time he spent cultivating Mysterious Heaven Skill. Lin Kun's appearance, especially his "unknown book" Martial Soul and Innate Level 1 Spirit Power, was like a small pebble dropped into the calm lake of Tang San's heart, creating a barely perceptible ripple. He vaguely felt that this quiet fellow villager seemed different from before.

Lin Kun, meanwhile, used his remaining time to desperately train his body and familiarize himself with his faint Level 1 Spirit Power. He discovered that when he focused his will, the ancient book Martial Soul would appear in his consciousness. He couldn't turn the pages or interact with it; only the tiny light crystal on the cover would occasionally flicker. Other than that, there was nothing special. This left him somewhat dejected, but it was better than nothing.

He had also tried to communicate with the system, but the system, apart from issuing tasks and countdowns, basically ignored his questions, remaining aloof.

The day of departure finally arrived.

Village Chief Old Jack came to Lin Kun's dilapidated hut early in the morning. Looking at this child whose parents had died long ago and who had always been alone and helpless, his eyes showed affection and reluctance. "Little Kun, when you get to Nuoding Academy, you must listen carefully to your teachers, cultivate diligently, and in the future... in the future, there will always be a chance to make something of yourself." He patted Lin Kun's dry, yellow hair and stuffed a small, washed-out cloth bundle into his hand. "There are a few biscuits inside for you to eat on the road. Make them last."

Lin Kun took the cloth bundle, still warm from the old man's touch. He looked at the elder's kind, cloudy eyes, and his nose tingled slightly. The original owner's memories and emotions surged into his heart at that moment, giving him a genuine connection to this unfamiliar world.

"Thank you, Grandpa Jack. I will work hard," he said softly, his voice sincere.

At the village entrance, Tang San was already waiting, still wearing his clean, patched clothes. Standing beside him was Tang Hao, who always seemed half-asleep and reeked of alcohol. Tang Hao merely glanced at Lin Kun, his eyes clouded, offering no greeting. He said a few cryptic words to Tang San, like "Use the hammer in your left hand to protect the grass in your right hand," and then turned to leave.

Old Jack, with the two children, set off on the road to Nuoding City.

The journey was long and tedious. Old Jack was old and didn't walk fast. Tang San was taciturn, spending most of his time walking silently, seemingly cultivating. Lin Kun, as he walked, continuously simulated possible scenarios in the Nuoding Academy work-study dormitory in his mind, contemplating how to complete that damned mission.

He had to create an opportunity. How did that accident happen again? It seemed Tang San used the Tang Sect's ultimate skill, Crane Controlling Dragon, causing Xiao Wu to lose her balance...

"System," he asked mentally, "if Tang San attacks me when the mission is completed, will I have the ability to protect myself? Or will the system provide assistance?"

[During the mission period, the system will not directly provide martial assistance. The host must avoid risks independently. Mission rewards will be issued immediately upon completion, which may alleviate the host's crisis.] the system responded coldly.

"May alleviate?" Lin Kun's lips twitched. This system was too unreliable!

A few days later, the dust-covered trio finally saw the outline of Nuoding City.

The tall city walls, the bustling crowds, the busy streets... all of this was filled with novelty for Lin Kun and Tang San, who came from the countryside (on the surface, at least). Old Jack, familiar with the way, led them through the streets to Nuoding Academy of Advanced Spirit Masters.

The grand gate, the plaque carved from white marble, and the guards at the entrance, dressed neatly with a hint of arrogance in their eyes, all showcased the vast difference between this place and Holy Soul Village.

Seeing the three people in patched clothes, looking poor and shabby, especially Old Jack and the two children, the guard's face immediately showed impatience and contempt.

"Go on, go on! Where did you country bumpkins come from? This is a Spirit Master Academy, not a place for beggars!"

Old Jack hurried forward, a smile plastered on his face, and presented the proof from Spirit Hall. "Little brother, we're not beggars. We're from Holy Soul Village, here to send these two children for work-study..."

The guard snatched the proof, glanced at it, and his mockery deepened. "Holy Soul Village? The village that can't even produce one child with Spirit Power each year? Heh, and now, two in one year? One with Blue Silver Grass, a waste Martial Soul with Innate Full Spirit Power? And one with an unknown book with Innate Level 1? You can't even fake it properly! Get lost, don't block the way!"

Old Jack's face turned red with anger, and he argued earnestly. Tang San's eyes also grew cold.

Lin Kun stood behind them, his heart in turmoil. The plot from the original story was unfolding! He knew that Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was about to appear to resolve the situation. This was the first significant turning point in Tang San's fate.

What should he do? Wait and see? Or do something to leave an impression on the Grandmaster in advance?

Just as he hesitated, a somewhat hoarse but uniquely magnetic voice sounded nearby. "What's going on?"

A middle-aged man of medium height, slightly thin, with short black hair, ordinary features, but deep eyes that held a hint of laziness and decadence, walked over. He held a book in his hand and scanned the arguing parties.

Seeing him, the guard's imposing demeanor immediately deflated. He respectfully said, "Grandmaster, you're back. These country folk are trying to cheat their way in with fake proof..."

The man called Grandmaster took the proof from the guard and examined it carefully. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, especially when he saw Tang San's proof of "Innate Full Spirit Power, Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass."

"The proof is real," the Grandmaster said calmly, then turned his gaze to the two children behind Old Jack, finally settling on Tang San. "You are Tang San?"

Tang San nodded.

The Grandmaster looked at Lin Kun again. "And you?"

Lin Kun suppressed the tremor in his heart and answered as calmly as possible, "Lin Kun."

The Grandmaster's gaze lingered on Lin Kun for a second longer, seemingly curious about his "unknown book" Martial Soul, but quickly returned to Tang San. "You two, come with me. Old sir, you can go back now."

Old Jack thanked them profusely and gave the two children a few more instructions before reluctantly leaving.

The guard dared not speak further.

The Grandmaster led Tang San and Lin Kun into the academy. Along the way, the Grandmaster primarily spoke with Tang San, inquiring about his Twin Martial Souls (although Tang San tried to conceal it, the Grandmaster seemed to have already guessed) and proposed taking Tang San as his disciple.

After some consideration and the Grandmaster demonstrating his profound understanding of Martial Soul theory, Tang San knelt and formally accepted him as his master.

Lin Kun silently followed behind, witnessing all of this. He was like an observer, watching the protagonist's halo shine.

After accepting the disciple, the Grandmaster seemed to remember Lin Kun's presence and turned to him. "Lin Kun, your Martial Soul is very special. Although your Innate Spirit Power of Level 1 is not high, it's not without potential. The work-study student's tasks and studies will be very demanding, so you must be prepared. Go to the academic affairs office to register first, and then someone will take you to the dormitory."

"Thank you, Grandmaster," Lin Kun bowed respectfully. He knew that the Grandmaster would not pay much attention to him at this moment. He had to rely on himself, and also on the system.

After completing the simple enrollment procedures at the academic affairs office, a senior work-study student led Tang San and Lin Kun to their dormitory – the Seventh Dormitory.

The closer they got to the Seventh Dormitory, the faster Lin Kun's heart beat.

The countdown was nearing zero.

The gears of fate would begin to completely derail from here.

He took a deep breath and clenched his fists, his palms covered in sweat.