Intercepting Xiao Wu

During the six years in Holy Spirit Village, Old Jack would occasionally pull Yun Qi aside to chat. The old man could talk endlessly and was especially talkative now.

He had learned that Yun Qi would soon be leaving home for Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy to study.

As for Tang San, how could he compare to his own grandson? If Yun Qi had not existed, Old Jack might have given the village's work-study student quota to Tang San.

But now that he had his own grandson, whom he had spent six years with and who possessed even greater talent, Old Jack had long forgotten Tang San. Still, he had not forgotten to remind Tang San about it.

With the mindset of saving trouble and winning over Xiao Wu, Yun Qi gladly accepted the work-study student quota. Though he had money now, wasn't it better to get something free and intercept it?

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was time for Yun Qi to begin school.

Holy Spirit Village was not too far from Nuoding City. The journey took roughly half a day. The two casually ate some dry provisions along the way, and by afternoon, they could see the distant city walls.

Although Nuoding City was not particularly large, it was still on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire. Its walls were exceptionally thick. After passing the soldiers' inspection, Yun Qi and Old Jack entered the city alongside the other pedestrians.

"Xiao Xi, once you get to the academy, take good care of yourself and study hard. After I take you there, I'll head back. You must listen to your teachers at the academy. If anything happens, remember to seek help from Spirit Hall. In any case, stay safe. I'll come pick you up when the term ends!"

It was Yun Qi's first time leaving Holy Spirit Village, and he naturally felt somewhat reluctant.

"Grandfather, are you going back so soon? Stay here and have some fun. I have money now."

Yun Qi looked at Old Jack before him and spoke softly. Ten Gold Soul Coins still had considerable purchasing power on Douluo Continent.

Old Jack said with a smile:

"The crops in the village haven't been harvested yet. Besides, you need to save those Gold Soul Coins to nourish yourself. I'm old, and I no longer covet such things. You must make something of yourself. The next time I see you, I hope you'll already be an outstanding Spirit Master! Holy Spirit Village will be proud of you!"

Yun Qi understood the older generation's way of thinking and said nothing more. He only secretly swore in his heart that if he ever found anything that could extend one's lifespan, he would definitely save a portion for Grandfather.

Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy was located in western Nuoding City. Yun Qi and Old Jack asked for directions several times before finally arriving at the academy gates.

At the academy entrance stood a towering archway. It was at least twenty meters wide and over ten meters tall, entirely built from sturdy bluestone. Beneath it on either side stood two black iron gates.

Through the gaps in the iron gates, they could see a straight road leading directly into the academy, surrounded by tall trees. Carved into the stone above the archway were four large characters: "Nuoding Academy."

Looking at the imposing gates, Yun Qi couldn't help but sigh. Spirit Masters truly were highly valued on this continent. Even a junior Soul Master Academy was this grand! It was hard to imagine what Spirit City, the sacred land of Spirit Masters, looked like.

After Yun Qi finished speaking with Old Jack, he prepared to enter the academy, only to be stopped immediately.

"Stop! Who allowed you to enter? Is this a place country bumpkins like you should come?"

Old Jack had just wanted to explain when Yun Qi stopped him. He had no desire to let someone humiliate him first and then slap them in the face afterward. That was not his style.

Yun Qi smiled, took out the Spirit Hall certificate Su Yuntao had given him last time, and released his Martial Soul.

"I'm here to enroll. Do I qualify to enter?"

Yun Qi gave a teasing smile and looked up at the gatekeeper before him.

So I, Yun Qi, actually ran into this sort of plot too. But I have no intention of letting my grandfather be humiliated, so I cut it off in advance. There's an old saying: it's easy to deal with the King of Hell, but hard to deal with his underlings. Of course, that depends on the person. If an underling overestimates himself, then he isn't really much of an underling.

The young gatekeeper looked at the kid before him. Yun Qi had a youthful, handsome face, slightly upturned lips, and smiling eyes. Then he looked at the black-purple Long Sword in Yun Qi's hand and inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine.

Combining it with the Martial Soul certificate in Yun Qi's hand, his face immediately turned pale. He hurriedly bowed and scraped, loudly apologizing for offending him.

Seeing the gatekeeper act this way, Yun Qi no longer felt like pursuing the matter. After all, being an academy gatekeeper meant he was merely an ordinary person. When an ordinary person saw an Innate 7 Soul Power Sword Martial Soul built for slaughter—and one that clearly looked far from ordinary—how could he still be foolish enough to seek death?

Yun Qi put away his Martial Soul and certificate, then turned to Grandfather and said:

"Grandfather, go back early. If you leave too late, it'll get dark, and you won't be able to see the road!"

"Alright, alright. Xiao Xi, you must remember what I told you!"

Yun Qi hurriedly agreed. After watching Grandfather Jack depart, he turned around and headed for the academic affairs office to register.

As Yun Qi admired the scenery along the way, he wondered whether Tang San would still come to the academy. Without the work-study student quota, his father was a Titled Douluo after all. It should not be difficult for him to get some money, so attending school normally ought to be possible.

He just did not know how Tang San would persuade his father. Would he reveal his twin Martial Souls like in the original story?

Thinking too much was tiring, and Yun Qi did not care much. It would be even better if Tang San did not come. Tang San with two god positions had spent his whole life forging iron. That plot would be pretty good too!

Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy was not as large as it appeared from the outside. It was simply divided into several areas, with the Teaching Building, training grounds, dormitories, and cafeteria all close together.

Before long, Yun Qi found Director Su, who handled new students, in the academic affairs office on the First Floor of the Teaching Building. Two young teachers were assisting him nearby, while a gray-robed Middle-aged Man with a cropped haircut stood to one side.

Yun Qi looked at the people before him, then placed his Martial Soul certificate and the work-study student quota issued by Holy Spirit Village on Director Su's desk.

"Hello, Teacher. I'm Yun Qi, a new student here to register. These are my documents."

Director Su casually picked up the materials and read them. His expression immediately changed as he muttered:

"A Genius... Innate 7 Soul Power, plus a Sword Martial Soul never seen before. Our junior Soul Master Academy has never encountered a student with Innate 7 Soul Power."

The surrounding teachers seemed to have heard something unbelievable. The gray-robed man beside them had his eyes light up briefly before they dimmed again, leaving him looking listless.

Yun Qi understood their reactions. After all, whenever a child with good talent appeared in previous years, they would usually join Spirit Hall. For commoners, only training there could bring out their true potential.

"Teacher, can my enrollment procedures be handled now?"

Yun Qi's voice interrupted the people still immersed in their joy. His eyes also glanced at the gray-robed man. This was probably Yu Xiaogang, the so-called "invincible in theory, useless in practice," "Douluo's number one shameless man," "coward," "plagiarist," and "book tailor." Yun Qi's Previous Life spent watching the animation and reading all kinds of comments from netizens had taught him that this was no good person.

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang did not respond to him, Yun Qi was happy to take it easy. He could not be bothered dealing with him anyway. Besides, whether they would be enemies or allies in the future remained unknown.

Soon, Yun Qi had completed his enrollment registration and related procedures. Director Su was overly warmhearted, though. Seeing that he was a work-study student, he wanted to arrange a private room for Yun Qi and even provide financial support.

After considering it, Yun Qi agreed. There was no reason to refuse something free. After all, not everyone wanted to sleep in a communal dormitory and play around with a bunch of children. More importantly, he needed to figure out how to convince Xiao Wu, who would soon enroll, to live with him. Yun Qi already had an idea.

Led by Director Su, Yun Qi was quickly settled into the Teacher's Dormitory in a private room. The room was neither large nor small, with a fairly large bed, a desk, a private bathroom, and windows that opened toward the Teaching Building.

There was no bedding or Toiletries, though, so he would have to buy them. Worth mentioning was that Yu Xiaogang's room was next door.

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Yun Qi received another five Gold Soul Coins from Director Su. He declined Director Su's offer to accompany him shopping and left the academy alone.

Yun Qi carefully placed the money pouch into an inner pocket. He was a little rich man now, and he would be heartbroken if he lost it. As he walked, Yun Qi headed into a restaurant to get something to eat. The journey had left him without a proper meal.

The moment he entered the restaurant, he saw a Pretty Girl. Her lovely little face was rosy and fair, pink and tender like a peach, making people feel an urge to take a bite. Her long black hair was braided into a scorpion braid that fell past her hips, and her eyes were watery and bright. Her clothes were simple but clean and tidy.

Yet the way she ate was astonishing. She was wolfing down food at a table, and every dish on it was some kind of carrot.

Looking at the Girl before him, Yun Qi suddenly felt an unreal sensation. After all, a person who had existed only in his fantasies during his Previous Life had suddenly appeared before his eyes.

As Yun Qi stood there in a daze, the Girl eating noticed someone watching her. Turning around, she saw a Shota about the same "age" as her, and he was very handsome—the kind who immediately made people feel favorable toward him.

Xiao Wu opened her big eyes, a sweet smile appearing on her little face. Tilting her head, she blinked her pink eyes.

"Are you looking at me?"

Yun Qi instantly came back to his senses. Having been caught staring at her for so long, he felt a little embarrassed despite possessing an adult soul. He subconsciously scratched his hair before slowly replying:

"Sorry. I've never seen such a beautiful Girl before, so I got a little distracted. My name is Yun Qi."

No compliment ever failed. This timeless truth worked most of the time, especially when praising a girl. Of course, it had to be done in moderation, or people would think you were a bootlicker.

The Girl was greatly pleased inside, and her smile became even brighter. She waved, pointed to the stool beside her, and gestured for Yun Qi to sit.

"My name is Xiao Wu, as in dance. Come sit down. I'll treat you to a meal!"

Yun Qi was straightforward as well. It would be good to get to know her early and build some favorability. He walked over and sat beside Xiao Wu.

Before Xiao Wu could speak, Yun Qi took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Are you eating here alone?"

"Yeah."

"Then why did you order a whole table of carrots?"

At Yun Qi's question, Xiao Wu's face flushed slightly.

"Can't I like eating carrots?"

Yun Qi picked up a pair of Chopsticks from the Bamboo Basket beside him, directly picked up a slice, and began eating. The carrots made by the restaurant actually tasted pretty good.

I had also been hiding my income from my family, only telling them that I earned a decent amount.

This led to a vicious cycle. Every month, I had to help my family repay some debts, yet I could not take out much money.

I suffered many cold stares because of this. Even the neighbors said I was a freeloader.

Actually, I know I'm not capable of much. I can't even write novels well.

And this thousand yuan is very important to me, because I had borrowed money to repay my family's debts before.

I don't know where the future lies, so this month I started two more novels, both about Douluo.

I started several before, but they all flopped.

I couldn't even meet the requirements for full attendance pay.

Perhaps many people think, "You Stinky Tofu can't even write novels properly, so why don't you just work in a factory?"

That also involves many Unspeakable Secrets.

It isn't that I'm unwilling. It's that I can't.

I'm twenty-three this year, which sounds rather ridiculous.

I'm supposed to be in the prime of youth, yet I'm riddled with illnesses and do not dare speak of them.

An adult's life is always full of hardship.

I know that playing the victim makes many people uncomfortable, especially doing it in the main text.

Because author's notes cannot be seen on other platforms, and piracy cannot steal them either.

That is why I resorted to this.

But I only want to gain a few more subscriptions, hoping those readers who read pirated copies can briefly come to Qidian and support me.

Just spend a few cents, or one yuan.

I often envy and dream, only to end up powerless.

I do not know where the future lies, nor do I know how far I can go.

I want to be like the protagonist in my book, to command the world with sweeping confidence, point at the realm, and possess beauties like paintings.

But reality gave me a heavy blow. Just as others say, I am nothing but trash.

I'm sorry for taking up everyone's time. I truly apologize!

May all of you, and may I myself as well,

ride the wind and break the waves when the time comes, setting sail straight across the vast sea.

----2023.5.23

Flying Stinky Tofu