A New Beginning

Zhongli noticed Mo Yuqing's subtle change through the sensation in his hand. Though he did not know what the little one was thinking, her expression still told him enough.

And that information was enough.

But he knew very well that Mo Yuqing was simple and pure. As long as she felt that she was important—cared for, needed, and treated well—those few things would be enough to put her at ease.

Care came from words and details, while being treated well came from actions and deeds. Zhongli had always done well in both respects and had never wronged her. Otherwise, he would not have been able to forgive himself. Therefore, the root of the problem should have been in being needed.

At a time like this, all he needed to do was break down that need into finer parts, consider it alongside how important she saw herself in his eyes, and compare what had changed between this period and before. Whom she had met and what had happened were all within his considerations.

Teacher? Their relationship was not close enough. Pass!

Parents? Too far away. Pass!

Hua Banhao? Not important enough. Pass!

Aserine? Important enough. She was Zhongli's personal Maid, capable and highly reliable. She had also appeared before Mo Yuqing, more than enough to draw her attention.

He could not be certain, but it was most likely related.

So Zhongli raised a question.

On the surface, this question showed that he still cared about that money—a great deal. Indirectly, it conveyed the hidden message, You are important, making her realize her own importance. At the same time, it subtly lowered Zhongli from his pedestal, making him seem less perfect and thereby reducing Mo Yuqing's psychological pressure.

Of course, it might not work~※

Inside the teaching building.

"Teacher, these are our forms."

Mo Yuqing handed over two red forms.

"Mhm... mhm, understood."

The receptionist teacher's gaze changed the instant he saw the two red forms. After briefly looking over the information inside, he put on a professional smile and said, "I roughly understand now. Both of you have excellent talent and meet Zero Class's requirements. Therefore, starting today, you are students of Spirit Hall Elementary Academy's Zero Class."

After speaking, he took several items from the cabinet beneath the counter and handed them to the two in turn. "These two keys are to your dormitories: Dorm 103 in Building 1 and Dorm 403 in Building 9, respectively. Of course, if your homes are nearby, you do not have to live in the dorms. That is entirely up to you."

"Mhm."

"Understood."

The two accepted the keys and replied separately.

Spirit Hall Elementary Academy's facilities were regrettable. Its conditions were simply too good, resulting in plenty of large dormitories at Spirit Hall Academy, with no need for boys and girls to share accommodations. That was undoubtedly quite regrettable.

Sure enough, poor academies had their advantages too...

"Next, these four sets of School Uniforms are what you will wear to school. Unless something unexpected happens, please try to wear your School Uniforms properly when attending school. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us as well. Understand?" The teacher took out two packaged sets of white School Uniforms each and handed them over again.

The two accepted the School Uniforms and, without prior discussion, stored them in their Storage Spaces. Though the teacher before them was somewhat surprised, he did not find it unacceptable. Clearly, he had already been informed beforehand. And the person who had informed him was obvious—the Golden Crocodile Douluo from earlier. The direction he had left in was this teaching building's direction.

After distributing the items one by one, the teacher finally smiled in relief and said, "All right, I've given you everything. My task is complete as well. Today, you may stroll around the academy as you please, or cultivate freely within the academy. Just remember to wear the Special Badge on your chest."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Mo Yuqing politely bowed, then asked with a lively smile, "Then... when can we receive the subsidy of one hundred Gold Soul Coins?"

Zhongli smiled helplessly and shook his head. This little one simply did not understand what was valuable and what was not. Their badges were specially made. Their presence alone made their uniqueness immediately apparent, and they had been deliberately crafted with rare metals. They were worth no less than several hundred Gold Soul Coins, definitely not something ordinary students could possess.

Those white School Uniforms were also finely made. While they lacked an extravagant and luxurious appearance, they were understatedly lavish, and the materials were all excellent. They were worth quite a bit as well.

Overall, every item that teacher had just given them was worth more than a hundred Gold Soul Coins. The so-called hundred-Gold-Soul-Coin subsidy was actually the least valuable thing.

"One hundred Gold Soul Coins?"

The teacher smiled as well. He directly took out two bags from his Storage Space and handed them straight to the pair. "Here, these are your Gold Soul Coins."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Mo Yuqing's face instantly bloomed with joy. She took both money bags directly and smiled happily.

Then, she looked at Zhongli beside her, then at the money bags in her hands, before slowly holding one of them out to him. "Here, these are your Gold Soul Coins."

Zhongli accepted the bag, weighed it in his hand, then placed it back on Mo Yuqing and said, "Keep it with you for now. I'll leave it to you~"

"Mhm!"

Mo Yuqing nodded vigorously, storing both money bags in her Storage Space. It felt as though her entire life had been elevated.

"Oh, right. There is one more matter."

The teacher suddenly said.

"What is it?"

The teacher smiled, staring at Zhongli as he said, "It concerns Zhongli's career planning. Zhongli's Soul Master type has not yet been fully determined, which is clearly unfavorable for his future studies.

"To allow his talent to be put to better use, we will request guidance from a better 'Superior Teacher.' Spirit Hall's 'Superior Teacher' is a little far from here and will need at least two days to arrive. So, could you come to our Spirit Hall Branch in three days?

"I can guarantee that this is a 'very important' matter to you. It will greatly affect your future. If there are no special circumstances, be sure to come in three days."

"I understand."

Zhongli nodded lightly.

He was not an idiot, either. He knew there was more to the man's words. That so-called Superior Teacher was likely someone higher up in Spirit Hall, and someone of a higher rank than that old man. His initial guess was that it was either BiBi Dong or the Great Enshrinement. After all, he was a Godhood Inheritor. That identity was exceedingly noble on Douluo Continent, and no amount of attention from Spirit Hall would be excessive.

It would be a real problem if they did not vie for him or value him!

Furthermore, this person seemingly did not know much. Otherwise, his attitude would not have dared to be so forceful. Zhongli initially estimated that his status was a little higher than the academy's teachers, but a tiny bit lower than Golden Crocodile Douluo.

If possible, Zhongli did not want to come into contact with BiBi Dong at this stage. He did not yet possess absolute strength as a trump card, so there was a greater element of gambling involved.