The Choice of Academy

Choosing an academy was crucial.

Fang Ling thought it over and over, only to realize he knew nothing.

After hearing about recommendation letters, he decided to visit the Principal's office for advice.

The Principal was a Soul Ancestor. He must have returned from some major place.

His knowledge of such matters was far beyond that of ordinary people.

He would surely be able to give the best advice.

"Knock, knock." Fang Ling knocked on the door outside the Principal's office.

"Come in." A familiar voice came from within.

Fang Ling pushed open the door and walked inside.

Because of the distinctive trait of his broken leg, coupled with being an outstanding student who could graduate early, the Principal had some impression of him.

"I remember your name is... Fang Ling. Your Martial Soul is a Sickle. What brings you here today?"

"Yes, I didn't expect you to still remember my name, Principal. I came today to ask you to recommend an intermediate spirit master academy."

The moment Fang Ling entered, he immediately stated his purpose.

The Principal nodded in understanding. A faint smile appeared on his rugged face, welcoming Fang Ling, a talented student capable of graduating early.

Seeing him remain standing, he pointed at a chair.

"Sit. Tell me your requirements. Intermediate spirit master academies each have their own differences."

Fang Ling sat down and said, "I need systematic instruction in the use of Tool Martial Souls and combat, and the academy's city, or a nearby city, must have a Great Soul Arena."

"Tool Martial Souls and combat instruction, as well as being near a Great Soul Arena... Do you like fighting?"

"You won't consider anything else? You should know that several intermediate academies above Notting Academy are also eager to recruit talented students."

Fang Ling said firmly, "Those two requirements are indispensable. I will not consider anything else."

"I see. Let me think." The Principal stroked his beard.

There were not many academies that possessed both of those characteristics.

Generally speaking, to avoid having too few visitors and struggling to make money, Great Soul Arenas were usually established in relatively large cities.

There were more spirit masters in large cities, and people there were generally wealthier.

Those cities were usually home to advanced spirit master academies.

It was not as if there were no intermediate academies established in large cities.

However, there were even fewer that also provided systematic instruction in Tool Martial Soul usage and combat.

After pondering for a moment, inspiration flashed through the Principal's mind, and he recalled a place. "War King Academy!"

He had encountered it during his travels through Heaven Dou.

"At the border where the Silves Kingdom, Balak Kingdom, and Hagendas Kingdom meet, there is a War King Intermediate Spirit Master Academy in Icefront City that has been operating for twenty-five years."

"Icefront City is considered to be on the edge of a major city. Its defining trait is its fierce local customs, and it also has a Great Soul Arena."

"I heard its business is extremely bustling."

"War King Academy places tremendous importance on combat instruction. It should be able to meet your requirements."

"It's just..." The Principal hesitated somewhat.

"Just what?" Fang Ling asked in confusion.

The Principal explained, "Although it is also part of Heaven Dou, unlike academies in the same province where you can enroll directly with a recommendation letter, anyone wishing to enter that academy in the Silves Kingdom must undergo a combat entrance examination."

"Many people take the test, and it is quite difficult. Every year, many applicants are eliminated."

"Difficult? I'm not afraid of difficulty!" A confident smile spread across Fang Ling's face.

With the Scythe Technique and Body Technique in battle, how could he possibly fear fighting?

If anything, difficult was better.

If it was difficult and eliminated many people every year, that proved it truly was a good academy.

After all, only good academies would have people flocking to them without end.

Shrek, that trash academy with nothing but cultivation, was merely an exception. There could not be a second one like it anywhere in the spirit master world.

"Then, Principal, what about that recommendation letter?" Anticipation gleamed in Fang Ling's eyes.

There was another important reason he had come to the Principal's office: the recommendation letter.

Perhaps it could lower the difficulty of admission to some extent.

Even if it turned out to be useless, he still could not go without one.

"Anyone who can graduate early is among the best. I can write one for you." The Principal chuckled and took out a sheet of paper from the drawer.

He quickly scribbled a few lines, sealed them in an envelope, then handed it to Fang Ling with a blessing.

"I hope you become a powerful Spirit Master in the future."

"Thank you, Principal. I also wish you ever greater success in your cultivation."

Fang Ling bowed, then happily left with the certificate in hand.

He folded the recommendation letter and placed it together with the certificate issued by Spirit Hall's Angel Legion.

He felt an exceptional sense of accomplishment.

The academy matters had mostly been settled.

Once he cleared up the remaining miscellaneous affairs and said farewell to those he could, he would embark on a new journey.

Dormitory Seven was filled with excitement.

As a farewell feast, the spread of dishes was especially lavish.

Fang Ling had cooked many dishes.

Everyone ate in huge mouthfuls, as though they wanted to rip out their stomachs and stuff them full.

By the end, Xiao Wu rubbed her round belly and slowly collapsed onto the bed.

The other work-study students were no exception.

Tang San was a little better off, but he was still somewhat stuffed.

He asked Fang Ling, "You're leaving?"

"Yeah, I'm setting off soon."

Fang Ling felt somewhat wistful.

His good relationship with Tang San and Xiao Wu would probably end here.

No matter how well they got along, because of the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, they were bound to become enemies someday.

When that time came, they would meet with blades drawn.

Xiao Wu picked at her teeth. "Have you chosen an Intermediate Spirit Master Academy yet?"

"I have. It's in Icefront City of the Silves Kingdom, called War King Academy."

Fang Ling gave a brief introduction before asking in surprise, "You're almost Level Twenty already. Aren't you planning to graduate yet?"

"We still need to wait a few years," Tang San said blandly.

Fang Ling tried to persuade them. "You should prepare to graduate sooner."

"Primary academies are only meant as a transition. You can't learn much here. You both have Innate Full Soul Power, so don't waste your talents here for nothing!"

"We have our own plans. You needn't concern yourself with it."

Tang San sneered inwardly.

Master's wisdom was unparalleled. You were only Level Eleven—what could you possibly know?

Having said what he could, Fang Ling did not speak further. When they met again next time, they could have a proper talk then.

After packing his luggage, he cast one final glance at Dormitory Seven, where he had slept for three years.

"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, cultivate well. Don't let me surpass you!"

"Haha, then work hard." Xiao Wu laughed so hard that her overly full stomach hurt.

Tang San could not help laughing. His mind was full of question marks. You, with Innate Level One, wanted to surpass us with Innate Full Soul Power?

What wild fantasy!

Because of the vast difference in talent, even though they got along fairly well, both of them thought so.

"Just wait and see! I'll definitely catch up to you—and surpass you!"

Fang Ling raised his fist, brimming with lofty ambition as he departed.

As Xiao Wu and Tang San watched Fang Ling's retreating figure, they strangely felt that he seemed incomparably tall, as though he truly could accomplish it.

But how could that be possible?

He was only Innate Level One. Did he really dream of defying fate and changing his destiny?

Under Master's guidance, the more Tang San learned about this world, the more he understood the importance of talent.

It was the deep, impassable gulf between ordinary Spirit Masters and genius Spirit Masters.

Innate Level One—how difficult the path of a Spirit Master would be for Fang Ling!

They likely would never see him again.

This farewell would be their final parting.

Xiao Wu stared after Fang Ling as he left, suddenly recalling a question. "Third Brother, you asked before—what exactly did your teacher tell you?"

Tang San was still sighing over how talent toyed with people. Hearing her question, he recalled, "Wait until we reach the sixth grade."

"When that time comes, Master said he would recommend us to a very powerful Monster Academy."

"Monster Academy?"

"Master didn't tell me anything more, but he said it was a very formidable academy."