Journey to Nuoding Academy

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Today was the day Ye Zhiqiu and Tang San set off for Primary Nuoding Academy.

At the entrance of Holy Spirit Village, Ye Zhiqiu and Tang San each carried a small bundle containing some changes of clothes.

Behind them stood Ye's Parents, seeing them off.

Liu Qingqing stroked Ye Zhiqiu's little head, looking somewhat sorrowful, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Egg, behave yourself once you get to the academy. Don't be naughty, understand? If you run out of money, remember to write home. Mom will bring you some."

Ye Zhiqiu felt a little embarrassed as he saw Tang San's strange yet envious look beside him.

Like I'd ever be short on money? Once I get to the academy, I can just shake down those little brats. Gold coins will come pouring in.

"Don't worry, Mom. Your son will definitely keep himself nice and plump." Ye Zhiqiu smiled brightly. He did not want their farewell to become too sad.

Before long, Old Jack Village Chief walked over.

Old Jack Village Chief had changed into a new set of clothes today, making him look much more vigorous.

"Still chatting? Don't worry! These two kids are both clever. Once they get to Nuoding Academy, it'll be good enough if they don't bully anyone else." Old Jack waved to Ye's Parents in farewell.

"Let's go~" Old Jack called to Ye Zhiqiu and Tang San.

Tang San glanced back at Holy Spirit Village, his expression somewhat dim.

"Little San, stop looking. Your drunkard father is probably still asleep. He won't be coming to see you off. Let's go~" After another reminder, Old Jack Village Chief took the lead.

Ye Zhiqiu sighed softly, took Tang San by the hand, and followed after him. He also waved goodbye to his parents behind him.

The gentle sunlight stretched the shadows of the three far behind them.

In the distance, a burly figure stood atop a thickly leafed branch, silently watching the three of them depart.

As the three walked along the road, Tang San kept turning back to look toward the village, yet in the end, the figure he hoped to see never appeared.

"Little San, do you miss the village, or do you miss your drunkard father?" Old Jack rubbed Tang San's head and asked with a smile.

"A little of both," Tang San answered softly.

"Hahaha, then you should learn more from Ah Qiu. Look at him hopping around like a monkey. He's obviously very happy." Old Jack pointed at Ye Zhiqiu beside them and laughed as he stroked his beard.

Ye Zhiqiu rolled his eyes. You're the monkey. Your whole family is monkeys. Have you ever seen a monkey as handsome as me? "I really do envy Ah Qiu. His father and mother treat him so well... sigh." Tang San's feelings showed plainly. Thinking of Tang Hao made him feel a little upset.

The corners of Ye Zhiqiu's mouth lifted. He patted Tang San on the shoulder and said, "Little San, that's not something you can envy. Actually, don't be fooled by how well my parents treat me on the surface." At that point, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly stopped and tilted his head as though recalling something.

Tang San's interest was piqued. Could Ah Qiu's parents also treat him badly? That made sense. He had seen Ah Qiu get beaten terribly several times, until his butt was covered in welts.

"And then?" Tang San asked.

Ye Zhiqiu chuckled inwardly. You brought this on yourself. It's not like I wanted to say it. "And then? Actually, behind the scenes... my parents treat me even better~! Just now, they secretly slipped several Silver Soul Coins into my pocket."

Ye Zhiqiu deliberately took out several Silver Soul Coins and tossed them in the air, shaking his head theatrically. "Sigh, my parents really are something else. Do I look like someone who lacks this little bit of money?"

Tang San and Old Jack Village Chief both darkened. That unexpected display nearly threw out their backs.

Negative Emotion Value from Tang San +66

Negative Emotion Value from Jack +6

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu showing off like that, it was not only Tang San who wanted to beat him up. Even Old Jack, the seventy- or eighty-year-old village chief, felt his right hand itch, wanting to punch Ye Zhiqiu's little face, which was smiling like a chrysanthemum.

This guy was just begging for a beating.

However, after Ye Zhiqiu's little stunt, the sadness of parting had faded considerably. The mood along the way became much livelier, and Tang San's low spirits gradually returned to normal.

"Little San, Ah Qiu. Let me tell you about the academy, so you won't know nothing after you get there." Old Jack Village Chief straightened his clothes, stroked his beard, and spoke with the air of an old scholar.

"Before that, Ah Qiu and Little San, you two should thank Master Su Yuntao. Our village originally only had one Work-Study Student spot. It was Master Su Yuntao who saw Ah Qiu's talent and went to ask for another one for our village."

Ye Zhiqiu curled his lips. Su Yuntao probably only needed to say the word, yet he had fooled the old village chief into using the word "ask." What a shameless guy.

"Grandpa Jack, what is a Work-Study Student?" Tang San asked in confusion.

Old Jack smiled. "A Work-Study Student is exempt from tuition and lodging fees. You only need to pay for your own meals. After all, many poor people like us cannot afford academy tuition. This is a preferential policy the academies offer commoners. Of course, Work-Study Students also need to do some simple work at the academy in return, such as cleaning classrooms."

After hearing that, Tang San nodded.

Ye Zhiqiu, meanwhile, was absent-minded. He already knew these trivial matters. Work? Heh, working was impossible. If he remembered correctly, some little brats at Nuoding Academy would come looking for trouble. He could leave the work to them and shake them down for a few Gold Soul Coins while he was at it.

The more Ye Zhiqiu thought about it, the happier he became, until he could not help laughing aloud.

Tang San and Old Jack both looked at him in confusion. What was wrong with this kid? Was he so happy just hearing about work?

After wondering about it for a while, Old Jack continued explaining, "Academies are divided into primary, intermediate, and advanced levels. To graduate from a primary academy, your Soul Power must reach level ten, and you must obtain your first soul ring. I'm not worried about that. You two are both little monsters with Innate Full Soul Power. You should be able to graduate from a primary academy easily. As for intermediate Soul Master academies, their graduation requirements are much more difficult."

Old Jack held up two fingers. "You need to reach level twenty Soul Power, obtain your second soul ring, and earn the title of Soul Grandmaster before you can graduate."

Difficult? Ye Zhiqiu curled his lips. I'm already level twenty. Am I proud about it~!

"Then what about advanced Soul Master academies? What are their graduation requirements?" Tang San asked.

"Advanced?"

Old Jack Village Chief froze for a moment, then sighed. "Advanced Soul Master academies are not something commoners like us can hope for. It's far too difficult to get into one. I don't know much either. I only know that Spirit Masters who graduate from there are geniuses sought after by all major factions. Our Heaven Dou Empire even grants them noble titles." At that point, Old Jack's expression became somewhat wistful.

Nobles?

Ye Zhiqiu smiled disdainfully. What use is that crap? It's nothing more than an empty promise the Empire offers to win over talented people. Not a single truly powerful person would take something like a noble title seriously.

On Douluo Continent, strength was supreme. Everything else was empty talk.