Ze Ping's Request

Ding—ling—ling—ling—

The morning classes at Haitian Advanced Soul Master Academy had temporarily come to an end. The afternoon belonged to the students' personal time. After the morning lessons, most ordinary students would choose to return to their dormitories to meditate and cultivate, or rest, while Work-Study Students were probably worrying about their living expenses.

But there were always exceptions. For example, the batch of Work-Study Students from three years ago seemed to have no need to work for themselves; someone would take care of the jobs that Work-Study Students were supposed to do. Still, this was within the permitted rules, since it was a privilege they had earned themselves.

The academic affairs office had an area specifically set aside for Work-Study Students. As long as they completed their tasks, they could come here to collect the living expenses issued by the academy. Two people had just arrived now, a boy and a girl.

The boy was especially tall. Dressed in a fitted dark blue academy uniform, he looked neat and capable. He had handsome features, with medium-length black hair that barely reached his shoulders. A faint smile rested on his lips, giving him a very approachable air.

The girl beside him looked particularly petite standing next to him. Her dark green hair was such a deep shade that it appeared black and glossy. Though it was tied into a high ponytail, the ends still hung down to her waist, making her look both obedient and a little playful.

"Mm, Chenfeng and Little Ling. You finished the task from a couple of days ago so quickly?" The speaker was Teacher Mo, the person in charge of the task area.

"Yes, Teacher Mo. The forging task I took on has already been completed."

"My design drawings are finished as well. I can submit them directly."

The two who had come to turn in their tasks were Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling.

Three years ago, Work-Study Students could only receive the academy's living expenses by completing assigned work within the academy. However, after Tang Chenfeng and the others passed the Blacksmith Association's rank examinations and became the youngest blacksmiths and designers in history, the academy, which had always shown little interest in sub-professions, unexpectedly introduced profession-reward tasks among the Work-Study Student assignments.

The rewards for those profession tasks were extremely generous, attracting many students, especially Work-Study Students. Among the Work-Study Students, Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling were naturally the standouts. After all, there were simply not many people in the academy who could compete with them. Coupled with the Federation's financial subsidies for Soul Masters, they now had their own little nest eggs and no longer needed to worry about food or drink.

After accepting the siblings' work, Teacher Mo asked, "Time passes so quickly. It's already been three years since I first met you two. By the way, have you prepared for this summer vacation?"

After the end of every semester, Haitian Academy had a two-month break, giving students ample time to rest and adjust. Every year, this period was the most meaningful time for certain students at the academy, because it was their chance to ascend to Cloud City from the ground below.

Tang Chenfeng said, "Of course I have to prepare seriously. I don't want to miss this opportunity."

Those living on the ground had to fulfill several conditions if they wanted to set foot in Cloud City.

First, they had to be Soul Masters. Then, their Soul Power Level had to reach above level twenty, making them Soul Grandmasters.

Teacher Mo continued, "Then you'd better hurry and work hard. If I remember correctly, Little Ling is already level twenty, right? As expected of the once-in-a-century genius of our academy." As she spoke, Teacher Mo's gaze settled on Ye Hongling.

Over the past three years, Ye Hongling's Soul Power had advanced by leaps and bounds. She had broken through level twenty a year ago and was now around level twenty-three.

"Oh, Teacher, I just have slightly better talent. I'm not as amazing as you say." Ye Hongling waved her hand at Teacher Mo.

Teacher Mo burst out laughing. "All right, all right. If that doesn't count as amazing, then there probably aren't any geniuses left in this world."

Then she looked at Tang Chenfeng. "Chenfeng needs to work hard too. I remember you reached level nineteen a long time ago, right? You're just a little short of that level, so make sure you seize this opportunity."

"Teacher, I understand. I'll work hard."

Meanwhile, in Zhao Gaobo's office, someone besides Zhao Gaobo was sitting on the sofa and talking with him. Looking closely, it was Ling Wei, Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling's grandmother.

Zhao Gaobo had poured her a cup of tea, then poured one for himself as well. "Ling Wei, why did you come alone this time? Where did that Old Jiulong run off to?"

Ling Wei said, "There are still some matters in town that need handling. As the 'village chief,' he naturally has to stay behind and deal with them, so I came to pick Chenfeng and the others up this time."

Zhao Gaobo took a sip of tea and said angrily, "That guy isn't really planning to keep you all living out in the countryside for the rest of your lives, is he?"

Ling Wei merely smiled. "If it had been before, I wouldn't have minded. But now even my precious grandson and granddaughter are about to take to the skies. Perhaps we should start considering it too."

At those words, a glimmer seemed to flash through Zhao Gaobo's eyes, but it quickly returned to normal.

"Sigh." Zhao Gaobo sighed. "But only one of those siblings may be able to go up now. You must have noticed Tang Chenfeng's condition long ago, right?"

Ling Wei's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing that. "Of course I know. But honestly, I've never seen a case like Tang Chenfeng's before."

Tang Chenfeng had actually reached level nineteen before Ye Hongling, but for some reason, his Soul Power seemed stuck at level nineteen. No matter how he cultivated, it had no effect at all.

Ling Wei had naturally examined Tang Chenfeng's body. She discovered that the Soul Power within him was like water sealed inside an airtight bottle. It would require enormous pressure to break through, and as for exactly how much pressure was needed, Ling Wei was still observing.

Normally, if such a situation appeared, it meant that a Soul Master had sufficient potential. As long as they could break through, they would soar into the heavens. But Ling Wei had also discovered that the concentration of Soul Power in Tang Chenfeng's body was already enough to compress it into Liquid Soul Power. That was something that would normally only appear after at least Three Rings. For it to appear in Tang Chenfeng now was both a blessing and a curse.

The blessing was that if Tang Chenfeng successfully broke through this bottleneck, his future would be incomparably brilliant. The curse was that if he could not break through it, Tang Chenfeng might never be able to surpass level twenty. Such cases had not been unheard of in history.

Zhao Gaobo continued, "Cloud City's enrollment starts after the vacation ends. Once you return this time, think of a way to raise his level. If there's truly no other option, use Rare natural treasures to force an increase."

Ling Wei sighed. "If it truly comes to that, Ye Jiulong and I will consider it."

"It's about time. I'll go pick up the children." With that, Ling Wei rose and bid Zhao Gaobo farewell. The moment she turned around, she vanished from where she stood in a flash of light.

Looking at the place where Ling Wei had disappeared, Zhao Gaobo said, "It seems her old injuries are gradually recovering."

"If his Soul Power is forcibly raised, he probably won't ever be able to reach that height. I hope that child is lucky enough."

At that moment, everyone in the Work-Study Student dormitory was packing their luggage, preparing to welcome the vacation.

Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling had already packed their luggage. After bidding the Work-Study Students farewell, they headed toward the academy gates.

Just then, someone suddenly caught up to them from behind.

"Boss, are you free today?"

"Oh, Ze Ping. What is it?"

Three years had passed. Ze Ping, Ning Tong, and Mo Xiaoyu were now students of the Intermediate Department. Yet they still called Tang Chenfeng Boss, because even if the three of them joined forces, they still could not defeat him. Gradually, no one wanted to trouble Tang Chenfeng anymore, so the position of boss among the Work-Study Students had remained unchanged for three years.

The three walked along the road as they talked.

"Boss, I want to make a trip to the Spirit Pagoda. I hope you can come with me." Ze Ping's voice carried a hint of excitement.

Ye Hongling asked, "Ze Ping, don't tell me you've finally saved enough money to buy a Spirit Soul?"

Ze Ping said excitedly, "That's right. I've pinched pennies for several years, and I've finally saved enough to buy a Hundred-Year Soul Spirit."

Soul Masters needed Soul Rings, and there were only two ways to obtain them.

One was to enter the Soul Beast Forest and risk one's life hunting Soul Beasts for Soul Rings. The other was to spend money at the Spirit Pagoda to purchase Spirit Souls and obtain Soul Rings.

The Spirit Souls developed by the Spirit Pagoda could provide Soul Masters with Soul Rings, and one Spirit Soul could grant multiple Soul Rings. However, one also needed sufficient Spiritual Power to successfully complete the fusion. Though research showed that Soul Rings produced by artificial Spirit Souls were somewhat weaker than those from Soul Beasts, compared to risking one's life in the Soul Beast Forest, far more people clearly chose the former.

"By the way, Ze Ping, wouldn't it be fine for you to go by yourself? Why do you need to bring my brother along too?" Ye Hongling asked.

Ze Ping said, "Becoming a powerful Soul Master has always been my dream. At that moment, I hope my best friends can stand beside me and watch me take the first step toward realizing that dream. Boss, Sister Ling, you'll agree, right?"

Seeing Ze Ping's excitement, the siblings exchanged smiles. "Of course. We have no reason to refuse."

As they chatted, the three had already reached the academy gates. The entrance was packed with traffic and people, filled everywhere with parents picking up and dropping off students. Ordinary people would probably have become completely disoriented.

But Tang Chenfeng and Ye Hongling seemed to have no such trouble.

Tang Chenfeng took Ye Hongling and Ze Ping by the hand and began walking into the crowd. Strangely, whenever Tang Chenfeng stepped forward, a gap would naturally open within the crowd. Then, as long as the three slipped through the openings and turned a couple of times, they could leave the packed crowd. No one even noticed them.

"Even though I've been through this many times, Boss, I still want to ask—how did you get out?" Clearly, this was not the first time Tang Chenfeng had led someone out this way.

Tang Chenfeng smiled. "As long as your Spiritual Power is strong enough, it's actually easy to find gaps in a crowd. Even without me, Ye Hongling could easily get out on her own."

"That's right, Ze Ping. You need to train your Spiritual Power properly too," Ye Hongling said from beside him.

Ze Ping instantly pulled a long face. "I'm not a monster like you two. How can Spiritual Power be as easy to train as you make it sound?"

As the three chatted, a beautiful yet low-key figure had already arrived beside them.

"Chenfeng, Ling'er, you came out so quickly."

The moment Ye Hongling saw her, she did not hesitate in the slightest before throwing herself into her embrace.

"Mom, why did you come? I missed you so much." Ye Hongling acted spoiled in Ling Wei's arms.

"What's wrong? Am I not allowed to come?" Ling Wei said indulgently.

Ling Wei then looked at Tang Chenfeng and stroked his head. "Every time I see you, I feel like you've grown a little taller again. I can barely reach your head anymore."

Tang Chenfeng smiled bitterly to himself. After all, he was already a head taller than this Mom.

Ever since Ye Jiulong and Ling Wei's old injuries had gradually healed, they had maintained their youthful appearances for longer and longer. In their words, if they could stay young forever, who would want to remain old forever? So in private, the siblings still called them Grandpa and Grandma, but in front of outsiders, they called them Dad and Mom. It was not difficult for them to accept, since these two elders were the ones who had raised the siblings.

Tang Chenfeng said, "Oh, Mom, this is Ze Ping, the friend we often told you about."

Before this, it was usually Ye Jiulong who came to pick them up, or the siblings returned by themselves. This was Ze Ping's first time meeting Ling Wei.

Ze Ping hurriedly said, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Ze Ping."

Ling Wei said with a smile, "There's no need to be so nervous. I'm very happy that they've made a friend like you who cares about others."

"Ze Ping, you came out so quickly." Another woman's voice came from the side.

The newcomer was an ordinary woman in her thirties. From her words, it was clear that she was Ze Ping's mother.

"Mom, it's not like this is the first time I've come out this quickly. Oh, right, this is my friend's mother." Ze Ping looked toward Tang Chenfeng.

Ze Ya looked at Ze Ping, then shifted her gaze to Ling Wei and respectfully said, "Hello, I'm Ze Ping's mother. You can call me Ze Ya. Ze Ping often tells me that his friends at the academy take very good care of him. These must be your two children, right? He's obviously older than them, yet he often has to trouble his younger schoolmates. I'm really sorry."

Ling Wei said, "It's all right. Regardless of age, people should help one another. There's nothing to apologize for."

Ze Ping secretly thought, Mom, can't you say something nice about your son for once?

Ze Ya continued, "I heard from Ze Ping that both your children are already Soul Masters. You must be an outstanding Soul Master too, then."

Even in this era that already possessed Soul Tools, Soul Masters remained the most revered profession. Although Soul Tools had narrowed the gap between ordinary people and Soul Masters, anyone who understood knew there was still an insurmountable difference between top-tier Soul Tools and top-tier Soul Masters. To ordinary people, Soul Masters were beings as lofty as gods.

Yet the woman before them was still so approachable.

"It's not that exaggerated. I've only achieved a little something," Ling Wei said calmly. (A tiny achievement of level ninety-nine.)

"Then you really are a genuine Soul Master. I heard Soul Masters live longer than ordinary people. Seeing you in person is better than hearing about it a hundred times—you really look so young." Ze Ya spoke with some envy.

"All right, all right. Mom, let's go to the Spirit Pagoda and obtain my Spirit Soul now. My friends will be coming too." Ze Ping interrupted the adults' conversation from the side. He had been looking forward to becoming a Soul Master for a long time.

Ze Ya said, "Oh, right, there's such an important matter today. Let's go now."

Ling Wei said, "A Spirit Soul? I still remember the scene when I first went to the Spirit Pagoda to obtain my first Spirit Soul. It really brings back memories." Ling Wei's eyes were filled with reminiscence. To her, that period of time was something worth cherishing for a lifetime.

Ling Wei asked Ze Ping, "What kind of Spirit Soul are you planning to get? I can help you look around. Don't worry, it's free."

There were countless varieties of Spirit Souls. For Soul Masters from ordinary backgrounds, it was important to find a Spirit Soul suited to them within an appropriate price range. There were even professions dedicated to selecting Spirit Souls for beginner Soul Masters, but their prices were anything but cheap.

And now, an experienced senior was willing to help him avoid pitfalls.

"Really? Thank you, Auntie Ling. I've prepared over two hundred thousand Federal Currency. Adding what my family prepared, I can probably gather around four hundred thousand. I'm planning to buy a Hundred-Year Soul Spirit, but as for the exact type..."

After Ze Ping shared many of his own thoughts with Ling Wei and the others, they headed toward the Spirit Pagoda.